The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 711: Rewarding according to merit (Part )

Those nobles, claiming to be noble, looked down on the common people, let alone giving their own surnames to the common people. It was an act of usurpation for the common people to call the nobles by their names.

The emperor is still the best! The emperor really treats the common people as his subjects.

Many people felt for the first time that they were gifted by the Emperor to be human beings.

In the streets and alleys, countless people cheered and talked about the incident, and even more so, countless people offered sacrificial tablets to Ying Zheng and placed them on top of their own ancestral tablets!

In the Qin Dynasty's system of military merit-based nobility, there were too many families with titles but no surnames.

Although the Qin Dynasty attached great importance to military merit, and one could gain glory and status by bravely killing the enemy on the battlefield, in daily social interactions and life, families with military merit without a surname would inevitably feel a little regretful.

It would be an absolute lie to say that I don't envy those nobles with noble blood, long heritage and surnames.

As military nobles, those without surnames are always looked down upon, especially those with lower titles.

The name "mud-legged man" sounds very unpleasant.

After going through fire and water and rolling on a mountain of swords, he finally got the title, but he still has to accept this title.

"You don't even have a surname!" Every time I heard the mocking voice, it felt like a thorn in my heart.

But now it’s different. No one dares to say that they have no surnames, and no one dares to say that they are humble, otherwise it would be a heinous crime!
The ancient nobles were no longer interested in the fact that the common people had acquired surnames; they were now thinking about the new word, emperor.

emperor!

This new word, like a dazzling light or a bolt of thunder in the dark night, instantly refreshes and illuminates everyone's new cognition.

It represents that there will never be a more honorable and noble status than this.

It means absolute supremacy!
The First Emperor, the First Emperor, appeared.

The most powerful person in the world created a unique title that has never been created before and will most likely never be matched again, representing the highest, most supreme and most noble power.

This incident was naturally earth-shattering for the noble officials, and it aroused awe and admiration from everyone.

Compared with this, the things done by the troublemakers are not worth mentioning.

What's more, there are more important changes in titles and official positions that follow, which has attracted everyone's attention.

The situation for local officials is better, with not particularly big changes. The main difference is that some new departments related to people's livelihood have been added, and some of the existing official positions are now more standardized and clear.

The central court was hit hard.

This official position must have been granted from the top down. Only when the top is arranged properly can the top be classified and sorted out layer by layer downwards.

Although all the important officials were appointed by Ying Zheng, the implementation naturally had to be from top to bottom.

Everyone was busy and most of them were in high spirits.

Only when you become an official now can you truly know what level of official you are!
The higher the grade, the higher the quality!
There is also a clear next step forward, and everything is clear at a glance.

The matters that Ying Zheng had instructed at the grand court meeting are now being carried out in full swing.

The seal and the sword, one represents the emperor's administrative power, and the other represents the emperor's power of life and death.

These are all crucial things. Cai Ze and Zhong Cang have already summoned various schools of thought and experts from all over the world. They are just waiting to report to the emperor. Once Ying Zheng agrees, they can start working on it immediately!

How could old foxes like Cai Ze and Zhong Cang wait for Ying Zheng's consent before making preparations?
They always prepare everything first before making their suggestions, so that once they agree, they can take action immediately.

Time passed slowly, and before we knew it, the twenty years of Qin Shi Huang's reign were coming to an end.

The first year of Qin Shihuang's reign arrived.

A new era is about to begin.

Over the past two or three months, the new official system has been basically straightened out, with only a few minor details and many grassroots corrections remaining. Within the next year, all of these can be gradually implemented in accordance with the new official system.

Zhang Tang flew back on the mechanical Suzaku. It was quite difficult in the cold winter.

But now is the time to reward people for their merits, so we can’t not come back.

Finally, the first grand court meeting of the new era that everyone had been looking forward to began.

In the first year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s reign, the first grand court meeting of the first month and the first day of the lunar calendar!

God was very kind today and there was no rain or snow. Although the weather was cold, this little bit of cold could not suppress the excitement in everyone's hearts.

The entire Xianyang, no, the divine capital.

The entire city was decorated with lights and colors to welcome the arrival of a new era. Although it was early in the morning, the entire city was brightly lit.

This is especially true of the Taiji Palace, where brilliant lights illuminate this palace, which is the most powerful and the most central palace in the world.

The Book of Changes has Taiji, which gives birth to the two opposites. The two opposites give birth to the four images, and the four images give birth to the eight trigrams. Taiji is the source of all things, mixing and becoming one.

When Taiji moves, Yang is born. When it moves to the extreme, it becomes still. When it becomes still, Yin is born. When it becomes still, it moves again. One movement and one still are the roots of each other, dividing Yin and Yang. The two principles are established. One Yin and one Yang is called Tao.

Everything is in this palace, dominating everything in the world.

Every word spoken by the master of this palace city has countless people trying their best to fulfill it. Even if it is just a dream, it must be realized.

that power.

It is the greatest force.

Tonight, too many people cannot sleep, especially the many senior officials, who toss and turn.

Everyone is looking forward to today's grand court meeting.

A grand court meeting to reward those who have made contributions.

A grand court meeting that determines the family’s prosperity over the centuries.

At the hour of Mao, everyone had lined up to enter the hall on time, and stood in rows on the left and right.

Today's positions are much easier to distinguish. Just look at the title and grade, and it's clear at a glance. Today's positions have indeed changed a lot compared to the past, and there are more people.

