Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

From submitting the "Pacifying the Barbarians Strategy" to expanding the territory of Hezhou, and continuing to expand the territory to seven prefectures, Jiang Zhao led and implemented the expansion.

He was the head of all officials and also Jiang Zhao's teacher.

Under such circumstances, even the remaining five Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet would have no reason to vie for control of Xihe Road.

It's impossible to say that someone didn't contribute anything and yet seized the highest fruits of territorial expansion.

Therefore, who else but Jiang Zhao could be the highest military and political leader of Xihe Road?

The civil and military officials were mostly surprised by Jiang Zhao's age and achievements.

As for whether Jiang Zhao was qualified to serve as the military and political leader of Xihe Road, no one dared to question it.

After six years in office, Jiang Zhao's achievements and political maneuvering were so solid that they could not be questioned at all.

The South Korean officials frequently exchanged glances, all looking quite pleased.

Jiang Zhao is a first-rate person, whether in political struggles or in terms of political achievements. He is even more formidable than Han Jin.

With such a party leader in the next generation, the Korean faction is destined for success.

After the civil and military officials had been discussing for several dozen breaths, Zhao Zhen beckoned, and a trusted eunuch understood, calling out:

"quiet--"

All officials fell silent.

The eunuch, holding the imperial edict, continued to chant:

"The Emperor decreed to the Minister of State:"

I have heard that military prowess governs the country, and the state relies on capable ministers.

Wang Shao, the commander of the new army, possessed great vision and profound strategic acumen. He trained the new army in Xizhou, and they subsequently conquered four prefectures.

Wang Shao was specially promoted to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and Grand Master of the Palace, and was specially granted the title of Earl of Taiyuan Commandery, with a fief of one thousand households, and was given five hundred taels of gold, five hundred bolts of brocade, and a residence of thirty hectares.

His father was posthumously awarded the title of Grand Master of the Palace, and his mother was granted the title of Lady of Virtue.

Yu Xi!

You, a civil official, have established a great enterprise to expand our territory. We hope you will remain loyal to the country and uphold humility and integrity.

Awesome!

Therefore, this edict is hereby issued so that all may be informed.

Wang Shao's achievements are the greatest after Jiang Zhao's.

In comparison, his reward was much less generous.

The most notable rewards were the official titles of Vice Minister of War and Grand Master of the Palace.

The position of Bingbu Langzhong was an important post in the Ministry of War, and was a civil official of the fifth rank.

The Chaofeng Dafu was a fifth-rank official.

Besides these two positions, the Earl of Taiyuan County is also relatively noteworthy.

In the civil service, once one reaches the top, one is posthumously granted the title of Duke, either upon retirement or death, which makes it not uncommon for civil officials to become Dukes.

What is relatively rare is that the title of Duke was bestowed before the official had even retired; to date, only three people have received this honor.

The rank of Earl and Marquis is undoubtedly much lower than that of Duke.

Ouyang Xiu, Bao Zheng, Song Qiji, and others all held the titles of Earl or Marquis.

Even so, the number of earls and marquises who had not yet retired was extremely small.

The title of Earl of Taiyuan County still carries considerable prestige.

Compared to Jiang Zhao's reward, Wang Shao's reward was definitely much lower.

But objectively speaking, such a reward is by no means bad!

After all, Wang Shao was previously an unknown figure.

A young man with no background who had been in office for six years suddenly rose to the rank of fifth grade and wore a red robe.

They even posthumously honored their parents.

It's no exaggeration to say that it's like a carp leaping over the dragon gate!

Wang Shao, his face flushed, stepped forward excitedly and bowed deeply: "Your subject Wang Shao thanks Your Majesty for your gracious reward!"

Zhao Zhenping nodded.

He did not know this minister who had performed such a great service.

However, whether you know someone or not is not important; what matters is whether you have the ability.

Since you have the ability, reward me!

After Wang Shao bestowed the rewards, the palace officials continued reading the contents of the imperial edict.

The third person to receive the award was the Duke of England.

"The Emperor decreed to the Minister of State:"

I have heard that the strength of a fortified city depends on valiant ministers, and the security of a battlefield depends on capable generals.

Duke Zhang Fu of Yingguo was a man of unwavering loyalty and unparalleled bravery in the army. He once guarded Taiyuan, controlling the throat of the Khitan; now he rushes to the aid of the Hehuang region, crushing the courage of the Tubo.

This special honor is hereby conferred to recognize his outstanding achievements:

He was specially granted the title of General Who Guards the North, with an additional 500 households of fief, a five-courtyard residence, 15 hectares of farmland along the Fen River, 30 sets of precious armor, two fine horses from the Imperial Horse Stables, and a gold tally and fish-shaped pouch.

The Ministry of Works was ordered to cast an iron certificate inscribed with "Pillar of the State and Hereditary Meritorious Official" to commemorate his achievements.

Yu Xi!

I hope you will take up arms to defend the nation and wear a quiver to bring peace to the people.

Awesome!

