The Prodigal Son

Merits and demerits cancel each other out?

As Gao Yi finished speaking, the court was once again in an uproar.

"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Qin Yu has not committed a major offense in selling official positions, but he did lack consideration in some aspects!"

"Yes, it was a poorly considered matter, but it's not like the merits and demerits completely cancel each other out!"

"Given Qin Yu's contributions, if His Majesty does not reward him, I fear the people of the land will all feel indignant on Qin Yu's behalf!"

"Your Majesty, I implore you to consider this carefully, and not to discourage the soldiers..."

This prompted many ministers to speak out in defense of Qin Yu.

Among them were ministers who had just demanded severe punishment for Qin Yu.

Looking at the ministers in the court, Qin Yu couldn't help but feel a little confused.

For a moment, he couldn't tell whether these people were friends or foes.

Zhao Luan rubbed her head, looking troubled, and raised her hand to stop the assembled officials. Her gaze fell on Qin Yu. "Qin Yu, what do you have to say?"

Qin Yu paused slightly, deliberately feigning deep resentment, "While my intention in selling official positions was good, it was indeed ill-considered. I am willing to accept punishment!"

Yes, I can accept the punishment!

Acknowledging guilt is not enough!

"good!"

Zhao Luan slowly stood up and said sternly, "Sir, draft the imperial edict!"

"Marquis Qin Yu of Wuning sold official positions and titles, though his intentions were good, his methods were unacceptable!"

"As the Son of Heaven, I cannot disregard the laws of the land and condone such behavior!"

"The Ministry of Revenue is ordered to recover all the money and valuables obtained by Qin Yu before the end of the year, and deposit it all into the national treasury!"

"Effective immediately, Qin Yu is stripped of his title of Marquis of Wuning and dismissed from all his official positions except for Attendant Gentleman and Grand Master of the Palace, as a form of punishment!"

"Order the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate who bought the official position from Qin Yu..."

As Zhao Luan announced the decree, Qin Yu was stripped of a large number of official positions, including his noble title.

Qin Yu also became the shortest-serving marquis in the history of Da Ning.

"His Majesty!"

Gao Yi spoke again: "Although Qin Yu has rendered meritorious service, he is still young. How can he be granted the privilege of not bowing when entering the court..."

"That's enough!"

Zhao Luan's voice suddenly turned cold: "Merit is merit, and fault is fault! I have already punished Qin Yu for his fault! Does Prime Minister Gao want me to be accused of failing to reward merit?"

This time, Zhao Luan was truly angry.

What, does he want him to strip Qin Yu of all his official privileges?

The right to not bow when entering the court was something she had promised Qin Yu long ago.

She's already accepted all the benefits, how could she go back on her word?

If Qin Yu is not given the official position of Grand Master of the Palace, how can he be allowed to have the right to enter the court without bowing, even with the title of Attendant Gentleman?

Meeting Zhao Luan's gaze, Gao Yi hesitated, but once again firmly believed in his judgment.

Zhao Luan wasn't really angry; she was putting on an act for Qin Yu and the entire court!

She was trying to comfort Qin Yu by blaming herself!

She wanted to be the good person, so she made herself the bad person!

Alright, now that we've achieved our goal, there's no need to dwell on the right not to bow when entering the court!

As for the Grand Master of the Palace, he was merely a nominal official.

Having realized this, Gao Yi stopped arguing and took the lead in shouting, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The courtiers also joined Gao Yi in shouting.

At that moment, many ministers felt they understood.

Zhao Luan most likely already knew about Qin Yu's selling of official positions.

The whole bunch of official titles that were bestowed upon Qin Yu were just for the purpose of being stripped of them!

Through this maneuver, she not only demonstrated her clear-cut approach to rewards and punishments to her ministers, but also subtly warned and disciplined them.

Qin Yu was severely punished for selling official positions out of good intentions. Anyone who dares to do so in the future will be asking for death!

"Let's drop this matter!"

Zhao Luan sat down again. "For your meritorious report, Imperial Censor Cui Xu is hereby awarded twenty bolts of brocade and one thousand taels of silver! I hope that Minister Cui will continue his efforts and ensure that those corrupt officials in our court have nowhere to hide!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Your humble servant will certainly live up to Your Majesty's high expectations!"

