Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey

Chapter 823: Epilogue: National War (Part 7)

In the sixth year of Zhaoping, at the beginning of September, the Left General led the army back to the Capital City.

When they departed, it was a grand army of two hundred thousand.

When they returned, only one hundred and fifty thousand remained.

The lives of forty thousand soldiers were forever left on the battlefield. About ten thousand wounded soldiers, unfit for long journeys, were left to recover at the border.

The border army suffered nearly half casualties, even more tragic.

However, the Rouran Cavalry of over a hundred thousand was almost completely annihilated. From this standpoint, Da Liang undoubtedly achieved a great victory.

Not to mention, the Rouran Khan Fu Mingdun was captured alive and brought to the Capital City with the army. Upon hearing such a grand event, the citizens of the Capital City spontaneously gathered at the city gates to witness the spectacle.

The Empress of Da Liang personally led the officials outside the city gates today to welcome the triumphant returning troops. She publicly announced that the Left General was conferred the title of Duke Wei Yuan.

Additionally, General Fan, who made significant contributions in this battle, was granted the title of Marquis Jingbian.

Other military generals were also promoted by two to three ranks. Liu Hengchang, who made great achievements by launching a night raid on the military camp, was conferred the title of Second-Grade General. Xiao Tian, who captured the Rouran Khan alive, rose several ranks and was granted the title of Fourth-Rank General.

Amid the enthusiastic cheers of the public, Duke Wei Yuan and his fellow military generals rode through the city gates.

The former Prime Minister Wang, who had long retired from the court, sat silently in a private room on the second floor of a teahouse, watching the endlessly glorious Duke Wei Yuan, then looked at the radiant Empress.

Prime Minister Wang raised a cup of tea towards the direction of the Empress and then slowly drank it.

This national war won smoothly and beautifully for the Da Liang Dynasty, eradicating a great internal enemy in one stroke. The Empress’s authority was unprecedented, adored by the people, and supported by all ministers.

He, the former Prime Minister, had long been forgotten by people.

Prime Minister Wang sat in the private room for half a day, only getting up to return home after all the onlookers had dispersed.

A grand banquet was held in the palace to celebrate the victories, and all officials were invited. No one mentioned him, the former Prime Minister who had stepped down.

However, the Empress personally instructed: "For such a grand event, how can we be without Duke Ning? Vice Minister Wang, go back and invite Duke Ning to join the palace banquet."

Wang Jin respectfully received the order and promptly left the palace to return home.

As luck would have it, Prime Minister Wang happened to arrive at the gate in his carriage and hadn’t even entered the main gate when he saw his son hurrying back.

"There’s a palace banquet, why are you coming back rather than staying in the palace?" Prime Minister Wang’s tone was quite brusque.

Wang Jin was accustomed to his father’s occasional bad temper, smiling as he replied: "The Emperor instructed me to return to invite father to the palace for the banquet."

Prime Minister Wang was taken aback, his expression complicated, and after a moment, he said: "I, an old minister who resigned from my post, won’t join the excitement. Please thank the Emperor on my behalf."

Wang Jin said: "If father doesn’t attend the banquet, then I won’t either. I’ll stay in the residence to accompany father."

Prime Minister Wang, having no alternative, unwillingly got back on the carriage to go to the palace with his son.

Wang Jin glanced at his father’s barely concealed smile and thought to himself how contradictory his father was. Clearly very happy, yet pretending to be forced; isn’t that tiring?

Before his son, Prime Minister Wang showed this demeanor, but upon entering the palace and seeing the Empress, he immediately donned an expression of gratitude and repeatedly said with a smile: "This great victory for Da Liang brings at least ten years of border peace. I congratulate the Emperor."

Jiang Shaohua smiled warmly, "With all soldiers united and court ministers working together, Duke Ning contributed as well. The day the Ministry of Revenue allocated the grain, Duke Ning led in donating one hundred thousand stone of military grain. I remember this wholeheartedly. The celebration banquet today indeed should not be without Duke Ning."

Prime Minister Wang quickly smiled, "It’s my duty to contribute, I don’t dare to accept the Emperor’s praise."

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "Let’s not exchange courtesies. Come, Duke Ning, sit with Chancellor Chen near me so we can talk easily."

Chancellor Chen had already risen, smiling as he invited Prime Minister Wang to sit. Prime Minister Wang was unwilling to sit at the head, insisting on sitting below Chancellor Chen. Then, holding hands with Chancellor Chen, they drank together, talking and laughing as if they were old friends.

The current and previous Prime Ministers of Da Liang being in such harmony opened the eyes of the other officials.

Wang Jin found it amusing.

The Empress indeed had excellent maneuvering skills; after a stick, she offered a sweet date, keeping Prime Minister Wang firmly in her control. Of course, his father willingly fell for it.

Looking around, only a few ministers warranted the Empress’s effort to keep them in check, which could be considered an honor.

The low-key Elder Changning remained modest today. At such a grand occasion, he did not try to gather near the Empress’s side but instead sat with the civil servants.

Minister Dong of the Ministry of Rites proactively raised a glass to toast Elder Changning: "Speaking of this battle, the true merit goes to Elder Changning. Over the years, the new grain he cultivated has been promoted throughout Da Liang, allowing the citizens to live in abundance; it’s all thanks to Elder Changning. The military grain for the two hundred thousand troops came from this."

"This Chief of Staff toasts Elder Changning."

Cui Du, though not a heavy drinker, was bold and cheerful, downing the drink with a smile.

The result was everyone coming to toast him. Cui Du quickly got drunk, his handsome face flushed, and his eyes somewhat blurred, occasionally gazing at the Empress on the Dragon Throne.

The officials saw this and found it secretly amusing, yet couldn’t help but feel a sense of envy.

The Empress’s mind was entirely on national affairs, and she clearly had no great interest in male beauty. It had been six years since her ascension, and Princess Bao’er was already five years old. The Empress had neither become pregnant again nor shown any intention of selecting handsome young men for the palace. Elder Changning remained the sole favorite in the harem.

Sir-in-law status has always been scorned and mocked for living off others, but Elder Changning broke everyone’s contempt for such a position. Setting aside his role as the Imperial Consort, Elder Changning himself had genuine skills and competence.

Taking advantage of some drunkenness, Minister Dong rose and raised a glass to the Empress, celebrating the victory of the national war, and advised: "Emperor, the new grain and high-yield crops cultivated by Elder Changning are of great merit. I urge the Emperor to promote Elder Changning in rank to demonstrate appreciation."

This Minister Dong is a sycophant.

The officials silently cursed in their hearts; previously flattering the Empress, and now even flattering the Imperial Consort.

However, this proposal was quite reasonable. After a round of inward scolding, the officials each voiced their agreement and support.

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly, and in front of the officials, exchanged a meaningful glance with Elder Changning: "Minister Dong is right, Elder Changning has made great contributions and deserves a reward."

"With Duke Ning and Duke Wei Yuan in Da Liang, a new title today would be Marquis Changning."

Cui Du was still young, just over twenty. At such an age, being granted the title of Marquis was unprecedented and unrepeatable.