In late March, the spring scenery in Chang'an was brilliant. The peonies in the Forbidden Garden were still dormant, and the cherry blossoms and peach blossoms were already a hundred purples and reds, vying for beauty.
The Northern Expeditionary Army returned triumphantly,
Baqiao, eastern suburbs,
The victorious generals will receive the imperial edict here,
The emperor awarded Li Jing, Wu Huaiyu, Li Ji, Zhang Gongjin, Su Lie, Dou Jing, Yuchi Gong, Xue Wanshu, Li Keshi and Li De with gilt armor and woven gold brocade robes for ten generals, and escorted Jieli Khan into Chang'an City in a military chariot.
Go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple and win.
Three thousand elite and meritorious soldiers from the Northern Expedition were selected and entered the city together.
Entering the city from the Mingde Gate at the south gate of Chang'an, along the ten-mile Zhuque Street to the Zhuque Gate Square in the imperial city, the emperor personally came to greet the victorious soldiers of the Northern Expedition today.
Then he moved to the gate and offered prisoners to the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the southeast corner of the imperial city.
Baqiao.
The ten generals of the Northern Expedition and three thousand knights were all awarded brocade robes.
Weiwei Temple also specially transported three thousand sets of brand-new Mingguang armor, all brand-new iron armor, and brightly-colored large round guards on the front and back, just to make these heroes of the Northern Expedition more powerful in front of the people of Chang'an.
Military chariots were also sent from Chang'an.
It is very majestic and domineering, not an ordinary carriage.
The chariot is equipped with a crossbow and a five-man team, two bow operators, two crossbow operators, and one person who beats the drum and directs the advance and retreat.
There is also a veil in front of the chariot to protect the chariot. There is a felt blanket around it to protect it from arrows. Two strong horses pull the chariot.
There are also twenty infantry warriors under the cart. There are fourteen people guarding and pushing the cart with spears in the front and rear, and six people holding swords and shields. Counting the two archers, two crossbowmen, and a bed of crossbows on the cart, in fact, this
The chariot can carry and charge, and it is still very powerful.
Of course, the chariots were brought into the city this time just to show off the majesty of the general, so each of these ten chariots was accompanied by twenty-five cavalry escorts.
The chariots are also specially painted with tigers and so on.
The chariot is also taller and longer.
Wu Huaiyu and others stood on it wearing golden armor, similar to a float parade. During the Lantern Festival in Chang'an every year, there is a float parade program. Various floats are decorated with colorful lanterns, and there are even various idols such as gods, Buddhas, and immortals. Some even
Some have functional lights, and some have lights that light up, which is really strange.
In comparison, Jieli is a bit pitiful.
Although he was sweating profusely, he didn't know how to appreciate it. If he followed Tang Jian back to Chang'an, he might have been treated politely, but since he was defeated and captured alive by Wu Huaiyu and others, it was different.
It was good for him along the way, but when entering the city, there must be a sense of ceremony.
So it was Tang Jian who came to entertain this man. Tang Jian had officially been appointed minister of Honglu Temple. What he brought to Jie Li was a prison car.
A longer and larger prison cart, pulled by two oxen, is still a prison cart.
Jieli also had to put on prison clothes and even a gasuo. He was a king who had subjugated his country and was a prisoner under his command.
"The last time Khan came to Guanzhong, even though he passed Weiqiao, he only had an alliance at Xibianmen and then left. He hasn't been to Baqiao in the eastern suburbs yet, has he?"
Of course, we still have to beat them.
Wu Huaiyu also wanted to knock on it.
Because of the emperor's words, the soldiers of the Northern Expedition are now very relaxed. They were very excited and happy when they divided the spoils of war, livestock, cattle, horses, slaves, money, and silk.
happy.
It doesn't take long to ride a horse from Baqiao to Chang'an.
Although Wu Huaiyu and Master Li Jing walked side by side, they didn't talk about anything.
Linqing County Duke Su Lie was both excited and a little confused, because the emperor asked him to step down from the posts of Sima of the Governor's Office of Youzhou, Governor of Guizhou, and Military Envoy of Qingyi, etc., but did not give him other new positions. He now only has
A right guard general.
This position is more like a military rank. After all, although it is a third-grade general in the Weifu, these generals and generals are also different. For example, some of them actually serve in the yamen of the Weifu, and some have added titles but are not in Beijing, or are not in Beijing.
