The army from Chang'an was huge and grand. All kinds of materials for carriages and horses, honor guards, and no end in sight. In addition to a large number of official officials, as several important figures of the emperor's envoys, their identities are all noble.

Sima Xiangru, who served as the imperial historian in the court, was able to come as an envoy, which was originally the proper meaning of the title, and it is not surprising. What is unexpected is that the two sons of Emperor Wu, the former emperor Wudi, Liu Dan, the king of Yan and Liu Xu, the king of Guangling, are also among them, which is a bit surprising.

In addition, the Great Han Taishi ordered Sima Qian to take the initiative to ask for his life, wanting to take advantage of this rare opportunity to go to the Western Regions Army to witness this great power battle. For such a request, the emperor naturally agreed immediately. Of course, such a great achievement should be passed down in detail in the history books of the Han Dynasty, and it is necessary to have the most accurate account of this Taishi Ling to narrate the event.

The two noble princes have really come to the army for the first time. Since entering Dunhuang City, his face has been full of admiration. Under the protection of a large number of attendants, they walked among the soldiers, greeted the cold and warmth, smiled earnestly, and were very tolerant.

For the concern of such a high-ranking figure, not many people show the meaning of being flattered. The heaviest in the Han army are heroes and famous generals, such as Yuan Zhao, Wei Qing, Huo Quai, etc...... That's their true idol. And these royal nobles are obviously too far away from them.

However, for the coldness of the soldiers, these two princes did not show any displeasure. In their hearts, as long as the army of the Han can fight for what they want, what is this little rudeness and slackness?

In the main positions inside and outside Dunhuang City, there are red lanterns hanging, which looks very festive. And some of the sergeants in charge of logistics support are busy nervously. They slaughtered cattle and sheep and prepared all kinds of sumptuous dishes.

After a round turn, the rest of the mission was a little surprised. Even King Yan and King Guangling couldn't help but feel a little surprised, if they hadn't known in advance that this was at the forefront of the war of the Han Empire, they would have thought that they were in the bustling Chang'an Market.

From the faces of all the soldiers, there was no nervousness in the face of war, let alone fear. Each of them was elated, smelling the aroma of boiled meat wafting through the air, and their faces were full of satisfaction and longing.

Although it is said that the food in the Han army is good, no one will be picky about what to eat. But a grand day like this is hard to come by. Infected by the atmosphere, some Han soldiers have already begun to prepare some small programs. In this way, they wanted to congratulate their most respected commanders and their brothers who fought together.

Killing cattle for the sake of eating meat is naturally not allowed in the territory of the Han Dynasty. At this stage, which is mainly farming and sowing, it is a felony to slaughter cattle without permission. However, in Dunhuang City, you can feast.

In some countries in the Western Regions, there is no shortage of cattle, sheep, and camels. Here, killing hundreds of cattle and sheep at once to reward the soldiers is not a problem at all.

The water in dozens of cauldrons was boiling, the large pieces of wood below were burning, the beef and mutton were tumbling in the pots, and the whole city was filled with a strong aroma. All sorts of other ingredients were piled up in a small mountain. All the soldiers are ready for today's feast.

It's just that everywhere the wind passes, the dust and sand rise again, and their commander has not yet returned.

"As the commander of an army, how can Yuanhou be easily dispatched and put in danger? In case something happens, wouldn't it be too late to regret it because of a small loss

！ ”

King Yan stood in front of the window, looking at the dust over Dunhuang, and shook his head as he spoke. Whether it was Liu Dan, the king of Yan, or Liu Xu, the king of Guangling, they all did not understand Yuan Zhao's actions. No matter how you look at it, Yuan Zhao is now an important person who has the hope of the world. Putting the elite soldiers under his command and the strong generals under his command are not used, and he takes people out of the city to pick up the ordinary Han soldiers who are on duty, such a thing is simply unheard of.

Sima Xiangru, who was sitting quietly in the city waiting, smiled faintly. How could these royal nobles understand what Yuan Zhao was doing! If he doesn't, it's not Yuan Zhao.

"The marquis is heavy-spirited. All those who have followed him in the battle know that he regards the safety of every soldier more than anything else. Moreover, today's Chinese New Year's Eve banquet, he was originally prepared for the soldiers, if someone does not come back, he will not feel at ease. ”

Sima Xiangru, who served as the imperial historian, is now also an important minister of the imperial court, he has always understood Yuan Zhao's intentions, and deep down he actually appreciates his actions. However, he is a humble gentleman, and he is naturally more polite to the two kings in terms of face.

Liu Xu, the king of Guangling, said disapprovingly on the side: "Lord Sima may not have understood what Brother Wang meant. Outside the city of Dunhuang, tigers and wolves were feeding, and hundreds of thousands of Persian troops were staring at the movements of the Han army. As far as the Yuan Hou is concerned, he really shouldn't go out easily at this time! ”

In this temporary marshal's palace, the person in charge of receiving the Chang'an Qin mission at this time was Zhang Qian, who had been holding Dunhuang City for more than a month under the siege of the Persians. His injuries have not yet healed, and he still has some mobility problems. On such an occasion, he didn't want to say anything extraordinary, but hearing what these two princes said, this man, who had experienced the iron-blooded battle, finally couldn't help but say.

