December 15th, the sixth year of Jianning.
At the north gate of Luoyang, countless people gathered on both sides of the official road.
These people included ordinary citizens, workers, students, and many young children, numbering in the tens of thousands, forming a long queue that stretched for over a kilometer.
The scene was bustling with noise and excitement, making the winter day feel less cold.
At the city gate, Liu Hong, dressed in ordinary clothes, smiled and looked expectantly at the horizon at the end of the road.
Behind Liu Hong were Cao Song, Xun Shuang, Yuan Feng, Yang Ci, as well as Xi Zhicai, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Zhang Zhao, and other civil and military officials.
Like Liu Hong, everyone held their breath and gazed intently towards the north.
Today marks the return of the Imperial Navy from its first battle.
Cao Cao and others led 10,000 imperial naval troops to Yamatai, where they fought for a year and opened up the first overseas territory for the Han Dynasty.
This was unprecedented in the history of the Han Dynasty, and even in the entire history of the Chinese people.
Therefore, to show his respect for the naval officers and soldiers, Liu Hong personally led his officials out of the city to welcome them.
Upon hearing the news, the people flocked to the scene, eager to catch a glimpse of the naval officers and soldiers.
Nowadays, with the growing strength of the Han Dynasty and Liu Hong's deliberate guidance, not only have batches of highly aggressive young military officers been cultivated, but many ordinary people have also been influenced by those hawkish remarks.
The phrase "expanding territory" has been accepted by the people and deeply imprinted in their minds.
The people also showed great enthusiasm for these heroes who expanded the territory.
Before long, under the expectant gazes of the crowd, a large banner with the character "Han" appeared on the northern horizon, slowly approaching Luoyang.
Below the great banner, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Yuan Shao, and Sun Jian rode side by side on fine horses.
Behind them were ten thousand Imperial Navy soldiers, all in neat uniforms, marching in a long column of four men each.
The entire team was perfectly aligned, as straight and firm as the cement road beneath their feet.
The moment the naval soldiers appeared, the previously noisy welcoming crowd fell silent.
From the elderly to young children, everyone looked at the returning naval hero with reverence.
"Welcome back, naval heroes!!"
As the naval soldiers drew closer, a thunderous roar of cheers suddenly erupted from the crowd.
A huge cheer, like waves, surged in all directions, one wave higher than the next.
Faced with the enthusiastic cheers of the people, the naval soldiers marching along also showed happy smiles and waved to the people.
"The army protects the people, and the people support the army. With such an army and people, who in our great Han Dynasty can rival us?"
Liu Hong, standing below the city gate, watched his soldiers interacting warmly with the people, and his smile grew even wider.
Soon, the naval force passed through the welcoming crowd and headed towards the gates of Luoyang.
Upon seeing the emperor and officials standing below the city gate, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Yuan Shao, and Sun Jian hurriedly dismounted, lined up in a row, and led their soldiers in orderly steps toward Liu Hong.
The four men stepped forward and stood two meters away from Liu Hong. They stopped at the same time, clenched their right fists, and pounded them on their chests, giving a military salute to their emperor.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!!"
As Cao Cao and his three companions moved, the ten thousand soldiers behind them also pounded their right fists on their chests and shouted in unison.
Liu Hong smiled, his gaze slowly sweeping over the soldiers' dark faces, then he gathered his strength and said loudly:
"All soldiers, you may rise in formalities!!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"
After the shouts, all the soldiers stood at attention, their eyes fixed intently on their emperor.
Facing the gazes of the crowd, Liu Hong stepped forward and said loudly, "Congratulations to you for opening up the first piece of overseas territory for our Great Han, spreading the fame of our Great Han to all corners of the world."
On behalf of the people of the Han Dynasty and countless descendants, I thank you!
With you all here, the glory of our Great Han will shine upon every corner of the land, just like the brilliance of the sun and moon!
At this moment, Liu Hong, having practiced the Five Animal Frolics for many years, was strong and healthy with abundant vital energy. His loud shout, full of energy, clearly reached the ears of everyone around him.
Hearing such inspiring words and gazing at the increasingly majestic emperor, the soldiers' eyes were filled with reverence and support.
Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and the other three men in the front row shouted in unison, "We are willing to be loyal to the Han Dynasty and die for Your Majesty!"
"I am willing to serve the Han Dynasty to the death, and I am willing to die for Your Majesty!!"
The ten thousand naval officers and soldiers behind them also raised their weapons and shouted.
The civil and military officials following behind Liu Hong were also filled with mixed emotions upon seeing this scene.
Every time the emperor appeared before his soldiers, he always received their great enthusiasm and support.
In the army of the Han Dynasty today, the name of the emperor is known to everyone. Whether they are officers or soldiers, they can all recite a few of the emperor's sayings and consciously practice the emperor's requirements.
The emperor was clearly a restorer of the dynasty, yet he gained a reputation in the army that even Emperor Wu did not possess, which is truly incomprehensible.
"Into the city!!"
With a loud shout from the master of ceremonies, Liu Hong immediately sat on the imperial carriage, with Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Jian, and Yuan Shao on either side of the carriage, and together with civil and military officials and soldiers, they walked into the city.
The streets in the city were also lined with onlookers, cheers rising and falling.
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