The prince is more stable

Chapter 242 The Emperor Welcomes You
The 30,000 soldiers of the Dragon Guard Camp who returned victoriously suffered a setback in the capital of the Song Dynasty.

On the way back, the soldiers' excitement subsided, and the excitement of making a fortune also faded a lot.

The team marched in silence. After learning a lesson, everyone learned their lesson.

Just like on the battlefield, scouts were sent out thirty miles away to investigate, and they would report back and forth the situation ahead every few hours. The soldiers remained alert at all times and were finally less careless.

After leaving Hezhong Prefecture, they crossed the Yellow River to the south and headed east along the bank of the Yellow River. After five days of walking, scouts reported that the outline of Bianjing City was visible twenty miles ahead.

The soldiers immediately cheered, and the depressing atmosphere that had been there for many days was swept away. The team regained their spirits and quickened their pace to rush towards Bianjing City.

Zhao Xiaoqian also breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart.

The pressure of leading an army to war was too great, but this time it was relatively smooth, with basically no major casualties among the troops under my command. I have done my best to live up to the elders, fellow villagers, and the wives and children of the soldiers.

Not only did he bring the people back alive, but he also helped them make a fortune. Without being modest, Zhao Xiaoqian felt he could afford it if these soldiers offered him longevity tablets at home.

Even if you kowtow to the God of Wealth, the deity may not pay attention to you. But Zhao Xiaoqian is different. No one even needs to kowtow to him, as he can make everyone's pockets fatter.

Except for the unfortunate fall in the canyon, everything else was perfect.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian also brought back a lot of questions. The person behind the assassination had not been found out, and he always had something on his mind.

The twenty-mile journey was quickly completed. When the army arrived outside the city of Bianjing, scouts had already rushed into the city on horseback to report.

The soldiers of the Dragon Guard Camp returned to the long-missed camp according to the rules. Only when the last soldier walked into the camp gate did Zhao Xiaoqian turn his horse around and leave with Chen Shou and others.

At this point, Zhao Xiaoqian's mission as the Deputy Envoy of Huanqing Road's General Administration and Pacification was completely completed.

The soldiers returned to the camp, and the subsequent command was handed over to Zhong Jianzhong.

Zhao Xiaoqian led Chen Shou and other personal guards and entered the city impatiently.

After entering the city from Nanxun Gate and passing through the dark city gate corridor, Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned when his eyes just regained light.

Inside the city gate, countless people stood quietly, all looking at him intently.

The densely packed crowd was no less than 10,000 people, most of whom were ordinary people. However, the person leading the crowd looked particularly familiar.

This person was wearing a formal bright yellow dragon robe and a long-winged crown hat. Although he looked a little tired, the smile on his face was sunny and bright.

When Zhao Xiaoqian recognized this man, he was immediately shocked. He quickly dismounted and walked a few steps to him and knelt down.

"I, Zhao Xiaoqian, Deputy Envoy of Huanqing Road's Military Strategy and Pacification, have been ordered to lead the expedition against Western Xia. I have now returned triumphantly with the royal army to report to Your Majesty."

The man in the yellow robe was none other than the official Zhao Xu.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian kneeling, Zhao Xu stepped forward to help him up, looking him up and down, his eyes full of smiles and satisfaction.

Patting him firmly on the shoulder, Zhao Xu smiled and sighed, "He's a little tanned, but also stronger. Zi'an is a man of great talent. I'm glad I trusted him well. In the Song-Xia battle, Zi'an did a great job!"

In front of tens of thousands of people, Zhao Xiaoqian didn't dare to joke and hurriedly said, "It's all thanks to the emperor's great blessing and the soldiers' dedication. I have no credit at all. Fortunately, I have fulfilled the emperor's trust. Our Song Dynasty has won a great victory. I can offer sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth and our ancestors."

Zhao Xiaoqian was a little panicked at the moment. He didn't expect that Zhao Xu would personally greet him at the city gate, and he didn't expect that such a big scene would be created to welcome him.

Glancing casually, Zhao Xiaoqian noticed that the crowd welcoming him included not only ordinary people but also countless court officials, both familiar and unfamiliar, including Zhang Dun, Zeng Bu, Su Zhe, and others. Of course, Zhao Hao was also among the crowd, smiling at him with tears streaming down his face. Zhao Xu patted his shoulder firmly, turned to face the crowd of tens of thousands, and suddenly shouted, "In the Song-Xia War, the Song army fought against the Western Xia invaders and won a resounding victory!"

