CHAPTER 839: CHAPTER 507: ZHAO DOUAN PRESENTS THE SPOILS

Triumphant return!

In the Imperial Study Room, both the ruler and ministers stood frozen in amazement. On Xu Zhenguan’s usually dignified and solemnly composed face, much maintained before the court ministers, an expression of disbelief uncontrollably surfaced.

Not only her, but Mo Chou, standing beside her, was equally dumbfounded, instinctively turning her head to glance at the Empress, feeling a bit skeptical and uncertain whether this drama was real or fake.

Meanwhile, the elderly Chief of Staff from the Ministry of War kneeling on the ground, along with the Vice Secretariat Envoy of the Privy Council and other military officers, displayed expressions of astonishment. As they exchanged looks, they read shock in each other’s eyes.

The Qingzhou Rebel Army annihilated? Prince Heng captured?

Zhao Douan’s triumphant return?

Wait...

Is this not an illusion?

The old Chief of Staff from the Ministry of War suddenly used his hand to fiercely pinch the thigh of the Vice Secretariat Envoy beside him. The latter nearly cried out but held it in with great effort, wide-eyed and staring at the Chief of Staff: "What are you doing?"

"It’s not a dream..." The Minister of War murmured in a low voice, the surprise on his face growing even more intense.

Counting every day, Zhao Douan had only been leading the troops for a few days?

Even with a forced march, considering the delay from the round-trip journey, he spent at most one day at the front line!

No!

Perhaps not even a day!

And this is a triumphant return?

In this world, is this how battles are fought? Is this the same Qingzhou rebels who, according to intelligence, attacked the Five Army Camp and sought help from the Capital?

Wasn’t he out for a stroll and just happened to capture a few mountain bandits to earn accolades?

"Could it be that before Mr. Zhao reached the front line, Commander Yuan of the Five Army Camp had already decimated the Qingzhou Army?" a kneeling military minister cautiously proposed a conjecture.

Although just a few days ago, Commander Yuan surprisingly winning after seeking reinforcements was somewhat incredible, considering the unpredictable nature of the battlefield, any unexpected situation could happen.

If the Five Army Camp found a method or seized an opportunity to counter the rebels, it wouldn’t be impossible.

At least...

Compared to the fact that Zhao Douan, an outsider leading the army, exterminated the rebel army in half a day, it seemed more reasonable.

"Mo Chou," the Empress suddenly stood up, somewhat excitedly ordering, "Immediately accompany me to welcome our returning court officers and soldiers. Summon Eunuch Hai and the others to join us."

"And you," Xu Zhenguan glanced at the few military ministers kneeling on the ground, "go take a look as well."

...

...

The East City gate of the Capital was wide open today.

Under the watchful eyes of the guards at the city gate and the citizens inside and outside the city, an elite group belonging to the Divine Mechanism Camp grandiosely entered the city.

Atop the leading warhorse, Zhao Douan sat cross-legged, clad in armor, occupying the central position.

Beside him, slightly behind, were Shi Meng, Chen Gui, Tang Ping, and others.

As for the generals of the Five Army Camp, only a deputy general returned with them this time—Yuan Feng, having suffered a defeat, naturally lacked the face to return "triumphantly" with the Divine Mechanism Camp.

He voluntarily stayed on the front line, responsible for the capture of the Qingzhou rebels who fled that battle, and maintaining custody of the larger force, seeking to make amends.

Therefore, in this group, there were only the officers from the Divine Mechanism Camp, and a few carriages closely guarded by soldiers, containing not firearms, but Prince Heng, the Princely Heir Xu Zudi, Ning Xianzong, and Xiao Donger among others.

"Sir, returning victorious in just a few days, such military achievements could be deemed those of a ’Human Military Saint.’ I wonder what expressions they’ll have in the court upon learning of this, especially those old folks in the Privy Council and Ministry of War, haha, Old Shi can already imagine their faces," Shi Meng grinned widely, appearing honest, yet a shrewd glint in his eyes.

Zhao Douan, riding on horseback, holding the reins, smiled at him and said, "Aren’t you afraid, General Shi, that such remarks about your colleagues in the Privy Council might spread and make them unhappy?"

Shi Meng chuckled and said, "Your Excellency, I am a straightforward person, and I’ve never been well-liked by that group. In the past, within our camp, many affairs were restrained by them, and I’ve held back my anger more than once. If it were Minister Xue, I respect him, but the others, haha."

Zhao Douan smiled, recognizing Shi Meng’s statement was a sign of loyalty.

Shi Meng had been promoted by Xue Shence in the past, and regardless of whether they were civil servants or military officers, they valued the grace of promotion greatly. Hence, even if Shi Meng wanted to curry favor with Zhao Douan, he wouldn’t target Xue Shence but could step over other contenders.

"Who says General Shi is straightforward? I don’t accept that first. However, your words, I will convey them to Minister Xue when I meet him someday," Zhao Douan teased with a smile.

Shi Meng pretended to laugh heartily.

Beside him, Tang Ping quite enjoyed the people’s gazes on both sides but still expressed a bit of disappointment: "Sir, we achieved such a great victory, why didn’t we notify the court in advance? It would have allowed them to prepare. Returning so suddenly feels lacking."

The Young Master felt envious of the spectacle of the triumphant army, with citizens lining both sides, drums beating, and fireworks blazing.

Still young, not yet steady... Zhao Douan saw through his thoughts with a glance, reflecting: "You think it’s glorious? But have you considered, how many colleagues’ faces did we slap invisibly this time? My first time leading troops, we achieved such results. Will those military ministers in the court be truly happy? I’m afraid they won’t accept it wholeheartedly, some might even resent. Needless to say, how will those military officers operate next? No matter how well they do, they’ll struggle to match us; if they do worse, they’ll face comparison... If we did as you said, made a grand spectacle, wouldn’t it be even harder for them to save face? Being an official in the court, handling matters, leave some room. Being too conspicuous isn’t always a good thing... If it weren’t for the perilous current situation, with the court urgently needing a sufficiently brilliant victory to deter rebel forces across the land, I’d prefer to lead you in battle, leisurely enjoying ourselves at the front line for a month before returning."