Chương 62: Zhang Chao's triumphant return, encountering friendly forces along the way.

The journey back to Zhuojun was long. Inside the carriage, Zhang Ning gazed at the scenery receding outside the window, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

The uncertainty about the future, the longing for his father, and the complex emotions he felt towards Liu Ce, who was both his "enemy who killed his uncle" and his "future support," were all intertwined.

She hesitated for a long time, but finally couldn't resist. She gently lifted the carriage curtain and called out to Guan Yu, who was riding a horse guarding the carriage:

"General Guan..."

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu immediately spurred his horse closer to the carriage window and respectfully asked:

"What are your instructions, sister-in-law?"

Zhang Ning felt a little uncomfortable being called "sister-in-law" again, and after a while she whispered:

"General Guan... could you... tell me... about General Liu... that is, your elder brother?"

She still found it difficult to naturally call him "husband" or any more intimate term.

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu's bronze face revealed a barely perceptible smile. He stroked his long beard and said:

"Of course, if my sister-in-law wants to hear it, then I'll tell you."

So, he thought for a moment and began to speak: "The first time I met my elder brother was in Zhuojun..."

Guan Yu spoke very seriously, starting from Zhuojun... He spoke in a straightforward manner, but his sincerity was his greatest strength.

Zhang Ning listened quietly. When the conversation turned to Liu Ce's strange remarks, such as "professional slacking off" and "sustainable development," Zhang Ning couldn't help but ask:

"General Guan, what does 'slacking off' mean?"

Guan Yu scratched his head: "Well... my brother explained that it means slacking off while working. But he said it was 'strategic slacking off,' using the least amount of effort to gain the greatest credit."

Zhang Ning seemed to be deep in thought.

Guan Yu continued, "Although my elder brother always says strange things, he treats the brothers extremely well. He never withholds military pay, personally visits the wounded, and always rewards those who have rendered meritorious service... Following him, I feel at ease."

Zhang Ning nodded.

She had been observing Liu Ce these past few days, and it was indeed the case—he was kind to his soldiers and respectful to his generals.

Perhaps... Father is right, this person is worthy of our trust.

Meanwhile, Liu Ce and Dian Wei led the remaining 100 Xuanjia Iron Cavalry back to Guangzong at full speed.

Luoyang, the Imperial Palace, Deyang Hall.

The messenger, once again carrying Liu Ce's "carefully crafted" battle report and the box containing the "bandit chief's head," rushed into the main hall.

The eunuch loudly read out the contents of the battle report: "Your Majesty, I was ordered to rush to the aid of Guangzong under cover of darkness... The rebel leader Zhang Liang launched a night attack on our camp, but fell into my ambush and was killed in battle by my general Guan Yu. However, in the chaos of battle, the rebel leader's head was damaged and could not be identified..."

Later, I sent assassins into the city and learned that Zhang Jiao was critically ill... So I decisively led my troops to attack the city. After a fierce battle that lasted all day, we finally captured the fortified city!

I personally led my elite troops straight to Zhang Jiao's lair, intending to take his head. However, his residence caught fire. By the time I extinguished the blaze, the bandit leader had been burned to a crisp, his face unrecognizable...

In this battle, 20, 000 stubborn enemies were killed and 80, 000 were captured... The heads of the bandit leaders Zhang Jiao and Zhang Liang were sent along with the battle report...

Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, sat upright on the dragon throne, listening to this series of victories, especially the key information such as "Zhang Jiao is dead," "Guangzong has been captured," and "the main force of the Yellow Turbans has been annihilated."

His smile grew wider and wider, until finally he couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh, his voice filled with joy and pride:

"Good! Excellent! Excellent! Zhang Jiao has been executed, Guangzong has been recovered, the Yellow Turban rebels' leaders have all been eliminated, and their power is gone! The day of pacification is just around the corner!"

"What a fine Liu Bolue! Truly my trusted advisor and pillar of the Han Dynasty! He has rendered me such unparalleled service! I am deeply gratified! I am truly gratified!"

He excitedly rose from the dragon throne, surveyed the assembled officials in the hall, and spoke in a loud voice:

"Did you all hear that? In this critical moment, the one we can rely on is still my own kin, my imperial brother! Liu Ce's merits deserve a great reward! What do you all think?"

