Wei Renpu presided over the specific deployment of the Qianying Military Headquarters. Most of the imperial guards and a part of the local troops returned south in batches. Gao Yanchou and Liu Renzhan were stationed in Wuping respectively. Only Youzhou City had no general to lead the troops, and there was only city defense but no attack capability.
When Guo Shao returned to Tokyo, the Mid-Autumn Festival had already passed.
The coolness of autumn did not affect the warmth of the atmosphere in Tokyo at all. When the procession reached the Anyuan Gate, formerly the Fengqiu Gate, the welcoming officials knelt down in front of the crowd. This time when Guo Shao returned to the capital, he received the most lively welcome.
A long, wailing voice came into the carriage: "Your Highness, we respectfully welcome the Emperor back with a great victory."
Long live the emperor
bow
bow
bow
Guo Shao watched from his carriage and felt that the officials were extremely pious today. They all put their hands on the ground, knelt their heads on the ground for a long time, and bowed three times in a row.
Soon, another civil servant said loudly: "Congratulations to the Emperor of the Great Zhou for his military achievements throughout the country. His majesty has shocked all directions. He has swept away the barbarians and recovered the sixteen states of Youyun that were abandoned by our ancestors. His achievements surpass those of his ancestors. His grace has benefited the people of the world for thousands of years. Fortunately, your majesty has protected us. May the emperor rule the world and bring prosperity to the country. May the people share the prosperity. May the country be forever safe and secure."
The eunuch Wang Zhong hurried forward and bowed to ask Guo Shao. Seeing that Guo Shao looked normal, he stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty has ordered that all the ministers stand up."
There was also music at this time. The big drums on the city wall had rhythmic and grand beats. Guo Shao's imperial procession suddenly felt more majestic. His ministers followed him in front and behind, and he was protected by elite cavalry guards in neat armor in front and behind. Even the imperial guards who were returning from the battle followed him into the city. The momentum was really great.
After entering the city gate, they rode on horseback. There were huge crowds of people on both sides of the street. When people saw the emperor's procession, some people knelt down, and for a moment, the people all prostrated themselves on the ground. Normally, even if the emperor passed by, the people did not have to kneel, but today was a complete exception.
When Guo Shao returned triumphantly, the people bowed down to the emperor's procession as if they were worshiping a god.
The shouts of "Long live, long live" resounded like a chorus, as if the whole Tokyo and the entire world were in noise.
Such a scene made Guo Shao feel like an emperor, completely above the mortal world. He could feel that at this time people wholeheartedly acknowledged his imperial power, and no one dared to question his godlike status. The Northern Expedition was difficult, but it was totally worth it.
Behind the team, there was another prisoner car, carrying Yelu Xiuguo alone, who was escorted back to Beijing in public. It seemed that no eggs or vegetable leaves were thrown at Yelu Xiuguo. Firstly, the people were reluctant to part with the eggs, and secondly, the hatred of the people in Tokyo for him was not that strong. After all, Yelu Xiuguo had never been able to fight his way to Tokyo.
People just talked about this prisoner, saying that he was the most powerful general of the Liao Dynasty and that the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty wiped out the Liao cavalry and captured his commander alive.
But something that happened soon would make Yelu Xiu'ge quickly famous in Tokyo. Guo Shao personally took people to take him to Xuanren Merit Temple in the south of the imperial city.
The team stopped in front of the temple. Now things were not as orderly as before, and it seemed a bit chaotic, because this activity was not arranged in advance, and someone found incense, wine and fruit offerings at the last minute.
Yang Biao was the most excited among the crowd. He shouted to Luo Mengzi's portrait in the temple: Third brother, the brothers have brought their enemies to sacrifice to you!
Everyone was silent, but many people had heard that Guo Shao had sworn brotherhood with Yang Biao and Luo Mengzi before he became emperor. Now Guo Shao was no longer a brother to Yang Biao, but the friendship was still there, and he did not hide the fact at all.
Guo Shao lit incense himself and said: "General Yang, take Yelu Xiu'ge's head. We are not only offering sacrifices to General Luo, but also to the souls of the soldiers who died in the war with the Liao Kingdom."
Yang Biao said: Your Majesty is right, the Liao people killed too many of us
When Yang Biao saw Yelu Xiu'ge being escorted over with handcuffs and anklets, he went up to him with a sullen face, grabbed Yelu Xiu'ge's messy hair, and pushed him in front of Luo Mengzi's round portrait.
Yelu Xiu'ge had suffered a lot along the way, but at this moment he stood there looking up at the portrait coldly without saying a word.
Yang Biao knelt down and roared angrily, kicking Yelu Xiu'ge on the calf. Yelu Xiu'ge tilted his body, gritted his teeth and didn't kneel down. Yang Biao became even angrier, and was about to kick again, when Shi Yanchao came up and slapped Yelu Xiu'ge on the shoulder. Shi Yanchao's huge palm, who was a whole head taller than him, pressed down.
Yelu Xiu'ge's face turned pale, his eyes widened, and his body slumped down.
Ah, Yelu Xiuge yelled and knelt down. His tears burst out and he yelled in awkward Chinese, "I won't let you go even if I become a ghost, to avenge the 30,000 warriors who died in vain."
The cry was so heart-wrenching that it echoed in the empty and enclosed temple, and was extremely eerie.
Guo Shao said coldly: You have slaughtered the unarmed people of my Great Zhou and this day has come. You deserve to die.
Yelu Xiuge cursed: How can a bunch of common people be considered human beings
Zuo You said calmly from behind: The Liao court will also kill Yelu Xiu'ge's entire family for us, so they deserve it.
