After traveling through time, I became Han Zhang’s grandson?

March 15th of the third year of Yuanyou in the Song Dynasty was designated as the "Return Day of Yanyun and Liaodong" by the Song Dynasty and later generations.

On this day, people not only offer sacrifices to heaven and earth and ancestors, but also pay tribute to the emperors, ministers and people of the Song Dynasty who have contributed to the unification of the country.

It was because they continued to struggle for the great cause of unification day after day that they finally achieved it on this day in the third year of Yuanyou.

The last piece of the puzzle of the prosperous Song Dynasty that Han Ming enjoyed was finally in place.

For this day, Han Ming, his colleagues and the people fought for twenty-nine years.

After the reigns of Renzong, Yingzong and Shenzong, the historical ambition of millions of people was finally fulfilled during the reign of Zhezong - to recover Yanyun and unify the world.

This is a day worth remembering for all the people of the Song Dynasty, and it is also the prelude to the prosperity of the Song Dynasty.

At this point, the Song Dynasty regained its place among the top four unified dynasties in Chinese history in a completely intact manner.

The other three powerful unified dynasties were the Han, Tang and Ming dynasties, which were known as the "Strong Han", "Prosperous Tang" and "Strong Ming".

The Song Dynasty finally completed its transformation and joined the first echelon of historical dynasties.

Looking at the Liaodong atlas urgently sent by Wang Shao and the fish-scale book of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun compiled by Zhang Yu and others, Han Ming sighed to the sky: "The mountains and rivers are unified, and the prosperous era has arrived!"

"Come, immediately deliver my military order. On March 15th, ascend the altar to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, to our ancestors, and to all the subjects who sacrificed their lives for the unification of the Song Dynasty!"

Han Ming's order spread throughout Yanyun and Liaodong in just one day, and the officials and people in the three southern areas of Hedong Road, Hebei West Road, and Hebei East Road all received the order.

The people in the northern border finally had their own peaceful and stable days. They were more simple and enthusiastic than the soldiers and civilians in Bianjing City.

They took out their family savings and surplus food to buy all kinds of items and sent them to Youzhou Prefecture. When they met officers and soldiers participating in the Northern Expedition along the way, they tried their best to give them gifts.

This is the love and respect of the people, and it is also a feeling that the Song army soldiers have never experienced before.

At this moment, they understood what it meant to "defend the family and the country". Family and country are inseparable. Only by preserving the country can every family under the country be protected.

This is the "family and country sentiment" that is unique to the Chinese people. No people from any other country love this country so much.

Even though they are thousands of miles apart, they will never forget that in the far East, there is a homeland worthy of their devoting their lives.

Adhering to the principle of putting military discipline first, the Northern Expedition soldiers stationed in the prefectures and counties of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun along the way did not take anything from the common people.

Looking at the small gifts handed to them by the enthusiastic people with simple smiles, these rough men and arrogant soldiers blushed rarely and were a little at a loss.

If they once signed up for the army for a salary, a way out or a deep hatred, now they have some understanding of the meaning of "the close relationship between the military and the people".

In the past, during training, I often heard coach Han Ming talk about all sorts of nonsense, like the people are the roots, the people are the foundation, and the people are the biggest driving force behind all things...

Although these soldiers knew some basic words, they had no idea what Han Ming was talking about.

Throughout history, who has joined the army except to fill their stomachs, earn a salary, and find a way to become a better person?

Why do they have to treat the people well and protect them internally, defend their country externally, drive out the barbarians, and demonstrate their justice?

They are actually ordinary people who just want to live a simple life. If there were not so many foreign invasions and wars, they would also like to farm for the rest of their lives.

Until today they knew what they were fighting for.

As Han said, "You also come from poor backgrounds, tilling the fields year-round and contributing countless taxes to this country."

"Why do you have to pay so much tax? Not to mention the high amount, your military pay comes from the taxes."

"It's not easy for ordinary people to farm the land every year, and they have to spend money and labor to support you big-headed soldiers. What's the point?"

"It's nothing more than a hope, a wish. I hope you can protect the country and the people when war comes, and create a stable environment for them to live."

"Isn't this what you thought before you joined the army?!"

"Why do our original intentions change after joining the army?!"

"In my opinion, he's just forgotten his roots! He thinks he should join the army to serve his country and make a name for himself, and he doesn't care about the support of these so-called 'peasant peasants'!"

