Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 49 The Emperor Emerges with an Edict, and the Martial Lord Appears Out of Nowhere
Far away in Guihua, wisps of smoke rose into the clouds as the city's inhabitants spontaneously lit fires to cook for the army.

"Young master."

"The Datong garrison has been mobilized. Apart from the 25,000 men left behind, all the rest have been deployed."

Black Cloud, the secret agent, hurried forward to report.

"Uncle Niu is more courageous than I imagined."

Standing under the night sky, gazing in the direction of Datong, Jia Yan's face showed an inexplicable emotion.

According to his plan, victory in this battle was inevitable, but there was no guarantee that some Mongols would escape and rise again in the future.

Niu Jizong's approach was certainly risky, but it was enough to make the Mongols place all their hopes on it, until they were all ultimately destroyed.

Such a great victory surpassed all previous years of the dynasty. As the General Who Conquers the North, Niu Jizong's military achievements alone were enough to cross the threshold from First-Class Earl to Marquis, and there was even a possibility that his son would be granted additional honors.

Regardless, Niu Jizong's reputation will resound throughout the entire Daqian Dynasty with this battle, solidifying his position as the number one figure in the army.

"Someone, pass down the order to gather all the horses in Guihua City and distribute them to the 20,000 soldiers."

"Notify the officers and soldiers to speed up their meals and prepare to depart."

"Yes."

The guard, Guan Ye, immediately responded and went to relay the order.

They prepared food at midnight and set off at dawn. Even if all the soldiers rode horses, this 600-mile journey was no joke. The fierce battle in the direction of Datong would take at least half a day to sustain, which was no different from dancing on a tightrope.

Shenjing, Daming Palace, Hanyuan Hall.

The heavy curtains obscured the candlelight, and Emperor Shunkang was awakened from his sleep. His face was displeased as he asked, "What's the matter that has caused such a commotion?"

"The Great Emperor."

"There's news from the northern desert."

Dai Quan, the chief eunuch of the Daming Palace, eagerly reported: "Traces of the Tiger Guard Captains have been discovered."

"where?"

Emperor Shunkang's old eyes suddenly widened, revealing a chilling light, like a dragon on its deathbed, its dragon might still lingering.

"The Tiger Generals set out from Gubeikou, passing through the Xilin Gol Grassland, the banks of the Onon River, the Langjuxu Mountains, and the Yanran Mountains, heading south. They should be near the Yin Mountains now."

"Bring me the map!"

At this moment, Emperor Shunkang was deeply moved, and raised his wrinkled right hand high.

"Yes."

Dai Quan gave a look to the eunuchs serving him.

A moment later, several eunuchs spread a huge map on the floor of Hanyuan Hall. All the candles around were lit, but it still seemed a bit dim. Emperor Shunkang held a candle himself, his gaze wandering from Gubeikou to the east and north of the Gobi Desert, and back to the south of the Gobi Desert.

"He conquered the Bahrain tribe and the three tribes of the Northern Desert?"

"The Emperor Emeritus is wise."

Following Emperor Shunkang, Dai Quan continued, "The Tiger General led 800 cavalry on a raid over 5,000 li north of the Gobi Desert, successively capturing the Bairin, Chechen, Tushetu, and Zasagtu tribes, and subjugating 200,000 Mongols."

"Now, the four ministries have dispatched envoys with gifts who are on their way to the capital."

'Sure enough! '

Gazing at the route on the map, Emperor Shunkang understood everything; the Jia family had accomplished something unprecedented.

"Has there been any news from Datong?" "Reporting to the Emperor Emeritus, no, not yet."

Dai Quan said respectfully.

"It should be available in the next few days."

Emperor Shunkang rose from the map, handed the candle in his hand to the eunuch beside him, and said with a deep gaze.

'? ? ? '

Dai Quan was completely bewildered by these words. What did he mean?

"Jia Jing has given birth to a fine son."

"Our Great Qian has a peerless general comparable to Wei Qing and Huo Qubing."

"At fifteen, he had already accomplished all of this: pacifying the northern deserts, sealing the wolf's lair, and inscribing the Yanran Mountain."

"If I had such a talent to assist me back then, not only the Liaoxi Corridor, but also the barbarians in all directions would surely have submitted."

