novelAbuy Chapter 247 Triumphant Return to the Capital
Chapter 247 Triumphant Return to the Capital
The sixteenth day of the first month of the first year of the Qiming era.
The chill of winter still lingered over the northern plains and city walls, but the sunlight had begun to reveal a hint of early spring's brightness and strength. Along the more than two thousand li (approximately 1,000 kilometers) of official road from Jinling to Chang'an, the prefectures and counties had already received urgent imperial edicts, sweeping courtyards and preparing post roads to welcome the victorious army. This long journey home was less a military campaign and more a grand triumphant parade of unprecedented scale, lasting nearly a month—a mobile celebration proclaiming the empire's formidable military prowess and the grandeur of its newfound power to the entire empire and its surrounding regions.
From the day they set off from Jinling, the scene was already breathtaking. Chen Xing did not take the entire southern expeditionary army with him, but left Chen Wei to oversee military affairs in Jiangnan, Shen Qing to guard the key naval passes on the Yangtze River, and Dian Xiong to continue sweeping away the scattered resistance in the south. Accompanying him on his return north were 50,000 of the most elite and meritorious victorious troops, as well as a portion of the surrendered Southern Dynasty's ceremonial guards, officials, and musicians, and those important "spoils of war" symbolizing complete conquest—the most crucial of which was the Imperial Seal of the State, personally kept by Jia Wen, contained in a specially made gilded bronze box, and guarded day and night by an entire squad of imperial cavalry.
The procession proceeded in strict ceremonial order. At the very front was the vanguard, carrying the black dragon flag, the sun and moon flag, and the banners of various military achievements; behind them was a formation of victorious soldiers, their armor gleaming and their steps resounding, their swords and spears like a forest, reflecting the winter sun, their chilling and murderous aura breathtaking; next came the enormous imperial carriage carried by Chen Xing, carried by thirty-six strongmen, decorated with gold and jade, its canopy majestic, surrounded by golden-armored guards and palace maids holding fans; behind the imperial carriage were the carriages of Jia Wen, Lin Wan'er, Lan Fenghuang, and some of the important officials who had accompanied the expedition north; further back were the continuous convoys carrying important documents and archives, some Southern Dynasty court ceremonial objects and books, and reward supplies; finally, at the very end of the procession were the cavalry units responsible for bringing up the rear and guarding the route.
Such a massive army, winding like a dragon, its banners blotting out the sky, shook the earth wherever it passed. Along the way, officials, gentry, and elders led their people out of the city walls for miles to kneel and welcome them, offering food and drink as a reward, their shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" echoing endlessly. Many people, young and old, stood on high ground by the roadside, eager to witness this unprecedented army of kings and the majesty of the new emperor, ordained by heaven. When they saw the impeccably disciplined military formation, the black-armored dragon banners gleaming in the sunlight, and especially the heavily guarded imperial carriage symbolizing supreme authority, a sense of awe, pride, and belonging to the powerful new regime welled up within them. For the people of the north, weary from war and yearning for stability and unification, this triumphant army brought not only news of victory but also a firm promise of an imminent golden age.
Chen Xing mostly sat upright in his imperial carriage, observing the scenery and the people's conditions along the way through the beaded curtain. His initial triumph and exhilaration gradually subsided into a more complex and profound state of mind. He saw the fervent hope and expectation in the people's eyes, and also the scars left by war—barren fields, ruined villages, ragged refugees… all of this reminded him that conquest was only the beginning; reconstruction and solace were the longer and more arduous tasks ahead. He also repeatedly pondered the plans made by Jia Wen, Lin Wan'er, and others regarding the new dynasty's system, the governance of Jiangnan, and the establishment of the capital in Chang'an.
Lin Wan'er and Lan Fenghuang rode in the same carriage, following behind the imperial palanquin. Lin Wan'er often gazed silently through the window at the majestic palanquin ahead, her mind filled with countless thoughts. From being rescued during the chaos of war in Jiangnan, to offering advice and joining the army, to witnessing the unification of the empire and the return of the imperial seal, her life trajectory had been completely altered by the man ahead of her. Now, she was following him, heading towards the center of the empire's power, towards an unknown yet hopeful future. She gently stroked the outline of a compendium she was about to compile, a weighty task entrusted to her by Chen Xing, and her path to realizing her own value and participating in the empire's cultural development. However, thinking of the Chang'an palace she was about to enter, and the inevitably more complex harem and court, a faint trace of worry and anticipation flickered across her gentle eyes.
Lan Fenghuang was filled with curiosity about everything along the way. The scenery, landscapes, customs, and cuisines of the North, Jiangnan, and Miao region were so different that she kept asking questions. She was more concerned about the dry climate of the North, which meant many of her precious medicinal herbs and Gu worms might need to readjust to their new environment. She had already begun planning how to establish new herb gardens and cultivation sites after arriving in Chang'an. Her imagination of court life, however, was the simplest and most direct—with Brother Xing around, good food and fun activities, and the ability to continue healing and researching strange and unusual things, that would be wonderful. Occasionally, she would glance towards the imperial carriage, a pure smile curving her lips.
