A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 214: Confessing the King
As the new year of the third year of the Yuan Shou era approached, and with the triumphant return of General Wei Qing and General Huo Qubing, Chang'an City was in an uproar.

With the humiliation of the Han Dynasty over the past century gone, people began to happily prepare for the celebrations early on, especially those families with sons who had joined the army. They all carefully repaired their lintels so that they could hang bronze plaques with titles of nobility.

Families whose daughters were betrothed to soldiers would hastily send matchmakers to the men's homes to arrange the wedding date, ensuring that the warrior would become the groom on the day of his investiture, bringing double joy to the family.

Those preparing dowries, repairing gatehouses, organizing wedding banquets, sending sons to join the army, and preparing for large-scale folk performances—every household and every person was busy, and the entire Han Dynasty was filled with a strong and pervasive festive atmosphere.

Countless Chinese people who want to witness the changes in China are quietly looking forward to visiting Hexi in the spring.

Time flies like an arrow; in the blink of an eye, the first day of winter has arrived.

The army of Wei Qing returning from the north and the army of Huo Qubing returning from the west were warmly welcomed by the people of Guanzhong. Men, women, and children offered food and drink and welcomed the army ten miles away.

Every mile, the imperial court erected a gate tower, adorned with various decorations. Each gate tower was fluttered with colorful flags bearing the character "Han," which unfurled gently in the autumn breeze.

Outside the Xi'an Gate of Chang'an City, a huge square was erected, covered with red carpet, and large Chinese flags embroidered with the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise were placed on all four sides according to their orientation.

The honor guard, composed of elite soldiers of the Crown Prince's personal guard, practiced repeatedly every day between Hengqiao and the square. The four rows and five columns of the team were led by various commanders. From the steps to the formation, from the salute to the raising of swords, every step was meticulous. The whole process was supervised by the officers of the Military Administration. If a soldier was not careful, the whip of reprimand would fall.

The two orderly and imposing formations thus formed stand in the center of the square at this moment, welcoming the triumphant return of the two armies.

The viewing platform on the city gate tower was centered around the Crown Prince, with the seats for the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censor arranged on both sides. On the east and west sides, there were four large flags with the character "Han" on them, embroidered with patterns of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.

The officials, nobles, and members of the imperial family from both China and foreign dynasties, as well as the sages, elders, and gentry invited to witness the ceremony, were all deeply moved by the magnificent spectacle.

The emperor's imperial chariot rumbled in.

Deafening cheers immediately erupted from the city gate tower and the square.

"Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the big man!"

"Long live the General!"

"Long live the Champion Marquis!"

The loud shouts echoed across the Xianyang Plain.

Liu Ju alighted from the imperial carriage, and Gongsun Hong and Zhang Tang also disembarked from the two light carriages that followed behind.

Liu Ju personally helped Gongsun Hong up and escorted him up the steps of the Xi'an city gate tower.

The figures of the emperor and his two dukes slowly appeared before all the ministers, local worthies, and elders of the Han Dynasty, who bowed in unison and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Liu Ju and Gongsun Hong nodded slightly.

Zhang Tang, who was at the end, had a solemn expression; only this expression could prevent him from revealing his inner emotions.

Even among the three highest officials, there are differences.

The Chancellor and Grand Commandant held gold seals and purple ribbons, while the Imperial Censor, like other high-ranking officials, held silver seals and blue ribbons. Even when it came to receiving rites in front of the Emperor and the public, the Chancellor and Grand Commandant could bear it, but the Imperial Censor could not.

Gongsun Hong's status and treatment were what he longed for but was destined to never obtain in his lifetime.

Liu Ju helped Gongsun Hong to the center of the gate tower, and the whole audience cheered instantly.

"May the Han Dynasty live a thousand years, and may its joy be everlasting!" "May the Emperor live a thousand years, and may his joy be everlasting!"

Liu Ju raised his right hand and gently waved it to his subjects, and the entire crowd erupted in cheers once more: "Long live the Great Han!" "Long live the Emperor!"

