Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 798 Imperial Edict Arrives! [Thank you! Bows again! 7k words owed]

Before Yue Fei could answer,

Chu Zhan glanced at Yue Fei and said, "I think you're the new guy. I grew up on Quyuan Street."

Before I finished speaking,

"oops!"

Chu Zhan's head was lightly patted.
Chu Zhan immediately turned around, his expression changing: "Who the hell dares to take pictures of me, Brother Alan? Why are you taking pictures of me?"

Alan, who was injured at the gate of the Chai family's house and still had some difficulty walking, glared at Chu Zhan and said, "What are you doing, kid? This Brother Yue is a magistrate of Tangyin County. You're just a junior officer in the army. You should show some respect when you speak!"

"Huh?" Chu Zhan was taken aback, looking at the young man in front of him who wasn't much older than him: "Him? County County Prince? He inherited the title?"

Alan shook his head: "Viscount Yue earned his fame and honor through real battles in the palace!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhan's expression softened considerably as he looked at Yue Fei, who was bowing to him.

As the most important rank in the army, Chu Zhan bowed and clasped his hands in a salute: "Just now, I was rude. Please forgive me, Viscount Yue."

Before he could finish speaking, Chu Zhan was helped up by Yue Fei: "Young brother, you don't need to do this! I misspoke earlier. Seeing you here to help, I should have guessed that you have a connection with the Marquis's mansion."

What are you three doing?!

Not far away, Qingyun pointed to a flatbed carriage carrying large bouquets of flowers that was driving by: "Come over here quickly and help me arrange the flowers at the street corner!"

"Hey! Here we come!"

"Alan, your legs aren't strong enough yet, so don't come!" Qingyun said again.

Alan was about to speak when Chu Zhan patted him on the shoulder: "Brother Alan, you can stay here!"

Alan nodded helplessly, and after watching the group walk away, she looked towards the other side of Quyuan Street.

His Highness the Crown Prince came to the Marquis of Yongyi's residence today to deliver an imperial decree; the palace had notified him several days in advance.

Since receiving the notification,

The former residents of the Marquis's mansion on the street stopped setting up stalls and instead busied themselves cleaning and washing the streets and painting the walls along the roadside.

Many courtyards along the street have had their doors and pillars repainted.

The roofs of several buildings that can be seen while walking along Quyuan Street have also had their old tiles replaced with new ones.

Looking at Quyuan Street in the dim morning light, I suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

Alan's gaze shifted from the brand-new wall of his house on the street in the distance to the tall stone lion beside him.

After touching the stone lion with his hand, Alan wiped the embroidered ball under the lion's paw with his sleeve.

At this time,

Someone nearby said, "Brother Alan, could you please come over and help me press it?"

Alan turned his head and saw that the servants of the Marquis's mansion were laying a beautiful carpet on the ground.

"coming!"

At the entrance of Quyuan Street,
As Qingyun unloaded several flowerpots, each the size of an adult's embrace, from the carriage, he looked with a sense of感慨 (gan3 kai3, a feeling of mixed emotions, including nostalgia and reflection) at the street corner he had passed countless times, yet which now seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

Because the Crown Prince came to Quyuan Street today,
Therefore, the yamen runners of Kaifeng Prefecture, the officials and soldiers of the Imperial City Guard, and the imperial guards began to guard the area yesterday afternoon.

By this time, the three yamen officials had changed shifts three times.

Seeing Qingyun's gaze, Li Mubai, the head constable of Kaifeng Prefecture, cupped his hands and smiled, "Lord Yin, rest assured, with us here, we will definitely take good care of these flowers."

The other constables from Kaifeng Prefecture nodded in agreement.

Seeing the familiar faces, Qingyun smiled and nodded, "Then I'll have to trouble Officer Li and everyone! I'll treat you all to drinks afterward!"

As soon as this word comes out,
Li Mubai smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "These tasks are simply our duties, there's no need for you to invite us for drinks, sir!"

The Kaifeng Prefecture yamen runners smiled and cupped their hands in greeting: "Yes! Lord Yin is too kind!"

Qingyun smiled and was about to speak,

Yue Fei, who was standing to the side, pointed in the direction of the Marquis's mansion gate: "Brother Qingyun, someone from the Marquis's mansion is coming."

Qingyun turned around and saw Alan waving at them. Before he could speak, Li Mubai and the others quickly said with a smile, "Please go ahead, sir!"

"Okay! Until we meet again!"

Qingyun, accompanied by Yue Fei and Chu Zhan, bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

Watching Qingyun and the others leave, Li Mubai and the other yamen runners from Kaifeng Prefecture exchanged envious glances.