Although Jia Wen was advanced in years and weary from the long journey, his spirit was remarkably vigorous. He often discussed in hushed tones with the high-ranking officials traveling with him, refining the details of the enthronement ceremony, the plan for reforming the official system of the new dynasty, and the pressing administrative matters that needed to be addressed upon arrival in Chang'an. The acquisition of the Imperial Seal filled him with confidence in the legitimacy and prestige of the new dynasty, but he also felt a profound sense of responsibility. Gazing at the endless triumphant procession outside the window, he pondered how to transform this glorious military achievement into the institutional foundation for long-term stability and security.
The procession made a brief stop in Luoyang. This former eastern capital, though somewhat dilapidated from war, still retained its historical character. Chen Xing led his officials to ascend Mount Mang, overlooking the Yi and Luo rivers and mountains, and inspected Luoyang's granaries and some palace buildings. He declared Luoyang a secondary capital and ordered its repairs to strengthen control over the Central Plains and southeastern regions. This move once again demonstrated the new dynasty's ambition and long-term vision, greatly inspiring the accompanying officials and the people of Luoyang.
Leaving Luoyang and continuing westward, the outline of the Guanzhong Plain gradually became clear. The closer they got to Chang'an, the stronger the anticipation and excitement in the air became. The welcoming processions along the way grew larger and larger, and the cheers rose higher and higher. Su Xiaoxiao and Zhao Tiezhu, who had arrived in Chang'an ahead of time to arrange the welcoming ceremony, had already spread the news throughout the capital region that His Majesty was returning in triumph with the Imperial Seal and that he was about to officially establish the capital in Chang'an. The entire city of Chang'an and even the Guanzhong region were immersed in a festive atmosphere of celebration and pride.
Finally, on the second day of the second month of the first year of Qiming, the day of the Dragon Raising its Head, the triumphant army arrived at Baqiao, near Chang'an.
This place was already teeming with people, colorful flags waving everywhere. Led by Su Xiaoxiao and Zhao Tiezhu, all the civil and military officials remaining in Chang'an, representatives of the imperial family, the imperial guards, officials of Chang'an Prefecture, and representatives of people from all walks of life who had come spontaneously to welcome them, were densely packed, waiting on both sides of the Ba Bridge and along the official road leading to the Mingde Gate of Chang'an. Further away, on the city walls of Chang'an, banners fluttered and bells and drums resounded.
When the tallest black dragon flag first appeared on the horizon, and then the entire majestic and magnificent triumphant procession slowly came into view, the entire Ba Bridge erupted in earth-shattering cheers!
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
The roar was like a tidal wave, sweeping across the fields and soaring into the sky!
Su Xiaoxiao was dressed in her finest attire today, a noble concubine's robe that exuded both elegance and competence. As she gazed at the approaching imperial carriage, her eyes welled with tears. Nearly half a year had passed since their parting in the northern capital. During this time, she had been overseeing the rear, coordinating supplies, stabilizing the court, and constantly worrying about her husband's safety on his southern campaign. Now, seeing him return after conquering Jiangnan, bearing unparalleled achievements and the symbol of destiny, her heart was filled with a complex mix of pride, joy, and longing, emotions that defied description.
Veteran generals like Zhao Tiezhu were so excited that their eyes welled up with tears, and they waved their arms vigorously. They were the earliest brothers to follow Chen Xing from humble beginnings, and they had witnessed their lord rise from the lord of a city to the king of the north, and now he was about to unify the world and ascend the throne as emperor. The glory and emotion of participating in creating history were unparalleled.
Chen Xing's imperial carriage stopped before the Ba Bridge. He slowly rose, and with the help of his attendants, stepped down from the carriage and stood at the bridgehead. Before him stretched a vast, jubilant throng of his people; behind him stood his battle-hardened, illustrious soldiers; beneath his feet lay the capital region, soon to become the heart of the empire; and in his arms lay the Imperial Seal, the symbol of legitimacy. Even with Chen Xing's strong will, this sight stirred a surge of emotion within him, filling him with a profound sense of pride and patriotism.
He took a deep breath, nodded slightly to Su Xiaoxiao, Zhao Tiezhu, and the assembled officials who came to greet him, and then slowly raised his arms to face the cheering crowd.
In an instant, all the cheers seemed to be strangled by an invisible hand, quickly subsiding, and countless eyes focused on the figure standing tall in black at the bridgehead, waiting for his words.
Between heaven and earth, only the sound of the wind whistling and the flags fluttering remain.