"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Soon, under Hu Hanyun's lead, Cheng Chumo, Li Ke, and the children from Plum Village and Han Village rode their bicycles to the pavilion. When they saw Li Er in his dragon robe and the officials in their official robes, Old Hu and the others were shocked. But fortunately, Old Hu did not lose his composure. He quickly jumped off his bicycle and came to a stop ten feet away from Li Er, cupping his fists and bowing.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
The group of youths behind Old Hu also saluted.
"Greetings, Father!"
After half a month, Li Ke finally saw Li Er again. He could not hide the excitement on his face as he stepped forward and bowed.
Then, he saluted Li Chengqian beside Li Er. "Greetings, Elder Brother!"
Li Chengqian was the Crown Prince. Although they were brothers, they would be his subjects in the future!
"Rise!"
Li Er first waved to the crowd, then looked at Li Ke with a gentle expression. "Ke 'er, you've worked hard on the journey!"
"It's not hard at all!"
Li Ke replied. Then, under Li Zexuan's gaze, Li Ke's expression turned solemn as he saluted.
"Reporting to Father, the Sky Pheasant Brigade did not disappoint. In half a month, we eliminated a total of 72 provinces and counties of locusts, benefiting more than four million people. Along the way, we borrowed chickens from the people, causing the Sky Pheasant Brigade's chickens to reach a maximum of six hundred thousand! On the way back, I've already sent people to return the borrowed chickens to the people. If any are lost, they will be compensated according to the market price! Now, only the one hundred thousand chickens that we brought out of Lantian County are left! "
Eliminating locusts in 72 counties of locusts, benefiting more than four million people!
Hearing this, whether it was the civil and military officials or the ordinary people on both sides of the road, they were all moved. The parents whose children were standing behind Li Ke all puffed out their chests, their faces full of pride.
"Good! Good! Good! "
Although he had already known this news, Li Er could not help but be delighted when he heard Li Ke announce it in front of so many people. He said "good" three times, then looked at the members of the Sky Pheasant Brigade in front of him and said loudly, "I will reward all the members of the Sky Pheasant Brigade! Zhao Song, announce the decree! "
"Yes!"
Zhao Song bowed and accepted the order. Then, he took out the imperial edict from his sleeve. With a solemn expression, he read aloud, "The Emperor of the Tang Empire decrees that at the end of the sixth month, locusts will descend from the heavens to the Tang Empire. The locusts will fill the sky and eat away at the crops. The people will not be able to make a living. Fortunately, the Marquis of Yong 'an formed the Sky Pheasant Brigade and led the King of Shu, Cheng Chumo, and the children of Han and Mei Villages to the north to exterminate the locusts.
In the past half a month, the Sky Pheasant Brigade had traveled more than a li, exterminating the locusts in more than seventy counties and saving millions of people. It could be said that they had worked hard and made great contributions! As the Emperor of Great Tang, all the people in the world are My people. Today, the Chicken Brigade has saved My people and should be rewarded! All members of the Sky Pheasant Brigade will be given a belt and ten pieces of silk! "
In fact, this reward had already been decided in the imperial court a few days ago. Now, it was just 'packaging' Li Er's words in the imperial court into an imperial edict and reading it out in public!
In terms of monetary value, this reward could not be said to be generous. However, some things could not be measured by money. The intrinsic honor and symbolic meaning of this reward was far greater than its surface value!
In addition, it was not that Li Er could not afford to reward more expensive things, but most of the people in front of him were still underage children. It was not appropriate to reward too expensive things, and it was even more inappropriate to directly reward them with official positions! After all, they had only followed Li Ze and Zexuan to the north to run errands. If they were rewarded with official positions because of this, wouldn't the Tang Empire's official positions be too worthless?
"Your son accepts the imperial edict. Thank you, Father, for your reward!"
After Zhao Song finished reading the imperial edict, Li Ke took the lead and bowed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your reward!"
Cheng Chumo and the rest of the children followed suit and bowed.
"Haha! Good! I hope that all of you can become the pillars of Great Tang in the future! "
Li Er laughed heartily and said.
Those who needed to be welcomed had been welcomed, and those who needed to be rewarded had been rewarded. Furthermore, seeing that more and more people had gathered at the pavilion, Li Er spoke a few more words with Li Zexuan and Li Ke before leading the civil and military officials back to the capital!
According to his original plan, he had originally planned to host a banquet in the palace to entertain these people who had contributed to the eradication of the locusts. However, after knowing that Li Zexuan had already arranged a banquet in Lantian County, Li Er gave up on his original plan.
"Alright! Children, you can all go back! The people in the palace will send the reward from His Majesty to your houses in the afternoon! "
Once Li Er left, the pavilion instantly became a sea of joy. The cheers of the passers-by and the joy of the reuniting of the parents and children from Mei Village and Han Village made the scene even more heartwarming. After a while, the cheers gradually died down. Li Zexuan then said to the children in a clear voice.
"Yes! Young Master! "
The children of Han and Mei Villages answered in unison.
