I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 532: The Dragon Feather Army Returns! A Unique Welcoming Ceremony
In the blink of an eye, it was the twelfth month.

The festive atmosphere is getting stronger.

The issue of female spies gradually faded from the daily discussions of the people of Bianliang.

In response to the Song Dynasty's letter of condemnation, the Japanese court evaded the issue by saying that it was a "private act and the court was unaware of it."

The Song Dynasty chose to sanction them in trade.

Because the Liao Kingdom was helping Japan, the Song Dynasty imposed sanctions on the Liao Kingdom as well, directly closed the trading markets on the Song-Liao border, and told the Liao Kingdom that if it wanted to trade with the Song Dynasty, it would have to cut off trade with Japan.

Yelu Hongji was very angry, but still chose to stand on the side of Japan.

He knew that without the help of Japan, the Liao Kingdom would not have even a chance of defeating the Song Dynasty.

present.

The relationship between the Song Dynasty, the Liao Dynasty and Japan had reached a freezing point, and the three countries no longer sent envoys to congratulate each other on the New Year.

……

The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

All the temples in Bianjing city provided free porridge in front of their doors.

People also went to temples to pray, cook porridge and buy New Year's items.

Su's house is no exception.

In addition to Laba porridge, Tang Wanmei knew that Su Liang loved to eat leeks and orchid sprouts, so she ordered people to buy a lot of them and plant them in the small vegetable garden that Tang Ze had cultivated in the backyard.

On the street market.

Cotton-padded clothes and quilts have become the new favorite of people in winter due to their high cost-effectiveness.

There was an endless stream of buyers.

This will also stimulate the Hehuang region to plant more textile cotton next year, and more merchants will go to the northwest region to do business.

From this day on.

The workload of various government offices has also been reduced a lot, and grassroots officials have become more free.

……

The ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, near noon.

Su Liang was drinking tea in the house when a eunuch walked over quickly.

"Central Prime Minister Su, the emperor has issued an oral order: the Longyu Army will return in three days. I have specially summoned you to the Chuigong Palace in the afternoon to discuss welcoming the army."

"I obey!"

Su Liang bowed, feeling overjoyed.

This time, the Dragon Feather Army returns.

It does not represent the Longyu Army, but all the soldiers of the Song Dynasty who participated in the destruction of Xia.

The achievement of destroying Xia is greater than the expansion of the Hehuang border, and there will also be a war against Liao at the beginning of next year.

This welcoming ceremony for the troops must be grand and solemn, and must let the people of the world see the court's attention to these brave warriors who risked their lives to fight for the country.

……

afternoon.

All the ministers of the two ministries and three departments, and the heads of the Censorate, the Court of Remonstrance, the Academy of Scholars, the Dali Temple and other government offices gathered in the Chuigong Hall.

Zhao Zhen straightened up and said with a smile: "My lords, in three days, the Dragon Feather Army and a thousand light cavalry will return to the city with the list of the soldiers who died in the battle to destroy Xia. Although the court has already rewarded the soldiers who destroyed Xia, a grand welcoming ceremony will still be held when they return to show the court's gratitude to these soldiers who fought for the country."

"Left Minister, the Honglu Temple has always been in charge of such matters. How do you think we should welcome it?" Zhao Zhen looked at Zuo Youding, the Minister of the Honglu Temple.

Zuo Youding thought for a moment and said, "Last winter, when Su Zhongcheng returned from expanding the border to the northwest, Zhang Duzhi represented the emperor and the minister of civil affairs represented all the officials to welcome him at Nanxun Gate. All the civil and military officials stood in front of Xuande Gate to welcome him. After the emperor met Su Zhongcheng, he held a welcoming banquet for the soldiers."

"This time, we should raise the level one level higher than last time. I suggest that this time, the Minister of Culture and the Minister of Wealth go to Nanxun Gate to welcome him in person, while the emperor and the civil and military officials go to Xuande Gate to welcome him, and Kaifeng Prefecture organizes the people to welcome him along the streets."

According to Zuo Youding, the biggest difference from the last time was that Zhao Zhen personally went to Xuande Gate to welcome him.

