After several fireworks pierced the sky and the colorful light disappeared, hundreds of ships set off one after another, setting off for the vast river to the west.

Although this road is upstream, but in the third spring season, the east wind blows strongly, and the sails are full of east winds and goes upstream, and the speed is not slow. Moreover, there were a large number of soldiers and horses on board, especially the 20,000 rebel soldiers and horses who had been captured, and at this moment they could be used as slender men in some sections of the river, and they could also overcome the rapids and shoals.

Starting from Wujiang Ferry, head all the way west and go up the river. Because I wasn't in a hurry, I wasn't in a hurry along the way. Along the way, they passed through the capitals of the major states along the river, and the local officials were even more enthusiastic when they learned that Wang Xiangguo, who had led his army to pass through here after quelling the rebellion. Wang Yuan and Gao Xianzhi were very gracious and stayed in these state capitals. This stop-and-go is like a tour of the mountains and rivers, and when I arrived in Rongzhou, it took more than a month.

Going up to Rongzhou, the river is turbulent and the canyon is crisscrossed, and the ships cannot go west. Of course, there is no need to go west, because after Rongzhou goes ashore, Chengdu is 400 miles to the north. So the soldiers and horses disembarked at the Rongzhou wharf and changed to walking. Cui Qi led the fleet back, and before leaving, Wang Yuan handed Cui Qi a letter to Cui Ruoyu, and asked Cui Qi to hand over the jade pendant he was wearing to Cui Ruoyu. In the letter, Wang Yuan told Cui Ruoyu not to think nonsense, he would definitely marry her, and he would never live up to her affection.

After abandoning the boat and landing on the shore, Wang Yuan ordered Song Jiangong and Liu Dehai to lead the infantry and heavy soldiers and horses to march slowly, and he and Gao Xianzhi did not need to move forward with the infantry and horses, surrounded by Liu Jun's 40,000 cavalry, Wang Yuan and Gao Xianzhi rode north. There was no delay on this way, and seven days later, in a prosperous late spring, Wang Yuan and Gao Xianzhi finally returned to Chengdu.

……

In the afternoon, there was a sea of people outside the southern city of Chengdu. After learning the news of the return of Wang Yuan and others, the officials of the political hall in Chengdu and the common people flocked to the south gate to welcome the return of Wang Yuan and Gao Xianzhi. Outside the southern city, from the entrance of Nandajie to the head of Wanli Bridge, hundreds of thousands of people were crowded one after another, and everyone was happily looking forward to it.

When Wang Yuan, Gao Xianzhi, Liu Jun and others appeared on the official road covered by willows, the officials and the people shouted as if they had exploded, and the sound soared into the sky, shocking the earth.

Wang Yuan and Gao Xianzhi galloped close, and when they arrived at the southern end of the Wanli Covered Bridge, Zuo Xiangwei saw Su Pingzhang, Yan Zhenqing, the old general Li Mi and other leaders, and hundreds of civil and military officials came forward together, and they all bowed and congratulated.

Wang Yuan turned over and dismounted with a smile, and walked forward with Gao Xianzhi, returning the salute again and again.

"We are here to welcome the tall and handsome Xiangguo back triumphantly. The news of Xiangguo's extermination of the rebels reached Chengdu half a month ago, and I am looking forward to the day when Xiangguo returns. Those who waited were anxious. Sangkook and Gao Shuai are finally back, hahaha. Wei Jiansu laughed.

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "Hard work, we came back from the waterway, and there was a delay on the way, but it was not a deliberate delay. ”

Li Mi said with a smile: "The loss is to take the water route, if you take the land route, so many soldiers and horses will be dragged down, and it will take at least three months to return from the southeast." I told Wei Zuoxiang that they said so, but they didn't believe it. Haha, Yan Pingzhang also said that you must meet Your Majesty in Chang'an City first, Yan Pingzhang, what is happening now? I'm out of words. ”

Yan Zhenqing smacked his lips and said: "It's true that I don't have anything to say, it's still General Li who understands Xiangguo." I thought that after Xiangguo put down the rebellion, he would first go back to Chang'an to see His Majesty. Speaking of Xiangguo, why didn't you go to Chang'an to see Your Majesty first? How did he directly lead the army back to Jiannan. ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Why, Yan Pingzhang doesn't seem to want me to meet Jiannan sooner." ”

