Chapter 433: Early August

Early August.

Early morning.

Chang'an.

The streets in the west of the city were still soaked in thin frost, and the dewdrops hanging from the eaves had not yet dried before they were shaken off by a sudden commotion.

The sound of footsteps on the stone-paved road and the shouting of children mixed with the cries of vendors closing their stalls, surging toward the city gate with the wind—

Even the elderly, their temples frosted with age, were being helped along by their children and grandchildren, hurrying toward the west city gate.

Everyone's face bore a hint of urgency, as if they were rushing to attend a significant and lively event.

The heat from a porridge stall by the street mingled with the delicate fragrance of rice porridge; a man sitting by the window was holding a coarse porcelain bowl, sipping the hot porridge in small mouthfuls to warm himself.

Suddenly, he heard the commotion outside growing louder; the sound of footsteps and children's shouting blended together, and even the steam at the rim of his bowl was shaken by the vibrations.

He set down his bowl and glanced out the window with a frown...

He saw that everyone on the street was surging in one direction; even the peddler who usually carried his load at a leisurely pace had quickened his steps—a sight he had never seen before.

The man felt puzzled and turned to look at the porridge stall owner, who was extinguishing the fire in the stove. His tone was full of confusion: "Boss, what's happening today?"

"Why is everyone heading out of the city..."

"And in such a rush?"

As he spoke, he pointed at the surging crowd outside the window, his eyes filled with bewilderment.

The porridge stall owner straightened up and patted the dust off his hands. Hearing the man's question, his eyes widened, filled with the surprise of "you don't even know this?" and his voice rose a notch: "Sir, such a big event, and you don't know about it?"

"What big event?"

The man picked up his bowl and took another sip of hot porridge. The warm liquid slid down his throat, but it didn't suppress the confusion in his heart. He set the bowl down, his brow still furrowed, and asked with a puzzled face: "I went to Huazhou to discuss business these past few days; I wasn't in Chang'an..."

The porridge stall assistant was bending over to clear empty bowls from a neighboring table. Hearing their conversation, he paused in his work, then straightened up, his face full of irrepressible excitement, and interjected: "It's Lord Chen Yan's triumphant army arriving in Chang'an today..."

He stacked the empty bowls on a tray, his voice rising again, filled with a sense of reflected glory: "The government has even posted notices!"

The porridge stall owner immediately took over, rubbing his hands on his apron. His face blossomed into a smile, and his tone was filled with irrepressible pride: "They say the current Emperor, the Grand Preceptor, and the high officials of the court will all go out of the city to welcome them!"

He leaned forward, his voice adding a touch of excitement, and even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes showed joy: "The common people are also spontaneously going to welcome Lord Chen Yan!"

Hearing this, the man nodded as if suddenly enlightened, tapped his fingertips lightly on the rim of the bowl, and his tone became relieved: "No wonder!"

Welcoming a great hero returning in triumph was perfectly reasonable...

But as soon as he finished speaking, his brow furrowed again, his eyes full of confusion, as if he had suddenly remembered something wrong, and he couldn't help but ask: "Wait! That's not right..."

"What's wrong?"

The porridge stall owner was startled and asked: "What's not right?"

"Didn't the news of the victory arrive a long time ago?"

The man set down the coarse porcelain bowl, rubbed his fingertips lightly along the edge of the table, and his peripheral vision involuntarily glanced at the crowd still surging outside the window. The confusion between his brows deepened, and he asked: "Why is Lord Chen Yan only returning today?"

He remembered that before he left, the news of the victory had already spread throughout Chang'an...

Given the distance from Hezhou to Chang'an, no matter how slow the return march was, they should have been back long ago, right?

Yet he had finished his business and returned from Huazhou, and they were only just arriving?

The porridge stall owner was amused by this, the corners of his mouth unable to stop turning upward, and even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bunched together. His tone carried a hint of teasing: "You're ill-informed!"

"You don't even know why Lord Chen Yan is only returning today!"

"Don't keep me in suspense!"

The man became even more curious about the reason, couldn't help but lean forward, and urged eagerly: "Tell me quickly!"

The porridge stall owner cleared his throat, deliberately slowed his speech, put his hands on his waist, and his face was instantly filled with excitement and reflected glory.

His voice suddenly rose, and even the heat in the porridge stall seemed to shake: "It's because Lord Chen Yan led the army to counterattack the Tuyuhun homeland, fighting all the way to the foot of Fusi City!"

When he mentioned the three words "Fusi City," he slapped the table hard, his eyes shining astonishingly, and he continued with pride: "He forced the Tuyuhun Khan, Xiahou Fuyun, to sign a treaty under the city walls!"

What is a military genius?

What is called using troops like a god?

This is it!

With a wave of his hand, he won consecutive victories, not only resolving the crisis in Hezhou but even directly crushing Tuyuhun!

One battle bought ten years of peace!

"Good fellow!"

