Several flares pierced the sky, and after the colorful light disappeared, hundreds of ships set off one after another, setting off anchors and sails, heading towards the gentle canal to the north.
Although this journey is upstream, the south wind blows strongly in the summer, and the boat's sails are full of south wind, so the speed is naturally not slow. Moreover, there are a large number of soldiers and horses on board, especially the 20,000 Jin army soldiers and horses captured. Now they can be used as trackers in certain river sections, and they can also overcome rapids and shoals.
Starting from Tiancheng Ferry, go all the way north and upstream. Since I wasn’t in a hurry, I wasn’t too anxious on this journey either. After crossing the canal and waiting for a mysterious boat to join the fleet outside Suzhou City, the army then diverted to Jingxi via Taihu Lake, heading west all the way to Xuanzhou.
After it merged into the Yangtze River, it passed through the newly conquered major state capitals in the south and north of the Yangtze River along the river. When local officials and garrison learned that His Majesty the Emperor was leading his army through here, they warmly welcomed him. Li Yuan stayed in these state capitals, stopping and stopping along the way, just like traveling around the mountains and rivers. By the time he arrived in Ezhou, he had already spent more than a month.
To the west of Ezhou is the Chu Territory, and there is no need for ships to go west, because after landing in Ezhou, Chengdu is 800 miles due west, so the soldiers and horses disembarked at the Ezhou Pier and walked instead.
Gu Jiu then led the fleet back home. Before leaving, Li Yuan gave Gu Jiu a letter to Gu Yingying and asked Gu Jiu to pass the jade pendant he was wearing to Gu Yingying. In the letter, Li Yuan told Gu Yingying not to think wildly, he would definitely marry her and would never let her down.
After abandoning the boat and landing, Li Yuan ordered generals such as Luo Erhu and Zhu Kuangcong to lead the infantry and baggage troops to march slowly. He and Liu Jiangsheng no longer had to march with the infantry and horses. They were in Wang Jingguo's Xiaoqi camp. Surrounded by the crowd, Li Yuan and Liu Jiangsheng rode back west together. There was no further delay along the way. Seven days later, in the midst of a sunny summer scene, Li Yuan finally returned to the capital of Chu.
In the afternoon, there was a sea of people outside the east city of Zhongjing Mansion. After hearing the news that His Majesty had returned victoriously from the expedition, all the people in Zhongjing City, from the Privy Council officials at the Government Hall to the common people, flocked to the east gate to welcome the Emperor's return. Outside the east city, from the main street entrance to the suspension bridge, hundreds of thousands of people crowded together, and everyone was looking forward to it happily.
When the figures of Li Yuan, Liu Jiangsheng, Wang Jingguo and others riding horses appeared on the official road shaded by willows, the officials and people of Zhongjing Mansion started shouting as if a pot was exploding. The sound soared into the sky, shaking the earth and the earth.
Li Yuan took the lead in galloping towards the end of the suspension bridge. When he arrived at one end of the suspension bridge, he was greeted by Kuangheng Gong Shenyi, left and right deputy envoys of the Privy Council Peng Shiyu, Wang Changgeng and others. Hundreds of civil and military officials came forward to greet him. They all bowed and congratulated.
Li Yuan laughed and got off his horse, then slowly walked forward.
"We are here to welcome your majesty's triumphant return! The news of your majesty's annihilation of the Jin army reached the Zhongjing Mansion half a month ago. Now the old Tang Dynasty has been completely destroyed, and the land north of the Yangtze River and south of the Yangtze River has returned to the Great Chu. How prosperous is the national power of our Great Chu! I I have been looking forward to the day of His Majesty's return all the time, and I am so anxious waiting for it. Your Majesty, you are finally back, hahaha." Xu Kuangheng laughed.
Li Yuan chuckled and said, "Thank you for your hard work. This time I came back from the waterway. I was delayed for some time along the way. It was not intentional. I just wanted to observe the people's situation in the state capitals on both sides of the river. The war ended the people's livelihood. It’s so worrying, you have to understand it for yourself before you can know for sure.”
