Chapter 649: Arrival and Welcome

In the Chen dynasty world, fifty li west of Xijing.

The light vortex vanished.

Twelve people stood in the valley.

Chen Wen pressed his left shoulder arrow wound; blood had soaked through his sleeve.

He quickly scanned the crowd.

Eleven were present.

Lin Chong's injury was the worst, being supported by Guan Sheng and Huoyan Zhuo, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Doctor!"

Chen Wen shouted.

His words had not yet faded.

Hoofbeats rose from both sides of the valley.

More than ten black-armored cavalry rode in swiftly; the leading young commander dismounted and knelt on one knee.

"Colonel Zhou Ping of the Xijing Garrison Army's Third Battalion, acting on Chancellor Zhang's orders, has come to meet you!"

The cavalry behind him all knelt.

"Rise."

Chen Wen nodded.

"Zhang Cheng arranged it in time."

"Are there horses and doctors?"

"All ready!"

Zhou Ping waved his hand.

The cavalry led out the warhorses, and two military doctors quickly stepped forward.

"Treat Lin Chong first."

Chen Wen gestured.

The doctors quickly attended to him.

They cleaned, applied medicine, bandaged, then took out a porcelain bottle and poured three brown pills.

"Heavenly Works Institute's newly formulated hemostatic and flesh-regenerating pill."

Lin Chong took it, and his complexion eased slightly.

The others received simple bandaging.

"Colonel Zhou, the situation in Xijing?"

Chen Wen asked.

"Governor Shi Dun of Bei Jing has held the line; the Northern Yuan has retreated thirty li."

"Chancellor Zhang holds the central authority; the resettlement site is ready."

"Secretary Qian is inspecting the outskirts of Xijing to prevent infiltration by the Iron Crow Army."

Zhou Ping spoke clearly.

"The Retired Emperor and His Majesty are already aware and await in the inner palace."

Chen Wen nodded.

"Return journey."

He looked toward Yue Fei and the others.

"Mount up."

"We'll talk more when we reach Xijing."

Everyone mounted.

Zhou Ping led the cavalry to open the way, the wounded in the middle, and Chen Wen's group brought up the rear.

The horse troop exited the valley onto Shangguan Dao.

The sky was already faintly light.

The scenery of the Chen dynasty world gradually became visible.

The official road was wide and level, able to accommodate four carriages side by side.

Along the road were drainage ditches, with a milestone every three li.

Fields lay in a grid, with farmers laboring.

In the distance, workshop smokestacks rose high.

"This road..."

Yue Yun couldn't help but say.

"Wider than the imperial road of Bianjing."

"The Chen dynasty's standard official road."

Wang Ru explained.

"All national trunk roads follow this spec, for troop mobilization in wartime and commerce in peacetime."

"Those smokestacks?"

Wu Yong asked.

"Heavenly Works Institute workshops."

Wang Ru said.

"They have iron refining, weaving, armaments, and chemical engineering."

The Chen dynasty's military gear for civilian use mostly comes from here.

Yue Fei watched in silence.

His gaze was complex.

The cavalry troop rode over ten li and encountered a checkpoint.

The garrison, seeing Zhou Ping's banner, immediately let them pass.

Yue Fei noticed that the garrison's equipment was excellent, their armor uniform, and their spirits high.

It was worlds apart from the militia of the False Song realm.

Not long after passing the checkpoint,

the outline of a city appeared on the horizon.

The city walls rose over five zhang high, with flying eaves on the watchtowers.

At the four corners stood towers, their metal fittings gleaming.

"Xijing."

Chen Wen said.

"The capital of the Chen dynasty."

"The four corner watchtowers are equipped with long-range lenses and signal lamps, monitoring thirty li."

The distance closed.

The barbican and drill ground became visible.

On the drill ground, soldiers trained, their formations neat, their shouts shaking the heavens.

In the distance, cavalry practiced charges, kicking up rolling dust.

"The newly organized Northern Defense Army."

Zhou Ping turned and said.

"The northern frontier is strained; the Imperial Court is expanding the army, and after three months of training they can go to battle."

The cavalry arrived before the city gate.

The commander, seeing Chen Wen, solemnly saluted.

"Open the gate!"

"Welcome the sovereign back to the capital!"

The city gate slowly opened.

The sight inside the city made the False Song visitors catch their breath.

The streets were wide, the blue stone slabs clean.

Shops lined both sides, their signs bright and clear.

Cables crisscrossed above the street—these were the wires for the nighttime crystal lamps.

Passersby were neatly dressed, with rosy complexions; seeing the cavalry, they made way without panic, and some greeted Zhou Ping.

"Commander Zhou, good morning!"

"Pick them up!" Zhou Ping replied with a smile.

Such urban ease did not exist in the False Song.

The cavalry proceeded along the main thoroughfare.

Passing the market, stalls were set up, goods abundant.

"This market… doesn't collect market fees?" Ruan Xiaoer asked.

He most hated the corrupt clerks' extortion in the False Song.

"The Imperial Court sets taxes, with no extra extortion."

Wang Ru said.

"The Jing'an Supervisory Office monitors official conduct; ten taels of bribery brings exile, a hundred taels brings execution."

"Officials dare not act recklessly."

