weaving

Outside the ceremonial gate of the Xuzhou government office, Earl Zhang Cheng of Yongning, dressed in a bright red python robe, awaited the arrival of the angel.

Upon seeing the cavalry in the distance, the Earl of Yongning did not rush to greet them. It was only after Wang Chengen, the Grand Eunuch who was acting as the angel, dismounted that he slowly approached them.

"Oh dear, I apologize for not being able to come out of the city to welcome you, Your Highness!" The Earl of Yongning stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting.

Wang Chengen didn't take it to heart and said with a smile, "The Earl of Yongning has been working day and night to suppress the bandits in the Central Plains, and now he has caught a cold. He should be resting at home. How could I dare to trouble the Earl to come and wait for me?"

“Oh, what are you talking about?”

The Earl of Yongning grabbed Wang Chengen's hand and said warmly, "If it were any other eunuch, it would be fine, but since it is Your Highness who has come in person, how could I not welcome you?"

The two walked towards the ceremonial gate, chatting as they went...

"The Earl of Yongning is truly a pillar of the court. In just a few months, the war situation in the Central Plains has been greatly improved. His Majesty greatly praised him, saying that the Earl is indeed a hero who is braver than the rest of the army!"

"Your Highness is too kind. I am merely fulfilling my duty and dare not accept such high praise from the Emperor."

Zhang Cheng first expressed his modesty before continuing, "However, it was only by chance that we were able to defeat the rebels this time, and I dare not claim credit. Moreover, although the rebel army was defeated, its main force was not lost and it still has the strength to fight, so it should not be underestimated."

Wang Chengen smiled slightly and said softly to him, "Although His Majesty is very anxious about the chaos in the Central Plains, he has no intention of urging you, Lord, to advance your troops quickly. However, if this drags on for too long, I'm afraid our supplies will run out."

"To be honest, Your Highness, I also have this concern, which is why I started military farms in Kaifeng. I thought of using the land to appease the starving people, binding them to the land so that they would not go back to the bandits. And it will produce some grain. Apart from leaving a little to appease the people so that they do not starve to death, the rest can be used as military rations."

Wang Chengen suddenly stopped in his tracks, looking at the Earl of Yongning with a solemn expression, and said, "There is a lot of opposition to the military settlement project in the local areas, and even in the court, many ministers oppose it, with few in favor. In particular, the impeachment memorials from the censors are being submitted like snowflakes."

"Although His Majesty is willing to protect you, he is afraid he cannot withstand such pressure!"

"It's alright," Zhang Cheng replied with a smile. "I'll bear the pressure from the local area. The unscrupulous gentry and landlords can't withstand my sword and spear. Under my pressure, they'll be fine."

As for the commotion in the court, His Majesty must be more tolerant. If the commotion becomes particularly severe, he can be sent to the front lines to suppress the bandits. My side is currently short of manpower, but we are not lacking in swords, spears, cannons, and artillery. Just give him a set. If he can kill the bandits, it will save me the trouble of setting up military settlements, pacifying the people, and raising soldiers.”

Wang Chengen smiled slightly, not taking Zhang Cheng's words to heart, and simply said, "His Majesty's intention is still to ask the Earl of Yongning to quickly eliminate the rebel and stabilize the Central Plains."

As they talked, they unknowingly arrived at the front of the main hall, where guards in red armor stood on both sides, their long swords and axes gleaming like glass in the sunlight.

"Earl of Yongning, prepare to receive the imperial decree."

"Yes."

The brave and resolute army officers and soldiers who remained in Xuzhou, such as generals Chen Zheng, Chen Zhong, He Zhenxiong, Lin Fangping, and Hu Zichen, as well as staff officers Sun Shixiang, Hu Yiwen, and Liu Chengzhu, immediately filed into the main hall and knelt down behind the Earl of Yongning.

Wang Chengen first entered a side hall, where he changed into fine clothes with the help of four eunuchs. Then he stepped into the main hall through a side door and called out in a high-pitched voice, "Earl of Yongning, Zhang Cheng, receive the imperial decree!" Only then did the Earl of Yongning kneel down and kowtow, saying, "Your subject Zhang Cheng respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health. Long live the Emperor!"