After hearing this, the man was stunned on the spot, his mouth open wide enough to fit an egg. The porridge bowl he had been holding trembled slightly in his hand, and the porridge almost spilled out.

It took a long while for him to recover, his tone full of unbelievable shock, and he subconsciously sighed: "Lord Chen Yan is actually this fierce?!"

He only knew about the great victory in Hezhou, but he never expected that he would go all out, fight to the Tuyuhun royal court, and force their Khan to sign a treaty under the city walls...

What kind of spirit is this!

Truly magnificent!

The porridge stall owner puffed out his chest, lifted his chin slightly, and the pride on his face almost overflowed. His tone was filled with unquestionable certainty: "That is our Great Zhou's military genius!"

He raised his hand and pointed toward the crowd outside the window, his voice full of pride: "Just because others can't do it doesn't mean Lord Chen Yan can't!"

The man sighed long and hard, swallowed his saliva, and the hand holding the porridge bowl slowly steadied. After his emotions calmed down slightly, he said: "I remember the last time we had a great victory over Tuyuhun, it seems it was the late Old Pillar of State Chen Hu, right?"

He looked out the window, his eyes full of emotion, and added softly: "They say a military family produces tiger sons; it really is true that like grandfather, like grandson!"

This pair of grandfather and grandson can be called the nemesis of Tuyuhun!

A lineage of martial prowess, truly a mantle passed down!

One could even say the student has surpassed the master, after all, the Old Pillar of State didn't fight to the foot of Fusi City back then...

The porridge stall owner nodded heavily: "A tiger ancestor has no dog grandsons!"

The man stood up abruptly, the coarse porcelain porridge bowl clattered lightly on the table, and he fished out copper coins and placed them on the table, his eyes full of irrepressible excitement: "Let's go, let's also go to welcome Lord Chen Yan!"

"Let's admire the demeanor of the military genius!"

When the porridge stall owner heard this, he immediately put down his work, not even having time to untie his apron.

The assistant also hurriedly put the tray on the counter, the three of them smiled at each other, and walked quickly along the flow of people surging toward the city gate.

Soon they merged into the team welcoming the army, and the sound of footsteps blended with the commotion on the street.

The thin mist by the Wei Bridge had not yet completely dissipated.

The air was soaked with the cool, damp moisture of the Wei River.

A temporary platform for rewarding the army stood at the bridgehead, with bright yellow silk ribbons wrapped around vermilion pillars, and the roof covered with gilded tiles.

Yuwen Yong, dressed in a robe with twelve patterns, with sun, moon, stars, mountains, and dragons embroidered on the black fabric, and a white jade belt around his waist with a bright yellow ribbon hanging down, stood in the center of the platform, his hands lightly gripping the edge, his gaze fixed on the western avenue.

Beside him, Yuwen Hu was dressed in a purple four-clawed python robe, his expression solemn.

The high officials of the court on both sides were all dressed in various court robes, arranged according to their rank.

Everyone stood solemnly, occasionally exchanging low-voiced words, their voices kept very low.

On both sides of the platform, the imperial guards were dressed in armor, the plates reflecting a cold, hard silver glow in the morning light, holding long halberds, standing in formation.

Their postures were as straight as pines, and even their breathing was uniform, protecting the platform tightly.

On the left side below the platform, the musicians were already holding their instruments, with chime bells and stone chimes arranged neatly, and the drummers waiting with drumsticks.

The honor guard on the right held banners and canopies, and various flags fluttered lightly in the breeze, with the "Zhou" character and mythical beast patterns embroidered on them being particularly eye-catching, waiting for the army to arrive to play ceremonial music and unfold the honor guard.

The Wei River flowed slowly under the bridge, the sound of water gurgling.

Yu Tinggui, standing at the very front of the court ranks, dressed in a purple court robe, kept his gaze locked on the western avenue, his eyes filled with irrepressible relief.

He turned his head to look at Yu Jie beside him, whose beard and hair were all white but whose waist was straight and spirit vigorous, his voice lowered, but filled with genuine admiration: "Father, your judgment is truly sharp..."

"This time, A-Yan followed the Duke of Wei and also made quite a few military contributions!"

Although his eldest son was not as eye-catching as others...

But this following of the Duke of Wei to pacify the Tongtian Society and Tuyuhun was enough for his subsequent career!

And his father had bet early on that hot young talent...

Ginger is still old and spicy!

One has to admire it!

Yu Jie narrowed his old eyes, his gaze looking toward the western horizon, a flash of sharpness in his murky eyes, and he sighed: "Chen Hu's grandson, how could he be a thing in a pond?"

He withdrew his gaze, turned to look at his son beside him, and his tone suddenly became earnest: "A-Gui, you should also have more contact with the Duke of Wei, it would be best to associate as peers..."

In the sunlight, this Old Pillar of State seemed to see the brilliant future of the Yu clan...