"You bastards, you are all a bunch of bastards!!!"

"I tell you, if you keep thinking this way, it won't be long before the roots of the army are completely rotten."

"Therefore, military reform will never be completed, it will only be in progress!!!"

"..."

Since joining the army, I have been training every day, having military exercises from time to time, and receiving lectures without interruption. I have to have a high degree of unity in my thoughts...

All these things finally came to fruition today, bringing a happy ending to these people called "Bing Luzi".

At the same time, the imperial court's reward decree continued day and night and arrived in Youzhou Prefecture before March 15th.

This decree was drafted when Sima Junshi and other envoys went north for negotiations. It had been suppressed by Fan Chunren, the head of Beijing Daming Prefecture, Shangshu You Pushe and Zhongshu Shilang.

As soon as the negotiations are over, it will be sent to Youzhou Prefecture.

However, the negotiations between the Song and Liao sides ended so quickly that the people sent by Fan Chunren to deliver the imperial edict had to run several horses until they could catch up.

"In the past, when Emperor Yao of Tang was a sage, four evil men were at his court. When Emperor Cheng of Zhou was a benevolent and virtuous man, four states were in trouble. Without Emperor Shun, Duke Zhou, and Bolu (Huo Guang), no one could have brought peace and stability."

"I, born with a noble character and a great sense of virtue, govern the nations, but my country is in a time of great difficulty."

"First, a rebellion was launched by a traitor, destroying the capital region; then, a foreign invasion arose, stealing power from the Central Plains."

"Han Ming, Special Advancement, General of the Auxiliary State, Senior Pillar of the State, Grand Secretary of the Jixian Hall, Privy Councilor, Minister of the Left and Co-minister of the Secretariat, Minister of War, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and Founding Duke of Wei."

"You have received the rank of nobility from the court, and you are willing to sacrifice your life for the country. This is a great achievement for both the country and the people!"

"Since the Song Dynasty defeated the Liao Dynasty in Yanyun and Liaodong, the country has been unified and the world has been brought under one roof. Heroes from all over the country have flocked to it."

"But his title is not prominent, and he has not been bestowed with the Nine Gifts. He is not able to protect the country and bring glory to the world for eternity."

"The late Emperor Shenzong left a message: Those who can recover the entire territory of Yan will be rewarded with a title of nobility, and thus be granted the title of Prince of Guangyang County!!!"

"I follow the old teachings and promote Han Ming to the title of Prince of Guangyang and Grand Protector, and grant him the titles of Grand Master of the Imperial Court, General of the Cavalry, Minister of the Chancellery, and Co-Minister of Military and National Affairs, and appoint him as Grand Marshal, with a fief of 10,000 households!!!"

"..."

As Li Xian roared and read out the first imperial edict of "conferring the title of king, appointing him as prime minister and promoting him to a higher rank", everyone in the Youzhou government office stood there in silence for a long while.

Afterwards, when Han Ming took the imperial edict with a pretentious and calm expression, the generals behind him were instantly furious.

"Prime Minister Han...Prime Minister Han has been crowned king!!!"

“Awesome——!”

"Hahaha, I never thought the emperor would be so trustworthy. He said whoever recovers the entire Yanyun region will be crowned king!"

"But this is normal. Han Xiang is extremely capable, so even a small matter like being crowned king is easy for him to accomplish!"

"I never thought I'd see a living king of a different surname at my age!"

"..."

As Sima Junshi finished speaking, the scene fell into silence, and everyone looked at Han Ming and the old man awkwardly.

"It's alright, keep playing, I'm happy to listen."

Han Ming sat down happily with his hands behind his back, carefully looking up and down at the 'Imperial Edict of Conferring the Kingship' issued by his own emperor's apprentice, and was satisfied with it no matter how he looked at it.

He even changed his catchphrase without hesitation, which made the generals and the envoys look very constipated.

Unfortunately, Sima Junshi interrupted them with these words. Everyone's emotions were fluctuating, and they didn't know how to praise him anymore.

"Ahem... Since you guys are done talking, let me say a few words..."

Seeing that Han Ming seemed to want to give an inaugural speech, everyone stood at attention and listened.

"There seems to be a decree of reward at the end, please continue reading!"

