Yinshan Record

Chapter 460 The Cuckoo Takes Over the Nest, the Army Returns to Court (Part 2)

Outside Jiankang, the capital of the Great Liang Kingdom.

The thick bluestone slabs of the official road had been carefully covered with a layer of yellow soil by the servants. The fluttering banners and the court officials in full ceremonial robes lined up in neat rows, like a long dragon, waiting quietly to the north.

Today is the day Wei Huaiwen returns to the capital.

According to the rules set by the emperor, today the crown prince will lead all the officials out of the city to welcome this victorious military officer from Yongzhou, the number one general of Liang, and the guy in the court most qualified to usurp the throne.

Since the end of the unified empire, the Central Plains have been in constant turmoil. Those who were able to change dynasties, usurp the throne, and establish a new dynasty were all meritorious officials and generals of the previous dynasty.

After considering the entire team, only Coach Wei is truly qualified.

However, everyone in the court knew that the so-called powerful families, such as the Prince of Langya and the Xie family of Chenjun, were nothing more than negative assets left over from the previous dynasty for the current Liang Dynasty.

The military families of Duling Wei and Duling Su, who came from Yongliang, were the true foundation supporting the Great Liang.

Therefore, no ignorant and upright official dared to attack or criticize General Wei, who had just made great contributions in the Northern Expedition. Everyone unanimously praised Wei Huaiwen's victory in the north and constantly discussed what kind of reward to give General Wei.

It was a long time ago that he was granted the title of Marquis. I just don't know if this time he will be promoted to Duke or even further to Prince.

The idle people in the city started a betting game, and almost everyone believed that Wei Huaiwen would be promoted to the rank of Prince. But rumors are just rumors.

The simple wishes of ordinary people collide with the omnipresent scheming of the imperial court, and everything will change.

The Crown Prince stood at the forefront of the court officials. As the heir apparent of the Great Liang Dynasty, he was not only the future emperor but also the de facto prime minister of the Great Liang Dynasty.

For many years, the emperor has only grasped the general direction and certain major events, while the crown prince has been responsible for many minor and specific matters. The hardship and power involved are self-evident.

Therefore, even though the Crown Prince was being greeted outside the city today, he sat upright in his carriage.

Although the Crown Prince is a subject, he is a subject of the ruler, and no one can be more superior to him when facing him.

Even Wei Huaiwen wouldn't be able to do it, since the Great Liang Dynasty hadn't yet become like the Northern Dynasty.

Behind the crown prince were representatives from the Wang and Xie families.

The official sent by the Langya Wang clan was a high-ranking official with the cultivation level of a fifth-grade Rejuvenating Core cultivator. He had a handsome, flowing beard and looked like a dashing middle-aged man, exuding a warm and approachable aura.

Wang Xu, a fifth-rank cultivator, was a central figure in the Langya Wang clan and a distant relative of Wang Jian, the chief secretary of the Prince of Wuling. He was dressed in court robes, with a sword at his waist, and was talking to an old man on the other side.

The old man beside Wang Xu was so old he seemed unable to straighten his back. He held a bamboo staff in his hand, and his entire demeanor was extremely withered. This old man was Xie Buyi, the head of the Xie clan of Chen Commandery, who held the official position of Minister of Works. He had long been a detached figure who did not concern himself with day-to-day affairs, but today he had also been pulled out to welcome Wei Huaiwen in the suburbs.

This old man, Xie Buyi, is over two hundred years old. Even though he possesses the fifth-grade Rejuvenating Pill, he suffered severe injuries in the past, and his lifespan has reached its limit. No amount of longevity-prolonging elixirs can stop his decay.

At this moment, Xie Buyi was looking down at the ground, seemingly not paying any attention to Wang Xu's endless chatter beside him.

Following the Xie family of Chenjun and the Prince of Langya, there were representatives of powerful clans such as the Prince of Taiyuan and the Yu family of Yingchuan. The reason they stood at the forefront was not because of their high official ranks, but because their very origins represented true nobility.

The bugle sounded, and the ground trembled slightly. The crown prince looked into the distance and could already see the vanguard of Wei Huaiwen's army.

Black knights rode atop magnificent steeds, their crimson tassels fluttering in the wind on their lion-headed helmets. They held aloft banners adorned with mythical beasts, and a general on horseback exuded a powerful aura and unwavering resolve. That man was not Wei Huaiwen.

"Old Su."

Xie Buyi looked calmly ahead and softly uttered two words.

Wang Xu, who was next to him, smiled but didn't say anything.

The leaders of the Wang and Xie families were just chatting, but the focus of their conversation wasn't on the old Su in front of them. Instead, it was on his rising star, a younger generation member.

Su Che, who is still alive in Cizhou.

A few days ago, a report from Cizhou reached the capital, causing a stir throughout Jiankang City.

Li Hong, the leader of the rebels in Cizhou, was assassinated, and Yu Chen, another leader of the rebels, was also beheaded.

For the common people, this was merely a change in the war situation, providing some fodder for gossip in the teahouses and restaurants of Jiankang. But for those in the court, they all understood the true nature of the matter.

When the situation was unclear before, perhaps the officials in the court were also unaware of what had happened in Cizhou, but now that the situation has changed so much, even those who didn't know should know by now.

The bandits in Cizhou today were instigated by Bailudong, and Yu Chen is the core figure of Bailudong in Cizhou.

Now this report has arrived, which means that the rising star of the Su clan of Duling has killed both the nominal leader and the actual core of the enemy in the midst of the chaos.

Such achievements truly evoke the feeling of when Lao Su rose to prominence back in the day.

The Su family of Duling is poised to prosper for another century.

The views of those in power naturally differed from those of those in the lower classes. After the news spread, the people of Jiankang fell into a deep silence.

After all, the impression of the Third Young Master Su was too stereotypical, and some stories still lingered in the minds of the people. However, with the help of certain forces, the people of Jiankang City soon underwent new changes.

A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold; three years without flight, but a sudden burst of success; Su San has been a bright child since she was little, and the more mischievous she becomes, the more promising she becomes...

In any case, various proverbs combined with richly detailed anecdotes greatly changed the image of Su San Gongzi in a short period of time, and even some shameless brothels put up signs.

The signs that read "The Place Where Young Master Su Once Forgot to Return To" and "Young Master Su's Comfortable Nest" were put up, but they were only up for a few days before being taken down by someone with ulterior motives.

Overall, the court is now immersed in a state of joy.

The war in the north is over. The Great Liang once again dealt a heavy blow to the northern barbarians. Commander Wei was invincible. It was only that bastard Yuwen Rui who did all sorts of bad things.

The turmoil in the south will soon be quelled, and our Great Liang has produced a new talent. Once Commander Wei and Young General Su join forces, they will surely be able to burn that scoundrel Yuwen Rui to ashes.

Joyful and peaceful.

Even key figures from the Xie clan of Chenjun and the Wang clan of Langya began discussing behind the Crown Prince's back whether or not to form a marriage alliance with the Su family.

(End of this chapter)