Qiao Zhongguo, Qiao Diyi and Ren Chong had to stay behind to guard the overall situation, so Qiao Tianjing took Jiaojiao and Shen Yuanling back to Beijing first.
Xiao Qianyue also went back with them because she missed her parents and sister very much and was eager to return home.
Accompanied by elite troops, after returning to Wuding, Jiaojiao and his men conducted a thorough cleansing and replaced them with the Beiding garrison for protection before continuing on their journey to the capital.
Of course, there is a reason for this.
The epidemic broke out again in the north, which sounded a wake-up call to Doctor Zou. It might take some time for typhoid fever to disappear completely.
Before that, he suggested that all Wuding troops should not enter Beiding for the time being.
He had already sent someone to send the prescription back to the country. Once all parts of the Yong Dynasty had prepared medicine and were ready to deal with the epidemic at any time, it would not be too late to release Wu Ding Changdao.
Doctor Zou had absolute say in the fight against the epidemic, so Qiao Zhongguo naturally did as he was told.
This time, Doctor Zou, along with other imperial physicians and doctors, went to Wuding and defeated the epidemic. He has become famous all over the world, and people in the medical field even regard Doctor Zou as the Medical Saint!
On August 12, Jiaojiao and her party finally returned to the capital in a low-key manner.
Tan Hanchi was waiting outside the pavilion early. When he saw the team returning to Beijing from afar, his eyes lit up immediately!
Soon after, several people walked out of the post station. Zuo Hejing walked hurriedly, Han Yaxian carried Qiao Mingpei, Zuo Anning carried Tan Zhisui and walked out quickly, and Xiao Hongda and his wife were also beside them!
Liu Fuzi was sent by Shen Yuanzhan and was following Xiao Hongda at this time. When he saw Shen Yuanling on horseback, he immediately showed joy.
His Majesty has mentioned Prince Ling and Princess Yongle many times these days!
"Dad! Mom!"
Xiao Qianyue whipped her horse whip and galloped towards the post station. Before the horse stopped, she had already landed in front of Xiao Hongda and his wife and hugged them tightly.
"Mom and Dad! Yue'er misses you so much!"
Madam Xiao hugged Xiao Qianyue tightly, tears flowing uncontrollably, and even Xiao Hongda, a tall and strong man, had red eyes.
"She's lost weight. My mother Yue'er has lost weight."
Madam Xiao spoke in a trembling voice, gently stroking Xiao Qianyue's back again and again.
"Come and meet your mother-in-law. Don't break the rules."
As Mrs. Xiao said this, she couldn't help but burst into laughter and pushed Xiao Qianyue towards Zuo Hejing.
Xiao Qianyue's eyes were filled with tears. She couldn't help but blush when she heard this. She quickly called out to Zuo Hejing, "Mom, Yue'er is back."
Zuo Hejing's tears rolled down and she quickly grabbed Xiao Qianyue's hand, calling her "good boy" non-stop.
At this time, the carriage finally came closer, and the curtains had been lifted up long ago. Jiaojiao grabbed the carriage frame, her little face flushed, and she shouted loudly:
"Mother! Jiaojiao is back!"
Everyone couldn't wait to step forward, and Qiao Tianjing also dismounted and took Qiao Mingpei from Han Yaxian's arms.
The couple looked at each other, with thousands of words hidden in their hearts, just waiting to express their feelings tonight.
Zuo Hejing picked up Jiaojiao from the car, held her tightly in her arms, and couldn't stop calling her "little darling".
Jiaojiao's eyes were red, and she repeated in a trembling voice: "Mother, mother, Jiaojiao is back..."
Outside the post station, everyone huddled together, expressing their longing for each other.
After meeting Zuo Hejing, Shen Yuanling also followed Liu Fuzi on horseback to the palace.
Mother, brother, Xiao Si is back!
————
On that day, everyone got the news that Prince Ling and Qiao Tianjing had returned to Beijing!