Someone said, "Chief Li, those who get promoted quickly because of their military merits!"

"Not to mention others, I also knew that kid Chu Zhan before. Two or three years ago, he was just a greenhorn, but he recently returned to the capital and he already has a martial rank! It makes me want to go to the north to join the army!"

Li Mubai glanced at his subordinates: "In the capital we are facing bandits, but in the north we will be facing the iron cavalry of the Northern Liao."

Seeing their expressions, Li Mubai said again, "Alright, stop dreaming! Let's spread out and get our work done."

Qingyun and the others returned to the Marquis's residence.
However, they rehearsed the etiquette for welcoming the crown prince once again.

The sun rises in the east,

Sunlight streamed into Bianjing City.
Many residents who were used to passing by Quyuan Street wanted to go as usual, but found that several intersections had been blocked by the Imperial Guards.

After some inquiries, I learned that a distinguished person was passing through the area today.

People who had things to do could only take a detour, while idle rich people stood by the roadside to watch the spectacle.

Roads around the Marquis's residence are closed.

The noise from the nearby streets has decreased by 70-80%, making the Yongyi Marquis's residence much quieter than usual.

The Xu family's backyard has been completely renovated.

The Xu family servants, dressed in new clothes, stood quietly around the courtyard.

In the main hall,
Xu Minghua, dressed in a brand-new marquis's robe, sat on a Luohan chair with his eyes slightly closed, facing Sun, who was wearing a brand-new imperial decree robe.

Lady Xie, also dressed in her official robes, sat to the left of her mother-in-law, Lady Sun, while Xu Xingdai, dressed in new clothes, sat on an embroidered stool behind her.

Opposite Xie were Zai Zhang and Hua Lan.

After glancing at the doorway, Madam Sun frowned slightly and said, "Why isn't Jing'er here yet?"

Xu Minghua glanced at Madam Sun: "It's still early, my wife, why are you in such a hurry?"

After glancing at Xu Minghua, Madam Sun turned to look at Dan's mother beside her and said, "Go and see what's going on."

"Yes, ma'am."

Just as Dan's mother reached the door,

"The Fifth Young Master has arrived."

With the maid's announcement,
Xu Zaijing, also dressed in brand-new brocade robes, strode into the hall with three maids.

"Father, Mother"

As Xu Zaijing bowed and clasped his hands in greeting, Madam Sun had already stood up from the Luohan chair and walked up to Xu Zaijing.

After circling around Xu Zaijing and looking him over from all sides, Madam Sun reached out and stroked her youngest son's clothes, nodding and saying, "Not bad! He looks good in this!"

“Mother, Xiao Wu is such a talented person, what wouldn’t look good on him?” Madam Xie said with a smile.

Mrs. Sun looked at her youngest son with satisfaction and nodded, saying, "That's right!"

Marquis Yongyi, Xu Minghua, did not get involved; he simply took a deep breath to ease his tension.

While everyone sat in the hall waiting, servants from the Xu family would occasionally come in and report on the situation at the main gate.

As the sun climbs higher...

The number of imperial guards and soldiers from the Imperial City Guard near the Marquis of Yongyi's residence was gradually increasing, and the atmosphere became increasingly solemn.

Chen Shi (after 8 a.m.)

The Xu family members got up and went to the main hall in the front yard.

They waited in the main hall for another 45 minutes.

Qingyun hurried in, bowed and greeted them: "My lord, my lady, the imperial envoy has arrived."

Everyone in the hall stood up and walked outside.

Before even leaving the front hall, they saw an eunuch leading the imperial guards, avoiding the carpet in the middle of the road, as they approached the vicinity of the front hall.

Xu Zaijing recognized the eunuch; he was Huaibao, the adopted son of the Grand Eunuch.

As he walked, the eunuch Huai Bao looked around at the environment and layout of the Marquis's residence.

Upon seeing the Xu family members emerge, Huaibao quickly took a few steps forward.

With a flick of his whisk, Huai Bao greeted with a smile, "My lord, my lady!"

After glancing at the attire of Xie and the other women of the Xu family, Huai Bao smiled and nodded to Xu Zaijing, then said, "Madam Marquis, His Highness the Crown Prince's entourage will arrive in about a quarter of an hour."

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Excellency! We will head to the main gate now," Xu Minghua said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Huai Bao smiled and said, "Please wait a moment, Lady Marquis! This servant still needs to check the front hall where the imperial decree is received."

"Oh! Please, Your Excellency!"