In mention of this, Emperor Shunkang couldn't help but feel a little envious of Emperor Yongping. This one great victory alone was enough to elevate Emperor Yongping's prestige to its highest level and solidify his position on the throne.

As long as Jia Jiazi remains loyal to the dynasty, he will be a sharp weapon for Emperor Yongping, expanding the territory and quelling internal rebellions. Who else can compare to him?

"Your Majesty, are you saying..."

Upon hearing this, Dai Quan's face showed an expression of disbelief.

"The conquest of the four Mongol tribes severed the connection between the 300,000 Mongol cavalry outside Datong and their garrison."

"Furthermore, they recaptured Huihua City. Under the combined attack from the north and south, the Borjigin had no choice but to fail that day."

"I am now thinking about what kind of reward I should give him."

Emperor Shunkang said quietly, "A fifteen-year-old duke is a bit of an exaggeration. He's only fifteen. How will he be promoted and ennobled in the future?"

"Given the fourth prince's temperament, he probably thinks even a marquisate is too much. If that were the case, the people's hearts would be in turmoil, and how could they possibly trust the royal family?"

"Therefore, they must be rewarded, and the reward must be generous, so that the Jia family can stand with the royal family once again and gain the trust of the people."

"This"

Dai Quan no longer dared to speak.

"By imperial decree, Jia Daihua, a first-class general of the Ningguo Duke's Mansion, has rendered meritorious service to the country and defended the borders. He is posthumously granted the title of Wu'an Jun, with a rank exceeding that of a first-class official and a fief of three thousand households. His son, Jia Jing, shall inherit the title. Jia Jing's wife shall be posthumously granted the title of first-class imperial consort."

"The Imperial Household Department is ordered to immediately produce the monarch's robes, with all the same style as those of a duke."

After pondering for a while, Emperor Shunkang issued an imperial edict.

"Yes."

Despite his doubts, Dai Quan went down and did as instructed.

At the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty, five ranks of nobility were established: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. These were real ranks, with territory and population, and the rulers were in fact the heads of states. During the pre-Qin period, various states developed a two-rank system of nobility: Marquis and Lord. For example, Shang Yang (Lord Shang) and Wei Ran (Marquis Rang).

A feudal lord enjoyed the privilege of collecting taxes within his fiefdom, but he had to obey the central government's decrees. The Han Dynasty expanded the scope of feudal lords to include women from the imperial relatives, such as Lü Xu (Marquis of Lin Guang) and Bo Pingjun, a relative of Emperor Xuan. After the Tang Dynasty, feudal lords became a title for noblewomen. In the early Ming Dynasty, feudal lords were a general term for those who received the title because of the nobility of their descendants. For example, Grandmother Jia was also respectfully called "Old Feudal Lord" or "Old Lady".

Who would have thought that Emperor Shunkang would restore the title of "Fengjun" and bestow it only upon the Jia family, whose status seemed to be no less than that of dukes and marquises, with a real fiefdom? It's simply unbelievable!

Moreover, if the title of Lord Wu'an were to spread, it would surely cause a stir in the nation. Wu'an is a title bestowed upon those who govern the world with military prowess and whose prestige brings peace to the country. Throughout history, only three people have held this title: Bai Qi, Li Mu, and Su Qin. Each of them is remembered for their time.

P.S.: The four bestowed robes are: Python Robe, Flying Fish Robe, Bullfighting Robe, and Qilin Robe.
Civil officials of the first rank were embroidered with cranes; those of the second rank with golden pheasants; those of the third rank with peacocks; those of the fourth rank with wild geese; those of the fifth rank with silver pheasants; those of the sixth rank with egrets; those of the seventh rank with imperial edicts; those of the eighth rank with orioles; and those of the ninth rank with quails.
Military officers of the first rank are depicted with a Bai Ze (a mythical creature); second rank with a lion; third rank with a tiger; fourth rank with a leopard; fifth rank with a bear; sixth and seventh ranks with a leopard; eighth rank with a rhinoceros; and ninth rank with a seahorse.
Superior Item: Qilin Robe (for Dukes, Marquises, and Earls)

(End of this chapter)