Chapter 181

Several days later, outside Kaifeng City, a ten-li long pavilion.

On the official road leading north, it was already a sea of people, the alleys emptied of residents.

From white-haired elders to babbling infants, everyone craned their necks, looked forward, awaiting the return of the hero in their hearts.

Chancellor Fan Zhi, leading the civil and military officials, had already been waiting here.

Wang Hao also stood in the ranks.

He wore a brand-new third-rank official robe, purple robe, golden fish pouch, which made him look even more handsome and upright.

But he did not, like the surrounding officials, wear a delighted face and whisper to each other; he simply stood still, gazing at the distant dust rising, his mind filled with myriad thoughts.

He knew that Guo Rong had won this battle, and won it so splendidly, which was a great boon for the entire Great Zhou and for his Wang family.

The Wang family had no intention of expanding outward, and now all its focus lay overseas and in research; thus a stable dynasty served the Wang family's greatest interests.

But he also clearly understood that as Guo Rong's throne grew more secure and his prestige rose, his own position as a former "meritorious official" would become increasingly delicate.

By then, Guo Rong would no longer need him as a strategist, and behind him stood the Wang family, whose strength could make any dynasty's emperor wary.

Because the Wang family not only engaged in commerce, but also possessed ample military provisions and could be said to have formidable troops, no emperor dared claim he could outright destroy the Wang family, nor dare to provoke them, for fear others would reap the benefit.

Would he forget Guo Wei's dying instructions to Guo Rong?

Wang Hao did not think so.

The art of imperial rule is ruthlessness.

Everyone believed he had guaranteed the logistics of this campaign, maintained order in the capital, and that some generals knew his counsel to Guo Rong had led to the great victory, so he would surely receive Guo Rong's rewards and promotion!

But he did not think so; he had always known what Guo Rong thought, and even if he felt guilty toward himself, he would certainly not let these things remain merely nominal.

However, he did not feel much regret about this.

He came to the north not to pursue personal fame and profit; his mission was for the Wang family's century-long plan, and at the same time could be said to be investing in some warlords amidst the chaotic times.

Now the pieces have fallen, Guo Rong this fierce tiger has left the cage; he dares not casually let Wang family members enter the power core and be favorably disposed toward the Wang family—these two are not contradictory, thus his purpose has already been achieved.

"Here it comes! Here it comes! Your Majesty's dragon banner!"

In the crowd, someone shouted.

Everyone's gaze turned in unison.

Only see at the horizon's end, a huge banner emblazoned with golden dragon patterns bearing the character "Guo", unfurling in the wind, slowly approaching.

Immediately after, a black mass of troops stretched as far as the eye could see.

Their steps were orderly, their armor bright, each person exuding a killing aura forged by the baptism of war.

Leading the way was none other than the Later Zhou emperor, Guo Rong, clad in golden commander's armor and riding a tall steed.

He has returned.

Returning with a splendid great victory and tens of thousands of bloody heads from Northern Han and the Khitan.

"Long live Your Majesty! May the emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!"

Chancellor Fan Zhi was the first to kneel.

"May the emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!"

Behind him, the civil and military officials and the myriad commoners outside the city followed, kneeling as if mountains roared and seas surged.

Guo Rong reined in his horse, gazing upon the black mass of kneeling subjects before him, his heart brimming with heroic vigor.

At this moment he truly felt what it meant to be the supreme ruler, the lord of all under heaven.

His gaze slowly swept across the crowd.

He saw Chancellor Fan Zhi's excited, wrinkled old face, saw Deputy Commander Zhang Yongde's smile of shared honor, and also saw his good cousin Li Jinjin, whose face hidden in the crowd was gloomy enough to seem about to drip water.

Finally, his gaze fell upon Wang Hao.

Since they first met, he had always seemed to be that calm and modest figure.

Wang Hao knelt there, his eyes devoid of any fawning or fervor, yet he perceived a pure gladness for him.

Their eyes met.

Guo Rong's heart inexplicably trembled.

He recalled that night at Bagong Plain, when everyone urged him to take the offensive, it was this young man who sent him a slip of paper with only eight characters, pulling him back from the brink.

He recalled that during the southern campaign to seize the city, it was this young man who devised a perfect logistics supply plan for him, leaving him with no rear worries.

He recalled that when he was still the Prince of Jin, it was this young man who helped him relieve disaster victims, rectify military affairs, step by step gathering popular support and consolidating his position.

It can be said that without Wang Hao, there would be no Guo Rong as he is today.

But…

His late father's wary, uneasy eyes once again surfaced in his mind.

"The Wang family is the greatest variable in this world."

"You must use them, but cannot fully trust them."

"An emperor is a lone household, a solitary person."

Guo Rong slowly withdrew his gaze, suppressing the nascent warmth in his heart, for as emperor he could not act on ordinary personal feelings.

He must make his stance clear to all under heaven and to the Wang family.

"All officials, rise."

Guo Rong's voice spread throughout the four directions.

He dismounted and personally helped the elderly Chancellor Fan Zhi to his feet.

"Chancellor Fan, you have worked hard; while I am not in the capital, all major and minor court affairs have troubled you."

"Sharing the emperor's worries is the duty of this old minister," Fan Zhi said excitedly.

Guo Rong also patted Wang Hao's shoulder, wearing a fitting smile: "Minister Wang, you have also toiled. In this northern expedition, our army's grain and forage supply depended entirely on you and the Wang family's fleet to be flawless; the capital's security also owes to you, lest any disturbance arise. You deserve the foremost merit."

"I dare not accept it," Wang Hao said humbly, bowing, "This is all due to Your Majesty's heavenly might and the soldiers' devotion; I merely did what was my duty."

"Merit is merit, fault is fault. I have always been clear in rewarding and punishing," Guo Rong smiled and announced loudly, "Transmit my decree: tonight in the palace, a grand celebration banquet! I will personally grant titles and rewards to all meritorious officials of the northern expedition!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The crowd shouted again.

News of the celebration banquet quickly spread throughout the whole Kaifeng city.

Everyone began to speculate what kind of titles and rewards Lord Wang Hao, who is deeply trusted by the new emperor and entrusted with the regency, would receive this time.

Would it be Era Name Transition the Secretariat, becoming the youngest Chancellor?

Or would it be Era Name Transition the Privy Council, taking command of the empire's armies?

No one knows.

People only think that this talented young man from the Wang Family of Jiangnan has an unlimited future.