Therefore, this edict is hereby issued so that all may be informed.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Ding, the eldest son of the Duke of Yingguo, stepped forward and performed a grand salute: "Your subject Zhang Ding, on behalf of my father Zhang Fu, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Because the Duke of Ying was still stationed in the seven prefectures of Xihe, he specially allowed his eldest son to attend court and receive the imperial favor on his behalf.

Zhao Zhenping nodded calmly and waved his hand.

The reward given to the Duke of England was within the expectations of the officials.

As the Deputy Privy Councilor, the Duke of Ying was the foremost military commander of his generation, in charge of the 100,000 Imperial Guards of the capital, making him one of the most powerful figures in the country.

The merit of territorial expansion was nothing more than being rewarded with fiefs, houses, fertile fields, fine armor, and famous horses to demonstrate the emperor's favor and honor.

Among them, the title of General Who Guards the North and the iron certificate of "Pillar of the State and Hereditary Merit" are both things that demonstrate honor and favor.

In fact, if we really want to discuss it, we could elevate the title of Duke of England.

Throughout history, the most prestigious titles have been those of Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, Qin, Wu, Yue, and Jin.

The Duke of England is not even among the top ten titles.

However, the practice of banning accounts is almost always done when there are no more accounts left to ban, and only then are people promoted.

It would be almost impossible to change a title unless there was absolutely no other reward available.

The British Duke himself probably doesn't want to change his title.

Having nowhere left to seal off is not a good thing.

Then, the palace officials announced the rewards for Marquis Ningyuan, Gu Yankai, and Marquis Zhongjing, Zheng Shun.

These two men shared a similar situation with the Duke of England; both were top-tier military figures with real power.

The difference is that the two were marquises, not dukes.

Similarly, the emperor would certainly not have promoted the two men's ranks unless he was forced to.

Both were rewarded with fiefs, houses, fertile fields, fine armor, and fine horses, with appropriate reductions from the Duke of England's previous rewards.

After the older generation of military generals passed away, many officials turned their attention to Gu Tingye.

This person, like others, achieved fame at a young age.

However, he used to be known as a playboy.

Unexpectedly, this time they suddenly rose to prominence and made great contributions.

"The Emperor decreed to the Minister of State:"

I have heard that those who possess both loyalty and courage are the pillars of the state; those who can defeat the enemy are truly the most outstanding merits of a subject.

Gu Tingye, the eldest son of the Marquis of Ningyuan, was resolute and possessed profound strategic acumen. In the past, he followed the royal army on a western expedition, firmly defending the strategic pass of Hezhou, feigning an attack on the Tubo to divide the enemy's forces, and making decisive decisions on the battlefield to secure the border.

This imperial decree is hereby issued to recognize his merits:

Gu Tingye of the Jin Dynasty was appointed General of Huaihua and Military Commissioner of Xizhou, guarding the northern frontier. He was bestowed with a silver fish-shaped pouch and a fine horse, and his mother, Lady Bai, was posthumously honored as Lady Gong.

Yu Xi!

I hope you will hold your halberd and guard the four directions, upholding your loyal heart to protect the nation.

Awesome!

Therefore, this edict is hereby issued so that all may be informed.

The titles of General of Huaihua and Military Commissioner of Xizhou were both fifth-rank official positions, which were the most eye-catching rewards Gu Tingye received.

However, Gu Tingye's focus was not on official position.

Rather, it was an imperial decree!

Thank you!

His birth mother, Lady Bai, was granted an imperial title!

Gu Tingye's eyes were slightly red. He kowtowed heavily and said loudly, "Your subject Gu Tingye thanks Your Majesty!"

Emperor Zhao Zhen nodded and remarked, unusually, "A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold!"

In his earlier years, Gu Tingye had visited the palace more than once, and even mischievously caught the goldfish kept in the palace.

To spare him from being beaten by his elderly father, the Empress even pleaded for him.

Zhao Zhen had a deep impression of this nobleman's son.

Unfortunately, Gu Tingye became increasingly mischievous and developed a spoiled, dissolute nature.

This time, he made great achievements and even obtained the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations), truly a prodigal son returning home.

In comparison, Gu Tingye was one of the types of ministers that the emperor preferred.

He has a stain on his record, but he has the ability; he's a prodigal son who has turned over a new leaf and knows what's important!

The emperor's single comment attracted the attention of many.

Gu Tingye became even more respectful and slowly rose to his feet.

"Your Excellency, the Emperor decreed:..."

The bestowals and edicts were read one after another, taking a full hour to be read completely.

The eunuch in charge of the seal turned purple, was panting heavily, and felt weak from reading.

Zhao Zhen glanced around, then stood up and waved his hand, saying:

"I have prepared a royal banquet to welcome the meritorious officials who have contributed to the expansion of our territory."

"All officials, move to the Chui Gong Hall!"

After speaking, the Grand Chancellor stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

All the officials bowed in unison.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Chapter 95 Feast and Imperial Decree!

Chui Gong Hall.

Emperor Zhao Zhen sat upright on the dragon throne, his sleeves folded together.