The emperor personally welcomed him at Xuande Gate, which was already a high honor.

Zhao Zhen frowned slightly and said, "I think it's still not grand enough, empty and unrealistic. I'll think about it again!"

At this time.

Deputy Privy Councilor Zeng Gongliang stood up.

"Your Majesty, if you want to show your sincerity when welcoming the troops, you can have the Minister of Culture and the Vice Minister personally hold the list of the fallen soldiers who destroyed Xia and walk in front when they welcome them at Nanxun Gate, and then hand it to Your Majesty at Xuande Gate."

The prime minister and the deputy prime minister of the Song Dynasty, holding the list of soldiers who died in the battle to destroy Xia, walked from Nanxun Gate to Xuande Gate. Under the ancestral law of "respecting culture and suppressing military power", they would appear to be sincere.

"I think this is feasible." Zhao Zhen nodded with satisfaction.

Zhao Zhen had just finished speaking.

Five ministers, Wen Yanbo, Fu Bi, Zhang Fangping, Wu Yu and Ouyang Xiu, came out at the same time.

Wen Yanbo looked at the four people, motioned for him to speak first, and then said, "Your Majesty, I have no objection to the etiquette for welcoming the army back to the court. The court has been promoting the status of military generals, and I support it. However, I feel that this behavior of suppressing the status of civil officials and promoting the status of military generals is somewhat inappropriate. This move is still causing confrontation between civil and military officials, which is harmful to the future of the court."

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

Fu Bi, Zhang Fangping, Wu Yu, and Ouyang Xiu all bowed and spoke almost at the same time.

Zhao Zhen couldn't help but frown slightly.

There is some truth in what the ministers said. This move can indeed boost the morale of the soldiers, but it also makes some civil officials dissatisfied. They worry that the military generals will become too powerful in the future, causing the civil service group to decline.

Wang Yaochen stood up and said, "Your Majesty, we can promote both civil and military affairs, but we cannot suppress one party and promote the other. It is indeed inappropriate to list the names of the dead soldiers who died in the battle to destroy Xia. We may think that the dead soldiers deserve this honor, but in the future, both the court and the people may argue about the strength of the civil and military affairs of the Song Dynasty. This is worse than factional strife."

Zhao Zhen nodded.

"Then what should we do? Let me and all the officials go to Nanxun Gate to welcome him in person? Even if we do that, I still feel that it is not sincere enough."

At this time, Su Liang stood up.

"Your Majesty, I suggest that you send the Crown Prince and the Second Prince to welcome them in person at the Nanxun Gate, and then bring the list of the fallen soldiers who destroyed the Xia Dynasty to the Xuande Gate and hand it over to you. This will not only show your importance to the soldiers who destroyed the Xia Dynasty, but also tell the Crown Prince that when you become a king in the future, you should be grateful for the contributions these warriors have made to our Song Dynasty!"

Once this strategy is put forward.

Zhao Zhen laughed, and all the ministers laughed.

"Haha, Su Qing, you are the one with the idea. This plan is feasible. It would be most appropriate for the crown prince and the second prince to come and welcome him in person." Zhao Zhen said.

"I second the motion." All the ministers seconded the motion.

Su Liang added: "In addition, I suggest that we select a large stone outside the city of Bianjing, and start from the border expansion of Hehuang, and engrave the names of all the soldiers who died on the stone, so that future generations can admire the names of these warriors."

"It's feasible! It's feasible!" Zhao Zhen said with a smile, and the ministers below had no objection.

Subsequently.

The emperor and his ministers began to discuss the details of welcoming the army three days later.

The soldiers fought bloody battles and defeated Xia. Naturally, the court wanted to let them enjoy the glory they deserved.

……

soon.

The news that the Longyu Army and a thousand light cavalry generals were returning to the city with the list of soldiers who died in the battle to destroy Xia spread to the streets of Bianjing.

The imperial court had previously reported on the casualties of the entire army in the campaign to destroy Xia.

Among them, more than half of the 500 Dragon Feather Army were killed.