Looking back at the battle reports from a few days ago, the great victory of the Northern Expedition and the destruction of the Northern Kingdom were so inspiring!
Everyone in the capital firmly believed that from now on, the word "Qiao" would mean the most prominent family in the capital!
However, the Qiao family doesn't seem to care about this.
After Qiao Tianjing returned to Beijing, he reported to Shen Yuanzhan.
It is said that the emperor and his ministers chatted in the imperial study for three full hours, and then Qiao Tianjing went to court as usual, and still rarely attended dinners with his colleagues.
The court officials saw that Shen Yuanzhan did not reward Qiao Tianjing, and after watching for a while, they understood -
Oh, it seems that His Majesty is holding back something big!
Half a month later, news finally came from the northern border that Qiao Zhongguo and Qiao Diyi were about to return to the capital.
It was reported that wherever the team returned to Beijing, the people lined the streets to welcome them. Qiao Diyi personally held a flag and led the way, shouting "Long live the emperor" all the way.
The people followed suit and cheered, with great momentum and the sound spread far and wide!
The Qiao family also received Qiao Zhongguo's letter in advance. This time, General Ren would continue to guard the city, while Qiao Zhongguo and Qiao Diyi would return first to report.
After all matters in the capital were settled, Qiao Diyi still had to travel north to continue conquering the northern country for Shen Yuanzhan.
Jiaojiao can best understand Shen Yuanzhan's painstaking efforts.
The emperor brother is going to reward my father and my second brother in front of all the civil and military officials, and he is also going to arrange a marriage for my second brother!
————
On September 13, Qiao Zhongguo and Qiao Diyi finally arrived in Beijing.
No one expected that Shen Yuanzhan would wear a dragon robe and go out of the palace to welcome Qiao Zhongguo in person!
The army entered the city and thousands of people cheered. Qiao Zhongguo saw a bright yellow color at the end of the road from afar. He was shocked and dismounted immediately.
After seeing clearly that it was really the emperor himself, Qiao Zhongguo immediately led Qiao Diyi and walked quickly forward, and knelt down five steps away from Shen Yuanzhan.
Shen Yuanzhan smiled and looked full of emotion. He immediately stepped forward to help, but Qiao Zhongguo refused to stand.
He bowed respectfully to Shen Yuanzhan, and when he looked up again, his eyes were red.
"Your Majesty! I have lived up to your trust and have returned from the Northern Expedition. Now the two countries are unified, as everyone expected!"
When Shen Yuanzhan heard this, a hint of warmth appeared in his eyes.
At this moment, everyone present turned their eyes to their young emperor.
Shen Yuanzhan noticed the eager gazes of the crowd, and his heart was filled with emotions and his throat felt sore.
It’s not easy to get to this point today...
He suppressed the tears in his eyes, and then raised his voice in front of the people of the capital:
"This great victory is the credit of Mr. Qiao, the army, the people of Wuding, the doctors of Xinglin, and the people of Dayong!"
"People of the world should not forget this day, nor this victory, and I should not forget it either."
"From now on, the heavens and the earth will bless our Yong Dynasty with peace and prosperity. I and all the people will work together to create a peaceful and prosperous era!"
Qiao Zhongguo looked at the young emperor in front of him, his eyes already filled with tears.
Over the years, Qiao Zhongguo's loyalty has never changed. The retired emperor discarded it like a worn-out shoe, but today, the emperor picked it up again.
Meeting a wise ruler is a blessing for Qiao Zhongguo, for all officials, and for the people of the world!
"Long live the emperor!"
Qiao Zhongguo bowed again and shouted loudly.
The next moment, the soldiers and civilians behind him knelt down one after another and shouted in unison. The sound was deafening and exciting!
"Long live the emperor!"
The king is enlightened, the ministers are loyal, the people are united, and the army is strong. The signs of a prosperous era have already appeared, and we will finally usher in peace and prosperity!