As soon as Han Ming said this, the whole audience became excited again, and everyone shouted, "Master Supervisor, please read it quickly!"

Sima Junshi and others were so happy to see this scene. It had been a long time since they had seen such a cheerful atmosphere.

In a cheerful atmosphere, all the generals received rewards that satisfied them.

Some were granted titles of nobility and appointed as prime ministers, some were promoted to higher positions and given titles of nobility, and some were given no titles at all but were rewarded with houses, fields, gold and silver.

Everyone came with excitement and left with satisfaction, creating a very joyful atmosphere.

. . . . . .

On March 15th of the third year of Yuanyou, the altar boundary marker was installed. Civil and military officials headed by Han Ming dressed in ceremonial attire and solemnly came to the front of the Imperial City Square.

"My Lords and Generals, please stand in the same formation as before. We will begin shortly."

Li Xian was the official angel appointed today to coordinate the victory ceremony of the Northern Expedition. Dressed in a ceremonial robe with sweat all over his face, he eagerly called these civil and military officials to their seats.

"Zi Fan, come on, take a break. We can just ask one of our subordinates to do this kind of work. Today, you will stand beside me, and we will perform the sacrifice together!"

Han Ming pulled over Li Xian, who looked anxious, and asked him to calm down.

"This matter will have to be written up and submitted to the court, and the files will have to be sealed. Oh, Your Highness, how can we have the time to do this?"

Li Xian was so angry when he saw the "heartless" Han that he almost felt dizzy.

"Okay, okay, hurry up. If you don't get involved in something as important as this, you'll regret it later!"

Han Ming smiled mysteriously, not bothering to pay attention to this guy. He chatted happily with Sima Junshi, Su Zizhan and others beside him.

"Om-!"

With a shocking horn sound, everyone looked at the soldiers on the city wall who were blowing the horn vigorously.

Then came the sound of war drums and the sound of various ritual instruments, which spread in all directions, mixed with the chanting of the Song army in formation.

"Everyone——!"

Han Ming straightened his robe and shouted loudly.

In an instant, everyone turned their eyes to Han Ming, their eyes shining with inexplicable excitement.

“Follow me as I ascend the altar to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, to our ancestors, and to all the people of the world—!”

Han Ming turned around gracefully, lifted the hem of his heavy ceremonial robe with his right hand, held the ivory jade sceptre in his left hand, and with the imperial sword and seal of the Northern Expedition Marshal hanging on his waist, he walked step by step towards the high platform of the imperial city.

The people behind him looked at each other with warm eyes and smiled, then followed Han Ming onto the sacrificial platform.

At this moment, everyone's eyes followed the footsteps of the Northern Expedition generals and the civil officials of the delegation, who moved little by little to the top of the platform.

Han Ming stood in front of the bronze tripod with an ivory jade sceptre in his hands, looking at the blazing fire inside, and then glanced at the soldiers and civilians who were looking forward to it below the stage, and he couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

He straightened his back slowly, put the ivory jade sceptre into his waist, took the wine handed to him by Li Xian, and drank it down in one gulp.

"A tribute to the Heaven and Earth!"

Li Xian roared with a red face.

"Second respect to the ancestors and saints of all generations—!"

The civil and military officials behind him all raised their heads and drank the second bowl.

"Three respects to the king, the country, the ministers and the people, and all the people in the world--!!!"

Above and below the altar, soldiers, civilians and common people raised their glasses and followed Han Ming and others to toast the people of the world.

After three bowls of wine, Han Ming took off the emperor's sword from his waist, held it high with both hands, and shouted loudly.

"Minister Han Ming!"

"I bow to the heavens, the sun, the moon, the mountains and the rivers, as well as the tombs of the ancestors and saints of all generations:"

"Since the end of the Tang Dynasty, Tianming Zhenren has traveled through the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms for seventy-two years before finally arriving at the Song Dynasty."

"I, as a minister, shall obey the will of Heaven, and serve the people, and shall drive out the Liao menace, and pacify Yanyun and Liaodong."

"On the fifteenth day of the third lunar month, sacrifices were offered in Youzhou City to announce to Heaven and Earth..."

Han Ming suddenly drew out the sword bestowed by the emperor. Under the cold light, his cold and domineering face was revealed. Then he brazenly inserted it in front of the boundary sign on the altar.

"From now on, the world is unified——!!!"