The thousand light cavalry accompanying the Longyu Army were not ordinary light cavalry.

The Longyu Army is the emperor's personal army and must not be destroyed.

Therefore, as long as there were soldiers of the Longyu Army who died, light cavalry would be sent to replenish them, so that the Longyu Army would always have the number of 500.

In addition, the light cavalry were also responsible for the armor, war horses, and food supplies of the 500 Dragon Feather Army.

Strictly speaking.

These one thousand light cavalry also belong to the Longyu Army.

The people of Bianjing, some in the entertainment industry, spontaneously decided to close their businesses on that day; some who ran wine shops and tea houses decided to sell their products at half price or for free on that day; some even closed their shops just to go out on the streets to welcome the return of the warriors who destroyed the Xia Dynasty...

……

The twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, early morning. Outside Nanxun Gate.

The Crown Prince of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Xun, and the Second Prince, Zhao Han, were wearing prince's formal attire and standing at the front.

Prime Minister Wen Yanbo, Deputy Prime Minister Fu Bi, and Chief Censor Su Liang stood in the second row.

The ceremonial officials including Zuo Youding, the Minister of Honglu Temple, stood in the third row.

Su Liang is the leader who founded the Longyu Army. His coming to Nanxun Gate to welcome them will make the soldiers feel warmer.

Not long after.

Five hundred heavily armored Dragon Feather Army soldiers marched forward in a mighty force, and behind them was a thousand light cavalrymen with neat formation and serious expressions.

These 1,500 people returned to the capital not to represent themselves, but to send back the tens of thousands of soldiers who died in the war to destroy Xia to the city of Bianliang.

Therefore, everyone looked solemn and dignified.

At the front of the crowd was the current commander of the Longyu Army, Xu Mang.

Xu Mang rode in front on a horse, holding a mahogany box in his hand.

He walked to the front of Crown Prince Zhao Xun, dismounted, opened the box, took out the scroll inside, knelt on one knee, and said loudly: "The Dragon Feather Army has returned with the fallen soldiers who destroyed Xia!"

Zhao Xun took the scroll, and then unfolded it together with the second prince Zhao Han. The two looked at the densely packed names on it, tears in their eyes, and felt very uncomfortable.

Then, Zhao Yun helped Xu Mang up and shouted, "Go home!"

Xu Mang stood up and said to the back: "Go home!"

All the soldiers shouted in unison: Go home!
Then, Zhao Xun and the second prince Zhao Han walked towards the carriage in front.

Xu Mang bowed to Wen Yanbo, Fu Bi and others respectively, and when Xu Mang looked at Su Liang, tears instantly welled up in his eyes.

He cried.

He felt guilty for causing the deaths of more than 200 Longyu Army soldiers in the northwest.

"Xu Mang, you've done a great job!" Su Liang gave him a big, tight hug.

……

After a while.

Crown Prince Zhao Xun and Second Prince Zhao Han stood in an uncovered carriage, one holding one side of the scroll and walking in front.

Fifteen hundred soldiers marched in the middle.

Wen Yanbo, Fu Bi, Su Liang and others walked at the back.

As soon as the team entered the city, there was a thunderous cheer from the people.

"The Song Dynasty is mighty! The Song Dynasty is mighty! The Song Dynasty is mighty!"

At this moment, everyone was proud of these soldiers who were fighting at the risk of their lives.

Many people couldn't help shedding tears when they saw the densely packed names, and some elderly people even burst into tears.

A name is a life.

After the founding of the Song Dynasty, it suffered too much bullying from the Western Xia, and the people in the northwest were harassed almost every day.

Now that Xia has been destroyed, the people of Song have finally straightened their backs.

The northwest of the Song Dynasty is safe.

More importantly——

The existence of Western Xia made the people feel that the Liao Kingdom was terrible and that the territory of the Song Dynasty was in danger of being invaded.

And now, Western Xia is destroyed.

All the people of the Song Dynasty were no longer afraid of the Liao Dynasty, and they felt that the Song Dynasty was the legitimate ruler of the world and would surely unify the world.

