The capital had not been so lively in a long time. Countless people ran to the streets to watch. Today was the day that Qi Shaobao would be returning to the capital.
Groups of soldiers from the capital entered the gates of the capital valiantly. Qi Jiguang rode on a big white horse with a bright red cloak draped over his body. He looked very much like the capital.
Both sides of the road were filled with the citizens of the Daming. Countless people wanted to see Qi Shaobao's true appearance.
Groups of Wala captives were forced to move forward. The Wala prince, Talic, was placed alone in a prison carriage.
Many of the Daming citizens began to throw things. There were rotten vegetables and rotten eggs. No one knew if they had prepared it in advance.
Behind them, there were also people throwing stones. Some even threw shoes.
For a moment, the streets were filled with things flying everywhere. Then, there was no need to mention the smell.
The entire street was filled with the stench. Many soldiers hurried to stop them, afraid that they would startle the horses.
Helpless, Qi Jiguang hastened his pace. If they caused trouble, the ceremony of entering the city and presenting the captives would become a joke.
Outside the Meridian Gate, there were many umbrellas. Zhu Yijun's throne was the most eye-catching.
At this time, Zhu Yijun was standing outside the Meridian Gate in his royal robe. He had a sword at his waist.
In fact, because of the matter of wearing the royal robe, Zhu Yijun had gotten into an argument with the Ministry of Rites. The Ministry of Rites felt that wearing the royal robe was too much. However, Zhu Yijun insisted on wearing it.
The royal robe was very uncomfortable. The crown on his head was very heavy. However, Zhu Yijun wanted to wear it at this time.
Civil and military officials stood on both sides. The atmosphere was very solemn.
Qi Jiguang dismounted from his horse. As Qi Jiguang walked forward, the ceremonial music started. Accompanied by the music, Qi Jiguang walked over.
When Qi Jiguang walked up to Zhu Yijun, the music stopped.
Qi Jiguang lifted his battle robe and knelt on the ground. In a loud voice, he said, "This subject, Qi Jiguang, was ordered by the Imperial Edict to suppress this disobedient subject. With the protection of the Sage Emperor and the loyalty of the soldiers, I was fortunate enough to accomplish my mission. I slaughtered a hundred thousand enemies and captured the enemy leader before His Majesty's steps."
"Today, I'm here to deliver a decree to Your Majesty. Long live the Daming Empire!"
As Qi Jiguang shouted, the soldiers on the spot also knelt down. Their movements were neat and uniform, and their faces were solemn and solemn. Amid the clattering of armor, the shouts of "Long live the emperor" resounded through the sky.
Zhu Yijun reached out and helped Qi Jiguang up. He smiled at him and said, "Good, very good. Well done!"
Zhu Yijun patted Qi Jiguang on the shoulder, then looked at Zhang Jing, who was standing beside him.
Zhang Jing immediately understood. He shouted, "Your Majesty, bestow three cups of wine to celebrate the triumphant return of the army!"
A young eunuch brought three cups of wine. Zhu Yijun raised one cup and handed one to Qi Jiguang. With a solemn expression, he said, "The first cup of wine is to the Daming soldiers who died on the battlefield. They used their own flesh and blood to defend the Daming Empire." As he said this, Zhu Yijun poured the wine on the ground.
Qi Jiguang followed Zhu Yijun and poured the wine on the ground. His face was solemn.
Picking up another cup of wine, Zhu Yijun said loudly, "The second cup of wine is to the Daming soldiers who participated in this battle. You have done a good job and fought well. You have not let me down. I am very fortunate to have you. The Daming is very fortunate!"
As he said this, Zhu Yijun drank the wine in one gulp. Qi Jiguang followed suit.
The soldiers on the spot shouted again, "Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"
"The third cup of wine is to Qi Jiguang. You have fought a good battle!" As he said this, Zhu Yijun raised his cup and drank the wine.
Qi Jiguang knelt on the ground and drank the wine respectfully.
Zhu Yijun turned to Zhang Jing and said, "Announce the imperial edict!"
Zhang Jing unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud, "In the name of the emperor, the land of China, the vast land of China, has existed for thousands of years. The people of the world are like the Ming Dynasty. The Daming, the sun and the moon, the etiquette is in Yan and Huang, the clothing is in Han and Tang, the craftsmanship of nature is in creation, the waves of the sea are in thousands of borders, and the glory of the four continents and ten thousand nations."
"It all depends on the efforts of the civil officials and the lives of the generals. In ancient times, the generals were literate and brave. They were able to win people, understand them, love them, and control them."
"Save the opportunity of the heavens, observe the key points of the geography, follow the harmony of the people, and carefully observe the situation of safety and danger.
From ancient to modern times, the gains and losses of the war, the meticulous changes of the formation, the ingenuity of the military, and the ingenuity of the weapons, they are all clearly understood. "
"Today, there is the Left Commander of the Middle Military Office, the Junior Protector of the Crown Prince, and the Commander of the Capital Camp, Qi Jiguang. He is well-versed in history, knows the art of war, knows the geography, and is skilled in weapons. He is a good general for the Daming."
"By the emperor's order, he has killed a hundred thousand soldiers and captured the enemy's leader. He has made a great contribution to the country. He is specially promoted to the First Rank Right Pillar of the State, and is promoted to the Crown Prince's Taibao. He will be promoted to the Right Commander of the Middle Military Office and be conferred the title of Duke Dingbei."
Qi Jiguang hurriedly lifted his clothes and knelt down. He said loudly, "Your subject, Qi Jiguang, accepts the imperial edict and thanks you for your kindness. Long live the emperor!"
Duke Dingbei!