Cui Xu bowed, feeling slightly more at ease.

Although I was used as a pawn, I still gained some benefits and can have a good New Year!

Well, the key point is that Qin Yu still owes me a thousand taels of silver!

Being able to swindle money from Qin Yu is a way of getting revenge for him for forcing me to lend him money back then!

Zhao Luan looked at Gao Yi with a cold face, secretly feeling annoyed.

He even said he would teach Qin Yu a lesson!

As a result, it was completely destroyed by Gao Yi.

But the problem is, regardless of Gao Yi's purpose, what Gao Yi said does make sense.

Even if she was very angry, she couldn't take it out on Gao Yi.

After taking two deep breaths, Zhao Luan withdrew his gaze. "Prime Minister Gao Yi, who is devoted to the court and speaks frankly, is hereby granted a sable fur coat!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Gao Yi was secretly pleased.

Just as I expected!

I made the right move!

Zhao Luan gave him a meaningful look, then winked at Shangguan Youyi, "Summon the rest of those who have received their titles into the hall!"

"yes!"

Shangguan Youyi accepted the order and announced loudly, "Summon Yuan Dingguo, Yin Ye, and the others into the palace!"

Soon, a group of people who had been waiting outside the hall entered the main hall.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless happiness and well-being!"

A group of people bowed in unison.

"Everyone, please rise!"

Zhao Luan raised his eyes and surveyed the crowd. "I said yesterday that I would never mistreat those who have rendered meritorious service! Shangguan, announce the decree!"

"yes!"

Shangguan Youyi took the prepared imperial edict and began to proclaim it.

In view of the performance of the Wudang Flying Army in this battle, the imperial court transferred troops from various places to expand the Wudang Flying Army at Dieguan.

The number of personnel was expanded from the original 3,000 to 24,000.

Yuan Dingguo was appointed as a Senior Martial Guard General of the Third Rank, and as the Deputy Commander of the Wudang Flying Army. He was also granted 300 mu of fertile land and awarded 500 taels of gold.

Xiong Quhu, Pei Xiao, and Han Chong were respectively appointed as the fourth-rank Tiger Cavalry, Cloud Cavalry, and Valiant Cavalry Generals, each commanding six thousand Wudang Flying Army soldiers, and were granted one hundred mu of fertile land and a reward of three hundred gold coins.

Before the commander appointed by the imperial court takes office, the Wudang Flying Army will be temporarily commanded by Deputy General Yuan Dingguo. The other generals of each unit will be appointed by Yuan Dingguo and must be reported to the Ministry of War before the fifteenth day of the first month.

The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue were ordered to fully cooperate with Yuan Dingguo and complete all expansion matters before May of next year.

Yin Ye and Huo Tianwen were appointed as General Yunhui and General Zhenwei respectively. They were granted a mansion and a reward of 100 gold coins. Before the end of the year, they went to Dieguan with Yuan Dingguo and others to serve under Xu Kui. Xu Kui arranged their specific official positions and reported them to the Ministry of War.

Zhang Sheng was appointed as the garrison commander of Longzhou...

Most of the former high-ranking officials of Min State have entered various departments of the imperial court, some holding real power and others holding nominal positions.

Hearing Shangguan Youyi loudly proclaim the imperial edict, Yuan Dingguo and the others couldn't help but feel secretly excited.

They've all been promoted several levels in a row!

Following General Qin, you'll definitely get what you deserve!

After the court assembly ends, I must properly thank General Qin!

While they were secretly excited, the ministers all revealed a look of understanding in their eyes.

The position of commander of the Wudang Flying Army is clearly reserved for Qin Yu!

For now, Yuan Dingguo will temporarily lead the Wudang Flying Army. When it is time to go to the battlefield, Qin Yu will be able to take up his post immediately!

It could even be said that the Wudang Flying Army was expanded specifically for Qin Yu!

The main generals of the Wudang Flying Army were all people who followed Qin Yu in battles across thousands of miles in the Min region.

It seems that His Majesty still has high hopes for Qin Yu!

Of course, this is also a form of appeasement.

But that's understandable!

If Zhao Luan were even slightly sensible, she would never leave Qin Yu, who is both scholarly and martial, unused...