Chương 453: Zhang Chao's Triumphant Return and Victory Banquet

Qiao Ying blushed and nodded, feeling both shy and happy.

Several children gathered around, looking curiously at the two beautiful "new aunts".

Liu Chen tilted his head back and asked, "Where is Father? When will Father be back?"

Cai Yan patted his head and said, "Soon, Father will be back after the war."

Qiao Ying and Qiao Qian settled down in the mansion. Cai Yan arranged a courtyard for them, next to Yin Ying and Feng Yu, and provided them with maids and servants.

...

A month later.

Liu Ce led his troops back to Luoyang.

In the distance, the outline of Luoyang could be seen appearing on the horizon. At the city gate, there was a dense crowd of people.

The people of Luoyang spontaneously took to the streets to welcome the triumphant army.

From the city gate to the Prince of Yan's residence, the ten-mile-long street was packed with people.

Men, women, young and old, supporting the elderly and leading the young, some climbed onto rooftops, some clung to trees, and some carried their children on their shoulders, all just to catch a glimpse of the triumphant heroes.

"Long live the Great Han! Long live His Highness the Prince of Yan!"

Cheers rose and fell, so loud they made people's ears ring.

Flowers and ribbons were scattered along the way, and some people even set off firecrackers, making it as lively as Chinese New Year.

Liu Ce rode his black horse at the very front.

He was dressed in black armor, with a long sword at his waist, looking majestic as he waved to the people on both sides.

The sunlight shone on him, making him look as if he were plated with gold.

He smiled and waved to the people, and with each wave, the crowd erupted in even more enthusiastic cheers.

"Your Highness! Your Highness! Your Highness!"

An elderly man with white hair, leaning on a cane, knelt shakily on the ground, tears streaming down his face, and said:

"Heaven has opened its eyes! Peace has finally returned to the land! Long live Your Highness!"

A young woman nearby, holding a child, was also wiping away tears.

"It's wonderful that our children will never have to fight again!"

Looking at these people, Liu Ce felt a warmth in his heart.

This is the meaning of his struggle: to enable people to live a peaceful life.

Behind the procession followed carts laden with spoils of war—armor, provisions, gold, and silver treasures, filling dozens of carts.

But what attracted the most attention were the dozens of prisoners being held captive.

Chen Wen and his several trusted generals, dejected, were bound hand and foot and put in a prison cart.

The crowd threw vegetable leaves and eggs at the prison van, shouting insults.

"Corrupt official! Serves him right!"

Chen Wen lowered his head, not daring to say a word.

......

Cai Yan, accompanied by her ladies, stood at the entrance of the Prince of Yan's residence to greet them.

The children arrived, waving their little hands and calling out "Daddy!"

Liu Ce dismounted, walked up to Cai Yan, and said with a smile:

"Yan'er, I'm back."

Cai Yan's eyes were slightly red, but she smiled and nodded, saying, "It's good that you're back."

Zhang Ning couldn't hold back any longer and ran over to tug at his sleeve:

"My husband! You're finally back! We've been waiting for you every day!"

Liu Ce laughed heartily, hugged each of them, and patted the children's heads.

......

Upon returning to the Prince of Yan's residence, Liu Ce first summoned Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Xun You, and others to explain the affairs of Yangzhou.

"The six prefectures of Yangzhou have been pacified. Officials should be in place as soon as possible. Grain and provisions should be allocated there, the people should be appeased, and taxes should be reduced or exempted."

Fang Xuanling cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, we have already prepared the list and are ready to depart at any time. Another batch of students from Youzhou Academy are about to graduate, and they will be sent to Yangzhou for training. In addition, we have experienced officials from various regions, which is more than enough to handle the situation."

Du Ruhui added: "Yangzhou is wealthy, but it also has many powerful clans. I suggest that the policy of surveying and registering land be implemented first in Jiujiang and Danyang, and then gradually extended to other areas. The pace should not be too fast, but it should not be too slow either."

Xun Yu nodded and said, "There's also the matter of the navy. Yangzhou is by the sea, so we need to strengthen its coastal defenses. Gan Ning and Cheng Pu can stay there and continue training the navy."

Liu Ce nodded and said, "Okay, implement it as soon as possible."

......

In the evening, Liu Ce led his generals to the military camp outside Luoyang to reward the soldiers.

Inside the military camp, the lights were on, and large pots of stewed meat smelled delicious, while large jars of wine were scattered all over the ground.

The soldiers sat on the ground, their faces full of smiles.

Liu Ce stood on the high platform, holding a bowl of wine, and shouted to the dark mass of soldiers:

"Brothers! You have worked hard! In this battle, you have fought with great might and spirit! From this day forward, there will be peace in the world! Your parents, wives, and children will no longer have to hide from war and famine!"

The soldiers cheered in unison.

Liu Ce continued, "I, Liu Ce, thank you! This bowl of wine is for you!"

He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

The soldiers also raised their bowls and drank heartily.

Liu Ce then offered many words of encouragement and explained the matter of bestowing rewards upon the recipients.

Those who deserve promotions are promoted, and those who deserve rewards are rewarded; no one is left out.

The soldiers were filled with patriotic fervor, and some even wept on the spot. After fighting alongside the Prince of Yan for so many years, they had finally waited for this day.

...

That evening, Liu Ce led his generals back to the Prince of Yan's residence for a victory celebration banquet.

The banquet hall was brightly lit, and the aroma of wine and meat filled the air.

Civil and military officials gathered together, filling dozens of tables.

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Jia Xu, Cheng Yu, Li Jing, Xu Da, Xue Rengui, Su Lie, Yue Fei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, Lü Bu, Qi Jiguang... everyone who could come came.

Liu Ce sat in the main seat, raised his wine cup, and said loudly:

"Gentlemen! In this battle, we have unified the world and ended the chaos! From this day forward, the Han Dynasty is once again unified! This cup of wine is for you! For all the brothers who fought and bled! Cheers!"

The generals cheered in unison and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhang Fei, his face flushed and neck bulging from drinking, shouted at the top of his lungs, "Brother! I toast you! Fighting alongside you is exhilarating!"

Guan Yu stroked his long beard, smiled, and raised his cup: "Brother, Yun Chang toasts you!"

Zhao Yun, Lü Bu, Xue Rengui, Zhang Liao... all raised their cups.

Dian Wei, his face flushed from drinking, shouted at the top of his lungs, "Brother! I've followed you for so many years, and today is the happiest day of my life! The world is at peace now, and I can finally stay home and hold my baby!"

Everyone laughed.

Guan Yu stroked his long beard, a rare smile appearing on his face: "Brother, this journey has not been easy. But it was worth it."

Zhao Yun raised his cup: "Brother, I am willing to follow our lord and protect this peaceful world."

Lü Bu declared proudly, "From this day forward, my halberd will be used only against foreign enemies, not against my own people!"

Yue Fei cupped his hands and said, "My lord, this humble general will do his utmost to protect the territory of the Han Dynasty and will never allow foreign enemies to set foot in it."

Qi Jiguang also said, "My lord, rest assured about the navy. If any enemy attacks at sea, I will make sure they never return."

Looking at his brothers, Liu Ce felt a warm glow in his heart.

He raised his glass and drank another bowl.