He dismounted, and officials were already waiting inside the pavilion.
"By order of His Majesty, we respectfully welcome General Wu's triumphant return!" Zhou Ming, Vice Minister of Rites, bowed and said, "His Majesty has already prepared a banquet in the palace to welcome the General and his troops back home."
"Thank you for your trouble, Vice Minister Zhou." Wu Shangzhi clasped his hands in a fist salute. "However, the military situation is urgent, and I need to see the Emperor immediately to report the situation."
Zhou Ming smiled and said, "His Majesty knows the General is anxious, and has specifically instructed that the banquet be kept simple, and the meeting should proceed first. General, please—"
The imperial carriage was already prepared, but Wu Shangzhi insisted on riding into the city.
He led a hundred personal guards through Zhuque Avenue amidst the cheers of the people.
Countless colorful ribbons and petals were scattered from the pavilions on both sides of the street, like a rain of flowers.
Following behind Wu Shangzhi, Mo Cang E Pang was awestruck as he looked at this bustling capital city he had never seen before.
He grew up on the grasslands and the largest city he had ever seen was Liangzhou. He had never seen such a sight before.
The building was ten zhang high, the street a hundred paces wide, teeming with people, and lined with shops...
This is the true grandeur of a Celestial Empire!
"General, this...this is Xijing?" he couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
Wu Shangzhi nodded: "Yes. Once the world is at peace, I'll show you around properly."
......
The Imperial Palace, Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The banquet was indeed kept simple.
There was no singing or dancing, no music, just simple food and drinks.
But those present were all important officials: Pei Lun, Fan Nan, Zhou Hong, Gu Cheng, Huang Chang, Zhao Wen and other ministers from the six ministries were all there, as well as princes and dukes in the capital.
Yinji sat high on the dragon throne, looking at the travel-worn Wu Shangzhi below, his eyes filled with satisfaction:
"General Wu has returned from afar, pacifying the Western Regions and subjugating Hexi. His contributions to the nation are immense. On behalf of all the people, I offer this toast to the General."
Wu Shangzhi knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty is too kind. The success of this battle is all thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, the General's strategic planning, and the soldiers' bravery. This humble general has only done his duty."
"General, you are too modest." Yinji personally descended the steps to help him up. "Come, tell me, how is the war in the Western Regions going? How are the various tribes in Hexi doing?"
Wu Shangzhi then gave a concise report on the battle situation: from the great victory over the Wuhan at Loulan, to the forced surrender of the Western Turks at Shule, and then to the subjugation of the Dangxiang tribes in Hexi. When talking about the Wushaoling Alliance, he specifically introduced Mozang Epang.
"Prince Mezang Epang of the Tangut people led his troops to surrender and made many meritorious contributions in the Hexi Campaign. I have already incorporated him into the Tangut camp, and he has come east with the army this time."
Yinji looked at Mozang Epang, who was standing in attendance at the palace. He saw that although Mozang was dressed simply, he had an extraordinary bearing. He nodded and said, "Prince Mozang is very righteous, which pleases me greatly. Once the Central Plains are pacified, I will certainly reward him handsomely."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Mo Zang E Pang knelt and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your divine grace! This humble general will surely serve you to the death!"
The banquet lasted for an hour.
After the meeting, Yinji summoned Wu Shangzhi to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for a private audience.
“General Wu, my master is in Dengzhou and is waiting anxiously.” Yin Ji did not beat around the bush. “After three months of siege, the situation on all sides is settled, but we are missing your main force.”
"I have issued an edict ordering the general's troops to rest for three days, after which they will leave Wuguan and rush to the aid of Dengzhou."
Wu Shangzhi bowed: "This subordinate understands. In fact... there is no need for three days of rest. The soldiers are in high spirits and can set off tomorrow."
Yinji shook his head: "No. The soldiers have traveled thousands of miles and are exhausted. They must rest. I have ordered the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to expedite the allocation of provisions and weapons, and they must be in place within three days."
He paused, then said in a low voice, "And...I also need you to meet a few people."
