Chapter 285: Embers of the Battlefield

The three-day limit passed in an instant.

On the scorched earth outside Jin Prefecture, rows of newly built camps had been erected, orderly and neat.

Although the traces of yesterday's slaughter had not been completely erased, a victorious air—fatigued yet uplifted—had already replaced the pervasive smoke and despair.

Before the central army's great camp, a temporarily erected high tower stood solemnly.

Upon it were placed the spirit tablets of the fallen soldiers, incense and candles intertwined, offerings complete.

Below, led by Chen Wen, all surviving senior generals, civil officials, and representatives of the troops who could form ranks wore armor, their expressions solemn.

There was no grand victory ceremony; the first and most important activity was the memorial.

To memorialize the heroic souls forever resting upon this land.

The wind swept over the scorched banners, emitting a mournful sound, as if the myriad departed souls were whispering.

Chen Wen held three sticks of pure incense and slowly walked to the front of the altar.

His gaze swept over the rows of cold spirit tablets, lingering especially on the one placed prominently at the front, inscribed with "Loyal Martial Marquis of Great Chen, Northern Front Campaign Headquarters, Han Gongtong's position."

Han Tong left no remains, only his ceremonial robes and hat.

"In the first year of the Kaiyuan era, the year of Dingwei, Emperor Chen Wen, I humbly offer pure wine and modest fare, sacrificing before the spirits of the fallen soldiers of the Battle of Jin Prefecture……"

The officiant, grief-stricken yet resonant, recited the memorial text; his voice echoed across the silent camp, each word dripping with blood, each sentence steeped in sorrow.

It recounted the battle's cruelty, praised the soldiers' valor, and mourned the loss of loyal souls.

Many sturdy generals, upon hearing familiar names spoken, could not help but redden their eyes and clench their fists.

Chen Wen listened silently, his countenance calm as water, only the slight tremor of his fingertips revealing his inner turmoil.

The memorial text concluded.

Chen Wen stepped forward, placed the pure incense into the burner, then lifted a bowl of turbid wine and slowly poured it onto the yellow earth before the platform.

"Officials,"

His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly into every ear, bearing a weighty force.

"May your journey be peaceful."

"Your merits from bloody battle, I, keep in my heart."

"Your unfulfilled aspirations, I, together with this Great Chen realm, shall surely inherit!"

"The heroic spirits are not far; I pray you partake!"

Having spoken, he bowed deeply.

Behind him, thousands of soldiers dropped to one knee in unison, the clamor of their armor colliding like thunder.

"See off——the heroic——spirits——!"

A mournful bugle call rose to the heavens, lingering long over Jin Prefecture.

The memorial ceremony ended; the solemn, tragic atmosphere eased slightly, but that heaviness had already been deeply imprinted in every heart.

Next came the actual bestowal of rewards and assignments.

Chen Wen returned to the central army's great tent, with generals and civil officials standing to left and right.

"The great victory at Jin Prefecture relied on the soldiers' devotion, with civil and military united in purpose."

Chen Wen sat upright in the seat of honor, his gaze sweeping over those below.

"Reward merit, punish fault—this is the state's paramount plan."

He first looked toward Shi Dun and Li Hong.

"Shi Dun and Li Hong, you held Jin Prefecture, resisted strong foes, and in the pursuit captured successive prefectures and counties, raising our army's prestige."

"I appoint Shi Dun as General Who Pacifies the North, raising his rank by one degree."

"I appoint Li Hong as General Who Pacifies the North, granting him the title Marquis of the Interior Pass."

"Your subordinate thanks Your Majesty's great favor!" Shi Dun and Li Hong stepped forward, bowed, and received the order in resonant voices.

"Zhang Cheng and Wang Pu, you oversaw the rear, securing provisions, forage, and armaments, stabilizing the court; your contribution is indispensable."

"Reward: some silk and fabric, and bestowal of fields and residences."

"We thank Your Majesty." Zhang Cheng and Wang Pu bowed.

