Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 671: Triumphant Return
After hearing what Zhezong said, Zhao Mu stopped refusing.

Then Zhezong bowed to Zhao Mu, and Queen Meng also bowed respectfully to Zhao Mu.

After the ceremony, with the sound of drums and music, Zhao Mu changed to the dragon chariot and went into the city with Zhezong and his wife until they reached the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the city.

At this time, the city of Bianjing was decorated with lights and colors.

Even the beginning of the new year or the emperor's birthday had never been so lively. This time, Zhezong had emptied half of his treasury to prepare for this triumphal ceremony.

After Zhao Mu and his generals returned, the first thing they did was to worship at the Taimiao with Zhezong.

As for the officials, the Yang family, the Huyan family, the King of Loyalty and Filial Piety and the King of Loyalty and Righteousness were the first to come in.

Zhao Mu personally walked towards the shrine of his ancestors, and then inserted the three incense sticks in his hand into the incense burner in front of the shrine.

However, when Zhao Mu looked at the emperors of all dynasties above, he sneered in his heart.

The reason is very simple. Except for Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi, the emperors mentioned above are not worthy of receiving Zhao Mu's incense, especially Song Zhenzong and Song Renzong.

Zhao Mu respected Zhao Kuangyin for his contribution to the founding of the country and because he was his direct ancestor. As his own ancestor, he must respect him.

Zhao Mu respected Emperor Taizong Zhao Guangyi, not for his "military achievements" but for his "civil governance". After all, since the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, the reign of the dynasties in the Central Plains lasted for decades at most and more than ten years at least. Whether it was the Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, or Later Zhou, each regime basically only lasted two or three generations.

The newly established Song Dynasty did not fall apart in Zhao Guangyi's hands. Moreover, this Emperor Taizong had the ambition to conquer the north and recover Yanyun, which was better than all the later monarchs of the Song Dynasty. Of course, Zhao Mu respected him despite the rottenness.

In his eyes, the "early emperors" after Taizong were nothing more than a bunch of losers. Were they worthy of Zhao Mu offering sacrifices to them?

But he would have to come here to accompany them in the future, although Zhao Mu was unwilling in his heart. But on such a day of celebration today, he didn't care about it.

After paying homage at the Taimiao, Zhao Mu followed Zhezong to the Jiying Hall, where a welcoming banquet had already been prepared.

In the Jiying Hall today, all the civil and military officials of the Song Dynasty gathered together, and the guests from various countries who came to watch the ceremony were all sitting in the front row.

The first among them is naturally Duan Yu, the emperor of Dali Kingdom.

When Duan Yu saw Zhao Mu coming, he was the first to stand up and greet him.

Zhao Mu also politely saluted Duan Yu. However, when he saw Gao Mei, he was a little ashamed to see Duan Yu. After all, there was a little bit of subtle awkwardness in their relationship.

However, since it was a formal occasion, there was not much conversation between the two of them. There was only some pleasantries between the two emperors.

However, when it comes to Zhao Mu and Gao Mei, Duan Yu not only does not hate him at all, he is even very grateful to him.

After all, he and Gao Mei had no feelings for each other. Zhao Mu separated them, which was a good thing for both of them. Now that Duan Yu had Zhong Ling by his side, his life was so happy. At least Zhong Ling would not despise him for his incompetence all day long.

Besides, Zhong Ling was kind, and she was well-liked by everyone as the mother of the country. Now they had a child, and they no longer thought about the past.

Afterwards, everyone took their seats, and the first seat was naturally Zhao Mu. At this grand banquet, Zhezong praised Zhao Mu's civil and military achievements, and demonstrated the power of the Song Dynasty.

Although the banquet was a bit luxurious, it was still necessary on this day of national celebration.

The banquet lasted for two hours. Everyone toasted each other, new dishes were served, and the singing and dancing continued without stopping.

After the banquet, everyone went back, except Zhao Mu who was left in the palace.

First, Zhezong had something to discuss with him, and second, Queen Wang and the others were still living here, and they hadn't seen Zhao Mu for a long time, so they were very lonely. Tonight, Zhao Mu had to share everything.

Zhao Mu came to the imperial study, and Zhezong said to him, "Uncle, I already know what you reported in your memorial. We fought well this time and gained a lot, but I promised you before that I would give you all the property of the ministers. Why did you put them into the treasury again?"

After Zhao Mu sat down, he replied, "Your Majesty. Although I am now the king in the northwest, the soldiers' wages and officials' salaries are all from my treasury. And I don't have any other expenses, I just keep some women. The money I left for myself is enough to live a carefree life even if it is ten thousand taels a day. In addition, the war in the Song Dynasty has just ended, and the cities in the north need to be repaired, and the people in the north need to be appeased. Your Majesty, please keep this money."

Facing Zhao Mu's kindness, Zhezong said, "In that case, I would be disrespectful to refuse. Haha. By the way, uncle, you have made great contributions this time. Although the official rank and salary are great, if you still want some beautiful girls, I have selected a new batch."

Zhao Mu waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, that's not necessary. This time, I went north to conquer Liao and captured countless palace maids, concubines, and women from the royal family. Even after careful selection, I only had more than a thousand people. Including the rewards from Your Majesty and the ones captured during the expedition to the Uighurs, I don't have 3,000 weak waters, but 2,000 is enough. I'm alone, and I'm afraid I can't eat that much."

Seeing Zhao Mu's expression, Zhezong couldn't help but laugh.

Zhezong said at this time: "Hahaha. My uncle will also have a difficult day. Well, since my uncle has no intention, then I will not force it. My uncle, do you still remember what he said when you and I first met as monarch and subject?"

Zhao Mu smiled and said, "Of course I remember. Your Majesty once asked me what I thought. I answered truthfully."

Zhezong said: "Now the uncle can retire and enjoy the wealth and honor of the world."

Zhao Mu shook his head and said, "No! It's not the right time yet."

Hearing Zhao Mu's words, Zhezong's smile suddenly fell. Zhezong also asked with interest: "Oh? So the emperor's uncle has another target? I just don't know who the next target is? The lingering Tubo? Or Dali in the south? Or does the emperor's uncle want to continue to march westward?"

Zhao Mu shook his head and said, "Neither. Tibet is no longer a concern. Although Dali is a threat, it will not make any unusual moves for at least a hundred years. The west is mostly yellow sand. The once mighty Tang Dynasty stopped fighting here. It is better for us not to get involved in that bad luck."

Zhezong asked, "What are you worried about, uncle?"

Zhao Mu said, "Your Majesty, the threat to our north has not been completely eliminated. At least the Jurchens are more barbaric than the Liao Kingdom, and may grow into an enemy more formidable than the Liao Kingdom in the future. Moreover, the condition I agreed to allow Goryeo to pass through the country was to allow Goryeo to obtain Japan overseas. At least these two things are still a little bit unresolved for me."

(End of this chapter)