Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 239: The Emperor Demoted His Rank, Yu Lin Bowed His Head

The war in Qingzhou is over.

Lu Bu left behind 20,000 troops to garrison, and then returned to Yecheng with Zhang Liao, Yuan Xi, Kong Rong and others to meet the emperor.

The news of the great victory in Qingzhou spread in the city early and caused many people to discuss it. Therefore, after learning that Lu Bu had returned triumphantly and arrived in Yecheng, many people went out of the city to watch.

Soon, Lu Bu came with a large army.

An army of 20,000 rushed towards Yecheng. Their military appearance was extremely neat. Their footsteps made a rumbling sound on the ground, as if the earth was shaking. It was extremely terrifying.

Many civilians turned pale with fear when they saw this scene. If they had not known in advance that this was a triumphant friendly army, they would probably have turned around and fled.

As the army got closer to Yecheng, they could feel the overwhelming power of the Xuzhou army more and more.

Having just experienced a war, the Xuzhou army had no time to rest, and their armor was still stained with blood and traces of weapons, making them look extremely fierce.

But this did not conceal their power. Instead, it added to their murderous intent and determination. Coupled with the morale brought by the great victory, the Xuzhou army gave people an overwhelming sense of oppression.

You can tell at a glance that this is an elite army!
Especially the one in the lead, who wore a three-pronged purple gold crown on his head, a Xichuan red cotton robe with flowers on it, a chain mail with a beast face and a head-swallowing armor, and a lion-shaped belt around his waist; he carried a bow and arrow, held a painted halberd in his hand, and rode a neighing red rabbit horse.

Even people who have never seen Lu Bu can recognize at the first sight that this fierce general is the unrivaled Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian!

"What a mighty army! What a mighty general!"

"Is the one riding the red horse Lord Wen? I heard that he is highly valued by Your Majesty and is a loyal minister to Your Majesty!"

"That's right! Lord Wen is the most powerful general in the world!"

"It turns out that Lord Wen is returning in triumph. No wonder the momentum of his troops is so amazing!"

"Even the false emperor Yuan Shu was defeated by Lord Wen!"

"Duke Wen will surely defeat the Yuan thieves and help Your Majesty restore the Han Dynasty!"

On both sides of the road, people were talking about Lu Bu and the Xuzhou army, and they were all amazed.

Lu Bu was riding on his Red Hare and listening to the discussions of the people. At this moment, his vanity was greatly satisfied and he could not help but slowing down his riding speed.

This is the feeling of being loved by the people!
Zhang Liao, who was standing by, saw that Lu Bu was almost unable to suppress his anger, so he reminded him, "General, we should go to the palace to see His Majesty as soon as possible."

If Lu Bu continues to procrastinate like this, it is unknown how long it will take to reach the palace.

"I know, I know."

Lu Bu was enjoying the praise from the people and was feeling very happy. He had no intention of listening to Zhang Liao's words. He just said something perfunctorily and remained unhurried.

Zhang Liao, Yuan Xi and Kong Rong couldn't help but twitch their lips when they saw this, but they had no choice but to follow him and enter Yecheng together.

……

Imperial Palace, Tai'an Hall.

It was almost noon and the morning court session had not yet ended.

Zhang He walked into the hall and reported to Liu Xie: "Your Majesty, Duke Wen has returned with his army in triumph. They have now entered Yecheng and are heading towards the palace!"

When Liu Xie heard this, he immediately looked happy.

Lu Bu is finally back!

He lowered his head to look at the ministers, and said with a smile: "My dear ministers, please follow me to welcome the meritorious officials back to the court."

As he spoke, he stood up and walked out of the hall.

All the ministers were shocked when they saw this.

Your Majesty is actually going to greet him in person?
Although they were shocked, none of the ministers dared to go against Liu Xie's wishes, and they followed closely behind him and walked out of Tai'an Hall.

……

It took Lu Bu nearly half an hour to walk from outside the city to the palace. He greatly enjoyed the cheers and enthusiasm of the people before reluctantly entering the palace with Zhang Liao and others.

Soon after they entered the palace, they discovered that both sides of the imperial road were filled with Yulin Guards, who stood in neat and orderly rows, looking extremely majestic.

"How is this going?"

Seeing this, Lu Bu couldn't help but feel puzzled. Although the Yulin Guards were the imperial palace guards, they were scattered around the palace on duty. Why were they all gathered here today?
Although puzzled, Lu Bu still stepped into the imperial road and headed for Tai'an Palace.

But at this moment, a scene that shocked him and everyone else appeared - wherever Lu Bu passed, the Yulin Guards bowed their heads and saluted him.

"Yu, Yulin, lower your head!"

