Some warm-hearted taverns or vendors noticed this.

They reckoned that it must be families mourning children who sacrificed their lives for the country, so they stepped forward to offer comfort.

Or offered a freshly steamed bun.

Or carefully assisted them inside for a cup of tea and some hot food.

Some even took out two pieces of silver from their pockets to offer reassurance.

"The Emperor remembers the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country!"

"Don’t be sad!"

"Whenever you feel like eating something, come to our place!"

When one family is in trouble, help comes from all sides, and the soldiers’ sacrifice for the country is of utmost honor.

The Imperial Court issued a decree to soothe them, providing not only generous silver for a reward and honor plaques but also a decree that all soldier’s families would be given priority in future civil or military examinations.

The neighbors in the community also helped each other out.

The eastern family gave some grains, while the western family provided some clothing.

The Capital City of Great Chu is prosperous and wealthy, every household lacks neither food nor clothes, and the humanity is much better than in those impoverished mountains and rivers.

Thus, everyone worked together to soothe them.

These families of soldiers gradually emerged from their sorrow, for those who are gone, the living must continue to live, right?!

...

Returning to the main topic.

The soldiers returned triumphantly.

Zhao Junyao held a grand banquet for the ministers in Taihe Hall.

First, he ordered a full year’s pay to be distributed to all the soldiers as a reward, along with two stone sacks of pearl-white rice and five bolts of cotton cloth for each.

Secondly, payroll and rations were distributed to all levels of officers, varying in amount according to rank.

This was the overall reward, leaving no one out, everyone received something.

Finally, it was time to grant rewards based on merit.

Yang He, as the Great General overseeing the entire operation, led the soldiers bravely and decisively in battle, earning a first-class honor, rewarded with a thousand taels of silver, five chests of treasures, a hundred bolts of silk, and conferred the title of Second Rank Earl of Martial Service.

Deputy General Cui and Deputy General Qin, as the left and right deputy generals, were fierce and fearless in battle, earning second-class honors, rewarded with a hundred taels of silver, two chests of treasures, fifty bolts of silk, and conferred the title of Third Rank Valiant Cavalry Captain.

Young officers like Xia Tingfeng and Yang Chenyi, who excelled in defeating enemies, earned third-class honors, rewarded with fifty taels, one chest of treasures, and twenty bolts of silk.

Then there were minor officers like Tiger and Rat, who made great contributions.

Tiger was promoted to Fourth Rank Defender of the city gate, rewarded with one chest of treasures and ten bolts of silk.

Rat was transferred to the Ministry of War as a Seventh Rank Deputy, rewarded with five bolts of silk.

Although the positions were not high, with Rat’s abilities, promotion and advancement were certainly just around the corner.

The last sealed rewards were for those who sacrificed themselves and made great contributions.

Aside from bestowing orders to soothe the families of ordinary soldiers who perished, there were also special individuals.

Like Hai Tang, and... Monster.

Even if Hai Tang was a princess of an enemy country, at least she served in the Ministry of War for many years, at least she sacrificed herself for the Great Chu Dynasty.

Zhao Junyao opened his heart and conferred upon her the title of First-Rank Protectorate General, with no objections from any civil or military officials.

As for Monster.

Because he originally held no official position, nor had a title, not even a known name.

Zhao Junyao thought for a moment.

First, he bestowed upon him the national surname, then conferred the title of Seventh Rank Knight of Grace, and finally selected an auspicious burial location in the Capital City and specifically granted the Ministry of Rites permission to bury him with honors.

Bestowing the national surname was remarkably rare, it was the most uncommon and precious of all honors.

Under normal circumstances, only those ministers highly trusted by the Emperor would receive it.

No one expected an ordinary commoner like Monster to receive such an honor.

Putting aside the grief of losing a good brother.

Xia Tingfeng and Tiger among others were still quite pleased for him.

Thus.

No matter whether one held a high rank, or a low rank, or became a martyr.

No one was left out; everyone had military accolades and received rewards.

The entire Capital City was filled with smiles all around.

And so.

A grand campaign finally concluded.

Order was restored, and the people’s hearts were stable.

The aftermath of the war:

It’s reported that the Western Xia Kingdom established a new Monarch, Hai Min, the son of King Hai Zhentian of Western Xia’s half-brother.

This person is young and promising, skilled in martial arts, brimming with talent, and deeply favored by his people.

Skilled in governance and worldly affairs in times of peace, and in command and stabilizing the people’s hearts in times of war.

Since Hai Min took over Western Xia.

He actively established diplomatic relations with Great Chu and specially sent people to learn Great Chu’s farming and breeding techniques.

Leading the subjects to build canals, dig rivers, cultivate lush grass, and breed fat livestock.

Moreover, Zhao Junyao of Great Chu, in gratitude for King Hai Zhentian and his daughter’s virtue, was willing to help.

Soon the situation in Western Xia began to improve gradually.

Western Xia produced cattle, sheep, dairy products, leather, fur, dried meat products, and other goods.

Great Chu accepted them all without exception, exchanging them for rice, cotton, hemp, silk, tea, and the like.

Trade at the border between the two countries prospered, and the people’s purses gradually filled with money.

Ordinary people are actually easy to appease.

When their pockets have money, their homes have grain, their houses have women, their beds have babies, their days have hope, and their lives have flavor.

Once they have it all, they no longer think about rebellion or fighting.

However, their culture remains quite different from that of Great Chu.

The people of Great Chu in their leisure time enjoy drinking wine and composing poetry, playing chess with friends, boating on lakes, boasting over tea, chatting and talking about opera, with plenty of activities for entertainment.

While Western Xia people in their leisure time.

Young men enjoy wrestling with each other and racing horses.

Young girls enjoy singing and dancing around the bonfire.

The folk customs remain bold yet have lost their fierce edge.

The sharpness of hungry wolves in their eyes gradually faded, and the fangs in their mouths gradually disappeared.

Replacing them was a passion for life, a straightforward generosity, warmth, and hospitality.

Each country has its own culture, and they should admire each other, seeking harmony in diversity.

Zhao Junyao was delighted with this outcome.

’A toothless mouth is cold without lips!’

’Having a neighboring country that is equally prosperous and friendly, is better than a starving wolf, sharpening teeth daily, considering how to harass oneself, countless times over!’

As of now.

The hearts of the Northwest people are tranquil.

Along with the increase in trade routes and transportation hubs every passing year.

The livelihoods of the people in the Northwest have also become lively, with the differences between North and South, cold and warm, decreasing year by year.

Well-settled hearts imply Great Chu can continue its prosperous and thriving era.

But this is all a matter for years to come.

For now, let’s focus on the present.

...

Ever since the army triumphantly returned, the people of the Capital City became lively again.

The storytellers spit as they tirelessly spread the heroism of the Great Chu Army through various art forms.

Vendors, gossiping in pairs and threes, at street corners.

Wang Laowu selling buns on East Street, Li Laoliu at West Street Tailor Shop.

Matchmaker Liu in North Alley, Embroideress Zhang in South Lane.

From all directions, men, women, the old and young, eagerly nibbling sunflower seeds and buying groceries.

When idle, they all wish to gather and chat for a bit.

For a time, every tea house and tavern, street, and alley were filled with tales of frontline heroes.

The people were enthralled.

Zhao Junyao was delighted, and the atmosphere in the palace was highly enthused.

The women in the harem, worried for months on end, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Having held back from going out for months, they quickly dressed up well to visit the Imperial Garden for flowers and scenic views.

Sitting in pairs and threes, exchanging various surprising and fresh stories from the front.

Twittering and laughing, the Imperial Garden was several times more lively than usual.