Chapter 228: Historic Meeting

Before the majestic Weiyang Palace, the gilded palace lamps shed a soft glow, illuminating the Han white marble steps before the hall as bright as day.

The caravan and envoys sent by Liuche lined up neatly, and under the guidance of the guards they slowly entered Xuanshi Hall.

Liu Ju, wearing splendid imperial robes, sat upright in the seat of honor, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd.

When Ptolemy IX stepped into the hall, Liu Ju's gaze was instantly drawn to him.

Only see Ptolemy IX had shed the merchant's garb, donning splendid attire symbolizing a pharaoh's status, wearing a double crown, draped in a purple cloak, his every move exuding kingly bearing.

Liu Ju blinked slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes, then rose and quickly stepped forward to meet him.

Yesterday he had heard that Ptolemy IX had secretly slipped into the caravan and come to Chang'an, leaving him greatly astonished and also filled with curiosity about the pharaoh.

After all, having lived two lives, this was truly his first time seeing a living pharaoh.

Therefore, upon hearing that Ptolemy IX had arrived in Chang'an, he immediately ordered personnel to provide escort and receive him with the highest standard of courtesy.

"I never expected the Pharaoh Himself to come to Chang'an in person; it truly takes me by surprise!"

Liu Ju spoke with a smile, his tone carrying a touch of respect.

Ptolemy IX bowed slightly and replied, "I have long heard of Your Majesty's virtue. This time I came to Chang'an to assist in preparing supplies for the war against the Roman-Parthian alliance, and also to pay a personal visit to Your Highness to enhance friendship between our two nations."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ju's face broke into a relieved smile as he said, "Pharaoh, you have come far without sparing effort. On behalf of Han, I warmly welcome your arrival. With your support in this struggle against the alliance, Han will gain wings like a tiger."

The caravan leader Amir stepped forward, kneeling and saying, "Your Majesty, during this journey the Pharaoh has shared our hardships, not only helping us overcome various difficulties but also, with his rich experience, ensuring the safety of the caravan."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ju's admiration for Ptolemy IX grew: "Pharaoh, leading by example, you are truly admirable. Someone, grant him a seat!"

After everyone took their seats, they began discussing the preparation of supplies for the war against the alliance. Ptolemy IX gave a detailed overview of the situation in Magadha and the alliance's movements, while Liu Ju listened attentively, occasionally offering his own views.

Inside Xuanshi Hall, the atmosphere was fervent and harmonious.

In this brilliantly lit palace, a cooperation concerning the fate of multiple nations is quietly unfolding.

Meanwhile, outside the camp of Magadha, wind and sand filled the sky, and the military flags snapped loudly in the gale.

Huo Qing led the convoy transporting grain and equipment, having endured countless hardships, and finally arrived.

His armor was covered in dust, his face darkened by the scorching sun, yet his eyes remained resolute.

Inside the tent, Liuche pondered over the map, plotting the next step of the battle plan.

Hearing the guard's report that Huo Qing had arrived, he shot up his head, a flash of surprise in his eyes, and strode out of the tent.

Their gazes met, and for a moment countless words surged in their hearts.

Huo Qing rushed forward, dropping to one knee: "Your Majesty, Huo Qing leads the troops here to support!"

Liuche stepped forward, personally helping Huo Qing to his feet, his voice slightly trembling: "Minister Huo, you have finally come!"

Huo Qing rose, looking at Liuche, his eye sockets reddening, and the resentment in his heart could not help but spill out: "Your Majesty, do you know that since our parting in Chang'an, hearing that you were in dire peril, I have worried day and night, unable to eat or sleep. Then came the rumor of your feigned death, throwing all of Han into chaos, and I was even more anxious! Why did you not send someone back to Chang'an earlier to report, so that we needlessly worried?"

Liuche blinked slightly, a guilty expression appearing on his face: "Minister Huo, it was my oversight that made you worry. Being in this foreign land, the situation changes moment by moment, and I too had no choice. To deceive the enemy forces, I had no alternative but to spread the false news of my death."

After hearing this, Huo Qing's resentment gradually faded, and he heaved a deep sigh: "Your Majesty, no matter what, from now on you must never take such risks again. Your safety is tied to the rise and fall of Han."