Past the market, a grand complex of buildings came into view ahead.

Red walls, yellow tiles, halls stretching continuously.

"Huangcheng."

Several people waited before the gate.

A young man in purple robes, his demeanor solemn and composed—Zhang Cheng.

Beside him stood Qian Gui and several civil and military officials.

When the cavalry arrived, Zhang Cheng stepped forward quickly.

"Your Majesty!"

He bowed deeply, then turned his gaze to Yue Fei and the others.

"Is this Commander Yue?"

"Zhang Cheng, the Chen dynasty's Grand Councilor."

"By the Emperor's order, I have come to welcome you all."

Yue Fei dismounted and clasped his fists.

"As a defeated general, I dare not accept such generous treatment."

"Commander Yue, you are too modest."

Zhang Cheng adopted a serious expression.

"You are the spark, the hope."

That the Chen Dynasty can welcome is fortunate.

He turned sideways.

His Majesty and the Grand Emperor Emeritus are already waiting in Wuying Hall.

Please follow me into the palace.

Everyone dismounted.

Chen Wen looked toward Yue Fei.

Let's go.

Let's meet another emperor of Huaxia.

The gates of Huangcheng opened.

The Imperial Way runs straight, with the Forbidden Army standing solemnly on both sides.

Zhang Cheng led the way.

Chen Wen, Yue Fei, and the others followed behind.

After passing the Three Palace Gates, they arrived before Wuying Hall.

Before the hall's steps, the two wearing dragon robes stood side by side.

The elder, spirited and keen, was the Grand Emperor Emeritus, Chen Hong.

The younger, with a resolute countenance, was the Emperor, Chen Zhong.

Chen Wen gave a slight nod.

You've returned.

Chen Zhong quickly descended the steps, came before Chen Wen, and performed a solemn salute.

Grandfather has worked hard.

He then turned toward Yue Fei and the others, clasped his fists and bowed.

General Yue, gentlemen generals.

Chen Zhong, on behalf of the people of the Chen Dynasty—

He raised his head, his gaze burning.

Thank you all for preserving the fire of Huaxia.

Chen Hong also bowed.

Yue Fei and the others were stunned.

Zhang Cheng spoke softly.

In the Chen Dynasty, the sovereign's status is transcendent.

His Majesty and the Grand Emperor Emeritus both show the respect of juniors.

Yue Fei took a deep breath, clasped his fists, and returned the salute.

Yue Mou... I feel unworthy to accept.

Please enter the hall.

Chen Zhong turned sideways.

Everyone entered Wuying Hall.

Inside the hall, seats and tables were already set.

It was not a court audience layout, but a circular arrangement, like a family banquet.

Please, everyone, take a seat.

Chen Zhong personally guided Yue Fei to the seat of honor.

Today, setting aside ruler and subject, we speak only of family and nation.

He raised his cup.

The first cup: a toast to the soldiers who fought and died at Luoyang.

Everyone solemnly raised their cups.

Wine spilled onto the ground.

The second cup: a toast to the unextinguished fire.

Everyone drank it up.

The third cup—

Chen Zhong looked toward Chen Wen.

A toast to those who lead the way forward.

Chen Wen raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

Three cups finished.

Chen Zhong sat down.

General Yue, gentlemen generals.

Having arrived in the Chen Dynasty, you are now family.

Privy Councilor Zhang has already prepared residences, offices, and stipends.

But the specific arrangements are up to your wishes.

If you wish to engage in military affairs, you may join the Privy Council or the Military Lecture Hall.

If you wish to govern localities, you may serve as a prefect or governor.

If you wish to devote yourself to learning, the Bureau of Works or the Imperial Academy are available.

Everything is for you to decide.

Yue Fei fell silent for a moment.

"Your Majesty, Yue Mou……still needs time to adapt."

"Naturally."

Chen Zhong nodded.

"You may first rest and familiarize yourselves with the Chen dynasty."

"If you have any needs, directly seek Zhang the Privy Councilor or Qian the steward."

"Although the Chen dynasty is not perfect, we will do our utmost to serve."

The banquet was simple, but the dishes were exquisite.

During the meal, Zhang Cheng and Qian Gui introduced the Chen dynasty's institutions, military system, and people's livelihood.

Yue Fei and the others listened silently.

After three rounds of wine.

Chen Wen rose.

"Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor."

"Their wounds need quiet recuperation; I will first take them to the settlement."

"Good."

Chen Zhong nodded.

"Grandfather has arranged it."

Chen Wen looked toward Yue Fei and the others.

"Let's go."

"The lodgings have been prepared."

Everyone left their seats.

Zhang Cheng accompanied them out of the palace.

Outside the palace gate, a carriage awaited.

Before boarding the carriage, Yue Fei turned back and glanced at the Wuying Hall.

Lights blazed inside the hall.

Chen Zhong and Chen Hong still stood on the steps, seeing them off.

"Commander Yue."

Zhang Cheng said softly.

"The Chen dynasty differs from the False Song."

"Here, you need not fight alone any longer."

Yue Fei nodded silently.

The carriage drove away from the imperial city.

The night grew deeper.

Lights dotted Xijing.

Beyond the light screen, Luoyang had become a sea of fire.

Here, the new road has just begun.