Do you know: I have a different surname: Wang, uncle Minglan.

Chapter 329: Adding the Nine Gifts, the Fake Yellow Axe, and the Growth of the Daizhou Group

On top of the city wall of Bianjing.

Wei Yuan enjoyed the worship and praise from the people of the capital, but he did not feel elated.

Zhao Xi pushed him into a position where a subject shouldn't be.

This position is like walking on thin ice.

"Guardian."

Zhao Xi's voice rang in Wei Yuan's ears again.

He wanted to turn around and bow.

However, the short Zhao Xi raised his hand and patted his back, indicating that he didn't need to turn around.

"Master Wei, do you remember what you promised me?"

Wei Yuan said: "I have promised your majesty many things, but I remember them all."

Zhao Xi said: "Master Wei, I will not let you down, and you cannot let me down either."

Wei Yuan nodded firmly.

Zhao Xi smiled happily, like a child.
"Master Wei, it doesn't matter if we didn't conquer the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun this time. Next time, as long as you still want to march north, I will fully support you, no matter how difficult it is."

Wei Yuan was flattered.

Throughout the entire Zhou Dynasty, or throughout history, only Zhuge Liang, who was regarded as the prime minister and father by Liu Chan, could enjoy such treatment.

Liu Chan regarded Zhuge Liang as his father-in-law, and Zhao Xi regarded Wei Yuan as his teacher.

Zhuge Liang and Wei Yuan were both ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor.

Liu Chan and Zhao Xi were both given orders in times of crisis.

Thinking of this, Wei Yuan felt deeply moved.

Or, should he explain to the emperor that he was unwilling to attack the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun because, once Yanyun was recovered, he was worried that he would be abandoned after his time was up?
Are you a little worried that you will be useless in the court?
Aren’t all the reasons you mentioned?

But he knew that since he made the decision, some things were irreversible.

This is not a contest between the emperor and his subjects, nor is it a compromise between teachers and students.

This is more like a kind of helplessness as a subject and a father.

He wanted the Wei family to prosper and become the first aristocratic family in the Great Zhou after the royal family.

He needs some time to buffer.

For the Wei family, the foundation is still too shallow.

After Ziweiyuan's great victory in the Central Plains Battle, weren't the decisions between him and Zhao Xi mixed with complex human nature?
Isn't this also a consideration for each other?

Wei Yuan was not wrong, and Zhao Xi was not wrong either. Fortunately, this pair of monarch and minister were still the same monarch and minister as before.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to be Zhuge Liang."

"But Your Majesty will never be Liu Chan. Your Majesty will be Emperor Wu of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the greatest emperor in the history."

Wei Yuan finally turned around and bowed deeply to Zhao Xi.

Zhao Xi said with a smile: "Master Wei, Zhuge Liang died in Wuzhangyuan that year because he did not have a strong national force to support him, but my Great Zhou will always be the backing of Master Wei."

At the end of March in the first year of Kaiwu, Zhao Xi held a three-day banquet in the palace for the victorious soldiers.

He also issued a special decree to celebrate throughout the world.

According to Wei Yuan's opinion, Zhao Xi designated March 27th of each year as the National Disaster Day to commemorate the soldiers and civilians who died since the Liao army marched south and the National Defense War.

In addition, a stone pillar named "Martyrs' Monument" will be built in front of the Taimiao. The front of the monument will be engraved with "The soldiers and civilians who died in the Patriotic War will be immortal", and the back will be engraved with six large characters "Martyrs' Monument of the Patriotic War".

This was the result of careful consideration by Zhao Xi and his minister Wei Yuan.

They believed that since the Liao army moved south, the problem of the Zhou Dynasty's redundant troops had been completely exposed.

Moreover, it has reached the point where it must be resolved.

Otherwise, if the Liao army marched south today, they would still be able to resist.

But what about tomorrow?

Once the poison of redundant soldiers has penetrated into the bone marrow, there will be no cure even if Sun Wu were still alive.

Therefore, while using monuments to commemorate the dead soldiers and civilians, it is also to enhance the sense of honor of soldiers.

The other complicated issues such as redundant soldiers will be solved slowly.

