"Sixteen-year-old fourth-grade general!"
"His merit can lead to a title, this is what the Holy Emperor said about him!"
"Young prince? Since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, there has never been a true young prince!"
In the Ming Temple, the sacred sounds were loud and powerful, like bells and drums, containing the power of dragons, and the civil and military officials secretly marveled.
Although the three meritorious deeds performed by Jiang Li were no small feats, and the merits and rewards were matched, the fact that the Holy Master was able to praise him for his meritorious deeds and make him a prince represented a gesture and attitude.
As a monarch, who wouldn't want to lead the Martial Saints and Immortals to expand territory and build a foundation.
In the Middle Ages, any dynasty that had a young age was the time when the country was at its most prosperous and prosperous.
Only by strengthening the army and enriching the country can we conquer all the wastelands and unify the world.
Throughout the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty, apart from the children of the royal family, this is the first time that someone has risen to the fourth rank as a young man.
Zhao Tiehe was canonized as a fifth-grade guerrilla general by Emperor Jing. Although it was rare, it was not uncommon.
At this time, several important ministers such as Huangfu Muchuan and Jiang Shirong in the palace were all awarded such official ranks based on their military merits when they were less than twenty years old.
A difference in quality means completely different things.
"Jiang Li, the imperial court's Northern Expedition is about to begin. I have great expectations for you. I hope you will show your character as a young man in the Great Zhou Dynasty, drive away the Northern Mang, and completely harvest the lost land of Yunjing in the Great Zhou Dynasty!"
"I will reward you with two hundred sets of Hongliu Ming heavy armor, three hundred Qingzhou Cong, one thousand taels of gold, ten volumes of "Arsenal", and the Yanyan Bird Jade Pendant. It shows that I will not kneel down!"
Above the main hall, Emperor Jing's voice came again.
""arsenal"!"
"The Holy One actually gave him the "Arsenal" and really wants to train Jiang Li to become a young man!"
"Generally speaking, only generals who are made marquis will be rewarded with the "Arsenal"!"
"The Nine Nether Flame Bird will not kneel before seeing a saint. What a gift this is!"
All civil and military officials were shocked.
Hongliu Armor is a heavy armor made in the Great Zhou Dynasty. It is of extraordinary quality. Only when the military attache reaches 100 households will he be rewarded with a set, which can be used as a family heirloom.
Qingzhou Cong is a high-quality horse breed in the Great Zhou Dynasty. It can run like the wind and has extremely strong endurance. Only ace heavy riders will be equipped with this horse.
One thousand taels of gold can be exchanged for one hundred thousand taels of silver.
But neither the Torrent Armor, Qingzhou Cong, nor Cai Yin can compare with the "Arsenal" and the Flame Bird Jade Pendant.
"Arsenal" is a unified compilation and collection of the martial arts inheritance of the great families and sects that were destroyed in the seven kingdoms in the troubled times after the founding of the country by Taizu of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Although the supreme martial arts of the sects of the seven kingdoms that were wiped out were not included, they were all stored separately in the library of the Zhou royal family.
However, the mid-level and high-level martial arts inheritance and techniques included in the "Arsenal" are as vast as smoke. They are the best things that the Hou clan can use to reward tribes and win people's hearts.
Being rewarded with the "Arsenal" means that you are qualified as an official to open a government and establish a family.
The Nine Nether Flame Bird is the emblem of the Great Zhou royal family. Those who are not of royal blood and have meritorious services of the second rank or above are not qualified to wear it. It is also a symbol of honor.
Holding the Flame Bird Jade Pendant represents the highest trust of Emperor Jing, and is also a life-saving mark.
"Thank you, Saint Long!"
Jiang Li clasped his fists in thanksgiving and saluted like a general.
Being granted the title by Emperor Jing, his status and identity are completely different. It can be said that he has risen through the ranks and reached the sky in one day.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty for finding another talented person to govern the country and the army!"
"Marquis Wu has taught his children well, and two of his heirs have reached the fourth rank. The disciples of the saint have great potential, and two ranks in one palace are just around the corner!"
The ministers congratulated him repeatedly. A star of the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty has risen slowly. One day, he will shine in the starry sky and attract the attention of the world.
