Thief Emperor

Chapter 1070 The King of Chenliu and the King of Chen
His Majesty the Emperor looked at Meng Hai and asked, "Where did you get it?"

"Some clues were discovered in Chenzhou. The Nine Departments infiltrated and investigated for nearly half a year before they figured out Wu's movements. Finally, in Xuzhou, they captured the traitor and it can be basically confirmed that he is Wu Heng, the former King of Chen of the Zhou Dynasty."

His Majesty the Emperor grunted and shook his head, saying, "So he's still wandering around the Central Plains."

He looked up at Meng Hai and said with a smile, "Alright, I know about this. Once the person is brought to the capital, please have the Prince of Chenliu identify him to make sure the wrong person is arrested."

"After confirmation, the Nine Departments will question the officials first, and then hand them over to the Three Judicial Departments for interrogation."

Since the Nine Departments are not in the imperial court, the results they obtain have no "credibility" within the court. Therefore, it is reasonable to use this matter to deal with those disloyal people in the court and to go through the procedures of the Three Judicial Offices.

No one could say anything.

Meng Hai bowed his head and replied, "Yes, I understand."

The emperor thought for a moment and continued, "After bringing him back, do not use severe torture. I want to talk to him first."

Meng Hai bowed his head again: "This subordinate understands."

After Li Yun gave a few instructions, Meng Hai carefully retreated and came to the outside of Ganlu Hall. He then saw Meng Qing still waiting outside the hall. When he came out, Meng Qing quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and called out, "Fifth Brother."

Meng Hai looked at him and said with a smile, "Seventh Brother, when did you get back?"

Meng Qing chuckled: "Fifth Brother is incredibly powerful. People say you have connections everywhere in the capital. Didn't you know when I got back?"

Meng Hai shook his head slightly: "I really don't know."

He lowered his head and smiled bitterly, "Since His Majesty's assassination attempt on his birthday last year, the Nine Departments haven't had a single day off. Most of their manpower has been busy investigating this matter. How could I possibly have the energy to track your whereabouts?"

He shook his head and sighed, "Come to my house for a drink later, and ask your fifth sister-in-law how long it has been since she last saw me."

Upon hearing this, Meng Qing also became serious. Seeing Meng Hai's tired and haggard appearance, she asked, "Have you found out?"

"The results came out today; the Duke of England personally went to arrest the man."

As he spoke, he tugged at Meng Qing's sleeve and said with a smile, "It's been quite a while since we brothers have seen each other. Come on, let's go have some drinks."

As he walked, he said with a smile, "A while ago, the Director of the Jiangnan Division came to Luoyang on official business and brought me some 20-year-old Jiangnan Daughter Red wine. Today, I'm opening it to welcome you, brother."

Meng Qing smiled and said, "Fifth Brother has also learned to accept gifts from others."

Meng Hai said irritably, "They're in the same grade as me, what kind of filial piety is this? When we meet again in the future, I'll have to return this favor."

Meng Qing nodded first, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "What is the head of the Jiangnan Division of the Nine Departments doing in Luoyang in the middle of the year?"

Meng Hai's expression changed. He grabbed Meng Qing's hand and said in a low voice, "What's the point of asking such questions? Don't ask things you shouldn't, or you won't get any more drinks later."

Meng Qing seemed to have figured something out and said, "Let's invite Lao Jiu too, so the three of us brothers can get together. Is Lao Jiu in Luoyang?"

Meng Hai smiled and said, "What a coincidence."

"Last year, His Majesty sent that kid to escort the Third Prince to the Qingyang Imperial Mausoleum to pay respects to his ancestors. After he returned, the Imperial Guards did not allow him to move again. He is currently in Luoyang. Otherwise, that kid should be with Lord Yang, going to Jinling to protect His Highness the Crown Prince."

The two brothers exchanged a smile and said, "Let's go find him at the Imperial Guard."

After about an hour, the three brothers were finally reunited. After a few drinks, even the usually calm and collected Meng Qing couldn't hold the door any longer.

He looked at his two brothers and grinned, "Brothers, from now on, I probably won't share the surname Meng with you."

He tilted his head back and took a big gulp of wine, his words already tinged with drunkenness.

Meng Yan, the ninth brother, scratched his head: "Seventh brother, are you drunk already?"

Meng Hai seemed lost in thought. He poured Meng Qing a cup of wine, then looked at Meng Yan and said with a smile, "Your seventh brother went to the palace to see the emperor today. He has made great contributions in Youyan again, I'm afraid..."

Meng Hai's tone was tinged with envy: "I'm afraid it's because of His Majesty that it received the imperial surname."

At this point, Meng Hai said sourly, "The first person to be granted the imperial surname since the founding of the new dynasty."

Meng Yan blinked: "Then, does that mean Seventh Brother will be called Li Qing from now on?"

Meng Qing raised his wine glass and laughed heartily: "Come on, let's drink, let's drink."

The three brothers clinked glasses and each drank it all in one gulp.

Meng Hai poured wine for the two brothers, then looked at Meng Yan and said with a smile, "Kid, you see now? What is imperial favor?"

