Chapter 361: Luoyang
The Emperor’s entourage continued their hunting tour according to the original route, turning from the north toward Donghai and Qi. Qi had already been divided into Linzi princedom and several prefectures and counties. Though the rebellion had just been quelled, traces of the war’s devastation remained visible. The Emperor proclaimed a general amnesty, generously rewarded the generals and soldiers who had suppressed the rebellion, and recalled them to their original posts, leaving only a small number to establish a naval force.
Though the rebel army had suffered a crushing defeat, many pirates who had participated in the rebellion, along with their ringleaders, had fled to the sea, remaining a lingering threat.
The Great Chu had originally possessed naval forces, but they were too small in scale and scattered. Han Ruzi consolidated these various forces and appointed commanding generals. The next steps would be recruiting soldiers while constructing ships. The Ministry of War estimated it would take three years to achieve modest success, and at least five years to completely eliminate the pirate menace.
Han Ruzi could wait. He was no longer as urgent as he had been initially – everything required time. Most crucially, the Great Chu had been exhausted for many years and desperately needed rest and recovery.
At his ministers’ strong recommendation, the Emperor did not travel too far south. He merely gazed upon the river from its banks before beginning his journey back to the Capital.
Prince Donghai achieved his wish and was not left behind in Donghai, returning to the Capital with the Emperor.
Except for the princess consort, the Tan family members had to remain in Donghai under official supervision, with several young descendants sent north to serve in the army and atone for their crimes through military merit.
Regarding the pugilist world, Han Ruzi was no longer so eager to strike. He needed to formulate a more comprehensive plan.
Officials from Luoyang traveled a thirty miles outside the city to the border of Henan Prefecture to respectfully welcome the Emperor, with even grander ceremony than the previous time.