"Young Master, I'll return this bicycle to you!"
Er Niu from Han Village pushed the bicycle out and said timidly.
The children were stunned. Logically speaking, now that they had received the reward from Li Zexuan, they should not covet Li Zexuan's bicycle anymore. However, they were used to riding such high-end bicycles. If they were to hand over the bicycle now, they would be a little reluctant!
"Young Master, we want to return the bicycle!"
Although they were reluctant, in the end, the children overcame their greed and took the initiative to push the bicycle to the front and said to Li Zexuan.
"Hehe! Young Master, didn't I make an agreement with you before? After the eradication of the locusts, the bicycle will all belong to you! This is my reward for all of you! "
Li Zexuan's heart skipped a beat. He then smiled and said to everyone.
"Young Master, you can't do that!"
Old Hu hurriedly said, "This time, the children have indeed worked hard to eradicate the locusts. However, His Majesty has already rewarded them for this. How can they take your bicycle now? Isn't this insatiable greed? They will be criticized by the villagers! "
"That's right! Young Master! The bicycle is too expensive. It's a waste to give it to these children. You should take it back! "
Second Master Liu also came to watch the show today. At this time, he also spoke up to persuade him.
Li Zexuan smiled and said, "Uncle Hu, Second Master Liu, you don't have to persuade me anymore. His Majesty's reward is his, and mine is mine. I, Li Zexuan, have always been a man of my words. Since I made such a promise to the children, there is no reason to go back on it today! I can't take back these bicycles! "
At this point, he turned to the group of children and said loudly, "Alright! Children! Ride your bicycles home quickly. Remember to come to Zuixian restaurant in the county town at noon. I have prepared a big meal for you! Those who come late can only eat chicken buttocks! "
"Hahaha!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd burst into laughter.
However, the children also understood Li Zexuan's meaning, so they immediately cheered.
"Oh! Let's go home! "
"I have a bicycle!"
"I don't want to eat chicken buttocks!"
When the other villagers saw this scene, they couldn't help but cast envious glances at the children. Not only did they receive a reward from the emperor, but they also received a new generation bicycle from Qiqu Pavilion workshop. This thing was now a rare item, and it was in short supply! Casually selling it could sell for a few hundred strings of coins. These children from Han and Mei villages could now be considered to have gained both fame and fortune!
…
"Xiao Ke, Chu Mo, and Iron Egg, the three of you quickly revise your homework these two days. After the academy's entrance exam is over, you and Ke Shiqing who didn't make it for the final exam will be arranged to take a make-up exam together! Your make-up exam results will be counted as the final exam results, and you will participate in the ranking of the entire grade! "
The children from Han and Mei villages rode their bicycles back to their homes. Li Zexuan brought Li Ke, Cheng Chumo, and Iron Egg directly to Lantian County Town. Li Tai, Sun Zifan, Yuchi Baolin, Qin Huaiyu, and the others naturally followed along! These people were usually on very good terms with each other. Now that they had reunited after such a long time, they naturally had endless things to talk about. Only when they arrived at the entrance of the Drunken Immortal Inn did they calm down slightly. At this moment, Li Zexuan opened his mouth and instructed.
"What? Make-Up exam? "
When Cheng Chumo heard this, it was as if he was struck by lightning. He broke down and said, "Yamachō, you can't do this! The few of us worked so hard to kill the locusts in the northern counties and traveled thousands of miles in half a month. As soon as we came back, you arranged for us to take a make-up exam. Isn't this too unreasonable? "
If there was one thing that Cheng Chumo was most afraid of now, it was definitely the exam! This was because he was very clear about his academic standards. He knew that he would definitely fail every exam. If he did poorly in the exam, not only would he embarrass himself in class, but he would also be beaten by Old Cheng when he returned home. So, how could he not be afraid of the exam ~?
Li Ke and Iron Egg pursed their lips and didn't say anything. Although the two of them didn't study in the academy for half a month, with their foundation, they wouldn't be afraid of the exam. Even if Li Zexuan arranged an exam for them immediately, they wouldn't be afraid, not to mention that there were still a few days to prepare for the make-up exam. They had even less reason to be afraid and worried!
"Then what do you want? Don't tell me you want me to give you a score of 80 points for every subject to the Academic Affairs Office ~? "
Li Zexuan glanced at Cheng Chumo and said unhappily.
"Good, good, good! Yamachō, that's a good idea! I agree with both hands! Look at how hard we worked to kill the locusts in the north. Even if we didn't get credit, we still worked hard, right? Giving 80 points isn't too much at all! I'm sure the other students will understand! "
When Cheng Chumo heard this, he was overjoyed. He nodded excitedly like a chicken pecking at rice.
"Understand your head!"
Li Zexuan glared at him and couldn't help but say, "If you have the time to talk nonsense with me, why don't you go back to the academy and review your homework?! There will be new students entering the academy next semester. If you are the last in the entire academy, you will be embarrassed. Let's see how you can raise your head in front of your junior brothers and sisters! "
…
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