Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 129 Returning to Court (Part 2)

The setting sun was like blood, dyeing the sky a fiery red.

The banners of the Sui army fluttered in the wind, and the hundreds of thousands of troops, like a winding flying dragon, slowly advanced towards the capital city of Daxing.

"Daxing, it's almost time to go home,"

Lu Shang gazed at the indistinct outline of the city wall in the distance and said softly.

Having marched for nearly a month since setting off from Shuozhou, the fatigue from the long march was mostly forgotten the moment he saw Daxing City.

"We're almost home!"

Yang Lin, riding a unicorn in the rear, stood tall and straight, his eyes shining with divine light, and uttered the same exclamation as Lü Shang.

The soldiers behind him, their armor gleaming coldly in the setting sun, the heavy infantry in the front row, their shields adorned with Taotie patterns that flickered in the twilight, and the light cavalry in the rear, their bows drawn, quivers full, their warhorses pawing restlessly, white breaths billowing from their nostrils.

"Report!"

A messenger galloped from the front of the column, suddenly pulling on the reins in front of Yang Lin, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Your Majesty, officials from the Ministry of Rites have set up a reward platform for the troops at Baqiao. His Majesty has sent messengers to convey the imperial decree that the army will set up camp outside the city tonight and hold the grand ceremony to enter the city at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow."

Yang Lin nodded slightly and said, "Pass on my command, each camp shall set up camp in turn."

"promise!"

The military order, like a thunderclap, spread rapidly throughout the army following the messenger's shouts.

Night quickly enveloped the campsite, and the campfires twinkled like stars.

Yang Lin stood alone outside the central command tent, gazing thoughtfully in the direction of Daxing City.

"Your Majesty, you summoned me?"

Footsteps approached from afar, and Lü Shang strode quickly through the passage between the tents.

Yang Lin did not turn around, but kept looking in the direction of Daxing City, and said: "When I was in Shuozhou, I saw that Guo Yan was very attentive to you. He is a person who rose to power by trying to guess the emperor's intentions and flattering him. He is obsequious to his superiors and arrogant to his inferiors. He is a complete villain. I hope you can keep your distance from him."

"Yes,"

Lu Shang cupped his hands and said calmly.

"I didn't want to explain too much, but I was afraid that if I didn't, you wouldn't know the implications. Behind Guo Yan is Prince Yang Guang of Jin."

Yang Lin slowly turned around, stared at Lü Shang, and said, "Yang Guang is quite ambitious. On the surface, he is courteous and respectful to scholars, but in reality, he is extremely cunning. In recent years, he has been building up his faction in the court and secretly expanding his power. Guo Yan, as his confidant, tried so hard to win you over in Shuozhou. It seems that Yang Guang thinks highly of you."

"However, I do not want to see you get involved in court factional struggles. Once you are deeply involved, it is difficult to extricate yourself. It would be a real pity if your skills were ruined because of these sordid matters."

"As long as you remain upright and don't get involved in court struggles or factional disputes, anyone who tries to drag you down can come to me, and I will back you up."

Lu Shang clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Your Excellency's teachings will be etched in my heart."

Yang Lin patted him on the shoulder, his expression full of expectation, and said, "Go and get some rest. Tomorrow, when you enter the city, go home and see your father. You've been leading the army to conquer the north for several months now, and he must be very worried about you."

Lu Shang said in a low voice, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will spend some quality time with my father upon my return to the capital."

After bidding farewell to Yang Lin, Lü Shang returned to his tent, lay down on his simple bed, and, holding the Sanguang Ziwen bamboo whip, gradually entered a meditative state.

The next day, as dawn broke through the thin mist, it shone on the Sui army camp.

Lu Shang awoke from his light sleep, his goat armor gleaming coldly.

Last night's meditation had relieved his fatigue. He picked up the Three Lights Purple Bamboo Whip, stepped out of the tent, and saw that the army had already begun to assemble, preparing to enter the city.