Emperor Jing had a smile on his face. Although Jiang Shirong, the Marquis of Zhenwu, returned the greeting, he was hidden under his eyes, and there were dark clouds, as if there was a storm to come.
"Jiang Li, since you have received your favor, there is one thing I want you to complete!"
Emperor Jing raised the scroll in his hand and said with a smile: "The Master of the Confucian Temple said that this scroll is not complete. The last word of your handwriting is scrawled, and the meaning is not yet complete. Is it true?"
"Your Majesty, this classic has a total of thirteen volumes. The examination time is limited, so I have only written seven volumes, and there are still six volumes unwritten. If Your Majesty wants to read it, I can write it now!"
"Thirteen volumes?"
"The wisdom and principles contained in these seven volumes are as vast as the ocean. Even if you study for ten or twenty years, you may not be able to understand them all!"
"What's in the next six volumes? I can't wait!"
Everyone in the hall was shocked when they heard this.
I originally thought that Jiang Li still had a few sentences that he hadn't written clearly, but he didn't expect that what he read in the military scroll was only half of it.
"Quick, I'll serve you with pen and ink!"
Emperor Jing called out urgently, and a group of eunuchs trotted quickly and carried the writing cases, pens, ink and paper to the palace.
Jiang Li spread out the rice paper, soaked the hair in his hand with ink, and when he put pen to paper, the ink penetrated the back of the paper.
The young man's pen is like a spear and halberd, conquering and sweeping the battlefield, his words are like a tiger lying down, and rising like a dragon and snake, attracting the officials who can't help but come forward to watch and praise him repeatedly.
Even Jiang Shirong cast his gaze on the paper, his light flashing from time to time.
"Get out of the way, stay away, don't disturb the thoughts of the saint's disciples!"
Li Changgeng tried his best to squeeze into the crowd and opened his hands to maintain order, but someone completely ignored him and pushed his arm away.
"who……"
Li Changgeng frowned and wanted to scold loudly, but when he saw the man wearing a five-clawed dragon robe, his heart trembled and he quickly put back his hands and words.
When the surrounding ministers saw Emperor Jing, they also came down. They no longer crowded each other, but they still stretched their necks and watched from a distance.
Jiang Li was writing and ink, and the ink in the inkstone was quickly used up.
Emperor Jing waved his hand and drove away the eunuchs who were grinding the ink. He rolled up his sleeves and actually polished the ink for Jiang Li himself. He looked at the military sayings on the scroll and stared intently, as if he had some enlightenment!
The ministers were speechless and gasped!
…
In the third month of the lunar calendar, Shengjing City is still cold in the morning and evening.
Haishi has passed, but the streets outside the gate of Zhenwuhou Mansion are full of people and brightly lit.
House slaves cleaned the streets and swept the streets. The stone slabs on the streets three miles in front and back were clean and there was no dust or debris.
One hundred and eight huge lamps were erected along the street, with oil overflowing and candles burning brightly.
The eldest lady, He Loushi, led everyone from Zhenwuhou Mansion to waiting quietly outside the mansion gate early.
Although the decoration in front of the mansion was grand and festive, with lights and colorful decorations, the atmosphere was eerily quiet.
Whether they were domestic slaves, retainers, or Jiang Shirong's concubines and heirs, everyone stared at their feet, silent, not daring to make any noise, let alone look at the two gloomy figures standing at the front.
Today's martial arts test, hundreds of sages resonated, and the appearance of Qilin has already spread a lot in Shengjing City, and the whole city is aware of it.
Zhenwuhou Mansion is no exception.
At first, everyone was just amazed, surprised, curious, and envious. They looked at this vision and shock from the perspective of bystanders.
Until groups of people from the imperial guards, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of War walked into the Hou Mansion one after another to inquire.
Only then did everyone suddenly realize that the Qilinzi who appeared today was actually related to Zhenwuhou Mansion.
The increasingly quiet and gloomy atmosphere in Qiluanxuan made everyone have vague speculations in their hearts.
An hour ago, the Qilin Guards and the ceremonial eunuchs of the Twelve Divisions of the Imperial Court came with news from the Holy Sage and Marquis Wu, and ordered everyone in the Marquis' Mansion to stand in front of the door to await the order.
