Four days later at noon, Baishi Pass!
The army led by Yan Liqiang has not yet arrived at Baishi Pass. From a distance, they can already see flags waving on the grassland outside Baishi Pass and a sea of people. At least more than 100,000 people gathered outside Baishi Pass and stretched for several miles. The scene was simply worse than the market in Qiyun County. The most lively market at that time was ten times more lively, which shocked even Shi Dafeng.
"Oh my god, what are you doing?"
Yan Liqiang didn't need to answer. Several scouts who were the vanguard of the army had already galloped back to report.
"Your Excellency, the governor of Ganzhou, Mr. Lei, the governor of Ganzhou, the civil and military officials of Ganzhou, as well as representatives of many wealthy families in the six northwest states, officials from Qiyun County, and many gentry and common people are waiting ten miles away from Baishi Pass to welcome you in triumph..."
"So many people have traveled ten miles to greet them. Ganzhou civil and military officials and representatives of wealthy families from northwest states have all arrived. This is an unprecedented courtesy!" Shi Changfeng looked at the situation in the distance and couldn't help but sigh, "There are only Your Excellency’s meritorious service in this expedition is worthy of such a scene!”
Yan Liqiang glanced into the distance, nodded, and showed a smile on his face, "This is not to welcome me alone, but to welcome all the soldiers in the army. I am ordering all the soldiers in the army to tidy up their clothes and show their spirit. Folks from the northwest, take a good look..."
"yes!"
Yan Liqiang's order was passed down, and the entire army became excited. Not to mention the five battalions of archers led by Yan Liqiang, even Situ Feixing and several of the men and horses under the great master were in high spirits at this time, and they took out twelve With great energy, chests and belly raised, and high spirits, they rode on the rhinoceros horse, preparing to welcome the most glorious moment of their lives.
Yan Liqiang called Situ Feixing and several big bosses, as well as Shi Dafeng, Shen Teng, Shi Changfeng and others to his side. Together they rode the Rhinoceros horse at the front of the team and rushed towards the welcoming crowd.
In such a scene, everyone was a little excited.
Where the flag was fluttering, Yan Liqiang saw Lei Sitong standing in the middle of the crowd like a star holding the moon. Behind Lei Sitong were the civil and military officials of Ganzhou, and various governors and governors of various counties. There are almost hundreds of officials. Among those officials, many are old faces familiar to Yan Liqiang. The former governor of Pingxi County, Wang Jianbei and Liu Yucheng, are also on the list. This time, Yan Liqiang borrowed troops to come to Qiyun County. Lei Meng and other generals were also there. Originally, according to their positions in the governor's house, Zhao Dachuan and Lei Meng could only stand at the back at this time. But at this moment, Zhao Dachuan and Lei Meng were standing next to Lei Sitong, looking high-spirited. Both men were grinning.
A group of civil and military officials from Qiyun County, including Tie Yunshan, Xiao Manyu, Wang Naiwu, Liu Xitong, Qian Su, Lu Wenbin, Fang Beidou and others, also stood with Zhao Dachuan and others, each wearing official robes and armor, looking expectant. Hopeful and excited, I couldn't help but look here.
Lei Sitong was talking to a man. The man looked like he was in his fifties or sixties, and he had a graceful bearing. Even if he was standing with the governor of Yizhou, his aura was not inferior to that of Lei Sitong. That man's Between his brows, there was a slight resemblance to Zhong Hongzhang, the second head of the Zhong family, but Zhong Hongzhang was standing behind that person at the moment, so Yan Liqiang recognized that person at a glance. He was definitely Zhong Hongyan, the head of the Zhong family in the northwest.
Mr. Lu and Lu Pein from the Lu family also came, standing next to Zhong Hongyan.
Lu Beixin and Zhong Ruolan were standing together affectionately at the moment, like a pair of sisters, standing in front of the crowd, very eye-catching.
Some of the other people standing in front of them had been seen by Yan Liqiang before, and some he had never seen before. The few that Yan Liqiang could recognize were all heads of wealthy families who were well-known in the six northwest states.
The crowd of onlookers spread out from the middle to both sides, stretching for several miles. Among the crowd, there were villagers and elders from Qiyun County, common people and squires. Of course, there were also a large number of rangers and militiamen waiting here to watch. It can be said that there were all kinds of people. There were people there, including the sergeants stationed at Baishi Pass, their armors were bright and energetic, and they lined up in two rows of human walls to block both sides, maintaining order.
Such a grand scene, to be honest, may not be seen once in hundreds of years.
When the army led by Yan Liqiang was still two or three miles away from the welcoming crowd, the crowd of more than 100,000 people could no longer restrain themselves from bursting into loud cheers. When they got closer, they could hear the cheers of the onlookers. Among the crowd, more excited voices continued to sound.
…
"Brother, brother, have you seen that the one riding on the rhinoceros horse and carrying the military flag is my brother..."
…
"That, that is from our village, or our neighbor..."
