From the Battle of Nanzhao to the Battle of Talas to the Battle of Khorasan, Wang Chong's mind had always been tense. But at this moment, as the music played, Wang Chong completely relaxed, immediately feeling an unprecedented sense of ease. Politics, military affairs, and logistics were thrown to the back of Wang Chong's mind. For the first time, Wang Chong was completely immersed in the grand festival, simply enjoying the joy of the festival.
Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, and Cheng Qianli were all the same. After repeated victories, this was the 'reward' that they all deserved.
Time slowly passed, and after some time, a clear and melodious cry rang out, causing the surroundings to fall silent. Wang Chong opened his eyes, and everyone else stopped and looked in a certain direction.
At the center of the crowd was Adiya, dressed in a silver-white robe, standing like a fairy from a dream. Unbeknownst to her, a priest of the Divine Temple had handed her a long torch made of metal.
This torch was more than four feet long, and its surface was engraved with countless complicated carvings. Most unique of all was the flame burning on it. It was not the usual scarlet flame, but a milky-white color that Wang Chong had never seen before. This flame was extremely quiet, gentle, and exuded a holy and pure aura.
"What is this?"
Wang Chong glanced at the Khorasani next to him and asked.
Wang Chong could be considered quite experienced, but this was the first time he had seen this milky-white flame. All of this gave him a very novel feeling.
"This is the Sacred Flame of our Sassanid Dynasty. It has been passed down for more than two thousand years, and each Fire God Festival ends with the lighting of the altar with the Sacred Flame. At this time, the Princess can choose a guest that she deems most revered to light the Sacred Flame with her. This is also a form of etiquette of the highest order! "
The Khorasani said, an enthusiastic look on his face.
"It's been a long time since such a festival has been held. I wonder who the princess will choose this time."
Upon hearing this, Wang Chong's eyes flickered slightly. Soon, Wang Chong's gaze followed the crowd to Sassanid Princess Adiya. The next moment, there was a burst of cheers. Under everyone's gaze, Adiya raised the milky-white Holy Flame and walked toward Wang Chong.
"General! You are the most honored guest of our Sassanid Dynasty. Without you, our Sassanid Dynasty would not have been able to escape the rule of the Arabs. Thus, at the final moment, allow me to invite you to light the sacred flame! "
Adiya's beautiful eyes fell on Wang Chong, a sincere expression on her face.
"Your Highness, many thanks for your invitation. This time, I accept your invitation, but not as an individual, but as a representative of the entire Tang Dynasty. The victory over Arabia and the restoration of the Sassanid Dynasty was not the work of a single person or faction, but the result of the combined efforts of the Tang dynasty, the Sassanids, and all the rebel armies. Thus, allow me and Your Highness to represent the Tang Dynasty and Khorasan in lighting the Sacred Flame! "
Wang Chong stared at Adiya and sincerely said.
"Good!"
Hearing this, the surrounding people couldn't help but cheer one after another. All the rebel leaders, including the Sassanids, were moved by Wang Chong's words. Even Sassanid Princess Adiya couldn't help but look at him with admiration.
As the crowd cheered, Wang Chong and Sassanid Princess Adiya gripped the pure white Sacred Flame and walked toward the altar beneath the Fire God statue. At this moment, everyone's eyes were brimming with passion and anticipation.
Whoosh!
There was a flash of light, and before everyone's eyes, the sacred flame ignited the altar. The milky-white Holy Fire passed through the bottom of the sacrificial altar, and the tongue of fire followed a secret path, spreading all the way to the interior of the Fire God statue. Weng, in the next instant, there was a flash of light, and the huge Holy Fire Altar in the right hand of the Fire God statue suddenly lit up, spewing out a milky-white Holy Fire.
The milky-white Sacred Flame instantly transformed into a dazzling light that illuminated all of Khorasan.
Bang!
As this dazzling light lit up, all the people in Khorasan, including the people in the Divine Temple, let out a tsunami of cheers, and the festive mood in Khorasan reached its peak. The Sacred Flame was lit, signifying that the supreme God of Fire and God of Light that the Sassanid Dynasty worshipped would protect the Sassanid Empire for eternity. It also signified eternal peace and tranquility.
As they gazed at the milky-white Sacred Flame above their heads, all of them beamed with joy and smiles. Even Wang Chong couldn't help but narrow his eyes and smile.
At this moment, Wang Chong's mind was in turmoil. All his efforts had been rewarded. The joyous crowd and the Sacred Flame above their heads were the best reward for him and all the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty.
Gallop!
The east gradually brightened, and at this moment, the sound of hurried hooves came from the night, breaking the silence. Moreover, it sounded like the galloping of hooves was approaching the Divine Temple, and it sounded extremely urgent.
Hearing the hurried galloping of the horses, the crowd quickly turned their heads to look.
"Reporting!"
Before the horseman had even gotten close, he immediately shouted, "The emissary of the Imperial Court has arrived!
"The envoy from the imperial court has arrived. Sirs, please go and welcome him!"
"Hahaha, it's one of us!"
In the center of the Divine Temple, Feng Changqing suddenly laughed.
"This is truly joy on top of joy. Good things come in pairs. It must be the people the Imperial Court has bestowed upon Marquis. After waiting for so long, they've finally come."
These words drew everyone's attention to Wang Chong.
"Wang Chong, congratulations!"
Gao Xianzhi turned his head and smiled at Wang Chong. The Imperial Court's reward had finally arrived, and Gao Xianzhi was sincerely happy for him. On the side, Bahram, Adiya, and the other rebel leaders were also looking at Wang Chong with joy on their faces.