Listening to the crackling sound of the flames in the lamps, everyone had different thoughts and thoughts.
"Da da da"
I don't know how much time passed, but when everyone felt numbness in their legs and soreness in their waists, the sound of horse hooves suddenly sounded at the end of the street.
The sound of hoofbeats was crisp and clear, but when gathered together, there was a faint momentum like a sea wave.
Then a bright, mighty and powerful cavalry came galloping towards them.
Walking at the front were a hundred guards wearing vermilion unicorn light armor, holding halberds and long knives hanging from their waists. They were the unicorn guards who were Emperor Jing's personal bodyguards.
In the late stage of the Juqing realm, in the martial arts realm, the guards have strong Qi and blood and condense into a group, with a majestic aura that makes it difficult for ghosts and gods to approach them.
Behind the team, followed a long motorcade, which was piled with brocade belongings given by Emperor Jing.
Hongliu Heavy Armor and Qingzhou Cong were not among them, and were only given to Jiang Li in the form of a seal.
If he needs it, he can go to the royal treasury or racecourse to get it.
"Young master, go to the Confucian Temple for reference. You should be back by Xu time at the latest. Nothing will happen!"
Chuchu and the maids from Lanhong Pavilion were also among the crowd.
Because of the eldest lady, in order to avoid suspicion, the servants in the house rarely have contact with the maids of Lanhong Pavilion, let alone any information about Jiang Li.
So until now, Chuchu and others did not know who the Qilinzi was in the Confucian Temple.
Chuchu didn't know, and didn't want to care. She only thought about her son and hoped that he could achieve satisfactory results today and make all these days of hard work worthwhile.
"Sister Chuchu, she seems to be the young master!"
A maid next to her gently pulled Chuchu's sleeves, her voice as low as a mosquito.
When Chuchu heard the words, he quickly looked up and saw a young general in silver armor in the middle of the team in front, riding a tall horse, with a red flame bird cape floating in the wind. He was extraordinarily heroic and handsome.
"What a gentleman!"
Chuchu covered her mouth in surprise, fearing that she might not be able to help shouting.
The young master is wearing a suit of armor, he is really handsome!
But in the Great Zhou Dynasty, usually only sergeants and generals with official ranks could wear armor.
The young master just finished taking the policy theory exam, why did he become a general?
But.
It’s really beautiful!
"Little bastard!"
In front of everyone in the Hou Mansion, the eldest lady and Jiang Xuanlin, the only legitimate son still in the Hou Mansion, stood like puppets.
If possible, the two of them would not be willing to wait here, just to welcome the return of Jiang Li, the disciple of Wensheng of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the son of Qilin.
Looking at the carriages filled with rewards at the back of the team, one knew that Jiang Li must have been generously rewarded by the Holy Emperor.
But no matter what, neither of them could have imagined that Jiang Li would actually be awarded an official rank. At this moment, he was riding a horse, only half a horse away from Jiang Shirong.
Even Qian Hu, another fifth-grade Qilin Guard, was half a horse slower and rode behind Jiang Li.
At this moment, I don’t know what he was saying to Jiang Li. He looked respectful, humble and polite, as if the person he was talking to was a second-grade official.
The Qilin Guards guarded around Emperor Jing and the Royal Family of the Great Zhou Dynasty. They were not of high rank, but they had special status and extraordinary vision. Ordinary third-rank officials were not taken into their eyes.
"Mysterious armor, he is actually at the fourth level!"
Jiang Xuanlin gritted his teeth and looked at Jiang Li's armor in disbelief.
You must know that his brother Jiang Xuanluo has been in the army for eight years. To this day, he has only reached the fourth rank. He is appointed as the commander of the guard station and leads 5,000 troops and horses to guard the border of the Western Region.
Didn't Jiang Li just write a piece of bullshit policy?
Why can it arouse the resonance of literary sages and hundreds of sages, and bring Qilin to the world?
Being trapped in a small courtyard by his mother, he has only read a few military books in ten years?
The Holy Emperor and the civil and military officials all had such visions that they were deceived by this little beast.
Once you become an official, you will be promoted directly to the fourth rank?
This is unprecedented in Dazhou!
