bookbashuk Chapter 123 Jiaguang Xiangri
Chapter 123 Jiaguang Xiangri
Chapter 123 Jiaguang Xiangri
After passing through mountains and crossing the Blackwater, Joffrey could see the red castle in the distance.
"Reign Supreme!"
"We're home!"
After another month of marching, the soldiers from King's Landing could no longer contain their joy.
They threw their helmets into the air, yelling in pain as they clattered and crashed to the ground, then put their arms around each other's shoulders and sang at the top of their lungs around the campfire.
"The wife of the Dornish is as beautiful as the sun, and her kisses are warmer than springtime."
"The swords of the Dornish are made of black iron, and their kisses are terrifying—"
This song is about a man who slept with another man's wife and died from his injuries after a fair duel.
But it seems particularly fitting at this moment.
The group reaped abundant harvests, yet remained unharmed by the thorns.
Five thousand men were dispatched, and after several months of fighting, they won one victory after another.
Their pockets swelled up considerably, their bodies grew stronger, and they made many trustworthy comrades.
Very few died on the spot; the vast majority of casualties were caused by injuries and illnesses.
Despite the resounding victory, Joffrey did not intend to wage war again until the next victory.
Apart from Dorne, who remained uninvolved, the six kingdoms and nine regions all suffered a six-month delay in their harvest due to the war, and most of their winter food reserves were also consumed.
In addition to the soldiers fighting on the front lines, tens of thousands of civilians were transporting supplies thousands of miles away from behind.
Even so, several extravagant ceremonies awaited Joffrey.
"His Majesty has not yet returned to King's Landing, but news of the great victory has already spread throughout the streets and alleys."
"Whether nobles or commoners, everyone in the city is eagerly awaiting it."
Tyrion, riding a large mare with a special saddle and accompanied by a few Kingsguard guards who remained in King's Landing, greeted them with a grin.
"Your mother has prepared a grand triumphant ceremony and is waiting for your return."
People lined the banks of the Blackwater River for miles, their shouts mingling with the sound of flowing water.
The ambient noise gradually became clearer, followed by the sound of waving flags and spears hitting the ground in unison.
One after another, each one louder than the last.
Joffrey also took off his helmet, smoothed his hair, and waved his arms as he spurred his horse forward.
The golden robe billowed in the wind, stretching long behind him, transforming into a flowing arc of light.
The sounds around me became clearer and clearer.
"Long live!"
"Long live!"
"Long live!"
The army had already arrived at the gates of King's Landing, but was stopped outside and not allowed to return home for the time being.
The king entered the city yesterday amidst cheers, but then rode out again, cursing loudly.
"Damn, this is so troublesome!"
Her Majesty the Empress Dowager seems to have reached an agreement with the Archbishop to allow the army to enter through the Gate of Gods.
But King Joffrey, upon learning of this, resolutely refused.
Then it was changed to King's Gate.
-
So they waited outside King's Landing for two more full days in order to revise the layout.
Many blacksmiths and tailors rushed out of the city, found the soldiers one by one, polished their armor until it shone, and repaired all their clothes.
For those that are bad or don't match the style, just send a new set.
This was clearly intended to demonstrate the majesty of the Iron Throne.
But Matus Rowan was a worldly man and was somewhat skeptical of this move.
He turned to look at the old knight beside him.
He was wearing a green and white double-headed eagle robe, and he had no recollection of the other person's name.
It must be some unknown minor lord in the river bend.
"The last time such a grand event was after the Greyjoy Rebellion," Matus said.
The knight's interest was piqued, and he leaned closer to ask, "Which war did you participate in, sir?"
"It's more than just participating," Mattus said casually. "My family contributed to the Battle of Fairy Island, which was led by Lord Stannis."
But in reality, he didn't put in much effort at that time.
"King Robert held a tournament in Lannisport to celebrate his victory," Matus continued, "which was even grander than the one in King's Landing last year."
"After all, it was the Duke of Casterly Rock who paid for it."
"And after the War of the Usurper ended, a triumphal ceremony was held. I had never seen so many nobles gathered together before that."
As soon as he said it, Matus regretted it.
His status is different now; he's a duke, so it's best to avoid mentioning such sensitive matters.
Fortunately, the knight didn't seem to understand anything, and just clicked his tongue in amazement.
The line began to move forward.
After passing through the King's Gate, the residents on both sides were packed tightly together, stretching along the street to the horizon.
"So many people have come to greet us—" the knight beside him said in a low voice.
Matus thought that no matter how grand today's ceremony was, it could not compare to the one from years ago.
After all, those attending today were mainly from King's Landing and Royal Territories; the other lords had long since returned home.
But after the procession passed through the city gate, he was astonished to find that on both sides of the river, from the street to the rooftops, everywhere he looked was a sea of black heads.
The men in golden robes stood in a row with their backs to the crowd, using their spears to create a passage.
The infantry of the capital's assault team were all dressed in brand-new iron armor and carried axes or halberds on their shoulders.
Some wore heavy shields and held sharp spears, while others carried heavy crossbows on their backs.
Under the sunlight, it truly shimmered like golden scales reflecting the sun.
The crowd began to stir, but they were all eager to catch a glimpse of the soldier's heroic figure by standing on tiptoe.
The king stood in the middle of the procession, waving to those around him.
He mounted his signature white deer, which appeared to have been fitted with a saddle, making him much taller than the surrounding horses.
Cheers surged in wave after wave, making everyone's ears ring.
Matus looked to his left and right.
The knights around him were all from the Reach.
Most of them were newly appointed lords who came to King's Landing with the army to pay their respects and bid farewell to their fathers or uncles who were about to depart for the Wall.
There were also prisoners who were brought in.
They all had long faces, as if they regretted what had happened before.
Matus was also a loser in that ceremony during the War of the Usurper.
A group of people dressed in tattered animal skins were kneeling on the street. They were probably the crab people from Crab Claw Peninsula, who had been brought here to witness the majesty of the Iron Throne.
At this moment, they were all prostrate on the ground, trembling all over.
Several painters on the city wall noticed this scene and pointed in that direction, seemingly discussing whether or not to include them in their paintings.
Several scholars in long robes were writing furiously, holding quills and parchment.
Matus glanced at the knight beside him; the knight's expression was also not good.
He leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Sir, how do those two grand events you mentioned compare to today's?"
"Of course it's not as good as today's," Matus said, adjusting his mindset.
He was personally appointed Duke of Jinshucheng by His Majesty.
"Under King Joffrey's leadership, the might of the Iron Throne is unmatched."