Chương 730: I Don't Understand

The people gasped in amazement. Even though the train had been running for several years, they still found it novel and awe-inspiring every time they saw such a long iron contraption.

This iron lump, which doesn't need oxen or horses, can run by burning some coal and can carry thousands of people and tens of thousands of tons of goods, what else could it be but a mythical beast?

Especially this triumphant train, carrying His Majesty and the victorious generals, was considered incredibly sacred by the people.

The train gradually slowed down, the clanging sound slowly subsided, and the wheels rubbed against the rails, making a creaking sound. Finally, with a "whoosh," it came to a steady stop on the platform.

A second before the train doors opened, the platform was completely silent.

Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the carriage door, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Liu Ce was the first to come down.

He wasn't wearing that glittering golden armor, but only a black casual robe with a jade belt around his waist. His hair was neatly tied up, and his face showed a hint of weariness from his journey, but his eyes were bright, as if they had been tempered with light, showing no signs of fatigue.

Three years of westward expeditions, traveling thousands of miles, and fighting three decisive battles did not diminish his spirit; on the contrary, they added to his composure and demeanor as a ruler of the world.

Standing there, he exudes an air of authority without anger, yet also carries a sense of relaxation as if he's returning home.

"His Majesty!"

Liu Chen quickly stepped forward, leading all the civil and military officials in a bow and clasped their hands in unison, their voices loud and clear, tinged with a trembling excitement:

"Your Majesty, I, along with all the officials, respectfully welcome Your Majesty's triumphant return! Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Han Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome your triumphant return! Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Han Dynasty!"

All the officials bowed in unison, their voices ringing out in perfect unison and echoing throughout the entire platform.

Liu Ce smiled and waved his hand, stepped forward to help the Crown Prince up, patted his arm, looked him up and down with satisfaction in his eyes, and said with a smile:

"Get up, all of you. It's been three years, and you've become much more mature, and you've even grown taller. You've had a hard time while I was away."

Liu Chen felt a warmth in his heart, and his eyes welled up with tears. He quickly lowered his head to hide it.

"Your Majesty, I have not suffered any hardship. It is all thanks to the excellent assistance of the three ministers. It is Father who has been traveling all the way and has truly suffered."

"It's not hard work. Winning a battle is hardly hard work," Liu Ce laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over the officials, pausing for a moment on Xun Yu and Fang Xuanling before he nodded.

"My beloved ministers, please rise. The capital has been peaceful for the past three years, and the Fourth and Fifth Plans have been carried out brilliantly, all thanks to you. I heard from the west that industry and commerce have surpassed agriculture, and I am very pleased."

"We dare not take credit! It is all due to Your Majesty's appropriate strategy!"

The officials all stood up, their faces beaming with smiles... Being praised by His Majesty in person was more gratifying than being promoted three ranks.

Following closely behind Liu Ce, the civil and military officials disembarked one by one.

Guo Jia walked first, waving a feather fan in his hand, elegant and with a smile on his face. He didn't look like someone who had traveled thousands of miles; he looked more like someone who had just returned from sightseeing.

Xi Zhicai followed beside him, carrying a thick stack of documents, all of which were account books, maps of the territory, and preliminary regulations of the various protectorates for the western expedition. As soon as he got off the carriage, he exchanged a glance with Xun Yu and nodded slightly... The handover of work had begun.

The military officers became quite excited, as if a pot had boiled over.

Li Jing and Su Lie walked ahead, dressed in military uniforms, their posture upright and composed as ever, only their skin had turned bronze, making them look even more rugged.

Then came Guan Yu, in green robes and with a long beard, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed. He still had that proud yet composed demeanor, only his face was tanned darker and his long beard looked a bit dry, probably due to the strong winds and sandstorms in the west.

He was accompanied by Zhang Fei, good heavens, with a scruffy beard and messy hair, but his voice was still booming. As soon as he got off the carriage, he started shouting:

"Finally back! I've been craving Luo Jing's braised pork knuckle so much! That wine from the west, it's so sour, what is it?!"

Zhao Yun, standing beside him, rolled his eyes at him, reached out to brush the dust off his shoulders, and said helplessly:

"Third Brother, keep your voice down, His Majesty is in front. Mind your image."

Zhao Yun was still wearing his silver armor, clean and tidy, a stark contrast to Zhang Fei.

Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin also came down.

Cheng Yaojin had indeed gained weight; his belly was bulging and his face was round. As soon as he got off the carriage, he looked around as if he were looking for something. He spotted his wife and children in the crowd and quickly waved. He almost fell down the steps but was caught by Qin Qiong.

"Slow down! You're such a grown man, why are you still so impulsive?" Qin Qiong said, both amused and exasperated.

"Hey, hey, I'm so excited to see my family!" Cheng Yaojin chuckled, scratching his head, his face jiggling.

The remaining people also got off the bus one after another, all of them in high spirits. Although they were covered in dust, they could not hide their victorious spirit.

The platform was bustling with greetings and pleasantries.

After exchanging a few pleasantries on the platform, Liu Ce smiled and said:

"Let's go, don't stand here anymore. The people outside are still waiting. Let's go out and not keep them waiting. They've been standing here all night in this freezing weather."

The group of people surrounded Liu Ce and walked towards the exit of the train station.

As soon as I stepped out of the ticket gate, I heard a loud "boom," and the square erupted in deafening cheers, like a thunderclap, almost deafening everyone.

"Long live Your Majesty!"

"Long live the Great Han!"

"Welcome home, generals!"

The sounds grew louder and louder, making people's ears ring, and they had to shout into each other's ears to be heard.

Liu Ce looked up and saw that the entire square was packed with people, a sea of people that stretched as far as the eye could see, numbering at least tens of thousands.

People held up flowers and waved small flags. Some threw eggs and steamed buns at the procession, some scattered flower petals, and some were so excited that they wiped away tears.

Pink peach petals, white willow catkins, and deafening cheers mingled together, creating a lively atmosphere, just like celebrating Chinese New Year's Eve.

Liu Ce paused for a moment, then smiled and remarked to the people around him:

"I don't understand (in Fenghua accent), why in the past, when government troops came to the village, the people were so scared that they would close their doors and run away as if they had seen bandits, as if the arrival of government troops meant that they would either rob grain or conscript men."

More than twenty years ago, I embarked on my journey from Youzhou, beginning my path to unify the world, and the nine provinces of China were thus brought under one rule. It was then that I discovered that if our soldiers did not plunder or oppress the people, the people would dare to open their doors and send us grain.

Wherever our army goes, the people welcome us wholeheartedly; we truly have the advantage of perfect timing, favorable location, and popular support.

He pointed to the smiling faces in the square, his tone tinged with satisfaction and a hint of pride:

"Now you see, this vibrant and flourishing scene is still right before your eyes."

The people are very clear-headed; they will support whoever makes their lives better and whoever protects them.

The will of the people is not something that can be shouted out; it is won through battle, through hard work, and through countless meals.

Everyone nodded in agreement, deeply moved.

Guan Yu stroked his long beard and slowly said, "Your Majesty is right. He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world; this has always been true."

Zhang Fei scratched his head and chuckled, "I knew it! People these days are so kind. Last time I passed through a village, the old lady insisted on giving us both boiled eggs. We couldn't refuse, and they smelled so good!"