After escaping from the clutches of Cousin w.a.n.g Zhu Yan, the carriage traveled amidst the crowd’s cheering from the gates of the royal palace to the w.a.n.g Family Residence.
At this very moment, the person that w.a.n.g Chong desired to meet the most was his mother. Back then, when he wrote the memorial to the Sage Emperor, he acted on his own whim. He failed to inform his mother about it, and given the huge mess he had gotten himself into, it was hard to imagine how worried his mother was.
His mother had probably suffered great agony in the past three months.
Even though w.a.n.g Chong didn’t see his mother amidst the cheering crowd, he knew that it was not because she was unconcerned but that it was inappropriate for her to do so given her position.
“Third brother, you’re back!”
As soon as w.a.n.g Chong alighted from his carriage, a small girl’s eyes lit up. She dashed forward and pounced into w.a.n.g Chong’s embrace. The immense force in her movements caused w.a.n.g Chong to stagger, and he nearly tumbled over despite driving his Origin Energy to withstand off the impact.
“Little sister, seems like you have grown stronger!”
Hugging his younger sister, w.a.n.g Chong smiled bitterly.
He had been working diligently during this period of time, training whenever he could, thus inducing an significant growth in his cultivation.
However, it seemed like his younger sister hadn’t been slacking either. Most cultivated by putting their bodies through great torture, but w.a.n.g Xiao Yao did so through eating.
There was probably no one else other than his younger sister who could render him helpless with just brute strength.
“Third brother, you aren’t allowed to mock me. Otherwise, I’m going to get angry!”
w.a.n.g Family’s little sister lifted her gaze and stared at w.a.n.g Chong furiously. ‘Killing intent’ raged within her little eyes.
w.a.n.g Chong burst into laughter, but he didn’t dare to say anything.
His little sister might be innocent, but she was a force to be reckoned with when she flew into a rage. Even with w.a.n.g Chong’s current strength, he might not necessarily be a match for her.
After parting with little sister, w.a.n.g Chong went to greet his mother before looking for Shen Hai, Meng Long, Arloja, Ablonodan, Tuoba Guiyuan, Li Zhuxin, and Miyasame Ayaka.
“Master, welcome back.”
This was Miyasame Ayaka.
“Hehe, I thought you weren’t going to return.”
This was Li Zhuxin.
Toward Miyasame Ayaka, w.a.n.g Chong smiled in appreciation. But toward Li Zhuxin, w.a.n.g Chong could only roll his eyes.
“Mister Li, aren’t you afraid of not having any pay for the next month?”
“Haha, that’s true. There aren’t many wealthy employers like gongzi around.”
Li Zhuxin chuckled.
Even though they were interacting as per normal, w.a.n.g Chong could sense that everyone’s att.i.tude was a little different.
However, this didn’t impede their intimacy.
On top of that, w.a.n.g Chong had also received a huge pile of letters from Han generals all over Great Tang.
Everyone knew when w.a.n.g Chong was going to be released, and they calculated the timing to send the letters over precisely. Other than congratulating w.a.n.g Chong on his release, they also extended an invitation to him to join their army.
Given the generals’ power of appointment, it was a simple feat for them to grant him the position of a captain or even a major as soon as he joins them.
Just by this itself, w.a.n.g Chong would have a huge headstart.
“Gongzi, of all of these invitations, which one are you going to accept?”
A voice echoed behind. When Shen Hai and Meng Long walked into w.a.n.g Chong’s study and saw that huge pile of invitation letters on the table, their eyes grew hot in agitation.
The both of them came from the military so they understood the significance of this opportunity. They couldn’t help but feel slightly envious.
That was the position of a captain and a major!
The both of them had never achieved such heights in the military before.
It was unthinkable for one to be given such a high position as soon as one joined the military. For many, such heights were unreachable for them throughout their lives.
Yet, to their young master, it was just a matter of nodding his head.
If it was anyone else, it would surely result in acrimony. However, given that it was the young master, they believed that no one, from the royal court down to the generals and the troops, would dare to utter a single word of complaint.
Most probably, even the Sage Emperor would be delighted to see this happen.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have protected w.a.n.g Chong despite the immense pressure from the Hu.
“Hehe, even though it’s extremely tempting, I won’t accept any one of them.”
After taking a brief glance, w.a.n.g Chong placed the invitation letters back onto the table.
“Ah? Why?”
The two of them were dumbstruck.
“Gongzi, it’s a captain and major rank! If gongzi becomes a captain or a major as soon as you enlist, you’ll be spared from many years of effort!”
Shen Hai and Meng Long exclaimed in shock.
“Hehe, let me ask you then. Given my current strength, do you think that I’m qualified to be a major? The military is a place where might reigns supreme. Even if I manage to land that position, I’ll never earn the respect of my men.”
Even before such a huge opportunity, w.a.n.g Chong was still able to retain his composure. The thought of it was wonderful, but w.a.n.g Chong knew that this wasn’t what he wanted.
