When the war was at its fiercest, each day seemed to drag on endlessly.

But once peace returned, before anyone could savor it, the days slipped by unnoticed.

Zhang Fang had left.

The bulk of the Jizhou troops had also withdrawn.

They had no choice—spring plowing was imminent.

These men were the backbone of their families, and without them, agricultural production in Hebei would surely suffer greatly.

Along with the Jizhou troops, many civilians from Luoyang also left, their faces numb and filled with sighs.

But what could they do? Their husbands, brothers, and sons had defected before the battle.

Of the twenty thousand central army soldiers who had surrendered to Ye City, only about ten thousand remained.

The Prince of Chengdu had ordered that these ten thousand be taken back to Ye City.

Families who wished to follow were provided with supplies.

The nearly thirty thousand central army soldiers in Luoyang who had originally belonged to Sima Yi were now divided.

Although Sima Yi had died at the hands of Zhang Fang, the brutality of his death had left many furious.

Rumors began to circulate in the capital, suggesting that the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, had colluded with Zhang Fang to eliminate Sima Yi.

Many of the imperial guards were deeply disappointed, even angry, and some defected to Sima Ying.

Sima Ying appointed General Shi Chao to remain in Luoyang and reorganize the eight to nine thousand imperial guards who had defected, along with forty thousand Jizhou troops, totaling about fifty thousand men.

They were stationed at the twelve gates of Luoyang, guarding the city for him.

Sima Yue gathered the remaining twenty thousand central army soldiers.

The local soldiers from Sizhou and the able-bodied men from various counties who had been conscripted before the war were all sent home to tend to their fields.

In the second and third months, Sima Ying submitted a memorial requesting the deposition of Empress Yang Xianrong, who was then confined to the Golden Wall City.

He also requested the demotion of Crown Prince Sima Tan (son of Sima Xia and grandson of Sima Yan) to the title of Prince of Qinghe.

The emperor approved both requests.

The rebel armies in Yangzhou and Xuzhou had been pacified.

Shi Bing and Feng Yun were both dead, and their forces had been annihilated.

Chen Min, who had contributed the most to the suppression, was appointed as the Chancellor of Guangling (though the title of Guangling had been abolished, he was essentially the governor).

He led his private troops to participate in the campaign.

Zhou Qi (from the Yixing Zhou clan) and He Xun (from the Shanyin He clan), who had also contributed significantly, received no rewards.

After disbanding their troops, they returned to their homes.

Shi Bing and Feng Yun could be considered factions that had branched off from Zhang Chang's rebel army.

As for Zhang Chang himself, he had been repeatedly defeated by Liu Hong and Tao Kan.

His main force had been wiped out, and he was now on the run, living in constant fear.

By this point, throughout the entire Jin Empire, except for the ongoing fierce battles in Shu, no rebel leader had succeeded.

All had been eradicated.

This crumbling house was far from collapsing with a single kick.

On the first day of the third month, drums and music resounded outside the Dongyang Gate, and ceremonial guards stood in formation like a forest.

As the greatest victor of the war, the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying, arrived in Luoyang with a large entourage.

Sima Yue and the officials of the court went several miles outside the city to welcome him, and then they proceeded directly to the imperial palace.

The winds of change had once again been stirred.

...

"Hurry! Hurry! Get fully armed, the entire army is to move out!" It was already the third day.

Mi Huang, who had a residence in the city, arrived at the military camp early in the morning, urgently shouting.

He Lun, Wang Bing, and Shao Xun were all present, looking at him with confusion.

"It's not a battle," Mi Huang said awkwardly, then added, "The emperor is hosting a banquet at the foot of Mang Mountain, feasting the soldiers and civilians of Luoyang."

"More like feasting the soldiers from Hebei," He Lun sneered, his tone disrespectful even toward the emperor.

"Will the imperial guards be mobilized?" Wang Bing asked.

"Of course, they are the main force," Mi Huang replied.

"Prince Chengdu is here to show off his might," Shao Xun said.

"I heard that the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong, submitted a memorial requesting that Prince Chengdu be made the Crown Prince and Commander of All Military Affairs. The emperor approved. He's now full of pride and wants everyone to see his power."

"Young master is right," Mi Huang said with a bitter smile.

"On the third day of the third month, scholars and commoners alike gather by the rivers and ponds for the flowing cup wine feast. The location is set at the Qili River, near the former Golden Valley Garden. The emperor's palace women, civil and military officials, noblewomen, and imperial guards are all required to attend. Even the common people of Luoyang who wish to go can participate."

"That brat Sima Ying really wants to embarrass the Minister of Works, doesn't he?" He Lun's expression darkened.

"Don't think too much about it. Get the troops ready quickly," Mi Huang ordered.

"Yes, sir," the generals responded in unison.

"You take the training unit to escort the princess consort. She must not come to any harm," Mi Huang said, pulling Shao Xun aside and speaking in a low voice.

"Yes, sir."

The high platform had been erected the day before.

Surrounded by numerous officers, Sima Ying ascended to take in the view.

Luoyang, the center of the world.

Since the Han and Wei dynasties, it had been the capital.

The current dynasty also made it their capital, and it was a place Sima Ying had long dreamed of.

He knew he still needed to be patient.

The time was not yet ripe.

Coming to Luoyang now would only lead to the same fate as Sima Lun, Sima Jiong, and Sima Yi.

He wasn't that foolish.

But he also knew that once he eliminated two or three more princes and won a few more battles, he would become the ultimate victor, entering Luoyang without risk and ascending the throne as emperor.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The drums thundered.

