Chapter 309

Just past seven o'clock in the morning, outside the Shende Gate.

A team of imposing and majestic cavalry appeared on the horizon in the distance.

The cavalry formation was neat, and the riders on horseback all carried firearms on their backs and goose-quill sabers at their waists. Even while galloping at full speed, there was not the slightest disorder.

They carried an imposing and sharp spirit.

The sound of hooves was like muffled spring thunder, like war drums striking the heart, shaking the earth.

Five miles outside the Shende Gate, five hundred elite ceremonial cavalry of the Five Armies Camp had long been waiting quietly to welcome Jia Cong and the other Liaodong soldiers and generals back to the capital.

There were strict ceremonial rules for the imperial carriage and imperial decree to go five miles outside the city to welcome a victorious army. Five miles outside the city meant five miles; even half a mile more would not do.

Leading the five hundred ceremonial elite cavalry was Lin Zhen, a Regional Commander of the Five Armies Camp. He could be considered an old hand in the military, but he had been selected from a garrison into the Five Armies Camp and had no experience in guarding the borders...

At this moment, seeing that cavalry team galloping in formation in the distance, their horse speed neither fast nor slow, their demeanor imposing, hundreds of cavalrymen actually ran out with the momentum of thousands of troops and horses.

These five hundred firearm soldiers had followed Jia Cong to fight for a thousand miles. Tempered by the blood and fire of the battle against the Jurchens, every one of them had a firm spirit, heads held high and chests out, exuding a brave and fierce power.

Although it was already summer, the five hundred firearm soldiers under Jia Cong's command were still fully armored. As the main general, it was naturally not good to be negligent.

Although it was a bloody battle on the battlefield, he was still a youth upon his return, his bright and composed manner unchanged.

He immediately understood in his heart that this youth was the son of the Jia family of Rongguo, who was famous in Liaodong...

Only that curved saber, with its smooth and heavy shape, inserted diagonally into the saddle, revealed a thick and heroic, sharp spirit.

The wide gate tunnel of the Shende Gate had an excellent echo effect, making the sound of horse hooves, which was already heavy like clouds, magnificent like thunder.

From time to time, exclamations of surprise or excitement erupted from the crowd. After all, such large-scale military formations rarely appeared in the Love Shenjing.

The huge sound waves swept out like waves, immediately attracting the bustling crowd near the Shende Gate.

The phoenix-wing gilded helmets and fish-scale gold-inlaid fine armor on the five hundred ceremonial elite cavalry reflected dazzling golden light in the morning sun, as if heavenly generals and divine soldiers had descended.

Lin Zhen's expression could not help but change. He had been in the military for many years and was naturally a connoisseur. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart that a strong army tempered by the battle against the Jurchens was indeed extraordinary.

However, no matter how dazzling and imposing the brilliance of these ceremonial elite cavalry was, it could not cover up the youth who was guarded at the front of the team, riding alone at the head, his jade-like demeanor unparalleled.

The hundred yamen runners of the Qinian Prefecture had long been notified that a large number of cavalry would enter the city today at the Shende Gate, and had already cleared the crowd to make way for the entering cavalry.

The sound of hooves was arrogant, the military appearance was like a mountain, attracting the crowd near the Shende Gate who had long been looking forward to it.

When the hundreds of cavalry galloped to the front, Lin Zhen saw that the youth at the head was riding an exceptionally spirited black horse, his face like jade, his shoulders square and back straight, his demeanor heroic and composed.

Under the sunlight of seven o'clock in the morning, he was as handsome and peerless as ever. The wind and frost of the Liaodong north for several months had made him slightly thin, but it had not left any rough spirit, and his scholarly appearance remained unchanged.

The two armies combined to a total of a thousand troops, surging like waves, exiting the Shende Gate and entering the Love Shenjing!

He had changed out of his heavy iron helmet and armor, wearing only a moon-white thin cotton robe, with that green rhinoceros armor draped over it, a picture of simplicity and freedom.

Only a few people in the crowd with keen insight could fathom the mystery of this; this was the Emperor specifically leading the troops to parade their merit, to show that the martial prowess of this dynasty was no less than that of the previous dynasty.

Five hundred ceremonial elite cavalry guarded the front, followed by five hundred firearm cavalry changing shifts, and at the very back were more than ten miles of large carts, inside which were wounded soldiers and luggage.

Yesterday, when they arrived at the military post fifty miles away, Jia Cong bathed and washed his hair, washing away the dust of the journey. Even his hair bun was managed by Ai Li.

Even in a cavalry team of a thousand people, Jia Cong's figure was still dazzling and eye-catching, very easy to be captured by people; it was a bit too conspicuous.

