Chương 239: Joy, Money, and a Victory Celebration Banquet

Liu Ce nodded, looked around, and smiled, "I'm in a good mood today, so here's a reward!"

Butler Wang's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "Your Highness means..."

"Everyone in the manor will receive a reward of one thousand coins," Liu Ce said casually.

"Old Wang, you'll double that to two thousand. Also, there will be an extra meal tonight—wine and meat—so everyone can have a good time."

"Whoa!!!"

The servants were instantly excited.

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!" Butler Wang's voice trembled with excitement.

The servants were overjoyed and shouted in unison, "Thank you, Your Highness Prince Yan!!!"

A thousand hundred coins! That's enough for an ordinary family's expenses for several months! Your Highness is so generous!

Liu Ce then looked at Zhao Yun and the other three, and said with a smile, "Each of you four will be rewarded with ten gold pieces."

Dian Wei and Xu Chu were so happy that their mouths were practically stretched to their ears.

Zhao Yun and Lu Bing, being more composed, clasped their hands in thanks and said, "Thank you, Brother/Lord."

Surrounded by the crowd, Liu Ce entered the front hall, sat down in the main seat, took the tea offered by the maid, and took a sip.

"Everyone, disperse and go do what you were doing." He waved his hand and said, "Zilong, Elai, Zhongkang, and Lu Bing, stay here."

The servants dispersed happily, discussing among themselves as they went:

"Your Highness is so generous!"

"Please serve them well from now on, and there might be a reward!"

"May His Highness the Prince of Yan enjoy boundless blessings..."

Only Liu Ce and his four trusted confidants remained in the front hall.

Dian Wei scratched his head and said, "My lord... elder brother... no, shouldn't we call you 'Great King' now?"

"Whatever, call me whatever you want." Liu Ce took a sip of tea.

"But in public, we'll follow the rules. In private, we'll remain the same."

"Alright!" Dian Wei grinned.

"I still think calling you 'Big Brother' sounds better!"

...

Liu Ce looked at them and laughed, "What, you guys are joining in the fun too?"

Dian Wei laughed and said, "It was Steward Wang who suggested holding a ceremony to make it seem more formal."

Xu Chu exclaimed, "That's right! A king should have the pomp and circumstance of a king!"

Zhao Yun said sternly, "Brother, now that you are the Prince of Yan, you should indeed be more mindful of etiquette. Luoyang is not like Youzhou; many eyes are watching."

Lu Bing nodded and said, "General Zilong is right. The news of our lord being enfeoffed as the Prince of Yan today has already spread throughout Luoyang. The Embroidered Uniform Guard reported that the aristocratic families are buzzing with discussion. He Jin smashed a cup after returning home, and the lights in Yuan Wei's residence have been burning brightly until now..."

Liu Ce waved his hand and said, "Understood. We'll be staying in Luoyang for more than half a month until the investiture ceremony is over before we can go back."

Xu Chu scratched his head and asked, "My lord, what is the investiture ceremony?"

"It's..." Liu Ce thought for a moment and said, "It's the ceremony where the emperor officially conferred upon me the title of Prince of Yan. There are sacrifices to Heaven, sacrifices to ancestors, and an announcement at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The whole process takes a whole day."

Lu Bing nodded and said, "On the way back to the manor just now, the Embroidered Uniform Guard discovered at least three groups of spies following us. One group seemed to be He Jin's men, another group seemed to be from a noble family, and the third group... might be eunuchs."

Liu Ce sneered, "That's normal. I don't know how many people have lost sleep over my bestowal of the title of king. However..."

He paused, then smiled and said, "We'll be staying in Luoyang for another half a month. The investiture ceremony is in half a month. During this time, eat and drink as you please, meet as you please, and accept as many gifts as you please. Oh, and accept all gifts that come your way, register them, and bring them back to replenish the Youzhou treasury."

The four of them replied in unison, "Understood!"

Liu Ce paused, then lowered his voice and said, "Have the Embroidered Uniform Guard keep a close eye on things. Luoyang is a very dangerous place. Now that we've been made kings, countless people will be envious. We need to be careful."

Lu Bing said solemnly, "My lord, rest assured, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has already planted spies in Luoyang. No matter what happens in the court, it will not escape our eyes."

"That's good."

Liu Ce added, "During this time, all of you should keep a low profile and avoid causing trouble. But don't be afraid of trouble either. If anyone dares to cause trouble, don't be polite. Remember, we are now under the Prince of Yan's command, so we need to be confident."

The four responded in unison, "Yes!"

Liu Ce picked up his teacup and said, "Come on, let's have tea instead of wine, let's have a drink."

"Respectfully, Elder Brother/My Lord!"

Five teacups clinked together.

Liu Ce gave them a few more instructions and told them to go about their business.

He then got up and went to his study.

In his study, he spread out paper and pen and began to write a letter—to inform Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu and others in Youzhou that he was safe and sound, and to tell them the news of his enfeoffment as a king.

After finishing writing, he summoned Lu Bingdao and said, "Send someone to send it back to Youzhou."

"yes!"

Lu Bing took the letter and went out.

Liu Ce leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh of relief.

The King of Yan...

This title sounds impressive, but it also means greater responsibility, more attention, and a more complex situation.

But since we're already here, what's there to be afraid of?

Just do it.

...

In the afternoon, a messenger from the palace came to announce that a victory celebration banquet would be held in the Jiade Hall of the Southern Palace that evening, and that His Highness Prince Yan must attend.

Liu Ce instructed Steward Wang to prepare the carriages and horses, while he went back to his room to change his clothes.

After being granted the title of king, his court attire was also upgraded.

No longer an ordinary deep robe, but a black royal robe... with a gold seal and ribbon at the waist, a traveler's crown on his head, and red shoes on his feet.

He looks, well, even more handsome now.

"Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse..." he muttered.

"Wearing this, I really do look like a prince."

It's just too heavy.

Layer upon layer, plus the crown, jade pendant, and sash, it must weigh at least several dozen kilograms.

For ordinary people, wearing this outfit to a banquet is almost like being tortured.

"Life was really tough for people in ancient times," Liu Ce remarked.

"If I ever become emperor, the first thing I'll do is reform clothing—make it as lightweight as possible."

"Your Highness, the time has come," Butler Wang announced from outside the door.

"Walk."

Liu Ce left the mansion and got into a carriage—the prince's ceremonial procession... guards cleared the way in front and behind, making quite a grand spectacle.

People lined both sides of the street and stopped to watch.

"Look! That's the Prince of Yan!"

"So young!"

"I heard he annihilated 80, 000 Xianbei cavalry and even sealed off Langjuxu Mountain..."

"That's amazing..."

Amidst the murmurs, the carriage slowly made its way to the palace.

...

The area outside the Jiade Hall was already filled with carriages and horses.

All the civil and military officials, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, all those who were supposed to come, had arrived.

As soon as Liu Ce got out of the car, he immediately became the center of attention.

"The Prince of Yan has arrived!"

"Look, that's the Prince of Yan!"

"So young..."

Liu Ce remained expressionless, straightened his clothes, and strode into the hall.

Wherever he went, officials made way for him, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Yan."

Liu Ce nodded slightly in return.

Once inside the hall, it became even more lively.

At dusk, the lanterns in the Jiade Hall of the Southern Palace are just beginning to illuminate the scene.

Inside the hall were rows of gilded lamp stands, each holding a candle as thick as an arm, illuminating the entire hall as brightly as day.

Musicians and dancers stood below the steps, all dressed in magnificent costumes, heads bowed in silence.