Zhang Liao, Yuan Xi, Huang Zhong, Taishi Ci and others who followed behind Lu Bu were all greatly surprised. They couldn't help but widen their eyes, revealing their sincere shock and envy!
Fenglangjuxu, Yanran stone carving;
The imperial guards bowed their heads, and the emperor was demoted!
This is the highest honor a military commander can receive!
Looking at the first two during the entire 400-year history of the Han Dynasty, only Huo Qubing and Dou Xian were able to do so; and the only military general who had the honor of having the Yulin bow their heads and the emperor demote them was Wei Qing!
But this scene is happening right before their eyes!
Lu Bu also noticed that these Yulin guards bowed to him, but he didn't know what this meant, so he just felt very happy and strode towards Tai'an Palace.

But before he could get over there, he saw a familiar figure standing at the end of the Imperial Road, outside Tai'an Palace, looking at him with a smile.

It was Liu Xie!

Seeing this, Lu Bu was quite surprised: "Your Majesty is waiting for me outside the palace?"

At this moment, Zhang Liao and others could no longer conceal their shock. Unlike Lu Bu who had not read many books, they deeply understood what this action of the emperor meant.

Kong Rong said to Lu Bu slowly, "Lord Wen, the imperial guards bowed their heads, and the emperor came out of the palace to greet you. This is an honor that only General Wei Qing has ever received in our Han Dynasty."

"Your Majesty is just ahead. If Lord Wen doesn't go to see him now, when will he?"

When Lu Bu heard this, his body suddenly trembled.

His eyes widened into the size of copper bells!
Is this an honor that only the famous general Wei Qing has ever received?
Your Majesty actually welcomes his triumphant return with such honor?
For a moment, Lu Bu's breathing began to rapid.

Although he had never been afraid of thousands of troops, his legs could not help but begin to tremble. They felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead. He stood there for a long time and could not take a single step forward.

What an honor and reward this is!
He, Lu Bu, could actually receive the same treatment as Wei Qing, making the Yu Lin bow their heads and the emperor welcome him!

He had a very unreal feeling in his heart, and even doubted whether he was dreaming!
Zhang Liao, who was standing by, saw that Lu Bu was standing there without moving forward, and couldn't help but get anxious. He urged him, "General, don't just stand there. Do you still want His Majesty to wait for you?"

Huang Zhong, Taishi Ci and others also had envious looks on their faces.

Which general doesn't want to receive such an honor?
Yuan Xi was so jealous that his eyes turned red. He also wanted to receive such favor from His Majesty. Why not him? He had obviously made great contributions!
"well……"

Under the urging of everyone, Lu Bu came back to his senses. He swallowed, forced himself to calm down, climbed the steps with heavy steps, and walked towards the end of the imperial road.

There were only about a hundred steps, but at this moment, they seemed extremely long in his eyes.

Even if he had been fighting on the battlefield for three days and three nights, he was never afraid, and his legs were never so weak that he couldn't lift his feet.

But he only walked halfway up the hundred steps before his legs became so weak that he couldn't even lift them up. He had never enjoyed such an honor before, nor had he ever experienced such a grand occasion!

The emperor's favor and trust brought him supreme glory, but also made him feel a responsibility and mission as heavy as a mountain.

Seeing this, Liu Xie smiled, took the initiative to walk down the stairs, came to Lu Bu, and said to the civil and military officials following behind him: "My father-in-law seems to be too tired, and now he can't even walk up the stairs."

All the ministers burst into good-natured laughter.

Beneath the smile, there is envy that cannot be concealed.

Lu Bu's face flushed with excitement. He knelt heavily on one knee in front of Liu Xie and said in a trembling voice: "How could I be so worthy of Your Majesty to grant me such a grace? I, your humble servant, am extremely terrified..."

"Father-in-law, what are you talking about?" Liu Xie reached out his hand to help Lü Bu up, and said with a hearty smile: "This great victory in Qingzhou has opened up the communication between Xuzhou and Jizhou in one fell swoop. Father-in-law has made a great contribution, and he naturally deserves such courtesy from me!"

"I have Duke Wen, just like Emperor Shizong Xiaowu had Wei Qing and Huo Qubing!"

Liu Xie also put into practice the rhetoric that Jia Xu taught him. It must be said that these words indeed sound better than the word "arm".

Lü Bu's heart was throbbing with excitement at Liu Xie's words. He felt his blood boiling and kowtowed to Liu Xie with tears in his eyes: "I am willing to sacrifice my life for your majesty, even until my death!"

Compared with Marquis Changping and Marquis Guanjun, he is like a star compared to the bright moon, but Your Majesty has such high hopes for him!
And he was given the same courtesy as Marquis Changping!

He is so valued that even if he is not a general and his daughter is not a queen, he is still willing to die for the emperor!

Liu Xie helped Lü Bu up again, wiped his tears with his sleeve, and said with a smile: "Lord Wen is the most powerful general in the world, how can you cry so easily? If this gets out, it will just make people laugh."

