"All the officers and soldiers of the army have shown unwavering loyalty in defending the country. They brandished their sharp blades to pacify the border. Through bloody battles in the southern border, they reclaimed six cities. Their merits will benefit the present age and have far - reaching significance for future generations. Now that they have returned in triumph, special rewards are hereby bestowed to commend their outstanding achievements.
General Feng Yuanji has demonstrated excellent leadership and strategic planning. His merits rank first among the three armies. Rewards: Five thousand taels of gold, twenty thousand taels of silver; Three thousand mu of perpetual farmland in the suburbs of the capital, hereditary for his descendants; A government - granted mansion will be built in the Zhuque Fang of the capital city, following the regulations of a prince's residence. A python - patterned robe embroidered with a kirin treading on clouds; A fine blood - sweating horse from the Western Regions, equipped with a golden saddle and jade reins.
General Feng Xiao is extremely brave. He charges into the battlefront and has repeatedly made remarkable contributions. Rewards: Ten thousand taels of silver; One thousand five hundred mu of fertile paddy fields in the south of the Yangtze River, with abundant annual yields; A suit of precious armor forged from black iron; A jade belt with a coiling dragon pattern.
Deputy General Guo Li is loyal, brave, and resolute. He remains fearless in the face of danger...
Military Counselor Hu Chaoyong has profound strategies and has assisted in military affairs... "
...
Li Wanming knelt at the back, secretly shocked as she listened.
The rewards were indeed generous, including gold, silver, farmland, houses, fine horses, and precious antiques. However, there was a major problem - none of the rewards mentioned official positions.
Although General Feng Yuanji was already a first - rank general who guarded the country, there was no room for further promotion in terms of rank. However, with such remarkable achievements, he deserved a noble title as a reward.
As for Feng Xiao, his previous position was only a fourth - rank imperial bodyguard, and he had great potential for a promising future. Now that he had made great contributions, it was the time for a substantial promotion... But even he was not mentioned.
This edict, which seemed generous on the surface but was actually stingy, was obviously a deliberate attempt by Empress Dowager Kang to suppress them.
Li Wanming's heart was pounding. She couldn't help but quietly look up at Xiao Jingnan's expression.
Xiao Jingnan beside her remained motionless, kneeling upright. His lowered eyelashes cast a shadow under his eyes. His face showed no emotion, as if he were wearing a mask carved from white jade.
She couldn't help but look up at Zhao Yanke in the front.
The curtain of the dragon carriage was hanging low. The figure in bright yellow under the golden silk curtain still leaned casually against the chair. The fingers under the sleeves embroidered with the twelve insignia were even tapping leisurely on the gilded armrest...
This - something was not right!
Li Wanming felt a chill in her heart and quickly lowered her head.
"All other officers and soldiers will be rewarded according to their merits: Each will be given fifty taels of silver; For those who died in battle, an additional one hundred taels of silver will be given as a pension, and their families will be exempted from taxes for three years; For the injured, thirty taels of silver will be given for medicine, and ten bolts of cloth will be bestowed.
In addition, the entire Feng family army will be rewarded with a three - day imperial banquet to encourage the troops; One hundred thousand sets of new military uniforms; One thousand fine war horses from the imperial stable.
This edict is to be announced to the public so that everyone knows."
The long edict of rewards was finally read out.
As Minister Lü finished speaking, an eerie silence fell outside the city gate.
The officers and soldiers of the three armies still knelt on the ground in unison. No one thanked the emperor for the grace, nor did anyone get up.
General Feng Yuanji still wore his armor. There was still dark red bloodstain on the suanni beast on his shoulder.
He remained in the kneeling position. His graying temples fluttered in the wind. He was like a statue cast in iron, neither accepting the edict nor responding.
"General Feng..."
Minister Lü paused for a moment. Just as he was about to say something, Zhao Yanke in the dragon carriage burst into laughter:
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! The Empress Dowager's generous rewards to the three armies truly show her concern for the hardships of the officers and soldiers. It is evident that the Empress Dowager has a sincere heart of cherishing talents!"
