Chapter 234 Triumph!

April 23rd is a good day to make alliances, pray for blessings, and travel.

On this day, the Jinyiwei in the capital city took action early to manage Zhengyangmen Street, and no outsiders were allowed to wander around the street.

At noon, a neatly-dressed and high-spirited army, led by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, entered the city from Yongding Gate. Walking in the front was Xianning Earl Qiu Yue, riding a tall horse, with Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief Peng Ze on his left and Minister of the Ministry of Rites Ou Zanghua on his right.

All three of them were wearing scarlet robes and black gauze hats, and their expressions were full of joy.

In the team behind them, there were dozens of prison carts, which were their spoils of war, including many bandit leaders such as Liu Liu, Liu Qi, Qi Yanming, Liu Hui, and Yang Guafu.

When the people learned that the court had won another victory and captured the bandit leader alive, they rushed out of their homes and gathered on both sides of the streets. Children jumped and played in the crowd, and shop owners hung colorful flags and put up signs offering various discounts, all in a state of joy.

Zuo Lengchan walked behind Ou Zanghua, looking at the people around him cheering for him, his old face almost wrinkled with laughter. He turned around to look at his fellow apprentices, and each of them couldn't stop laughing.

Such honor and such treatment, which hero in the world could possibly enjoy?
So what the ancients said was right!
A real man, born between heaven and earth, should carry a three-foot sword and accomplish unparalleled feats!

Although he is over sixty years old and his physical strength is not as good as when he was young, he is steady and has a good nephew to help him. It is not impossible for him to be granted a title of nobility in the future.

Thinking of this, Zuo Lengchan was a little dazed. What was his original dream?

The group walked through the bustling and crowded Zhengyangmen Street and passed the Daming Gate, then dismounted and continued forward until they reached the front of the Wumen Gate.

At this moment, Emperor Zhengde specially changed into military uniform and came to the Meridian Gate under the escort of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Princes, nobles, civil and military officials stood on the left and right sides respectively.

The official from the Honglu Temple stood aside and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty has arrived!"

"Long live my emperor!"

Everyone present bowed and kowtowed three times until Emperor Zhengde shouted, "No need to bow, please stand up," and then everyone stood up.

The official of the Honglu Temple shouted again: "Hand over the prisoners!"

As the sound fell, drums on the left and right of the Meridian Gate were struck and cannons began to roar.

Many bandit leaders including Liu Liu, Liu Qi, Qi Yanming, Liu Hui, and Yang Guafu were brought up by the soldiers and forced to kneel on the ground.

Emperor Zhengde looked down at them from a high position. The distance was too far for him to see their appearance clearly, so he said casually: "Liu Liu and Liu Qi, they are nothing special!"

Zhang Yong, who was standing by, immediately said, "It's all because of your majesty's wisdom and good leadership!"

"I only need to make a slight move to know their details." Emperor Zhengde raised his head, very proud.

The ceremony continued. As the officials from the Ministry of Justice presented the evidence of the crimes of these people, Emperor Zhengde took a symbolic look and said, "Suppress it and let the three courts conduct the trial together."

After hearing this, the official from the Honglu Temple said loudly again: "Your Majesty has ordered that this case be suppressed and the three courts will jointly judge it!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Princes, nobles, civil and military officials kowtowed again. Liu Liu, Liu Qi and others were dragged up by the soldiers and taken to the Ministry of Justice for detention. They were jointly tried by the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple and the Censorate, and the final decision was made by the emperor.

After the prisoner presentation ceremony was completed, the soldiers returned to the barracks and waited for orders. Qiu Yue, Peng Ze, Ou Zanghua and other officials went to the palace to receive rewards.

"Although the bandits were powerful and numbered tens of thousands at one point, they were ultimately unable to resist the imperial army. The Marquis of Xianning was brave and good at fighting, the Chief Censor was wise and sincere, and the Minister of the Honglu Temple had a method of commanding the army. The three of them were of one mind and worked together to accomplish great things."

Qiu Yue was promoted to hereditary marquis and continued to command three thousand troops.

Peng Ze was promoted to Prince's Guardian and Right Censor-in-Chief.

