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Chapter 94 - Border Peace

After ascending the throne, the new emperor Li Muyang regarded the security of the border as a top priority. Day and night, he studied military maps in the study, allocated troops, and repeatedly discussed strategies with the generals.

Under his meticulous planning and the fierce fighting of the generals, the beacon fires at the border were finally quelled, and the long-lost peace quietly arrived. The news spread throughout the country in an instant, and the people cheered and the court was elated.

Li Muyang is well aware of the hardships that border guards have endured over the years, living in the open air and fighting bravely. To express his sincere respect and deep condolences, he resolutely decided to go to the border in person.

After hearing this, Empress Dowager Li Yi and Empress Dowager Lin Yue also decided to go together. They hoped that through this trip, they could convey the care of the royal family to every soldier guarding the border without reservation.

The imperial palace was instantly bustling with activity, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites were extremely busy. From the decoration specifications of the departure carriage to the arrangement of rest stops along the way; From the dispatch and arrangement of the guard troops to the coordination and connection with local officials, every detail was carefully considered and deliberated over and over again, all to demonstrate the royal family's high regard for this border trip.

A large group of people set off in a grand procession from the capital city, with wheels rolling and dust flying everywhere. Li Muyang, dressed in a dignified yet solemn dragon robe, sat upright in the spacious and magnificent carriage. He gazed into the distance with firm eyes, his mind filled with expectations for the peace and stability of the border, as well as deep concern for the border guards he was about to meet.

When the common people along the way heard that the royal family had gone to the border to console the soldiers, they spontaneously took to the streets one after another. They held elaborately prepared flowers, waved bright banners and shouted "Long live!" The eyes were filled with gratitude and love for the royal family. Seeing this, Li Muyang would gently lift the curtain of the sedan chair from time to time, smiling and waving back to the people. The scene was warm and touching, moving everyone's heart.

After several days of long journey, the team finally reached the border. The border guards had long been lined up neatly in front of the military camp, their postures as straight as pines. Their eyes were resolute, revealing their loyalty to the country and determination to guard the border, quietly waiting for the arrival of the royal family members.

Li Muyang was the first to step out of the carriage, walking towards the soldiers with urgent and steady steps. He shook hands with each soldier one by one. His warm and strong palm conveyed care, and he asked with concern about their living conditions and whether they were healthy. The soldiers were flattered by the emperor's kind gesture, their eyes red with excitement and tears welling up in them.

Empress Dowager Li Yi and Empress Dowager Lin Yue followed closely behind, their faces beaming with kind smiles. They personally handed over to the soldiers one by one the consolation gifts brimming with the deep affection of the royal family. These consolation gifts are either warm clothes or practical daily necessities. Each one carries the care of the royal family for the soldiers, making the soldiers feel warm in their hearts.

Subsequently, a grand celebration ceremony was held in the military camp. The tent was decorated in a riot of colors, with lanterns hanging high and ribbons fluttering. The table was filled with sumptuous delicacies and the aroma of wine filled the air. Li Muyang stood on a high platform and delivered an enthusiastic speech, giving extremely high praise and affirmation to the soldiers' heroic performance in the war.

The soldiers rose one after another, holding wine glasses in both hands, and with reverence and gratitude, toasted and thanked the members of the royal family. Their faces were filled with pride and joy. Years of war and turmoil had finally brought about today's peace. The celebration at this moment was especially precious. Everyone was immersed in this rare and joyous atmosphere.

At the banquet, wonderful performances were staged one after another. The soldiers' self-written and self-performed martial arts programs showcased their superb skills in every move, brimming with vigor and vitality. The songs and dances brought by local folk artists were full of strong exotic charm. The melodies were cheerful and the dance moves were graceful, pushing the joyous atmosphere of the banquet to one climax after another.

Li Muyang raised his glass and drank heartily with the soldiers, and the military camp was filled with waves of laughter and joy. He listened attentively as the soldiers recounted the thrilling stories of the battle. Those life-and-death moments and difficult choices gave him a deeper understanding of the soldiers' hardships and sacrifices, and his respect for them grew even stronger.

After the meal, Li Muyang, accompanied by his generals, went to visit the border defense fortifications. He carefully inspected every defensive facility along the defense line, and from time to time crouched down to touch the cold city walls. From time to time, he would ask the generals about the functions, usage methods and roles of the facilities in battles, and speak highly of the soldiers' wisdom and hard work.

Looking at the border fortifications before him, Emperor Li Yi couldn't help but recall his own military days in his youth. He walked among the soldiers and said earnestly, "Peace is hard-won. It was exchanged with the blood and lives of countless soldiers. We must cherish it all the more." The soldiers nodded one after another, their eyes determined, and expressed in unison that they would surely hold their posts and safeguard the peace of the border.

Empress Dowager Lin Yue, on the other hand, focused her attention on the details of the soldiers' lives. She walked gently into the soldier's barracks and carefully inspected the living environment, checking whether the beds were clean, whether the bedding was thick and whether the ventilation was good. She kindly reminded the generals that they must take good care of the soldiers' daily life and ensure that they have no worries during the arduous life of guarding the border. To celebrate peace, a lively market was held in the border area. Upon hearing the news, merchants from all over the country came from afar one after another, bringing a wide variety of goods, ranging from exquisite handicrafts to abundant daily necessities. The common people and soldiers were shuttling through the market, picking out the items they liked, and their laughter and joy echoed in every corner of the market.

