Chương 250: Leaving the Capital, Arriving in Zhuo County

Liu Ce realized that Liu Hong truly treated him like a younger brother, even going so far as to pressure him to have a child.

Liu Ce quickly accepted the imperial edict, bowed, and said, "Yes! Your subject obeys! The wedding will be held within six months!"

He then unfolded it and saw that the words were ornate and the imperial seal was affixed, officially bestowing upon Cai Yan the title of Princess Consort of Yan, and the other women the title of concubines.

Seeing Liu Ce's nervous appearance, Liu Hong laughed heartily and said, "Alright, alright, get up. I was just teasing you. But it really is time to get started. You're already twenty. In ordinary families, children of that age are already running around."

Liu Ce laughed and said, "Yes, yes, yes..."

After chatting for a while about the affairs of Youzhou, the arrangements for border defense, and future plans, Liu Ce took his leave.

As he walked out of the greenhouse, he looked at the imperial edict in his hand, shook his head, and smiled.

The pressure to get married... it's the same now as in ancient times.

"Pressure to get married and have children... This treatment is exactly the same as going home for Chinese New Year in modern times."

"Fine, let's get married then."

"Anyway... they've grown up a bit now."

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Upon returning to the Prince of Yan's residence, Liu Ce summoned Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and Lu Bing.

"Pack your things, we're leaving the capital tomorrow and heading back to Youzhou."

"Yes!" the four replied in unison, their faces beaming with joy—although Luoyang was prestigious, it was not their own territory, and they felt constrained.

Dian Wei grinned and said, "Brother, we can finally go back! Luoyang has too many rules; it's so stifling!"

Xu Chu chimed in, "Exactly! You have to eat in small bites and drink in big gulps—it's so boring!"

Liu Ce laughed and scolded, "All you two know how to do is eat! Hurry up and get things ready!"

"yes!"

The next morning, Liu Ce and his party left Luoyang.

There was no fanfare; the procession was small and simple—aside from the necessary "guards," there were only a few carriages carrying the bestowed gifts.

After leaving Luoyang, Liu Ce looked back at the enormous city.

"I wonder when I'll be able to come back next time," he muttered to himself.

"Brother, let's go," Zhao Yun said.

"Walk!"

The carriage drove onto the official road and headed north.

...

Half a month later, in Zhuo County, Zhuo Prefecture, Youzhou.

Outside the city gate, a dense crowd of people stood.

Civil officials such as Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Xun Yu stood at the front, all dressed in formal official robes.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin and other military generals stood on the other side, their armor gleaming.

Behind them were the people of Zhuoxian County, young and old, eagerly waiting. A vast, bustling crowd, numbering at least tens of thousands.

Fang Xuanling stood at the very front, occasionally tiptoeing to look into the distance.

"Are you here yet?" Zhang Fei, impatient as ever, shouted.

"Don't rush, the scouts say it's still ten li away," Xun Yu said calmly.

As they were talking, a troop of cavalry slowly appeared on the distant horizon. The yellow armor and bright banners indicated that it was Liu Ce's personal guard, the Longxiang Battalion.

"They're here! They're here!" someone shouted.

Everyone craned their necks.

In the distance, a group of people appeared on the official road.

The large banner bearing the character "燕" (Yan) fluttered in the wind, gleaming brightly in the sunlight.

The group is getting closer.

Now I can see clearly: at the very front are the Eighteen Riders of Yanyun, dressed in black robes and riding black horses, silent as iron.

Behind him was Liu Ce, riding a black horse, dressed in ordinary clothes, but with an extraordinary bearing.

Following them were Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Zhao Yun, Lu Bing, and the 800-strong Dragon Cavalry.

Fang Xuanling straightened his clothes and took a deep breath.

When Liu Ce and his entourage approached, Fang Xuanling bowed first, his voice loud and clear:

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Yan!"

Behind them, civil and military officials, as well as the people of Zhuo County, bowed in unison, their voices echoing across the land.

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Yan!"

Liu Ce reined in his horse and looked at the scene, a surge of emotion welling up inside him.

This is his foundation, his people, his core group.

He dismounted, stepped forward, and gestured with his hands to support himself, saying, "Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Everyone stood up, their faces beaming with smiles.

Looking at the familiar faces before him, Liu Ce felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Go home.

I'm really home.

Fang Xuanling stepped forward and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you must be tired from your journey. We have been waiting for you in Zhuo County, and we are so glad to see you back."

"That's right!" Zhang Fei shouted the loudest.

"Brother, you're finally back! I've been so bored in Youzhou!"

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "Third brother, be careful what you say."

"Hehe," Zhang Fei said, scratching his head.

Liu Ce laughed and said, "Alright."

Fang Xuanling stepped forward and said, "Your Highness has had a long journey! We have prepared a welcoming banquet; please come into the city!"

Liu Ce smiled and said, "Xuanling is very thoughtful."

He looked at everyone and said, "You've all worked hard. Let's go into the city!"

"Please, Your Highness!"

Liu Ce remounted his horse and, surrounded by the crowd, walked towards the city gate.

As soon as we entered the city gate, an even louder cheer erupted.

The streets were packed with people, and even the rooftops were filled with onlookers.

The children waved small flags—whoever made them, I don't know—with "Prince Yan" and "Ten Thousand Blessings" written on them.

The old people wiped away their tears, murmuring, "Our Zhuoxian County has produced a prince..."

The young people excitedly pushed forward, eager to see what the Prince of Yan looked like.

"The Prince of Yan is back!"

"Welcome back to Youzhou, Your Majesty!"

Congratulations, Prince Yan!

"His Highness the Prince of Yan is mighty!"

"Your Highness, our family has had a very good harvest this year. Thank you so much!"

"Your Highness, my child is studying at the village school for free, thank you!"

"Your Majesty! Look at me! I'm Old Wang, the pancake seller!"

Liu Ce rode on his black horse, a smile on his face, waving to both sides from time to time.

The scene was even more extravagant than modern celebrities walking the red carpet.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu stood guard on either side, looking extremely nervous—afraid of assassins.

Zhao Yun and Lu Bing scanned the crowd warily, their hands always on the hilts of their swords.

However, the people's enthusiasm was genuine.

Along the way, people kept throwing things into the group—not projectiles, but flowers, dried fruit, and even boiled eggs.

An elderly woman shakily pushed her way to the front, holding up a basket of dates: "Your Majesty! Try my dates! They're sweet!"

Liu Ce gestured for Dian Wei to take it, then smiled and nodded to the old woman, saying, "Thank you, ma'am!"

The old woman was so excited she almost fainted.

This feeling... is more real and reassuring than when I was bestowed the title in Luoyang.

From the city gate to the governor's mansion—now it should be called the Prince of Yan's mansion—it was only a few miles, but it took them half an hour to walk.

Once inside the mansion, Liu Ce breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at the people around him, saying, "The people of Youzhou are so hospitable."

Dian Wei wiped his sweat and said, "My palms are sweating—I'm afraid someone will throw a stone at me."

Xu Chu chuckled and said, "But those eggs... smelled really good. I caught a few; they were still warm."

Upon entering the Prince's Mansion, we arrived at the main hall.

Everyone stood up and bowed.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Liu Ce waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, stop with the formalities. Sit down."

Everyone took their seats.