With his own second and third generations bound to that child, even if he closed his eyes one day, there would be no worries for decades...

Yu Tinggui nodded solemnly, his gaze without a hint of hesitation, only complete firmness, and he replied in a deep voice: "The child understands!"

As the head of the Yu clan, how could he not know the importance of this?

Such a young man with limitless potential must be firmly grasped...

Become the original shareholder who invests in him!

Pei Xilou, dressed in a scarlet official robe, rubbed the jade belt hook at his waist unconsciously, his gaze glued to the end of the western avenue, and even his breathing was faster than usual.

He turned his head to look at Pei Xun, who was also looking into the distance, his voice filled with irrepressible anticipation: "Father, the army should be arriving soon..."

Pei Xun nodded slowly, his gaze still looking west, his fingertips lightly twisting the corner of his court robe, his tone filled with irrepressible concern and relief: "A-Yan has been gone for almost half a year, he's finally back!"

After saying this, he sighed lightly, and the fine lines at the corners of his eyes were tinged with warmth: "Suiwan misses him dearly!"

Although Pei Suiwan tried her best to come and welcome him, wanting to see her husband as soon as possible...

But as parents, Pei Xun and Cui Yuanrong, considering she was six months pregnant and there were many people here, still stopped their daughter from coming, letting her wait in the mansion.

Pei Xilou narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling on the distant avenue, and he said in a low voice: "Brother-in-law has made such a great contribution, I'm afraid he will become the youngest in our Great Zhou..."

At this point, his voice stopped abruptly.

Pei Xun nodded lightly: "It's eight or nine out of ten!"

Sometimes, Pei Xun didn't know what virtue he had accumulated to find such a good son-in-law...

Moreover, half a month ago, the various branches of the clan held a meeting, and after discussion, they reached a consensus to support him with the strength of the Pei clan!

After all, whether the Hedong Pei clan can rise to the next level depends entirely on this...

Yuwen Xiang's sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, his eyes were as bright as stars, his nose was high, his lips were distinct, and he stood tall beside Yuwen Heng, dressed in a robe embroidered with flowing cloud patterns, his gaze following the western avenue, his tone filled with irrepressible admiration and praise: "Father, the Duke of Wei is truly amazing!"

"Not only did he win with fewer troops, winning consecutive victories, but he also fought Tuyuhun until they lost their armor and signed a treaty under the city walls..."

"This kind of ability is truly admirable!"

As Yuwen Heng's eldest son and heir, Yuwen Xiang had heard his father talk about that young talent, the Duke of Wei, Mirror Department Master, and Biaoqi General, many times...

And his previous deeds of eliminating evil in Chang'an and toppling the national thief were also thunderous to the ears.

Yuwen Heng listened to his son's words, a flash of "isn't this a matter of course" indifference crossing his face, as if this victory was already expected.

That is their A-Yan, can he not be excellent? Can he not be outstanding?

Between his brows was full pride.

Then his expression gradually became serious, he turned his head, looked at Yuwen Xiang with deep eyes, without extra padding, and asked in a deep voice: "A-Xiang, do you want to follow A-Yan to learn and train?"

Yuwen Xiang opened his eyes wide abruptly, as if he didn't expect his father to take the initiative to mention it, his body leaned forward subconsciously, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement: "Can... can I?"

His eyes seemed to be burning with light.

That anticipation almost overflowed from the bottom of his eyes.

Even the fingers holding the hem of his robe tightened slightly.

Yuwen Xiang had long wanted to follow the Duke of Wei like his cousin Yuwen Ze, but he never had the chance...

Yuwen Heng lifted his chin slightly, the corners of his mouth hooked into an arc, and he smiled: "With my father's face, would that child not give it?"

With the relationship and friendship between the two of them, does A-Yan need to not treat A-Xiang as a younger brother and take care of him?

It's also time to pave the way for his own eldest son...

"The child will definitely learn wholeheartedly by the Duke of Wei's side!" Yuwen Xiang's eyes lit up, and he said loudly.

Wang Zheng and Dou Lu Chang stood side by side in the court ranks.

The two didn't say a word, just exchanged a look, and smiled knowingly...

Nothing else.

Their eldest sons had performed extremely brilliantly in this battle, with outstanding achievements!

Yuwen Yong stood at the very front of the center of the platform, the black robe making his figure look thin, but he had the upright demeanor of an emperor.

He held his hands lightly in front of him, his gaze fixed on the western avenue without blinking, and he sighed secretly in his heart: "Yuwen Hu having such a tiger general is truly enviable!"

In court, he can topple political enemies; on an expedition, he can return with a great victory.

It can be called a pillar of white jade supporting the sky...

How can one not be envious?

If only he could work for him, how good would that be!

Yuwen Hu turned the jade ring, his gaze distant, as if piercing through the mist to look into the distance, and he murmured silently in his heart: "A-Tang, A-Yan, that child, has returned safely, don't worry..."