We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

As the New Year approaches, Chaoyang City is dressed in festive attire, unlike in the past.

Two huge red silk balls were hung high above the city gate, and festive lanterns were hung on the eaves of the tower, giving it a warm orange-red hue from a distance.

In Chaoyang City, the snow on both sides of the streets was cleared clean, and every household had new window decorations pasted on their windows.

The air is filled with the rich aroma of stewed meat, and the lively atmosphere unique to the New Year is everywhere.

Seeing the scene in front of him, Li Che was also a little stunned, and it took him a long time to recover.

I couldn't help but sigh in my heart, it's New Year again.

I have been in this world for two years, and my experiences in my past life have begun to become a little blurry.

Sometimes I have a question in my mind: Did I travel to this world, or did I have a long dream and dreamed of another world?

Li Che smiled bitterly and shook his head, putting his messy thoughts behind him.

No matter what, I am already here, and I will soon have children, so I still have to live my life.

When Li Che, wearing armor, appeared at the city gate, the people of Chaoyang, who had been waiting for a long time, instantly became excited.

"Your Highness has returned triumphantly! Long live your majesty ...!"

"Your Highness is welcome back to the court!"

"Your Highness, Happy New Year!"

"The Fengtian Army is mighty, and Your Highness is mighty!"

Cheers and blessings came like a tsunami, drowning out the sound of horse hooves.

People poured out from both sides of the street, carrying food and drink, and scrambled to give the dried fruits, drink, and even a bowl of boiling hot dumpling soup in their hands to the passing soldiers.

With the previous experience of Li Lin and Huo Duanxiao's reminder, Li Che no longer dared to get too close to the people.

Every time he went out, he was stopped by his personal guards, who patiently advised the people not to get too close, as this would give assassins an opportunity to take advantage.

The people also understood, but this did not prevent them from expressing their admiration and enthusiasm for their Highness from a distance.

Li Che sat upright on his horse, looking at the jubilant scene of the people in front of him, and the feeling in his heart was hard to describe.

He just smiled and waved to the enthusiastic people.

This was the first time that Li Che celebrated the New Year in his own fiefdom since he became a vassal, which was of great significance.

He had a thought and looked at Qiu Bai beside him.

"Qiubai, pass the order down." Li Che's voice cut through the clamor. "During the three days of the New Year's celebration, all our soldiers will have their rewards doubled according to their meritorious service! All the people of Daqing will have fresh meat distributed from the treasury to celebrate the New Year!"

Qiu Bai bowed in agreement, then looked at Qu Jinshan provocatively and raised his eyebrows, which made Qu Jinshan blush with anger.

[Look, Your Highness, you should stay close to me. Otherwise, why wouldn't I let you pass on the message?]

As soon as these words were spoken, the people around cheered again, and the soldiers guarding on the side were also grinning from ear to ear.

Li Che lowered his voice again and instructed Qu Jinshan:

"Tell Chen Gui that the auspicious fireworks that the King had the Gunpowder Bureau make a few days ago are now ready to be used. Starting from today, they will be set off for three consecutive nights!"

"The newly produced white wine from the workshop and the fine red cloth from the textile factory are all distributed to civil and military officials and their meritorious relatives as New Year's benefits!"

Qu Jinshan's temperature quickly cooled down, and his face was visibly less red.

He quickly agreed, then gave Qiu Bai a provocative look.

"It's no use asking you to pass on the message. You've been away from Chaoyang City for so long you're no longer familiar with the business. Your Highness, please contact me, Old Qu, for the real work!"

However, Li Che did not notice the two people fighting secretly. He just slowed down his pace and walked slowly towards the government office.

The order was quickly passed down, triggering an even greater wave of cheers.

Not only the common people were happy, but the accompanying civil and military officials also grinned.

No one knows what fireworks are, but since they are produced by the Gunpowder Bureau, they must be a rare item!

As for the newly brewed white wine, the ministers have also heard of it.

His Highness named it "Chaoyang Shao". It is not as strong as high-proof liquor, but it has a better taste and should not make people lose consciousness easily.

Not to mention that the rewards already given during the festival will be doubled. His Highness has always been generous and really cares about his subjects!

When he arrived at the government office, Li Che first met with court officials such as Zhuge Zhe. After telling them about the military achievements of Yue Yun and others, everyone naturally celebrated.

Li Che's mood also became better and better. With a wave of his hand, he rewarded everyone with a seven-day holiday, and the officials who stayed on duty also received salary compensation.

Then he went to see Li Lin and was even happier when he learned that he had sent 30,000 troops.

When he met Zhang Neng and other brave generals of the Yan army, he was so moved that he could not express it in words.

It must be said that Li Lin is indeed a good brother.

Not only does he support me unconditionally, but he also knows when to advance and retreat. He deserves to live a long life and become a prominent prince!

Moved by this, Li Che immediately put his arm around Li Lin's shoulders and said bluntly:

"I won't go into other details. These days I've set up a 'Heaven on Earth Building', collecting countless beauties and personally training them."

"I'm telling you, this place is absolutely different from the vulgar women you usually meet in brothels. It will definitely open your eyes and make you linger!"

I thought Li Lin would be overjoyed, but I didn't expect him to frown and refuse verbally:

"Sixth brother, what are you talking about? I support you because of the brotherhood between you and me, not for the sake of beauty."

