Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 151: What Kind of Person is He?
After the Emperor's return to the capital, various personnel disputes once again became lively. Zhang Shuo's followers in the outer court were eager to avenge their previous defeat, while undercurrents were also surging in the inner court and the northern gate.

Recently, while at Guangchengtang in Ruzhou, Duke Huo, Wang Maozhong, could no longer contain his long-planned scheme. Taking advantage of a gathering of the emperor and his ministers, he brought his daughter before the emperor, intending to present her to the inner palace. However, due to the obstruction of Consort Hui, his plan failed, leaving Wang Maozhong still resentful after his return.

"Consort Hui, of the Wu clan, is truly wicked and unruly! In the past, Empress Dowager Wu abused the imperial power, bringing our Tang Dynasty to the brink of collapse. Fortunately, the current emperor has controlled the various warlords and restored order, bringing peace to the land. The lessons of the past are profound and must be learned!"

Consort Hui was spared from being implicated in the crime and was still favored in the harem, which was already extremely fortunate. Yet she dared to abuse her favor and create trouble in the harem again. How could the Emperor possibly decide whom to favor? Such a foolish woman is truly intolerable!

Thinking of his failed plan, Wang Maozhong couldn't help but start cursing.

After his attempt at Guangcheng Soup, his intentions were no longer a secret. Now, as the family members gathered in the inner courtyard, upon hearing Wang Maozhong's words, all the sons echoed his sentiments indignantly.

However, Wang Rou Niang, the young girl who was to be presented to the emperor, was quite open-minded. Hearing her father and brothers' angry words, she said, "Father and brothers, there is no need to be so angry. People may value serving the emperor, but I do not think so."

My family is now equally wealthy and powerful, with my father and brothers both holding high-ranking official positions. Even if my daughter were to enter the inner palace, she might not necessarily gain favor. If I were to be careless in my duties, it might even implicate my father and brothers. I often hear gossip from the palace women, who say that Consort Hui is extremely wicked. At home, I can still be protected by my father and brothers, but if I were to enter the palace and act as a powerful figure on my own, I'm afraid it wouldn't be possible…”

Consort Hui's reputation in the inner palace was by no means good. Wang Maozhong's family often lived in the inner garden, so they inevitably heard about her.

The young girl was naturally delicate and naturally hoped to serve the emperor. However, the thought of competing for favor with a powerful figure like Consort Wu Hui in the inner palace made her feel fearful. She felt that having her good plans ruined might not be so bad.

The fates of Empress Wang and Consort Xiao during Emperor Gaozong's reign still terrify the women in the inner palace. Not to mention that the current emperor's first wife, Empress Wang, has already been punished. Who would dare to try to be like Consort Xiao under Consort Wu Hui's nose?

It is said that some of the most beautiful women in the inner palace were so afraid of Consort Wu Hui that they dared not even apply much makeup. This young woman, Wang Rou Niang, was naturally also afraid, and on her way home, she even secretly rejoiced that she had not been chosen by the Emperor to enter the harem.

"What do you know, woman! Do you really think your father and brothers were born destined to wear purple robes? How much blood and tears have been shed for those purple robes! Fine clothes and sumptuous food, poetry, books and arts, the supply of which was never lacking, the upbringing of which was never lacking, all for the sake of presenting you to my lord, so that my family's status could be further improved! If there is no benefit, what use is there in raising you? If you continue to have such disheartening thoughts, I will not spare you!"

Wang Maozhong was already in a bad mood, and when he heard his daughter say that, he became even more irritable and lost his usual patience. He immediately slammed his fist on the table and berated her.

This girl was doted on by her father from a young age because of her outstanding beauty, and she received more care among her brothers and sisters. Therefore, she dared to interrupt and express her opinions when her father and brothers were talking.

However, she did not expect to be severely reprimanded by her father. She felt frightened, aggrieved, and ashamed of losing face in front of her family. Her heart was filled with mixed feelings, and she couldn't help but shed tears. She said angrily, "How was I supposed to know that Father had such a profound plan?"

The room is full of men, who do not seek advancement through talent and ability, but instead beg for favor from women! Alas, I am ugly and clumsy, unworthy of the attention of sages, utterly useless. Father, may you kill me!

"You think I can't bear to part with it!"

Wang Maozhong, who had long been in charge of military affairs, was also short-tempered and had the final say at home. He was already restless and anxious when his plans failed, but he never expected that his daughter, whom he had carefully raised since childhood, would challenge his authority in front of his family. This made him even more furious. He grabbed the utensils on the table and smashed them on the ground. Then he leaped out of his seat and rushed down with his fist raised.

"My lord, please forgive me, my lord, please forgive me, this woman is ignorant..."

Wang Rouniang's birth mother was also a concubine who was usually quite favored. When she saw Wang Maozhong so furious, she immediately rushed out to stop him and beg for mercy.

Wang Maozhong was already furious and no woman could stop him. He kicked the concubine to the ground and swung his fist down, yelling, "She doesn't understand, so you can't teach her? I'll beat you to death today, you spoiled and arrogant slut!"

"Don't hit my aunt... I was wrong, Dad, I was really wrong..."

Seeing her mother being abused because of her, the girl no longer dared to be arrogant and rushed forward to plead with her.

The other family members in the hall had long harbored resentment towards the mother and daughter for being favored. Now that they saw them suffer, they were all happy to stand by and watch, and no one dared to risk being implicated and plead for them.

Although Wang Maozhong was furious, he did not completely give up hope. So most of his punches and kicks were directed at his own concubine. In his heart, he regarded the concubine as Consort Wu Hui, who was arrogant and spoiled by his favor and ruined his plans.

