Chapter 1417: Favor and Honor

On the city gate tower of the imperial capital, amid a canopy of stars surrounding the moon, Emperor Liu stood in ceremonial robes, hands clasped behind his back, looking down from on high at the expeditionary soldiers before Tianjin Bridge who had come to pay homage and present captives.

The returning soldiers dismounted and paid their respects, the scene solemn and dignified, full of ceremonial gravity. Yet no matter how iron-blooded their merits, in Emperor Liu's eyes, they all seemed so humble and insignificant.

For most of the northwestern soldiers, this was their first time in Luoyang, their first time entering the city, their first time enjoying such grand treatment, their first time seeing the towering and magnificent Ziwei Imperial Palace.

It was even their first time paying homage to the Emperor, voicing their most reverent cheers. Even though the Emperor's figure was so mysterious and indistinct, so lofty and unreachable, it did not diminish their awe in the slightest.

Perhaps because of the chasm-like gap in status, Emperor Liu could not truly appreciate the emotions of these soldiers, nor could he empathize with them. At this moment, his heart was largely undisturbed. He simply wore a kindly expression, going through the motions, following the procedure.

After the presentation of tributes, the eunuch read the imperial edict, generously rewarding the returning soldiers. The ordinary officers and men were led to their barracks, where fine wine and delicacies had long been prepared, along with bathhouses and new clothes for their reception.

As for the principal commanders like Wang Yansheng, Yang Ye, Guo Jin, Wang Shenqi, and the brothers Liu Fang and Liu Min, their treatment was naturally more generous—they were permitted to enter the palace and attend the banquet hosted personally by Emperor Liu.

As night fell, Chuigong Hall was brightly lit. The palace attendants had long since prepared the imperial feast. Eunuchs and palace maids bustled in and out, already beginning to serve hot dishes. Bells and chimes played elegant music, creating a refined and noble atmosphere.

"Come, no need to be restrained, sit, all of you!" Emperor Liu had already shed his heavy ceremonial robes. The lightness of his body lifted his spirits somewhat, and looking at the assembled guests with an easygoing expression, he said: "You fought in distant lands, separated by thousands of li, yet I have missed you dearly!"

"We thank Your Majesty for your concern. We are deeply honored!" Wang Yansheng, the most senior in prestige, cupped his hands and replied.

Seeing Wang Yansheng's weathered face and wild gray hair, along with his humble and respectful demeanor, Emperor Liu seemed somewhat surprised. He joked: "Is this still that unruly, arrogant, ear-biting General? Guanglie, your humility and courtesy truly astonish me. The expedition may have been arduous and perilous, but it shouldn't have worn away all your edges!"

From the Emperor's jesting tone, one could clearly sense his warmth. But hearing these words, Wang Yansheng's old face flushed even redder. He laughed heartily: "Your Majesty, this old minister is not made of wood and stone; I understand human sentiment. In my youth, I was eccentric and often acted high-handedly. But after all these years, with Your Majesty's tolerance and guidance, how could I remain unmoved? This old minister is but a decaying tree with a broken body. If I still acted as recklessly as before, wouldn't I invite ridicule from the younger generation?"

"Sincerely spoken!" Emperor Liu laughed heartily at his words: "But your character hasn't changed—I'm certain now, you are still the familiar Wang Guanglie! Still, with this added humility, I am all the more gratified!"

"Had Your Majesty not been magnanimous in the past, always bearing with this old minister's faults, how could I have come this far?" Wang Yansheng added. He was not a man skilled with words, but such an open confession of his heart was all the more moving.

"I heard you fell ill from the hardships of campaigning—how is your health now? Are you well?" The expedition had clearly taken a heavy toll on Wang Yansheng. Even Emperor Liu could sense that his vitality was far from what it once was, and he asked with concern.

"I thank Your Majesty for your concern!" Wang Yansheng replied readily: "In decades of fighting for my life on the battlefield, this was indeed the most dangerous time. But this old minister has a tough life—I managed to fight my way through!"

"Exactly. When you were lost in Mobei, your whereabouts unknown, everyone said you were doomed. But I firmly believed you would make it through—you have tough lives!" Emperor Liu said.

"It was also thanks to Your Majesty's heavenly grace and protection that we found a path to survival!" Yang Ye spoke up as well.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately waved his hand. Looking at the assembled generals, he said solemnly: "All I could do was refuse to give up the search and silently pray for you! In such desperate straits, the sliver of hope you carved out was earned by yourselves!"

"Enough talk—let me first toast you all. Welcome home!" Emperor Liu picked up a jade cup filled with wine that shimmered with a purple-red luster: "This is the grape wine presented to me by Cao Yuanzhong, Duke of Xiping! Grape wine in a luminous jade cup—you toiled westward and returned from a hundred battles; this suits the occasion perfectly."

"We thank Your Majesty!" All those seated hurriedly raised their cups in response.

After a cup of wine, the atmosphere at the banquet grew even more congenial. Emperor Liu then turned his gaze to the brothers Liu Fang and Liu Min: "You two brothers, go first to Kunning Hall. The Empress, Worthy Consort, and your elder sister-in-law are waiting for you to pay your respects. They will entertain you on my behalf!"

Hearing this instruction, Liu Fang and Liu Min exchanged a glance. Without the slightest hesitation, they rose and bowed: "Yes!"