Lu Bu nodded heavily and wiped his face randomly.

Liu Xie looked at Zhang Liao and others behind Lu Bu, and finally set his eyes on Yuan Xi. He walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder, and praised him:

"Thank you for your hard work, my dear."

Yuan Xi was stunned, and then he trembled with excitement!

I'm coming!
The emperor patted him on the shoulder and said he had worked hard!

This is recognition from the Emperor!
How long has it been? How long has it been!

He finally heard the emperor's praise and recognition of him, and he finally became the emperor's confidant!
Yuan Xi suddenly felt that all the suffering and torture he had endured before were worth it. He knelt down and kowtowed like Lu Bu, choking with sobs and saying, "Serving the Han Dynasty and Your Majesty! It is not hard for me!"

Liu Xie nodded, then praised Zhang Liao, Kong Rong and others one by one before returning to Tai'an Palace with his ministers.

After walking up to the dragon throne and sitting down, Liu Xie said to everyone: "Now that Qingzhou has been recovered, Yecheng is no longer isolated."

"Xuzhou, Qingzhou and Jizhou are integrated into one. I can finally feel a little relieved and no longer have to worry about the Yuan thieves' invasion day and night."

"The victory of this battle is due to the great contributions of all of you, my dear ministers."

This time Sima Yi offered a plan, Yuan Xi and Zhang Liao implemented it, Lu Bu led his troops to attack, Huang Zhong and Taishi Ci fought in the battle, and everyone made great contributions.

Now is the time to reward those who have done good deeds.

Liu Xie had already prepared rewards for everyone.

Yuan Xi was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Zhang Liao was promoted to General of Anxi.

Sima Yi was promoted to Imperial Censor.

Huang Zhong and Taishi Ci were also rewarded with titles.

Lu Bu was promoted to Grand Marshal and officially ranked among the Three Dukes.

But in fact, Lu Bu doesn't care about these now.

The favor and honor Liu Xie bestowed on him today was far more precious than any other reward. The position of general would be his sooner or later once he killed Yuan Shao.

At the next court meeting, Liu Xie discussed with his ministers the deployment, dispatch and arrangement of troops in the three counties of Xuzhou, Qingzhou and Jizhou, and then retired from the court.

……

After retiring from court, Lu Bu did not leave the palace directly. He asked Liu Xie for permission to enter the harem to meet his daughter Lu Lingqi.

At this time, Lü Lingqi was learning needlework from the two girls, Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao, in Ziyun Palace. When she saw Lü Bu coming, she immediately showed a look of surprise on her pretty face and asked, "Father, why are you here?"

"My father just returned victoriously today and went to the palace to receive the reward. I came to see you by the way."

Lu Bu had a kind look on his face and said with a smile.

When the two girls heard that it was Lu Lingqi's father, they hurried forward and saluted, saying, "Greetings, Lord Wen!"

Although they were concubines, they were just beauties. In terms of noble status, how could they compare to Lu Bu, who was also the General of Cavalry and the Duke of Wen?
Lu Bu nodded to them as a gesture of greeting, and then his eyes fell on the needle and thread in Lu Lingqi's hand. He was immediately unhappy: "Didn't I ask you to practice martial arts diligently? Why are you learning these useless things? Can this protect His Majesty?"

"Also, your clothes are too fancy. It would be better if you dressed in a tight outfit. It would be neater and easier to show off your martial arts skills."

Hearing this, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao looked a little strange.

Are you sure you are talking about concubines and not guards?
Lu Lingqi raised her eyebrows and said, "My daughter has not slacked off in her martial arts. If you don't believe me, why not come and compete with me? I will also let my daughter see if my martial arts have declined!"

"Row!"

Lu Bu glared and started rolling up his sleeves.

Seeing that the two stubborn father and daughter were about to fight in the palace, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao hurriedly stepped forward to stop them, and persuaded them: "Lord Wen, you and your daughter have finally met, so why don't you sit down and have a good chat."

After being persuaded by the two women, Lu Bu and Lu Lingqi gave up their plan to compete and sat down.

Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao did not stay in Ziyun Palace for long.

Give them space to chat.

Lu Bu took a sip of the tea on the table and asked Lu Lingqi, "You have been in the palace for so long, Qi'er, why haven't you conceived a heir to His Majesty's throne yet?"

"Even if you slack off in martial arts, you can't slack off in this area. You have to work harder. Your father is still waiting to hold his grandson."

Lu Lingqi said aggrievedly: "Your Majesty has visited my daughter many times, but there has been no movement in my belly."

She also wanted to be pregnant with the emperor's heir.

I just couldn't get pregnant.

Hearing this, Lu Bu's good mood was no longer in good spirits, but he also knew that this matter could not be forced, so he could only put it aside and asked, "I heard that the queen has returned to the palace?"

(End of this chapter)