This office is doing something wrong.
Su Lie's Right Guard General is one of those with an additional title, just like Wu Huaiyu's Right Leading General. He doesn't know what kind of arrangements he will have after entering Beijing. His merits will be rewarded with a false title of County Duke.
, it is very rare. If you want to be awarded a real position, one of them should still be able to be the governor of Shangzhou.
However, his origin still has limitations.
Li Dejiang came to Baqiao from Chang'an to attend the city entrance ceremony. Who would have thought that Mr. Li, who once wanted to be a hero in Chang'an and a swordsman in Shushan, would now become the Duke of Yongkang County.
But he didn't seem very happy.
"I have left Liumen. Now I am a regular attendant." Entering the ranks of the fifth rank nobles, Li Dejiang was a little absent-minded while riding on the horse. It was obvious that he really liked being in Liumen.
errand.
It was Wu Huaiyu who pulled him through the six doors, but now the two of them left one after another.
Wu Huaiyu knew that since Li Jing had become a right servant, Li Dejiang was not suitable to stay in the Six Doors. After all, the Six Doors was a semi-secret organization.
"I'm going to ask to go out, maybe to the back of Youzhou Mountain, to be a side general." Li De said.
"I'm still thinking about returning to Chang'an, so that we two brothers will have a chance to reunite again." Huaiyu said with a smile.
"My father is the right servant, and you are the school inspector. Even if I stay in Beijing, I won't have much contact," Li Dezhuang sighed.
That's true, let alone Li Dejiao. From now on in Chang'an, he won't be able to visit Li Jing and Qin Qiong's house much.
"Sometimes I envy my eldest brother for being so carefree."
Li Deyu is indeed a bit heartless. He is the stupid son of the landlord. He thinks that he is good at martial arts when he is a Qianniu guard. He is arty and arty. He likes to make friends with the rich and powerful. Silly
He always has an inexplicable sense of superiority and likes luxury, but overall, Mr. Li is not a bad person.
But stupid people also have stupid blessings. This guy has done nothing in the past few years, but he has been promoted all the way, from personal guard to Qianniu Preparation to Shenji Workshop to Ordnance Sergeant. Now I heard that he has just been promoted to General
The young prisoner has been promoted to the fourth rank.
Although he was not as good as his brother Li Dezhai who had earned himself the dukedom of Yongkang, his father had already earned him the dukedom of Daiguo. Anyway, Li Jing was over sixty years old, and it would not be long before the dukedom of the country would also be passed to him.
Li Dejiang mentioned Sanniang, "Sanniang's belly is already very big. Sometimes it feels like everything is destined. I still felt sorry for you two at the time. Who would have thought that now she is about to give birth?"
"
"Well, indeed,"
Who would have thought that Li Sanniang and Wu Huaiyu were once so emotionally involved that Li Sanniang even left Emei in central Sichuan. But who would have thought that the two of them would still be together. Li Sanniang would even become the adopted sister of the Emperor and conferred the title of County Lord. Now she is about to do so.
Gave birth to a child for Wu Huaiyu.
"Everything is destined."
Arrive outside the south gate of Chang'an.
Reorganize the team,
Wu Huaiyu and others boarded their chariots,
The three thousand meritorious soldiers also arranged their armor and mounted their tall horses.
The angel preached, the auspicious time has arrived,
"Soldiers of the Northern Expedition enter the city in triumph!"
Enter the city through the south gate.
Wu Huaiyu walked in the middle of Zhuque Street for the first time. This was Tianjie. Normally, only the emperor could walk there when he was traveling.
Scholars and common people always walk on both sides of the road.
No matter how wide the sky street in the middle is, you can't walk on it normally.
But today, ten Northern Expedition generals, led by Li Jingwu and Huaiyu, and three thousand honorable men, entered Beijing in triumph. The emperor ordered them to walk through the Zhuque Heavenly Street.
Cruise around Quai Street.
Both sides of Zhuque Street were crowded with soldiers and civilians of Chang'an. When Li Jing, Wu Huaiyu and others in golden helmets appeared on Tian Street, countless cheers rang out.
The last time the Turks attacked the city of Chang'an, it was just three and a half years ago. At that time, the price of food in Chang'an soared. Everyone was shocked overnight, but the memory is still fresh.
