The day has finally arrived for the old emperor to visit Yunzhou on his northern tour.
On this day, countless people on both sides of the city gate were looking forward to it, their eyes full of curiosity.
The soldiers stood solemnly on both sides, making the road in the middle wide and flat, waiting for the huge northern patrol team to enter the city.
"Is the emperor really coming? I've never seen what an emperor looks like in my entire life!"
"Shut up now! You're the one calling me emperor? Call me His Majesty!"
"What is your majesty doing in Yunzhou this time? Is he coming for war?"
The people behind him were talking noisily. Xia He, wearing armor, stood shoulder to shoulder with Governor Li at the front.
Riding on the tall red fox horse, he looked into the distance with a little curiosity, his eyes fixed slightly.
I saw a huge imperial flag fluttering in the wind, looking magnificent and imposing.
Following closely behind was an extremely luxurious imperial carriage, with gold-painted dragon carvings and hanging pearl curtains. A figure sitting inside could be vaguely seen, and it was the current emperor.
Behind the dragon chariot, in the huge procession, senior officials such as the Grand Secretary and the Nine Ministers followed with solemn expressions.
The personal guards marched in unison, with sharp eyes, guarding the majesty of the royal family.
Several painters held brushes and ink with focused expressions, as if recording the grand occasion of the Northern Tour.
The people around were whispering, with curiosity and awe in their eyes.
It was not known who knelt first, but soon after, the crowd prostrated themselves on the ground like a tide, and kowtowed to the emperor.
Upon seeing this, Li Dushi and Xia He also dismounted immediately. Just as they were about to salute, an old but gentle voice came from the dragon chariot:
"Thank you for your hard work in guarding the border, please don't kneel."
Li Dushi bowed slightly and replied respectfully:
"It is our duty to share His Majesty's worries. I dare not complain about the hardship."
The emperor chuckled, and his voice came through the beaded curtain:
"Lord Li, I haven't seen you for a long time. Come get in the sedan chair and talk to me."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was silence all around.
Commander Li looked calm, bowed and said "Yes, sir", then steadily climbed onto the dragon chariot.
The officials around looked at each other, unable to hide their surprise, especially the local officials of Yunzhou, whose faces changed slightly.
In his heart, he was secretly glad that he had exaggerated the matter and offended this commander who was in the emperor's favor.
Xia He stood aside, frowning slightly, feeling even more confused.
"The old emperor's behavior doesn't seem like he is condoning the officials in the court to suppress Li Dushi?"
Moreover, Commander Li almost beat Hou Cang to death before. Hou Cang was a martial saint supported by the imperial court himself. Could it be that the old emperor really didn't blame him at all?
As he was thinking, he suddenly felt a pair of eyes sweeping across the dragon chariot, as if looking at him.
Xia He was secretly startled and lowered his head hastily. The look was gone in an instant. Then, the dragon chariot started slowly and continued to move forward.
"The old emperor recognized me?"
To be honest, Xia He had no good feelings towards this emperor who had been searching for immortality after he was old and who had allowed military commanders from various local vassal states to cause trouble.
But it would be fine if he just cursed in private, but if he really showed the slightest disrespect, he might be charged with a crime of gross disrespect!
The emperor settled down in Yunzhou with a group of officials. They lived in a newly built royal villa which covered a vast area and was magnificent.
This villa was specially built to welcome the northern tour. It is magnificent with carved beams and painted buildings, and it displays the luxury and majesty of the royal family everywhere.
However, in Xia He's eyes,
"It's such a waste to waste so much money and effort just for a temporary need!"
But then he thought, if the emperor is not extravagant, is he still an emperor? He shook his head and was too lazy to think about it.
One day passed by unknowingly. This morning, Xia He had just gotten up and had breakfast, and was about to go out when the maid ran in and reported:
"Master, there is someone outside wearing an official robe, saying he is here to issue an imperial decree!"
Xia He was stunned, wondering:
"Imperial edict? Why did an imperial edict suddenly come to me?"
He didn't dare to delay, so he dressed quickly and hurried out.
Sure enough, a middle-aged man who looked like a civil servant was standing at the door, holding an imperial edict with a solemn expression.
Seeing Xia He coming out, the official nodded slightly, then announced loudly:
"Xia He accepts the order!"
The official unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud:
"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: An official of Yunzhou was killed a long time ago. Xia He, Liu Ruyan, Tie Zhan and others have made meritorious contributions in investigating the case and suppressing the rebellion, and they should be rewarded. And because Xia He took the lead in this matter, he is specially awarded 1,000 taels of gold as a reward."
"Also, for bravely killing the enemy, you will be awarded a second-class combat merit. I decree this!"
"Hiss...B-grade combat merit?"
Xia He was also very surprised.
Because five B merits are equal to one A merit, if one collects one A merit, he can officially serve as the deputy commander of one of the four camps, with the fourth rank, and can lead two thousand soldiers!
If it were not during wartime, such merit would not be easy to obtain!
What’s more, there are a thousand taels of gold?
"Master Xia, why don't you thank me and accept my order?"
Xia He came back to his senses and kowtowed quickly:
"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace!"
He took the imperial edict with both hands, still a little dazed.
Seeing this, the official smiled and spoke in a friendly tone:
"Master Xia, this is a reward that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has specially fought for you. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has heard of your deeds a long time ago and thinks highly of you. So, he specifically instructed me to take you to see him after you receive the imperial edict."
When Xia He heard this, he was shocked and realized that the official in front of him was the prince's man.
"So that's not what the old emperor meant..."
He thought for a moment, then nodded and agreed: "Since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has summoned me, I shall obey your orders."
The official smiled with satisfaction and extended his hand to make a "please" gesture: "Master Xia, please follow me."
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