He pointed at Meng Qing and said with a smile.

"This is divine favor."

………………

A few days later, the day of the grand court assembly arrived. His Majesty the Emperor acknowledged the merits of Meng Qing and Zhao Cheng on the Youyan battlefield and decided to bestow upon them the title of Grand General.
However, the timing of the conferment of titles will only be determined after the main generals who recently recaptured Youyan have all returned. Furthermore, His Majesty has publicly stated his intention to grant Meng Qing the title of Duke of Jin; however, the specific title will be discussed by the Secretariat.

Finally, His Majesty the Emperor publicly announced in the court that he was bestowing the imperial surname upon Marquis Meng Qingyang, changing his surname from Meng to Li.

In other words, after His Majesty the Emperor uttered those words, Meng Qing no longer bore the surname Meng, but became "Li Qing." (For ease of understanding, the narrator will continue to refer to him as Meng Qing.)
This is not just a surname.

This means that this young general will become even closer to His Majesty the Emperor in the future.

more importantly…

Conferring a title upon someone of a different surname presents numerous obstacles. Even for those who were conferred titles of nobility, such as Prince Xue Song of Nanyang and Prince Zhou Xu of Jiangdu, their sons could only inherit the title of Duke of the State.

In the entire imperial court, there was only one person who was not of the same surname and was granted the title of king: Wu Yuanyou, the King of Chenliu.

Even this title of nobility was only granted because Wu Yuanyou's family were not subjects of the Li Tang dynasty, but rather guests of the Li Tang. Guests were not bound by such restrictions.

It is very difficult for someone of a different surname to be granted the title of king, but it is much easier for someone of the same surname. Not to mention the emperor's sons, Li Zheng, the prefect of Jingzhao with the same surname, was granted the title of King of Jin.

Li Feng, the head of the Imperial Clan Court, was granted the title of Prince of Chu.

In other words, if Meng Qing's favor with the emperor does not diminish in the future, he may be granted a royal title, or even a royal title that can be passed down through generations!
Even if the probability is small, it is still much greater than the probability of a person with the opposite sex.

What if Meng Qing were to gain the merit of destroying a country again?
Therefore, as soon as His Majesty the Emperor said this, there were immediately envious glances in the Taiji Hall. After the court session ended, everyone surrounded Meng Qing and bowed to him.

"Congratulations, Lord Li."

"Congratulations, Lord Li."

Squeezed in the middle, Meng Qing felt very embarrassed and kept bowing to everyone, saying, "I haven't been granted an official title yet, I haven't been granted an official title yet..."

Finally, it was Xu Ang who pulled him out of the crowd and rescued him.

Xu Xiangong looked at him with a smile and said, "General, you are truly a young man of great talent."

Meng Qing clasped his hands in a fist and smiled wryly, "My lord, please don't make fun of me."

Xu Ang waved his hand and said with a smile, "Once you receive your official title, no one will dare to ask you to address them as 'your subordinate' to their face."

As he spoke, Xu Ang pointed to Su Sheng, Zhao Cheng, and the others not far away and said with a smile, "Today, it's your turn to host a banquet for them."

Meng Qing hesitated, but Master Xu patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "If His Majesty suspected you, Lord Li, you wouldn't be where you are today. Why don't you hurry up and go?"

Meng Qing thanked him, took a deep breath, and walked towards the military general in the court.

Thus, the Tang Dynasty military produced another number two figure, whose influence...

He has even surpassed Minister Zhao.

………………

As evening approached, the weather finally cooled down.

His Majesty the Emperor, dressed in a dark blue robe, left the palace and exited the imperial city, accompanied by Liu Bo, the Duke of Ying.

After getting into the carriage, they did not delay and went directly to the gate of the Chenliu Prince's Mansion. The Duke of Yingguo got off the carriage first and then welcomed His Majesty the Emperor. After His Majesty got off the carriage, the Duke of Yingguo pointed to the Chenliu Prince's Mansion and said, "Your Majesty, the person is inside. The Prince of Chenliu has already identified him. In a few days, the Nine Departments will question him and then hand him over to the Three Judicial Departments."

The emperor looked up at the Chenliu Prince's Mansion and sighed, "It's been a long time since I've been here. Let's go see this former Zhou prince."

"What does he look like?"

The Duke of England responded and led the way. Not long after, Prince Wu Yuanyou of Chenliu also came out to greet them.

It was already autumn, but the Prince of Chenliu was covered in sweat. He bowed to Li Yun and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, my health is already poor. Sending a rebel here almost scared me to death."

His Majesty the Emperor looked at him, but didn't reply. He simply smiled and asked, "Did he insult you?"

The King of Chenliu sighed: "How could I not scold him? He came to my place last night and has been here for a whole day and night without a moment's peace."

Li Yun moved closer and, sure enough, he could faintly hear curses.

The curse was very harsh.

His Majesty the Emperor patted the Prince of Chenliu on the shoulder and said with a smile, "This fellow has quite a strong voice; he sounds lively and energetic."

"Walk."

The Emperor's smile faded.

"Take me there, let me see him."

(End of this chapter)