"That’s true, just look at Zhao Xing, having to display all that His Majesty awarded him—the clothes, the utilities, even the flying equipnt—it’s actually quite exhausting," Long Xiao remarked sourly.
At this mont, Zhao Xing wasn’t tired at all. Although Great Zhou had many complex ceremonies, one rarely had such monts of glory in a lifeti.
After four years of warfare, of course he needed to flaunt a little!
It wasn’t until the Ritual Officer recited to the end, "...for the court, for Marquis Yuan Rang!"
Wang Shiyang imdiately led the officials in a loud chorus, "For the court, for Marquis Yuan Rang!"
Only then did Zhao Xing step down from his chariot, descending step by step amidst rising clouds.
"Thank you for the warm welco from the folks back ho, I am undeserving," he said.
"Marquis Yuan Rang, a young genius with outstanding military achievents, you are the pride of Nanyang County, worthy of this honor!"
"Gentlen, join in congratulating Marquis Yuan Rang!" Wang Shiyang, once again taking the lead, bowed in salute.
"Congratulations, Marquis Yuan Rang!" the officials exclaid in unison.
The whole ceremony took over an hour, but this set of rituals was just a brief rest period, it was only the beginning.
Afterward, the ancestor worship and hocoming ceremonies would still require a parade through over a hundred counties of Nanyang, carrying plaques of Marquis Yuan Rang’s military rits, singing praises in the streets.
Though rely a third-rank Marquis with an official position below the sixth grade,
Zhao Xing had indeed accumulated nearly five million rits!
Calculating ten rits per ninth-grade barbarian, he had eradicated nearly half a million barbarians. Without any distinction, that was five million rits!
Nanyang was a border county too, historically often threatened and attacked by barbarians.
So, this level of praise was not at all excessive.
If he had died, a temple would have been erected, and Mr. Zhao’s statue would be paraded in the streets while singing praises.
Moreover, in the first ten years, a parade would be held monthly to consolidate his Yin God Body.
Of course, now that he was still alive, there was no reason to build a living shrine. Those who did such things were heretics, like the Blood Spirit Venerable.
....
Welcoming Zhao Xing back to the Nanyang County Governnt, the journey was filled with songs and fanfare.
Once inside the county governnt, Wang Shiyang arranged a banquet, inviting senior officials to another round of congratulations.
"Marquis Yuan Rang, congratulations! Co, this cup is to honor the Marquis!" Wang Shiyang toasted.
"To honor the Marquis!"
Zhao Xing rose to his feet and raised his cup.
"This humble official has only made a modest contribution, thanks to Lord Wang and all other nobles’ kindness," he said.
"This humble official will drink first as a mark of respect!"
And with that, he drained his cup.
After several rounds, Zhao Xing returned to his seat. Wang Shiyang then had the curtains drawn, isolating their area from the main banquet hall, which quieted down a bit.
"Zhao Xing, how long is your leave this ti you return to your hotown?" Wang Shiyang asked more casually now.
"Half a year," Zhao Xing replied. "Marquis Yunxiao, Marquis Yuan Zhen, and I are all on the sa schedule."
"That’s very good. You have been away from ho for four years, now you can really enjoy the reunion with your family and friends, and see the changes in the landscape of your hotown," Wang Shiyang said.
Speaking of family and friends, Zhao Xing picked up the conversation, "Lord Wang, I have a good friend who serves as an official in Nanyang, but I didn’t seem to see him at the banquet earlier."
Wang Shiyang felt a jolt in his heart. Zhao Xing’s good friend? How could he have overlooked him?
The docunt officer next to him imdiately answered, "To welco Marquis Yuan Rang, Lord Wang made the reception and banquet arrangents a bit more formal. Also, so officials could not get away from their busy public duties, please excuse us, Marquis."
Zhao Xing nodded.
Wang Shiyang also breathed a sigh of relief and asked with a smile, "Zhao Xing, who are you referring to?"
"Zong Shichang, who should now be the Eighth-Rank Pinghuai Prefect of Nanyang," Zhao Xing said.
Zong Shichang’s letters had not been received by Zhao Xing for a long ti, mainly because he was continuously deployed on the battlefield and in Grotto Heaven, with no ti to reply.
The most recent letter was from half a year ago, at the end of the nineteenth year, when Zhao Xing was impeaching Prince Liang. Zong Shichang ntioned that he had reached the rank of eighth-grade.
"Zong Shichang? I have so impression," Wang Shiyang pondered briefly. He only had a vague impression.
In fact, this impression was only enhanced today, because in Wang Shiyang’s eyes, the Zong family was just a county family, a type of rchant family, which he would not bother with. As for Zong Shichang himself, an eighth-grade was also beneath his notice.
Before Zhao Xing’s return, he didn’t even know there was a person called Zhao Xing, let alone know about his relationship with Zong Shichang.
Wang Shiyang turned to the docunt officer, who imdiately stood up to search for the person.
He continued to accompany Zhao Xing.
...
Nanyang County was neither too large nor too small, covering over a hundred counties and possessing several Spirit Mountains.
Becoming anxious that Zhao Xing might encounter any troubles upon returning ho, Wang Shiyang imdiately sent out people to inquire.
He thought he had been sufficiently thorough, but it wasn’t enough.
At that mont, Zong Shichang, who had a close relationship with Zhao Xing, was fast asleep inside the Inspection Bureau of Nanyang City.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" Just as he had fallen asleep, soone started pounding on the gate.
"Damn it!" Zong Shichang instantly sat up and yelled towards the outside, "Can’t a person sleep in peace!"
"Mr. Zong, please don’t bla us," a Patrol Guard said softly outside the detention cell, "We are just following orders. Inspector Song said that we can’t let you sleep."
"That bastard Song Ji, go tell Song Ji he can only keep locked up for two more days!" Zong Shichang cursed. "Once I get out, I swear I’ll defecate and urinate on his ancestors’ graves, rain or shine, day and night!"
There was no more sound from outside, as if ignoring Zong Shichang’s curses.
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