Finally, when Liu Kuang finished the scene, everyone applauded politely, and at this time, Liu Kuang announced that he would invite the commander of the 9th Fleet, who had returned triumphantly, to meet His Majesty the Emperor.

The order was quickly conveyed, and at this time, a small landing craft flew from the southern sky, heading straight towards Tianhua Palace.

The people who watched the ceremony were all overjoyed to see the heroes returning from the battlefield, shouting various slogans of welcome, and the atmosphere gradually became enthusiastic.

The ships and mechs in charge of the vigilance mission took the initiative to dodge a path so that the small landing craft could pass smoothly, and everyone's eyes were focused on the landing craft for a moment.

The landing craft were accompanied by Gao Ban and a group of high-ranking officers of the 9th Fleet, who, as the decision-making level of the fleet, were personally received by His Majesty the Emperor and presented with awards.

The other officers of the 9th Fleet naturally had rewards, but they were not qualified to meet the emperor in person.

Long before the arrival of the emperor's Tianhua Palace, representatives of the 9th fleet had already arrived more than a dozen kilometers away from the venue.

The organizers of the ceremony placed them outside the venue in order to present the moment in front of them, so that they could receive the attention of everyone, including the emperor, an honor that only a handful of people in the history of the empire had enjoyed.

Gao Ban sat in the landing craft, his eyes looked straight ahead, and as he saw that he was getting closer and closer to His Majesty the Emperor's Tianhua Palace, his face became more and more pale, as if it was blowing in the cold wind in winter.

The other officers of the 9th Fleet looked equally serious, and did not show the slightest hint of joy, as if they had not gone to receive the emperor's commendation, but had been sent to the execution ground.

Fortunately, the people sitting in the ship were all their own, otherwise others would have wondered why these people were so serious and nervous.

Seeing that the Tianhua Palace was not far ahead, at this time, Gao Ban suddenly let out a sigh of relief and said to the others: "Everyone relax, this will be suspected by others." ”

"Got it," replied ...... crowd in a mixed voice.

Gao Ban tidied up his collar and epaulettes, and put the military hat on his head again, trying to make himself look neat and neat, which was the minimum etiquette to meet His Majesty the Emperor.

The others also followed the example of the high forbidden, tidied up their clothes, and then sat upright on their chairs.

At this time, the landing craft had slowly taxied to the side of the Tianhua Palace, and several flexible mechanical arms like octopus tentacles stretched out from the Tianhua Palace, which were attached to the walls of the landing craft, and then slowly pulled the landing craft towards the Tianhua Palace.

When the landing craft stopped, there was a "snap", the hatch was opened, and a voice came in from outside the cabin: "Welcome, everyone!" Please disembark, Your Majesty is already waiting for you! ”

Gao Ban swallowed a little spit, took the lead in getting up from his chair, and walked towards the hatch with a steady step.

The others followed Gao Ban's footsteps in turn according to their rank and rank, and the group walked out of the landing craft and stepped onto the deck of the Tianhua Palace.

They were greeted by an official of the ceremonial department, who warmly said, "Welcome back the heroes of war, and accept my sincerest respects." ”

Everyone saluted first, and then said with a smile: "Thank you, thank you, we are really ashamed." ”

"Where, where, Your Majesty is still waiting for you, please put this on first." As soon as the ceremonial officer waved his hand, a group of people immediately gathered around and draped the men of the 9th Fleet in gorgeous red satin cloaks.

With the red satin cloak and the straight black military uniforms of everyone, the mighty and heroic posture of the military was pulled out at once, and even if he looked mediocre, he immediately became a little more handsome.

The official of the ceremonial department nodded with satisfaction and said, "Great, you are really heroes!" Please come with me to your majesty. ”

Led by the officers of the ceremonial division, eight people representing the 9th Fleet walked along the long passage to the highest square.

When the group came to the square in front of Tianhua Palace, they saw hundreds of high-ranking officials of the empire already lining up to greet them, guards holding flagpoles lined up on both sides of the road, and various colored flags were hunting in the wind.

Looking along the wide, straight road, there was a towering staircase in front of him, and in the center of the high platform above the staircase, a young man looked at this side with a smile, and that person was the emperor of the Xinghan Empire - Li Xinqi.

Gao Ban felt that there were already beads of sweat on his neck, his throat was dry and hoarse, and there was no uncomfortable place on his body.

In the face of such a battle, even he, a veteran general, felt tremendous pressure, which may be the fear brought by power.

"Don't be nervous, the emperor is just an ordinary person......" Gao Ban said to himself in his heart.

Seeing that Gao Ban was standing in place and not moving forward, the official of the Ceremony Department thought that Gao Ban was waiting for his instructions, and hurriedly said, "General Gao, you can step forward." ”

However, Gao Ban didn't seem to hear it at all, and the official of the Ceremony Department had to say it again, and Gao Ban hurriedly nodded, indicating that he knew.