After all the ministers stood still, Ying Zheng walked slowly and steadily from the back hall. After he sat on the throne, all the ministers pushed the golden mountain and overturned the jade pillars, bowed down with great ceremony, and shouted in unison: "Your subjects pay homage to the First Emperor. May the First Emperor be blessed with good health and may he live long and healthy!"

The loud shouts of the ministers echoed in the hall, shaking the heavens and the earth, and reaching the sky.

Each of these kneeling people was one of the most powerful figures in the world. Outside of this palace, any of them could cause a major earthquake with just a stomp of their feet.

"Everyone, please stand up." Ying Zheng said this calmly. All the ministers shouted their thanks and stood up, then bowed and waited quietly. The hall was solemn and silent, with only the howling north wind outside.

Ying Zheng excitedly said loudly: "The beginning of the new year is a new era."

"For decades, I and the ministers have worked hard, braved the wind and waves, and cut through thorns and brambles, and finally won the unification of China and the peace of the people. This is an unprecedented and unparalleled feat."

"This is not just my achievement. I remember all the hard work of all of you who worked day and night without fear of hardship, and the contributions you made with your hands and feet, and your dedication."

"Now that the world is unified and at peace, I will never enjoy this honor alone. I will share this peaceful world with you all."

"In the future, I will ask you to continue your efforts and assist me in creating a more harmonious world. Together with me, you will lead hundreds of millions of people to enjoy eternal peace for generations to come!"

Upon hearing this, all the ministers bowed down and shouted passionately at the top of their lungs: "Your Majesty is wise! Long live your Majesty!"

Ying Zheng smiled slightly and said softly, "Gentlemen, please stand up."

"I have always been clear about rewards and punishments. Those who have made contributions should be rewarded, and those who have made mistakes should be punished. However, today there are rewards but no punishments."

Ying Zheng's teasing words made all the ministers smile knowingly, and the atmosphere in the hall became a little more relaxed.

After laughing, Ying Zheng straightened his face and said solemnly: "Lü Buwei will be conferred the title."

Lü Buwei's heart tightened, and he stepped out quickly, bowed, and said loudly: "Your Highness Lü Buwei is waiting for the title."

Now he is the Minister of Revenue, a first-rank Ronglu doctor, a Palace Attendant, a Grand Secretary, a Jianzhang Palace attendant, and a councilor of Zhangtai, Lu Buwei, who bowed respectfully and waited for him. Even he was feeling nervous and expectant at the same time.

Ying Zheng said in a clear voice: "Lü Qing has served the late emperor and me diligently for more than 30 years, never complaining of hardships, and has made outstanding contributions. He has worked hard for our Great Qin all his life, and he is a role model for all ministers for all ages."

"Today, I hereby promote Lü Buwei's title of Marquis of Loyalty and Faithfulness to Duke of Zhaowen, which shall be hereditary and unchangeable from generation to generation; and confer him the title of First-rank Guanglu Dafu; and confer him the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince."

Lü Buwei's eyes welled up with tears, and he was about to kneel down to express his gratitude, but before he could finish, Ying Zheng continued:

"The ancestor was posthumously honored as the Marquis of Wei, and his wife was conferred the title of First-Rank Imperial Consort."

"You are allowed to enter the court without kneeling, to praise and worship without naming, and to enter the palace with a sword and shoes."

"Lü Buwei wrote Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals, which was a great contribution to the country and society. His loyalty and trustworthiness are a model for all ages. The Hanlin Academy compiled a biography for you, which spread throughout the world. A monument was engraved in your hometown to record your biography and a loyalty and trustworthiness memorial arch was erected."

After Ying Zheng spoke of the rewards, countless people were speechless and stared at Lu Buwei rudely, they were envious and jealous to the extreme!

This reward was so generous that it was beyond everyone's expectations.

I would be willing to die for you to gain both fame and fortune, bring honor to my family, ennoble my wife and children, and have your name recorded in history as a role model for all ages!

Lu Buwei fell to the ground with a thud, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably, his face filled with an expression of extreme emotion.

He kowtowed heavily, performing the highest ceremony of prostrating himself on the ground. The sound of his kowtow was particularly clear in the silent hall, and he cried out in a tearful voice: "Your Majesty's grace is beyond my comprehension! Long live Your Majesty!"

Ying Zheng waved his hand, and Sang Ruoyu hurried down the stairs to support Lü Buwei. Ying Zheng smiled and said, "My dear, please stand up. If you don't let me down, I will never let you down."

Sang Ruoyu finally helped Lu Buwei up. At this time, Lu Buwei's loyalty had reached its peak.

After he returned to class, feeling soft and light, he was still crying, and he couldn't stop the tears of excitement.

He had everything: bringing honor to his family, ennobling his wife and children, enjoying wealth and splendor, and having his name recorded in history. His life had reached its peak of perfection. What more could he ask for?

Ying Zheng had already looked at Cai Ze at this time and said with a smile: "Cai Ze, please accept the title."

Even a man like Cai Ze, who had experienced many ups and downs and was calm and experienced, felt his heart beating faster and his mouth dry after hearing the reward just given to Lu Buwei.

After coming out, he knelt directly in the hall and said loudly: "Your servant Cai Ze will obey the order."

He is now the Minister of Rites, a first-rank Ronglu doctor, a Shizhong Grand Secretary, a Jianzhang Palace attendant, and a Zhangtai councilor.

(End of this chapter)