No one cares how Qian Lin, the messenger from the capital, ultimately escaped the general's mansion in a panic.
It is said that when he left, he was carried out, his face as pale as paper, his whole body trembling like fallen leaves in the autumn wind, and he kept muttering "neck...neck...", clearly having gone mad.
The heavy wooden box containing the "return gift" was then escorted by Meng Wei's most elite scouts, traveling day and night at an urgent speed of eight hundred li, to the capital city where a storm was brewing.
An even bigger storm is brewing thousands of miles away.
But for the soldiers and civilians of Zhenbeiguan, the storms in the capital were too far away; what they cared about more was the clear sky before them.
The morning after dealing with the messenger from the capital, an imperial edict spread throughout Zhenbeiguan.
—By imperial decree, a memorial service for the entire army shall be held at the General's Platform!
Upon hearing the news, all the soldiers were somewhat bewildered. A memorial service? For whom?
It wasn't until their respective generals led them in formation to the command platform, a symbol of supreme military might, that they vaguely sensed that today might be an even more awe-inspiring day than the night the granary was burned.
The command platform at Zhenbeiguan is tall and majestic, built with the local black rock. It has withstood a century of wind and rain, witnessing countless expeditions and victories.
Today, however, the atmosphere at this command platform is exceptionally solemn.
Tens of thousands of soldiers from Zhenbeiguan, clad in armor and wielding spears, stood in neat square formations, a dark mass stretching into the distance like a steel forest.
The cold wind howled, stirring up clouds of yellow sand and causing the dragon flag embroidered with the words "Dali" above the command platform to flutter loudly.
All the soldiers stood tall and straight, their expressions solemn as they gazed at the very top of the command platform.
There, their Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in a solemn black dragon-patterned imperial robe, wearing a flat-topped crown, and with an imperial sword at his waist. Beside him, the Empress, adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, was graceful and dignified.
The emperor and empress shone like the sun and moon, their brilliance inspiring endless awe in all who looked up to them.
Standing in the first row below the reviewing stand were representatives of the "Military-Civilian Inspectorate," led by Li Daniu. These ordinary veterans and their families were standing so close to the center of power for the first time, and their faces were filled with excitement and nervousness.
Li Daniu was trembling slightly. He didn't know the purpose of the meeting, but he had a strong feeling that it might be related to his son who died unjustly.
"when--!"
A long and solemn bell rang out.
The entire reviewing stand fell silent instantly.
Xiao Che slowly stepped forward to the very front of the reviewing stand. His gaze swept over the tens of thousands of resolute and simple faces below, his voice steady and resonant, clearly echoing throughout the entire square:
"Soldiers!"
"I have summoned you here today not to muster troops, nor to prepare for war."
"I have come to vindicate the heroes of my Great Li Dynasty!"
Hero? Rehabilitate?
The soldiers below the stage all looked puzzled.
Xiao Che didn't keep him in suspense. He turned around and nodded to Meng Wei behind him.
Meng Wei understood, took a thick scroll from a guard beside him, and slowly stepped forward to unfold it next to Xiao Che.
"During the interrogation of Qian Yong (Qian Canjun), I discovered something that has kept me up at night and has made me furious!"
Xiao Che's voice suddenly rose, filled with the thunderous rage of an emperor:
"When our soldiers of Dali were fighting bloody battles on the frontier and dying on the battlefield, there were treacherous villains who not only swallowed up the compensation they received with their lives, but also wantonly slandered the loyal souls of Dali in order to cover up their crimes!"
"They falsely accused the hero of being a deserter!"
"boom--!"
These words were like a bolt from the blue, instantly causing an uproar in the hearts of tens of thousands of soldiers!
Everyone's face showed shock and anger!
To falsely accuse a hero of desertion?!
This is the most vicious and intolerable insult to a soldier! It hurts them more than killing them!
"Today!" Xiao Che's voice rang out again, silencing all the murmurs, "I will, in front of tens of thousands of soldiers at Zhenbei Pass, wash away all the mud that has been smeared on our heroes!"
He turned to Meng Wei and said in a deep voice, "Read it!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Meng Wei took a deep breath, unrolled the scroll, and read out the first name in his booming, bell-like voice:
"Li Erwa, Third Company of the New Recruit Battalion, died fighting to cover the retreat of his comrades in the Battle of Black Wind Pass, sustaining seven knife wounds! He is posthumously awarded the First Class Merit!"
Upon hearing this name, Li Daniu, who was sitting in the audience, was instantly struck dumb!
Second child...
That's his son's nickname!
He stood there, frozen in place, as if the blood in his body had solidified.
