The teaching corps, now restored to two hundred cavalry, came to a halt in the distance.
At Chen Yougen’s command, ten men stayed behind to gather the horses, while the rest escorted Shao Xun toward the imperial procession.
Fei Li hesitated for a moment before asking, “Who approaches?”
“Shao Xun, Commandant of the Eastern Sea Kingdom, under orders from Commander Mi Huang, here to greet His Majesty,” Shao Xun replied loudly.
Fei Li dismounted and bowed slightly. “Please, Commandant Shao, keep your men at a distance so as not to disturb His Majesty.”
Shao Xun didn’t stop walking.
Chen Yougen snorted coldly and led a dozen armored warriors forward, shoving Fei Li and his men aside with a push and a shove.
Fei Li was furious, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword as if ready to strike.
But Chen Yougen didn’t even glance at him.
Instead, soldiers from the teaching corps stepped forward, staring Fei Li down.
One side was unarmored and poorly equipped.
The other was clad in iron armor, carrying crossbows and wielding heavy swords.
In the end, Fei Li didn’t dare to act.
Sima Ying opened his mouth, wanting to scold them, but a glance from Shao Xun silenced him.
This young man had left a deep impression on him.
If Shao Xun went berserk, who knew how many people he could kill?
“Your Majesty,” Shao Xun said as he reached the carriage, kneeling and bowing deeply, his head touching the ground.
Sima Zhong sniffed the air and smiled. “Rise quickly. What is your name? Have you brought food and drink?”
“This humble servant is Shao Xun. I am here to serve Your Majesty a meal,” Shao Xun replied, standing up and clapping his hands.
Soon, soldiers from the teaching corps began unpacking supplies from the packhorses.
Shao Xun personally spread a blanket on the grass and placed a cushion on it.
The soldiers brought small tables, food containers, and utensils.
Sima Zhong stepped down from the carriage, his face lighting up with joy.
“Your Majesty has been traveling for a long time, enduring the elements. Please, have some chicken soup first,” Shao Xun said, holding up a clay pot.
A servant took the pot, intending to taste it first, but Sima Zhong stopped him. “How could a loyal subject who protects me harm me?”
Though the emperor was often called a fool in private, he could distinguish loyal subjects from the rest.
In this regard, he surpassed many.
After sitting on the cushion, Sima Zhong took the bowl of chicken soup from the servant and began drinking it eagerly.
Shao Xun then brought out a rice steamer. “This is porridge made from Xincheng rice. Your Majesty has been away from the capital for so long; you must have missed this.”
Xincheng, near Luoyang, had been famous for its rice since the Cao Wei era.
Cao Pi once praised Xincheng rice, saying, “When cooked, its fragrance can be smelled from five miles away.” Xincheng rice was as renowned as Henei rice.
Yuan Zhun, in his work Zhao Gongzi, mentioned, “Henei green rice, Xincheng white rice, tender stalks swaying, smooth and fragrant.”
It was clear that rice cultivation around Luoyang was significant, though the price was high, making it a luxury for ordinary people.
Hearing this, Sima Zhong quickly put down the chicken soup and urged the servant to serve him the porridge.
Sima Ying, standing nearby, swallowed hard.
Shao Xun gave a subtle signal, and soldiers from the teaching corps unpacked flatbreads from their saddles, distributing them to the entourage.
The bread was dry and hard to swallow, but everyone devoured it gratefully, thanking Shao Xun.
“This is roasted goose,” Shao Xun added. “I will carve it for Your Majesty, and you can enjoy it shortly.”
Sima Zhong nodded repeatedly, full of praise.
Shao Xun continued to serve the meal with great care and respect.
Toward the end, he even poured a little wine for the emperor.
Shao Xun drank it all in one go.
After the meal, he grabbed Shao Xun’s hand, his voice choked with emotion. “Of all my subjects, only you, Shao Xun, came to welcome me.”
“Your Majesty, Commander Mi Huang and Censor Yu Chen are waiting at Fuping Crossing to greet you,” Shao Xun replied.
Sima Zhong thought for a moment, committing their names to memory. “These are loyal subjects. When I return to the capital, they will be rewarded.”
With that, he had his attendants help him up. “Let us return to the capital.”
“As Your Majesty commands,” Shao Xun said.
A cold wind blew, and he immediately took off his cloak. “The wind is strong. Please wear this cloak to shield yourself from the dust.”
Sima Zhong took it in a daze, and the attendants quickly draped it over him.
The cloak, shaped like a bell, was a common garment among northerners who rode horses.
It protected against wind and sand without hindering movement, making it widely used.
In the south, however, it was less common and considered informal attire.
During the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, Liu Xian was about to leave for Xunyang, and his friends planned a farewell gathering.
He offered ten bolts of silk, saying that whoever wore the most unusual outfit would win them.
That day, Zhou Hongzheng arrived wearing green silk trousers and an embroidered cloak, winning the prize.
The differences between northern and southern customs were evident.
After putting on the cloak, Sima Zhong felt much warmer, perhaps due to the psychological effect.