"You must never mention this again. How could I, Li Lin, be such a vulgar person?"

Li Che widened his eyes and said in disbelief:

"Whatever you are, get off my fourth brother!"

He couldn't believe that the fourth brother who always urged him to visit brothels in the imperial capital suddenly changed his personality.

Could it be that people have reached middle age and can no longer control their own lives?

Suddenly, Li Che saw a graceful figure standing at the back of the hall, bowing to him from afar.

Li Che suddenly realized that he had brought his family with him...

"Well," Li Che sighed, "I was thinking of expanding my 'Heaven on Earth' restaurant and opening its first branch in Yan State. Since Fourth Brother is so tired of this kind of thing, I'll just choose another location."

When Li Lin heard this, his face turned red and purple, and he winked at Li Che frantically.

However, Li Che pretended not to see it. While describing his own customs and plans to Li Lin, he also praised Li Lin for his aloofness and noble character.

Li Lin kept baring his teeth and occasionally imitated Xiaosong to breathe on Li Che. His eyes were red, which made Li Che feel a little nervous.

This guy is so ignorant...he can't eat people, right?

. . . . . .

In the blink of an eye, three days have passed and the New Year has come quietly.

When the last ray of skylight was swallowed by the night, the entire Chaoyang City completely turned into a city that never sleeps.

Inside Prince Feng’s palace, the lights were bright and the sounds of stringed instruments filled the air.

Li Che held a grand banquet and entertained all the civil and military officials.

There were also the King of Yan and his family of three, Xue Zhen who came from Shanhaiguan, and the northern Hu guests who were "invited" from the grasslands...

With delicious food and clinking glasses, the atmosphere was extremely lively.

When the wine was half drunk, Li Che quietly left the table, holding the jade cup alone, and climbed up to the highest platform in the palace.

There were also some generals with excellent eyesight who noticed that their prince had left the table, but when they saw Qiu Bai and Qu Jinshan following silently, they did not make any unnecessary movements.

The wind was cold and biting. Li Che leaned on the railing and looked into the distance, with the entire Chaoyang City in sight.

Below him was the bustling banquet and bright lights of Prince Feng’s palace.

Further away, there are thousands of lights located inside and outside Chaoyang City, like stars scattered on the earth.

The streets were filled with shadowy figures, laughter could be heard everywhere, and the sounds of children playing could be heard faintly.

Just now.

Whoosh—bang!

Bang!Bang!Bang!

Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound pierced the night sky.

Immediately afterwards, a huge roar exploded overhead.

Li Che slowly raised his head with a smile on his face.

But the dark night was torn apart, and clusters of dazzling colors burst into bloom.

Some are red as blood, some are golden as the sun, and some are emerald green as jade... in all shapes and sizes, shining brightly.

Like golden chrysanthemums blooming in the sky, or like drooping willow branches falling to the earth, the sky above the entire Chaoyang City is illuminated like a dreamland.

The exclamations in the city reached a peak in an instant, and even the ministers at the banquet walked out of the hall and looked up at the sky.

"Wow--"

"Look! The goddess is scattering flowers!"

"What is this? It's absolutely beautiful!"

"Auspicious, truly auspicious!"

"Only my country can see such a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship!"

Chen Gui pursed his lips and pinched the few remaining whiskers that were not burned by the experiment, his face full of complacency.

When Li Che first mentioned the fireworks, he was quite unhappy, thinking that making such useless things would only waste gunpowder.

But when I saw the fireworks blooming in the sky with my own eyes, all these doubts disappeared.

Although these fireworks have no practical use, they truly bloom in the hearts of every soldier and citizen of Fengguo, raising the national cohesion to the peak like fireworks.

This kind of effect cannot be achieved even with countless gunpowder.

Li Che stood on a high place, looking at the sky quietly, the brilliant light flickering in his eyes.

It's been two years.

It has been two years since he traveled to this strange world.

Over seven hundred days and nights, from the time when he first arrived in Fengguo and everything was in ruins and surrounded by powerful enemies, to now when the army is strong and the people are loyal.

Li Che asked himself that everything he did might not be perfect, and some of his methods could even be described as iron-blooded and cruel.

But he has indeed tried his best, using all the modern knowledge and vision that he knows to transform the country, to strengthen his army, and to protect the peace of the people.

Li Che raised his head and drank the liquor in the glass.

The jade cup in my hand was cold, but the morning sun in the cup was burning hot like a line of fire, burning all the way into my lungs.

Conquering the areas beyond the Great Wall is only the first step.

Making Fengguo strong is only the foundation.

The last thing I have to do, and also the most difficult one, is to make this great nation, which has experienced so much vicissitudes of life, and was once glorious and also declined, stand at the top of the world again in this time and space.

The main quest remains unchanged:

The Chinese nation must become great again! The Chinese nation must become even greater!

The wine in the glass was almost empty. Li Che threw the glass back with a heroic gesture and said with a smile:

"Go back and continue drinking. Don't leave until you're drunk tonight!"

"Here!"

Qu Jinshan bowed in agreement, then touched his head which was hit by the wine glass, and looked at Qiu Bai who was hiding far away in surprise.

No... This guy's martial arts skills are obviously average, so why are his movements so swift, as if he knew that Your Highness was going to throw the wine glass?