Thank you to Yuki for the ko-fi~ ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡
The relay horses changed tirelessly day and night. Urgently covering eight hundred miles without slowing down, they entered the capital with a billowing cloud of dust, heading straight for the palace gates.
“Is there another victory report coming in?” As a mid-level official in the Imperial Secretariat, Wang Pou was among the first to receive such news. However, unlike others, this news brought him extra joy!
His elder brother, Wang Kun, now held the position of Inspector of You County. Every victory on the frontline bore witness to his strategic brilliance. Once You County was pacified, his brother was sure to achieve great things!
Placed a mere two or three years ago, who could have anticipated that the Wang family from Chen Commandery would produce an Inspector of a province? Such high-ranking officials were typically monopolized by powerful families. If not for his brother defecting to Bing County, how could they enjoy such prosperity today?
Not only his elder brother but even he had been appointed as a Secretariat Attendant in the Imperial Secretariat. Although he held only a sixth-rank title, being a Secretariat Attendant was esteemed, as they were close attendants to the emperor. Just from this aspect, one could discern the emperor’s favor towards the Wang family. Grateful and vigilant, Wang Pou realized that in the present era, the emperor valued competence over eloquence. He could not afford to indulge himself; he must, like his elder brother, be diligent in political affairs to repay the emperor’s favor!
By the time his elder brother’s eldest son and his own son reached adulthood, the Wang family should have firmly established itself in the New Dynasty, right?
Lost in thoughts of his family and the news of victory, even Wang Pou felt a bit distracted, unable to sit still. Unfortunately, due to his limited experience, he couldn’t serve as an Imperial Clerk. The outcome of this campaign would have to wait until Guo Pu, another Secretariat Attendant, returned and conveyed the details.
The wait lasted for more than an hour. When Guo Pu finally returned to the government office, not just Wang Pou, but all the Secretariat Attendants rushed to him.
“How’s the victory report? Did they capture Ping County?” Someone anxiously inquired.
Guo Pu chuckled as he stroked his beard, “General of Chariots and Cavalry, three days ago, decisively defeated Xiangping! Cui Bi died from an arrow, and Ping County has surrendered!”
The crowd erupted in cheers upon hearing this news. In such a short time, they had successfully captured both You County and Ping County. The army led by the king was formidable, unstoppable by anyone!
Amid his excitement, Wang Pou couldn’t help but ponder. Even in the chaos of the military, how could they capture the Governor of You County, Duan Wu, yet when it came to Ping County, Cui Bi died from an arrow? Could it be related to the influence of the Cui family from Qinghe? Well, if Cui Bi didn’t die, deciding whether to spare or execute him would indeed be troublesome.
And what about the Duan family? How will the emperor deal with them?
As he pondered, Guo Pu continued, “…upon hearing the victory report, His Majesty was greatly pleased and ordered the General of Chariots and Cavalry to return to the capital and present the captives.”
Presenting captives! The emperor intended to showcase the national prestige through this act!
The once rampant Duan clan of the Xianbei, who had breached Chang’an, had now been completely defeated. How much longer could the Xiongnu, occupying Yong County, linger on? What about the remnants of the previous dynasty who fled to the south? Perhaps in his lifetime, Wang Pou could witness the reunification of the country…
The sounds of praise had already begun. Wang Pou’s excited body trembled, and he couldn’t help but squeeze his palms, trying to restrain his facial expression. If he diligently assisted the emperor, could he also leave a mark in history a hundred years later?
With the imperial decree announcing the triumphant return of the royal army and the presentation of captives, the entire city of Luoyang erupted in excitement. How many years had it been since such a grand event had occurred? And now, within just one year of the founding of the Great Zhao, they could witness it! The sacred Emperor of Great Zhao was indeed the chosen one by destiny!
Amidst the eager and exhilarated anticipation, the vast army slowly returned. The streets were packed with people, both inside and outside the Xuanyang Gate, making it nearly impossible to move. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the victorious army, and the roads were so crowded that there was barely any room to stand. Welcoming the triumphant army with food and drinks, who would willingly lag behind?