Shao Xun then went to his warhorse, retrieved a lance from the soldiers who had stayed behind, and returned to the imperial carriage. “Your Majesty, allow me to escort you. With me here, no bandits will dare approach.”
Sima Zhong’s eyes reddened.
With such a loyal subject, how could the empire not be at peace?
Seeing the emperor’s tacit approval, Shao Xun gave another subtle signal.
Chen Yougen, understanding, quickly took the driver’s seat before the original driver could react.
“Your Majesty, this is Chen Yougen, a loyal and brave commander,” Shao Xun introduced.
“Chen Yougen…” the emperor murmured. “With such a strong man driving and Shao Xun guarding me, I have nothing to fear. Let us depart.”
“Yes,” Chen Yougen replied, steadily guiding the carriage forward.
Shao Xun, armored and holding his lance, walked alongside as a guard.
The teaching corps mounted their horses and gathered closely around the procession.
The accompanying officials, nobles, and princes exchanged glances, unable to hide their astonishment.
This young commandant was truly impressive! The emperor held him in high regard, and everyone owed him some gratitude.
Today, Shao Xun had stolen the spotlight entirely.
Some well-informed individuals, recalling how Shao Xun had repelled Zhang Fang and defended Luoyang, began quietly inquiring about his background.
Sima Ying, his face dark, deliberately lagged behind, but he couldn’t escape the chatter around him.
“How old is Shao Xun? What is his family rank?”
“Is he married?”
“Does the Prince of the Eastern Sea value him?”
“If he becomes a governor, he would make a fine son-in-law.”
And so on.
“Your Highness, when relying on others, it’s best to endure in silence,” Fei Li whispered as he approached.
Sima Ying nodded slowly, his expression gloomy.
Just a year ago, he had led over two hundred thousand troops to attack Luoyang.
The army stretched for miles, their drums echoing for a hundred li.
The grandeur of that campaign was unmatched in a century.
Yet, in just a year, the situation had drastically changed.
Ye City had fallen to Wang Jun, with countless casualties.
Sima Ying had fled with his family, with nowhere to go.
How had it come to this?
After questioning his life, Sima Ying looked up at the armored general holding a lance.
This man, like the rising sun, had a bright future ahead, a stark contrast to his own plight.
The world was full of mysteries, leaving one at a loss.
Without any pursuers, the journey proceeded smoothly.
On the morning of the ninth day of the tenth month, the imperial procession crossed the floating bridge and reached the southern bank of the Yellow River at Fuping Crossing.
Instantly, drums and music filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.
The emperor, having just stepped down from the carriage, was moved once more.
Shao Xun subtly positioned himself in front of the attendants, supporting the emperor.
“My subjects… my subjects…” the emperor choked, tears streaming down his face.
“We humbly welcome Your Majesty,” Mi Huang and Wang Yan led the crowd in bowing.
“Rise, my subjects,” Sima Zhong called out, his voice trembling.
Everyone stood up one by one.
Wang Yan, mustering his emotions, said, “Your Majesty’s northern campaign shook the ancestral temples. We in Luoyang faced external enemies and internal traitors, struggling through hardship. Now that we welcome Your Majesty back, we can restore order, usher in prosperity, and ensure bountiful harvests. The Great Jin—its revival is within reach!”
“The Great Jin’s revival is within reach!” the crowd echoed.
Shao Xun gained a new appreciation for Wang Yan’s ability to spin tales.
The empire was in such a state, yet he spoke of revival.
Impressive!
Wang Yan stood there calmly, his face betraying nothing.
A seasoned player, he knew that controlling the situation and reaping benefits were what mattered.
Today, he had flattered the emperor, who would remember it.
From now on, the court’s affairs would be under his control, at least until Sima Yue returned to Luoyang.
As Wang Yan schemed, Sima Zhong composed himself and asked, “Where are Mi Huang and Yu Chen?”
Hmm? Wang Yan was slightly surprised.
“We are here,” Mi Huang and Yu Chen responded.
“Shao Xun has told me of your merits,” Sima Zhong said. “When I return to the palace, you will be rewarded.”
Mi Huang and Yu Chen, thrilled, replied in unison, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Shao Xun nodded. “Let us return to Luoyang.”
At this point, the emperor would rather go to Hualin Garden to watch frogs.
The officials were less interesting than toads—at least the toads croaked for him.
What did these officials do? Oh, but it’s not the season for frogs anymore…
Sima Zhong’s enthusiasm waned, and he climbed into the carriage sullenly.
Suddenly, he waved his hand. “Shao Xun, ride with me.”
Hmm? Can I really share a carriage with Your Majesty?
Shao Xun was overjoyed. “As Your Majesty commands.”
He boarded the carriage, still armored and holding his lance, ready to protect the emperor.
Wang Yan’s lips twitched slightly.
He looked at Shao Xun, and Shao Xun’s gaze seemed to catch his.
The old and new “actors” locked eyes, then smiled, understanding each other perfectly.
The imperial procession left Fuping Crossing and headed south, arriving in Luoyang two days later.
The Great Jin emperor, as pure as ever, had returned to his loyal Luoyang.
(End of Chapter)