Before his voice faded, he suddenly leaned forward and took out another bright yellow silk scroll from under his seat. "Coincidentally, I also have an edict of rewards here." He held out the scroll. "Would you please read this one as well, Minister?"
Minister Lü took the scroll. As his eyes scanned the first few lines, his aged hand trembled violently. His white beard quivered like reeds in the autumn wind.
Fang Xiang beside him glanced at it imperceptibly, then stepped forward with a smile. "Such a glorious task of announcing the edict in public should not be monopolized by Minister Lü alone. I am so bold as to ask for a share of this joy. I wonder if Your Majesty could grant my wish?"
Zhao Yanke waved his hand indifferently. "Since Minister Fang has this intention, then I'll trouble you!"
When Fang Xiang took the scroll, Minister Lü tightly grasped the other end. The warning in his eyes was so intense that it almost became tangible. But Fang Xiang pretended not to see and read out loudly:
"General Feng Yuanji, who guards the country, is hereby promoted to the Duke who protects the country, a peerless title!
Military Adviser Xiao Jingnan is promoted to the Grand Master of the Palace Attendants, serving by the emperor's side and commanding the Tiger Guards!
Imperial Bodyguard Feng Xiao is promoted to the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War!
Pei Yanqi, a scribe in the Imperial Academy, is promoted to the Censor of the Court of Censors!
General Feng Yuanji is specially allowed to wear shoes and carry a sword into the palace, not to walk in a hurry when entering the court, not to announce his name when paying homage, and is granted the Nine Bestowments, a crown with nine tassels, and the imperial tally and battle - axe!"
With each sentence he read, there was a gasp among the officials. When he read the words "allowed to wear shoes and carry a sword into the palace, not to walk in a hurry when entering the court, not to announce his name when paying homage", Minister Lü's face turned as pale as gold paper.
"The Nine Bestowments! A crown with nine tassels! The imperial tally and battle - axe!"
The last three sentences were like thunderclaps, making everyone's scalp tingle.
"Thus ends the edict!"
...
When the last word fell, it was deathly silent inside and outside the city gate. The only sound was the rustling of the wind blowing through the willow branches.
Li Wanming bit her lip tightly. Her fingers in the wide sleeves dug into her palms, leaving deep marks.
Although she didn't quite understand those awkward official titles and didn't know what rank the "Grand Master of the Palace Attendants" was, she was still shaken by the last thunderous words - these were clearly the special honors that only the powerful and treacherous officials in the storybooks could obtain!
"Allowed to wear shoes and carry a sword into the palace, not to walk in a hurry when entering the court, not to announce his name when paying homage, granted the Nine Bestowments, a crown with nine tassels, and the imperial tally and battle - axe" ... These were not good words.
Since ancient times, there have been no more than five officials who have enjoyed the treatment of "not to walk in a hurry when entering the court, not to announce his name when paying homage". These eight words have always been regarded as the peak of a court official and also the peak of a powerful official.
This meant that from now on, there were no more rewards to be given...
Therefore, in the mouths of storytellers, once these words were mentioned, the next thing would be a drama of treason in the court.
They always liked to stroke their beards and shake their heads with a sigh: Looking through the history books, in all dynasties, which official who had received such special honors as "not to walk in a hurry when entering the court, not to announce his name when paying homage" didn't end up being beheaded?
Alas, treacherous officials, powerful officials, meritorious officials - their merits and demerits could change overnight...
Now, General Feng had returned after a bloody battle, but Zhao Yanke had given him such a reward that was almost like pointing at his nose and scolding him for being "too powerful and having obvious ambitions" -
What was he trying to do? Was he... crazy?
However, General Feng's reaction left Li Wanming even more confused.
The veteran general who had been on the battlefield for many years immediately kowtowed heavily. His voice was as loud as a bell. "I thank Your Majesty for your great grace. May Your Majesty live forever and ever!"
There was not a trace of fear in his voice. Instead, there was a kind of heartfelt joy and excitement.
He... accepted the edict?
Such an edict that was like a hot potato, and he actually accepted it?