Only Wang Chong remained indifferent. To Wang Chong, he didn't care whether he was bestowed a reward or not.
"Milord, congratulations!"
"Congratulations, Milord!"
The surrounding people began to offer their congratulations. Although they didn't know the specifics, there was no doubt that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty was bestowing upon this young commander who excelled in both the pen and the sword. All of them were sincerely happy.
"Let's go and welcome him!"
… …
Outside the Lord of Khorasan's estate, Wang Chong's group met with the emissaries sent by the Imperial Court. This group of twenty to thirty people had solemn and respectful expressions, but they did not enter the estate. Many of them were even seated on horseback, standing motionless.
Around them were Wang Chong's father Wang Yan, his big brother Wang Fu, his master The Evil Emperor, and the Chief Of Wushang.
"The one who has come is the Young Marquis, Wang Chong!"
Before Wang Chong's group could arrive, an official on horseback with an old-fashioned expression spoke.
Everyone couldn't help but frown at this voice. This was completely different from the celebratory mood they had anticipated. But no one had time to think too deeply about this matter.
"I am!"
Wang Chong dismounted from his horse and replied.
"Mm!"
The official firmly nodded, and then he exchanged glances with the lavishly dressed officials at his side, apparently confirming Wang Chong's identity. Wang Chong glanced at this person and saw that he was around thirty to forty years old and dressed in the robes of a civil official. But in all his time in the capital, Wang Chong had never seen this person, nor had he heard his big uncle mention him. As for the officials at his side …
They were dressed in red robes, clearly officials from the Bureau of Rites!
The sight of these officials from the Bureau of Rites made Wang Chong's heart thump. But at this moment, Wang Chong heard the inflexible and unperturbed voice of that civil official.
"Eunuch, it's enough! Read the imperial decree! "
"Yes, Lord Wen!"
The shrill voice of a drake rang out in everyone's ears. 'Lord Wen' caused the hearts of Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing to thump. The eunuchs of the Imperial Court had a special status, especially when reading imperial decrees. They represented the Holy Emperor and the Imperial Court.
The two of them had guarded the border for so long that they had seen many things, but they had never seen a eunuch so respectful to a civil official.
At this moment, the two of them glanced at each other and frowned. But before they could speak, an embroidered eunuch of some status rode out of the ranks, a horsetail whisk in one hand and an imperial decree in the other.
"Wang Chong, Wang Yan, and Wang Fu, step forward to hear the decree!"
Under everyone's gazes, the embroidered robed eunuch suddenly spoke with a solemn expression and bright eyes.
"This lowly subject hears the decree!"
Wang Chong, Wang Yan, and Wang Fu immediately stepped forward to hear the decree.
"Li Siye, Kong Zi-an, Su Hanshan hears the decree!"
"This lowly subject hears the decree!"
Li Siye, Kong Zi-an, and Su Hanshan also stepped forward.
"Xu Keyi, Chen Bin, Xue Qianjun, Su Shixuan, step forward to hear the decree!"
Xu Keyi, Chen Bin, Xue Qianjun, and Su Shixuan all stepped forward.
"Banahan, King Gangke, step forward to hear the decree!"
Banahan and the King Gangke also stepped forward, their heads deeply bowed, their eyes shining with deep reverence. Even to these tribal leaders of the Western Regions, the Holy Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he was an existence as high as the sun and moon.
No one dared to have the slightest blasphemy towards this supreme ruler of the Central Plains, who had conquered countless surrounding empires, who had single-handedly created the most prosperous era in the Central Plains, and who was also the strongest martial artist. They only felt respect and reverence from the depths of their hearts.
In a flash, all the surrounding people knelt.
Whoosh!
In the next moment, under everyone's gaze, the embroidered eunuch, who seemed to have quite a high status, shook the imperial edict in his hands, spread his hands, raised it high, and began to read it.
"By the will of the heavens, the Emperor decrees:
The Young Marquis, Wang Chong, drove away the Ouzan and the Western Turks, stabilized Qixi, and protected the country. In addition, in the Battle of Talas, the Young Marquis galloped over a great distance to reinforce the Tang Empire. Brave and astute, loyal and righteous, he led the soldiers of my Tang Dynasty in defeating the invading Abu Muslim and Arab armies, killing more than four hundred thousand enemy soldiers, protecting the country and raising the prestige of the country.
"In the Battle of Khorasan, the Young Marquis used the blizzard to kill more than five hundred thousand Arab soldiers. In these two major battles, he killed more than one million enemy soldiers, setting an unprecedented record. The Imperial Court must reward those who have made contributions and punish those who have made mistakes. The Young Marquis, a seventeen-year-old youth, has established an unrivalled record on the battlefield. It is appropriate to greatly reward him and proclaim him to the world as a role model. The world must know that loyalty and righteousness are righteous, and that rewards and punishments are fair. Thus, our Central Plains will be filled with an endless stream of talented individuals!
"Thus, at the behest of the Holy Emperor, the Six Ministries have conferred upon the Young Marquis, Wang Chong, the King of Foreign Lands, a noble title, and twenty thousand dans of food! Thirty thousand bushels of pearls, countless corals and agates, and a royal residence in the capital! And proclaim it to the world! "
Bang!
The words of the Imperial Court's reward for Wang Chong instantly caused the crowd to seethe with excitement. Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing were already mentally prepared. However, when they heard this, they couldn't help but be moved.
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