Liuche patted Huo Qing on the shoulder, reflecting: "Minister Huo, with you here I can rest easy. In this struggle against the Roman-Parthian alliance, I still need you to devise plans and lend me your strength."

Huo Qing bowed with clasped hands: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will exert my utmost and not disappoint your trust."

The two exchanged a smile, their years of tacit understanding fully revealed at this moment.

Afterwards, Liuche set up a grand banquet in the tent to welcome and cleanse the dust from Huo Qing and the others.

Inside the tent, the lively chatter continued to reverberate.

Subsequently arriving, Zhang Qian and Tian Qianqiu followed Huo Qing into the tent, their eyes urgently scanning the crowd, and quickly they locked onto Liuche's figure.

Zhang Qian's body trembled, his eye sockets instantly reddening, his steps hurried yet tinged with reverence as he walked toward Liuche.

Tian Qianqiu too was excited, his hands slightly trembling, closely following behind Zhang Qian.

"Your Majesty!"

Zhang Qian's voice choked, he fell to his knees with a thud, saying: "Since our parting in Chang'an, I have thought of you day and night, constantly worrying about Your Majesty's safety. Now that I have seen you, the stone in my heart finally settles."

Tian Qianqiu also hurriedly knelt, his voice booming: "Your Majesty, we have not failed our mission; we have come to lend support!"

Liuche's face lit up with a relieved smile as he quickly stepped forward, personally helping the two to rise: "Minister Zhang, Minister Tian, your arrival brings me joy. You have endured a hard journey; thank you for your toil."

Liuche turned his gaze to Tian Qianqiu, his expression growing more appreciative: "Minister Tian, I have heard that in preparing grain and equipment, you allocated resources adeptly, coordinated comprehensively, solved many problems, and rendered great service to this relief effort."

Tian Qianqiu humbly lowered his head: "Your Majesty, you overpraise me; this is merely my duty. Being able to ease your worries and serve Han is my honor."

Liuche patted Tian Qianqiu on the shoulder, reflecting: "Minister Tian, you are steady and capable, calm in the face of affairs; with you by my side I feel as if I have gained an arm. In this struggle against the alliance, I hope you will continue to employ your talents and lend me your strength."

Tian Qianqiu bowed with clasped hands, his tone firm: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will exert my utmost and not disgrace my mission!"

At that moment, Li Guang and Huo Qubing also rushed over from the front lines.

Huo Qing's gaze instantly fixed on Li Guang and Huo Qubing.

He first stared, then his face broke into a delighted smile as he strode toward the two.

Li Guang also saw Huo Qing, his eye sockets instantly moistening, and he immediately rose to greet him.

Huo Qubing could not contain his excitement, rushing forward to embrace Huo Qing tightly, his voice brimming with barely concealed excitement: "Brother, at last I get to see you!"

Huo Qing vigorously patted Huo Qubing's back, feeling moved: "Zimeng, I never expected to reunite with you in this foreign land!"

Then Huo Qing turned to Li Guang, firmly grasping his hand, his voice full of concern: "Old General, it's been a long time; are you still well?"

Li Guang replied with a slight tremor: "Well, well! Upon hearing you were coming, I and General Huo have long awaited!"

The three immersed themselves in the joy of reunion, the images of their past battles fought side by side surfacing one by one in their minds.

Huo Qubing spoke enthusiastically: "Cousin, since you left Chang'an, I and General Li have constantly hoped to fight alongside you again. Now at last our wish is fulfilled!"

Huo Qing nodded with a laugh: "Indeed, we can now take the field together to slay the foe. In this struggle against the Roman-Parthian alliance, relying on our mutual understanding, we are sure to win a complete victory!"

Li Guang stroked his beard, eyes firm: "Exactly! We will surely let the enemy witness Han's military might!"

As the three conversed warmly, Liuche laughed and said: "Seeing you reunited, I too am relieved. With you united in cooperation, what need we fear losing this battle?"

The three hastily rose and replied in unison: "We will surely not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations!"

Afterwards, everyone continued to discuss battle strategy, and with the proactive suggestions of Huo Qing, Li Guang, and Huo Qubing, a more complete battle plan gradually took shape.

The atmosphere inside the camp grew ever more intense.