Regardless of their inner thoughts, His Highness's ministers and officials all wisely echoed his sentiments at this moment:

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"General Liu's achievements are unparalleled; he deserves a great reward!"

"This is the result of Your Majesty's ability to recognize and appoint capable people. We, your subjects, congratulate Your Majesty!"

Amidst a chorus of praise and accusations, Liu Hongzhi, brimming with self-satisfaction, immediately issued an imperial decree:

"I hereby issue an imperial edict! Commander Liu Ce, General of the Southern Army and Imperial Envoy, to immediately arrange the aftermath of the Guangzong Rebellion, and then lead his meritorious soldiers to the capital for an audience! I will personally reward him and all the meritorious soldiers!"

Zhang Rang then asked Liu Hong, "Your Majesty, shall we open this box and take a look?"

Recalling the scene from last time, Liu Hong quickly waved his hand and said:

"What are you looking at? Take it down right now and hang it at the city gate."

A few days later, the imperial edict was delivered to Liu Ce of Guangzong by fast horse.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Liu Ce was not surprised. He immediately ordered Zong Yuan, Guo Dian, and others to reorganize the remaining 40, 000 Han troops and prepare all the necessary supplies for their departure.

The next morning, outside Guangzong City, banners fluttered and the army was in full formation.

Liu Ce, mounted on his horse with Dian Wei and Zhao Yun beside him, glanced back at the city that had once held the last hope of the Yellow Turban Army but was now filled with Han banners. He pointed his whip forward:

"All troops, listen to my command! Proceed to Luoyang!"

……

Liu Ce led his army, wandering around for a week, and finally arrived at the territory of Yin in Henan.

As luck would have it, another group of people came up ahead, with banners waving. Upon closer inspection, hey, it was an old acquaintance!

It was none other than the Left General Huangfu Song, the Right General Zhu Jun, who had just returned to the capital after defeating Zhang Mancheng in Wancheng, Nanyang, along with the Cavalry Commandant Cao Cao and others who were following behind to gain merit.

Liu Ce thought to himself, "Wow, it seems that with the addition of the veteran Huangfu Song, Zhang Mancheng in Wancheng didn't cause much trouble for long. That's efficient!"

When the two groups met, the scene turned into a massive "mutual flattery" session.

When Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun saw Liu Ce, their eyes lit up, and they quickly dismounted to greet him with great enthusiasm.

Huangfu Song held Liu Ce's hand tightly and wouldn't let go:

"Bo Lue! No, General Liu! It's true what they say, life is full of unexpected encounters! Since our parting at Changshe, your demeanor is even more impressive than before!"

This time, even the Zhang brothers were wiped out in one fell swoop. Their achievement is unparalleled! I admire them greatly!

Zhu Jun chimed in, "Indeed, indeed! General Liu's military strategy is divine; he is truly a pillar of our Han Dynasty! Upon his return to the capital, His Majesty will surely bestow upon him a great reward!"

Cao Cao also joined in, smiling broadly.

"General Liu! I have been hearing your reports of victory day and night since I was in Wancheng, and it has truly been exhilarating! It is a great honor to be able to travel back to the capital with you today!"

Liu Ce thought to himself, "They're all so sweet-talking."

But he still had to put on a smiling face:

"Not at all, it was all thanks to the bravery of our seniors and soldiers. I was just lucky, really lucky."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two armies joined forces and marched in a mighty procession toward Luoyang.

The journey was truly lively and bustling. The bigwigs rode ahead on horseback, chatting and laughing, while the soldiers behind them were also in high spirits.

Liu Ce also took this opportunity to get to know Sun Jian, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong.

Name: Sun Jian, courtesy name Wentai Gender: Male Age: 28 [Force]: 99 (first-rate) [Commander]: 89 (Second-rate) [Politics]: 75 (Third-rate) Intelligence: 78 (Third-rate) [Appearance]: 75cm Special skills: 【Jiangdong Tiger】: When personally charging into battle, it greatly enhances the troops' assault capabilities and morale, and creates a "deterrent" effect on the enemy.

[Imperial Seal of the State]: Obtaining it greatly enhances reputation and triggers major story events, but it also introduces the negative status of "possessing a treasure is a crime", significantly increasing the risk of being targeted by other forces.