After staying in Taiyuan for a few days and settling everything, Prince Han and Prince Qin of the Dasheng Dynasty led their respective forces away from Taiyuan, returning victorious to the court.
Along the way, the sky was vast and clear.
Although there was no rain and snow as on the journey there, because this was a victorious return, they couldn’t travel too quickly. Instead, they had to proceed slowly and with great fanfare along the way, allowing the people of the towns and cities they passed to witness the majestic military prowess and the awe-inspiring power of the Dasheng Dynasty.
Thus, the return journey took nearly a month.
By the ti they finally returned to the long-separated Chang An City, spring had arrived.
The chill in the wind had not yet entirely dissipated, but the slight warmth mixed in brought great comfort, especially with the news of the great victory in Taiyuan and the reclamation of the Dragon Raising Land. All the citizens of Chang An City ran to the streets, from Mingde Gate all along both sides of Vermilion Bird Street, dressed in red and green, cheering and singing praises for the victorious warriors.
For a mont, the entire Chang An City was boiling, bustling with excitent.
Seeing the people so jubilant, although Yu Wenye’s expression remained stern, a trace of warmth seed to lt within his eyes.
Throughout the dynasties, with the rise and fall of fortunes, it was always the common people who suffered.
If they cannot live in peace and happiness, if they cannot smile, what is the purpose of creating a new dynasty? What is the point of the Emperor’s dominion over the four seas? What is the aning of fighting and bathing in blood on the battlefield?
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but ask, "Why are these people so happy?"
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "We’ve returned victorious, of course they’re happy."
Yu Wenye said, "Not to such an extent of happiness."
"Hmm?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback, turned to look at him, while Shen Wuzheng, riding beside Yu Wenye, quickened his pace and ca up, saying, "I sent people ahead to inquire about the situation in Chang An. After ascending the throne, His Majesty not only took several asures to encourage farming, but also exempted taxes for a year."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s eyes lit up.
"I see!"
Yu Wenye also nodded, but said nothing more. It was natural for a newly established dynasty and a new emperor to reduce taxes and labor to gain the support of the people and win hearts, which was understandable.
However —
Yu Wenye said, "Exempting taxes to give the people respite is good, but can the grain in the governnt reserves be used? What if sothing else happens —"
He didn’t finish the sentence, aware that discussing "natural disasters or man-made calamities" was not sothing to casually ntion, but in such a position, even if unsaid, one had to think about it. Indeed, Shen Wuzheng almost imdiately understood his aning, and said solemnly, "There’s not much stored grain in the Guanzhong Region. Previously... everything was concentrated towards the Eastern Capital."
"..."
"However, I estimated previously that at least for the next year or two, there shouldn’t be any issues for ergencies."
"..."
"In fact, His Majesty’s confidence still lies in the east."
Yu Wenye slightly raised his eyebrows, imdiately realizing that he referred to the "east" rather than the "Eastern Capital," and quickly ca to his senses: "Xingluo Granary?"
Shen Wuzheng nodded: "It was indeed a wise strategy for Your Highness to capture Xingluo Granary at the ti and station strong troops there. At least for now, Liang Shide and the others haven’t been able to touch Xingluo Granary."
"..."
"However, transporting grain from Xingluo Granary to here is not easy. After all, there is still Luoyang in between."
Yu Wenye took a deep breath.
So, ultimately, it still cos down to Luoyang.
Listening to this, Shang Ruyi’s thoughts also beca heavy. This was the very matter they had been constantly contemplating and calculating over these days, and bringing it up again at this mont inevitably weighed on their hearts.
She instinctively raised her head and looked forward, where Yu Wenqian, as the elder brother, was walking slightly ahead of Yu Wenye. Facing the bustling noise of the crowds, he seed sowhat unaccustod, while Yu Mingyue, not far from him, stood with her back straight, overlooking the people around her from a superior position.
Shang Ruyi frowned slightly.
Imdiately, she noticed Yu Wenqian’s shoulder slightly lower, as if he had seen sothing.
Shang Ruyi also hurriedly looked up, and after just one glance, she said, "Feng Chen, look ahead."
At this mont, Yu Wenye also sensed sothing, looked up ahead, and saw that they had already traversed most of Vermilion Bird Street. At the end stood the grand main gate of the Imperial Palace — Vermilion Bird Gate. It was wide open at this ti, and a gust of wind, carrying an imposing aura from within the palace, swept out through the gate, montarily quieting the people on the street.
The riders on horseback also squinted their eyes slightly.
However, what Yu Wenqian and Yu Wenye saw was not just the open main gate, but the ministers and court guards already lined up neatly outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, waiting for their return.
Standing at the forefront was Eunuch Yu!
Shang Ruyi instinctively furrowed her brow: "Why there —"
The main gate of the Imperial Palace was only opened for grand ceremonies or ennoblents, occasions that were extrely rare. Although this ti, both princes had set out and achieved a great victory, reclaiming the Dragon Raising Land in one stroke, it was understandable for Yu Wenquan to bestow such honor. Yet, seeing Eunuch Yu standing at the forefront gave Shang Ruyi a vague sense of unease.
Hearing her words, Yu Wenye and Shen Wuzheng exchanged a look.
Upon seeing Eunuch Yu, everyone dared not delay, hurriedly urging their horses forward, stopping when they were still ten zhang away from the Vermilion Bird Gate. Yu Wenqian and Yu Wenye first dismounted, and after standing firm, led Shang Ruyi and others to approach.
Eunuch Yu cheerfully stepped forward: "Your Highnesses, such hardships you’ve borne."
Yu Wenqian said, "Eunuch, this is —"
Before he could finish, Eunuch Yu had already raised the Holy Decree in his hand and proclaid loudly: "The Holy Decree arrives!"
At these words, Yu Wenqian and Yu Wenye imdiately knelt, followed closely by Shang Ruyi and others, who also knelt down. Slowly, Eunuch Yu spread open the Holy Decree and read out loudly: "To the Central Secretariat: By this decree, I na Prince Han Yu Wenqian, and Prince Qin Yu Wenye, who defeated the enemy and defended the territory. I, by heavenly mandate, reward the three armies to honor their rits, especially Prince Han, whose talents and wisdom were unparalleled, achieving great accomplishnts..."
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s brows furrowed deeply.
This is an edict of honor?
Such an edict should be proclaid at a court assembly, or at least when both King Qin and Han have returned to the court. Why now —
As she pondered, excited sighs arose behind her.
Turning her head, Shang Ruyi saw Yu Mingyue, kneeling not far behind her, already eagerly raising her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with excitent.
Eunuch Yu continued: "I govern in peace with civility, quell chaos with might. Generals and commanders are the pillars of the court and nation’s guardians. Achieving excellence in both civil and martial domains, contributing ritoriously, how can their deeds be ignored without honor? Now, I establish Prince Han Yu Wenqian as Crown Prince!"
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