…
"Father, look, your grandson Xiao Wu is in that team. This time he followed the Governor to pacify the Seven Shatu tribes and the Black Jie people. Yes, yes, yes, Xiao Wu is the cavalry in the Longya Army. The year before last I joined the Gongdao Society and was personally trained by the Governor, and I was almost selected as a personal soldier by the Governor!"
…
"Son, son, your mother and I are here..."
…
"Third brother... Third brother..."
Most of the warriors in the cavalry archers are the children of Qiyun County. Many of the family members of these children gathered here at this time. When they saw the army returning, they crowded into the crowd one by one, constantly searching the army with their eyes. After seeing the familiar face, they all screamed with excitement. Although there were sergeants maintaining order, they still waved their hands excitedly, hoping to let the familiar face in the army see them.
Nothing is more exciting than meeting relatives like this. Many of the warriors in the cavalry also saw their relatives among the crowd of onlookers. In such a scene, waves of excited and proud blood flowed. The passion is stirring and sublimating in the hearts of these young warriors. The hardships they have endured and their efforts over the years are all worth it at this moment.
The welcoming crowd was excited.
…
Among the welcoming crowd, there was a big man wearing ordinary guard uniforms who was also crowded in the crowd more than a hundred meters away from Lei Si and the others. He stretched his neck, put his feet up, and looked into the distance. , after seeing Yan Liqiang and the others dismounting here, the big man shrank his head, then squeezed out of the crowd with all his strength, and ran towards the back.
There are also many people on the grass a few hundred meters away behind the welcoming team. There are also many carriages and horses parked here, and many guards are guarding here.
There are a few inconspicuous carriages parked here. There are more than a dozen people who look like guards guarding these carriages. There are too many big shots and rich people from the northwest states who came here today, so this This kind of person who comes with a guard is not strange in the eyes of others.
The big man who turned around and ran out of the crowd ran directly to a four-wheel carriage and quickly knocked on the door of the carriage. The door opened, and an old man with a white face and a beard showed half of his face from behind the door. He looked around and said with A nervous, high-pitched voice whispered, "How are you doing? Is the supervisor here?"
"Master Qi, I just saw that the Governor has arrived and just got off his horse..."
"Are you sure it's the Lord Supervisor? Did you read that correctly?"
"You read that right, I've met the Governor several times in Jinzhou, and I won't admit he's wrong!"
"Hurry up and change your clothes and take out our things..."
"yes… "
A group of people immediately got busy...
…
At this time, Yan Liqiang already had a smile on his face. He led several people around him and walked directly in front of Lei Si and others. Then he clasped his fists, looked around, and said loudly, "Today, all the fellow villagers, colleagues and friends in the northwest are here to welcome you." , I don’t deserve it, I don’t deserve it!”
Lei Sitong patted Yan Liqiang's shoulder hard twice and laughed loudly, "Li Qiang, why should you be humble? This time you will lead an army to go out and make immortal contributions to our Han Empire and the people of the six northwest states. I'm waiting here." Welcome, willingly, why are you so polite? Look at everyone here, who is not beaming with joy and pride, hahaha, come here, bring the celebration wine... "
As soon as Lei Sitong finished speaking, someone immediately brought the prepared celebratory wine. After Yan Liqiang and others drank the celebratory wine, the atmosphere became even more lively. All the big shots around who could talk to Yan Liqiang came over to congratulate him. .
"Li Qiang, this is my eldest brother, the head of the Zhong family!" Zhong Hongzhang stepped forward and introduced Zhong Hongyan to Yan Liqiang.
"Hahaha, Li Qiang has met Uncle Zhong. I originally planned to come back this time and visit Uncle Zhong in person, but I didn't expect to see him here!" Yan Liqiang laughed and said proactively.
The title of uncle is a little strange here, but people like Zhong Hongyan understood it almost instantly, and the smile on his face became even more friendly. He took Yan Liqiang's hand and said, "This time Li Qiang has accomplished such a unique feat, It’s unprecedented, and it shines in the annals of history. After hearing this, I am also happy for you, Li Qiang. From now on, we will all be a family. Li Qiang, you must not go outside!”
"I feel relieved because of my uncle's words. This time I returned to Pingxi City and invited my uncle to sit at home. My father has long wanted to have a drink with you, uncle..."
"Hahaha, then it's a deal..." The face of the head of the Zhong family smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum, "I have long wanted to visit Yan'an Fort, pay a visit to your father, and see how famous your subordinate Li Qiang is. The best factory in the world!”
After greeting and meeting with the Zhong family, Yan Liqiang came to Mr. Lu. There was no need for Yan Liqiang to say any kind words to the Lu family and Mr. Lu. Everything was kept in silence. Mr. Lu was extremely excited when he saw Yan Liqiang. , eyes were a little moist, holding Yang Liqiang's hand, and just kept saying one word in his mouth, "Okay, okay, okay..."
…
Just after meeting the familiar people here, a large number of patriarchs from wealthy families in the northwest states came over.
It was at this time that an abrupt, long and loud voice that no one could have expected suddenly rang out from behind the crowd, "Holy... decree... to... Qi... Yun... Du... Protect... Yan... Li... Qiang... …Accept…the decree…”
(End of chapter)