"Your Majesty has worked hard to govern, and my great Chu will be prosperous and prosperous." Gong Shenyi said with a smile: "But your Majesty has to go by water. If he goes by land, it will take at least two months to return with so many troops and horses and baggage. I, Xiang Xu, and the others are like this I told you, but they didn’t believe it. Haha, Privy Council Peng also said that after His Majesty wins, he will definitely lead his cavalry back first. Privy Council Peng, what are you doing now? I have nothing to say."
Peng Shiyu scratched his head and smiled and said: "I really have nothing to say. I just speculated based on His Majesty's original habits... I thought that after the war was over, he would definitely return home. Well, Your Majesty, why didn't you come back first? It’s so painful for the ministers and others to think about it.”
Li Yuan did not answer, but turned to Gong Shenyi and said with a smile: "Why, Prime Minister Gong doesn't seem to want me to return to Beijing early."
Gong Shenyi hurriedly waved her hand and said: "No, no, what I mean is that Your Majesty's dragon body is precious, and the journey is thousands of miles away, so you should walk more slowly, soldiers."
There is a lot of horse baggage. If we can't make it in time, the bumpy road will hurt His Majesty's body. "
Li Yuan smiled and said: "Xiang Gong looks down on me too much. I am the emperor on horseback, how can I be so fragile? How can I hurt my body just because of the long and bumpy journey?"
As I said just now, the reason for my delayed return this time was not because I wanted to visit the mountains and rivers, or because I was worried about the bumpy road, but because I had just recovered the entire land north and south of the Yangtze River in Jinling and Yangzhou. The war has been going on since last year, and now I am waiting for nothing. Xing, it is my duty to explore the public sentiment.
In fact, I am eager to return home. My men in the army have been away on the war for so long. I have long wanted to take them back to Zhongjing Mansion as soon as possible so that they can reunite with their families and enjoy the moment of peace and happiness after the war is over. Does Gong Xiang understand? "
Gong Shenyi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and hurriedly leaned over to echo: "Old minister, I understand. Your Majesty has thought so hard, and I am ashamed. I presume to guess the emperor's intentions and use the law to judge the crime. Please punish me!"
Li Yuan waved his hand and said: "That's all, you are also thinking about my health. Out of loyalty, how can I punish you? Now that a large area of land in the north and south of the Yangtze River has returned, the current situation is the time for important ministers like you to show off your talents. , Prime Minister Gong, you are the chief of the Political Affairs Hall, so you should be more careful."
"Old minister, I obey." Gong Shenyi quickly replied with his hands in hand.
Xu Kuangheng observed the words and immediately stepped forward and said with a smile: "Today is a good day to welcome His Majesty in triumph. Your Majesty, I heard that the Queen and several empresses have prepared triumphal wine for you and are waiting for you to return to the palace to chat."
"Hahaha, okay, I happen to be hungry too. Come, Jiang Sheng, come and have dinner with me in the palace. We just go to see my mother together." Li Yuan smiled at Liu Jiangsheng.
Liu Jiangsheng, who was dressed in military uniform, patted his belly and joked: "Your Majesty, my stomach has been growling with hunger for a long time. I should have eaten some solid food at noon, but Your Majesty is in a hurry and is afraid that he will know that the palace is full of food." You have prepared such a sumptuous feast."
Li Yuan smiled and said, "Do you think I have a dog's nose? Can I smell the food and wine?"
The officials couldn't help but burst into laughter. Xu Kuangheng extended his hand and said, "Your Majesty, please come into the city. Duke Ning, please come into the city."
Li Yuan smiled and said: "You guys should come together, you haven't had lunch after waiting for so long, right?"
Peng Shiyu was the first to say, "No, no, no, Your Majesty, it's a family banquet. There are also the Queen, several empresses and other harem ladies, so I don't want to disturb you, so forget it."
"Yes, yes, what Privy Peng said makes sense." All the officials said one after another.
Li Yuan smiled and said, "Even my uncle said this, but I have no words to refute."
"Your Majesty, come into the city quickly. The ladies are all thinking about it very much, especially my concubine. They are waiting to hear the legendary story about how your Majesty defended Suzhou and annihilated the Jin army outside the city of Huzhou!" Peng Shiyu laughed. smiled.
Li Yuan smiled and nodded. When he was about to start, he turned around and walked slowly towards the bridge.
