Call of the Heroes of Chaos in Another World

Chapter 2098 The Han Dynasty's officials return to the capital, and the two dragons meet in the city of Tianjing.

In the third year of the Yuan Shi era, in the fifth month.

The Han Dynasty court, having fully completed the relocation of its capital, formally offered sacrifices and prayers to Heaven.

The day after the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, Wang Yu, then twenty-five years old, held a grand banquet for his officials at the former Da Cang Imperial Palace, now the Da Han Imperial Palace, to celebrate the relocation of the capital.

At the same time, this is also an opportunity to formally reward the heroes of this battle.

Or rather, the morning began with the formal announcement of imperial decrees to reward each meritorious official. This campaign involved hundreds of thousands of troops, and countless people made contributions.

Even if we were to read out the names of all the important figures, it would still take up most of the day.

Early in the morning, officials began to enter the venue in small, scattered ways.

The generals who entered the palace one after another all revealed their true colors at this moment.

Anubis, in particular, strutted around like a dragon, head held high and chest out, looking quite majestic.

The Emperor of Dongcang died at his hands, and for his merits in this battle, he will be promoted and ennobled today. From this day forward, 99% of the people present will be unable to compare with him in terms of rank.

For those in the imperial court, official positions were important, but noble titles were even more crucial for ensuring the continuation of a family line.

No matter how high your official rank is, it cannot be passed down to future generations.

Even if you painstakingly pass the imperial examination or fight bravely on the battlefield to finally obtain an official position, if your next generation cannot enter the system in the same way, they will return to being commoners.

But if you have a title, it's different. Even if the next generation is not good enough, as long as the title is still there, you will still be a noble.

Even if the emperor's son did not hold an official position, all civil and military officials had to obediently bow to him.

Even if this prince has no interest in the throne, he would have the right to be arrogant and domineering even in front of the prime minister.

For example, if a prince's son were to be addressed as "Young Prince" by court officials, they would also have to do so with utmost respect.

As for other titles, even without such prestige, at least several generations of wealth and status could be guaranteed. And among those generations, as long as they weren't all spendthrifts, someone would eventually enter the imperial system.

Once they have a title, their wealth and power will not only last for one generation, but can be passed down for at least several generations.

At this banquet, taking advantage of the relocation of the capital, almost all the officials and generals from various regions who could attend had come, including even the generals and officials from the Eastern Yi.

In addition, Zhang Bin and Zhang Liang invited the two great imperial merchants from the East and the North Sea, along with other prominent families from both inside and outside the Han Dynasty, making the scale quite enormous.

Night fell, and the moonlight shone like water.

Inside the magnificent palace, the lanterns were already lit, and the palace maids and eunuchs were bustling about in an orderly fashion, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

More than three hours have passed since the emperor lavishly bestowed honors upon his officials in front of the main palace this morning, and tens of thousands of soldiers, representing the emperor, kowtowed in gratitude for his imperial favor. This once-in-a-century spectacle of prosperity has already passed.

This conferment of titles not only added the title of Duke to Meng Tian's name in the imperial court.

The title of Duke is already above the highest rank. If we compare it, its nominal level is even above that of the first-rank prime minister. Such honor is already equivalent to that of a subject.

Furthermore, Zhuge Kunlong, Anubis, Hou Yi, Xue Rengui, and others were all granted the title of Marquis. However, Zhuge Kunlong's title was posthumously conferred, while Anubis, Hou Yi, and the others were officially granted the title.

As for Han Xin, although he was not promoted from marquis to duke, his fiefdom increased significantly.

The number of others who received titles in this bestowal of honors was countless.

Outside the inner palace, ordinary people and self-proclaimed talented scholars still talked about it with great interest, discussing and commenting on it.

Many of those who received the honors were from commoner backgrounds, and from then on, they were freed from the constraints of class. Therefore, it was inevitable that these scholars and even ordinary people would discuss the matter.

At Zhang Kui's residence, Gao Lanying had already removed her armor and changed into a new outfit.

This new outfit is a simple style of riding attire for men, with the inner robe being snow-white and pear-blossom colored, clinging to the body and subtly accentuating the curves of the figure, and featuring a black cross-collar.

The hem and sleeves of the upper robe are embroidered with elegant white pear blossom patterns, the waist belt is inlaid with jade peach blossom powder and wrapped with a wisteria whip, the inner robe is embroidered with a blooming peach blossom pattern, but it is covered with a fiery red transparent gauze, which is both elegant and charming.

