The great army came thundering toward Luoyang in a vast, majestic procession.
This was the Central Army returning victorious after marching south to assist Wang Ji.
They brought large numbers of captives, along with all manner of spoils.
Most were banners, war drums, generals' armor, and the like, whose symbolic significance was greater.
Cao Mao had always attached great importance to welcoming victorious armies.
He had done so ever since Chen Tai's time.
Cao Mao stood at the very front, leading the civil and military officials out to welcome them.
Luo Xian stood among the ministers. He glanced at the sword at his waist, then at the emperor in the distance.
The ministers were all standing in their prescribed ceremonial positions. If he suddenly moved forward, it would certainly arouse suspicion. Besides, with the army returning victorious, the emperor was surrounded by armored guards.
There was little chance of success. Better to make a show of arranging the army's rewards first and leave the rest for another day.
Yet, seeing the emperor standing solemnly in the distance, rising onto his toes as he waited for his army...
Luo Xian always felt an inexplicable envy.
He did not seem to have ever witnessed such a spectacle in Chengdu.
It had even been a long time since he had heard any news of rewards for the army. At most, all the generals would receive higher noble ranks to placate them; there would not even be a banquet.
No wonder Jiang Wei faced such tremendous pressure at the front.
Making the comparison, Luo Xian could not help shaking his head.
Chen Qian stood beside him and instructed him quietly, "You can go and make arrangements to reward the entire army now. Also, remember to distribute the new Drill Manual to these generals promptly...