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"General Han Zhong has sent his nephew Han Fang with 10,000 elite troops from Hedong to Tongguan; General Tian Qing has sent his deputy Li Mao with 5,000 cavalry from Yunzhou to Lantian; and Liu Song from Jingxiang has sent his son Liu Qi with 10,000 troops to Wuguan to await orders." Yin Ji's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "These three armies, plus your 25,000 men, totaling 63,000, are all under your command and under the control of the Grand General."
Wu Shangzhi was taken aback: "Your Majesty, this... what merit do I possess..."
“This is Master’s will,” Yinji interrupted him. “Master said in his letter: Wu Shangzhi is knowledgeable in military affairs and good at fighting, and he takes the overall situation into consideration. He is suitable for this position. I also believe that you can coordinate the various departments and arrive in Dengzhou on schedule.”
Wu Shangzhi took a deep breath and knelt down: "This humble general... will certainly not fail His Majesty and the Great General's trust!"
"Get up." Yinji helped him up. "There is one more thing. Master specifically instructed you to take all the Divine Machine Cannons, Fierce Fire Oil, and Heaven-Shaking Thunder with you. I have already ordered the fifty newly manufactured Divine Machine Cannons from the Ministry of Works to be transported to Wuguan. This battle... must be thunderous and decisive, a single strike to decide the fate of the world."
"Understood, sir!"
That night, Wu Shangzhi stayed at the post station.
He summoned Mozang Epang and conveyed His Majesty's decree.
"Departing in three days?" Mezang Epang asked anxiously. "General, what about the Grand Commander..."
“Your Majesty is right, we must rest,” Wu Shangzhi said in a deep voice. “Moreover, what we need to wait for is not only food and military supplies, but also the arrival of friendly forces.”
Mezang Epang's eyes lit up: "Sixty thousand troops...the enemy will surely be defeated!"
"Therefore, your Tangut battalion must intensify its training over the next three days."
Wu Shangzhi looked at him and said, "Especially those newly surrendered tribal cavalrymen, we must make them understand military discipline and familiarize them with orders. This battle concerns the fate of the world, and we cannot afford to lose it."
"Your humble servant obeys!"
......
March 25th, Wuguan.
Inside and outside the city walls, banners blotted out the sun, and camps stretched as far as the eye could see.
The three armies from Hedong, Yunzhou, and Jingxiang have been assembled here for three days, waiting for Wu Shangzhi to arrive.
On the gate tower, three young generals were gazing into the distance.
In the middle is Han Fang, on the left is Li Mao, and on the right is Liu Qi, Liu Song's son, twenty-two years old, with a pale face and scholarly appearance, but with sharp eyes.
"General Wu should have arrived today, right?" Liu Qi asked.
Han Fang nodded: "His Majesty's decree is that we must arrive before March 25th. General Wu is always punctual, so it will be today."
Li Mao rubbed his hands together: "I heard that General Wu defeated the Northern Di in the Western Regions, forced the Western Turks to surrender, and also subdued the various Dangxiang tribes... I really want to meet this war god of the Western Regions."
As they were talking, a cloud of dust rose up on the western official road.
"They're here!"
The three hurriedly went down to the pass to greet them.
When Wu Shangzhi led his army to arrive, he was greeted by the spectacular sight of three armies fully armed and arrayed.
More than 60,000 troops filled the area inside and outside Wuguan Pass, but the camp was well-organized and the military discipline was impeccable, which shows that these three young generals were no ordinary people.
"This humble general Han Fang (Li Mao, Liu Qi) pays his respects to General Wu!" The three knelt on one knee.
Wu Shangzhi dismounted and helped them up: "Please rise, Generals. General Han Zhong, General Tian Qing, and Commander Liu Song are all pillars of the nation. These three young heroes have also lived up to their fathers' reputations."
He surveyed the three armies and proclaimed in a loud voice: "Fellow soldiers! I am here by order of His Majesty and the General's command to lead the troops to reinforce Dengzhou."
"This journey to the Central Plains will be the decisive battle! I hope you will all work together to destroy the false capital and achieve unparalleled feats!"
"Let's work together to destroy the false capital!"
Sixty thousand soldiers shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the mountains and fields.
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