Since the beginning of the Northern Expedition, the good news of the Han army came back to Yizhou one after another. From the emperor and his ministers to the traders and foot soldiers, everyone was excited and excited.
And this overjoyed mood reached its peak when the news of Jieting's victory came back. On that day, the people in Mianyang City spontaneously rushed out of their homes and went to the streets to celebrate together. The whole city was filled with joy and laughter. It will take a long time to rest.
Therefore, even though the casualties of the Han army in the Northern Expedition were not small, and many people in Hanzhong had put up white cloth in their homes, the joy of victory will always dilute the sadness in people's hearts, so today there are tens of thousands of people who came out to welcome the triumphant army. People, almost everyone in the city came out.
When the front line of the army appeared in everyone's sight, the people cheered involuntarily without the guidance of the government.
"The Han army is mighty!"
"Long live the big man!"
"The Prime Minister is victorious!"
...
Cheers echoed throughout the sky, showing the Hanzhong people's pride in the victory of the army and their love for Zhuge Liang. When Zhuge Liang's frame guard of honor appeared, this feeling of love and pride reached its peak, and the applause was thunderous and lasting.
"Welcome to the Prime Minister for his triumphant return!" Under the leadership of Zhao Yun and Xiang Lang, everyone came forward to pay homage.
Zhuge Liang got off the carriage with a smile on his face, holding a feather fan in his hand, looking around, and raised his left hand: "You don't have to be polite, please get up quickly."
"Thank you, Prime Minister." All the officials, soldiers and civilians stood up.
"Mr. Juda, I have been sitting in Hanzhong these days, transporting grain and grass, so that our army can fight with peace of mind and defeat the Wei thieves. You have done the most great service."
Xiang Lang heard this and said humbly: "The Prime Minister has oversold you. How can we compare with the soldiers in the rear? The soldiers fought bloody battles and killed the enemy with all their might. They are the biggest contributors to this Northern Expedition. We are just fulfilling our duties. .”
Zhuge Liang smiled and nodded, then turned to Zhao Yun and said, "Zilong, have you been injured after months of fighting?"
Zhao Yun, a veteran, personally led the suspected soldiers to Guanzhong for the overall interests of the Northern Expedition. It was a last resort to defeat the enemy with fewer enemies. Therefore, Zhuge Liang was most worried about his health. If this old friend was injured during the Northern Expedition, he would be uneasy. .
"Don't worry, Prime Minister, Cao Zhen's fellow is not someone who can hurt Yun. These days, our Han army is winning one victory after another in Longyou. After hearing the victory, I was really full of energy and vitality. Seeing the hope of the revival of the Han Dynasty, people seem to How many years younger are you?" Zhao Yun replied with a smile.
Zhuge Liang also smiled happily and said: "That's good. The old general will return to the old capital with Liang to see my banner of the Han Dynasty planted all over the Central Plains again."
"This is also Yun's long-cherished wish."
Zhao Yun sighed with emotion, and then changed the topic: "Prime Minister, someone accidentally fell into Cao Zhen's sneak attack plan in Jigu, resulting in the loss of the camp, and the army had no choice but to retreat to Hanzhong. Please forgive me."
"Prime Minister, Jigu camp is guarded by Zhi. The fault of oversight is all on Zhi alone and has nothing to do with General Zilong." At this time, Deng Zhi, who was standing a little further away, approached and said, "Besides, if General Zilong hadn't cut off the rear in person, Most of the soldiers and military resources of the Right Army will be preserved."
Zhao Yun said anxiously: "Bo Miao's words are wrong. He is the governor of the right army. The responsibility for the right army being repulsed by Cao Zhen must be borne by him. What's your fault? He didn't see through Cao Zhen's plot in time, so... ....”
"Okay, you two don't have to fight anymore." Zhuge Liang stopped the two of them and said with a smile: "The right army pinned down the Wei army in Guanzhong for two months, preventing Cao Zhen's tens of thousands of Wei troops from going to Long, which greatly reduced the pressure on the main army. , can be described as a great achievement.
