Chapter 289 Depressed!
"Generals, remove your armor!"
"Remove armor!"
The orders were conveyed one after another, and all the generals behind them also took off their armor. The music officers of the Ministry of Rites had already lined up for a simple welcome ceremony.
Guo Jia stood quietly behind the civil and military officials, looking at the slightly calm figure, and looked at Chen Gong beside him: "Gongtai, have you noticed that the lord seems to have changed a lot?"
"yes!"
"It's a little less youthful and a little more general-like!"
Chen Gong's eyes shifted from Ning Fan to the princes and courtiers, and said softly: "Fengxiao, the news about King Sheng has not been revealed at all. It seems that His Majesty deliberately concealed it."
"How long can I keep it a secret?"
Guo Jia shook his head slightly and said in a deep voice: "Now Xuanjian Pass has been handed over to Duke Zhen and Princess Changning, and one hundred thousand new troops and Zhenguo troops have stayed in the west!"
"Now, the Martyrs Cemetery is about to be built, and soldiers from the Western Region are entering the mausoleum. However, the whereabouts of His Royal Highness King Sheng's body are still unknown, and Princess Sheng is pregnant. Your Majesty should be concerned!"
"However, with the return of the soldiers from the Western Expedition, the news may not be kept secret for long!"
"It doesn't matter anymore!"
Chen Gong shook his head slightly, his eyes fell on the low-key middle-aged scribe behind Ning Fan, and said with a hint of deepness: "What has passed has passed. Next, this capital may not be peaceful."
…
"My son, please see my father!"
"I will see you, Your Majesty!"
Ning Fan led a group of generals from the Western Expedition into the palace to meet the Emperor. Emperor Yu looked much more haggard than before. Looking at the generals in front of him, he also showed a happy smile.
"You have lived up to everyone's expectations, I am very pleased!"
"Father!"
"My ministers have brought back all the bones of the soldiers who died in the Western Region and requested that they be buried in the Martyrs Cemetery!"
"The last general has sent someone to record his name, and his pension..."
Ning Fan explained all the funeral affairs one by one, and Ji Sui took note of them one by one. Now that he returns to the court, these will naturally be matters of their military department.
"Accurate!"
Emperor Yu agreed one by one, but seemed a little absent-minded. He looked at the generals and said: "You have been running around for several days. Go back and have a good rest!"
"Tonight I will hold a banquet in the palace to celebrate your success!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"King Yong, come with me!"
"promise!"
Ning Fan bowed and followed Emperor Yu out of the hall, heading towards the Imperial Garden.
"Have you ever found the whereabouts of your royal brother?"
After a long time, Emperor Yu stopped, looked at Ning Fan, and asked in a solemn voice.
Ning Fan did not speak, but shook his head slightly and said softly: "As for Da Yan, there is no news about the emperor brother. That day, the emperor brother rode into the battle alone and fought against the seven ministers of Da Yan. He died of exhaustion after hearing the news! "
"Where are the bones?"
"I don't know!"
Emperor Yu fell into silence here, and his eyes became moist at some point. The two walked into the pavilion slowly, and Ning Fan said softly: "Father, Duke Zhenguo and Princess Changning will stay in the west!"
"After this battle, the 100,000 new troops lost 20,000, and the Zhenguo army died in more than 10,000 battles. Now there are only 1,120,000 soldiers and horses in Xuanjian Pass!"
"inappropriate!"
Emperor Yu shook his head slightly and said softly: "After you return, prepare a decree on my behalf to let Li Xiuning come back."
"Let Zhao Changying guard the western border!"
"Um!"
Ning Fan took a deep look at Emperor Yu, nodded slightly, and Emperor Yu continued: "I heard that one of your generals defeated the second-ranked general on the list of famous generals?"
"It's just a fluke. There are endless heroes in the world. The so-called second in the world is just an illusion!"
"No!"
Emperor Yu shook his head and said with a serious face: "Although this general comes from Jianghu, he has extremely high credibility."
"That general under your command must be brave enough to be worthy of all men!"
"Take some time and bring it over for me to see!"
"According to the order!"
A wry smile appeared on Ning Fan's face. Unexpectedly, Ran Min couldn't hide it anymore. It seemed that he was looking for opportunities to hide a few more trump cards!
"In the eastern battlefield, good news has been reported frequently these days!"
"Yue Fei really opened my eyes. In just a few days, he conquered more than ten cities in Donghuai, led 10,000 cavalry, and defeated the enemy's 50,000-strong army!"
"He is truly a naturally handsome man!"
Emperor Yu looked a little more appreciative and said softly: "Donghuai intends to negotiate peace with us these days. What do you think?"
"Peace?"
Ning Fan pondered for a moment and said softly: "Now that our army is at its peak, it was Donghuai who invaded our border first. They will fight if they want, and negotiate for peace if they want. It's not that easy!"
"There has been a strong voice in the DPRK recently. I, the Great Yu, have been fighting continuously, and the borders on all sides are littered with corpses. Now that Donghuai has taken the initiative to sue for peace, many ministers in the DPRK are interested in making a move."
"Besides, the national treasury is indeed severely depleted. It doesn't mean much to us to continue fighting!"
Ning Fan nodded, but did not speak. Neither of them seemed to be in high spirits. Emperor Yu said softly: "Okay, you are tired too, go back to your house and rest!"
"My son, please retire!"
Ning Fan slightly cupped his hands and was about to retreat. Emperor Yu suddenly turned around and looked directly at him, with a faint tone: "Second brother!"
"Father?"
Ning Fan looked stunned for a moment. He didn't know why Emperor Yu suddenly stopped him again, and his expression was heavier than ever before.
"Does Ning Chen's death have anything to do with you?"
"Father!"
Ning Fan's expression tightened, he shook his head heavily, and said solemnly: "It doesn't matter!"
"Well, you go down!"
…
"Your Majesty, the wind is blowing, please put on some clothes!"
"No!"
Emperor Yu stretched out his hand to push away the robe that Wei Ying handed over, and said softly: "I am a little tired today. I might as well blow some air to wake me up!"
"Wei Ying!"
"Do you think the death of King Sheng has anything to do with King Yong?"
"His Majesty!"
Wei Ying's complexion suddenly changed, and she quickly knelt down on the ground: "I'm scared, old slave!"
"You old guy, I just said something casually!"
"just kidding!"
"The eldest brother and the second child have been brothers since they were young. They are as close as brothers. Even if I believe that the second child committed regicide, I will not believe that he will do something to the eldest brother!"
Wei Ying on the side was already wet with cold sweat, but she lowered her head and held her sleeves tightly, not even daring to breathe.
"Okay, let's see how scared you are."
"Go and tell Ji Sui to come and see me!"
"According to the order!"
…
After leaving the palace, Ning Fan suddenly stopped and looked a little more melancholy.
I don’t know why, after returning to Beijing this time, I always feel empty in my heart. Could it be because I have been away for too long?
"Your Highness!"
"Um!"
Ning Fan nodded slightly and greeted the passing officials. Dian Wei held the horse and waited quietly in front of the palace gate.
"Let's go!"
"Go home."
Dian Wei nodded, smiled honestly, and said softly: "My lord, you went to the palace, how come you don't look so good?"
"nothing!"
"How about I go find some women for you..."
"Shut up!"
"Oh..." Dian Wei Bu forgot to murmur weakly: "In the past, when Mr. Cao was depressed, I always did this!"
…