Chương 731: Those who offend our Han Dynasty, though far away, shall be punished!

Everyone laughed... That's right, in the past, people would be too busy avoiding soldiers to offer them food.

This change was achieved at the cost of decades of rules and discipline.

Liu Ce took a few steps forward, stood at the top of the steps, raised his hand and pressed it down towards the dense crowd of people below.

Miraculously, as soon as he raised his hand, the deafening cheers gradually subsided, and finally the entire square fell silent. Tens of thousands of people didn't dare to breathe, just waiting for His Majesty to speak.

All eyes were on him; there was admiration, gratitude, closeness, and dependence.

Liu Ce looked at the simple faces below him—old people, children, men, and women—his eyes shining with light.

He didn't bring a script, nor did he try to sound sophisticated; he simply spoke in plain language, as if having a casual chat:

"Fellow villagers! I have returned!"

A simple sentence caused another burst of cheers to erupt from below, which took a long time to subside.

Liu Ce smiled and waited for them to finish shouting before continuing:

"This trip took three whole years, covered tens of thousands of miles, fought three battles, and defeated three countries... Kushan, Parthia, and Rome, we took them all down."

From the Pamir Mountains westward all the way to the Mediterranean, our caravans will be able to travel from Luoyang by train and ship all the way to the Mediterranean, selling our silk, porcelain, and tea to the farthest places in the world!

The money we earn will make our lives better and better!

"good!!!"

The people below clapped and cheered, their faces beaming with joy, their hands turning red from clapping.

They didn't understand territorial boundaries or international order, but they knew that once trade routes were open, business would be easier, goods could be sold for higher prices further afield, families could earn more money, and life would be better.

This is the most tangible benefit, more effective than any grand theory.

Liu Ce paused, his tone becoming more serious, and his voice deepening:

"Of course, the victory was not won in vain. In these three years, many fine young men have remained in the west forever, unable to return with me."

They died for the territory of the Han Dynasty and for our good life.

I will not forget them, nor will the court.

The families of fallen soldiers are supported by the imperial court; their parents are cared for in their old age, their children are educated, and they receive all the due compensation they are entitled to.

Every year during Qingming Festival, their names will have a place in the Martyrs' Shrine, and generation after generation, we will remember their kindness.

The square was silent for a few seconds, then someone shouted at the top of their lungs, "His Majesty is wise!"

The people nodded in agreement, their faces showing respect.

Which family doesn't have a son, a husband, and a father?

Soldiers risk their lives, and the government provides a safety net, taking care of the elderly and raising children—that's heartwarming enough.

When ordinary people feel secure, they are willing to send their children to join the army and support the government.

Liu Ce smiled, then adopted a more relaxed tone, as if chatting with a neighbor:

"I won't say anything more, you'll all get annoyed if I say too much, and I'm also thirsty."

In short: From now on, the people of our great Han Dynasty will be able to stand tall no matter where they go in the world!

No one dares to bully you, no one dares to steal your goods, and no one dares to impose heavy taxes on you!

If anyone dares to lay a finger on any of our Han people, our army and our cannons will bombard them all the way to their hometown!

Those who offend our great Han, though far away, shall be punished! This is not just empty talk.

"Those who offend our great Han, though far away, shall be punished!"

The people below shouted in unison, their voices rising higher and higher, their blood boiling as if on fire, their chests puffed out high.

An elderly woman with white hair squeezed to the front, looked at Liu Ce, and shouted at the top of her lungs:

"Your Majesty! You've lost weight! You need to nourish yourself! Don't always focus on fighting the war and caring for the people; take care of yourself too!"

Liu Ce heard this, laughed heartily, waved to the old woman, and said in a loud voice:

"Don't worry, Auntie! Losing weight will keep you in good spirits! When you win a battle, you have to suffer a little!"

As long as we common people are doing well, it doesn't matter if I lose a little weight! Go back and eat a couple more eggs to make up for it!

"Oh! Great!" The old lady was so happy she couldn't stop smiling, and the wrinkles on her face smoothed out.

The people were warmed by what they heard and became even more excited. They kept throwing flowers, sachets, and boiled eggs onto the steps as if they were free, and the piles almost formed a small mountain.

Liu Ce chatted with the people for a few more minutes before smiling and bowing.

"Alright, folks, go back home. Don't crowd around here; you might step on the children. Life will only get better from here on out!"

After saying that, he turned around, walked down the steps, and mounted the horse that the eunuch had brought.

The civil and military officials behind them also mounted their horses one after another, and the procession moved into the city in an orderly fashion.

The people automatically parted to make way for the procession, cheering all the way.

From the train station to the palace, the entire Suzaku Avenue was packed with people.

Red lanterns hung along both sides of the street, and red banners proclaiming "Great Victory in the Western Expedition" and "Peace and Prosperity for the Nation" were posted. People from every household came out, pressing against windows, standing on rooftops, and crowding along the streets, all just to catch a glimpse of the victorious Emperor and his generals.

As soon as the procession reached the street corner, someone set off firecrackers. The firecrackers crackled and popped incessantly, and the air was filled with smoke, just like during the Chinese New Year. The smell of gunpowder mixed with the fragrance of peach blossoms, creating a festive atmosphere.

Liu Ce, riding on horseback and dressed in casual clothes, smiled and waved to the people on both sides of the road. Wherever he went, cheers erupted.

Halfway there, a little child, about five or six years old, holding a candy dragon, tiptoed towards the middle of the road and called out in a childish voice:

"Your Majesty! Here's a sugar figurine for you! It's sweet!"

His mother was so frightened that she quickly pulled him away, afraid of startling the emperor.

Liu Ce reined in his horse, smiled, bent down, and took the crooked little dragon sugar figurine. He even patted the child's head gently, speaking softly:

"Thank you, sweetie. This sugar figurine is really well made."

The child's face instantly turned red, like a ripe apple. He hid behind his mother, then peeked out again, smiling like a flower.

The onlookers became even more excited, and they all said:

"Your Majesty is so kind! You have no airs at all!"

"Yeah, yeah, just like an elder in your family!"

The generals in the army also each had their own "treatment".

Zhang Fei was the most conspicuous, with a large beard, a loud voice, and a towering black frame; the people recognized him at a glance and shouted:

"General Zhang!"

"General Zhang San!"

Zhang Fei was so happy he couldn't stop waving his hands, swaying back and forth, almost falling off his horse. He only calmed down after Guan Yu glared at him.

Cheng Yaojin was even more amusing. People along the street knew he loved to eat, so they would throw braised pork hocks, steamed buns, and fruit into his arms.

Cheng Yaojin accepted all comers' food without hesitation, filling his arms to the brim. He ate as he rode his horse, getting oil all over his beard, which amused the people.

"General Cheng is still the same as ever! He hasn't changed at all!"

"General Cheng, eat more! You've worked hard to win the battle!"

Cheng Yaojin waved his hand vaguely, his mouth stuffed full of meat:

"Hey! Thank you, folks! That's enough, I can't eat anymore! I'll be too weak to walk if I eat any more!"