"Zhao Lao Nian," Chen Wen gazed at the Minister of Works, "for your merit in developing the Disturbing Crystal Tower, remaining calm amid peril on the battlefield and preserving the equipment, you deserve foremost credit."

"I confer upon you the title Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, reward you with silk and fabric, and prioritize supplying all needs of the Works Ministry's research."

Zhao Lao Nian, overcome with emotion, his old face flushed red, stepped forward trembling: "Old servant… old servant thanks Your Majesty! I will surely exert my utmost to repay Your Majesty!"

"Qian Gui," Chen Wen turned his gaze to the Marquis of Jing'an, responsible for intelligence and internal security, "for purging internal threats, cutting off the enemy's senses, your merit lies in secrecy."

"Reward: silk and fabric, and increase your food fief by three hundred households."

"Your servant, receiving the edict, thanks Your Grace." Qian Gui stepped forward calmly, bowed, and performed the rites.

The fallen Han Tong was posthumously granted the titles of Grand Commander and Upper Pillar of the State, with the posthumous name "Loyal Martial," receiving utmost honor; his descendants all received generous stipends and patronage.

The remaining officers and soldiers, great and small, were each rewarded according to merit—promoted, ennobled, or granted silver, gold, fields, and residences—none omitted.

The entire bestowal process lasted nearly an hour.

The atmosphere in the tent gradually shifted from solemn to a solemn yet invigorating gravity.

Clear rewards and punishments are what can motivate those who come after.

Having finished the bestowal, Chen Wen shifted the topic and began to deploy the next step.

"Shi Dun."

"Your subordinate is here!"

"The northern expeditionary forces shall still be under your command. Advance steadily, step by step, establishing camps as you go, with deterrence as the main focus and siege as secondary. The primary task is to consolidate the already-submitted prefectures and counties, restore livelihoods, and completely squeeze the Northern Han forces back to the Great Plain region."

"Your subordinate will obey!"

"Li Hong."

Your subordinate is here!

After your troops have rested and regrouped, move to garrison Hebei, merge with Han Tong's former forces, take charge of northern border defense, and closely monitor Khitan movements. Yelü Taliè has suffered a new defeat, but his wolfish ambitions must not be ignored.

Your subordinate understands!

Zhang Cheng, Wang Pu.

Your servant is present.

Oversee grain and military supplies, pacify the newly attached populace, implement new policies—this is the foundation of lasting peace and order, and must not be neglected.

We will surely exert our utmost.

Orders were issued one after another, like precise gears beginning to mesh, slowly turning the war machine toward the track of governance and construction.

Finally, Chen Wen's gaze fell upon the map, that vast expanse of Zhongyuan and the south.

Southern Tang, Wu-Yue, Jingnan… now it is time for them to hear the voice of Great Chen more clearly.

He did not say it outright, but everyone in the tent understood.

The great victory at Jinzhou was like a fierce gale, destined to sweep across the world, altering the pattern of all Zhongyuan and even Jiangnan.

The rise of Great Chen is now unstoppable.

The meeting ended, and the ministers and commanders each departed with their orders, leaving only Chen Wen alone in the grand tent.

He walked to the tent flap, gazing at the bustling scene outside, and at the distant battlefield faintly visible, where countless loyal bones lie buried.

The setting sun sank once more, dyeing the horizon's clouds orange-red, and also gifting this war-scarred land a layer of warm yet solemn light.

The embers of the battlefield have not yet cooled, but a new journey already lies before him.

Domestic affairs, diplomacy, military, those strange information fragments, the fleeing master of the Iron Crow Army, the unknown 'Apocalypse' threat…

A myriad of threads, like an intangible burden, weighed upon his shoulders.

But he felt no fear or hesitation.

Within his body, sixty-fourfold power lay steady and massive.

Behind him was a nascent dynasty coalescing, full of hope.

In his heart lay a yearning for truth, and a firm belief in ending the chaotic age and forging a prosperous era.

He drew a deep breath of air scented with earth and grass, turned, and walked back into the tent.

On the desk lay piled-up memorials and documents like a mountain.

The story of Great Chen's Emperor Chen Wen is far from over.