Yan Zhenqing hurriedly waved his hand and said: "No, no, I mean to say that you are the prime minister of the dynasty, and you should go to see Your Majesty first after quelling the rebellion." You went back to Jiannan directly, didn't you go to see Your Majesty? ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Yan Pingzhang said that I should go to see Your Majesty first, and it should be so." But now that everything is in ruins, His Majesty has just recovered Chang'an, Luoyang and Hebei, and he is very busy now, so there is no need to disturb him. Besides, my heart is like an arrow, and my brothers have been on the expedition for so long, I just want to take them back to Jiannan as soon as possible, let them reunite with their families, and enjoy the peace after the counterinsurgency, Yan Pingzhang won't think that I shouldn't do this, right? ”

Yan Zhenqing hurriedly said: "It should be, Wang Xiangguo ......"

Wang Yuan waved his hand and said, "From now on, you don't want to call me Xiangguo." I have petitioned the imperial court to resign from the position of generalissimo of the peace rebellion of the Xiangguo. I'm not a talent, so why should I occupy this position. Now that the rebellion has subsided, it is time for me, the generalissimo, to step down from my post. Once Your Majesty's decree is approved, I will no longer be the prime minister. Maybe Yan Pingzhang and Wei Zuoxiang can be qualified for this position, and soon the two of you will hurry to Chang'an to meet Your Majesty, the current situation is the time for you to show your skills. ”

"What? Xiangguo resigned as Xiangguo? How can this be? Xiangguo, without you in charge, how can the world be stable. Whoever is the prime minister of the country is not able to convince the public. Yan Zhenqing exclaimed in surprise.

Wang Yuan frowned and said, "I said, don't call me Xiangguo anymore." When I get close, I call Erlang, and if I feel that this title is inappropriate, I can call him by his first name. Whatever is left of me, no one can convince the public, such words will never be mentioned again, and no one will leave in the autumn, and the sun will rise and set in spring, and the sky will not fall. ”

Yan Zhenqing was still about to speak again, and Wei Jian Su said with a smile before observing his words: "Today is a good day to welcome the triumph of Xiangguo, and I will talk about those things later." Come on, Xiangguo, let's prepare a triumphal wine for you, go to the colorful shed to drink and talk. ”

Wang Yuan turned his head to look, only to find that there was a colorful shed set up in a vacant lot on the east side of the covered bridge, and there were seven or eight tables of banquets in it.

"Hahaha, okay, I happen to be hungry too. Brother, let's sit down together. Wang Yuan said to Gao Xianzhi with a smile.

Gao Xianzhi said with a smile: "I was already hungry, and I should have eaten some dry food at noon, but you are in a hurry, I am afraid that you know that there will be such a sumptuous feast." ”

Wang Yuan smiled: "Do you have a dog's nose when I have a dog?" Can you smell the food? ”

The officials burst into laughter. Wei Jiansu stretched out his hand and said, "Xiangguo, please take a seat, Gao Dashuai, please take a seat." ”

Wang Yuan frowned and said, "Wei Zuoxiang, what am I talking about?" Don't call me Sangkook anymore. ”

Wei Jiansu smiled: "Didn't the holy decree come down? Xiangguo's rhetoric, it is unknown whether His Majesty's favor is approved or not. When His Majesty really gives permission, the lower officials will not be called so. Before the decree is issued, aren't you all Xiangguo? ”

"Yes, yes, it's still the right thing Wei Zuoxiang said." The officials said one after another.

Wang Yuan rolled his eyes and said, "It seems that I have no words to refute." ”

"Hehe, sit down, I'm still waiting to hear the story of the national power to defend Yangzhou and exterminate the rebels under the city of Chuzhou." Wei Jiansu laughed.

Wang Yuan smiled and nodded, turned around again when he was about to walk, and walked slowly towards the bridge.

