As the distance approached, one could see that the queue stretched out and the military appearance was neat and tidy. There were about 2,000 people.
Seen from a distance, the banners of the Han army are facing the wind, giving the impression of a general marching north and now returning south. The mountains and rivers are moving, and all the people are coming to court.
The light cavalry on the expedition were equipped with one person and three horses as standard equipment, so the queue looked larger and more powerful than the actual number. They were all warriors of the Forbidden Army, wearing reddish-brown armor, and their fronts were extremely majestic.
Not only were the civil and military officers who came to greet him watched from a distance, but the Chang'an Guards who were standing on duty on the city wall were also full of energy and stood very upright when they saw their top leaders returning from the expedition.
As everyone watched, the team in the distance began to change.
The two thousand troops divided sideways like a tide and returned to the Guards barracks on the outskirts of the city.
Two thousand soldiers and horses galloped away in separate directions, and each horse position seemed to correspond to each other, exactly.
The neatness, good obedience and appreciation brought about by thousands of troops riding horses are inexplicably moving.
The ground shook lightly and the sound of horse hooves sounded loud.
In the end, only a hundred or so soldiers were left behind, following Huo Qubing as they approached the city gate.
The bright silver armor on his body shone in the scorching sun, and the doctor's official robe inside the armor was spotless.
As he got closer, the people behind him stationed their horses together, and there was silence.
The people who came to greet them burst into amazing cheers to express their support and welcome to the Han army who had returned from victory.
Huo Qubing got off his horse and was greeted by all the waiting ministers.
He first came to Liu Qing's car, opened the curtain and poked his head in, looking at his beautiful and beautiful wife who was in the imperial family: "When I come back from the expedition, I need to go to the palace to meet the driver first. You go with me, or go back first?" Mansion?"
Liu Qingyan said: "I will go with you."
Huo Qubing pulled away and turned back, and the chamberlain Dong Xu was able to step forward and said with a smile: "Your Majesty asked me to come to welcome him, and he also gave Huo Hou an imperial cloak to ward off the cold."
The imperial cloak is the large cloak that the emperor wears on his shoulders when he goes out in winter.
This is an extreme expression of favor, which means that the emperor wears the same cloak as the emperor.
"Your Majesty, other civil and military officials, and envoys from the Western Regions are waiting for Huo Hou to return to the court in Weiyang Palace." Dong Xu added.
Huo Qubing responded and turned his attention to Dong Zhongshu and others: "Excuse me, Master, come and greet me."
Behind Dong Zhongshu stood Bai Yu and Sima Qian.
The two of them were also looking at the troops returning from the expedition, with different expressions.
Huo Qubing glanced at the two of them, Bai Yu showed a friendly smile, and Sima Qian nodded slightly, expressionless.
Dong Zhongshu said: "I am very fortunate to be able to represent the people of the Han Dynasty and all the ministers on behalf of me to welcome Huo Hou back to the court after his victory!
I would like to congratulate Huo Hou for making new contributions to our great Han Dynasty the next day and leaving his name for eternity! "After saying this, he bowed and bowed to each other.
While Huo Qubing returned the gift, he thought: This old master came here specifically to greet him, and it is impossible just to say these few words... Is he expressing his stance on further civil and military cooperation, or does he have other purposes?
At this time, Huo Qubing saw Taichang Zhouping walking quickly from a short distance away, and thought that every time he came to greet him, he would have to parade through the streets to show off.
Huo Qubing decisively got into the princess's car, pretending he didn't see Zhou Ping, and ordered him to start driving.
The pro-military troops on the left and right immediately gathered on both sides of the vehicle, separated the greeting honor guard including Taichang Zhouping, and walked away.
When Zhou Ping was dumbfounded, Dong Zhongshu said with a smile: "Huo Hou doesn't want to show off to the public, so forget it. Just go to the city and keep it simple. Your Majesty will never blame you too much."
Zhou Ping said depressedly: "This is against the rules and etiquette."
But there was nothing he could do. Using Shen Huo to cure such things would turn a deaf ear to the emperor, which was of no use.
After Huo Qubing got into his family's car, he thought of something and poked his head out of the car again, asking Tao Zun, who was coming back all the way, if he wanted to get in the car and go with him.
When the companions came back, Bai Nanyu, whose identity could not be exposed, had already returned to the city alone.
