Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 343: Eight million gold coins are gone, but I, Wang Xinglei, will never forget Master Zhang's kindness.
Zhao Yu's voice came from the yard.

In the carriage outside the courtyard, Concubine Qi, who was sitting upright in the carriage, chuckled and shook her head. The palace maids and stewards sitting opposite her also had smiles on their faces.

"This girl..." Concubine Qi whispered, looking at the paper roll she had just received.

This is the news from the Imperial Palace.

The battle of Liangyuanyu has ended.

The contract signed between the Qin Dynasty and Liangyuan Territory has brought great advantages and riches to the country. When trade routes are opened in the future, treasures from Liangyuan Territory will surely be sent to Qin territory in an endless stream.

The Earl of Qingyang, who started the national war, was promoted to the rank of War Marquis for his merits, and was punished to study for one year because of his past position.

As a noble concubine, the closest person to the emperor, Concubine Qi knew the significance of this national war and the contract signed after the war.

The emperor's mind changed.

It is no longer the balance of five countries and three regions as before. Four countries and three regions are used to train troops and continuously provide soldiers and generals to garrison the Great Wall in the north.

From supporting the national war to seizing the wealth of Liangyuan, and then to enfeoffing Qingyang Bo as a marquis, the Qin Dynasty's national policy towards the four countries and three regions changed from conservative to radical.

A war among five countries and three regions might really come.

This means that more people will rise up and more people will soar to the sky.

The younger generation of Daqin has been waiting for such an opportunity for too long!
……

Imperial City.

Outside Zhengyang Gate.

The golden notice was posted and countless people gathered to watch.

"The Liangyuan Territory's national war ended so quickly."

"The reason for the national war, eh? It turned out to be Liang Yuanyu's attempt to enslave the people of Great Qin. How bold!"

"No wonder Lord Qingyang wants to start a national war. Who dares to enslave the people of the Great Qin?"

"Qingyang Bo was made a marquis in one battle. What a refreshing feeling! A true man should be like this!"

The notice contained a rare acknowledgment that the people of Qin were enslaved by foreigners, which filled the people with righteous indignation, and they also praised Qingyang Bo for being made a marquis for his victory.

"Killing unruly miners, changing their contracts, and having Marquis Qingyang resign for a year to study. Kindness doesn't make a good army. What's the punishment for this?"

"That's not the case. After all, he killed someone, so this punishment is not wrong. Qingyang Hou is too young, and he comes from a remote county. It would be better for him to study more. As for the contract..."

"Oh, this contract, this contract is good, good, it's great—"

When the contract was also posted outside the city gate, endless cheers rang out.

"A million gold in compensation, a five million taels discount on various goods, garrisoning troops, and opening up trade. Great Qin should have done this long ago!"

"That's right. The prestige of the Qin Dynasty was earned through fighting, not through giving money. Those civil servants always think that spending a little money to get foreigners to say a few good words can bring down the world. Bah! Foreigners are all villains who fear power but not morality—"

"Business opportunity, great business opportunity! With the opening of trade in Liangyuan Territory, all the good things from Buddhism will belong to our Great Qin."

The news spread quickly in the imperial city.

At this time, Wang Qinian, who had obtained the deeds to three shops from Zhao Yu, had proudly gone to the most prosperous Qianmen Eighth Street in the imperial city to see how the shops were setting up and stocking their goods.

The goods from Liang Yuanyu sent by the Red Fox Trading Company have already filled up the warehouse.

------------------

Zhengyang County.

The former Luyang Prefecture Wuwei Yamen.

In the hall, a civil servant from the Ministry of Rites, holding the imperial edict, read it aloud.

"Cao Xuan, granted the title of Earl of Yongkang, is appointed Deputy Commander of the Black Ice Platform, a fifth-rank official in Jinhefen Commandery. He will take up his post after completing his training."

"Wang Xinglei, conferred the title of Earl of Hongyi by imperial decree, promoted to the fifth rank of the Black Ice Terrace Commander of Jiumiao Commandery. He will take up his post after completing his training."

……

There were seven or eight imperial edicts in succession, including those regarding the treatment of Zhang Yuan and the arrangements for the Black Ice Platform army after training.

Cao Xuan and Wang Xinglei were both awarded titles for their military achievements, and were promoted two levels to become the Tongzhi of Heibingtai in a county.

This is different from their previous identity as military commanders.

The fifth rank means that they are high-ranking officials in a county and have great say.