When Jieli Khan and many Turks and special agents, dressed in prison uniforms and sitting in prison cars, also appeared on Tianjie, the people cheered even louder and fiercer.
All the people of the Tang Dynasty were proud and proud,
At this moment, I felt like I had stood up and made the decision, my waist was straightened a little, my voice was a little more majestic, and all the confidence of the Han family was back!
This confidence was built on the fact that the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty made the Northern Expedition, defeated the Turks, and captured Jieli Khan alive!
These golden-armored generals and those dazzling soldiers gave everyone the greatest confidence.
"Long live the Tang Dynasty!"
Wu Huaiyu stood on the chariot and felt everyone's enthusiasm. At this moment, he couldn't help but raise his arms and shout!
Countless people followed the mountain and shouted, "Long live the Tang Dynasty, long live the Emperor, long live the Tang Dynasty! Long live the Emperor!"
The sound shook Yunxiao, and even Li Shimin, who was leaving the Tai Chi Palace and heading to the tower of Zhuque Gate in the Imperial City, heard it clearly. Li Shimin clenched his fists and his face flushed with excitement.
To the west of the Forbidden Garden of Taiji Palace is Da'an Palace, the residence of the Supreme Emperor.
"What's the noise outside?"
"Back to the Supreme Emperor, today Li Jing, Wu Huaiyu and other soldiers from the Northern Expedition entered the city in triumph and presented the Turkic Khan's gifts to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. They should be entering the city to tour Zhuquetian Street, and the people are cheering." The chamberlain replied.
Li Yuan was already drowsy, but when he heard this, he couldn't help but stood up, his eyes were like lightning,
"Did they enter the city in triumph today and offer prisoners to the Ancestral Temple? Why didn't they tell me?"
"Hurry, serve me and change my clothes. I also want to go to the Zhuque Gate Tower to witness this grand event with my own eyes. Hurry,"
The Supreme Emperor urged urgently.
The chamberlain was a little hesitant. The Supreme Emperor would not be able to leave Da'an Palace without the emperor's will.
Li Yuan seemed to have come to his senses, "Hurry up and send someone to report to the emperor, saying that I will also see the soldiers of the Northern Expedition today, and I will also meet Jie Li."
Serving the purpose internally,
Li Shimin boarded the Zhuque Gate Tower, and Zhou Shaofan brought the Supreme Emperor's chamberlain.
Hearing that the Supreme Emperor also wanted to come, Li Shimin was stunned for a moment.
"The Supreme Emperor said that the Emperor of the Han Dynasty was trapped in vain and could not retaliate. Now that my son can destroy the Turks, I have entrusted the people, so there is no need to worry. The Supreme Emperor is happy and wants to come and have a look."
Hearing this, Li Shimin nodded and was very happy. Being able to let the Supreme Emperor say the words of the person entrusted to him also represented the Supreme Emperor's sincere approval, which was very important to Li Shimin.
"Xiaofan, go and greet the Supreme Emperor on my behalf."
Li Yuan came to Zhuque Tower with a smile on his face, and even took the initiative to hug Li Shimin, "Erlang, I am very happy today, very happy."
“At the beginning of my business, I was forced to cede territory to the Turks. I treated the Turks with humble words and generous gifts, and even changed my flag to a mixture of crimson and white to show the Turks.
Now my son has finally avenged his shame, good,"
"Now that the Turks have been destroyed and Jieli captured, the emperor must regain Fengzhou and Shengzhou and not let the Turks occupy them again. Back then, I had no choice but to let Zhang Changxun and Guo Zi move their people into the city and abandon Fengsheng.
You must regain Fengsheng and restore it."
Li Shimin listened attentively and nodded in agreement.
The victorious soldiers swam all the way through the ten-mile Suzaku Street and arrived in front of the Zhuque Gate. Li Yuan pointed to Li Jing on the front chariot and said, "I almost killed Li Jing twice back then. Fortunately, you and Xu Shao saved my life and Li Jing swept the southeast for our Tang Dynasty.
Now that he has made a great contribution to the Northern Expedition to destroy the Turks, you must let him die a good death."
"That one at the back is Wu Huaiyu, he's such a powerful young man. He still owes me several portraits. Now that he's back to Chang'an, please ask him to remember to come to Da'an Palace to finish the painting for me when he has time."