The common people who were restricted outside the suspension bridge for safety reasons crowded in a bustling manner, standing on tiptoes to look at the bridge, hoping to see His Majesty the Emperor. However, the distance was too far and the sight was blocked by officials. Knowing that the holy driver had arrived at the bridge but could not see him, the people were a little disappointed.
Suddenly, someone saw Li Yuan walking from the bridge, and the crowd suddenly became excited.
"It's your Majesty, it's your Majesty!"
"The common people send greetings to your majesty. May your majesty live long and prosperous!"
"Your Majesty is the great savior sent by God to us!"
The people were overjoyed and shouted loudly. The soldiers of the Chu army guarding the bridge were busy preparing to prevent the common people from rushing onto the bridge and causing chaos.
"Your Majesty is here. Let's all kowtow to His Majesty. Your Majesty has pacified Jiangbei and Jiangnan. Many of us can go home!" Someone suddenly shouted loudly and kowtowed to Li Yuan on the ground. Suddenly, the other people started shouting. Kneeling on the ground, a large area of the dark crowd knelt down like a mountain falling apart. Everyone kowtowed to Li Yuan and paid homage to Li Yuan.
Li Yuan stood at the end of the bridge, facing this scene, feeling extremely excited. Although this is not the first time Li Yuan has seen this kind of scene since he ascended the throne,
Every time he faced the scene of people kneeling down to express their gratitude, Li Yuan could not help but sigh and sigh.
This is not only a kind of respect enjoyed by those in high positions, but also a kind of recognition of what one has done, and the latter is the most precious thing Li Yuan hopes to get. The people's kneeling and worshiping comes from their hearts, because they have helped them and saved them. This is completely different from the kneeling and worshiping when they are oppressed by power. This kind of kneeling and worshiping comes from their inner gratitude and worship.
Li Yuan stood for a moment, then slowly raised his arms, folded his hands and bent down to salute. The officials behind him were surprised. Some people were about to step forward to stop them, but Liu Jiangsheng stretched out his hand to stop them.
"Everyone, we don't have to worry about it. Your Majesty is a gentle man. He always loves the people like his own son and regards the people as his parents and brothers."
"Our Majesty is really a man who loves the people. I have lived for so many years and have never seen the emperor salute the people. However, His Majesty is so admired by the people all over the world. It is really admirable." Gong Shenyi sighed in a deep voice.
All the officials nodded, but some people secretly thought in a disrespectful manner, Your Majesty is really capable of doing something. Showing off to the world like this can be said to be very scheming. He is so scheming at such a young age. No wonder His Majesty can single-handedly create such a strong foundation. This is where he is great.
But when he saw Li Yuan, he bent down and bowed to the people seriously. The people were even more excited. They had already stood up but hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed. Li Yuan slowly stood up and waved his hands and shouted: "Fellows and elders, get up quickly. Don't do this, otherwise I will have to return the favor to you again. Is there any rest if this continues?"
The people laughed loudly, and someone shouted: "We are willing to kowtow to His Majesty all day long."
Li Yuan smiled and said, "I can't stand it. I just got off my horse, I'm tired and my stomach is growling with hunger. Even if it's more tiring than killing enemies on the battlefield, I can't bear it."
The people burst out laughing again.
Xu Kuangheng came forward and shouted loudly: "Common people, Your Majesty has just returned home in triumph and is very tired. If you want to express your respect for the Emperor, there will be many opportunities in the future. How about we let Your Majesty go down to eat some food quickly and regain some strength?" Otherwise, if His Majesty collapses from exhaustion, what should we do? Folks, please leave those who have nothing to do and let His Majesty live in peace and quiet!"
All the people shouted: "We respectfully invite your Majesty to return to the palace, don't worry about us, we will just stay here to watch your Majesty enter the city!"
Li Yuan laughed loudly and said: "Everyone, why is it like this? You see, my wife and daughter didn't come to greet me. That's because I asked them not to come to greet them. Everyone, the war is over. Our great Chu is full of waste and waiting for help. What do you want to do? To live a good life, you must seize the good time to do things and don’t waste it here.”
When the people heard this, they all said, "How dare we disobey His Majesty's words? Let's all disperse."
"Let's go, let's go." All the people laughed and said.
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