If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

Compared to the last time when Gaoliguo merely acknowledged its allegiance without paying tribute, this time it was an immense achievement.

Gu Changqing, as the commander-in-chief, rode a tall horse in the middle, with Lu Da and other vanguards on his left and right. According to the usual procedure, the supply officer was not qualified to be awarded in front of the palace, but Zhou Wu, whether in terms of interpersonal relationships or real merits, should be given the treatment of being awarded in front of the palace.

The procession to the capital was a basic procedure for those who received official titles, with cheering crowds lining both sides of the streets to welcome the returning heroes.

royal palace.

"I will pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Gu Changqing led the generals who had set out on this expedition, and they all stood in the main hall, bowing to Li Tiancheng.

"Welcome our great hero! (Announcing)"

"promise."

Li Tiancheng has been so happy these past few days that he can't tell which way is north or south.

The eunuch took out the decrees of reward that he had prepared beforehand and read them out. Just as Gu Changqing had predicted, these veteran generals would basically receive honorary titles and some financial rewards, but there would be no real power-related rewards.

When it came to Zhou Wu, there was no substantial promotion in his official position. Apart from honors and financial rewards, he also had a substitute title, which was somewhat useful. His title was raised to a higher level, becoming a marquis, the Marquis of Nanhai.

Zhou Wu was fine, but Gu Changqing felt a little sorry for him. He had thought that the credit he and Lu Da had earned would be transferred to Zhou Wu, but it seemed that it hadn't. Gu Changqing just frowned slightly.

For three consecutive days, Gu Changqing, Zhou Wu, and other newly appointed generals indulged in a life of debauchery in the palace. Soldiers who went to war were also promoted or rewarded, and for a time, the capital was filled with singing and dancing.

It wasn't until half a month later that the celebratory atmosphere gradually cooled down, and Li Tiancheng specially summoned Gu Changqing to the palace.

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"No need for formalities. I've been drinking all day long, and my head is spinning."

"Your Majesty, please take care of your health."

"You must be blaming me for not giving Zhou Wu the reward he deserved the other day."

"I don't dare."

Li Tiancheng could tell that every minister who said "I dare not" harbored resentment.

“If you have any grievances, just say them. We’re brothers, there’s no need to stand on ceremony.”

"Your Majesty, you said before that you wanted to cultivate Zhou Wu. This is a great opportunity. I really don't know what Your Majesty is thinking?"

Gu Changqing had never questioned Li Tiancheng, but today, for Zhou Wu's sake, he questioned the emperor.

"Actually, I did it on purpose."

Li Tiancheng knew that his brother was intolerant of injustice, which was why he had specifically called him over today to discuss the matter openly.

"what?"

“Zhou Wu is only twenty years old this year, yet he is already the fourth-rank Grand Commander of the South China Sea and holds the title of Marquis. In the imperial court, who can compare to him?”

Gu Changqing nodded, acknowledging everything.

"Look at all the court ladies, their sons are the same age as them, and they either spend their days visiting brothels or eating and doing nothing all day. Most importantly, they all started from scratch. That's what's most frightening."

Gu Changqing instantly understood why Li Tiancheng hadn't given Zhou Wu the rewards he deserved. Starting from scratch, young, fourth-rank official, marquis—these words combined perfectly describe Zhou Wu; he hadn't relied on anyone.

Such people in the court usually only have two outcomes: either they are won over by one of the factions and become ministers with ulterior motives, or Zhou Wu sticks to his position and does not join any faction. However, this outcome is more terrifying, as Zhou Wu will definitely be suppressed by everyone until he is driven out of the court.

The reason Li Tiancheng didn't promote Zhou Wu was actually to protect him.

"Your Majesty, I have misunderstood you."

Gu Changqing clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Li Tiancheng.

"I remember Zhou Wu's merits and I will make it up to him in the future. He is a meritorious official of my Great Dragon, and I will not let him suffer any injustice."

Li Tiancheng added another sentence, which made Gu Changqing smile.

"Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of King Wu of Zhou."

"Haha, I'm glad you understand me. I heard that the city was breached this time thanks to a magical weapon called a cannon. Tell me about it in detail."

Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, Li Tiancheng began to chat about interesting things that happened on the battlefield.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the city of Gaoli is truly disgusting, like a land of little people. But the city walls are all made of solid stone. Small but sturdy, the siege equipment I brought was of little use. If it weren't for Zhou Wu's cannons appearing in time, it would have been quite a struggle to take down Gaoli."

"You mean this cannon was invented by Zhou Wu?"

"Yes, when Zhou Wu was escorting the Fourth Route Army back to land behind enemy lines, he knew that the front line was in trouble, so he specially sent an artillery battalion, a full twenty cannons, to provide support. I'm not afraid to tell His Majesty that at the time, Lu Da and I didn't think much of these cannons. We thought they were just iron pipes, what could they be so powerful about? But they really broadened our horizons."

"They say those cannons have the power of lightning?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Then let me see it!"

Lightning and magical arts immediately piqued Li Tiancheng's curiosity.

"Your Majesty, it's really inconvenient to display these cannons in the palace. You see..."

"Prepare the carriage for the western hunting grounds."

If there really is the power of lightning, then the palace is indeed inconvenient. So let's find a spacious place. The western hunting grounds are the closest open area to the palace. It is the royal hunting grounds, and ordinary people are not allowed to get close.

Seeing that Li Tiancheng was in such high spirits, Gu Changqing could only send someone to tell Zhang Xiaofan to take the cannons to the hunting grounds in the western suburbs.

Hunting grounds in the western suburbs.

When Zhang Xiaofan saw the emperor in person, he realized that he was to perform a cannon show for the emperor. Having just received a reward, Zhang Xiaofan immediately straightened his back.

"You must be Zhang Xiaofan."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Upon learning that His Majesty knew him, Zhang Xiaofan was so excited that he trembled all over and almost fainted.

"Good job, keep it up."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

Gu Changqing pulled Li Tiancheng away to hide far away. Li Tiancheng was puzzled and didn't understand why they had to hide so far away.

"Boom~~~~"

When the cannons roared like thunder, Li Tiancheng truly felt their power. On the distant mountainside, a shell fired by the cannons snapped a large tree that required two people to encircle in half.

"This~~~"

His ears were still ringing. Li Tiancheng could only see Gu Changqing's mouth moving, but he couldn't hear any sound.

a long time.

"Haha, very good, very good. It is truly a blessing for my Great Dragon to have such wonders."

As his hearing gradually returned, Li Tiancheng couldn't help but praise the cannon.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on obtaining such a divine artifact."

"Tell Zhou Wu that I want cannons, lots of cannons. Tell Zhou Wu to build even more cannons. I will give him whatever support he needs."

"promise."

Li Tiancheng looked at the cannon as if it were a beautiful woman, gently stroking the cannon barrel, his hand still warm from the barrel.

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