Chaos of the Three Kingdoms Summons

Chapter 2765 The Eighth Year of Qianyuan: A Grand Celebration at the Imperial Palace

The end of the seventh year of the Qianyuan era was a very rushed one for the Han Dynasty.

However, the year-end of the eighth year of the Qianyuan era was exceptionally grand, especially after the two major victories of destroying the Li Tang dynasty and recovering Liangzhou and Xizhou.

The emperor specially summoned his officials from all over the country and held a banquet in the palace at the end of the year, both to celebrate the end of the year and to celebrate his victory.

During this year's Lunar New Year celebrations in Luoyang, candles burned all night long.

Although there were no fireworks, the night in Luoyang was still illuminated.

Huge bonfires were lit in front of every household, an ancient custom to drive away the Nian beast and a symbol of light and prosperity.

Countless torches converged, illuminating the entire city of Luoyang in a crimson glow, creating a magnificent spectacle.

The streets were teeming with tourists, children were laughing and chasing each other, and the air was filled with the fragrance of burning cypress leaves and the aroma of wine and meat.

Tonight, the Emperor has decreed that the whole country should celebrate.

At the same time, he ordered a reward for the three armies!
Fine wine and fat sheep were delivered to each camp in succession. Pigs and sheep were slaughtered in the army, and large pots were set up for grand feasts.

The meritorious soldiers received generous rewards, including copper coins, silk, and even land and noble titles, which brought them great honor.

Generals and soldiers drank together, reminiscing about their comrades-in-arms and reminiscing about their achievements. The bonfire blazed, illuminating the resolute yet joyful faces, and the robust military songs echoed throughout the camp.

With the sound of a bell from the palace tower, the celebratory banquet within the palace began.

Inside the Linde Hall, the lights were bright, and huge candles as thick as a child's arm burned fiercely on the lampstands, illuminating the hall as if it were daytime.

The bronze cauldron was filled with the burning of precious incense, the smoke curling upwards, creating a rich and solemn atmosphere.

The chime bells and stone chimes played solemn yet joyful music, while palace maids in colorful robes fluttered among the crowd like butterflies flitting among flowers.

Tonight is the Lunar New Year, a time for celebration, but Li Xiang didn't want the atmosphere to be too serious.

Therefore, he did not wear a formal imperial robe, but only a black casual outfit, which made him less rigid and dignified, and more heroic and composed.

"My lords."

Li Xiang's voice was not loud, but it clearly overpowered the music and reached the ears of every civil and military official in the palace.

He raised the ancient bronze wine vessel in his hand and said, "Looking back to the past, I once said that I wished to work with all of you to achieve unparalleled feats and restore the glory of the Han Dynasty."

"Looking back this year, the Northeast has been pacified, the northern troubles have been temporarily abated, Liang and Xi have been restored, and the southern frontier has been newly expanded... The achievements here are not due to my efforts alone, but to the combined efforts of all those present, both civil and military, and the valiant efforts of the soldiers!"

"I salute you all!"

As the words fell, the crowd erupted in fervor.

All the civil and military officials, whether they were old ministers who had followed Li Xiang from humble beginnings, virtuous talents who had later joined him, or generals who had recently been promoted for their merits, all raised their wine cups in excitement.

Wang Meng, the head of the six ministers, was the first to respond, "How dare we claim credit! This is all due to His Majesty's divine power and strategic planning. We were merely acting on His Majesty's orders! Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Great Jin Dynasty!"

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Great Jin Dynasty!"

The courtiers echoed in unison, their voices almost lifting the roof off the palace.

Everyone tilted their heads back and drank the wine in their cups in one gulp. The fiery liquid went down their throats, stirring up a surge of heroic spirit in their hearts.

Li Xiang laughed heartily, extremely cheerful: "Good! On this festive day, there's no need to be too formal! Gentlemen, open your hearts and enjoy this peaceful feast!"

At the emperor's command, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became even more enthusiastic.