With that, they also saluted the Crown Prince, Zhao Pu, and the assembled generals before taking their leave and exiting the hall. After the two had departed, Emperor Liu looked at Wang Yansheng and Yang Ye and said: "These two unworthy sons of mine accompanied the expedition this time, and they caused you both no small amount of trouble with their care! As their sovereign and as their father, I am grateful in my heart. I offer this cup as a small token of thanks!"

Emperor Liu was keeping his posture very low at this moment. Seeing this, Wang and Yang hurriedly raised their cups in response. After drinking and setting down his cup, Yang Ye spoke: "Your Majesty speaks too gravely. Both princes are born commanders of extraordinary talent, with remarkable aptitude for leading troops in battle. On the expedition, they were not a burden but rather a great help, achieving merit time and again—few in the expeditionary army could match them!"

"Chonggui speaks truly!" Wang Yansheng chimed in, his face brimming with admiration: "This old minister is not flattering—for princes of such noble birth to follow us into danger without the slightest fear, sparing no hardship, is truly rare.

To be honest with Your Majesty, during our expedition, we found ourselves in desperate straits, on the verge of annihilation, more than once. But both princes led by example, sharing our hardships and our fates, binding our army's morale and strengthening our resolve—only thus could we hold on to the very end!"

"I never imagined these two lads had such uses!" Emperor Liu's lips curled into a smile. Although he was already well acquainted with the expedition's circumstances, hearing Wang and Yang praise them to his face still filled him with exceptional delight: "To earn the recognition of you two esteemed generals is truly their fortune!"

"We are absolutely not speaking empty praise!" Yang Ye said at once: "Not to mention their achievements in the Mobei campaign—after we withdrew westward to the Jinshan region, many military matters were entrusted to Prince Zhao's handling, and he managed them properly and soundly, with few oversights, fully displaying his ability to command troops. This is universally acknowledged!"

"That too relied on the assistance of you two esteemed generals!" Emperor Liu waved his hand.

Looking at Yang Ye, his trusted and beloved general, Emperor Liu said with a light smile: "Chonggui, twenty-five years ago, I told you that you were the finest commander of this age. Twenty-five years later, you have become the foremost pillar of the Great Han. I am deeply gratified!"

Emperor Liu's words were clearly meant to elevate Yang Ye. But Yang Ye felt the weight of them. Though his seniority was deep and his merits great, he felt that the phrase "foremost" was still too generous a praise.

However, since the Emperor was honoring him so, Yang Ye could hardly contradict him directly. He simply rose, his expression solemn: "Had Your Majesty not possessed the eye for talent, the trust and promotion, this minister would not be where I am today! The Great Han produces famous generals in abundance—it does not lack a Yang Ye. But without Your Majesty, we would have had no opportunity to render distinguished service!"

"You! Still so humble!" Emperor Liu was deeply moved by Yang Ye's loyalty and reverence toward him, and his attitude toward him had always been this warm and approachable.

His gaze shifted, landing on Yang Yanzhao, who seemed somewhat out of place among these veteran generals of merit. He said gently: "They say brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons take the field together! You father and son fought side by side this time, braving life and death, devoting yourselves utterly to the Great Han—that is quite a tale of glory! I have also heard of Yu anxian's performance. The Yang family has worthy successors!"

Yang Yanzhao could not claim to know Emperor Liu well, but he was certainly not unfamiliar with him. He had heard Emperor Liu's words of encouragement more than once in the past, but such casual praise was a first.

Therefore, he hurriedly rose and bowed deeply from the waist: "Your Majesty overpraises me. This minister does not deserve it!"

Seeing his attitude, Emperor Liu was pleased. He laughed heartily: "No need for that. Young men should have some fire in them. I know your family's discipline is strict, but don't lose your edge!"

"I thank Your Majesty for your instruction!" Yang Yanzhao's demeanor remained unchanged. Naturally, he would not let his head swell from one or two pleasantries from Emperor Liu.

Nodding, Emperor Liu looked back at Yang Ye: "Chonggui, Yuanxian must be about twenty years old now, yes?"

Yang Ye was momentarily taken aback, then quickly replied: "To answer Your Majesty, he is twenty-one!"

"Not young anymore—he hasn't married yet, has he?" Emperor Liu said.

Yang Ye shook his head and sighed: "In recent years, he has been training and moving about with me in the army. We never had the chance to attend to it!"

"That won't do! He's of age now—time to start a family!" Emperor Liu stroked his beard, speaking with keen interest: "Now that you've returned to the capital, this is the perfect time to settle the matter. I will certainly bestow upon him a fine marriage!"

"I thank Your Majesty!" Yang Ye was somewhat surprised and immediately expressed his gratitude. That Emperor Liu would concern himself even with his family affairs naturally filled Yang Ye with profound gratitude.

"Congratulations, Duke Yang!" Zhao Pu, who had been quietly observing everything from the side, now offered his congratulations to Yang Ye.

"Thank you, Chancellor Zhao!" Yang Ye replied instinctively. Noticing the goodwill in Zhao Pu's eyes, he returned a smile.

In Zhao Pu's eyes, however, there was also a hint of envy. Emperor Liu's favor and trust toward the Yang father and son was unmatched by few in the entire court. Yang Ye might not have caught on, but Zhao Pu understood clearly—the one Emperor Liu would bestow in marriage would likely be another princess.

As chancellor, how could Zhao Pu not also wish to marry a princess to his own son? Unfortunately, although Emperor Liu valued him and entrusted him with great power, he had never made any such gesture, and Zhao Pu dared not presume upon his authority to request such favor.