“Besides, the training camps are about to open. I can’t possibly join other armies now.”
Many things had happened in the last three months. Not only was the matter regarding the Three Great Training Camps confirmed, the rough construction of the training grounds was also completed.
All of the instructors, involved personnel, and required equipment had been brought into the camps as well.
——This was what Uncle Li Lin told him.
w.a.n.g Chong only had two to three days to prepare, so he was sorely lacking in time.
w.a.n.g Chong thought that he would miss this huge affair due to his three months of imprisonment, but it seemed like the Sage Emperor had considered this matter on his behalf.
“However, even if you graduate from the training camp, it’ll still be difficult for you to become a major in the short run!”
Meng Long protested, unable to understand the rationale behind his young master’s decision.
“Hehe, Meng Long, it’s hard to explain the matter now, but you’ll understand it in the future. The Three Great Training Camps is a huge matter, and becoming a part of it will bring far greater benefits than climbing onto a high position.”
w.a.n.g Chong chuckled.
“However, even if that’s the case, gongzi can put the invitation on hold and come under a general right after you graduate from the training camp too!”
Shen Hai said.
w.a.n.g Chong’s father, w.a.n.g Yan, was a general of Great Tang. However, of those who sent the letters, there were many who possessed far greater standing than him.
This time, w.a.n.g Chong only shook his head silently.
He had his own considerations. He didn’t like being restrained, and before the huge catastrophe that was about to befall Great Tang, he couldn’t go about doing things the standard way like the others.
This wasn’t where w.a.n.g Chong’s ambitions lay. Becoming an ‘influential official’ was a mean, not a goal.
Walking out of the study, w.a.n.g Chong welcomed the first batch of guests.
“Paying respect to gongzi!”
Eight well-built men stood in a line before w.a.n.g Chong. They were all former instructors of the Imperial Army. They had some age to them, and even the youngest of them was in his late forties. They carried an authoritative disposition, and with a single glance, it was clear that they had weathered through many storms.
They were figures who would be well-respected even within the royal palace. Yet, before w.a.n.g Chong, all of them lowered their heads and bent their taut backs.
“Lord w.a.n.g Mi has brought us over. There’s a rule among Imperial Army instructors that even after retirement, one is to not serve as an instructor for others casually. Initially, we’re worried that gongzi might harbor some other intentions, but from the looks of it, it seems like we were overthinking it. Given gongzi‘s character, no matter what gongzi wants us to do, we’re willing to give it our all!”
“Money and such are just insignificant material possessions. Just on gongzi‘s reputation itself, we’re willing to volunteer our services without remuneration!”
“The eight of us are only the first batch. We’ve talked to another eight highly-qualified instructors for gongzi, and they’ve indicated their willingness to work for gongzi without remuneration as well. They’ll be arriving tomorrow!”
…
The eight of them spoke respectfully toward w.a.n.g Chong.
“Great!”
w.a.n.g Chong was stunned for a moment before furious joy gushed into his heart. These Imperial Army instructors were reputed for being difficult to employ, and each of them had an incredibly obstinate character.
No matter how high the price one offered, the other party might not necessarily be willing to offer his services.
Thus, for a very long time, there was no news from little uncle.
w.a.n.g Chong didn’t expect that the reputation he earned from the regional commanders incident would aid him in convincing these obstinate Imperial Army instructors.
In w.a.n.g Chong’s initial plan, it would already be great if he could hire three Imperial Army instructors. Thus, he intended to pick the more outstanding students to lead the new recruits so as to slowly broaden the number of instructors.
Even though it would take a much longer time, it was still feasible.
But at this moment, eight highly-qualified Imperial Army instructors had come to look for him, and this was only the first batch. This had far surpa.s.sed w.a.n.g Chong’s expectations.
Furthermore, these obstinate men were actually willing to work for him without any remuneration.
This was a thought that w.a.n.g Chong dared not harbor.
With the help from these people, w.a.n.g Chong would be able to push forward his plan.
There was no better news than this to him at the moment.
It could be said that this was the best news he had heard today.
“Everyone, I am delighted that you are all willing to offer your services. Regarding the matter of remuneration, I appreciate your thoughts. However, it is something I’ve decided upon from the start so I’ll still pay you all according to the initial agreement made.”
w.a.n.g Chong said.
“w.a.n.g gongzi, this is something we’ve all decided upon beforehand. The reason why we’re willing to help you without demanding any compensation is out of admiration for you, that’s why we chose to respond to Lord w.a.n.g’s invitation.”
“If gongzi were to insist on paying us, we’re going to take it as an insult.”
One of the instructors who was built like a bear spoke up with a stern expression.
“This…”
w.a.n.g Chong was tongue-tied.
He knew that these qualified Imperial Army instructors were obstinate people, and once they had decided on something, it would be difficult to change their mind. But to think that they would be stubborn on such a matter as well!