From the sky, one could see dark, square formations slowly moving across the ground—the tens of thousands of soldiers gathered in Luoyang.

Along the jade-like Qili River, scattered groups of people could be seen—the nobles, officials, and ladies of Luoyang.

In the center, beneath the most magnificent canopy, was the emperor's procession.

The most powerful and influential people in the empire had gathered here.

"Woo! Woo!"

The horns awakened the earth.

The sound of hooves grew denser, occasionally punctuated by the whistle of arrows and the boisterous laughter of soldiers.

Where warriors gathered, such scenes of competition were inevitable.

"Haha, the prey has been released, and the men are vying for it," Sima Ying laughed.

"Uncle, why not try your luck?"

Without waiting for Sima Yue's agreement, he called for a bow and a horse, preparing to ride out and hunt.

Sima Yue's expression was not pleasant.

Unlike Sima Ying, he was not skilled in such pursuits.

If he were outperformed, he would surely be mocked.

Just as he was about to decline, Sima Ying glared at him, not giving him a chance to refuse, and pulled him down from the platform.

Reluctantly, Sima Yue had someone bring him a bow, mounted his horse, and rode into the field.

The other princes, officials, and generals remained on the platform, watching.

The competition between the two princes was none of their concern.

Soon, the sound of hooves echoed across the grassy field.

Sima Ying had indeed practiced.

While his riding and archery skills might be mediocre in the eyes of seasoned warriors, there was a comparison to be made.

The soldiers had released deer, rabbits, and foxes.

Sima Ying galloped, firing three arrows in quick succession, and soon hit a gray rabbit.

"Long live the Crown Prince!"

The knights following him cheered loudly.

Sima Yue's face grew even darker.

He fired several arrows, all of which missed.

After galloping for a while, he began to feel out of breath, his blood rushing to his head, and he had to stop.

Sima Ying glanced back at him, his satisfaction growing.

Another rabbit appeared, darting left and right in a zigzag pattern.

Sima Ying laughed heartily and gave chase.

As he rode, he occasionally caused gasps from the noblewomen and commoners of Luoyang who nearly got trampled.

"Haha, exhilarating!" Seeing the elegant ladies scatter like frightened rabbits gave Sima Ying immense pleasure, much like when he chased his concubines in his mansion.

The rabbit began to slow down.

Sima Ying raised his bow, taking careful aim.

"Whoosh!" The arrow shot like lightning, but it missed.

A collective sigh rose from the onlookers.

Enraged, Sima Ying saw dozens of figures ahead.

Without slowing his horse, he seemed intent on charging straight through them to vent his anger.

"Clang!" The clear sound of a sword being drawn rang out.

Sima Ying was startled and instinctively reined in his horse.

The animal whinnied in pain, rearing up and spinning in place before finally stopping.

Sima Ying turned to see a golden-armored officer with his hand on the hilt of his sword, glaring coldly at him.

Behind the officer stood a carriage, where a dignified woman, pale-faced, watched as Sima Ying's horse charged toward her.

Sima Ying's entourage quickly caught up.

Seeing someone dare to draw a sword against the Crown Prince, they unsheathed their weapons and began shouting.

"Bastard! How dare you draw a sword against the Crown Prince!"

"Kneel before the Crown Prince and await judgment!"

"To assault the Crown Prince is to invite the extermination of your clan."

Shao Xun looked at them expressionlessly.

Who was really assaulting whom? They were quite skilled at twisting the truth.

Princess Pei stepped forward, her delicate hand resting on Shao Xun's, gently pushing the sword back into its sheath.

She then bowed and said, "Greetings, Crown Prince."

"So it's my aunt," Sima Ying said, recognizing the beautiful woman as Sima Yue's wife, Lady Pei.

He had seen her a few times before, but now she seemed even more alluring, stirring something in him.

The sound of hooves approached as the eunuch Meng Jiu arrived, panting.

He shot a cold glance at Shao Xun before whispering something into Sima Ying's ear.

Sima Ying's interest was piqued.

He stared at Shao Xun for a long time, stroking his chin and smiling.

"So you're the one who killed Meng Chao. To be honest, Meng Chao wasn't incompetent. If you could kill him, you must have some skill. I heard you were also the one who captured Sima Yi in the palace. Tsk, tsk, why aren't you joining the hunt today?"

"My duty binds me. I dare not leave my post," Shao Xun replied calmly.

Princess Pei unconsciously brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze lowered.

"If you go and bring back some game, I'll forgive your offense. How about that?" Sima Ying said with amusement.

Shao Xun glanced at Princess Pei, who gave a slight nod.

He then looked at Chen Yougen, who understood and brought over a horse.

However, he hesitated.

"Commander, we didn't bring a bow..."

Shao Xun was momentarily stunned.

Sima Ying's expression remained unchanged as he continued to watch.

"Take my bow," an elderly man in a brocade robe behind Sima Ying offered, holding out a bow.

Meng Jiu glared at him.

The man's expression darkened, and after a moment of eye contact with Meng Jiu, he turned away and said nothing more.

Sima Ying chuckled.

The knights behind him also sneered.

Princess Pei's face was filled with worry, her lips tightly pressed.

Just as she was about to step forward, Shao Xun mounted his horse and said, "Who needs a bow for hunting? Bring me a lance!"

Chen Yougen, though confused, waved his hand, and two soldiers from the training unit brought over a horse lance.

Shao Xun grasped the lance, testing its weight, then said, "Please wait a moment, Crown Prince."

With that, he galloped off.

(End of Chapter)