Chapter 990 Revisiting the old place!

Luoan, East Gate

Thousands of Luoan royal family dignitaries were all lined up outside the east gate and waiting earnestly. Although it was noon and the sun was shining brightly, the scorching sun made them sweat profusely, but at this moment not a single one of them looked unhappy...
The reason why they are looking forward to it so much is because a person is about to arrive in Luoan!

When this man was in Liaoyang, he was called the bumpkin of Liaoyang, the beast who stole Liaoyang!
When he appeared in Youyan, he was called a traitor with eagle eyes and wolfish thoughts and evil intentions!

And when he took over most of the north, he was called the biggest traitor since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a traitor who deserved to be killed by everyone!
And when he led his army to capture Yunbing, he was called General Ye who was approaching Guanzhong!

At this moment, Marshal Ye, the most wise minister of the Great Zhou, is about to arrive at his loyal Luoan!

As everyone was eagerly waiting, a mighty army slowly appeared in front of everyone. Jiang Hailin, the King of Zhao of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the representative of the royal family, immediately stepped forward to meet them, accompanied by Xun Ke, the commander of the Third Army of the Fengwu Army.

Although he had never seen Ye Mingsheng, Jiang Hailin noticed him at a glance. He was the man who was admired by everyone in the Fengwu Army. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and his expression was majestic without anger.
Although Jiang Hailin had heard from his niece Jiang Yuyan that Marshal Ye was not very old, being only in his early thirties, he still had not expected that this world-renowned Marshal Ye would look so young, almost the same age as his own nephews...
Thinking that Marshal Ye had accomplished such a great career at such a young age and would replace his own Jiang family as emperor in the future, while his own nephews were still living a life of drunkenness and pursuing pleasure, Jiang Hailin couldn't help but feel sad!
Although he was in a bad mood, Jiang Hailin had seen the world, so he immediately went over to Ye Mingsheng and bowed, saying:

"My name is Jiang Hailin, nice to meet Marshal Ye!"

Seeing Jiang Hailin playing this trick on him, Ye Mingsheng was not happy at all. Instead, his eyebrows were slightly frowned!
Ye Mingsheng had always been advocating the slogan of "clearing the court of corrupt officials and returning power to the emperor", creating an image for himself as a loyal minister of the Great Zhou!

So even though Ye Mingsheng wanted to be the emperor, for the sake of his own political image, Ye Mingsheng still had to pretend. He couldn't let the people of the world think that you were just acting before and your true colors were revealed after you took over Luoan!
In order to hide his ambitions and make everything more logical, Ye Mingsheng needs to abide by etiquette!
The Marshal that Ye Mingsheng appointed himself was only a first-rank official, while Jiang Hailin was the King of Zhao of the Great Zhou!
Therefore, according to etiquette, he should salute him, not him saluting him. So Jiang Hailin's humility not only failed to please Ye Mingsheng, but made Ye Mingsheng feel that he had ulterior motives!

Ye Mingsheng got off his horse and said with a salutation:
"Prince Zhao pays homage to me as a prince. Isn't this an embarrassment to Mingsheng? Mingsheng is terrified..."

Xun Ke, who was standing by, realized something was wrong when he heard Ye Mingsheng's words, and he pulled Jiang Hailin up without thinking twice.

At this time, Jiang Hailin also realized that he had flattered the horse but hit the horse's leg. However, he had been in the court for many years and responded quickly. He said:
"General, you killed the traitor Shangguan, restored order in the court, fought against the Qipchak barbarians in the north, conquered the Yongliang homeland, and saved the people from the dire situation. With such achievements, you should be the pillar of the country and the most virtuous minister of this dynasty!"

"Although I am the King of Zhao, I have never done anything for the country. I only got the title of prince because of my ancestors. It is really shameful!"

"Now that you, Marshal, have saved the collapsing building and saved the day, it is only natural that I should pay homage to you!"

Ye Mingsheng was a little surprised to hear Jiang Hailin's serious words. He looked at the gray-haired King Zhao with interest, but still declined:

"Your Highness Prince Zhao, your words are too kind. Mingsheng was just doing what he was supposed to do. Please don't embarrass me, Prince Zhao!"