Li Muyang and his group also came to the market and merged into the cheerful crowd. They savored the local distinctive cuisine, and the unique flavor spread on their tongues. Picking out small items of commemorative significance, they chatted warmly with the common people, inquiring about their living conditions. The market was filled with a scene of great harmony and joy.

In the market, Li Muyang happened to come across a soldier who had been wounded in battle. He immediately stopped and walked up with concern, inquiring in detail about the soldier's recovery from his injuries, including whether the wounds would still hurt and whether his daily movements were convenient, and solemnly promised to provide him with better medical care and proper living arrangements.

The soldiers carefully organized a military drill in order to show the royal family the results of their daily training. On the battlefield, the soldiers marched in unison and their slogans were resounding and deafening. The tactical coordination is seamless and proficient, and the offense and defense are well-organized. It fully demonstrated the powerful combat effectiveness and solid military quality of the border defense forces.

After watching the drill, Li Muyang highly praised the performance of the soldiers. He announced a series of incentive measures on the spot, ranging from material rewards to promotion opportunities, aiming to inspire the soldiers to maintain their high fighting spirit, always hold their posts and safeguard this hard-won peace achievement. The peaceful scene at the border has attracted the attention of neighboring countries. Some neighboring countries have sent envoys one after another, bringing sincere congratulations and the willingness for friendly cooperation. Li Muyang warmly received the envoys in the tent. The two sides sat around and had in-depth discussions on matters such as the expansion of border trade and the development of cultural exchanges.

During the communication with the envoy, Li Muyang earnestly emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence in his words. He expressed the hope that all countries could uphold the principles of equality, mutual benefit and win-win results, jointly maintain peace and stability in border areas, and work together to promote the common development and prosperity of the region.

To further strengthen the construction of the border areas, Li Muyang immediately ordered an increase in investment in border towns upon his return to the palace. He plans to build flat and wide roads to facilitate the transportation of materials and the movement of people. Build modern schools to enable children to receive a good education; Build well-equipped hospitals to ensure the health of the people and soldiers.

When the local people heard the good news, they cheered excitedly. They all expressed that they would definitely respond positively to the call of the imperial court, fully cooperate with all construction work, contribute their share to building a beautiful border homeland, and create a happy life with their hardworking hands.

Li Muyang once again visited the border in person and personally participated in the groundbreaking ceremonies of some infrastructure projects. He was dressed in simple casual clothes, picked up a shovel and forcefully buried the first shovel of soil for the new building. This shovel of soil symbolizes the official start of a new chapter of development in the border area and also carries the hopes and aspirations of countless people.

Empress Dowager Li Yi and Empress Dowager Lin Yue also actively engaged in the cultural construction along the border. They encouraged the local area to deeply explore and inherit traditional culture, and organized a series of rich and colorful folk activities, such as traditional song and dance performances and folk sports competitions, enhancing the cohesion and sense of identity among various ethnic groups.

As time goes by, the atmosphere of peace in the border areas has become increasingly intense. The common people lived and worked in peace and contentment. They toiled in the fields and traded in the markets. The soldiers guarded the border with peace of mind, staying at their posts day and night and patrolling and keeping watch. Seeing this prosperous and stable scene, Li Muyang was filled with a sense of achievement and relief in his heart.

Before leaving the border, Li Muyang once again gathered all the soldiers and delivered his final speech before departure. He expressed his gratitude to the soldiers for their selfless dedication and contribution over the years, and earnestly encouraged them to continue to strive and fight for the peace and tranquility of the country and safeguard this hard-won land of peace.

The soldiers lined up neatly, their postures as tall and straight as poplars. They bid farewell to the royal family members with the most solemn military salute, their eyes filled with reluctance, but more so with a firm determination to safeguard the border. That uniform military salute is not only a sign of respect for the royal family but also a vow of loyalty to the country.

Li Muyang and his group set off on their way back. The local people along the way remained highly enthusiastic and came to see them off voluntarily. They stood on both sides of the road, their eyes filled with gratitude towards the royal family. This trip to the border not only warmed the hearts of the soldiers but also further consolidated the deep emotional bond between the royal family and the common people.

On the way back, Li Muyang sat around with Empress Dowager Li Yi and Empress Dowager Lin Yue, enthusiastically discussing the future development plans for the border areas. They have conducted in-depth discussions on every aspect, from economic development to cultural prosperity, from improvement of people's livelihood to consolidation of national defense, hoping that through continuous efforts, the border areas will always remain prosperous and stable.

After returning to the capital, Li Muyang, in the imperial court, gave a detailed report to the court ministers on what he had seen, heard, thought and felt during his trip to the border. The ministers listened attentively and all expressed their full support for all the measures of border construction, and were willing to work together to contribute their wisdom and strength to the peaceful development of the country.

To commemorate this significant border peace, Li Muyang ordered the construction of a magnificent peace monument in the central square of the capital. The design of the stele body is solemn and dignified, and the carvings are exquisite. The stele is engraved with the names of the soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives and efforts for peace, in memory of their immortal achievements.

After the Peace Monument was completed, it attracted a large number of common people to visit. People stood in front of the monument with deep reverence, gazing and remembering those heroes who fought bravely for peace. They silently made a vow in their hearts to cherish this hard-won peaceful life and contribute their own strength to the prosperity and stability of the country.

Li Muyang is well aware that border peace is merely a new starting point in the country's development journey. He will continue to uphold the belief of seeking well-being for the people and development for the country, govern the country diligently, lead the nation towards a more prosperous future, let the sunshine of peace shine upon every corner of the country, and warm the hearts of every citizen.

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