The moment this name and title were announced, many people's jaws dropped. In fact, the cabinet did not agree to this reward.
However, Zhu Yijun insisted that this was a reward for Qi Jiguang and also an incentive for the others.
After this battle, the Daming still had more battles to fight. He wanted to motivate the others and show them that he valued military achievements.
Zhu Yijun stretched out his hand and helped Qi Jiguang up. He said loudly, "I Daming shine on the four continents and ten thousand countries. Di Yichen's loyalty is everlasting. The sun and the moon are not easy. May they shine on the Daming forever!"
Following Zhu Yijun's words, the surrounding people also shouted loudly, "The sun and the moon are not easy. May they shine on the Daming forever!"
While Zhu Yijun was shouting, he pulled Qi Jiguang's hand and went up to the Meridian Gate. The ceremony of offering the captives had officially begun.
Groups of Wala's soldiers were pressed up. Naturally, the leader was Tulick. These people were all forced to kneel in front of the Meridian Gate. Beside them, Zhang Jing loudly read the imperial edict. The content was, of course, Tulick and his men's crimes.
When the imperial edict was finished, Zhu Yijun said loudly, "Take them away and behead them all. This is a memorial to the fallen soldiers of the Daming!"
"Kill, kill, kill!"
The wise monarchs below hit the weapons in their hands and shouted loudly.
The expressions of the civil officials did not look good. In their opinion, the Emperor had gone too far.
They had long known that the Emperor valued martial arts. After all, the Emperor often compared himself to Emperor Wu of Han. Everyone knew what Emperor Wu of Han had done.
However, the power of military generals was rising. This was something that the officials, who had always advocated 'using culture to overcome martial arts', could not help but feel disgusted.
However, Zhu Yijun could not be bothered to care about what they thought. By doing this, he was announcing to the world that military generals were not inferior to others. They also had a way out.
The next step was to raise the status of the Honours in the court. However, this step was a long way off.
Zhu Yijun was confident and determined. The rise of the military nobility was something that could not be reversed.
After the ceremony of offering the captives, there was a big banquet. The Emperor wanted to host a banquet in the palace. All the officials had to attend.
Of course, there were also the heroes of the Wala battle. That night, the palace was brightly lit. It was very grand.
After the banquet, Zhu Yijun returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. He sat down on the dragon throne tiredly.
Today had been a long day. Although he was excited, he was still tired. Under the service of the palace maids and eunuchs, he took off his clothes. Only then did Zhu Yijun fall into a deep sleep.
The next day, the news of the Emperor personally bestowing wine and Qi Jiguang being conferred the title of North Dinghou spread throughout the capital like a gust of wind.
Of course, there was no lack of credit for this. There was talk of the relationship between the ruler and the official, the Emperor using people appropriately. There were even people who compared Qi Jiguang to Wei Qing.
In a short period of time, Qi Jiguang became famous. It seemed that he would become the number one general in Daming.
When the sun rose, many people noticed that there were many young boys on the streets. They carried cloth bags on their backs and waved a roll of paper inside. They shouted loudly and hawked along the street, "Daming Daily, Qi Taibao has been conferred the title of North Dinghou."
"The unique life of North Dinghou is in Daming Daily. Selling newspapers, selling newspapers!"
Many people did not know what this was for. Immediately, someone asked curiously, "Hey, kid, what are you selling?"
"It's Daming Daily. It writes about the legendary life of North Dinghou. Two copper coins for a copy!"
"Give me a copy!"
Many people began to buy newspapers. Cao Xing was one of them.
Speaking of which, although Cao Xing was a scholar, he was born into a military family. His ancestors were hereditary baihu. He first served in the Zhenwu Guards.
Generation after generation, when it came to Cao Xing's branch, military positions were no longer of any concern to them.
After passing the county level examinations, Cao Xing had not been able to pass again. When he heard that the capital was recruiting civil servants, he came all the way from Shaanxi.
As a son of a border town, Cao Xing was naturally very concerned about the battle of Wala. After learning that they had won, Cao Xing was so excited that he drank a lot of wine. That night, he was dead drunk.
In the northwest, who did not have a feud with Wala? This battle had brought out the momentum.
As for Qi Jiguang, Cao Xing naturally admired him. Now that there was something about Qi Jiguang, he naturally had to buy a copy.
Passing two copper coins to the newsboy, Cao Xing reached out to open the newspaper. He found that it was two large sheets of paper folded. After opening it, there was a drawing on the side of the first sheet.
It was a middle-aged general, wearing a suit of armor. Behind him was a bright red cloak, and at his waist was a treasured sword.
Beside the drawing was a poem: A small house temporarily rests on a high pillow, worrying about the old times.
Calling cups to greet guests, waving a saber to sit and discuss war.
Clouds protect toothpicks, stars contain treasured swords.
Being conferred a marquis is not my intention, I hope for peace.
With such a poem paired with such a painting, a patriotic general with strong feelings for his country appeared just like that.
Cao Xing stared at the poem for a long time before turning his head to look at the words on the other side.
The poem described in detail Qi Jiguang's background, as well as Qi Jiguang's pain from the Japanese pirates when he was young. It also described his ambition to wipe out the Japanese pirates and protect the Daming coast.
After making up his mind, Qi Jiguang practiced martial arts day and night, diligently learning.
The Japanese pirates wreaked havoc in the southeast. Qi Jiguang wrote such a poem and went to the battlefield with his three-foot-long sword.
The poem described in detail the process of Qi Jiguang's resistance against the Japanese pirates. The few battles were very interesting, and it portrayed Qi Jiguang's image very well.
At the back, Qi Jiguang's achievements were recorded in detail. It was a jaw-dropping achievement.