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Chapter 390.1: Passing the Torch - Part 1

On the day of departure, early in the morning, officials from the Ministry of Rites arrived at the Great General\'s mansion carrying a box. After a light knock on the door and explaining their purpose, the old steward did not stop them. He allowed the officials from the Ministry of Rites to carry the item inside. In the courtyard, the Great General sat in his reclining chair, gazing at the misty sky.

"Great General, this lowly official is here on behalf of His Majesty to present you with an official robe."

The one who spoke was a slender middle-aged official speaking. He was none other than Du Qianshan, the Minister of Rites. This top official of the Ministry of Rites originally did not want to personally handle such a trivial matter, but the imperial decree was clear, and he could not disobey.

The Great General glanced at him and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Lord Du."

Du Qianshan nodded slightly and stepped aside without saying much.

The old steward waved his hand, and immediately, several servants from the Great General\'s mansion approached. They opened the box and took out the official robe. In the Great Liang Dynasty, the design of military official robes mostly followed the traditions of the previous dynasty. Different ranks of military officials had different patterns embroidered on their robes. However, as the rank increased, the patterns became simpler. The robe displayed at present was navy blue, with only two Qilins embroidered at the hem and some cloud patterns at the cuffs. Apart from these, it was not much different from an ordinary robe.

As the servants lifted the official robe, the Great General glanced at it, feeling somewhat nostalgic. He could not even remember the last time he wore this robe.

As he stood up and raised his hand, the servants helped this Great General put on the official robe. Another servant took out a jade belt from the box, engraved with cloud patterns and animal patterns.

Before the Great General could speak, Du Qianshan said softly, "By the decree of His Majesty, in recognition of Great General\'s hard work and outstanding achievements, a jade belt is specially bestowed."

The Great General remained silent, just nodding slightly. At this point, regardless of what rewards or honors were bestowed, he would simply accept it.

After the servants dressed the Great General in the official robe and jade belt, a maid also came to neatly comb his white hair. Then, she pinned a jade hairpin on his head. However, when it came time to put on the official hat, the Great General shook his head and said softly, "No need."

Several officials from the Ministry of Rites almost instinctively looked at Du Qianshan upon hearing this.

Du Qianshan simply said, "Since the Great General doesn\'t like it, then there\'s no need to wear it."

In such a solemn ceremony, every detail of attire was actually carefully considered. If it were anyone else, Du Qianshan naturally would not compromise. However, the decree stated it clearly: if the Great General did not like it, he did not even have to wear the bestowed official robe.

His Majesty the Emperor had already shown utmost grace.

After the Great General was dressed in the official robe, Du Qianshan said, "Then, this lowly official shall take my leave. The carriage from the Ministry of Rites is waiting outside. His Majesty has decreed that the Great General may depart whenever you wish. All officials are waiting for him today."

The Great General nodded slightly.

Du Qianshan and the other officials from the Ministry of Rites left.

After these officials left, the old steward looked at the Great General, who was dressed in the new official robe, and said softly, "His Majesty\'s grace has indeed reached its peak."

The Great General smiled, took a few steps, and asked, "How does it fit?"

The old steward smiled and replied, "Of course it fits perfectly."

The Great General just shook his head, glanced at the slightly long official robe, and sighed, "I\'m ultimately old."

After saying this, he walked slowly towards the door.

In front of the Great General\'s mansion, a carriage had been waiting.

The horses pulling the carriage were pure white, exceptionally beautiful, and impeccably groomed, without a single stray hair. They were among the finest horses of the current era.

The coachman stood by the carriage, smiling at the Great General. "Great General."

Looking at the coachman, the Great General said with some surprise, "You\'re already a third-grade military official of the imperial court. You\'re driving the carriage for this old man?"

The coachman was naturally not a stranger, he was called Xu Ansheng, a general in the Northern Frontier several years ago. Back then, he had the title of "Silver Spear General." He was skilled in wielding a silver spear and had once fought against the demon army for three days and nights, soaking his armor in blood but refusing to fall. However, after being injured in a great battle, he could not continue in the Northern Frontier and returned to the Deva Realm. Now he served in the Ministry of War and was a genuine third-grade military official. It seemed excessive for such a military official to be driving a carriage.

Xu Ansheng chuckled, "Forget about third-grade, even if this officer were to reach the rank of first-grade military official one day, I\'d still be willing to lead the horse for the Great General."[1.]

The Great General smiled, "Forget about whether you can reach first-grade. Either way, even if that day comes, this old man is destined not to see it."

Hearing this, Xu Ansheng felt some sorrow, but he just said softly, "Great General, don\'t say that. You still have many years ahead of you after returning to your hometown. When this officer has the chance in the future, I\'ll definitely come to drink with Great General. Don\'t look down on me then, and don\'t even think about refusing me a drink."

The Great General chuckled, "Let\'s have a drink next time."

With that, the Great General boarded the carriage and entered the cabin.

Xu Ansheng urged the horses forward, and the carriage slowly made its way towards the imperial city.

The road from the Great General\'s residence to the imperial city had already been cleared. Every five steps, there was a carefully selected soldier. When they saw the carriage carrying the Great General approaching, their eyes were filled with intense fervor.

When they saw the white-haired Great General peeking out, it was even more so. As martial artists, there was perhaps no one who did not aspire to be the Northern Frontier Great General.

He was the highest-ranking military officer in the Great Liang Dynasty, and the object of their admiration.

As they reached the end of the main street, a woman in palace attire appeared on the side. She stood by the street, tears welling in her eyes as she watched the approaching carriage.

The carriage suddenly stopped, and Xu Ansheng suddenly said in a low voice, "Great General, the Princess Consort wishes to see Great General once more."

The Great General seated inside the carriage fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "Everything that needed to be said has been said. There\'s no need to meet again."

Xu Ansheng glanced apologetically at the Princess Consort. The latter did not speak, she simply took two steps back, tears streaming down her face, her stance unsteady. Thankfully, a maid behind her quickly supported her.

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