ATPnovel Chapter 1313 - 1313 6 Return in Glory _3
Chapter 1313 - 1313 6 Return in Glory _3
1313: Chapter 6: Return in Glory _3 1313: Chapter 6: Return in Glory _3 There was no lack of local Court officials who came forward with unceasing attentiveness, offering warm congratulations.In reality, whether they were truly welcoming the Yellow River Gathering champion from Qi Country was unknown.
At least on the surface, they were all exuberant.
Now, Qi Country probably only needed to see this surface exuberance.
Cao Jie didn’t even show his face, instead sending a Deputy General to deal with the formalities.
This enthusiasm reached its peak after the return to Qi.
Before even entering the Yang Region and while still establishing the boundary markers, masses of fresh flowers could already be seen blooming along both sides of the road.
In this season, to bloom so splendidly, they were clearly coaxed into flowering by Dao Technique.
A large group of young children, gathered from who knows which school – perhaps even several – each dressed brightly and holding fresh flowers, stood neatly along the highway.
Behind these children were the officials from various levels of Hengyang Prefecture, as well as some white-haired elderly people.
These represented the “fathers and elders” of the community.
Of course, there were also the sounds of gongs and drums, not to mention the fireworks and firecrackers.
There were even two military commanders, each holding aloft a banner.
The left banner read –
Daqi’s Champion, Number One in the Inner Mansion.
The right banner read –
Glory of the Yang Region, Man of Qingyang Town.
Flapping in the wind, it was a dazzling display.
To enter Qi from the east, one must come through Hengyang Prefecture.
The smiling and radiant Hengyang Prefecture Town Commander Huang Yixing stood at the very front.
At such a moment, Jiang Wang could certainly not remain hidden within the carriage.
As the returning hero, it was his duty to “give thanks to the fathers and elders.”
If we are to talk about roots, Qingyang Town in the Yang Region is where his foundation in Qi Country lies.
Therefore, maintaining good relationships with the “parent officials” of the Yang Region is naturally expected.
Jiang Wang lifted the curtain and dismounted the carriage, walking forward under the escort of the Heavenly Cover Soldiers, until he approached Huang Yixing.
The man no longer wore the attire of a disheveled Literati, shedding any sign of destitution.
Now dressed in the grand official attire of Daqi, he exuded an aura of solemn dignity.
The encounter between this elder and the younger one, under such circumstances, carried a significant meaning.
At the battlefield in Chiwei Prefecture, Huang Yixing “kneeled for the commoners” and “halted” the massacre by Chongxuan Chuliang, earning him praise from the people of the Yang Region and the position of Town Commander in Hengyang Prefecture.
It seemed that he was looking to complete his transition from Hengyang Prefecture Town Commander to Hengyang Prefecture Governor sooner rather than later.
Jiang Wang, too, made a name for himself on the battlefield of Chiwei Prefecture, and it was there that he first entered the official scene of Qi Country, becoming the Man of Qingyang Town.
His efforts in curbing the epidemic caused by the Bai Gu Dao Technique made him the talk of the town for maintaining peace in the region.
The names Huang Yixing and Jiang Wang were often brought up together for discussion by the people of the Yang Region.
As the younger of the two, Jiang Wang was the first to bow with hands clasped and said, “I am unworthy.
On the Guanhe Platform, I merely performed my duty.
How could I deserve such exceptional kindness from everyone?”
Huang Yixing stepped forward, grasping Jiang Wang’s hands: “I’m afraid this is too modest to express everyone’s sentiment.
You are our pride in the Yang Region!
Among the many prodigies in various countries, only you have seized this champion title!
We are truly excited!”
He released Jiang Wang’s hands, stepping aside.
A delicate-looking little girl approached with flowers in hand, crisply saying, “Thank you, our great hero of Qi Country!
Congratulations on winning the Yellow River Gathering!”
Jiang Wang took the bouquet of flowers, smiling gently: “Thank you too, for giving me such beautiful flowers.”
He looked up at the sky and chuckled, “Hurry on back, so you don’t miss your family’s dinner.”
Then he turned towards the group of kids.
The officials from Hengyang Prefecture all showed bright smiles, with various flattering words hurled his way.
The white-haired elders also smiled tremulously, uttering phrases like “He has great prospects” and “the light of the Yang Region.”
“Elders, please return to your homes,” Jiang Wang bowed deeply to these seniors: “I truly do not deserve such honor.”
Leaving aside the children, how long had these elders actually been People of Qi?
For most of their lives, they had been people of Yang.
How could they truly feel joy for him, Jiang Wang?
To drag these elders here to celebrate for him, a prodigy who made his name on the battlefields of Qi Yang, though it might not be coercion, it seemed rather cruel…
“Commander Cao!”
Huang Yixing passed by Jiang Wang’s side, hastily stepping forward to greet him.
Jiang Wang might have a future, but that was for the future to decide.
It didn’t warrant such a courtly reception by Huang Yixing.
The display put on today was meant for the Qi Court.
That attentiveness was also for Cao Jie.
Earlier, not daring to interrupt rashly, now that the “main guest” had alighted from the carriage, how could he not step forward to greet?
“Congratulations Commander!
My felicitations, Commander!
Leading our troops in the Yellow River Gathering, you have seized the first champion title after the consolidation of Daqi’s hegemony, truly a meritorious deed for all eternity!”
Cao Jie smiled warmly, glancing behind him: “Tell these children to go back.
It’s getting late, and we need to hurry back to Linzi.”
“Of course, of course, I wouldn’t dare delay important matters.” Huang Yixing waved his hand, gesturing to the officials to move aside and clear the way.
In an eager tone, he added, “These children were so excited to hear that we had won the championship, they all volunteered to welcome the hero!”
A particularly pretty little girl approached with flowers in hand, seemingly intending to present a bouquet to Cao Jie as well.
Cao Jie was about to turn when he stopped, facing Huang Yixing.
In a calm voice, he said: “When I said for them to go back, I meant for you to send these children home at once, not to have them stand around waiting.
The boys and girls of Qi Country need to read and Cultivate, to bear the heavens and earth in the future.
They should not be learning how to clap and offer flowers at a tender age.”
Cao Jie seldom got angry, so when he did, it was particularly fearsome.
Although his voice wasn’t loud, each word landed heavily on the heart, trembling with each syllable –
“Yang Region is now Qi Territory, the people of Yang are now People of Qi.
You officials of Old Yang…
it’s time to change your habits too!”