After checking,

The Xu family and the eunuch left the main hall together, avoiding the carpet in the middle, and walked along the edge of the carpet to the front door.

at this time,

Besides the carpet leading to the front hall, the main entrance of the Xu family's house also had other features.

There was another felt rug laid out to the side, and the Xu family members would stand on this rug later.

Some distance from Quyuan Street, the Crown Prince's entourage was marching along the main street.

There was no noise around, only the sound of music from the ceremonial procession.

Zhao Fang sat leaning against the carriage in the middle of the ceremonial procession, listening to the music and looking out through the light gauze curtain.

From his perspective, on both sides of the blurry street ahead, everyone had bowed their heads and knelt on the ground, no one daring to look up at the carriage.

Looking at the blue sky in the distance, Zhao Fang asked, "How much further?"

The young eunuch following beside the carriage didn't look around before bowing his head and saying, "Your Highness, it's just around the next corner."

"Well?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fang sat up straight, straightened his robes, and then looked around at the scenery with even greater interest.

When the Xu family arrived at the gate, they could still faintly hear a commotion near the entrance of Quyuan Street.

After standing at the gate for a while, the area around Quyuan Street quieted down, and then the sound of music came from there.

quickly,

The soldiers leading the way in the Crown Prince's procession appeared in the Xu family's sight, carrying flags.

Led by Marquis Yongyi Xu Minghua, the Xu family members all knelt down on the felt carpet at the gate.

As the music drew closer
The prince's entourage, consisting of soldiers, eunuchs, and female officials, passed by the Xu family.

Following the continuous footsteps and the sound of horses' hooves,

The rumble of a cart could be heard.

"Shut up!"

A carriage with gold-plated wheels stopped at the gate of the Xu family's residence.

The eunuch beside the carriage skillfully placed the carriage bench made of precious wood to the side.

Xu Minghua and his family straightened up, and just as they were about to bow in greeting, they saw Zhao Fang steadily alight from the carriage, holding the imperial edict.

"Lord Xu, Lady Sun!"

The sound arrived before the person even dismounted from the carriage.

"Your subject is Xu Minghua."

"Your wife, Lady Sun"

"Your subject's wife, Lady Xie"

"minister"

"Meet His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Looking at the Xu family members kneeling on the ground, Zhao Fang held up the imperial edict and said gently, "Everyone, please rise!"

"Your Highness, I thank you!"

As Xu Minghua shouted, the Xu family members kowtowed once again.

"Please rise," Zhao Fang said.

Xu Minghua stood up and gestured for him to come in, saying, "Your Highness, please come in."

Zhao Fang nodded, then walked onto the central carpet and headed towards the main hall of the Xu family's front courtyard, followed by the Crown Prince's entourage.

On the way,

Zhao Fang surveyed the Xu family's residence with interest in his eyes.

When he saw the passageway leading to the racecourse, Zhao Fang turned his head to take a few more glances, a smile appearing on his lips.

Upon arriving at the main hall of the Xu family,

Zhao Fang walked to the dark and solemn incense table and stood there. The eunuch beside him quickly lit sandalwood incense.

Xu Minghua then led his family to kneel on the carpet in the hall.

After glancing at Xu Zaijing, Zhao Fang placed both imperial edicts on the incense table.

After placing the two imperial edicts, Zhao Fang was taken aback.

The two imperial edicts looked identical, and after putting them down, Zhao Fang couldn't tell which one was which.

resignedly,

Zhao Fang could only pick up an imperial edict, slowly unfold it, and glance at it.

It seemed he had gotten the right one, and Zhao Fang instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

After taking a deep breath, Zhao Fang announced loudly, "Marquis Yongyi, Xu Minghua, receive the imperial decree!"

Xu Minghua: "Your subject is here. Your subject receives the decree!"

Zhao Fang: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

I have heard that the establishment of Heaven and Earth relies on military virtue to secure the nation; the display of the sun and moon depends on loyal and meritorious service to pacify the land. You, Marquis Xu Minghua, possessing both official rank and military prowess, have long been endowed with extraordinary strategic talent…

"You personally donned armor, braved arrows and stones, decisively attacked at the Helan Pass, and vanquished the enemy at the Lingwu Plain."

As Zhao Fang spoke, Xu Minghua's breathing gradually quickened, and his face began to flush with excitement.

"The husband is not stingy with the jade tablets!"

"Now, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Duke of Dai, with a fief of two thousand households and an actual estate of six hundred households! I also grant you a certificate of merit and an iron token, which shall be passed down to your descendants."

Upon hearing this, Xu Minghua's hands trembled, and he closed his eyes in excitement.

