At the beginning, I gave up my military power with a cup of wine, and I ascended the throne

Chapter 5 Resignation at the Celebration Banquet
Just as Xiao Han was immersed in practicing swordsmanship, Chief Clerk Pan Yuanshao stepped into the courtyard.

"General, the return signal from Jizhou has arrived."

Pan Yuanshao said, "My Lord, please invite the general to Jizhou to attend the celebration banquet."

"Is there anything else?"

Xiao Han put away the Blood-Red Knife and asked calmly.

"Gone."

Pan Yuanshao shook his head.

Xiao Han nodded: "Then we will set off at noon. After I leave, the military affairs of Yuyang will be handed over to Shi Qing to take care of."

"Yes."

Noon.

Hundreds of elite cavalry set out from Yuyang and headed for Jizhou.

Work day and night.

Sleeping in the open air.

Two days and two nights later, Xiao Han led his personal troops into Jizhou territory.

The gongs and drums are loud, and the firecrackers are all fired.

Almost half of the people in Jizhou City came out to welcome them.

Xie Xuanli, the Marquis of Zhenbei, who had dominated the northern border for decades, personally led many generals of the Northern Army to meet the enemy ten miles away.

"So majestic."

A general in distinctive armor whispered to the young marquis Xie An standing in the front row, his brows full of displeasure.

"The Yuyang cavalry is the best among the Northern Army, as expected."

Xie An's eyes swept over the hundreds of cavalrymen behind Xiao Han.

Each of them was filled with murderous aura and their fierceness was evident at every turn.

Xiao Han dismounted and, ignoring the young marquis standing in the front row, headed straight for Xie Xuanli.

He knelt on one knee, clasped his fists and said, "I greet you, Lord."

"Haha, get up, get up."

Xie Xuanli's old face was filled with joy. He quickly helped him up and praised him, "This battle was fought beautifully."

"It's all thanks to the Marquis sitting in the rear."

Xiao Han said modestly.

"Let's go, the celebration banquet has been prepared for you."

After saying that, Marquis Zhenbei mounted his horse and took Xiao Han into the city.

……

A celebration banquet was held at the Marquis's Mansion.

This celebration banquet was extremely lively.

Important generals of the Northern Army, local officials from Ji, Yu, and You, special envoys from the imperial court, and family members of the marquis's mansion all attended.

Xie Wan'er sat next to the Marquis.

Xiao Han originally planned to sit down, but Xie Xuanli pulled him to sit next to him.

Xiao Han and Xie Wan'er, one on the left and one on the right.

"A great victory at Yuyang, beheading more than 50,000 people and defeating the Northern Wei."

Xie Xuanli said: "This is the biggest victory in several years, which has severely dampened the morale of the Northern Wei."

"The first merit in this battle should go to Xiao Han."

“It was a beautiful fight indeed.”

Yuan Hong, the councilor of the Marquis' Mansion, raised his glass and said, "They are just a little too bold. They are fighting against a large number of enemies with a small number of troops, and they dare to divide their troops to surround them."

"Warfare is the art of deception. The Northern Wei Dynasty also thinks that I dare not do it, but I will swallow them up in one bite."

Xiao Han raised his eyebrows slightly.

Although the celebratory banquet seemed lively and enthusiastic on the surface, there was actually a strong sense of tension underneath.

these years.

Xiao Han's prestige in the Northern Army is growing, and more and more people are dissatisfied with him.

But the military achievements were there, and no one dared to discuss them on the surface, but rumors were flying everywhere behind the scenes.

Xiao Han just pretended not to hear.

Xiao Han knew exactly what Xie Xuanli was planning for today's celebration banquet.

After three rounds of drinking.

Xie Wan'er was the first to leave because she was drunk.

Afterwards, Young Marquis, all the generals, senior officials, and special envoys left the table one by one, making excuses.

At last…

At the entire celebration banquet, only Xie Xuanli and Xiao Han were left.

"My Lord, I, Yuyang, have kept 30% of the baggage seized from the Northern Wei Dynasty this time to reward the three armies and provide compensation to the soldiers who died in battle."

Xiao Han said.

"I know."