March 29th, the first year of Kaiwu.

After three days of grand banquet, there was a grand court meeting the next day.

Zhao Xi announced to the world:

He promoted Wei Yuan to the title of "Grand Tutor", bestowed the Nine Gifts, the Yellow Axe, the Gold Medal of Immunity from Death, appointed him as the Pillar of the State, the General of the Cavalry, and concurrently the Privy Councilor, a position above the Prime Minister;

Qin Zhen was specially promoted to Marquis of Zhenbei and deputy commander of the Palace Front Department for his meritorious service in the battle of Damingfu.

Because of his meritorious service in annihilating Yelu Xinxian's main force, Xu Changzhi was specially promoted to Marquis of Weibei and appointed as the commander of the Palace Front Department and the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War.

Generals Xiao Yuming, Shen Qing, Xie Wu, etc. were all granted titles of baron and appointed as military commanders.
Liang Dayin led his army to a great victory in the battle against Yelu Xinxian, and was given the title of "Tanglin Marquis" as an exception. He inherited the title of Tanglinbo and served as the military commander of Daizhou and the governor of Yunzhou. He was ordered to manage the three states of Yanyun.

Chen Daniu was specially named "Tiger Marquis" because he was always the first to fight in every battle, killed more than 30 enemy generals, and was awarded the credit of being the first to reach the target seven times. He was so brave and invincible.

General Qin Lie was appointed as the Deputy Privy Counsellor. Due to Qin Lie's poor health, Qin Zhen temporarily assumed the post of Deputy Privy Counsellor.
The rest of the generals were promoted by two ranks and given countless amounts of money and silk.

The next day.

Wei Yuan, who had not yet returned home, submitted a petition to resign from the position of Grand Tutor and refused to accept the Nine Gifts, the Yellow Axe, or the Golden Medal of Immunity from Death.

Zhao Xi did not respond.

Wei Yuan declined again, but Zhao Xi still refused.

Wei Yuan declined three times, and Zhao Xi had no choice but to take back the golden medal of immunity from death.

In early April of the first month of Kaiwu, in the Xuanzheng Hall.

Wei Yuan, who had not returned home since returning to the capital, was just thinking of asking for permission to return home today, but was called into the palace by Zhao Xi.

Zhao Xi asked Wei Yuan to look at a piece of calligraphy, [Mansion of the Loyal and Brave Marquis].

Wei Yuan was surprised and asked, "Who wrote it?"

Zhao Xi smiled and said, "I asked Master Wang to write it. If Master Wei thinks it's okay, I will ask the Ministry of Works to make a plaque."

Wei Yuan bowed and said, "I will obey your majesty."

Zhao Xi nodded. "I feel that the residence of the Grand Tutor, the residence of the General of the Cavalry, and the residence of the General of the State are not impressive enough. Only the residence of the Marquis of Guanjun is worthy of the title of the Guard Division."

Wei Yuan shook his head and smiled, "Your Majesty, you are too polite."

Zhao Xi said: "There is another reason why we invited the Guards here today. During the time when the Guards were away on the expedition, the King's Army also made great efforts."

"If he hadn't coordinated the various departments of the court, I'm afraid the food and supplies wouldn't have arrived in time."

"I intend to appoint Master Wang as the Vice Minister of State Affairs to assist Fan Chunren, the Minister of State Affairs. What do you think, Master Wei?"

As he spoke, he handed Wei Yuan a list, "Master Wei, take another look at this."

Wei Yuan did not rush to answer his question, but looked at the list.

The list is filled with names of young rising stars.

Even Sheng Changbai's name was on the list.

He probably understood what the emperor was going to do.

Since ancient times, a new emperor has his own ministers. Zhao Xi wanted the original old ministers to give up their positions.

"I am a military commander and do not understand these matters. Since Your Majesty has made the decision, I will support it."

Wei Yuan cupped his hands and said.

Zhao Xi smiled and said, "Master Wei, it's time for some new things to happen in the court."

"Do you know why I changed the reign title to 'Kaiwu' despite the opposition of many people?"

Wei Yuan shook his head in confusion.

