My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!!!"

The palace gates were wide open, and the high-ranking officials, courtiers, and guards who remained on duty were already lined up to welcome them.

Liu Che, dressed in formal attire, glanced at the kneeling crowd and nodded slightly.

"All of you, rise."

Liu Che's voice was loud and clear.

"During my northern tour, I have relied on the efforts of all of you to guard the capital. You have worked hard."

"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome your triumphant return! Long live the Emperor!"

The crowd cheered.

Liu Che nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

After a simple welcoming ceremony, Liu Che walked into the palace surrounded by his attendants, casually asking about a few things he was most concerned about.

"During my absence from the capital, have grain prices in Guanzhong stabilized? Has the Grand Canal been operating smoothly? Is the Crown Prince's regency functioning reliably? Are there any urgent reports to submit?"

The prime minister and several ministers who remained behind quickly stepped forward to report on the government affairs one by one. The situation was generally stable, with only minor issues that had been dealt with.

Liu Che listened and was fairly satisfied.

Upon reaching the foot of the high steps of the front hall, Liu Che stopped, seemingly feeling that something was missing.

He looked around but did not see that familiar figure.

"Where is the Crown Prince?"

Liu Che asked, his tone casual.

The ministers who remained behind exchanged glances.

For a moment, no one answered, and the atmosphere became subtly tense.

Liu Che frowned almost imperceptibly, his gaze falling on Shi Qing, the Crown Prince's tutor.

Shi Qing steeled himself and stepped forward, bowing deeply.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince... he... he..."

"What's wrong with him? Is he feeling unwell?"

Seeing Shi Qing hesitate, Liu Che's voice deepened.

"It's not...it's not that I'm feeling unwell."

Shi Qing's forehead was covered in sweat. Knowing that he couldn't avoid it, he had no choice but to steel himself, lower his voice, and speak as calmly as possible.

"Your Highness... half a month ago, I heard that the Xiongnu Left Wise King's troops in the northern frontier had invaded the border, plundered the three passes, and slaughtered the border people... Your Highness... Your Highness was furious upon hearing the news, thinking that the Xiongnu had gone too far in bullying us and showing contempt for the might of Heaven. This grudge must be avenged... Therefore... He mustered up his troops, with the 'Heavenly Chariot' as the vanguard, General Wei Qing in charge of the rear, and General Huo Qubing as his deputy, and personally... personally led the army to the north to attack the Xiongnu."

After Shi Qing finished speaking, he lowered his head deeply, not daring to look at the emperor's face.

The surrounding ministers, who were also in the know, held their breath, and the air seemed to stand still.

"What?"

Liu Che was dumbfounded.

"Where did you think he went?"

The ministers exchanged glances and bowed.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has gone on a northern expedition."

"What is he doing at the front lines when he, a crown prince, isn't properly handling state affairs and stabilizing the court in Chang'an?"

Liu Che's mind seemed to be split in two by this sudden news.

"Isn't he afraid of being captured?"

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince also took the celestial chariot with him."

Liu Che frowned.

"How is the battle going?"

Shi Qing trembled.

"According to the latest battle report, His Highness has... has broken through the main force of the Left Wise King, captured the Left Wise King Yifaxie alive, and successively defeated several tribes. He is now... leading our royal army deep into the northern desert, heading straight for the royal court."

"Capture the Left Wise King alive? Storm the royal court?"

Liu Che suddenly raised his voice, his astonishment replaced by a deeper shock.

A moment later, Liu Che even swore.

"Damn it!!! He's done fighting, what am I supposed to fight now?!"

"Good! Good! Good!"

But soon, Liu Che said "good" three times, each word resounding with conviction.

He raised an eyebrow and laughed heartily.

"Hahaha! Truly worthy of being my prodigy!"

"Captured the Left Wise King alive! Striked straight into the royal court! Even I failed to capture this barbarian when I fought the Xiongnu! But he... he actually did it! And he even brought the divine weapons I bought... bestowed by heaven, and won in one battle! Hahaha!"

He turned around abruptly, his gaze sharp as he swept over the faces below the steps, still bearing the marks of astonishment and confusion.

