Chapter 2773 Return to Beijing
So Qibi Heli went to find Ashina and followed him all the way back to the capital.
The emperor and his entourage arrived outside the capital in the evening, but did not enter the city immediately. Instead, they camped outside. Early the next morning, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory calculated an auspicious time, and Wei Zhi led all the civil and military officials out of the city to welcome the emperor.
The emperor no longer rode in a carriage, but rode his own horse and led his ministers and imperial guards into the city. When they arrived at the city gate, Wei Zhi and all the officials knelt down to greet him and shouted "Long live the emperor" three times.
While riding on his horse, the emperor felt that the sky was high and the sea was vast, and his heart was as broad as the sky, and he was filled with heroic spirit.
The ministers who followed the emperor on horseback also dismounted and knelt on the ground with the more than 5,000 imperial guards. They echoed the officials at the city gate and shouted "Long live the emperor" three times.
Manbao knelt on the ground, raised his head slightly to glance at the emperor in front of him, and a sense of pride rose in his heart.
She felt that she was very lucky. She was lucky to have met the current emperor and to have her own place among the officials.
Her eyes lit up and she lowered her head and kowtowed to the emperor sincerely.
The emperor raised his hand and said, "You all, please stand up."
The prince led all the ministers on this side to stand up, and Wei Zhi on the opposite side also led all the officials to stand up.
Then everyone gathered together to escort the emperor into the city and feel the support and love of the people of the capital.
Well, mainly to the emperor.
As a fourth-rank official, Man Bao had the honor of riding a horse not far behind the emperor, and he also felt the surging love of the people.
Zhou Lixue and his brothers and sisters came out and squeezed into the crowd, shouting "His Majesty the Emperor" loudly. When they saw their aunt, they screamed, "Aunt, it's my aunt, that's my aunt——"
Then he shouted: "That's my uncle-in-law——"
Both sides of the road were crowded with people, and the buildings and even the trees were full of people, all eagerly paying attention to the emperor. The capital was more lively than ever, comparable to the Chinese New Year.
A group of girls crowded around the restaurant window, looking down. When Zhou Man passed by, a burst of screams erupted. The twelve or thirteen-year-old girls pushed each other and screamed, "Did you see that? Did you see that? Is that Mr. Zhou?"
"It was Master Zhou. She even looked up at me. Oh my god, she smiled at me..."
"Nonsense, it's clearly directed at me, ahhhh—Master Zhou, Master Zhou, look here."
"It's the crimson official uniform. It makes her face look so white. It's so pretty. I like it so much."
"I like it too. When I get home, I want my mother to make me a crimson dress."
"That's an official robe, how can you wear it?"
"Just get something similar in style, not exactly the same. It just has to look good."
"Yes, I didn't expect that a woman could look so good in an official robe. I want to try on my brother's robe when I get back."
"Your brother's official robe is green. Doesn't it look ugly?"
"Who said it doesn't look good? I think it looks pretty good. It's a pity I've never seen Lord Zhou wearing a green official robe."
Many women came with their children to watch, pointing to Bai Shan and several other young and good-looking people and saying to their sons: "Did you see that? If you study hard, you will be able to serve His Majesty like them in the future, and go out in fine clothes and on fine horses;"
Pointing at Zhou Man, he said to his daughter, "You must study hard and learn a skill, preferably medicine. Maybe you can become an official in the future and bring honor to the family."
Although they are not very hopeful, Zhou Man's achievements and the rise of the Zhou family still give hope to many families with daughters. They think that if they educate their daughters well, they can also lead the family, which is no worse than raising sons.
Manbao withdrew her gaze and turned to the two vice ministers from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works who were riding alongside her. She said, "I have a feeling someone is calling me, but I don't see anyone I know."
The two assistant ministers remained silent. Zhou Man was riding in the middle, while they were on both sides, so they could hear more clearly and didn't want to pay attention to her at this time.
Seeing that they ignored her, Manbao could only look away with regret.
Yin Huo was also sitting in the restaurant. He had booked a private room for himself. When he saw his friends riding horses past him, the corners of his mouth raised slightly, and he looked very happy.
Changshou also said happily: "Sir, Mr. Bai, Mr. Er, and Miss Man are all back safely."
Yin Huo nodded, and after all the imperial guards had passed downstairs, he stood up and said, "Let's go home."
Changshou asked with a smile, "Sir, would you like to go to Zhou's house later to see Master Bai and the others?"
Yin Huo shook his head and said, "They just came back. Not only do they need to be rewarded for their merits, but they also want to meet their relatives. We'll see you at the dinner in a few days."
The emperor must be happy to have gained Liaodong this time. Once things are settled, there will definitely be a celebration banquet in the palace. See you then.
The emperor led his ministers back to the palace and first met with all the officials in the Taiji Hall. Everyone discussed what had happened in the past few months.
Of course, the emperor's return to the capital today is a great joyous occasion, and no one would make things difficult for the emperor at this time, so everyone said good things.
The emperor also responded to the situation and ordered people to announce the rewards he had drafted on the way.
Those who followed the Eastern Expedition were rewarded, ranging from small gifts of gifts to big ones like promotions or even titles.
Qibi Heli, Ashina and others were all given higher titles and transferred to another place to continue serving as generals. They could also govern the local area and serve as governors.
Duke Zhao and others also received rewards, and after them were Zhou Man and others.
Bai Erlang was praised a lot, and then he jumped three levels from the seventh-rank Hanlin to the fifth-rank Hanlin, and he was still editing books and studying in the Hanlin Academy;
Bai Shan's position remained unchanged, he was still a secretary of the Secretariat, but he was promoted to the rank of county earl, with a fief of 700 households.
Zhou Man's official position remained unchanged, but he received many rewards. In addition to some gold and silver, his title was also raised one level, from Township Lord to County Lord, with a fief of 1,000 households...
Even the court officials couldn't help but look at them sideways. This young couple was really interesting. They were promoted together, and even their titles were raised together.
Manbao happily accepted the imperial edict and waited until the emperor had conferred titles on everyone before she left the hall. Bai Shan's official position was lower than hers, so he stood outside waiting for her.
The couple went home happily under everyone's gaze.
Old Zhou and Qian came to the capital after the autumn. This morning they went to the street to watch the excitement. When they saw Manbao riding a horse ahead of all the officials in the crowd, Old Zhou burst into tears.
Even Qian's eyes were filled with tears. For the first time, she truly felt that their son Manbao was so successful.
Even if it wasn't a boy, she could still have her son become an official and bring honor to the family.
So as soon as Manbao and the others came back, they were stopped by Old Zhou and Qian, who checked them from head to toe and only felt relieved after confirming that everything was fine.
Old Madam Liu couldn't control her emotions either. She stepped forward and grabbed Bai Shan, checked him over, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that he was fine as well.
See you at 9pm
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