Regardless of the surging crowd, a woman descended from a cattle cart, accompanied by servants, making her way forward. The child she held in her hand exclaimed, “Mother, there are so many people on the road. Why don’t we stay in the cart?”
“When the royal army returns victorious, we must line the streets to greet them,” the woman replied softly, standing by the side of the road and gazing steadily at the distant army.
On Copper Camel Street, the military formation was already visible. At the forefront were the cavalry, over a hundred Uighur horses proudly striding with thunderous hoofbeats. Following them were armored warriors, gleaming spears held high, and fluttering banners. A string of captives, their necks bound with white ropes, heads bowed, backs burdened, each disheveled and dirty.
The child, still quite young, took a step back, intimidated by the imposing military presence, then widened his eyes, curiously observing the surrendered prisoners. After watching for a while, he suddenly tugged at his mother and asked, “Are those all enemies? Why do they look almost like beggars from outside the city?”
Indeed, these royal scions of the Duan clan had lost much of their former majesty. Even a small child found them unimpressive.
The woman’s gaze rested within the formation, seemingly seeing something. She smiled brightly and said with absolute certainty, “Facing the royal army, no matter how formidable the enemy, they will all become as insignificant as chickens and dogs.”
Her words were firm and resolute as if she had witnessed it with her own eyes.
Is the emperor’s personal army really that powerful? Does Father also belong to the royal army? The child couldn’t help but tiptoe, trying to get a better view. Unfortunately, his stature was not enough, and he couldn’t see the direction his mother was looking in.
In the center of the formation, a general rode on horseback. With a fierce helmet and a banner that eclipsed the sun, no one could see the man’s face clearly. However, he was a warrior of a hundred battles, swift as a hawk, and with a mere gesture, he could command thousands of troops and horses. Even among the fierce warriors before and after him, no one could match the heroic figure of that man.
Only my lord can produce such outstanding figures.
Watching the familiar yet unfamiliar figure, tears welled up in Luzhu’s eyes. In the Liang Mansion, could she have ever imagined today’s scene? Married and with children, she led a good life. However, not a day passed without her yearning for the time a decade ago.
“Mother, I want to join the royal army too!” The child by her side tightly held his mother’s hand and whispered.
Luzhu smiled, gently stroking her son’s head. “As long as you diligently practice martial arts, one day you will be able to serve the emperor…”
Just like his father, wearing a helmet and armor to repay the emperor’s grace.
A grand procession stretched all the way to the Changhe Gate. Bells chimed, drums beat, music played, and the emperor ascended the royal tower amid the resounding orchestration.
With a taut rope around his neck, Duan Wu staggered forward, resembling an old sheep led to the city gates. Without the need for admonition, he voluntarily knelt on the immaculate imperial road. Beside him knelt his eldest son, Duan Jilu, his clan members, and numerous Duan clan relatives.
The General of Chariots and Cavalry took a step forward. “Following the imperial order to pacify You County, we offer the captured prisoners to Your Majesty.”
This voice, like a harsh whip, fiercely lashed across Duan Wu’s back. The dignified demeanor of the Duke of Liaoxi, the authority of the Commander of You County, had long been obliterated. Now, he could only hunch his body, trying to shrink his shoulders as much as possible, hoping that the Emperor of Great Zhao, high above, would spare his wretched life.
The Duan clan had surrendered. Although he and his son were captured on the battlefield, someone from the Duan clan had ultimately opened the city gates. If even surrendered vassals were killed, who would dare to offer cities when fighting against the Xiongnu or attacking the Jin dynasty? They would not kill themselves; the act of surrender was merely a ceremony showcasing the emperor’s benevolence.
However, despite his thoughts, Duan Wu’s body continued to shake violently. Old age and exhaustion made his head buzz. The imperial edict, faintly heard, became intermittent.
Vaguely, he heard the name of Wang Jun. He heard about Ye City, heard about Chang’an, and heard about those things he had forgotten in his mind. In the loud voice of the ceremonial official, there was a chilling atmosphere, intimidating and compelling.