At dawn, horns sounded, and Yang Lin rode his unicorn, walking majestically at the head of the procession, followed closely by Lü Shang, Zuo Tiancheng, Wei Cheng, Xin Yongfeng, Shang Silang, and others.

At the city gate, colorful flags fluttered and drums and music resounded. Officials from the Ministry of Rites and a host of civil and military ministers had been waiting for a long time. The entry ceremony proceeded step by step according to the established procedure. Yang Lin dismounted and handed over the imperial edict to the welcoming officials from the Ministry of Rites.

After Yang Lin exchanged the imperial decree with the officials of the Ministry of Rites, a group of graceful dancers led a troupe of musicians to play elegant music.

Accompanied by melodious music, the dancers' wide sleeves fluttered in the breeze.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Yang Lin led Lü Shang and others through the towering Vermilion Bird Gate and onto the main road of Daxing City.

"Victory! Victory! Victory!"

People lined both sides of the road to welcome them, their cheers rising and falling.

The Sui soldiers marched in perfect unison, their armor gleaming coldly in the morning sun, displaying the might of the Sui Dynasty.

When the procession reached the middle of Zhuque Avenue, palace officials were already waiting with the emperor's rewards.

The eunuch, dressed in a scarlet official robe and carrying a bright yellow brocade box, strode forward, surrounded by a group of guards.

Upon seeing Yang Lin, the eunuch's shrill voice pierced the noise, saying, "Prince Kao Shan, receive the imperial edict!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Lin immediately turned around, and Lü Shang and other generals quickly followed suit, kneeling down at the same time.

"I hereby bestow upon the generals who have led the northern expedition a thousand bolts of fine gold and silk and a hundred jars of fine wine. I hope that you will continue your efforts and protect the eternal foundation of our Great Sui Dynasty. This is my decree!"

Yang Lin accepted the imperial edict and rewards with both hands, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Great Sui Dynasty! Long live the Emperor!"

At this moment, the people on the street heard that the emperor had generously rewarded the victorious soldiers, and their cheers grew louder and louder.

Yang Lin led the crowd to kneel and express their gratitude, accepting the gold, silk, and fine wine.

After the ceremony of entering the city was successfully completed, Yang Lin turned to Lü Shang and the others and said, "The ceremony is over today. You have all worked hard. Lü Shang, you should go home and visit your father."

Lu Shang bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."

Then, he rode his Purple Lightning and Silver Frost mount and headed towards his own Qi County Duke's mansion.

Returning to his home after several months' absence, Lü Shang dismounted and strode into the mansion.

As soon as Lü Shang stepped into the Duke of Qi's mansion, the familiar scent of sandalwood wafted towards him.

"Phew, finally home,"

The months spent traveling in the northern frontier were even more arduous than the year he spent seeking the Dao in Zhongnan Mountain. Although life was austere and lonely then, at least he was single-minded, only thinking about seeking immortality and the Dao. Unlike in the northern frontier, where he had to maintain a constant state of mental tension, and all he did was kill.

The steward, Lü Quan, jogged up to greet him, his eyes red-rimmed, and said, "Young Master, you've finally returned! Master has been thinking of you for months, standing in front of the mansion every day hoping for your return."

Lü Shang patted Lü Quan on the shoulder and said, "Are you still in good health? These past few months, we've been so grateful for your care of Father."

Just then, a familiar yet somewhat urgent voice came from behind.

"Shang'er!"

Lu Shang looked up and saw his father, Lu Yongji, walking briskly from the depths of the courtyard.

After several months apart, Lü Yongji had become increasingly thin, with more gray hair at his temples and deeper wrinkles on his face.

Lü Shang strode forward, cupped his hands in a bow, and said, "Father, your son is unfilial and has troubled you."

Lu Yongji looked him up and down and said, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. I've been worried sick every day, afraid that you, my only son, would suddenly die out."

(End of this chapter)