Nanxun Gate faces north.

More and more people came, and shouts rose one after another.

Some people were sitting on the roof, some were climbing on the trees, and some were stacking up like monks to watch. It was quite lively.

The atmosphere also changed from the initial tragic to relaxed and lively.

"Soldiers, I have a daughter at home, she is only 28 years old. If any of you are still single, you can come to my Liu's cloth shop and have a rest!"

"No one in the world can defeat the men of our Song Dynasty. When my son grows up, I will send him to the army!"

"Cui's Teahouse is free for all Longyu Army soldiers, free for life!"

……

Some business owners also shouted excitedly to express their gratitude to the returning soldiers.

An hour later.

The team crossed Longjin Bridge and Zhou Bridge and arrived in front of Imperial Street.

The royal guards stood on both sides of the Imperial Street. When the Longyu Army passed by, they all stood up straight with their chests puffed out and shouted in unison: The Song Army is mighty!

At this moment, in front of Xuande Gate.

Zhao Zhen and all the civil and military officials were dressed in ceremonial attire and waited very solemnly.

Less than half an hour later.

The team finally arrived at Xuande Gate, and the surroundings suddenly became quiet.

Crown Prince Zhao Xun and Second Prince Zhao Han were the first to dismount, then held high the scroll with the list of names of the generals who died in the battle to destroy Xia. Xu Mang waved his hand, and 1,500 people dismounted at the same time.

Wow! Wow!
In front of the Xuande Gate, the only sound could be heard: the clashing of armors. Even the war horses were unusually quiet, without making a single sound.

"Kneel!" Xu Mang shouted.

Suddenly, 1,500 soldiers knelt down, and officials such as Su Liang also bowed their hands.

Then, Crown Prince Zhao Xun and Second Prince Zhao Han took the scroll and presented it to Zhao Zhen.

At this moment, Zhang Maze's voice rang out.

"Soldiers who died in the battle of Mie Xia, return home!"

Zhao Zhen also had tears in his eyes, and shouted: "The fallen soldiers who destroyed Xia, please return home. I will personally welcome them!"

After saying that, Zhao Zhen took the scroll, read the names on it carefully, rolled up the scroll, and strode towards the Xuande Gate.

Crown Prince Zhao Xun and Second Prince Zhao Han followed closely behind.

All civil and military officials retreated to the sides.

Zhang Maoze on the side shouted again: "All the generals and soldiers go in first, and the ministers go in later!"

Suddenly.

Xu Mang led 1,500 soldiers into the Xuande Gate, with his ministers following at the end.

This move reflected Zhao Zhen's respect and trust for the soldiers who were destroying Xia.

Next, the soldiers will take off their armor and put down their weapons in the side hall, take a short rest, and then attend the welcoming banquet held for them by Zhao Zhen.

……

And this moment.

The people on both sides of the Imperial Street were having heated discussions.

"I thought this welcoming ceremony would be grand, but I didn't expect it to be this grand. The emperor is thoughtful! The court is thoughtful!"

"See? Being a soldier can also leave a name in history. The current atmosphere in our Song Dynasty has changed. Whoever has the ability, whoever can serve the country and seek the welfare of the people will be respected by the court and loved by the people!"

"The Crown Prince went to Nanxun Gate to welcome them in person, and then handed over the list of the dead in the battle to destroy Xia to the emperor. This...what does this mean? It means that the next generation of monarchs of our dynasty will certainly treat those who have made contributions to our Song Dynasty well!"

"My dear friends, Xixia has been destroyed, so how far can Liao be?"

"When the Song Dynasty conquers Liao and Japan and unifies the world, we can compare it with the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. Everyone, in a few years, we will all be the people living in a prosperous era. How lucky we are!"

……

A group of scholars started chatting excitedly.

Today's military welcoming ceremony is enough to keep them talking until next year.

At this moment, the people of Bianliang were unprecedentedly united and unconditionally supported the Song Dynasty court.

This atmosphere will soon spread to local prefectures, making all the people in Song Dynasty feel proud and honored to have such a court.

(End of this chapter)