Your Majesty is so confused!
Why didn't dad stop me?
Jiang Xuanlin's fists were about to break. Recalling Jiang Li's New Year's Eve, a congratulatory message directly pierced his heart, and the hatred and unwillingness in his heart became more intense.
He looked up at He Loushi, hoping that his mother would take action again and find a way to deal with this Jiang Li.
If Jiang Li is immortal, how strong his literary heart will be!
When he thought about the future, even if he got the top prize, he would only be in the fifth rank at most, he felt like a big mountain was pressing down on his body and heart, and Wen Xin started to stagger again.
"I respectfully welcome the Marquis back to my mansion!"
As the cavalry gradually approached, He Lou took a step forward slowly and bowed slightly. There was no expression on his delicate face, and his expression was calm and composed. However, the dormant gloomy aura permeating his body lingered and was difficult to hide. .
That bitch had been dead for more than ten years, and Jiang Li had been suppressed by her. He was reduced to a son-in-law, and his path to Confucianism and Taoism was cut off. Ning's family was seeking death, and his sons were all useless.
I thought that I would completely control the Hou Mansion and have no worries anymore. Who would have known that, just by letting him go a little bit, this little bastard grew up at an astonishing speed.
After working hard for so long, the first young master of the Jiang family who was welcomed by her and returned as an official was not one of the legitimate sons she gave birth to, but a bastard born of a bitch.
Fourth grade?
How could one article get him a fourth-grade official position?
Luo'er has been in the army for eight years and has been stationed in the Western Region. His soldiers have fought bloody battles with the countries in the Western Region, and he is only in the fourth rank now.
Why can this little bastard be on an equal footing with Luo'er!
"No matter what, I can't let Jiang Li grow any more. Even if the Marquis blames me, I have to get rid of Jiang Li. Otherwise, how can I be in charge of the Marquis Mansion in the future!"
He Loushi was secretly angry in her heart, and she calmly greeted the Qilin Guards and the imperial eunuch who returned with Jiang Shirong, "My dear Lord He Lou has met all the generals and father-in-law!"
"Zhenwuhou Mansion accepts the order!"
A middle-aged man with a white face and no beard, wearing a patterned floral dress, rode out on horseback. He was the eunuch of the Shang Baojian of the Twelve Temples in the Imperial Court.
He shouted expressionlessly, and the Qilin Guards and eunuchs who were escorting Jiang Li and Marquis Zhenwu back to their residence simultaneously dismounted their horses and knelt down on the ground.
Everyone in the Hou Mansion also knelt down under the leadership of He Loushi and Jiang Xuanlin.
Only Jiang Shirong and Jiang Li, the Marquis of Zhenwu, still sat firmly on their horses, one west and one east, like two completely different poles.
"Why doesn't Jiang Li kneel down?"
"He is so brave, why doesn't father reprimand him?"
He Loushi and Jiang Xuanlin were kneeling on the ground, and Jiang Li could faintly see his silver boots in the stirrups.
They were all shocked by Jiang Li's behavior of riding on horseback to receive the order.
Jiang Shirong on the side acted as if he hadn't seen him, his face was as deep, resolute and calm as ever.
"By God's blessing, the emperor ordered Jiang Li, the concubine of the Marquis of Zhenwu, to be loyal and good at both civil and military affairs. He was the mainstay of the imperial court and the leader of the country. I read his advice on three strategies to control Mang, broke Beimang's conspiracy, and wrote seven volumes of military strategists. He has done a great job. In consideration of his young age, Jiang Li is granted the title of Commander-in-Chief of the Qing Army and General of the Zhongwu Army, and is temporarily appointed to the post of Qianhu.
I will give you a hundred pieces of brocade, a pair of white jade... two hundred sets of lumen heavy armor, three hundred pieces of Qingzhou Cong, a thousand taels of gold, ten volumes of "Arsenal", and a Yanque jade pendant. It shows that I do not kneel down, and admire this! "
The slender and tall voice of the eunuch Shang Baojian echoed in the sky above the Marquis Mansion, and everyone who knelt on the ground was shocked in their hearts.
Merit can lead to a title!
These four words alone are enough to explain the current attitude of the Holy Emperor towards Jiang Li!