Even though Cao Zhen was luckily repelled later, you were able to respond in time, so that most of the military supplies were not lost, and the army's soldiers were organized in a relatively orderly manner. Such a small defeat is insignificant compared with the achievements of the right army. Zilong and Bomiao don't have to blame themselves too much. "
Yang Qing, who had been standing beside Zhuge Liang for a long time and had not spoken for a long time, also echoed: "Yes, if General Zilong and General Bomiao had not held back Cao Zhen's army with fewer enemies and more enemies, even if we were to win at Longyou, it would never be as easy as it is now. The Northern Expedition If we can win, the right army should be credited with the first achievement."
"Mingzhi's words are really ridiculous. Even if my right army has some minor achievements, they can't compare to your rear army's bloody battle in the street pavilion. This merit should belong to you."
Zhao Yun said: "Besides, our right army was able to successfully withdraw to Hanzhong this time because you arranged Liu Xiuran's support army in advance. If he hadn't arrived in time, our army would have been in danger. Speaking of this, I understand that I should thank you. .”
After saying that, he cupped his fists and bowed. Deng Zhi next to him also bowed and thanked him. Yang Qing quickly helped the two of them up and said: "The two generals are too outspoken. They are really embarrassing Yang. Please get up quickly."
He hurriedly said to Zhuge Liang: "Prime Minister, we can't talk outside the city all the time. Do you think we should go into the city and talk again?"
"Ming Zhi reminded you right, I was negligent." Zhuge Liang put his hand on his forehead and said with a smile: "Zilong, Judakong, let's go back to the city first."
"I sincerely comply with the wishes of the Prime Minister." Zhao Yun and Xiang Lang responded with cupped hands.
Zhuge Liang turned around and ordered Guan Xing and Wang Ping: "Anguo and Zijun, you two will take the army back to Yangping and Shima camp to rest."
"promise."
After receiving the order, Guan Xing and Wang Ping got on their horses and returned to the military ranks. One led the middle army and the other led the rear army to the camp in the west of Mianyang City.
The rest of the people embraced Zhuge Liang and entered the city gate. The people followed closely behind, cheering enthusiastically and celebrating loudly. They did not disperse until Zhuge Liang and others entered the Mianyang County Temple.
Xiang Lang and others had already prepared a celebration banquet at the county temple, but it was still early in the morning, so everyone took a break in the guest house in the back hall. Yang Qing saw that there was still some time before the evening banquet, so he asked Zhuge Liang for leave, left the county temple and went home.
"Madam, your Majesty is on his way back. I have specially ordered this villain to come back first to report." In Yang Qing's mansion, a personal guard was reporting to Xia Houyue in the hall.
Xia Houyue nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work. Let's go down and rest first."
After the guards left, Mulan, who was standing next to Xia Houyue, shouted happily: "That's great, madam, the king is back."
Xia Houyue also had a look of joy on her face. She gently tapped Mulan's forehead with her finger and said with a smile: "Look how happy you are. I thought your husband would not come back until evening, but I didn't expect to come back so early."
After a pause, he smiled and scolded Mulan again: "Why are you still standing there in a daze? Why don't you quickly go and tell the servants to open the middle door and call everyone in the house to wait outside the gate to greet the prince."
"My maid knows." Mulan agreed and hurried down to arrange the arrangements.
After a while, Yang Qing, escorted by Zhou Xing and others, finally returned to the mansion he had been away from for several months. Seeing the familiar and beautiful figure in front of the mansion gate, he quickly urged his mount to speed up.
"We sincerely welcome you back to your home."
Yang Qing turned over and dismounted, smiled and waved to the servants: "That's all, we are all our own people, so there is no need to be polite." After saying that, he stepped forward and took Xia Houyue's hands in his hands, saying softly Called: "Mrs."
Xia Houyue's eyebrows were affectionate, she smiled sweetly, and replied softly: "Husband."
"Is everything okay at home, madam?"
"Has your husband ever been injured in the Northland?"
The two asked in unison. Yang Qing and Xia Houyue were stunned for a moment, then looked at each other, and laughed out loud at the same time a moment later.
"Haha, madam, we don't have to stand outside the door to talk. Come on, let's go home."
After that, Yang Qing took Xia Houyue's hand and walked towards the mansion. Mulan and others followed behind and looked at this heartwarming scene. They all smiled knowingly and were indescribably happy.