Xie Xuanli nodded slightly and did not blame him.

"Xiao Han, it has been several years since you were stationed in Yuyang, and I haven't had a good chat with you."

Xie Xuanli: "Thank you for your hard work over the years." "What are you talking about, Lord?"

Xiao Han shook his head: "If it weren't for the Marquis, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"shit."

Xie Xuanli glared at him and said, "Your military exploits were all earned by your own sword and gun. You were always at the forefront."

"In the battle of Daqing Mountain, you turned the tide. In the battle of Hetao, you were beaten to the point where only fifty cavalrymen were left. I know your achievements."

"Although you haven't been with me as long as Sun Hu and the others, you are the most like me."

It would be a lie to say that there is no emotion during the more than ten years of fighting.

Xie Xuanli was also hesitating. There was a hint of nostalgia in his eyes, and he talked about every bit of the past.

He remembered every military achievement Xiao Han had made.

He also remembered every sword wound he had suffered.

"In the Hetao Campaign, you led fifty cavalrymen back to Jizhou, covered in blood, with fifteen knife wounds and twelve arrow wounds."

"It was Madam Hou who personally gave me the medicine."

Xiao Han smiled bitterly.

"you do not know."

Xie Xuanli said: "Because of your injury, my wife was so worried that she didn't sleep for several days and nights."

"In the blink of an eye, she has been gone for many years, and you have grown up slowly and become the most powerful general of my Northern Army."

"My Lord, I suffered a lot of injuries when I attacked the Northern Wei army this time."

Xiao Han thought of the wife of the Zhenbei Marquis, sighed slightly in his heart, and hesitated for a moment: "Plus, I have been stationed in Yuyang for these years and confronted the Northern Wei, and I am a little tired, so I want to rest for a while."

"Internal injuries?"

Xie Xuanli didn't believe it: "You kid are just kidding me. You have practiced the Nine Yang Divine Art to the seventh level. A mere Xiantian realm warrior can't hurt you."

"My Lord, there are rumors everywhere now."

Xiao Han's move was called retreat in order to advance. He shook his head and said, "I have been too popular in recent years."

"You heard it too."

Xie Xuanli's face was gloomy.

"Ah."

Xiao Han nodded: "Now that the Northern Wei has suffered heavy casualties in the battle of Yuyang, they should not dare to invade the northern border within three to five years."

"It just so happens that my martial arts cultivation has reached a bottleneck and needs time to settle down."

"So I beg you to allow me to rest for a while."

Seeing Xiao Han's sincere face, Xie Xuanli's expression changed, and then he slammed the table: "Xiao Han, are you like this because of those rumors?"

"If that's the case, I will arrest and kill those gossipers tomorrow. I want to see who is trying to alienate us."

For a moment, the air was filled with murderous intent.

"Please grant me your permission, my Lord."

Xiao Han stood up, knelt on one knee, took out the Northern Army's military token from his arms, and presented it with both hands.

"My Lord, please accept the military token."

"You kid."

Xie Xuanli is hypocritical.

"Why would I take your military token?"

"You keep it for now."

"If the Marquis does not accept it, I will not get up."

Xiao Han insisted.

"You've grown too independent, kid. You don't even listen to me."

Xie Xuanli feigned anger and slammed the table.

"My Lord, I really want to recuperate for a while."

Xiao Han looked up at Xie Xuanli and said, "Or you can give us a leisurely job."

"It seems that I have no choice but to accept the Northern Army's military token today."

Xie Xuanli looked relaxed.

"My Lord, you know my temper best."

Xiao Han spoke.

"I also know that many people in the Northern Army have complaints about you, and think that you are too successful to be a threat to the leader."

Xie Xuanli's expression changed, and he snorted coldly: "But they can't see how many injuries you suffered, how much you suffered, and how many times you almost lost your life for this military achievement."

"I originally planned to marry Wan'er to you."

"But…"

Xie Xuanli sighed.

"The young lady doesn't agree."

Xiao Han said calmly.

"Ah."

Xie Xuanli was extremely angry.

He stood up angrily and placed the Northern Army's military token in his hand on the table without any reluctance.

(End of this chapter)