Tao Zun was riding on a horse, accompanying the chariot. When he saw Huo Qubing sticking his head out, he said angrily: "If I really go up, you have to scold me in secret for being an old fool and not understanding the timing."
Liu Qing poked half of his pretty face from Huo Qubing's side and chuckled, "Master, he can't do it."
The Taoist Master spat softly: "Then I won't go. I'll go back to my house first and let the cook in your house prepare more of the food he specializes in. This is better than anything else." After saying that, he rode to Huo Mansion. went.
In the carriage, as soon as Huo Qubing came up, Liu Qing moved to the side and moved a seat, obviously wanting to sit next to him.
Last time Huo Qubing came back, they were newly married. Now that they have gotten to know each other well, Her Royal Highness is much bolder than last time.
"Husband."
Liu Qing called softly.
She wore a rose-red tight-sleeved tunic with overlapping pale rose brocade collars. She wore a floor-length white water skirt of the same color underneath. Her waist was tied with gold silk gauze, and a cyan vanilla purse hung on it.
The carriage is filled with fragrance.
On her plain white wrist, there was a delicate emerald green jade bracelet, which made a jingling sound. Her hair was simply combed into a Qingyun bun, with double hairpins inserted sideways, and her pretty face was like jade. She looked like a mutton-fat beauty, charming and gorgeous.
The two chatted for a while, and then the chariot arrived at Weiyang Palace.
Huo Qubing got off the car and went to the study to meet the emperor.
Liu Qing had a special status and did not avoid suspicion, so he followed him to the study.
In the study, there were many civil and military officials, as well as the envoy from the Western Regions Roshna and others, who were also waiting for Huo Qubing to return.
"I have met your Majesty, and I am fortunate to have your Majesty's trust. I have led the troops to defeat the enemy, captured the chiefs of the Fuyu and Wuhuan tribes, and detained them in Beiguan. According to my judgment, the leaders of these tribes should come to Chang'an within the month. Become a minister and pay tribute." Huo Qubing reported.
The emperor smiled and stretched out his hand:
"Without courtesy. The ministers have been talking about it these past few days, and I have also read the report sent from the border, and I am very happy."
Huo Qubing and Liu Qing sat down side by side, and then looked at the seats in the study.
Civil and military officials, Gongsun Hong, Li Cai, Dong Zhongshu who came in front and behind Huo Qubing, and generals such as Cheng Bushi were all sitting on one side.
The opposite position was reserved for Roshna, the envoy from the Western Regions, and her entourage.
When she came this time, she was accompanied by an envoy from Qiuci and the neighboring Gumo Kingdom, a tall and thin middle-aged man with a serious face.
The envoy from Kucha is in human shape, with a white face and no beard, and wears a blue robe with a strong Kucha style.
The group, headed by Roshna, sat down from top to bottom.
They were also sizing up the big Han champion Hou who had returned from the war.
Roshna had a special status in the Western Regions, and the emperor also showed respect for its customs.
Therefore, in this study room, Roshna is still wearing gauze.
But one can still see her delicate and beautiful appearance, her skin is delicate and moist, her eyelashes are thick and dense, and they are as straight as a small fan.
Her eyes are bright and lively, and her pupils are deep dark brown.
Huo Qubing's eyes glanced at several people, and Bo Qimu, who was sitting behind Roshna, bowed to him and smiled.
There was only Zhang Qian on Han Chen's side, sitting on Roshna and others' side, responsible for the translation work.
The emperor personally handed a copy of the imperial edict to Huo Qubing, who was sitting at the next table:
"This is my new decree, to grant you the fiefdom and population registration.
We will talk about other things later. Several envoys from the Western Regions have asked about your situation many times in recent days and are very concerned about your expedition. Please talk to several envoys from the Western Regions about the details. "
The emperor's intention was to let Huo Qubing demonstrate the invincible power of the Han army, embolden the people of the Western Regions, and let them rely on the Han and confront the Huns.
The Gumo envoy opposite, a thin and serious middle-aged man, first performed the Western Regions breast-stroking ceremony on Huo Qubing, and then spoke a series of Western Regions Serb languages.
Zhang Qian smiled and translated:
"He heard that Huo Hou defeated the Huns' army with ten thousand cavalry, and he wanted to see the army under Huo Hou that defeated the Huns. Is it okay?"