On the second floor of the restaurant, a group of students from the Qingshan Academy looked at the magnificent cavalry team entering the city, their eyes filled with longing and envy—not for those common cavalrymen, but for that youth.

"Haha, look, the person in the middle is Jia Yuzhang. He is my classmate at the Bingwen Hall. He passed the Provincial Examination in the Imperial Examination, but unfortunately, I could only rank at the bottom."

"Brother Chen, you should be content. I failed the examination, and I have to fight again this year..."

"Who says a scholar can only talk on paper? Jia Yuzhang is the same as us, coming from a background of classics and principles, yet he can also throw away the pen to join the army and fight for merit on the battlefield. Our generation yearns for this..."

The commoners and citizens watching the fun did not have as many thoughts as the scholars. They only felt that such a majestic army entering the city was an eye-opener, and they could boast about it to others when they went back.

The bold women in the crowd were either looking out from behind their veils, or lifting the gauze curtains of their hats to search, or gazing through the windows of their carriages.

The youth who was surrounded by the crowd like stars around the moon in the thousand-strong army was really as legendary as they said, born so outstanding and proud...

Jia Cong's attention was suddenly attracted by a burst of delicate shouts of "Young Master Jia" and "General Jia" from the high building on the left.

Although there were many women who came to see him, they generally would not be so bold. Only the famous beauties in the brothels would be so spicy and bold.

When Jia Cong saw five or six gorgeously dressed women on the magnificent second floor facing the street, waving colorful silk handkerchiefs and shouting at him, his face also felt a bit awkward.

"Hmph, I said you are not allowed to look around. My mother said these women are not decent!"

Ai Li, who was riding beside Jia Cong, said with a somewhat dissatisfied expression.

"It doesn't matter if I just take a look."

"That won't do either. Are these women better looking than me!"

As Ai Li said this, she lifted the gauze curtain of her veil in a huff, her bright eyes filled with a questioning look.

In the Liaodong border towns, people of different ethnic groups came and went frequently, so she didn't feel anything.

But ever since she left Liaodong, the further south she went, Ai Li found that she was quite different from the women of the Central Plains. She didn't know where she found a veil hat to wear, and no matter how many times Jia Cong persuaded her, she wouldn't take it off.

For the past few days, Ai Li's mood had been a bit bad. Jia Cong saw that what she said just now was a bit strange, so it was not good to tease her. He held back his laughter and said: "I won't look anymore. From now on, I'll only look at you."

When the whole team passed by Chunhe Street, Liu Ping had long been waiting there. Jia Cong had sent a letter a month ago, asking Liu Ping to arrange a courtyard for Ai Li's mother to stay in advance.

Jia Cong and Ai Li exchanged a few words, agreed on a time to meet, and since it was not good to say too much, he let Liu Ping take Ai Li and her mother to be settled.

Walking past the North Drill Ground, palace attendants had long been waiting here to lead them into the palace to meet the Emperor. It was also customary etiquette for the monarch to meet the meritorious ministers after a great victory.

As for the five hundred ceremonial elite cavalry and the five hundred firearm soldiers changing shifts, they were free to be led back to the Five Armies Camp by Regional Commander Lin Zhen.

Walking in the wide and magnificent palace city, Jia Cong was already familiar with the road.

Although Liu Yongzheng and Deng Hui were fierce generals of the border, sword light and blood seas were common to them, but it was their first time entering the palace, so they could not help but feel a bit trembling and nervous.

Qianyang Palace.

Jia Cong saw Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao again and found that there seemed to be some gray hair on his temples.

For Jia Cong and the other meritorious generals of the battle against the Jurchens in Liaodong, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao still showed sufficient commendation and praise.

This made Liu Yongzheng and Deng Hui, who had never seen the Emperor's face, feel somewhat grateful and moved.

At the end, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao also said: "All you ministers are loyal and brave for the country, pacifying the Jurchens and establishing merit. After the ceremony of offering captives, I will have rewards for each of you!"

After the attendants led Liu Yongzheng and Deng Hui away, Jia Cong was left alone in the Qianyang Palace.

When Liu Yongzheng and Deng Hui left, the look they cast at Jia Cong was somewhat envious. People are just different; the Emperor only kept Jia Cong.

However, thinking about it, it was normal. Jia Cong came from the Jia family of Rongguo. This background was much higher than theirs, and everyone knew that the Emperor had always esteemed and favored Jia Cong.

After this battle, this youth would inevitably become more and more sought after. It was their fate to be able to serve and establish merit with him, not to mention that both of them had received Jia Cong's favor.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao looked at Jia Cong and saw that he had been in Liaodong for half a year. His face had a lot of wind and frost, and he was much darker and thinner, but his eyes also had a trace of gentleness.