The music changed slightly, incorporating a touch of triumphant grandeur. Servants served a continuous stream of delicacies, including traditional Central Plains cuisine, as well as some specialties from the peninsula, Southeast Asia, and even South Asia.

The current territory of the Great Jin Dynasty is more prosperous than ever before, and local delicacies from all over the country have gathered in Luoyang.

However, most of the civil and military officials only tasted these local specialties symbolically, treating it as a matter of curiosity.

Most of them are more accustomed to the Central Plains cuisine they have eaten since childhood and are quite indifferent to so-called local specialties.

Li Xiang did not remain seated high; he would occasionally descend the imperial steps and approach the seats for meritorious officials.

When he reached the line of military officers, he made a point of approaching a burly but handsome general and personally poured him a cup of wine.

"Tianhua! In the Battle of Dunhuang, you were the vanguard. Your twin hammers shattered the enemy's courage, and you beheaded their chieftain. You deserve the greatest merit and should drink this fine wine!"

Huang Tianhua was flattered and hurriedly stood up, accepting the gift with both hands, his voice booming, "Thank you, Your Majesty! I am willing to serve Your Majesty once again!"

Huang Tianhua was granted the title of Marquis of Taishan for his merits, and even his father and younger brother benefited from his achievements, having their titles elevated to the rank of county marquis.

A family with three marquises, and the marquises being the highest-ranking county marquises among the various ranks, such prestige was rare in the entire court.

Therefore, Huang Tianhua's seat at the banquet in the main hall was moved directly to the front, and his title was elevated to the highest rank in the imperial court.

After all, Huang Tianhua's achievement in killing Kublai Khan deserved a generous reward.

With Kublai Khan's death, the subsequent Yuan-Mongol wars would save the Great Jin Dynasty at least 20 years of effort and reduce the loss of hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

This achievement is so great that its influence is far-reaching.

"Rengui, the mountainous region of the peninsula presents numerous dangers for military operations. It is thanks to your ingenious strategies, along with Li Mu, Chongyan, and others, that we were able to turn danger into safety and expand our territory by thousands of miles. You have worked hard!"

Li Xiang walked a few more steps and arrived at Xue Rengui's place.

Xue Rengui calmly raised his glass, his eyes flashing with a steely glint.

"Your Majesty flatters us. We have only done our duty. It is our good fortune to have met a wise ruler and to have the opportunity to apply our lifelong learning."

Speaking of the war against the Tang dynasty, Xue Rengui felt rather ashamed that the emperor was the first to come to his side.

After all, of the three armies, he was the only one stopped at Liangkou, while the other two armies reached the capital of the Tang Dynasty.

As Li Xiang traveled, he offered encouragement, joked, and reminisced about past glories. He was well aware of the achievements and characteristics of each important official, and his words were sincere.

Even the surrendered officials of the Tang Dynasty brought back by Xue Rengui were not spared by him. When they came to Li Guangbi, he gave them some encouragement as usual.

Seeing that His Majesty did not forget past merits and was considerate of his subjects, the ministers felt even warmer in their hearts, and their loyalty became even stronger.

After several rounds of drinks, the banquet reached its climax.

Just then, the sound of bells and drums resounded throughout the city from outside the palace, announcing the arrival of the new year. The deep and resonant sound of the bells traveled through the palace walls and into the palace.

Li Xiang returned to his throne, raised his cup once more, faced everyone, his gaze sweeping over the excited or slightly tipsy faces, and spoke with a passionate and impassioned tone.

"The old year has ended, and the new spring begins! May our Great Jin Dynasty prosper forever! May our people enjoy peace, health, and wealth! May we, ruler and subjects, be of one heart and one mind, and create a new chapter of glory!"

"I am willing to follow Your Majesty and create another prosperous era!"

The courtiers responded with a resounding roar, their voices echoing throughout the palace.

The clinking of glasses, laughter, and New Year's greetings mingled together, accompanied by the solemn tolling of bells, bringing this grandest of imperial banquets to its climax.