They were transferred to several counties in the eastern border because they had experience in training the Wuwei Yamen and could go to the eastern border to cooperate with the Black Ice Platform in incorporating the Wuwei Yamen.

This time, the three northern counties declared war on Liangyuan Territory. The black cavalry of Heibingtai, the black armor and the martial guards under their command all stepped into the territory of Liangyuan Territory and gained great experience.

The civil servant who read the imperial edict left, and Cao Xuan and others were all smiling.

Just looking at Zhang Yuan in front of them, their expressions suddenly became complicated.

Although Zhang Yuan was granted the title of Marquis of War, he was required to study for a year and pass an examination. Furthermore, Zhang Yuan's position as the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Commanderies was also revoked.

Everyone knew that such a punishment was like raising it high and letting it go lightly, but for the generals who followed Zhang Yuan to fight in Liangyuan Territory, they still felt it was unfair.

"Uncle, Marquis, it's time to call me Marquis of Qingyang." Wang Xinglei clasped his hands together, his face showing a serious expression.

"My Lord, after Wang Xinglei went to Jiumiao County, whenever you summon me, I will definitely come."

Hearing his words, Cao Xuan and others beside him clasped their fists and bowed.

"Whenever the Marquis summons us, we will be there."

Not only Cao Xuan and Wang Xinglei, but also Heibingtaizhong of Zhengyang County, Wen Liu and others were transferred to the eastern border.

It is said that the martial arts world in the East is in chaos and there are evil spirits causing trouble, which need to be suppressed.

"Stay calm and train well, and don't embarrass me after you are transferred."

Zhang Yuan looked at everyone and said calmly, "Take some of the money and supplies we brought back with us after the training."

Everyone was stunned.

The money Zhang Yuan mentioned was not the one million gold compensation and five million goods handed over to the court, but the money looted by the army from the Yutan Mountain gold mine and temples such as the Prajna Zen Forest.

Even though a lot of the gold and silver were distributed to the people in Liangyuan to win their hearts, there were still 8 million taels of gold that were transported back to Qin.

According to past practice, the bulk of the gold went to the leading general, the rest went to the accompanying generals, officials from various parties, and some was kept by the army as a reserve for pensions and other expenses.

Fighting is always the fastest way to make money.

Cao Xuan hurriedly said: "My Lord, this is not——"

Zhang Yuan glared and said, "This wealth is not for you. It is for the training of the local military guards after your transfer. The military guards have returned to the Black Ice Platform, and we cannot treat them unfairly."

"Also, we will provide an additional compensation for the brothers injured in this Black Cavalry incident. Their families will be supported by the Black Ice Platform in the future."

After saying this, he walked straight out of the Wuwei Yamen.

In the lobby, Cao Xuan and others looked at each other, their expressions changing.

"Mr. Zhang, you are so righteous. I, Cao, surrender."

"Eight million gold coins have been spent, but I, Wang Xinglei, will never forget Master Zhang's kindness."

……

Dingjiaxiang.

In the courtyard study, two small boxes were opened in front of Zhang Yuan.

In a small box, there are more than a hundred jade-colored fruits.

It was the Jade Buddha Bodhi Fruit that was sold at a price of fifty thousand taels of gold per piece in the imperial city.

In another box, ten palm-sized gold bars were piled up.

This is not a gold nugget, but gold marrow.

One tael of gold marrow is worth 100,000 gold coins. Here, there are 100 taels.

Zhang Yuan did not take even a ounce of the dozens of carts of gold that were carried back from Liangyuan Territory, and he spent it all.

As for gold, he has no shortage of it, as there are people in the imperial city who help him earn it.

"My Lord, we have guests."

Outside the courtyard, Old Man Xu's voice was heard.

Zhang Yuan put away the wooden box and walked out of the courtyard. He saw the civil servant who read the imperial edict had changed into a blue robe and was standing outside the door.

"Marquis Qingyang, this is the letter that the eldest son asked me to bring to you."

"Also, this is the sign that the Marquis of Changning asked me to give you."

Zhang Yuan took the envelope and looked at the bronze token handed to him by the civil servant.

Town of Heaven.

The Great Qin Heavenly Guardian.

Zhang Yuan took the token and turned over the back.

Wuyu.

The first among the Zhentian Division is the Wuyu Division.

From today onwards, Zhang Yuan will be a member of Zhentian Division.

(End of this chapter)