Chapter 1415: The Soldiers Return from a Hundred Battles

The Gu River flowed swift and full, merging into the Luo. The Heyin region had a well-developed network of waterways, from which the Heluo civilization was nurtured, and the Gu River was the tributary most closely connected to the Luo River.

The Gu River was not long, its basin covering only the area west of Luoyang to the Xiao Han region, yet it was the most important waterway artery west of Luoyang. In recent years, during the process of revival and development in the Heluo region, it had also played a significant role.

Following the Gu River toward the Luo, the pressing mountains fell away, and the further east one went, the gentler the current became. The water was clear, with green trees shading both banks; under the summer sun, it reflected shimmering ripples. The water was far from monotonous — boats could always be seen plying it, mostly Bian boats, the most commonly used vessels among the northern inland waterways.

Along the riverbanks, where the main roads connecting Luoyang with the Guannei region passed, several market towns had sprung up. In scale they could not compare with those of the eastern regions, but relying on the vital east-west thoroughfare, their prosperity was not far behind.

On the roads, while not exactly crowded with people, merchant caravans and travelers were never lacking, growing denser the closer one approached the Western Capital. After the court's relocation to Luoyang, large-scale infrastructure construction had been carried out around the Western Capital, especially road construction, and the Han straight road leading west out of Luoyang had already reached Mianchi by the ninth year of Kaibao.

The broad straight road lay quietly across the Heluo plain. On the smooth stone-paved surface, a column — an army — slowly made its way from west to east.

Looking out, it numbered several thousand men. In the Great Han, especially so close to the capital region, such a large-scale troop movement was quite rare.

Banners stood thick as a forest. Aside from the black military flags, several character banners were especially conspicuous under the blazing sun — the "Liu" banner leading, supplemented by Wang, Yang, Guo, and other banners.

Without a doubt, at this time, only one army was being summoned to the capital: the Han army returning from the Mobei and Western Regions expeditions, which Emperor Liu had specially ordered to march in triumph to the capital to present captives at the palace and receive rewards.

The entire force was cavalry, though a portion were infantrymen who also had horses for transport — the northwestern Han army did not lack horses. Though they had escaped the harsh and brutal expeditionary campaigns, they still maintained strict formation. These were elite Han soldiers who had survived a hundred battles; military discipline had become almost instinct. Though they made no deliberate show of it, they exuded an awe-inspiring killing aura.

Iron hooves trod slowly, kicking up clouds of dust. The dense rhythm of hoofbeats played deep, sonorous notes on the open road. Within the column, more than two hundred large carts were being escorted — besides supplies, they carried spoils of war prepared as tribute to the court, along with some prisoners.

Among them, Yelu Dilie, the Khitan's Prince of Taiping, was the highest-ranking captive, and one of the most important embodiments of the Han army's achievements in the Western Regions campaign.

When the remnants of the Liao army in the Western Regions were being wiped out, some Khitan generals had fought to the death in resistance — Yelu Sha, whom Yelu Jing had originally appointed, for one, chose death over surrender. Yelu Dilie also led his men in resistance to the very end, but in the end he lacked the courage to face death directly, and ultimately submitted to capture, reduced to a prisoner.

Compared to ordinary captives, Yelu Dilie received somewhat better treatment — at least he had a separate prison cart, and the Han army did not mistreat him. The several-thousand-li journey east had been relatively smooth.

But for Yelu Dilie, a direct member of the Liao imperial clan, once ambitious and arrogant beyond measure, this fate of being at others' mercy, stripped of all dignity, still stung deeply in his heart. Of course, a living dog is better than a dead lion — compared to life itself, so-called honor and disgrace counted for little.

"Your Highness, once we pass Yanxi Town, Luoyang is not far off. We should reach the capital today!" Within the marching column, Murong Defeng, dressed in a military officer's uniform, said casually to Liu Fang beside him.

Emperor Liu had previously issued an edict summoning the expeditionary soldiers back to the capital, and had Crown Prince Liu Yang send someone to greet them. Liu Yang had directly handed this task to Murong Defeng, a close minister of the Eastern Palace.

Murong Defeng, knowing the Crown Prince's intention to show favor, threw himself into the task with exceptional effort. Leading his men at full gallop westward, he spent nearly twenty days, only catching up with the returning expeditionary soldiers just before crossing the Hexi Corridor.

Throughout the journey back, Liu Fang had ridden on horseback. Traversing this several-thousand-li distance once more was still an arduous trip. At this moment, Liu Fang, like most of the soldiers, was utterly exhausted — yet with the capital nearly in sight, excitement welled up unbidden.

The fine stubble at the corners of his lips seemed to bear witness to Liu Fang's growth, and his young face was marked by a weathered quality that did not match his years. Hearing Murong Defeng's words, his usually bright and sharp gaze grew somewhat distant, and his tone carried boundless emotion: "Finally back!"

