Luoyang, outside the Southern Palace.
At this time, the area around Nangong Square was already crowded with people who came to watch the ceremony.
Everyone was wearing new clothes that they only wore during festivals, and their faces were flushed as they looked at the guards in the center of the square.
The county town was unusually quiet, with everyone standing still, waiting silently.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the eastern sky finally became fully bright, and a red glow appeared on the horizon, shining brilliantly.
"Prepare!!"
The officer who had been keeping a close eye on the east also straightened up and shouted.
At the foot of the flagpole, two soldiers immediately stepped forward to prepare for raising the flag, and the Imperial Guard soldiers guarding the flagpole straightened up and looked at the great banner symbolizing the Han Dynasty with reverence.
The onlookers around also looked serious and held their breath as they stared intently at the center of the square.
Soon, the edge of a red sun appeared on the horizon.
"Raise the flag!!"
At the officer's shout, the two soldiers responsible for raising the flag also began to move.
All eyes followed the large banner as it slowly rose.
As the sun fully rose above the horizon, the slowly rising banner also stopped, fluttering in the breeze.
"May the Han Dynasty live ten thousand years!!"
"May the Emperor live ten thousand years!!"
The moment the banner came to a stop, cheers erupted from all around the square.
Everyone shouted at the top of their lungs, releasing their inner excitement.
After the cheers subsided, the people, under the organization of the court officials, began to decorate the streets and alleys of Luoyang with lanterns and colorful decorations.
The Royal Opera House also sent all its performing troupes to perform in various streets.
All the restaurants and taverns in Luoyang were in full swing, preparing a continuous feast to entertain the people who came to celebrate the victory.
In addition to the people in Luoyang, countless people from the surrounding areas also flocked to Luoyang to participate in this grand celebration.
At noon, the streets of Luoyang were teeming with people.
Whether people know each other or not, whenever they meet, they congratulate each other or raise a glass together.
For a time, the entire city of Luoyang was filled with laughter and joy.
While thousands of people were celebrating, Chen Fan, who was on duty in the cabinet, sighed.
It turned out that after the news of the victory arrived, Liu Hong's order to lead his army north also came through.
What bothered Chen Fan the most was not that the emperor refused to return, but the actions of Cao Song, Xun Shuang, and other officials, which angered him.
You were supposed to go and persuade His Majesty to come back, but look what happened! Not only did you fail to persuade him to return, but you guys actually turned against him all at once. This made Chen Fan feel like he had been tricked.
Of course, aside from anger, the main reason was envy.
After all, as a citizen of the Han Dynasty, who wouldn't want to accompany the Emperor on a trip to the vast sea?
"Cao Jugao, Cao Jugao, just wait till you get back, I'll teach you a lesson!"
Recalling how Cao Song had repeatedly urged him to stay in Luoyang, Chen Fan directed all his resentment at Cao Song.
North of Juyan, on the vast grassland, a long column of 40,000 troops and nearly 100,000 transport personnel slowly made its way into the depths of the grassland.
Liu Hong, dressed in casual clothes, sat in a large open carriage at the head of the procession.
Important officials such as Huangfu Song, Xun Shuang, and Cao Song sat around Liu Hong, admiring the beautiful scenery of the grassland with excitement.
Achoo!
A gentle breeze blew by, and Cao Song, sitting in the carriage, suddenly felt an itch on his nose and couldn't help but sneeze.
"Is Minister Cao unwell?"
Seeing this, Liu Hong, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but ask with concern.
"N-nothing, it's just that my nose suddenly feels a little itchy!"
Seeing that he had behaved improperly in front of the emperor, Cao Song quickly raised his sleeve to cover his mouth and nose and wiped them clean.
"Well, it's good that everything's alright!"
Liu Hong smiled and said, "My dear minister, you have been in Luoyang for a long time. Perhaps you are not yet used to the climate of the northern grasslands. You should pay more attention to it. If there are any problems, you should see a military doctor as soon as possible!"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine!"
Cao Song also bowed to Liu Hong with a grateful expression.
"That's good!"
Liu Hong smiled, then turned his head and looked at the boundless green grassland and the clear blue sky in the distance with a contented expression.
Unnamed wildflowers bloom among the roadside grass, emitting a faint fragrance that, combined with the freshness of the June grassland, brings a sense of tranquility and joy.
Enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way, Liu Hong couldn't help but exclaim, "What a beautiful place! From now on, this will be the eternal territory of the Han Dynasty!"
"To incorporate the grasslands into our territory is a feat that no dynasty in the Central Plains has ever accomplished in thousands of years."
Your Majesty's actions should serve as a model for future generations!
Xun Shuang, standing to the side, also looked at Liu Hong with admiration.
"Haha~, my dear minister, you flatter me. This is all thanks to the efforts of all my ministers and soldiers!"
Faced with Xun Shuang's flattery and praise, Liu Hong was happy, but he also attributed the credit to the ministers and all the soldiers.
The people surrounding Liu Hong smiled knowingly upon hearing the emperor's words, and like Liu Hong, they all admired the new territory they had personally opened up.
The army left a trail as it passed, stretching deep into the grasslands.
On July 10th, after half a month of marching, Liu Hong and his troops finally arrived at their first stop on their northward advance—Langjuxu Mountain.
At this time, four teams had been stationed around this mountain, which was revered as a sacred mountain by the Xiongnu.
They were the 25,000 Red Ribbon Army and Wuhuan cavalry led by Xi Zhicai, Sun Jian and others; the 30,000 Bingzhou Army led by Gao Shun; the 30,000 Youzhou Army led by Lu Zhi; and the 30,000 Liaozhou Army led by Zhu Jun.
A total of 115,000 troops surrounded Langjuxu Mountain completely.
The four legions that arrived here first also dispatched their engineering corps and prisoners captured along the way to open up a passage to the top of the mountain during Liu Hong's march.
Upon learning that the emperor was leading his army to the capital, Xi Zhicai, Lu Zhi, Gao Shun, Zhu Jun, and several other officers and soldiers led their troops to the south of Langjuxu Mountain to welcome him.
As the emperor's chariot drew ever closer in the distance, the soldiers who had been waiting for so long all showed expressions of excitement and joy.
Before long, Liu Hong's vehicle arrived in front of everyone.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Xi Zhicai, Lu Zhi, and the others stepped forward and bowed in greeting.
"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"
Liu Hong: "My dear subjects, you may dispense with the formalities!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After exchanging greetings, Lu Zhi stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, we have ordered our men to clear the path up the mountain. Please, Your Majesty, enter the camp to rest first, and then you may ascend the mountain to offer sacrifices!"
"Okay, let's go then!"
Looking up at Langjuxu Mountain in front of him, Liu Hong smiled and then walked towards the campsite at the foot of the mountain.
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