Yang Biao drew out his sword, held Yelu Xiu's head down with one hand, and held the sword with the other. Yelu Xiu's eyes widened, and he could no longer shout. When he saw the shining sword approaching his neck, fear appeared in his eyes. A cruel person is not necessarily not afraid of death.
But Yelu Xiu'ge did not beg for mercy, after all, it was useless.
Ah, Yelu Xiu'ge screamed in pain. Yang Biao took the sword and started sawing Yelu Xiu'ge while he was still alive. The screams in the temple lasted for a long time before they stopped. When the ministers outside heard the noise, their faces changed.
Yang Biao, his face and body splattered with blood, lifted the head and placed it on the incense table, kneeling on the ground to worship. Guo Shao also bowed to the spirit tablet.
Yang Biao picked up a pot of wine and poured it on the ground. Then, with blood all over his face, he tilted his head back and drank it, and never spoke again.
After offering sacrifices to Luo Mengzi, Guo Shao left the Xuanren Merit Temple and went straight back to the palace. He issued an order to hold a grand banquet in the Jinxiang Palace tomorrow to celebrate the victory, and to arrange for the troops to rest today.
All the ministers paid their respects in the Jinxiang Hall. When they saw Guo Shao getting up to leave, they thanked him and adjourned the court.
Wei Renpu made a special trip to say goodbye to Zuo You: I will go to the Privy Council to sit with Envoy Wang first, and then go home.
Because the two of them had been together in Youzhou for nearly a year, their relationship had become much closer.
The two of them bowed to each other at the foot of the stone steps of the Jinxiang Hall, and Wei Renpu turned and walked south. Unexpectedly, Zuo You followed him. He had just said goodbye. Wei Renpu was a little surprised and walked slowly. He looked at the Jinxiang Hall platform above, and if there was someone on the platform who was not visible under the stone steps, he would speed up his pace.
After walking for a while, Zuo Youcai said: Your Majesty, when you returned to the capital this time, you offered sacrifices to the Xuanren Merit Temple, but did not offer sacrifices to the Taimiao. It is said that the officials of the Taimiao have made preparations, but have not made preparations for the Merit Temple.
Wei Renpu said calmly: "Does the Left Assistant Minister think that Your Majesty has neglected
Zuo You pondered for a moment and looked at Wei Renpu meaningfully. If your Majesty had neglected it, Deputy Envoy Wei had not reminded your Majesty before.
Wei Renpu said: Zuo Fuzheng was also near the imperial carriage, why didn't he warn us
Zuo You said: "Never mind. There are still a few months left this year. Your Majesty may not come back to offer sacrifices to the Imperial Ancestral Temple immediately. I will take my leave."
Wei Renpu looked back at the towering Jinxiang Palace on the high platform, then turned and walked south. After exiting a palace gate, Wei Renpu entered the Privy Council and met Wang Pu, who had returned to the government office first. The two did not walk together after leaving the court. The servant brought tea and they sat together to drink tea. The atmosphere was very subtle.
Wei Renpu exchanged a few pleasantries, but Wang Pu responded coldly, as if to say: How can you hide the twists and turns in your heart from my eyes
Anyway, Wang Pu treats people with strategy and is not easy to get along with. Fortunately, Wei Renpu has worked with him for many years and is used to thinking about it based on his understanding of Wang Pu over the years. What if one day he gets promoted and surpasses this former superior? He doesn't know if Wang Pu has the courage to face such a thing.
Wei Renpu also talked about the fight for a seat with the generals in Youzhou in an anecdotal tone.
Wang Pu remained calm after hearing this and said casually: Deputy Envoy Wei, there is no need to worry about such things.
Yes, it was just a small matter. Wei Renpu smiled, picked up the teacup, opened the lid, blew on it, and took a sip.
Wang Pudao: By the way, what kingdom did the Zhou emperor grant to Xuzhou
Wei Renpu frowned and thought for a moment. He thought that Xu You, a member of the Kunwu tribe, had been farming and grazing there, so one of the lands was named Xu State. In addition, there was probably also Li Kangyan.
Wang Pu praised: Deputy Envoy Wei has a really good memory.
Wei Renpu smiled and said: "Although I have been in charge of military affairs for the court for many years, I usually deal with military affairs. But I am a scholar and have read a lot of articles and books."
Wang Pu nodded.
The two were silent for a while, and in the cold atmosphere, it seemed that each of them was thinking about something. Wei Renpu thought about what Zuo You had just said to him, and thought about it again, and understood it very well. However, he seemed to be more cautious at this time, and was not willing to express his opinion easily. After all, it was a big deal, and he had to think about it carefully several times before speaking.
So pretending to be stupid is a better way.
Unexpectedly, Wang Pu stared at his face, which made him very uncomfortable. Wang Pu was old but his eyes were sharp, and it was not pleasant to be stared at. Wang Pu asked: Which word do you think sounds better
Wei Renpu said: I am stupid and don’t know.
Deputy Envoy Wei didn't understand it for a moment, so he thought about it again. Wang Pu picked up the teacup, opened it and stroked the water surface, but didn't drink it.
Wei Renpu cursed in his heart, "Fuck, you guessed everything I was thinking, isn't it interesting?" But seeing Wang Pu's actions, he breathed a sigh of relief and stood up immediately: "This humble official has just returned to the court, and I can't handle the recent affairs, so I can't help Envoy Wang. I'll take my leave first."
Sending off the Deputy Envoy of Wei. Wang Pu returned the greeting with a bow.
Wei Renpu walked out of the study and let out a long sigh.