Her hair was styled in a single spiral bun, parted on both sides, revealing her smooth forehead, with a few strands of black hair falling like satin at the back of her head and temples.

Two white jade pear blossom hairpins were inserted on either side, adorned with two or three fresh pink peach blossoms. She wore red tourmaline pendant earrings, her face was lightly powdered, and her lips were a sexy, honey-red.

After changing into her new clothes, Gao Lanying leaned on Zhang Kui, who had also removed his armor and changed into casual clothes, and left the mansion to board a carriage, heading once again towards the palace.

The morning's bestowal of honors was a relatively solemn occasion, so all the civil and military officials either wore official robes or armor.

In particular, the generals who had made meritorious contributions in this battle all went up on stage to express their gratitude while wearing armor.

However, it was naturally inconvenient to continue wearing armor to the evening banquet.

The evening banquet, compared to the morning one, was less formal and solemn. Since it was a victory celebration, the focus was on relaxation. How could anyone relax if everyone had to wear stiff official robes?
Therefore, most people attend the banquet in their everyday clothes, while a small number may wear official robes.

This time, Gao Lanying and Deng Chanyu were the only two female generals to receive a noble title. Although their titles were not high, only the lowest rank of fifth-class Enqiwei, they were still incredibly popular for a time.

In those days, although women could also hold official positions, very few women rose through the ranks by fighting on the battlefield. The few women who did enter officialdom mostly did so through the imperial examination system.

Similarly, in this era, there are countless women practicing martial arts, and countless others who have achieved great success in their practice. Chang Xi and Ci Hang are among the best of these.

However, although there are many women who practice martial arts, and even female sects like Cihang Jingzhai, most of them still follow the path of internal energy cultivation. Due to the natural physical differences between men and women, very few women follow the path of external energy cultivation.

Even fewer have managed to achieve any significant success. For a thousand years, Ye Qianyou of the Great Chu has been virtually the foremost female martial artist. Throughout the millennia, countless women have cultivated martial arts to the level of Celestial Being, but only two or three have reached the level of Divine General.

Therefore, throughout history, the number of women who were granted titles through military achievements was actually not large, with only a handful in each era.

In this battle, Gao Lanying and her husband joined forces to fight against the Demonic Sect Qiongqi, and their story was even turned into a tale by folk storytellers and began to circulate.

“Nephew Wen, shall we travel together?” As the carriage rounded a bend, Zhang Kui, who was also riding a horse toward the palace, invited Wen Zhong.

"It would be impolite to refuse an invitation from my martial uncle!" Wen Zhong handed his horse to his disciple, and then boarded Zhang Kui and his wife's carriage at Zhang Kui's invitation.

After Wen Zhong boarded the carriage, he vividly described the strange and wonderful people and events of the Dongyi to Zhang Kui and his wife, while Zhang Kui and his wife also told Wen Zhong about the customs and culture of Da Cang. After all, although Wen Zhong was actually a Han official, he had never actually spent more than a few days in Da Cang.

For a time, thanks to the deliberate efforts of the two to befriend each other, both host and guest enjoyed themselves immensely.

Although Wen Zhong is a junior, he was born into the inner sect, which naturally puts him in a much higher position than Zhang Kui, who is from the outer sect. Moreover, Wen Zhong's official rank is also far superior to Zhang Kui's.

However, at least nominally, Zhang Kui is of a higher generation.

Not to mention, both of them came from the Jie Sect, so they naturally had an instinct to want to unite together.

Regardless of the faction, there will be more or less factions, and this will become more pronounced as a faction develops.

And since they come from the same school, it is natural for them to be like this. They are naturally and instinctively inclined to unite and form a faction, and similarly, they are naturally regarded as a faction by others.

In the imperial court, the three largest factions were of course the old ministers of Yanbei. Although this faction was declining, it still had considerable strength. In addition, there was the Legalist faction led by Guan Zhong, who alone was enough to establish the status of this faction.

Furthermore, there was the largest Confucian faction, whose members held countless high-ranking positions.

As for those members of the Jie Sect, they either followed behind these major factions or banded together for mutual support.

People like them are naturally unwilling to be someone else's lackeys or henchmen, so they can only stick together for warmth.

In fact, if it were a Taoist sect rather than the Jie Sect, its strength within the Han Dynasty would be quite considerable.

