171 Generals of the World Revere Shangguan! (1/2)
For this grand affair of the militants, Tie Zheng’s wedding had almost given up all traditional wedding practices of Empire of Yutang. He had brought the bride out with her head covered in a head scarf to display to the wedding guests.
According to the Empire of Yutang’s old culture, Tie Zheng, a general who held such a high status, would have to go through a number of ceremonies that would have been utterly troublesome for his wedding. However, Tie Zheng had promised and both old marshals had gone to his in-laws’ home, as well as the home of the President of Board of Civil Appointments. They had spent a good amount of time to persuade and advise, so the old father-in-law could only go along with their request, despite his initial reluctance.
As a winning shot, the Old Marshal Qiu had said something that had won over the dear President to his side – there would never be another woman in this entire continent to have a wedding as glorious as your daughter ever again!
A wedding of this scale had never been done before, and was unprecedented in every way! What else were you doubtful about?
When the old president heard his word, he immediately became an enlightened man. Smiles broke out on his face and he had no more objections.
…
Watching Tie Zheng and his bride on their wedding march, the four-hundred-thousand-strong army cheered in excitement, as could be expected.
Howls and wolf-whistles came in waves. For a moment, the thousands of miles outside of the southern gate seemed to have been surrounded by wolf packs. These military men finally had their moment of release; all the unrestrained men were so excited that their necks had flushed red from it.
Tie Zheng was not offended at all, laughing as he said loudly, ”Quiet! Quiet, all of you! F*cking hell, you rascals. Your father has served the wedding wine today, what else are you cheering for? Have some manners!”
The ten generals before the hundred thousand Steel Calvary of the eastern troop stood up abruptly as they howled into the sky, ”We want to see the bride! Do you call these manners?”
All hundred thousand soldiers roared in enthusiasm as well. ”We want to see the bride! Don't worry, we will behave!”
Then it was the northern troop's turn – ”We want to see the bride! We will be well-mannered!”
The southern and western troops then followed suit.
The cheers came from every direction; all of them wanted to look upon the bride, all of them said that they would be on their best behavior!
Tie Zheng was exasperated as he hollered, ”Even your father hasn’t seen her. *ss is what all of you are seeing!”
”We will agreeable to seeing *ss too!”
The four hundred thousand men hollered all at once, their words growing increasingly raunchy. Everyone was swaying left and right in bawdy laughter.
On the stage, Han Sanhe and the other generals who were enemies exchanged a look and suddenly stood up as well, shouting together, ”We wish to see the bride as well! We’re well-mannered men too!”
Ow, ow, ow…
The area immediately outside the southern city gate had reached its boiling point.
At this point, no one regarded each other as enemies as they howled and cried in unison.
Tens of thousands who were living for the commotion had even put their fingers into their mouths to make shrill wolf-whistles.
When tens of thousands of people wolf-whistled at the same time, it was an unimaginable scene to behold.
For once, laughter, howls, and whistles blended into a big ball of merry sounds.
Tie Zheng chortled and brought his bride to the stage along with his groomsman and bridesmaid.
Behind the bride and groom was the royal congratulatory decree. It was His Majesty’s reminder – Tie Zheng’s limelight today must not be overshadowed, no matter what happened.
When they reached the stage, the eunuch who delivered the royal decree recited it to Tie Zheng in a low voice and left quietly. The ceremony was so abrupt it was like he had never appeared.
The city gate suddenly turned quiet.
A unit of people had exited the city, they and their horses were clad in black clothes and armor; their speed extremely slow.
The person in front who was leading the unit was an old woman holding onto a crutch, walking over at an unhurried pace. Beside her was Yutang’s emperor, dressed in royal yellow, his clothes rich but casual.
The emperor walked over slowly, holding Old Mistress Shangguan.
There was a huge plate behind the both of them with four big golden words painted. It had been written personally by the emperor – ”Shangguan Family of Generals!”
What had attracted even more attention than the plate were the people carrying it – it was hefted on the shoulders of six children who were moving forward, carrying the huge plate with all their might.
On their heels were three thousand palace guards in black.
It was a merry affair of the militants, of course, the Shangguan Family of Generals had to be there!
There was also the reigning monarch of the Empire of Yutang, His Majesty the emperor Yu Peize. He had come in casual clothes, indicating that he was attending this grand event in a personal capacity.
On the stage, Qiu Jianhan and Leng Daoyin stood at the front, shoulder to shoulder while Tie Zheng was next to them. The three of them congregated and held their place.
Han Sanhe, who was in Empire of Dongxuan’s side, stood up to get a better look at the scene. He took slow steps forward and stood side by side with Qiu Jianhan and Leng Daoyin.
Immediately after, gray-haired generals from each of the other three nations stepped forward.
Seven old generals stood in a single line.
They disregarded the animosity among themselves as they stood straight and solemn, their gazes directed to the front, watching the approach of the huge plate.
Nearly five hundred thousand people outside the southern city gate stood in pin-drop silence.
Finally, the plate stopped about a thousand feet from the stage. Another stage, albeit a smaller one, was propped up where it had stopped.
The emperor and the old mistress ascended the stairs.
The plate of the Shangguan Family of Generals hung high on the stage; there were eight large flags raised on both sides of the platform, higher than the rest of the generals’ flags.
Each large flag had the same four words – Shangguan Family of Generals!