I want to see it for myself, but obviously I don’t have full faith in the fact that ten thousand cavalry can defeat the Huns’ central army, and I plan to see it before making a judgment.
Huo Qubing said calmly: "Originally, we have arranged for envoys to observe the might of our Han army. This is not difficult."
Zhang Qian was the central translator.
Gumo and the envoy from Kucha looked at each other and nodded slightly.
"What does Marquis Huo think of the current situation in our Western Region?" Roshna asked.
Her voice was clear and peaceful, and had a different kind of appeal.
Huo Qubing pondered for a moment and said: "The countries in the Western Regions are scattered and do not have a strong and unified political system and military equipment, and lack the power to protect themselves. Therefore, the Xiongnu regards the Western Regions as vassals, and they have been demanding for years, but the countries in the Western Regions are unable to resist.
There are only two ways out for the Western Regions. One is to hope that someone with prestige and qualifications who can convince the public can unify the Western Regions and reach the Huns in the north. Otherwise, the Western Regions will have to rely on the strong and seek other solutions. "
This is the reality in the Western Regions.
But Huo Qubing's words obviously didn't sit well with him. He described the Western Regions as sheep that were allowed to be eaten by mermaids. They were bullied by the Huns and didn't even have the ability to resist.
The envoys from Qiuci and Gumo both changed their expressions.
Roshna's eyes were calm and she was silent.
The rather serious envoy Gumo couldn't help but say something again, his voice obviously higher than before, taking the opportunity to express his dissatisfaction.
Zhang Qian translated: "He asked Huo Hou, when you talk about choosing the strong and relying on them, does this 'strong' refer to the big man?"
Huo Qubing said calmly: "Yes, except for me, the big man, many nomadic tribes in the surrounding areas may be able to dominate the grassland for a while, but they will only last for tens or hundreds of years at most.
Only our country, Xia and Shang, has been conquering for thousands of years since the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States, and the princes have risen together, but by the time of Qin and Han, they were able to unify, which shows how strong our Han Dynasty is.
The Huns have hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, but they have been defeated by our Han soldiers in recent years. Its turn from prosperity to decline can be expected.
I, the Han Dynasty, am also the only race among hundreds of races inside and outside China that can establish a complete cultural heritage after thousands of years of conquest.
It can be seen from this that the national cohesion of our Han people is unmatched by any foreign nation. Therefore, we, the Han people, are strong, not among the great powers, but alone.
Among the surrounding countries, if I, the great man, do not agree, which one will dare to claim strength? "
What Huo Qubing said made everyone in the study room straighten their backs subconsciously.
Envoy Gumo was stunned for a moment, thought for a moment, and asked again.
Zhang Qian translated again: "He asked what is the complete inheritance of culture?"
Huo Qubing said softly: "The countries in the Western Regions may have been powerful for a while, but if we go back a hundred years, do they have a unified writing and language? Do they have a unified currency system, a unified system, and a powerful ruler who unifies the world? Soldiers or not?
Is there a practice of a hundred schools of thought contending, a school of thought? "
This time the emperor also secretly stood up. He was obviously the so-called hero.
well said!
The ministers couldn't help but feel excited, because what Huo Qubing said contained a strong sense of national pride, and listening to what he said made his blood flow.
The Han Dynasty is not a great power, but an independent power, ranking first among hundreds of tribes and at the top of mountains and rivers. How arrogant and proud this is!
Liu Qing quietly reached out to hold Huo Qubing under the low mat.
Huo Qubing added: "You are currently facing a big crisis in the Western Region, but you don't know it."
Roshna asked in Chinese: "Please enlighten me, Champion, what is the crisis in our Western Region?"
"You came all the way east, but there were no obstacles along the way. Not only did Loulan and other countries close to the Huns let you pass by, but the Western Huns also didn't stop you?"
Huo Qubing narrowed his eyes: "Do you think this is normal?"
At this time, everyone was attracted by his topic, including the civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty. They also turned their attention to him and listened attentively.
"What's wrong with this?"
Roshna and others were puzzled: "I am waiting here, and there are elites sent by the general to protect me. Loulan and the Western Huns do not want to conflict with the Han at this time, so they did not stop it, isn't it?"
(End of chapter)
