The Demon Lords

Golden armor,

Pixiu,

On either side, the imperial guards pave the way;

At the back, there’s a beautifully decorated carriage.

In front of the city gate, one can see the dense crowds.

Li Tian City is in Jin land, but within the territory of Yan State, the Yan people’s enthusiasm and excitement for Lord Pingye is boundless. After all, Lord Pingye, like them, is a Yan person.

Lord Jingnan’s merits are unmatched, but due to the stain of annihilating his whole clan, his reputation among the people has always been poor. Instead, Lord Pingye, a commoner who repeatedly made military contributions, naturally became the subject of widespread acclaim among the Yan region people.

Not to mention, he also rescued a princess from the Chu region!

The procession reached the city gate as the surrounding people continuously cheered.

There were so many of them, it’s impossible to count.

But Lord Zheng at this moment still missed Snow Sea Pass somewhat, because the soldiers and civilians of Snow Sea Pass knew better how to coordinate with him, everyone knew how to follow Lord Pingye in perfect unison.

Moreover,

Perhaps when he followed Lord Jingnan into the capital, he once envied Lord Jingnan’s independent flair, fantasizing about how he ought to feel in similar circumstances in the future;

But when he found himself in this position, facing such a scene, his heart was rather tranquil.

What you cannot attain is always alluring, but when you do attain it, it is just as it is, because your perspective, accompanying your status, has already been elevated.

Deputy Minister of Rites Guo You held the imperial edict as he approached, beside him stood a young man dressed in a python robe.

He must be a prince, such a young prince;

Is he a royal prince?

"The Emperor has decreed."

Lord Zheng prepared to dismount to receive the edict.

"Lord Pingye may receive the edict on horseback."

Lord Zheng paused, bowed his hands and said:

"Thank you for the Emperor’s graciousness."

"By the Emperor’s command, Emperor’s decree states, Snow Sea Pass General, Cheng State Grand General, Lord Pingye Zheng Fan, returns triumphant, which greatly pleases the Emperor. Our Yan State is in an era of expansion, naturally requiring the talents of nationals like Lord Pingye as the nation’s wings, thus ensuring the eternal prosperity of Yan State’s legacy.

Any minister who accomplishes merit, the Emperor will spare no generosity and specially grants the honor of entering the capital with royal horse escort, proclaiming it to the world."

"Long live the Emperor! Long live, live forever!"

Deputy Minister of Rites Guo You stepped forward and handed the imperial edict to Lord Zheng, at the same time, Fifth Prince Ji Chengmin stepped forward, reaching out to grasp the reins on the Pixiu’s neck.

"Thank you for your efforts, Your Highness."

Ji Chengmin smiled and said, "It is my duty."

Then,

The procession proceeded into the capital.

Lord Zheng had always wanted to know if this was the Fourth Prince or the Fifth Prince.

Lord Zheng had met the eldest, second, third, and sixth, the seventh was still a child, leaving only the fourth and fifth that Lord Zheng had not met.

But Lord Zheng noticed the hand grasping the reins, with nails marked by old ink stains, likely caused by frequent use of ink threads.

Only then did Lord Zheng realize, it must be the one who liked woodworking.

The procession traveled along the imperial path in the capital, on both sides and the buildings above, were crowds of people vying to catch a glimpse, incredibly lively.

When the procession reached the Imperial Front Street, ahead was a squad of guards in armor already poised, the leader was clad in a yellow robe, standing atop a platform.

It was Crown Prince Ji Chenglang.

From afar, Lord Zheng could already see the Crown Prince and it was quite clear that the Crown Prince looked thinner, his overall energy was quite wan.

Even dressed in a yellow robe of higher rank than the other princes, he gave the impression that his frail figure barely supported the garment.

This Crown Prince, in these past years, first endured the extermination of his matriarchal clan, followed by the indefinite postponement of his betrothal to the county princess, and then his mother’s demise. To still stand there is truly remarkable.

Actually, if things went smoothly, the Crown Prince’s uncle is Lord Jingnan, the Crown Prince’s father-in-law is Earl of North Border, the Crown Prince himself presides over the East Palace with the title of heir to the kingdom, his prospects should have been extremely favorable.

But Lord Zheng understood, the smoother his path might seem, the less likely it was to remain so.

After all,

No emperor would ever permit the presence of such a formidable heir during their reign.

To put it bluntly, if it really came to that, with the Crown Prince’s power, he could indeed clear the emperor’s council or bring about a "Divine Turtle Gate," since both Southern and Northern Marquises were behind him, and Yan’s strongest military forces supported him, he was even the prince, heir to the kingdom. By promising gentle policies to the bureaucrats for the future, the Yan Emperor could indeed become a Retired Emperor at any moment.

Standing on the platform, the Crown Prince’s hands were behind his back, as if the wind might just blow him off the platform any moment, yet he still loudly proclaimed:

"The Emperor’s verbal command, allowing Lord Pingye to receive the proclamation on horseback."

Receiving the edict on horseback itself is a kind of honor, even in Qian State, it is the same, when heroes and stewards enter the capital, to express cordiality, naturally they are exempt from kneeling, otherwise proclaiming the decree along the way while kneeling all the way would utterly destroy the atmosphere.

Lord Zheng bowed and said:

"Minister humbly requests well-being of the Emperor."

The Crown Prince clasped his fist towards the direction of the imperial palace:

"For the health of the Emperor."

Then,

The Crown Prince faced Zheng Fan,

saying:

"Lord Pingye has served the country with distinction, the Crown Prince is commanded to greet him at court, directly leading him into the palace gates."

The meaning was for the Crown Prince to lead the way for Lord Zheng.

"Minister, thanks the Emperor’s kindness."

Following this,

The Crown Prince mounted his horse, leading ahead, with Lord Zheng riding the Pixiu, following behind.

In front, there was a prince guiding, behind, the Crown Prince leading the way, this honor could be called unprecedented.

When entering the city, the Yan Emperor’s decree spoke of "a thousand gold for horse bones," and he indeed arranged it like this.