As for the daughter who truly angered him, he had for many years regarded her as a gift to be offered to a saint. After years of self-brainwashing, he dared not easily beat or offend her, and tried his best to avoid physical violence.

"Reporting to my lord, Duke Geng and his sons have come to visit!" Just then, a servant hurriedly came to the front of the hall and bowed to Wang Maozhong.

Upon hearing this, Wang Maozhong stopped and looked around at the family members present, saying, "This matter must not be leaked outside. Anyone who dares to speak ill of others outside will be severely punished!"

Upon hearing this, the wives, concubines, and children in the hall quickly nodded in agreement. Then, Wang Maozhong asked them to take Wang Rouniang and her daughter, who had been punished, and leave. He then returned to the inner hall to change his clothes and asked Wang Shouzhen and the other young men to go out and greet their colleagues.

Before long, Geng Guogong Ge Fushun and other generals of the Northern Army, along with their respective sons, entered the hall together. Seeing Wang Maozhong's magnificent inner palace residence, which was even comparable to the inner palace, many of them couldn't help but show envy.

"The entourage, feeling exhausted on their return journey, is resting in the back hall. We apologize for not being able to greet you properly upon your arrival!"

Wang Maozhong was strict and dignified in his military discipline, but that was when dealing with ordinary soldiers. When interacting with other high-ranking officers, he was very kind and polite.

"We are the ones who are ignorant and presumptuous to visit and disturb Lord Huo's rest!"

Upon hearing this, Ge Fushun and the others quickly clasped their hands in a respectful bow and said something.

After exchanging pleasantries, the group took their seats. Wang Maozhong was still unaware of their purpose in visiting, as they had only recently dispersed at the North Gate and were unaware of any news or events in the capital.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to Ge Fushun. Ge Fushun was the foremost meritorious official of the Northern Gate Tang Yuan and had long commanded the 10,000 cavalry of the Northern Army. He was one of the few people in the Northern Gate who could rival Wang Maozhong.

"After His Majesty's return to the capital, the guard duties at the North Gate also need to be rearranged. Some of the soldiers in the various camps are tired from accompanying the emperor, while others are idle from staying behind. They also need to be carefully considered and reorganized. Therefore, I have come to report to Lord Huo, asking if Lord Huo has any other instructions?"

When Ge Fushun asked, he was too embarrassed to state his purpose directly, so he first laid the groundwork by talking about official business.

Wang Maozhong was somewhat agitated at the moment and had no mood to inquire about these trivial camp affairs. So he said, "According to the regulations of the Imperial Guard Camp, the camp commanders and other generals should first make arrangements, and after the arrangements are reviewed and approved, they should be issued to the various military camps for implementation. There is no need to report to the emperor again."

Although the Northern Army bears the heavy responsibility of guarding the capital, and adjustments are inevitable with each move, these matters are all governed by established precedents and do not require all the army commanders to gather here again to create a new situation. Therefore, after answering, Wang Maozhong secretly harbored doubts.

Upon hearing this, Ge Fushun gestured for his son to step forward and present the register of the 10,000 cavalry guards. He then smiled and said, "The matter of the 10,000 cavalry guards here has been reviewed. I have you present it to Lord Huo for his approval."

These officials at the North Gate are deeply favored by the Emperor and entrusted with the crucial task of guarding the palace. Even the slightest mistake could have severe consequences. Therefore, father and son must succeed each other in upholding this duty. Lord Huo, do you think this young man can inherit his mantle?

Upon hearing this, Wang Maozhong didn't think of anything else. He simply assumed that Ge Fushun wanted to boast about his son, so he took the ledger with one hand and casually praised him with a smile: "Your son is brave and outstanding, and you have inherited the style of Lord Geng!"

However, the others were naturally very unhappy to hear that Ge Fushun did not inquire about the details as he had previously promised, but instead only showed off his own sons to Wang Maozhong.

Another Northern Army general, Li Shoude, immediately stood up, clasped his hands in front of Wang Maozhong, and said loudly, "This hall is full of Northern Army disciples. Why does Lord Huo only see Young Master Geng? If we talk about how long we have known each other and how deep our friendship is, who here can surpass Lord Huo and me?"
"Back when the Emperor was still residing in his former residence as a prince and serving as governor of Lu Prefecture, I was already under the command of Lord Huo, and we have been close friends ever since! Now that Lord Huo wishes to choose a husband for his beloved daughter, we happen to have some fine young men of suitable age within our family, and we should certainly introduce them to Lord Huo for his consideration!"

"Choosing a husband for your daughter?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Maozhong exclaimed in surprise, then looked at Ge Fushun and the others and asked, "Did you all come here for this?"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. Several young men, mustering their courage, said, "The news of Lord Huo's actions has already spread throughout the North Gate. We young men have been trained by Lord Huo since childhood and now that we have some talent, we should offer ourselves to Lord Huo!"

Leaving aside Wang Maozhong, who was stunned on the spot, Wang Shouzhen, seeing the excited expressions of his usual playmates, was filled with resentment. He raised his fist and punched the nearest young man, cursing, "Li the scoundrel, what's wrong with you, you traitorous slave from Luzhou? With your slave background, you dare to be my brother-in-law?"

The young man was caught off guard and knocked down. His father was none other than Li Shoude, who had just boasted of having the deepest friendship with Wang Maozhong. Hearing Wang Shouzhen's curses, Li Shoude's face turned ashen. He stamped his foot and shouted angrily, "My son is a slave! What kind of noble blood is the Crown Prince's servant!"

(End of this chapter)