The wind and snow grew fiercer, turning the world into a silvery white.

Zhao Huan was dressed in military attire, his face cold and stern.

The city gates ahead were flung open with a loud rumble, and soldiers in armor emerged in neat rows.

The officer in the red uniform strode out, his face flushed with excitement.

"Li Qinghe, Commander of the Third Army of the First Legion of Jingzhao Prefecture stationed in Chang'an City, pays respects to His Majesty the Holy Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The soldiers behind him knelt on one knee and shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"

Zhao Huan said calmly, "All soldiers, you may rise."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was clearly audible.

Everyone was startled, rose from the ground, stood straight as spears, their expressions solemn, and stared ahead.

Yue Yun was also very excited and surprised. He had already prepared to attack the city, but he did not expect that as soon as the emperor appeared, the entire army would open the city gates on its own initiative.

It seems there are many suspicious aspects to this rebellion.

Zhao Huan rode his horse and entered the city, surrounded by his generals and soldiers.

As soon as we entered the city, a sound like a mountain torrent or a tsunami rang out from both sides.

"Welcome to His Majesty the Holy Martial Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Welcome to His Majesty the Holy Martial Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Welcome to His Majesty the Holy Martial Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"..."

The sound was powerful and continuous.

The people in front heard it and initially looked over in confusion, then some began to run towards them.

"Is it His Majesty the Holy Martial Emperor who has returned?!"

"It really is His Majesty the Holy Martial Emperor who has returned!"

"His Majesty is back!"

Some people ran towards this place barefoot, completely ignoring their frostbitten feet. Some of them had not eaten for two days, but they were still excited when they heard the news.

It's been half a year since the news of the emperor's death in the Western Regions was released!

When this devastating news reached Chang'an, the people were shocked, followed by a large-scale rebellion and the subsequent unrest.

The first capital city in the Northwest, which had been established over more than a decade during the Jingkang era, was transformed into a living hell in just over half a month.

Countless people were killed in the streets, their blood piled up and forming streams.

All those who had a grudge against Sun Bang were purged.

People saw the Imperial Guard's star-studded banners, their warhorses, and tall young men in armor entering the city. They saw that familiar army had returned.

"His Majesty is back!"

"His Majesty the Holy Martial Emperor has returned!"

More and more people were spreading the word, and the news spread rapidly throughout Chang'an City like a flood.

Sun Bangyuan led his army forward at high speed. He was somewhat surprised to see a dense mass of people emerging from the houses and hotels on both sides.

Why are so many people out on the streets today?

What happened up ahead?

A soldier went over to inquire, and upon hearing the news, he was terrified. He returned to Sun Bangyuan, his face pale, and said, "General Sun..."

"What happened? Tell me quickly!" Sun Bangyuan had a bad feeling.

"General Sun, His Majesty the Holy Martial Emperor... has returned..."

Sun Bangyuan's face froze instantly, turning as pale as paper, as if he were wearing a mask.

The other soldiers all looked shocked.

After a brief silence, Sun Bangyuan flew into a rage: "Rumors! The Holy Martial Emperor has died in battle in the Western Regions! This is a rumor!"

"Get to the city wall immediately! Anyone who dares to spread rumors again will be killed without mercy!"

"yes!"

Sun Bangyuan felt his scalp tingle and his whole body break out in a cold sweat, hoping it was just a rumor.

But more and more people were rushing toward the city gate.

At this time, Zhao Huan had already arrived at the city gate of the inner city. The soldiers guarding the city had already heard and seen this, and all of them had come out of the city gate to greet him.

"Wang Yi, Commander of the Second Army of the First Legion of Jingzhao Prefecture stationed in Chang'an City, pays respects to His Majesty the Holy Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

Red tassels fluttered in the wind, and cloaks billowed in the snow.

As Zhao Huan entered the inner city, he found it surrounded by crowds of people on both sides.

Zhao Huan glanced at them and saw that they were dressed in thin clothes, some with frostbite on their faces, and others were thin and dejected, shivering from the cold and hunger.

His heart skipped a beat.

But his expression remained calm.

He saw the expectant gazes of countless people and felt the fervent hopes that everyone had for him.

He felt a weight of responsibility on his shoulders, as heavy as a mountain.

As Sun Bangyuan saw more and more people running forward, his heart sank to the bottom.

Before long, he saw an army in silver armor approaching, surrounded by people.

That familiar voice, amidst a sea of ​​thousands...

I'm back.

Sun Bangyuan stood there, completely stunned, his mind blank.

The other soldiers and officers were also stunned.

Xue Jin and the others were so moved that tears welled up in their eyes, and they couldn't help but shout, "Long live the Emperor!"

Sun Bangyuan dismounted from his horse, already unable to stand. His legs buckled, and he knelt on the ground, then prostrated himself.

Zhao Huan walked up to him and looked down at him.

The scene suddenly fell into an eerie silence, and everyone stared at the spot.

Sun Bangyuan stammered out, "Your Majesty... Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty..."

"Is this how you treat my people while I'm away?"

"Your Majesty...I...I am innocent..."

Sun Bangyuan and Zhang Zhu both knelt there, burying their heads.

Zhao Huan calmly said, "Zhang Hao, make the arrangements. I want these people to be skinned alive on the spot to appease the people's anger!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Bangyuan, Zhang Zhu, and the others fainted from fright.

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