"My lords! Did you all hear that? Crown Prince Liu Ju, my son! For me, for the Han Dynasty, he captured the Left Wise King of the Xiongnu alive! This is the most satisfying and triumphant battle our Han Dynasty has ever fought against the Xiongnu since the Siege of Baideng! The most triumphant battle we have ever fought!"

His voice grew louder and louder.

"My northern tour was to seek out powerful weapons and advanced weaponry! I never imagined that the Crown Prince, while overseeing the state, would already have achieved such unparalleled feats! This is the will of Heaven! Heaven blesses the Han Dynasty! Heaven has bestowed upon me a worthy son!"

Liu Che laughed loudly, and even patted the shoulder of the Prime Minister Gongsun He, who was closest to him and still somewhat dazed, causing the old prime minister to stumble.

"Prime Minister! What are you waiting for? Such a great victory is unprecedented in history! Issue my decree!"

He took a deep breath, his eyes burning even brighter.

"Immediately issue an urgent message to all prefectures and kingdoms throughout the land! Proclaim to the world the Crown Prince's great victory in the northern desert and the capture of the Left Wise King! Order all prefectural governors and prime ministers to organize officials and people to celebrate for three days!"

"Grand Master of Ceremonies! Grand Herald! Minister of the Imperial Treasury! Prepare the highest ceremonial standards for me! The ceremony of presenting captives must be magnificent! The sacrifice at the ancestral temple must be solemn! The triumphant military parade must be awe-inspiring! I want Chang'an to be deserted, I want the whole world to see the heroic figure of my Crown Prince of Han, and the mighty spirit of my Han army!"

"And there will be rewards!"

Liu Che waved his hand.

"All the soldiers who went on this expedition have made outstanding contributions and will be rewarded handsomely, generously, and swiftly! Those who died in battle will receive generous compensation, the wounded will be well cared for, and those who made meritorious contributions will be heavily rewarded! General Wei Qing will have his fief increased by 8,000 households! General Huo Qubing will have his fief increased by 10,000 households!"

"The remaining soldiers, the Prime Minister's Office, in conjunction with the Grand Marshal's Office, shall quickly draft a plan and report it to me!"

He finished speaking in one breath, paused slightly, and then his gaze fell on the military report from Wei Qing. The smile on his lips deepened, but it also carried a deeper meaning.

"As for the Crown Prince..."

Liu Che's voice softened slightly, but it still carried a strong sense of approval.

"Having captured the Left Wise King alive, you have enhanced our national prestige and achieved this unparalleled feat, which greatly pleases me! I hereby bestow upon you... five thousand catties of gold, ten thousand bolts of silk, and an increase in your fiefdom of thirty thousand households! I also grant you the title of 'Holder of the Imperial Seal,' placing you in overall command of military affairs in the northern frontier! You are permitted to wear a sword and shoes in the palace, enter the court without hastening your steps, and receive obeisance without being named!"

These words sent a shockwave through the hearts of several high-ranking officials once again.

No prince in history has ever had such an honor.

His Majesty's praise and trust in the Crown Prince has reached an unprecedented level!

Liu Che looked at the shocked expressions of his ministers, his smile unchanged, but a glint of shrewdness flashed deep in his eyes.

"When will the Crown Prince return with his troops?"

Liu Che turned to Shi Qing and asked.

"Your Majesty, according to the military report, His Highness has ordered the troops to regroup and take stock of the spoils, and will soon return south."

"good!"

Liu Che nodded.

"Issue my imperial edict to the front lines: Soldiers, you have worked hard! I have prepared fine wine and delicacies in Chang'an, awaiting your triumphant return! Instruct the Crown Prince not to rush on his journey, but to properly handle the spoils, comfort the soldiers, and bring the glory of this great victory back to me, and to the eyes of the people of the world!"

"I obey your decree!"

The ministers responded in unison, their voices tinged with a sense of infectious enthusiasm.

Liu Che stood with his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky, and let out another hearty laugh.

Laughter echoed through the majestic halls of Weiyang Palace, startling the birds perched on the distant palace eaves.

"My precious son! My darling son! Hahahaha!"

He smiled as he looked into the distance, but then his smile faded, and his gaze became deep.

"My dear son...you have truly exceeded my expectations!"