Without further ado, Wang Chengen immediately took the imperial edict from the eunuch and loudly proclaimed: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

Besides requiring the Earl of Yongning to continue holding the title of "Right Vice-General of the Central Military Commission, overseeing military affairs of the seven garrisons including Baoding, and commanding all military affairs related to the suppression of bandits in the Central Plains," the imperial edict also permitted him to continue holding the seal of "Grand General of Zhenshuo," stationed in Xuanfu, and effectively serving as the Commander-in-Chief of Xuanfu Garrison. Only then did the specific details of this promotion and reward come into play...

"...He was promoted to General of the Golden Guard, his military achievements were promoted to Pillar of the State, he was granted a hereditary iron certificate, and the title of Earl of Yongning was granted to him in perpetuity...His wife, Zhang Jishi, was granted the title of First-Rank Lady of Xuanzhu, and his secondary wife, Zhang Yangshi, was granted the title of Second-Rank Lady of Liying..."

His father, Zhang Ping, was posthumously awarded the title of Deputy Commander of the Xuanfu Vanguard, posthumously granted the title of General Huaiyuan, and given a state funeral. The authorities built a shrine for him, and his wife, Zhang Yangshi, was posthumously granted the title of Third-Rank Grand Lady.

His uncle, Zhang Yanwan, was posthumously awarded the title of Commander-in-Chief, posthumously granted the rank of General of the Golden Guard, and posthumously awarded the rank of Senior Light Cavalry Captain. His wife, Zhang Han, was granted the title of First-Rank Lady… As for the other individuals who had rendered meritorious service in suppressing bandits in the Central Plains, the Earl of Yongning was ordered to report to the Ministry of War for verification, and then reward them accordingly… This is the imperial decree!

After the imperial edict was read, the angel king Cheng'en raised his head and shouted, "Kneel down and receive the edict!"

Earl of Yongning, Zhang Cheng, kowtowed again and said, "Your subject Zhang Cheng thanks Your Majesty for your great grace and wishes Your Majesty good health and long life!"

The civil and military officials kneeling behind the Earl of Yongning followed suit, kowtowing in unison to express their gratitude for the Emperor's boundless grace.

…………

In fact, for the Earl of Yongning, the two things he cared about most were "overseeing the military affairs of the seven towns including Baoding and in charge of all military affairs related to the suppression of bandits in the Central Plains" and "actually serving as the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu Town".

As for the titles such as "promoted to General of the Golden Guard and awarded the title of Pillar of State for military merit," they were merely empty honors to him.

Even if he were granted a hereditary iron certificate and the title of Earl of Yongning was to be inherited without fail, it wouldn't be very important to him. After all, he had a large army under his command, and his military merits would only increase. Not to mention a mere hereditary earl, even a hereditary duke would probably fall into Zhang Cheng's hands in the near future.

After all, the rebel leader Li Zicheng was not eliminated, and there were still the rebel leaders Xian and the Five Revolutionary Generals in the world. Moreover, there was a Jurchen force in Liaodong that was far more dangerous than the bandits.

The imperial edicts bestowed upon his two wives, and even the posthumous titles conferred upon his father and uncle, were not of much importance to Zhang Cheng, a modern man.

Perhaps people in this era value these honors that relate to family status.

But Zhang Cheng only cared about strength. "He who has the strongest army will be king." As long as he had a strong army, any reward was possible!
…………

The Earl of Yongning knelt on the ground, first receiving the imperial edict and handing it to Zhang Mingyuan, then taking the hereditary iron certificate and handing it to Liu Chengzhu. Only then did he step forward and say to Wang Chengen, "Your Excellency, I have prepared some wine and dishes here to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey. Would you like to take your seat?"

Wang Chengen glanced at the assembled civil and military officials of the Yongyi Army below him and said with a smile, "It is truly my honor to sit alongside such valiant soldiers!" (End of Chapter)