Chapter 1928: Welcoming the King of Foreign Lands Back to the Capital! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Five billion taels of gold!
Not even the last several decades of tax revenue in the Great Tang could reach this sum. And there had also been many pearls, agates, and other kinds of treasure.
This sort of thing had never happened in the history of the Great Tang.
Not only were all the families of those who had died in battle richly compensated, all of the great clans, craftsmen, and common people who had in some way contributed to the war effort were also richly rewarded. All of the expenses of the war were paid from this massive fortune.
In addition, the Imperial Court had long ago issued an official announcement stating that this money would be used on the people, for fixing roads, repairing fields and levees, and assisting the homeless elderly and children. Besides that, each household would receive a sum of money to use on their daily livelihood.
The initial gold had already been distributed across the various provinces and commanderies.
Even more gold would come later on to assist the people of the Great Tang in their livelihood.
Rather than hurting the people, the war had benefited them, providing the Central Plains gold and resources like never before. Such a thing had never happened in any previous dynasty.
Since this was the case, what need was there for the militarists to have so many disputes with the Confucians?
The Confucians opposed the militarists because war was damaging to the people, but if each war allowed the empire to flourish and fill its coffers, what complaints would they have? The Imperial Court probably would have offered their full support long ago.
Of course, the most important reason was that Wang Chong and the others had saved the Central Plains.
”Come on! Let's go and welcome him!”
The civil officials boarded their carriages, anxious to get to the western gate.
In a wondrous sight, almost the entire capital turned out to welcome Wang Chong.
As everyone's eyes brimmed with anticipation, someone suddenly cried out.
”Look over there! The King of Foreign Lands' carriage!”
”Where? Where?”
The crowd instantly grew agitated and looked to the west. And when that resplendent noble carriage flying the banner of the Great Tang emerged…
Boom!
The crowd around the gate instantly exploded with thunderous cheers.
”King of Foreign Lands!”
”King of Foreign Lands!”
”King of Foreign Lands!”
The people, so excited that their faces were red, were yelling with all their might. Their heaven-shaking shouts could be heard from more than a dozen li away!
As the crowd cheered, the army of one-hundred-thousand-some soldiers began to slowly emerge in the distance.
The capital was the heart of authority in the empire, a core area. In normal circumstances, an army of one hundred thousand would have never been permitted to enter the capital, but this time was different. The Sage Emperor had personally ordered that the army should enter the capital so that the people could see these heroes. At the same time, he was also acknowledging these soldiers who had spilled their blood on the battlefield.
Bang!
As the cheers shook the heavens, inside his carriage, Wang Chong had also taken notice of the commotion outside.
”Milord, we've arrived at the capital!” Zhang Que, who was riding a warhorse, said from outside the carriage.
”Mm!”
Wang Chong nodded. Raising the curtain, he looked out at the vast crowd gathered by the city walls. Even at this distance, he could sense their joy and passion.
Less than half a year had passed since his departure, but it had felt like several years to Wang Chong.
The militarist-Confucian conflict had caused his departure to be greeted with some mixed emotions, but now, Wang Chong enjoyed wholehearted support and was returning as a triumphant hero. He couldn't help but sigh.
But the most important thing was that the entire empire had been baptized through this war. Their hearts had been united. That was what was most important, what Wang Chong had wanted to see!
As the carriage got closer and closer, the crowd grew more and more enthusiastic.
Their eyes bright, they stood on their tiptoes and stretched their necks in the hopes that Wang Chong might see them.
When the procession neared the gate, Wang Chong raised an arm and called out, ”Stop!” The entire army stopped, and after a few moments, Wang Chong opened the carriage door and exited.
Bang!
Upon seeing Wang Chong's heroic and divine figure emerging from the carriage, the already ecstatic crowd erupted with even louder cheers. Even from a hundred li, one could hear their voices.
The crowd had gone completely crazy!
”King of Foreign Lands!”
”King of Foreign Lands!”
”King of Foreign Lands, I love you!”
There were quite a few beautiful young women who blushed as they excitedly called out amidst the cheers of the crowd.
Wang Chong gently smiled and began to walk forward.
At the gate, the Imperial Army was keeping order.
Wang Chong had only taken two steps when the crowd suddenly parted. Civil and military officials, all of them dressed in their court robes, walked out in an orderly fashion. They stopped seven or eight steps from Wang Chong and deferentially bowed.
”King of Foreign Lands, welcome back to the capital!”