After all, in the Han Dynasty, Huang Tianhua's Huang family itself originated from Da Cang, and as a local aristocratic family, its foundation was quite solid.

Taiyi Zhenren then took Li Jing's son as his disciple.

Unfortunately, the Jie Sect was not well-liked because of the uneven quality of its members. It was always disliked by the largest sect of Taoism, the Human Sect. Later, it also fell out with the Chan Sect. How could this faction be formed?

Therefore, each of these companies can only operate independently.

Regardless, with their deliberate efforts to maintain a healthy relationship, they clearly got along quite well throughout the journey.

Even when they arrived at the palace gate, the two brothers got off the carriage together, arm in arm.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky, and the clouds swirl around it.

As more and more ministers and their families arrived, the palace became bustling with activity. Greetings and salutations filled the air, and people who knew each other formed small groups, chatting happily.

Wen Zhong cheerfully introduced Zhang Kui to the Kwantung Army generals who had accompanied him to Beijing, while Zhang Kui also introduced Wen Zhong to several brave soldiers with whom he had a relatively good relationship.

Xue Rengui and Li Jing were closer to each other, as they were both from outside the Wei dynasty and were born in the same region.

Yang Jian stood with Huang Tianhua; after all, the two were already quite familiar with each other. Unlike Zhang Kui and Wen Zhong, who, although from the same school, had only met for the first time not long ago.

Guan Zhong, who was at the head of the banquet, saw that the noise of the crowd was getting louder and louder, and he knew that it was about time for His Majesty to make his appearance.

During this period, Guan Zhong's place was the most bustling, with most of the officials in the court coming over to greet the future prime minister and show their faces.

People like Gao Jiong, Zhuge Liang, and Xun Yu also had a very good relationship with Guan Zhong.

Over the years, the relationship between Confucianism and Legalism has been relatively close. Gu Qingzhu's school of Legalism and Confucianism profoundly influenced both schools.

"The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived! Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

Cao Zhengchun, one of the chief eunuchs, roused the ministers and their families who were still talking in the palace with his melodious and loud singing voice. They immediately returned to their seats, tucked their sleeves in, put their hands to their foreheads, and prostrated themselves on the ground.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress!"

The retired emperor had no interest in participating in such a scene.

However, the Empress Dowager did come along.

Many of those attending the banquet were surrendered officials of Zhongcang, or even members of the Huangfu family themselves.

Therefore, she was there to support Empress Huangfu Jingya. These people were naturally part of the Empress's faction, or rather, the Crown Prince's faction.

"My dear ministers, please stand up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

As everyone rose to their feet, they saw the majestic and solemn Emperor, dressed in a black imperial robe, and the dignified and elegant Empress Huangfu Jingya, wearing a bright yellow phoenix robe and a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin. The two followed behind the still stunningly beautiful Empress Dowager, one on the left and one on the right, as they slowly entered the center of the hall.

In terms of status, Wang Yu, as the emperor, was naturally the highest.

Out of filial piety, the Empress Dowager, as the mother, naturally sat in front.

Seeing that there were still many women and young men in the palace, Empress Dowager Huangfu Yuwei smiled and patted the Empress's hand beside her. "Oh my, this whole palace is full of delicate young women like flowers, and those handsome young men, full of youthful vigor. I am old and I am overshadowed by them."

The Empress smiled gently and comforted her, saying dutifully, "Mother, please don't underestimate yourself. You are the most beautiful flower among us! Who dares to rival you!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's face immediately lit up with a smile, but she said, "You really know how to talk. I'm not a flower, am I? I have enough self-awareness. These days, it's the era of these young people."

After the emperor and the other officials were all seated, he rose, picked up a wine cup, and slowly scanned the room. The officials, not daring to be negligent, immediately rose and raised their wine cups.

"This banquet is to celebrate the meritorious officials of our Great Han Dynasty who have successively captured Qingbei, Henan, and Guangyin! Since ancient times, the land of Tianjing has been a gathering place of dragon energy and a place of great fortune. Now that the capital has been moved here, we should also celebrate it!"

"Gentlemen, let us drink this cup together!" Wang Yu said, raising his wine cup.

"Congratulations to His Majesty! Congratulations to the Great Han Dynasty!"

The ministers shouted, "Let the emperor and his subjects drink together!"
"King Yelü Qingde of the Eastern Yi Kingdom requests an audience!"

Amidst the clinking of lights, the eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out.