Gao Ban took a few deep breaths, and then took a step and walked along the road towards the high platform in front of him. Gao Ban's subordinates hurriedly followed, but their expressions were much more nervous than Gao Ban's, and their eyes kept sweeping to both sides, as if they didn't dare to look directly at His Majesty the Emperor on the high platform in front of them.

Some of the officers stood in the ranks, looked at the group of the 9th Fleet, and whispered: "Look at them, they seem to be nervous......"

"It's not surprising that the first time you meet, nervousness is always inevitable."

"That's right, I was also nervous when I met him for the first time, and I didn't dare to look at Your Majesty at all......"

While he was talking, Gao Ban and the others had already reached the bottom of the steps, and at this time, the ceremonial officer shouted: "Commander of the 9th Fleet, Vice Admiral Gao Ban, Admiral of the Fleet, and the officers of the 9th Fleet, meet His Majesty the Emperor!" ”

When Gao Ban and the others heard this, they knelt down on one knee together, bowed their heads deeply, and saluted the emperor.

The emperor Li Xinqi on the high platform smiled slightly, and said to Gao Ban and the others: "You don't have to be polite, please get up." ”

Gao Ban and the others slowly stood up, still standing under the steps, and at this time, Emperor Li Xinqi said loudly: "Ladies and gentlemen, as the emperor of the Xinghan Empire, I officially announce to everyone that in view of the outstanding military exploits of the 9th Fleet, all the personnel of the 9th Fleet will be awarded honors commensurate with their combat exploits, and I hope that they can make persistent efforts and continue to strive for the glory of the Empire......"

The emperor issued a letter of praise to the 9th Fleet, and Liu Kuang began to read out specific commendations and awards.

This time, Emperor Li Xinqi deliberately wanted to set the 9th Fleet as a model for the whole army and the whole country, so he was not stingy when awarding honors, and basically commended them according to the highest honor that could be given.

In addition, in terms of rewards, it is also a notch higher than usual, and the officials present are speechless, and their hearts are envious, and many people even regret why they did not join the 9th Fleet, even if it is a vacant position, this time they can take a ride.

The one who received the most rewards was of course Gao Ban, whose military rank was promoted from the lottery to general, and he stepped into the circle of the highest echelons of the military in one fell swoop.

Secondly, Gao Ban was also awarded the title of baron, which can be said to be the highest honor for an official, once he has a title, his descendants can enjoy the privileges above ordinary people, and many high-ranking officials have survived all their lives It is difficult to get a title.

In addition to the high prohibition, the other officers and soldiers also have different honors and awards, all according to the highest treatment that can be given, not to mention that the officials are blushing, even those soldiers from all walks of life who come to watch the ceremony are extremely blushing.

Some of the soldiers who participated in the defense of the imperial capital were even quietly scolding: "This is too partial, we are not less desperate, how can the treatment be so bad!" ”

"What the hell! We also broke through with nine deaths, and the honors and rewards we received were not as good as half of others, which is too unfair! ”

However, no matter how unhappy other people were, no one dared to speak out openly on this occasion, at most they scolded quietly for a sentence or two, and they had to prevent being heard by their superiors.

Liu Kuang finally finished reading out the contents of all the awards, and his mouth was already dry, and at this time, the ceremonial officer said: "Please ask General Gao Ban to come to the stage, and Your Majesty will personally award honors and awards." ”

Gao Ban thanked him loudly: "Thank you Your Majesty for your love, Gao Ban is grateful, long live my emperor!" With that, Gao Ban knelt down on one knee again.

His Majesty the Emperor was in a good mood, and said loudly: "Gao Qing doesn't have to be polite, please come up." ”

Gao Ban got up, stepped up the steps, and walked towards Emperor Li Xinqi step by step.

Emperor Li Xinqi beckoned to the side, and the official standing behind him immediately brought a tray with a pair of epaulettes, cockades and collar flowers.

Gao Ban came to the emperor, and the emperor smiled and said, "Gao Qing, I will personally change the epaulettes for you." ”

"Subordinates are terrified!" Gao Ban said and knelt down on one knee again.

The emperor took the general's new epaulettes, changed it for Gao Ban with his own hands, and then pinned the collar flower, and finally replaced Gao Ban's cockade with the general's cockade, and then solemnly put the general's hat on Gao Ban's head.

Everyone present looked at this scene with great envy, even Liu Yi felt envious in his heart, and said secretly: "To be able to gallop across the field like Gao Ban and make meritorious achievements, and finally be awarded the honor by the emperor himself, it can be regarded as a complete life!" ”

The moment the Emperor put his hat on Gao Ban's head, everyone present applauded and shouted, "Long live the Empire!" Long live His Majesty the Emperor! ”

The high shouts resounded through the field, and suddenly frightened countless flocks of birds and beasts into the air and ran in all directions......

In the midst of this wave of shouts, Gao Ban always knelt in front of the emperor and did not get up, his head lowered, his shoulders trembled, and his emotions were extremely excited.

Seeing this, Liu Kuang and other high-ranking officials on the side praised in their hearts: "It seems that this high ban is sincerely grateful for Your Majesty's kindness, and this triumphal ceremony is really a success!" ”