Chapter 725 The Crown Prince!
After staying in Taiyuan for a few more days and settling everything in, His Highness the Prince of Han and His Highness the Prince of Qin of the Great Sheng Dynasty led their respective troops away from Taiyuan and returned to the capital.
Along the way, the sky was clear and the clouds were vast.
Although there was no rain or snow on the way there, since it was a victorious return to the capital, we could not travel too fast. Instead, we had to travel slowly and make a big show of it along the way, so that the townspeople along the route could witness the great military prowess and majestic power of the Great Sheng Dynasty.
Therefore, the return journey took nearly a month.
By the time they finally returned to Chang'an, which they had been away from for so long, spring had already arrived.
The chill in the wind had not yet completely faded, but the slight warmth mixed in made people feel very comfortable. Especially after hearing the good news of the great victory in Taiyuan and the recapture of the birthplace of the dragon, the people of Chang'an City all rushed to the streets. Starting from Mingde Gate, the entire Zhuque Avenue was lined with people. They were dressed in red and green, cheering and jumping for joy, applauding and singing for the victorious warriors.
In an instant, the entire city of Chang'an was abuzz with excitement and bustling activity.
Seeing the people's jubilant expressions, Yuwen Ye's face remained stern, but a hint of warmth, as if melted, shone in his eyes.
Throughout history, dynasties have risen and fallen, and it is always the common people who suffer.
If we cannot enable them to live in peace and prosperity, and to smile with joy, what is the point of establishing a new dynasty? What is the point of an emperor's power over the world? What is the point of their military campaigns and bloody battles?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask, "Why are these people so happy?"
Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Of course they are happy that we have returned victorious."
Yuwen Ye said, "There's no need to be so happy."
"Um?"
Shang Ruyi was taken aback and turned to look at him. Shen Wuzheng, who was riding his horse on the other side of Yuwen Ye, quickly followed after hearing this and said, "I sent someone back in advance to find out about the situation in Chang'an. After His Majesty ascended the throne, he not only took several measures to encourage agriculture, but also reduced taxes for a year."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's eyes lit up immediately.
"I see!"
Yuwen Ye nodded, but didn't say much. It was only natural for a newly established dynasty and a new emperor to reduce taxes and corvée labor in order to gain the support of the people and win their hearts. This was understandable.
only--
Yuwen Ye said, "Reducing taxes to give the people a breather is good, but is the government's grain supply sufficient? What if something else happens—"
He stopped before he could finish speaking, knowing that it was inappropriate to casually utter words like "natural disasters and man-made calamities," but given his position, he had to keep them in mind even if he didn't say them aloud. Sure enough, Shen Wuzheng understood his meaning almost immediately and said in a deep voice, "There isn't much grain stored in the Guanzhong region. Previously... everything was concentrated in the Eastern Capital."
"..."
"However, I had already estimated that there would be no problem with emergency response for at least the next year or two."
"..."
"In fact, His Majesty's confidence in doing this still lies with the East."
Yuwen Ye raised an eyebrow slightly, immediately realizing that he had said "east" rather than "Eastern Capital." After a moment's thought, he quickly came to his senses: "Xingluo Warehouse?"
Shen Wuzheng nodded: "Your Highness's decision to capture Xingluo Granary and send strong troops to guard it was a wise one. At least for now, Liang Shide and his men have not been able to touch Xingluo Granary in the slightest."
"..."
"However, it's not easy to transport grain from Xingluo Granary here. After all, there's Luoyang in between."
Yuwen Ye took a deep breath.
So, in the end, it all comes down to Luoyang.
As Shang Ruyi listened, her mind grew heavy. This was precisely the issue they had been constantly thinking about and planning these past few days. Bringing it up again at this moment made her heart sink.
She subconsciously looked up ahead. Yuwen Qian, as the elder brother, walked a little ahead of Yuwen Ye. He was obviously not used to the bustling crowd around him. On the contrary, Yu Mingyue, who was not far from him, straightened her back and looked down at the people around her with a superior attitude.
Shang Ruyi frowned slightly.
Immediately afterwards, she saw Yuwen Qian's shoulders slump slightly, as if he had seen something.
Shang Ruyi also hurriedly raised her head, glanced ahead, and immediately said, "Feng Chen, look ahead."
At this moment, Yuwen Ye also sensed something. He looked up and saw that at the end of Zhuque Avenue, which he had already walked most of the way, was the grand main gate of the palace—Zhuque Gate. It was wide open, and a gust of wind, carrying the oppressive and majestic aura of the palace, blew in from the gate, making everyone on the street quiet down for a moment.
The person on horseback also narrowed their eyes slightly.
However, what Yuwen Qian and Yuwen Ye saw was not only the open main gate, but also the assembled officials and palace guards who were already lined up outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, waiting for them.
Standing at the very front is Eunuch Yu!
Shang Ruyi frowned instinctively: "How could it be there—"
The main gate of the palace is only opened on very rare occasions such as large-scale celebrations and investiture ceremonies. Although the two princes went to war together this time and won a great victory, and reclaimed the place where the dragon rose in one fell swoop, it was not unreasonable for Yuwen Yuan to give such an honor. However, when Shang Ruyi saw Eunuch Yu standing at the front, she felt a little uneasy.
Upon hearing her say this, Yuwen Ye and Shen Wuzheng exchanged a glance.
Upon seeing Eunuch Yu, everyone dared not be negligent. They hurriedly shook the reins and quickened their pace forward. They stopped when they were still a dozen feet away from the Vermilion Bird Gate. Yuwen Qian and Yuwen Ye were the first to dismount. After standing still, they immediately led Shang Ruyi and the others forward.
Eunuch Yu greeted them with a smile: "Your Highnesses, you have had a long journey."
Yuwen Qian asked, "What is this, Eunuch—"
Before he could finish speaking, Eunuch Yu had already raised the imperial edict in his hand and announced loudly, "Imperial edict issued!"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Qian and Yuwen Ye hurriedly knelt down, and Shang Ruyi and the others followed suit. The eunuch Yu slowly unfurled the imperial edict and read aloud: "By imperial decree to the Secretariat and the Chancellery: Prince Han, Yuwen Qian, and Prince Qin, Yuwen Ye, have defeated the enemy and defended the territory. I, by the mandate of Heaven, hereby reward the three armies to recognize their merits, especially Prince Han, whose profound character, wisdom, and decisive action have made him a paragon of virtue..."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's brows furrowed.
Is this an imperial edict bestowing rewards?
Shouldn't such an imperial edict be issued during a court assembly, at least until both Qin kings have returned to the court? Why was it issued at this time—
As she was thinking, she heard excited panting behind her.
Shang Ruyi turned her head and saw Yu Mingyue kneeling not far behind her. At this moment, Yu Mingyue had already raised her head halfway, revealing a pair of eyes that were shining with excitement.
Eunuch Yu continued, “I believe that governing the world requires civil administration and suppressing rebellion requires military force, and military commanders are the pillars of the court and the backbone of the nation. Those who are skilled in both civil and military affairs and have made great contributions should not have their achievements forgotten and should be rewarded with imperial favor. Therefore, I hereby establish Prince Yuwen Qian of Han as the Crown Prince!”
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