The sounds of praise for the emperor lingered for a long time.

Liu Ju truly felt the support of his subjects and nodded slightly to the Minister of Ceremonies.

"Great Han Kingdom, celebrating the great victories in Dai and Hexi, and the New Year's celebrations, hereby commence!"

Instantly, the entire Xi'an Gate resounded with a deafening roar. It was not the sound of silk and bamboo instruments, but the heavy and majestic war drums, horns, and the grand and resonant tones of bells and chimes, so powerful and magnificent that they stirred the soul.

The army returning from Dai and Hexi, after being reorganized with 30% Han soldiers and 20% prisoners, numbered tens of thousands and officially entered the venue. The musicians of the Music Bureau sang a long, triumphant song in unison:
"You have a long sword; let it guard my homeland."

"My heart is full of devotion, waiting for your return."

"Two hearts, unwavering, amidst the serene green mountains."

"The warriors have gone far away, the stream flows on and on."

"The valiant warrior returns, clad in simple clothes but wearing a high hat."

"The sun and moon remain unchanged, the mulberry and hemp fields remain vibrant and beautiful."

Unlike the Han generals' pride and composure, all the Xiongnu prisoners felt a sense of panic, unsure of their fate.

Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, who were specially granted the honor of riding in a "court horse," subconsciously looked towards the center of the gate tower. They saw Liu Ju also looking at them. The three uncles and nephews, with their six eyes, all felt a sense of joy at their long-awaited reunion.

Zhang Tang unfurled a scroll of brocade, his passionate and resonant voice echoing and swirling in the air above the square.

"Imperial Decree of the Crown Prince of the Great Han Dynasty!"

"Emperor Gao left me with the worry of Pingcheng. During the reign of Empress Gao, the Xiongnu Chanyu wrote a letter of utter rebellion. Under the vast heavens and the boundless earth, the battles of Dai and Hexi severely damaged the Han Sea and annihilated the Western Xiongnu. These were the first two battles in a hundred years for our Han dynasty, and can be called a great achievement for all ages!"
For eighty years, the Han people, following the will of Heaven and the will of the people, have recuperated and grown stronger, traversing a path soaked in tears, sweat, and blood. Today, the great Han Dynasty has shaken off the chaos of the past, washed away the humiliation of its ancestors, and avenged centuries of hatred. This is hereby proclaimed, and Heaven, Earth, and the gods bear witness!

"Long live the big man!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

Zhang Tang waited quietly for his subjects to vent their century of humiliation and hatred. After a brief respite, he continued to announce loudly, "The people's hearts are clear, and the world is vast. The unparalleled achievements of General Wei Qing and General Huo Qubing will be forever recorded in history. To commemorate their merits, I hereby appoint Wei Qing and Huo Qubing as Grand Marshals and Generals-in-Chief, jointly leading the military and political affairs of the Han Dynasty, granting them fiefs of ten thousand households each in Qinzhong and Wannan, and bestowing upon them the titles of Lord of Qin and Lord of Wan!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the Xi'an Gate Square, which was packed with people, became as quiet as a deep valley, with only the sound of continuous heavy breathing.

Given the merits of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, it wouldn't be unreasonable to even bestow upon them the title of king. Therefore, before the army's triumphant return, the people of the Han Dynasty were speculating whether the emperor would break the ancestral rule of the White Horse Alliance of Emperor Gaozu, which stipulated that "anyone who is not of the Liu clan and becomes king shall be attacked by all under heaven," and crown their maternal uncles and cousins. Unexpectedly, the emperor restored the titles of the former Qin rulers and bestowed upon Wei Qing and Huo Qubing the highest honors among the subjects.

Confess the king!

Under heaven, it is extremely difficult for commoners and servants to obtain a title from the imperial court. Titles and power seem to be inherently out of reach for the lowly. However, on this very day, in broad daylight, we witnessed a mere horse slave and maid ascend to a position that countless nobles and aristocrats could never attain.

"Long live the Qin Emperor!"

"Long live Lord Wan!"

(End of this chapter)