Why bring up these matters? Whether attacking Ye City or besieging Chang’an, it was clearly following the orders of the Sima clan, acting under the king’s command! Are you, the Zhao emperor, not a former subject of Jin?! Duan Wu’s face contorted, sweat pouring down, feeling as if his heart had sunk to the bottom of a valley.
The not-so-long imperial edict reached its end. There was no pardon, no imperial favor, and the prisoners of war were handed over to the Ministry of Justice. The Minister of Justice stepped forward and once again sought the emperor’s decree.
Seated on the throne, the emperor spoke with authority, “Invading our cities, massacring our people, their crimes are unforgivable. No mercy shall be given.”
On the high platform, how far could one person’s voice reach? However, when the last three words were declared, the ceremonial official by the emperor’s side loudly repeated, “No mercy!”
Before and after the imperial throne, four attendants shouted in unison, “No mercy!”
One by one, the shouts echoed, reaching the top of the city wall, where three hundred and sixty imperial guards roared in unison.
“No mercy!”
The resounding roar shook the heavens like thunder and wind!
Duan Wu’s legs went weak, and he slumped to the ground. No, this couldn’t be. The Duan clan had surrendered, he had surrendered…
While the father collapsed, Duan Jilu struggled unwillingly to stand, wanting to make a plea for mercy. Unfortunately, who would allow him to be insolent? Grasping his neck and stifling his tongue, the soldiers stood tall, pulling the condemned prisoners towards the execution grounds.
On the city tower, Liang Feng coldly watched the struggling figures on the verge of death. Of course, he had to use the Duan clan, to insert a barrier between the Tuoba and Murong clans. However, those he intended to use were not from the Duan Wu lineage. After plundering Ye City and ravaging Chang’an, how many innocent lives had perished under these people’s blades? Someone had to demand justice for the eight thousand women lying beneath the Yi River.
As for the killing of surrendering troops, the Duan clan followed the orders of the Commander of You County, Wang Jun, and the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue. These individuals were precisely representatives of the declining and corrupt West Jin Dynasty, clear evidence of the illegitimate ascension of the Jin state. Following the remnants of the former dynasty, engaging in rebellion, Liang Feng killing the surrendered prisoners of the Duan clan was justified and righteous.
And this would also become the future national policy of the Zhao Kingdom. The world is still unsettled, with countless major battles to be fought. Among the enemies they would face, some would swear to resist to the death, while others might abandon their cities and surrender. However, those “powerful and brutal” figures who slaughtered the people, he would never tolerate. Those who wanted to use the lives of the common people as bargaining chips, exchanging lives for peace, were all worthy of death!
In his chest, a cold and furious intent flowed, like ice. He wondered how many heads of these people could still be piled up in the future…
“Your Majesty, it’s time to reward the generals.” The protocol official whispered.
Liang Feng took a deep breath and waved his hand to continue the ceremony. Promotions, peerages, and land grants were the well-deserved rewards for the soldiers who had devoted themselves to the country. Generous rewards would also be given to the Tuoba and Murong clans. When the weakened Duan clan reappeared between them, they would not necessarily restrain their ambitions. The grasslands would once again fall into chaos, with the two powers contending, hopefully delaying their southward migration.
It was indeed a great victory, but there was not much joy in Liang Feng’s heart. There were still too many things to handle. However, the tightly locked brows slowly relaxed when he saw a certain figure.
Wearing armor did not affect the agile figure. The person knelt in front of the steps, bowing to the emperor.
Inside and outside the portal, there were countless courtiers and officials, countless pairs of eyes. However, Liang Feng didn’t care. He stood up and approached the person.
“Commander, you have worked hard in this battle. Please rise quickly.”
The fair hand rested on the cold wrist guard. The person raised their head, and a sincere joy shone in their gray-blue eyes.
Liang Feng also smiled. Wasn’t it a good story when the monarch and his ministers got along well?
Author’s note:
The ritual of presenting captives is referenced from the Ming and Qing dynasties. However, at that time, there was no concept of the Meridian Gate; the main southern gate was still called the Portico Gate.