On the north side of the Wanli Covered Bridge, the people who were confined to the north of the bridge for safety reasons were bustling and crowded, tiptoeing to the south of the bridge one by one, hoping to see Wang Xiangguo's figure. But the distance was too far, and the sight was blocked by the officials, only knowing that Wang Yuan had arrived at the bridge, but he couldn't see him. The people were a little disappointed.

Suddenly, someone saw Wang Yuan walking from the south bank of the covered bridge to the north, and the crowd suddenly boiled.

"Wang Xiangguo, Wang Xiangguo. It's him, that's right. ”

"Say hello to Wang Xiangguo, Wang Xiangguo, you live a long life and have many sons and blessings."

"Wang Xiangguo is our savior, and Wang Xiangguo is a good person."

The people were overjoyed and shouted loudly. The soldiers of the Shence Army guarding the bridgehead were busy in case the people rushed onto the bridge and caused chaos.

"Let's all kowtow to Wang Xiangguo, Wang Xiangguo quelled the rebellion, and many of us can go home." Someone shouted loudly and kowtowed to Wang Yuan on the ground, and suddenly the rest of the people knelt on the ground, and the black crowd knelt down like a landslide, and everyone kowtowed like pounding garlic, and bowed to Wang Yuan.

Wang Yuan stood in the north section of the bridge, facing this scene, his heart was very excited. Although this kind of scene is not the first time Wang Yuan has seen it, every time he faces the scene of the people kneeling down and thanking, Wang Yuan can't help but sigh and sigh. This is not only a kind of reverence enjoyed by those in high positions, but also a recognition of what they have done. The latter is the most precious thing Wang Yuan hopes to get. The people bowed down from the heart, because they helped them and delivered them. This is completely different from bowing down under the oppression of the powerful, and this kind of prostration comes from gratitude and worship in their hearts.

Wang Yuan stood for a moment, and suddenly slowly knelt on the ground. The officials behind him were shocked and hurriedly stepped forward to stop them, but Gao Xianzhi stretched out his hand to stop them.

"Everyone, we don't have to care, Xiangguo is a man of temperament, and he regards the people as his parents and brothers, and he doesn't want to be so gifted by the people."

"Xiangguo is really a person who loves the people, and I have never seen an official who kneels for the people. Especially Xiangguo, who is admired by the world. It's really admirable. Wei Jiansu sighed deeply.

All the officials nodded one after another, but what some people thought in their hearts was: This Wang Yuan will really come to the world, and he can be described as scheming to show the world like this. is so scheming at a young age, this is where he is powerful.

But seeing Wang Yuan kneeling on the ground, he kowtowed three times to the people. The people were even more boiling, and they had already stood up but hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed. Wang Yuan slowly got up and waved his hand and shouted, "Fellow villagers, get up quickly, don't do this." Otherwise, I'm going to give you a salute again, let's kowtow like this, do we have a rest? ”

The people burst into laughter, and someone shouted: "We are willing to kowtow to Xiangguo all day." ”

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "Then I can't stand it, I just got off the horse, my body is tired and hungry, and I kowtow for a day, even if it is more tired than counterinsurgency and killing the enemy, I can't bear it." ”

The people burst into laughter again.

Wei Jiansu stepped forward and shouted: "People, Xiangguo has just arrived, and his body is very tired, you must show your respect, and there will be opportunities in the future." How about we let Xiangguo go to eat some food and recover some strength? Otherwise, Xiangguo is tired, who will host it for us? Folks, everything is gone, how about Xiangguo live in peace? ”

All the people shouted: "Xiangguo will go by himself, don't worry about me and waiting, I will wait here for Xiangguo to eat and drink, and follow Xiangguo into the city." ”

Wang Yuan laughed loudly: "Everyone, why do you have to do this? You see, my wife and children didn't come to meet me, and I asked them not to meet me. A good spring is the time to do things. Ladies and gentlemen, the rebellion has been put to rest and is in ruins, and if you want to live a good life, you must seize the good time to do things. I Wang Yuan is grateful for your thoughts, and I will walk on the street in a few days, and then I will talk to the villagers and elders about family life. ”

When the people heard this, they said, "In this case, how dare we disobey Xiangguo's words." Let's all disperse. ”

"Disperse, disperse." The people laughed and said.