"The commander-in-chief of my elite royal army is this man, Zhao Xiaoqian, Duke of Anle, also known as Zhao Zi'an!"

Zhao Xu's smile gradually faded, but his eyes grew more excited. "In this battle, our royal army was unstoppable. Zhao Xiaoqian led his troops deep into the heart of Western Xia, raiding military headquarters, plundering tribes, destroying the capital, and defeating powerful enemies. We fought across thousands of miles as if we were in an uninhabited area. With our light cavalry flying high, the enemy troops were exhausted and fleeing."

As Zhao Xu spoke, he became excited for some reason.

"Who says our Song Dynasty is weak? Heaven has blessed us with talented people. I have Zi'an, which is like having a million elite soldiers. The former Han Dynasty champion, Huo Qubing, was no better than him!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's face turned red when he heard this, and he felt like he was socially dead.

Comparing myself to Huo Qubing, this is really...

"Your Majesty, it's over, it's over..." Zhao Xiaoqian blushed and reminded in a low voice.

"Not at all!" Zhao Xu said passionately. "I inform the people of the Great Song that Xixia has surrendered, ceding six cities in exchange for peace. From now on, they will pay an annual tribute of 100,000 strings of cash and swear to cease fighting for generations. With this victory, the northwest of the Great Song will be at peace from now on!"

"This is all thanks to Zhao Xiaoqian!"

Zhao Xu grew increasingly excited as he spoke, tears welling up in his eyes. He choked out a sob and said, "In the hundred years since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty, has there ever been such a resounding victory? It's unprecedented! With this victory, I feel worthy of the heroic spirits of my ancestors, my country, and my people!"

Grabbing Zhao Xiaoqian's shoulders and turning him around to face the tens of thousands of people, Zhao Xu straightened his chest and shouted, "Everyone, please meet Zhao Xiaoqian, the Duke of Anle, a meritorious official of the Song Dynasty!"

The crowd was silent for a long time, then someone suddenly took the lead and knelt down. Everyone's face was filled with reverence and excitement. The silence was deafening.

The sea of ​​heads suddenly became shorter. Although there was no passionate cheering, at this moment, it seemed as if a huge bell was ringing in the sky above the city of Bianjing, shattering the century-long shame of the Song Dynasty.

The world is new.

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyelids twitched suddenly, and he also knelt down facing the people to return the greeting. However, before he knelt down, Zhao Xu held his arm.

"Zi'an, don't move. You deserve this bow!" Zhao Xu said in a deep voice.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, I feel like I'm sitting on pins and needles. With so many people kneeling before me, I don't have the fate to do so. It will only shorten my lifespan."

Zhao Xu wiped the tears from his eyes and laughed heartily, "You have brought honor to me and the Song Dynasty, and I will also bring honor to you. Today, you are the greatest meritorious official. You deserve this great gift from the people!"

Looking at the massive crowd kneeling down, Zhao Xu sighed, "The people of the Song Dynasty have waited for generations, and the rulers and ministers of the Song Dynasty have endured humiliation for generations. This victory comes too timely and is too important."

"Zi'an, I really don't know how to thank you. From now on, there will be no more war in the northwest, and the court has relaxed a lot. I'm afraid even you don't realize how significant this victory is. The entire situation in the world will be changed because of this. The tide of time is gradually turning in the favor of the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around at the sea of ​​people kneeling in worship, his heart filled with turmoil.

Zhao Xu, however, held onto his arm, and the two walked side by side. Then, when they reached the bright yellow imperial sedan chair, Zhao Xu pulled Zhao Xiaoqian onto it and said, "Zi'an, come and ride with me."

Zhao Xiaoqian panicked and said hastily, "Your Majesty, this is unacceptable. If I were to overstep my bounds, I would be condemned by the censors to a state of suffering worse than death..."

Zhao Xu exerted force and forcibly pulled him up, saying with a smile, "Today I'm making an exception. No one can criticize you. If they are jealous, they can do something extraordinary for me. I will be happy to help them hold the stirrup."

"Zheng Chunhe, issue an order to return to the palace! Zi'an, I have prepared a feast in the palace to welcome you!"

(End of this chapter)