Liu Min, also in light armor that gleamed in the sunlight, raised a hand to wipe the thin layer of sweat from his brow and chimed in: "I still remember setting out from the Western Capital last year, still in late spring. Who would have thought — gone for over a year, and now returning to Luoyang, it's already midsummer..."

Compared to Liu Min, Liu Fang had been away far longer. He had accompanied Emperor Liu on his inspection tour in the seventh year of Kaibao, and when the great upheaval in Liao came and the northern expedition was launched, he had gone far off to Guasha to join the army. Counting it up, more than two years had passed. The many experiences along the way had certainly been hard, but his resolve had remained firm throughout, without a trace of weakness or sentimentality. Yet now, amid his reflections, ripples stirred in his heart — a feeling of nervousness at approaching home.

"After all this time away, I wonder if Luoyang still looks the same. I hope returning to the capital won't be all strangeness!" A smile Liu Fang could not hide tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Hearing this, Murong Defeng responded in kind: "Luoyang changes with each passing day, but its prosperity remains. Your Highness has been away from the capital for a long time — you may find some things surprising, but His Majesty and the ladies have always been thinking of Your Highnesses!"

At these words, even more eagerness welled up in Liu Fang's eyes. Liu Min looked at Liu Fang and chuckled: "And sister-in-law too — I imagine she's been worried sick, longing for her husband's return!"

Facing Liu Min's teasing, Liu Fang was first taken aback, a hint of tenderness surfacing in his gaze — but more than that, a sense of guilt. It wasn't that his feelings for his wife Zhao Yuan ran especially deep; they simply hadn't had time to develop before he'd accompanied the emperor on tour, and nearly two years had passed since. Still, she was his formally wedded wife, and Liu Fang had always carried a heavy sense of responsibility.

Seeing that his fourth brother made no reply, and noticing the complex expression on his face, Liu Min set aside his usual grave and silent demeanor and snickered: "Fourth Brother's face is full of tenderness — seems he's missing sister-in-law too. No need to rush; you'll see her once we're back in the capital. Who knows, maybe Worthy Consort will be pressing for a grandson..."

At Liu Min's teasing, Liu Fang immediately laughed and scolded: "You little rascal, so full of enthusiasm to mock me — could it be you're thinking of women too? Tasted a woman's flavor, and now you can't get enough? Don't worry, once we return to the capital, I'll definitely find you a few fine Han beauties!"

Liu Min immediately turned serious, lifting his chin slightly, and said: "Fourth Brother's kindness — I thank you in advance! But whatever beauties I, Liu Min, might want, they'd come at a snap of my fingers!"

"Oh, is that so? After all, you are the Great Han's Prince of Wei — if you showed interest, wouldn't noble families be crowding their daughters through your doorstep?" Liu Fang turned the teasing back on Liu Min.

Having fought together, supported each other on the battlefield, and faced life and death side by side, the two brothers — whose relationship had never been particularly close before — had clearly grown much closer. Their speech had lost its former stiffness, becoming easy and harmonious, with few reservations.

During the campaign beyond the frontier, the Liu brothers had naturally indulged in men's instinctual desires as well. Liu Min, the novice, had lost his virginity to a Khitan girl.

Of course, there was no talk of love — she was merely spoils of war, and had long since been abandoned during the shifting campaigns...

"Go, report the news of our imminent arrival to Commanders Yang and Wang!" When the banter ended, Liu Fang ordered a personal guard: "Pass the order — have the entire army perk up and pick up the pace. We are a triumphant force; we must enter the capital with high spirits!"

"Yes!"

Wang Yansheng was ill, and Yang Ye had completely delegated authority — for this several-thousand-li return journey, all command and arrangements had been entrusted to Liu Fang, with Yang Yanzhao assisting. Liu Fang had proven he could command in battle; off the battlefield, his experience in leading and managing troops had also grown by leaps and bounds. These three thousand-plus soldiers were organized in perfect order, with virtually no slip-ups along the way — and any problems that did arise were resolved quickly and promptly.

"Rixin, thank you for coming all this way to greet us!" Liu Fang then looked to Murong Defeng and said: "I'll trouble you to make one more trip — go ahead to Luoyang first and coordinate the arrangements for our return."

"Yes!" Murong Defeng naturally had no reason to refuse or complain, and assented immediately.

"Yuanxian, take a few men and accompany Rixin. I'll lead the main force behind!" Liu Fang then said to Yang Yanzhao. With a few simple sentences, everything was settled.

"Understood!" Yang Yanzhao responded decisively, then called over several riders and set off eastward at a gallop along the post road together with Murong Defeng.