Seeing that Ye Mingsheng continued to refuse even after he said so, Jiang Hailin also understood that Ye Mingsheng was not the kind of person who liked to show off, so he just laughed it off and dealt with the matter.

After chatting with Jiang Hailin, the welcoming ceremony continued. Originally, Xun Ke, the commander of the Third Army currently guarding Luoan, wanted to set the standard of this welcoming ceremony as that of the emperor's return to the court...

However, after Ye Mingsheng learned the news, he immediately sent someone to explain to Xun Ke that the welcoming ceremony must comply with the etiquette of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the specifications must be the same as those of a general returning to the court. It must not exceed the rules and give people room for criticism.

So at this moment, even though all the dignitaries in Luoan came out to welcome Ye Mingsheng, the welcoming ceremony was not very high-level and some ceremonies were not that complicated.

During the ceremony, Ye Mingsheng also met some of Luoan's dignitaries. These powerful families, who were high and mighty and untouchable a few years ago, were now extremely humble and respectful in front of Ye Mingsheng, even with a hint of flattery.

Although Ye Mingsheng felt deeply moved by this, he still greeted them with a smile, and then led his troops into the city amid congratulations.

Ye Mingsheng, who had entered the city, seemed to have thought of something, and immediately instructed the soldiers around him:
"Go through the north gate!"

"Yes!"

Following Ye Mingsheng's order, the team slowly arrived at the north gate of Luoan. Ye Mingsheng's eyes were also fixed on a restaurant called Xingwangju.

Perhaps too many things have happened in Luoan, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, in the past few years, and as a result, this restaurant called Xingwangju appears much more dilapidated than it was a few years ago!
Looking at the strange yet slightly familiar sign of Xingwangju, Ye Mingsheng was silent for a while, then dismounted and walked towards Xingwangju······················
Although everyone didn't know what Ye Mingsheng wanted to do, they all followed Ye Mingsheng closely.

At this moment, the shopkeepers of Xingwangju did not recognize Ye Mingsheng's identity, but they recognized the banner of the Fengwu Army. Seeing a group of Fengwu Army warriors like wolves and tigers walking towards their restaurant, they were also scared out of their wits. At the same time, some timid diners did not dare to stay any longer and left one after another.
However, the shopkeeper was quite courageous. Before Ye Mingsheng entered the restaurant, he immediately came up with his waiter, bowed and said with a smile:

"I didn't know you were coming, so I apologize for not welcoming you in person. Please forgive me!"

Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng said calmly:

"It doesn't matter!"

As Ye Mingsheng spoke, he walked into the restaurant, looked around the restaurant, and then locked his eyes on a seat by the window.

At this moment, there were three well-dressed men sitting there. Before Ye Mingsheng could say anything, the guards beside him walked over, threw five taels of silver and ordered:

"Our commander-in-chief has invited you to this table. Please leave immediately!" The three men had some followers, otherwise they would not have stayed in the restaurant. Therefore, they were a little annoyed when they saw the five taels of silver thrown to them.

However, just when they were about to attack, they seemed to realize something, looked at Ye Mingsheng with some horror, and then did not dare to hesitate at all, and immediately all bent their bodies and retreated...

After the three men gave up the table, the personal guard directed the waiter to wipe the table clean. Ye Mingsheng sat down only after the waiter had cleaned up everything. At this time, the shopkeeper also came over and personally entertained Ye Mingsheng.

"I wonder what you would like to eat, sir?"

Ye Mingsheng thought for a moment after hearing this, and then said calmly:
"A cucumber salad, a braised grass carp, a plate of fried peanuts, a plate of fried small yellow croaker, a plate of soy sauce-flavored pig's feet, and a pot of rice wine!"

When Ye Mingsheng finished speaking, the shopkeeper asked in surprise:
"Military? Is this all you want?"

Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly and said:

"That's all I need. I have other things to do. Send them here quickly!"

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper said:

"I see. Please wait a moment, I will have someone do it for you right away!"

Having done business for so many years at the foot of the imperial city, the shopkeeper has very good eyesight. Although he does not know Ye Mingsheng's identity, looking at the scene following Ye Mingsheng, and thinking about the rumor that Marshal Ye of the Fengwu Army was entering the city today, he guessed in his heart that this general should be a high-ranking official of the Fengwu Army?
But this senior official has never seen the world!

