On the eve of the Lunar New Year in the twentieth year of the Zhaowu reign of the Tang Dynasty.
That year, the New Year's Eve in the imperial city of Jinling was exceptionally grand and lively. Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an personally issued an edict, entrusting the Ministry of Rites with full authority to oversee the New Year's celebrations for the year.
This year marks not only the 20th anniversary of Zhaowu Chen Huai'an's ascension to the throne, but also the 20th anniversary of the long-term war in foreign lands, during which the Arab Empire was finally completely conquered, and the important day when another empire, Byzantium, surrendered.
At the same time, it was also the day when a group of new and old military generals of the Tang Dynasty, led by Zhao Zilong, the Grand Marshal of the Western Expedition, returned to the capital to report to the emperor.
By this time, the Tang Dynasty had become the undisputed number one empire of its time, with its territory spanning across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Even in the distant North and South America, it was within the range of the Tang Dynasty's naval cannons.
Of the four great empires at the time, one was annexed by the Tang Dynasty, another voluntarily surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, and the remaining Carolingian Empire was a minor vassal state of the Tang Dynasty. The current Charlemagne II followed the lead of the Tang Emperor Chen Huai'an.
In such a prosperous era, the eve of the Lunar New Year was certainly a day worthy of celebration for the entire Tang Dynasty.
On New Year's Eve, in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the imperial city, Chen Huai'an finally saw his second son, Chen Chuqing, the Western King of the Tang Dynasty, whom he had given birth to with the Imperial Noble Consort Yue Qiluo, after a ten-year separation.
At this time, Chen Chuqing was already twenty years old. His tall and upright figure and heroic and resolute face were a perfect inheritance of his parents' excellent genes.
In addition, since the age of sixteen, he had been following the Grand Marshal of the Western Expedition, Zhao Zilong, in the army. In every major battle and fierce battle, he would take the lead, carrying a halberd and charging into battle, breaking through the enemy army. His bravery and strength were already quite similar to that of his father, Emperor Zhaowu, Chen Huai'an.
Therefore, in addition to the heroic spirit between his brows, the current King Chen Chuqing of the West also exudes a ruthless and decisive temperament.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"
After a ten-year separation, father and son met again. Chen Chuqing immediately knelt down before Chen Huai'an and greeted him, saying, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"No need for formalities, rise!"
As Chen Huai'an spoke, he personally pulled up his second son, Chen Chuqing, who was kneeling in front of him.
Looking at his second son, who was now taller and stronger than him, Chen Huai'an's eyes were filled with a father's love for his child, mixed with a little bit of guilt.
The last time I personally escorted Chu Qing out of the capital, he was just a boy who only reached my shoulder, with a face full of childishness;
When they met again, their son had grown into a true man.
"Qing'er, you've gotten stronger and darker!"
Chen Huai'an gently stroked his son's cheek, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "General Zhao has already told me about your bravery in the battles beyond the borders."
"Qing'er, you did a great job! You didn't disgrace me, nor did you disgrace your mother!"
Faced with his father's praise, Chen Chuqing acted like a shy big child, grinning and scratching his head a little embarrassedly.
Over the past decade, he had imagined countless times what it would be like to meet his father again, and he had accumulated countless things he wanted to say to his father.
However, when father and son met again, Chen Chuqing found that he had so much to say, but he didn't know how to say it.
He simply looked at his father, whose temples were already showing some gray, with loving and sincere eyes, and nodded vigorously.
Chen Huai'an continued, "Qing'er, you haven't gone to pay your respects to your mother yet, have you, since you've been ordered to return to the capital?"
Um!
Chen Chuqing nodded again.
Chen Huai'an said with some heartache, "It must have been hard on you. After the victory celebration banquet tonight, go to Fengyi Palace to see your mother."
"For the past ten years, she has missed you every single moment!"
"Yes, Father!"
After exchanging a few pleasantries with his son Chen Chuqing, Chen Huai'an bypassed Chen Chuqing and went to stand beside Zhao Zilong, the Grand Marshal of the Western Expedition of the Tang Dynasty.
At this time, Zhao Zilong was about the same age as Chen Huai'an, both approaching the age of fifty.
