This time when we return, Bei Yan will recuperate and rebuild. We'll wait until the merchants expand their businesses overseas and bring back news from abroad before considering whether to take down those white and black people.
During this time, Jiang Jiuniang received a letter from Gou'er, saying that she had passed the imperial examination and become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations), and was even the top scorer.
Jiezi and Xiaohuzi also passed the exam, but their rankings were lower than his, not as prominent.
Lei Zi passed the imperial examination and ranked quite high, bringing great honor to his family.
The Lu family came from humble beginnings and started as military officers, but now they have so many scholars, all of whom are accomplished scholars, which has attracted the envy of many. Of course, there are still quite a few envious people, but that is no longer worth their attention.
The Lu family made great contributions to the capture of Dongting and the island nation, accomplishing the most remarkable war in history with minimal casualties.
In the eyes of the Beiyan people, the Lu family's status is no longer something that ordinary people can shake.
Imagine, the fields are planted with seeds distributed free of charge by the Lu family, the food is grown from Lu family seeds, the clothes are made of warm wool sweaters and down jackets by the Lu family, the convenience of the Lu family's business and the benefits brought by the Lu family's wars are enjoyed, and when you are sick, you have doctors trained by the Lu family's medical school to treat you. Who can say a bad word about the Lu family?
On the day the army returned to the capital, the people of the capital spontaneously came out of the city to welcome them. The long line stretched for more than ten miles, and a path was cleared in the crowd for the army to pass through.
Upon seeing the group of people sitting on tall horses, some shouted "General Lu!" and "General!" while others cheered for Jiang Jiuniang and the other two women. They were role models for women and pioneers who would soon be the first women to serve in the imperial court!
Upon arriving at the city gate, they saw the Emperor and Empress personally come out of the palace to greet them. Standing beside the Emperor and Empress were civil and military officials, the Lu family, the Peng family, the Kang family, Jiang Ruoya's entire family, Su Su's entire family... In short, all the people they knew were there.
Their faces beamed with joy as they welcomed the soldiers back to the city.
Jiang Jiuniang and the others exchanged glances; this prosperous era was just as they had wished!
"Father, Mother!"
Xiangxiang was held in Leizi's arms and waved to them from afar.
The little one has grown quite a bit in the past few months. She has a little bun on her head that sways as she waves, making her look incredibly cute.
Jiang Jiuniang waved to her, letting her know that she had heard her.
Upon arriving before the Emperor and Empress, the group dismounted and bowed. Lu Baichuan said, "Your Majesty, we have been fortunate to fulfill our mission!"
The emperor smiled and personally helped them up, praising them repeatedly.
"You must all be tired from your journey. Please go back and take a bath and change your clothes to get some rest. The palace is already preparing for the theatrical performance. Tonight, I will host a banquet for the army to reward you all!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Jiang Jiuniang got up, smiled at the Empress, and then went to look at her two children.
Xiangxiang nestled in her arms like a koala and refused to get down. The young dog, now a teenager, watched them from the spot, restrained and composed, but the smile on his face betrayed his emotions that he was trying so hard to hide.
Just like when he was a child, Jiang Jiuniang pinched his cheek and praised, "My little scholar, you're so great! Your parents are so proud of you!"
The dog was overjoyed. His mother had always remembered that he had passed the imperial examination and was praising him as soon as he returned home!
"Mother, I will continue to try my best."
Jiang Jiuniang shook her head: "It's okay if you don't work hard. What your parents want most is for you to be happy."
The dog replied, "I'm very happy, and I also want to contribute to the country in any way I can."
Xiangxiang raised her hand, eager to answer: "I'm so happy that Daddy and Mommy are back! And also, I want to contribute to the country in the future!"
Jiang Luo, nestled in Mingze's arms, chimed in, not to be outdone: "Me too! I'm just as good!"
Little Bean blinked. Why is everyone working so hard? Won't he seem out of place if he doesn't talk?
So he whispered, "Me too."
His voice was very soft, and only Qin Shi, who had been holding him, could hear it. Upon hearing this, Qin Shi smiled and finally managed to straighten the child.
They had a brief gathering at the city gate, then went home to wash and change, and would meet again at the banquet that evening.
At the palace banquet that evening, before it began, the emperor spoke first, personally toasting the soldiers who had gone on the expedition, and then rewarding them according to their merits.
This is the most exciting moment.
Zhuzhu immediately sat up straight; this time, it was her turn!
The first to be granted a title was naturally Lu Baichuan. The emperor directly bestowed upon him the title of a prince of a different surname, a title of "Chen'an," which means "warmth and stability."
The title is hereditary. As long as the descendants of the Lu family do not act recklessly and as long as the Northern Yan Dynasty exists, the glory of this king of a different surname will accompany the Lu family for generations.
Bei Yan's success today is inseparable from Lu Baichuan and his wife. Moreover, the Lu family is full of loyal and righteous people, and they have raised so many children who are both literate and martial, all of whom will serve the country in the future.
The crowd gasped in disbelief; this honor was far too great!
The Emperor is implying that he intends to share the empire equally with Lu Baichuan!
If Lu Baichuan were to amass military power and become too influential, given the abilities of the Lu family couple, wouldn't that mean...?
I dare not even think about it!
However, given the current situation, no one dared to stand up and object.
Lu Baichuan was also surprised. He stood up to accept the honor, and then presented the tiger tally, a symbol of military power, to the public, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! Now that the country is peaceful and prosperous, it is best to leave the tiger tally to Your Majesty."
There's no war going on now, so having military power is pointless; in fact, it would only arouse suspicion from those in the court. It would be better to hand it over and have some peace and quiet.
Next is Qin Jian, who was granted the title of Marquis of Wu'an, a title slightly lower than Lu Baichuan's, but not by much, and it was also hereditary.
Next was Jiang Jiuniang. Although she became the Princess Consort of Chen'an with Lu Baichuan, she was also capable and was named the First Female Physician of Beiyan. She also enjoyed a separate salary and rewards from the imperial court.
Zhu Zhu was granted the title of Dingyuan General, the first female general of the fifth rank in the history of Bei Yan, while Ruo Zheng was granted the title of Right Minister of Works, the first female official of the third rank, thus officially opening the chapter of women entering the court as officials.
The Ministry of Works was responsible for engineering, transportation, water conservancy, and land reclamation, which suited Ruozheng's interests perfectly.
Princess Jinlan was extremely envious; her master had entered the Ministry of Works before her, and she was determined to work harder!
Then came the promotions and rewards for the other generals and soldiers, which lasted for more than an hour before it ended.
Once the important business was finished, the banquet officially began, with singing, dancing, and fireworks filling the sky.
Everyone looked up at the dazzling fireworks in the night sky, marveling at their beauty.
Lu Baichuan held Jiang Jiuniang's hand, their eyes met, and they smiled knowingly. This was the prosperous world they had envisioned. Beiyan would definitely get better and better.
The same was true for later generations of China.
[End of article]
Hooray for the finale! Thank you all for your support over the past two years. I wish you all good health, all the best, and great wealth. May our country be peaceful and prosperous, and our people stable and wealthy, with ever-improving development!
My new book will be available soon! Love you all, muah~
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