Ou Zanghua was promoted to Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and he still held concurrent posts as Minister of the Honglu Temple and Compiler of the Hanlin Academy. As Zhang Yong's voice fell, Ou Zanghua and the other two immediately kowtowed to express their gratitude. The civil and military officials had nothing to say about Qiu Yue and Peng Ze's promotions. Qiu Yue was already 47 years old, and Peng Ze was over 50 years old.

But Ou Zanghua is only in his twenties!
Fortunately, there was an even more awesome immortal boy, Li Yuanjia, who was appointed General of the Right Army at the age of sixteen, King of Han at the age of seventeen, and Governor of Luzhou.

Later, he raised an army to attack Empress Wu, but was killed by her after the mutiny failed. He was seventy years old.

Compared to this, Comrade Xiao Ou is still much weaker.
Then, all the civil and military officials secretly glanced at Yang Tinghe who was standing in the front. It was rare for him to enter the cabinet at the age of 48. According to this trend, Minister Ou might be able to enter the cabinet in his thirties.

However, when it comes to the youngest and fastest promoted cabinet ministers in the Ming Dynasty, Yang Tinghe, Ou Zanghua, Zhang Juzheng and Zhou Yanru all have to rank behind.

Because there is a big boss ahead, that is the top scholar Peng Shi.

In the 14th year of Zhengtong, Emperor Yingzong was captured in the Tumu Incident. Zhu Qiyu, the Prince of Qin, who stayed in Beijing, became the regent with the support of Yu Qian and others. He ordered Peng Shi and Shang Lu to join the cabinet to participate in the affairs of state. However, Peng Shi refused to accept the appointment after learning that his stepmother had passed away. However, he was still forced to accept the appointment by Emperor Daizong.

Therefore, Peng Shi entered the government just over a year later and was quickly appointed to the cabinet at the age of 33.
After receiving the reward, Ou Zanghua worked in the main hall until the afternoon when he came out of the palace.

Outside the palace, Mu Gaoweng and Xiang Danian had been waiting for a long time.

When he saw Ou Zanghua coming out, Mu Gaoweng smiled brightly: "Thank you for your hard work, young master. Madam has arranged food at home and is waiting for you to come home."

Ou Zanghua nodded to Mu Gaoweng, and after getting on the carriage, he asked, "Da Nian, has Madam been living well in the capital these days? Is there anyone bullying her?"

"Don't worry, senior brother. Madam has been living a very comfortable life these days." Xiang Danian happily shared with Ou Zanghua the friends Liu Qing had made and the activities she had participated in recently.

Ou Zanghua listened carefully, and only heaved a sigh of relief when he knew that no one was trying to embarrass Liu Qing.

A moment later, the carriage arrived at the Ou Mansion.

Liu Qing was waiting at the door with her maids and servants. When they saw Ou Zanghua get off the car, they came forward to greet him.

The little girl looked up at her husband, and after a careful examination, she said with some distress: "Husband, you have lost weight."

"Marching and fighting are inevitable."

Ou Zanghua walked in holding Liu Qing's hand, smiling and saying, "I heard that Qingqing likes chuiwan recently, and her fame is almost spreading throughout the capital."

"No way." Liu Qing blushed a little, thinking it was unkind of her to play ball at home while her husband was working so hard outside.

Walking into the backyard, Ou Zanghua looked back at the maids and servants. Qu Feiyan immediately reacted and directed everyone to disperse, leaving the space for the two of them.

Ou Zanghua pulled Liu Qing into his arms and reached out to pinch her face. Her skin was as white as cream and as smooth as silk as always.

Liu Qing was stunned, leaning on her husband's arms, and said softly: "I have arranged a place for Junior Brother Lingsong from Huashan Sect and Senior Sister Yihe from Hengshan Sect to stay, but Mr. Feng seems to have some opinions about Junior Brother Lingsong. Before my husband came back, he went to see him and even felt his pulse!"

"Well, Qingqing, let's not talk about them, let's talk about you! Are you used to living in the capital when I'm away?"

"My dear, I am not as delicate as you think."

Liu Qing said with a smile: "I am the female hero of Hengshan!"

"I'm just worried that you'll get bored if you stay in this square yard for too long."

"No," Liu Qing looked at Ou Zanghua and said with bright eyes, "Every day when I wake up, I am very happy just thinking that my husband is by my side."

(End of this chapter)