"Yuanhou ...... He's such a person. A few days earlier, the Marquis of Yuan had ordered all units of the army to prepare for a New Year's celebration in the Dunhuang camp. For this reason, the attack on the Persians was temporarily suspended, and some of the scouts who were moving nearby were ordered to rush back. After all, there were many Han warriors who went deep behind enemy lines and couldn't come back for a while. Yuanhou was deeply disturbed by this, and he once said to us that every festive season, the soldiers are far away from their homeland, fighting outside the territory, and it is needless to say that they are loyal and brave. But on such a momentous day, it is human nature to miss your loved ones, and it is unavoidable. That's why he held a grand banquet for them in the army, so that everyone could feel warmth and affection. This is a common festival for all officers and soldiers of the Han Army, and no one should be absent...... He personally went out of the city to welcome his soldiers back as the supreme commander of the whole army, and no one could afford to spend this happy moment together. ”

Zhang Qian said these words calmly, as if he was recounting an ordinary matter. However, his scabbed palm was tightly clenched, which already showed that his heart was extremely unsettled.

"Good! That's what the big husband does...... Yuanhou is really admirable! ”

Sima Qian, who was sitting a little farther away and was flipping through some war report documents, took a few heavy shots. Then he stood up and exclaimed.

"Lord Taishiling, how do you say this?"

Sima Xiangru looked at this Geng Zhi historian whose ancestors were from the same clan as himself, although he understood in his heart, he hoped that the knowledgeable Sima Qian could express his opinions in public.

The great Han Taishi ordered Sima Qian, and it did not disappoint. Since the last time he experienced a catastrophe, like a green pine and snow, his emaciated body has become more upright, and his wind bones have become more indomitable. He touched his chest with his palm

, said generously.

"I was fortunate to be in charge of the Taishi Ling, and I was able to read a large number of books and classics in the treasury. I know a lot about the deeds of the famous generals and saints of the previous dynasties. There are those who are fierce and mighty, there are those who have made great achievements, and there is no shortage of people who are famous and intimidating the world. And those who slaughtered thousands of people and made people dare not look at them directly, are also innumerable...... These people are known as the world's famous generals. However, I have never heard of a person like Yuanhou who truly sympathizes with soldiers from the bottom of his heart! It can be said that there is no one before. As for whether there will be any virtue and martial arts that surpass him in the future, I don't dare to speak presumptuously. ”

If such praise comes from the mouth of others, it may also be a compliment with an ulterior purpose. But when it came out of Sima Qian's mouth, the weight was naturally different. He is the one in charge of the annals of history, writing straight, inscribed in history, and writing very well.

The purpose of King Yan and King Guangling to come this time was originally to ask for Yuan Zhao. Their original intention was just to express their concern for Yuan Zhao's safety, but they didn't have any other ideas. Although there was a faint hint of disdain for them in Zhang Qian and Sima Qian's tone, they just looked at each other and smiled, pretending not to hear it.

Just when the atmosphere was a little awkward, I vaguely heard loud cheers in the city, and then someone came to report that Yuan Zhao had returned from his inspection and was listening to the military situation in the camp in the city. After a while, he would personally come to greet the Chincha mission.

"Since Yuanhou is busy with military affairs, we don't have to wait here. It's only a few steps away, so why don't we go to the camp and meet him? Hehe! ”

Yanwang Liu Dan proposed first. His words were echoed by everyone. Whether it is public or private, Yuan Zhao fully deserves such treatment.

So, not long after, these five or six important people led by the Chang'an Mission met Yuan Zhao, who had no means to turn the tide of the Western Regions.

For the arrival of the mission personally sent by His Majesty the Emperor at this time, it was still a little unexpected for Yuan Zhao. He didn't expect that the efficiency of the imperial court would be so high. If you calculate the itinerary, it should be that after the news of your own victory and the merit chapter were transmitted back to Chang'an, they were immediately approved by the emperor. That's why they came so fast.

His Majesty's rewards, some of these trivial rituals, are naturally unavoidable. The bestowal of various meritorious personnel and the distribution of a large number of gifts for the army aroused bursts of excitement.

And the most surprising thing is that in the huge wagon supply team, there is a cart full of fine wine. Each wine jar on it is tied with a red ribbon, which is particularly eye-catching.

Sima Xiangru walked to Yuan Zhao's side, patted him on the shoulder, took out a letter from his arms and handed it to him, and said a word with a smile.

"This is the best batch of wine in the suburbs. Wen Jun hid them for ten years...... Be your greeting bar today! Brother Yuan, congratulations! You've got a daughter. Hehe! ”

A huge surprise came to his heart, and Yuan Zhao was speechless.

That night, the whole city was filled with congratulatory voices. A carriage full of red silk wine jars, and there was not a drop of wine left.

。 m.