Zhao Xi explained: "I not only want civil governance, but also military achievements."

"Kaiwu. The new atmosphere I want is to let civil and military officials work side by side. I don't just want to be the leader of the revival of the country!"

Throughout the dynasties, no emperor's reign title was called "Kaiwu".

Zhao Xi wants to create a precedent for the Great Zhou's "martial arts".

"Master Wei, go home. I will grant you a half-month or a month's leave. How about that? I am not being too harsh on you, am I?"

A month?

Wei Yuan thought he could have a good rest for a few months.

He couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Whatever your majesty says is what it is." Zhao Xi frowned and said, "Even if I am only twelve years old this year, I am still a child and don't even want to rest. The guard is in his prime, how can he stay at home every day?"

Wei Yuan subconsciously said, "I originally planned to take my family out to play for a while."

Zhao Xi said, you can't play at all,

"Master Wei, the government affairs of the country are complicated and intricate. We need a great governance now. I cannot do without you. How about this, I will give you another three days? Thirty-three days of rest is long enough, right?"

Wei Yuan:.
Never mind, at least I have a vacation.

Seeing Wei Yuan's unhappy expression, Zhao Xi made a rare promise, "Master Wei, please rest assured. After you help me reform the army, I will let you rest for three months. How do you think?"

Three months?
Wei Yuan frowned slightly, "Your Majesty, you asked me to reform the army, which is a great event no less than the creation of the world. Now that it's done, you only have three months off?"

Zhao Xi said dissatisfiedly: "Master Wei, how come you have learned to bargain with me?"

Wei Yuan asked curiously: "Who else?"

Zhao Xi said, "Master Wang said that during the national war, he had been staying in the Ministry of Revenue and often had trouble sleeping. He wanted to go back to his hometown and asked me to take two months off."

Wei Yuan's eyes widened immediately, "The government agreed?"

Zhao Xi shook his head. "How can I agree to this? I only gave him half a month."

Half a month?

Wei Yuan was stunned again.

Now that we have won the Patriotic War, can't we just take a break?
Zhao Xi said earnestly, "Master Wei, laziness day after day is the only way to destroy a person's strong will. You said this. I am doing this for your own good. What if you take too long to rest and become lazy? "

Wei Yuan smiled with his lips but not his eyes, and he wanted to slap himself twice.

The king and his ministers joked for a while before Zhao Xi reluctantly let Wei Yuan leave the palace and return home.

In the Xuanzheng Palace.

After Wei Yuan left.

Zhao Xi held his chin with both hands and asked the chief steward Zhu beside him gloomily, "Old Zhu, do you think I am too harsh?"

Zhu Zongguan said with a smile: "Whatever decision your majesty makes, it will surely be wise and powerful."

Before he finished flattering her, Zhao Xi waved his hand impatiently and said, "Okay, okay, stop talking."

"Actually, after the war, all departments have returned to normal, and there is really nothing going on in the court, so it's okay to give them a long rest."

"It's just that I have to go to court, I can't rest, why should they sleep at home? I don't accept it, I'm tired, so they can't rest either!"

Zhao Xi said angrily.

Seeing this, Manager Zhu just smiled and said nothing more.

Although Zhao Xi is very smart, he is still a child at heart.

"After the guard returns home, you will send this decree to the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion."

Zhao Xi wrote an edict in childish handwriting.

It is necessary to confer the title of "Lady of Daiguo" on Zhang Guifen, a first-rank title.

When Wei Yuan left the palace, it was with great fanfare.

When the imperial guardsmen who were guarding the palace saw him, they all bowed their heads, clasped their fists and said respectfully:
"Meet the Champion!"

As for the eunuchs and palace maids in the palace, they all knelt down when they saw Wei Yuan.

This is a kind of power that Zhao Xi specially bestowed on Wei Yuan.

Even in the front hall, Wei Yuan could ride a horse and carry a sword.

This is a great honor.

The decree is one thing, and whether Wei Yuan does it or not is another.

He felt that it would be better not to wear a sword when entering the palace.

Otherwise, over time, rumors will always spread.

Wei Yuan arrived at the palace gate, got on the imperial chariot, and returned home.