Yanque jade pendant, don’t kneel down when you see me!
What a glory and grace.
Compared with this, the official rank of fourth grade is actually irrelevant.
He Loushi and Jiang Xuanlin who were kneeling on the ground felt as if they were struck by lightning.
The two of them were not without psychological expectations. When they found out that Jiang Li was Qilinzi, they had expected to be favored and given an official title.
But he never expected that Jiang Li would be so admired by Emperor Jing.
With such a status, even if He Loushi is the mistress, she cannot reprimand, scold or point fingers.
Don’t kneel down when you see me!
The saint has not reprimanded him, so who dares to say that his disciples are not good?
When Jiang Xuanlin saw Jiang Li in the house in the future, he could no longer act like a legitimate son, and would even take the initiative to salute Jiang Li.
"He Loushi listens!"
The eunuch Shang Baojian handed the imperial edict to Jiang Li and cleared his throat again. This time, no edict was taken out.
"Xiaojun He Loushi accepts the order!"
The gloom in He Loushi's eyes almost turned to ice, and she knelt forward a few steps with a gloomy expression.
She didn't want to accept this order at all.
When the concubine in the palace becomes a high official and is appreciated by the Holy One, the mistress will naturally be praised by the Holy One and even be rewarded generously.
It is normal to upgrade Madam Gaoming's rank.
But when he thought about this favor coming from Jiang Li, He Loushi felt sick and sick to his stomach.
She would rather receive a slap than suffer such "humiliation"!
"Mr. Helou, I am very unhappy. As the mistress of the Hou Mansion and the royal wife of the imperial court, you should share the burdens for the imperial court and Marquis Wu. However, you are jealous and resentful, secretly suppressing your husband and heirs, which is unworthy of a woman. It even insulted Mrs. Gaoming's title.
The eunuch Shang Baojian imitated Emperor Jing's voice and said, "I don't even want to formulate a decree. If Marquis Wu was not loyal to me and the court, I would have just ordered the eunuch to drag you out and kill you."
"I'm going to give Marquis Wu a face today. I've taken back your imperial concubine. You lack the virtues of a woman and are not worthy of the position of mistress. From now on, please find a quiet place to stay. The Marquis's residence will be managed by the third lady Wei. Take charge!”
"What!"
Heloushi raised his head suddenly, his eyes widening.
Shouldn't it be rewarded?
Why did he even lose the title of Madam Gaoming and the control of the Hou Mansion!
no.
She doesn't accept it!
"Master Hou!"
He Loushi looked at Jiang Shirong like a life-saving straw, hoping that her husband would intercede with the Holy Emperor for her.
Her title was taken away, she was reprimanded and scolded by the Holy Master in public, and her position as mistress was lost.
Once this matter comes out, it will definitely become the laughing stock of all the noble women in Shengjing City.
This is worse than killing her!
"Father, you can't do this to your mother!"
Jiang Xuanlin couldn't help shouting. He looked at He Lou who was in despair and his eyes were straight, feeling panicked and at a loss.
"Haven't you heard the Holy Spirit's will? Why don't you thank me!"
Jiang Shirong's expression was still deep, and the Black Horse King, who looked like a ferocious beast, snorted heavily as he sat down, making a muffled sound like thunder.
He Loushi collapsed to the ground with a cry, as if all the energy and energy in his body had been drained.
"The situation in the Hou Mansion is about to change!"
Although the servants kneeling behind were shocked, they quickly accepted the facts before them.
They looked at each other, then looked at the young general wearing mysterious armor, and began to reflect on how many excessive things they had done over the years.
There is no room for maneuver.
Several of the old people had their thoughts changed, and their eyes flickered uncertainly.
Jiang Li's rise has become unstoppable.
Even the Marquis has acquiesced in this matter. The future owner of the Marquis Mansion will most likely be this once insignificant bastard.
Whether it is to make up for what happened before, or to continue to enjoy the shade under Jiang Li, the future tree, something should be done now.
Perhaps, some of the things that happened back then can be used as a certificate of nomination!
After all, the eldest lady has fallen!
I’ve finished the exam and will be returning tomorrow. I estimate I’ll be home tomorrow night, ready to continue!
(End of chapter)