"Another gift of gold and silver will be bestowed."

"."

"The Lord administers it."

"Marquis Yongyi, receive the decree," Zhao Fang said gently.

Xu Minghua quickly opened his eyes, controlled his emotions, and accepted the imperial edict handed over by Zhao Fang with both hands.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Xu Minghua cried out, "Your subject Xu Minghua kowtows in gratitude for the Emperor's grace! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

After shouting, Xu Minghua and his family kowtowed again.

"Lord Xu... no, I should say Duke, and all of you, please rise," Zhao Fang said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Holding the imperial edict, Xu Minghua stood up with the help of Madam Sun and Zai Zhang.

After Xu Minghua calmed down, Zhao Fang, with a genuine smile on his face, turned to the side and picked up another imperial edict from the incense table.

Seeing Zhao Fang's actions,
Everyone in the hall knelt down again.
Because they had rehearsed before, Xu Zaijing knelt not far from Zhao Fang this time, while Xu Minghua, Sun Shi, and others knelt to the side and in front of Xu Zaijing.

"Xu Zaijing, the eldest son of the Xu family, receives the imperial decree!"

"Your Majesty, I am here! I receive the decree!"

Xu Zaijing knelt on the carpet and replied loudly.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

I have heard that the establishment of the universe requires the merit of pacification and stability; the continuation of the dynasty depends on the assistance of capable ministers!
Heaven assists in virtue, and your ministers display loyalty; you are loyal and courageous, truly embodying this principle.

"."

"When he was still in the Crown Prince's palace, he repeatedly saved my eldest son from danger. He protected my eldest son in times of crisis, showing righteousness that moved even metal and stone, and loyalty that surpassed his own life. I have never forgotten this sincerity of the unity of family and country!"

Upon hearing the words "the five protectors of my eldest son," Xu Minghua looked at Madam Sun with a puzzled expression.

Mrs. Sun also looked bewildered; she only knew of four such instances.

"There is no peace in the western frontier, and Bai Rong jumps off the beam."

"Braving arrows and stones, they were the first to climb the ramparts, displaying the spirit of our army; before the Helan Mountains, they destroyed their lair."

"A new treacherous plot has broken out in Beizhou. You, with your keen insight, swiftly quelled the disturbance, preventing a major threat before it even began, and protecting the wealth of the people—your merit is truly outstanding!"

"What is even more noteworthy is that, in the recent upheaval at Jinming Pond, the warships capsized, and the officials were in grave danger in the deep water. You risked your life to save dozens of officials, including those from the Secretariat, the Privy Council, the Censorate, and other meritorious officials, from certain death."

"This action not only saved the lives of my ministers, but also preserved my trusted advisors and maintained the vitality of the court. Its merit benefits the nation and its virtue extends to all under heaven!"

"Therefore, by special decree, you are hereby promoted to the title of Duke of Wei!"

"However, the next day, the rebels ran rampant, and the armored soldiers turned into jackals and wolves, storming the palace. War was imminent, and I, the Empress, and the princes were almost in certain death!"

Upon reading this, Zhao Fang took a deep breath.

After glancing at Xu Zaijing, he continued to read aloud:

"You, my lord! Donned armor and wielded blade, fought your way through enemy lines, your blood staining your golden armor, killing countless enemies, and stood before me, using your body as a shield to protect the imperial empire from imminent danger!"

"The lives of my entire family, the ancestral temples, and the sacred artifacts have been restored. This achievement is not merely saving the emperor; it is a true restoration of the world, a return to peace! Even the calamities of Wang Mang and Zhuo were no more than this. Your ability to quell this is surely a gift from Heaven to me."

"Those whose achievements surpass those of the past and present are rewarded beyond the norm; those whose virtues are equal to heaven and earth are treated with unparalleled courtesy."

"Therefore, by special decree, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Prince of Wei! Your fief shall be ten thousand households, and your actual fief shall be three thousand five hundred households!"

"He was permitted to use half the ceremonial regalia of a prince, with a sword and shoes, to enter the palace, and to pay homage without being named."

"Furthermore, considering your family's newly elevated status, I hereby bestow upon you the special favor: you are permitted to appoint two consorts, with the same rank as princes, to demonstrate your exceptional honor. The relevant officials shall be ordered to conduct the formalities of their appointments."

"."

"Announce it to the whole world, and let all know it."

After reading it aloud, Zhao Fang walked up to Xu Zaijing with a smile, looked at Xu Zaijing with tears in his eyes, bent down and held up the imperial edict, and said, "Brother, accept the edict."

(End of this chapter)