"I didn't expect that you are not only outstanding in literary talent but also have such talent in military affairs. No wonder you are favored by others..."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao stopped halfway through his sentence, as if he hadn't thought about how to continue, which made Jia Cong feel slightly strange in his heart.

"I said that the sons of noble families should not lose their brave spirit. You really did it, and you established great merit in Liaodong. I didn't misjudge you!"

Jia Cong hurriedly replied: "Your subject only relied on the power of firearms, plus some luck. I dare not accept your excessive praise, Your Majesty."

"I have carefully read the battle reports, so you don't need to be overly modest. If you didn't have meticulous thought and decisive courage, relying only on luck, you would never have achieved such a great victory!

When you fought the first battle at Yafu Pass and established the first merit, the old nobles in the court once suggested that you be granted a title.

But I felt that the battle at Yafu Pass did not settle the situation, so it was not appropriate to grant too many titles. Otherwise, as a general in your first battle, if you were suddenly granted a noble title, the old people in Liaodong would fear that they would be dissatisfied and it would be difficult to achieve a common goal.

Some people in the court felt that I was too stingy with titles and lacked grace..."

When Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao finished speaking, his words revealed a coldness, and even a trace of loneliness that was difficult to detect.

"What do you think?"

When Jia Cong heard Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao suddenly ask this, his heart jumped slightly. After thinking for a while, he said:

"Your Majesty is the master of the world. The things you think about and the opportunities you decide are not about one person or one thing, but about the overall situation.

Before the magnificent situation of the world, personal victory or defeat, honor or disgrace, is not worth mentioning.

Although your subject is not yet twenty, I dare not have delusions of personal desire or small favors, and disturb your holy wisdom in planning for ten thousand miles."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's eyes lit up when he heard Jia Cong's words. Although Jia Cong did not say whether he was stingy with titles or lacked grace, he had already expressed his intentions very clearly.

"Before the magnificent situation of the world, personal victory or defeat, honor or disgrace, is not worth mentioning. Well said! It is very rare for you to have such thoughts."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao looked at Jia Cong with complex eyes and said: "Sometimes I feel strange. At your age, you shouldn't have so many strange and clear actions, and broad and thorough thoughts.

But you happen to have them. I don't know if Liu Jing'an's teaching of disciples is too powerful, or if you were really born with innate wisdom!"

Jia Cong dared not answer this, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat silent.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said again: "This time you chased the enemy for a thousand miles, killed all the leaders and brave warriors of the Jurchens at Qingyuan Collection, the generals of Liaodong were convinced, and the court and the public praised you. There is no more worry.

Since you have established world-shaking merit, I will certainly not be stingy with rewards. It's just that the Imperial Clan Court sent a message yesterday that the Rongguo Prefecture has already submitted a petition to the Imperial Clan Court to have you inherited into the Ningguo line..."

Jia Cong was stunned when he heard this, and then the hair on his back stood up.

He really knew nothing about this. He had just returned to the Love Shenjing and entered the palace to meet the Emperor; he hadn't even had time to return to the prefecture.

He couldn't help but feel speechless in his heart. Those pig teammates of the Jia family really thought of everything in the world as too much of a child's play. No wonder they fell into such a state.

When the imperial decree to remove the title of Ningguo was issued, it said something about the title being sealed for three years, and if the Ningguo descendants established military merit within three years, they could restore the title.

That was just a smoke bomb released by the Emperor. Could he not know that the Ningguo descendants were all playboys who couldn't go to the battlefield or establish military merit?

At this time, asking him to inherit the Ningguo Prefecture was really treating everyone in the world as fools. They didn't understand what kind of person the Emperor was who couldn't tolerate sand in his eyes.

He had racked his brains to weaken the old noble forces accumulated during the Retired Emperor's time. The Four Kings and Eight Dukes had just been stripped of a title. Would he let the old forces be reborn? Then the Emperor would have been busy for nothing.

It caused him to enter the palace to meet the Emperor with great merit, but he was asked this fatal question by the Emperor.

So he replied without hesitation: "Your Majesty, your subject thinks this is improper!"

"Your Majesty once issued a decree that noble titles are precious and must be obtained through military merit. The Ningguo title has been sealed for three years, and only if Ningguo descendants establish military merit can the title be restored."

"If your subject had inherited Ningguo before going to Liaodong, it would have been excusable."

"Now that your subject has established minor merit in Liaodong, only then inheriting the Ningguo line would cause Ningguo to have the suspicion of cleverly taking the noble title. This is the crime of deceiving the Emperor. Your subject really dares not do it!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, who was staring at Jia Cong's expression from above, heard Jia Cong's words, his expression froze slightly, and then it eased.

(End of chapter)