I ordered a few side dishes. I had heard that the Fengwu Army came from Liaoyang, and they were all country bumpkins. They had never eaten anything good. They came to Luoan and had to eat this. They were really unsophisticated...
Although he complained in his heart, the shopkeeper did not dare to neglect Ye Mingsheng's request. Soon, the several side dishes that Ye Mingsheng ordered were placed in front of Ye Mingsheng.

Looking at the familiar dishes, Ye Mingsheng smiled faintly. He took a few bites of the dishes, poured himself a glass of rice wine, and then turned to look out the window.
At this moment, in the same position, with the same side dishes, Ye Mingsheng couldn't help but fall into past memories!

This window faces the north gate of Luoan. It was here that he was waiting for Xu Zhaojie and issued a declaration of war to Xu Zhaojie!

And the same table of food and wine was the last meal he had in Luoan that year!

At that time, I was appointed as General Huwei of the Zhenwu Army and was about to return to Luoan. Although I was full of ambition and wanted to do something big in Liaoyang, I did not expect that in less than ten years, I would return to Luoan and become the ruler of this capital of the Great Zhou!
Just when Ye Mingsheng was immersed in the memories of the past, Ye Cheng came over and whispered a reminder:
"Marshal, the welcoming banquet has been arranged, and we are just waiting for you to come over!"

Ye Mingsheng nodded upon hearing this and immediately stood up. He had almost finished reminiscing about the glorious past years and it was time to go back and take care of serious matters...
After walking two steps, Ye Mingsheng said to the shopkeeper calmly:

"I've reserved that seat by the window. No one else is allowed to sit there from now on!"

After saying this, Ye Mingsheng left on his own, not caring whether the shopkeeper of Xingwangju heard it clearly or not. After Ye Mingsheng left, a personal guard handed over ten taels of silver and ordered:
"Here's the silver for you! Since my master said he reserved that seat, you must never let anyone else sit there again!"

Looking at the glittering silver, the shopkeeper of Xingwangju swallowed his saliva and asked curiously, unable to contain himself:

"Excuse me, sir. What is your master's name? Is he a famous person?"

In response to the shopkeeper's question, the guard also said with a half-smile:

"My master was able to reserve a seat here. You are so lucky!"

"Listen carefully! My master is from Liaoyang, his surname is Ye and his name is Mingsheng!"

As soon as these words came out, the shopkeeper's eyes widened and he subconsciously asked:
"Marshal Ye of the Fengwu Army?"

Facing this question, the personal guard did not answer but smiled and patted the shopkeeper on the shoulder. Then he turned around and walked out of Xingwangju, leaving the shopkeeper alone in the wind...

·································
·································
Just as Ye Mingsheng was enjoying the cheers and glory of victory, at the same time in a mansion in Luoan.

A beautiful young woman holding a child in her arms also looked at her husband who was sitting silently in the study. After hesitating for a moment, the young woman walked over to her husband and said softly:
"I heard from the neighbors that he went into town!"

After hearing his wife's words, Qian Buli was silent for a while, then nodded.

In fact, he knew that Ye Mingsheng had entered Luoan today without his wife's reminder. Although he had a premonition after the Battle of Jinzhong that year that Ye Mingsheng and his Fengwu Army would sooner or later enter his house, when that day really came, Qian Buli really felt as if he was in another world!

Because of his past friendship with Ye Mingsheng, Qian Buli has been subject to much suspicion in the Luoan court in recent years. Fortunately, he was protected by Shangguan Tingshu and was able to survive and live to this day.

Originally, when Shangguan Tingshu went to Sichuan, Qian Buli also wanted to go with him. After all, without Shangguan Tingshu as his backer, even if he was the Minister of War of the Luoan court, his safety would not be guaranteed. He could be framed for colluding with the Fengwu Army at any time and killed as a sacrifice!
However, because the Fengwu Army won battle after battle, the situation in the Luoan court was in chaos, and the Minister of War was a very important position, so Shangguan Changgong did not let Qian Buli leave and let him continue to stay in the position of Minister of War...

(End of this chapter)