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Chapter 823: Extra: National War (VII)
In early September of the sixth year of Zhaoping, General Zuo led a large army back to the capital.

When they left, they were accompanied by an army of 200,000 strong.

When I came back, I only had 150,000 left.

Forty thousand soldiers lost their lives on the battlefield, and about ten thousand wounded soldiers were left at the border to recover because they were not suitable for long-distance travel.

The situation was even more tragic, with nearly half of the border troops killed or wounded.

However, the hundreds of thousands of Rouran cavalry were almost completely wiped out. From this point of view, Daliang still won a great victory without a doubt.

Not to mention, Rouran Khan Fu Mingdun was captured alive and brought to the capital along with the army. When the people of the capital heard about this grand event, they spontaneously flocked to the city gate to watch the excitement.

Her Majesty the Empress of Daliang personally led all the officials to the city gate today to welcome the triumphant return of the imperial army. She also announced in public that the Left General would be named Duke Weiyuan.

In addition, General Fan, who made great contributions in this battle, was granted the title of Marquis of Jingbian.

The rest of the generals were also promoted by two or three ranks. Liu Hengchang made great contributions in the night attack on the military camp and was awarded the title of second-rank general. Xiaotian, who captured the Rouran Khan alive, was promoted several ranks and was awarded the title of fourth-rank general.

Amid the cheers of the crowd, Duke Weiyuan and a group of generals rode their horses into the city gate.

Prime Minister Wang, who had long since left the court, sat in a private room on the second floor of the teahouse, silently gazing at the glorious Duke Weiyuan, and then at the radiant Empress.

Prime Minister Wang held a cup of tea, bowed in the direction of the Empress, and then drank it slowly.

In this national war, the Liang Dynasty won a brilliant victory, eliminating its most powerful enemy in one fell swoop. Her Majesty's prestige was also at its peak. The people loved her and the ministers were loyal to her.

He, the former prime minister, has long been gradually forgotten.

Prime Minister Wang sat in the private room for half a day, until all the people who came to watch the fun had dispersed, then he got up and returned home.

A grand celebration banquet was held in the palace, and all officials were present. No one mentioned Prime Minister Wang, a retired prime minister.

Her Majesty the Empress personally ordered, "How can such a grand event be without Duke Ning? Minister Wang, please go back and invite Duke Ning to the palace to share the feast."

Wang Jin accepted the order respectfully and quickly left the palace and returned home.

As luck would have it, Prime Minister Wang just arrived at the gate in a carriage. Before he even entered the main gate, he saw his son who had hurried back.

"There is a palace banquet, why don't you stay in the palace? What are you doing back now?" Prime Minister Wang was very upset and spoke in a harsh tone.

Wang Jin was used to his father's occasional bad temper, so he smiled and replied, "The emperor ordered me to come back and take my father to the palace to attend the palace banquet."

Prime Minister Wang was stunned when he heard this, with a complicated expression. After a while, he said, "I am an old official who has resigned from the government, so I will not join in the fun. Please thank the emperor on my behalf."

Wang Jin said, "The Emperor has said that my father will not go to the palace for the banquet, so I will not go either. I will stay at home to accompany my father."

Prime Minister Wang had no choice but to reluctantly get on the carriage again and go into the palace with his son.

Wang Jin glanced at his father's uncontrollable smile and thought to himself, "Father, you are too hypocritical. You are obviously very happy, but you have to pretend to be forced and helpless. You don't feel tired. Prime Minister Wang behaved like this in front of his son, but when he entered the palace to see Her Majesty the Empress, he immediately changed his face to a grateful one, and smiled repeatedly, "This great victory of Daliang will at least bring ten years of stability to the border. This old minister congratulates the emperor."

Jiang Shaohua smiled amiably and said, "The soldiers are of one mind, and the ministers in the court are working together. Duke Ningguo also contributed a lot. When the Ministry of Revenue was raising food and grass, Duke Ningguo took the lead in donating 100,000 shi of military food. I remember this kindness. Duke Ningguo cannot be absent from today's celebration banquet."

Prime Minister Wang laughed and said, "It is my duty to help. I do not deserve the emperor's praise."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Let's not say these polite words. Come, Duke Ningguo and Prime Minister Chen sit together, closer to me, so it will be easier to talk."

Prime Minister Chen had already stood up and smiled as he invited Prime Minister Wang to sit down. Prime Minister Wang refused to sit at the head of the table and sat down below Prime Minister Chen. Then he and Prime Minister Chen shook hands and drank together, chatting and laughing like close friends.

The harmonious relationship between the two successive prime ministers of Daliang was an eye-opener for all the officials.

Wang Jin saw this and couldn't help but laugh secretly.

Her Majesty is indeed very skilled, and she has Prime Minister Wang firmly under her control. Of course, my old father also came in willingly.

Looking around, there are only a few ministers that Her Majesty can control with all her means. This is also a special honor.

The always low-key Lord Changning was still low-key today. In such a grand occasion, Lord Changning did not even move to the side of the empress. Instead, he sat with the civil officials.

Minister Dong of the Ministry of Rites took the initiative to raise his glass to toast Lord Changning: "In this battle, the one who really made great contributions is Lord Changning. In the past few years, the new grain cultivated by Lord Changning has been promoted to all parts of Daliang. The people have enough food and clothing, all thanks to Lord Changning. The military rations for the 200,000-man army also came from this."

"This minister respects Lord Changning."

Cui Du didn't drink much, but he had a generous personality. He drank it all in one gulp with a smile.

As a result, everyone came to toast. Cui Du was soon drunk, his handsome face flushed, his eyes were a little dazed, and his eyes were staring at the Empress sitting on the dragon throne from time to time.

All the ministers saw this and while they secretly laughed, they couldn't help but feel envious.

Her Majesty was preoccupied with state affairs and obviously had no interest in male beauty. It had been six years since she ascended the throne, and Princess Baoer was already five years old. Her Majesty had neither gotten pregnant nor chosen beautiful young men to enter the palace. The Earl of Changning still favored the harem alone.

Son-in-laws who are married to the emperor have always been criticized and ridiculed as gigolos. The Earl of Changning broke the contempt of the people for son-in-laws who are married to the emperor. Putting aside his status as the emperor's husband, the Earl of Changning himself is also a man of real ability and talent.

Minister Dong stood up, still a little drunk, and raised his glass to congratulate the Empress on the victory of the war. He said, "Your Majesty, Earl Changning has made great contributions in cultivating new grains and high-yield grain varieties. I ask Your Majesty to promote Earl Changning to a higher rank as a reward."

This Minister Dong is just a flatterer.

All the ministers started cursing in their hearts. They used to flatter the Empress, but now they were even flattering the Emperor's husband.

However, this proposal was indeed reasonable. After the ministers cursed in their hearts, they all agreed with it.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, and in front of all the ministers, he looked at Lord Changning for a moment: "Minister Dong is right. Lord Changning has made great contributions and he deserves a reward."

"Daliang already has Duke Ningguo and Duke Weiyuan. From today on, there will be another Marquis Changning."

Cui Du was still young, only in his twenties. To be granted the title of Marquis at such a young age was unprecedented.