On the command platform, Xiao Che personally received a prepared memorial tablet from a eunuch. The tablet was clearly written in vermilion ink: "The Tablet of Li Erwa, the Loyal and Brave Colonel of the Dali Dynasty".
He held the memorial tablet high, addressed the tens of thousands of soldiers below, and announced loudly:
"He is not a deserter!"
"He is a hero of Zhenbeiguan!"
"He is my...good soldier!"
These few words, like the warmest spring breeze, instantly dispelled all the gloom and pain in Li Daniu's heart!
He could no longer hold on, his legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud. This resolute old soldier, who had not even dared to cry loudly after his son's death, finally broke down in tears like a child!
"My son—!"
"Did you hear that?! Your Majesty... Your Majesty has vindicated you!"
"You're not a deserter! You're a hero! A true hero!"
His cries were filled with grievance, pride, and endless gratitude.
The soldiers below the stage were deeply moved by this scene. Many soldiers who knew Li Erwa and knew him to be honest and brave had tears in their eyes.
Meanwhile, on the platform for reviewing names, the process of rehabilitating them continues.
Meng Wei's voice rang out again and again, filled with endless sorrow and respect:
"Zhao Hu, from the scout battalion, penetrated deep behind enemy lines, was seriously wounded, and after transmitting crucial military intelligence, succumbed to his injuries! He is posthumously awarded a second-class merit!"
"Wang Mazi, a member of the suicide squad, at Luomapo, carrying explosives, perished together with the enemy general! Posthumously awarded the Special Merit Citation!"
"..."
For each name that Meng Wei called out, Xiao Che would personally erect a memorial tablet for that martyr.
He declared, "None of them are deserters!"
He declared: "They are the backbone of the Great Li Dynasty!"
He declared: "They are all immortal heroes of Zhenbeiguan!"
As each memorial tablet was erected and each long-forgotten heroic deed was made public, the atmosphere below the stage gradually transformed from initial anger into a profound sense of sorrow and emotion.
All the soldiers spontaneously straightened their chests, their eyes glistening with tears, yet burning with fire!
It was a flame called "belonging" and "honor"!
They knew that from this day forward, they could fight and sacrifice with peace of mind! Because behind them stood an emperor willing to clear their names and personally vindicate them!
A scholar will die for one who understands him!
Just then, Empress Lin Wanwan, who had been standing quietly beside Xiao Che, moved.
She stepped forward slowly, carrying a tray in her hands. On the tray lay a yellowed death notice and a large sum of money in silver notes.
She walked to the edge of the reviewing stand and looked gently at the old soldier kneeling and weeping below.
“Madam Li,” she called softly.
Li Daniu's wife, who was already sobbing uncontrollably, raised her head blankly when she heard this familiar, gentle call.
She saw the Empress, whom they regarded as a living bodhisattva, walking towards her, holding in her hands the honor that her son had earned with his life.
Under the watchful eyes of tens of thousands of soldiers, Lin Wanwan slowly walked down from the command platform and personally approached Li Daniu and his wife.
She knelt down and solemnly handed the withheld "first-class merit silver note" and the "death notice" that was more than a month late to Li Daniu's wife.
“Sister-in-law,” Lin Wanwan’s voice trembled slightly, “this is Erwa’s honor, and it is also your pride. The nation has not forgotten him. His Majesty and I have not forgotten you either.”
"This is justice delayed, but it has finally come."
Li Daniu's wife, her hands trembling, accepted the thin yet incredibly heavy notification letter. When her fingertips touched her son's familiar name, she could no longer hold back, clutching the letter and the banknotes, embracing her husband, and bursting into tears.
At this moment, the belated justice and the immense emotional impact of the exoneration completely ignited the entire audience!
Below the stage, tens of thousands of iron-willed soldiers could no longer contain their emotions!
They looked at the elderly couple embracing and weeping, at the newly erected memorial tablets for heroes, and at the emperor and empress who stood between heaven and earth, providing them with a safe haven...
Everyone was moved to tears!
"thump!"
It is unknown who was the first to kneel on one knee, beat his chest with his hand, and perform the most solemn salute in the army!
Then, it seemed to spread like wildfire.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
Below the stage, tens of thousands of soldiers, like wheat fields swaying in the wind, knelt down on one knee in unison, their right hands pounding their chests!
The deep, powerful sound of chest-pounding converged into a silent yet earth-shattering vow!
The will of the people!
Morale!
At this moment, we are completely united!
Mr. and Mrs. Li, holding their son's "notice of acceptance," slowly rose with the Empress's support. Looking at the Emperor and Empress before them, and at their comrades kneeling below, they remained kneeling for a long time.
This kneeling was not for the sake of a ruler and his subjects, but solely for that kindness that they would defend with their lives—the grace of being recognized and appreciated!
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