However, time seems to have left few traces on Zhao Zilong's face; he remains as dashing and outstanding as ever.
Chen Huai'an said to Zhao Zilong, "Zilong, it has been almost twenty years since we last met, since we parted ways in the Princess City of the Uyghur Khanate, hasn't it?"
Um!
Zhao Zilong nodded and replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, it has been nineteen years and one hundred and twenty-seven days!"
Um?
Upon hearing this, Chen Huai'an's expression froze for a moment, then he smiled knowingly and said, "Haha, Zilong, your memory is quite good, which surprises me a bit."
Zhao Zilong said, "Your Majesty has shown me great favor, which I will never forget. For the past twenty years of the Western Expedition, I have always kept Your Majesty's teachings in mind, and have only wished to end the expedition as soon as possible."
"In the end, Zilong was fortunate enough to fulfill the emperor's mission and completely eliminate the hidden dangers of the Tang Dynasty outside the borders."
Chen Huai'an patted Zhao Zilong on the shoulder heavily and said solemnly, "Zilong, you've worked hard!"
"I have already ordered that Chancellor Yu Siqian, together with the Six Ministries, should, as soon as possible, reward you according to the military achievements reported by the Western Expeditionary Army."
"This is what you deserve!"
"Your Majesty, on behalf of the two million soldiers who led the western expedition over the past twenty years, I thank you!"
After exchanging pleasantries with Zhao Zilong, Chen Huai'an approached the Marquis of Champion and the Marquis of Anxi, Lan Yu. Seeing that the two men who once guarded the Anxi Protectorate had become more mature and composed, a satisfied smile appeared on Chen Huai'an's face.
Chen Huai'an patted Lan Yu on the shoulder and said, "Lan Yu, you've matured and become more composed!"
Lan Yu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Lan Yu will heed His Majesty's teachings and will never dare to repeat the same mistake!" (The subtext being that Lan Yu's past misconduct in humiliating the Queen of Wusun had caused chaos in the Western Regions!)
Ha ha!
After saying this, Chen Huai'an and Lan Yu exchanged a smile, everything understood without being said.
He then encouraged Huo Qubing, saying, "Qubing, I have heard that during this western expedition, the cavalry vanguard led by you and your son has penetrated deep into the Caucasus, almost reaching the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Just like when you directly attacked the heart of the Turks, it is truly remarkable!"
Huo Qubing replied, "Your Majesty, I have always kept in mind Your Majesty's teachings—those who offend our Great Tang, though far away, shall be punished!"
"As long as Your Majesty requires it, I can still ride into battle for another thirty years!"
"Well done, what spirit!"
Chen Huai'an couldn't help but applaud Huo Qubing. Over the past twenty years, the Marquis of Champions hadn't changed at all, remaining as confident as ever.
Then, Chen Huai'an continued to meet with the second generation of military generals of the Tang Dynasty, such as Chang Mao, Pang Zhongwang, Wang Ben, Huo Wuwei, and Lan Bin, and naturally he couldn't help but encourage them.
In the evening, Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an hosted a banquet in the Taihe Hall for all the civil and military officials, which was also a way to welcome back the victorious soldiers from the western expedition. He wanted everyone to relax and drink to their hearts' content, and not leave until they were drunk.
This drinking party continued until late at night when firecrackers were set off to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new.
A grand fireworks display was held in Nanjing. The fireworks that bloomed in the night sky were varied and dazzling, and were specially developed by the Ministry of Works' Gunpowder Bureau for this celebration.
Amidst the explosions of fireworks and firecrackers, the civil and military officials, their faces flushed from drinking, all spontaneously stepped out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and gazed at the night sky.
Emperor Zhaowu, Chen Huai'an, also left the Taihe Hall, but instead of enjoying the dazzling fireworks display, he ascended the imperial city tower alone, accompanied by Xiao Po, the commander of the Jinwu Guard.
At this moment, looking at the myriad lights inside and outside Jinling City, Chen Huai'an, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.
Suddenly, a jarring voice rang in Chen Huai'an's mind.
[Ding!]
[Dear host Chen Huai'an, congratulations on achieving the "Emperor of All Time" achievement. You are now authorized to unlock the "Explore Immortality" permission. Do you wish to activate it?]
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