Before Wei Yuan returned home, someone from the palace had already informed the Marquis' Mansion.

At this time, the entire mansion was decorated with lights and was extremely lively and busy.

Minglan was playing with her three children, Muge'er, Zhuangge'er and Jingjie'er.

After receiving the news, Xu Changzhi, Chen Daniu and others rushed over without stopping.

The Sheng family also came.

Sheng Hong, Madam Wang, and Wei Shuyi were chatting with Zhang Guifen.

During this period, Madam Wang expressed her apologies to Zhang Guifen more than once.
"Madam, what my sister did was indeed too much. I apologize to you here."

Wang Ruofu was not pleading with Zhang Guifen on behalf of Lady Kang.

But he didn't want this matter to affect Sheng Changbai's future.

This is also the reason why Sheng Hong brought Madam Wang here specially.

He thought that today was a happy day for the Marquis' Mansion. Even if Zhang Guifen was annoyed with the people from the Kang and Wang families, she would never show a cold attitude on this day.

To be honest, if Wei Shuyi hadn't been sitting next to them, Zhang Guifen wouldn't have bothered to pay attention to them.

But they came here with Wei Shuyi, and Zhang Guifen couldn't chase them away, so she just said:
"It's all in the past, there's no need to talk about it anymore."

Wang Ruofu quickly apologized with a smile: "Yes, yes, you are right."

Not far away, outside the lobby.

Xu Changzhi and other generals of the Daizhou Group are practicing martial arts.

The active Sheng Changfeng was cheering and saying "good" left and right.

Chen Daniu felt a little annoyed and asked, "Whose kid is this?"

Sheng Changfeng quickly bowed and said, "Changfeng, the third son of the Sheng family, greets Lord Tiger."

The people from Daizhou Group have little connection with the Sheng family.

After seeing that he was not a military hero or a general, he lost interest in chatting with him.

Unexpectedly, Sheng Changfeng kept pestering them, "Uncles, can you tell us about the Central Plains War? How did you recover the lost territory?"

Zhao Xiongzhou, the third generation general of Daizhou and now the commander of the first army of the Danglu Army, was unhappy.

"Who are your uncles? Who are you? You are just making up a relationship."

Sheng Changfeng was embarrassed for a moment.

In the distance, Minglan, who was playing with her children, saw what was happening here and quickly waved to Sheng Changfeng, saying, "Third brother, go find second brother and see what he is doing."

Minglan was speechless.

Those generals of Daizhou are now the new upstarts in the court.

Can anyone curry favor with someone?

The generals of Daizhou did not give face to Sheng Changfeng, but gave face to the sixth girl of the Sheng family.
"Hey, Sixth Girl calls you Third Brother, and you call me Uncle, so there is not much difference in generations."

"Sixth girl, come over and have a drink with your uncles."

"Chen Daniu, you only have a mouth but no brain. How can a young girl like you drink with a rough man when she just came of age?"

"."

Minglan heard the playfulness of several people and was no longer surprised. She held the hands of Jingjie and Zhuangge, stood in the distance and said with a smile:

"Has Uncle Daniu and the Qin family's marriage been finalized?"

Chen Daniu's face was filled with black lines, thinking, why does this girl keep bringing up things that are not important?
As soon as Minglan finished speaking, everyone around her burst into laughter.

Xu Changzhi said: "Sixth sister, I heard that you are good at making tea. Make two pots of tea."

Minglan smiled and said, "Is there any benefit?"

Chen Daniu said carelessly, "Just make it. I've wanted to drink the tea you make for a long time. If it tastes good, in the future, if any young man in the capital dares to mess with you, just call us here and we'll help you vent your anger."

Minglan jokingly asked, "Really?"

Chen Daniu patted his chest and said, "Of course I take it seriously."

Minglan covered her mouth and smiled, "If the sister of the Qin family offended me, would you also vent your anger for me?"

Chen Daniu suddenly became embarrassed and said with a chuckle:

"We are all family, how could I mess with you?"

Minglan smiled without saying anything. She handed the three children to her eldest sister Sheng Hualan and went to make tea.

(End of this chapter)