At the same time as the new round of knighthoods and honors, Emperor Liu also formally issued a system of medals that he had previously ordered his uncle Li Ye to create to commend those who have made outstanding contributions to civil and military affairs since the founding of the People's Republic of China.
This is pure honor. It does not involve the interests of the nobility like titles and honors, and the threshold is relatively low. It is aimed at all people in the universe, regardless of ethnicity, men and women, old and young, civil and military, as long as they have made contributions to the country, society and the people. Those who have made outstanding and commendable contributions can be awarded on a case-by-case basis.
Of course, the threshold is only relative. Although the scope is wide, the conditions for granting are not low at all. Don't look at a small medal, it can also be passed down, and Emperor Liu's original intention was not this, but taking it out is enough to improve his social status.
The Imperial Medal is divided into three levels and six levels, with one level of gold, two levels of silver and three levels of bronze. They are engraved with mountains and rivers, cities and swords and plows respectively. They were jointly designed by doctors under the Ministry of Industry and the Xuanwei Department, and painstakingly crafted by skilled metallurgical craftsmen in the palace. The lofty honor, coupled with the most advanced technology at the moment, creates an exquisite medal that is of sufficient weight.
In terms of awards, it also reflects the style that Emperor Liu has developed, which is less but more important. Taking the first-level gold medal as an example, only ten people, including the big and small ministers including the twenty-four ministers of Qianyou, can be awarded. The rest have to be one level lower, starting from the first level of silver medal, and descending in a pyramid shape. In the Battle of Dali, some soldiers who performed outstandingly and fought bravely were only awarded the second-level Bronze Medal.
Speaking of which, those who get these honors must be alive or survived. After all, only with the capital to survive can they be qualified to pursue and enjoy honors. This has a more significant effect on Emperor Liu's spiritual construction and character shaping of the Han Dynasty. After all, it can be recognized by people.
As for those loyal souls who died, they are worthy of admiration and memory, but apart from earning some pension for their families and children, the best destination is to be recruited into the Zhaolie Temple in Kaifeng, have their names on the stele, and receive some sacrifices every year. Offer incense and worship.
In addition to the Imperial Medal, there is also a Purple Gold Medal with dragon and phoenix decorations. Its role is self-evident. It is based on the royal family and is used to award honors to ministers who have made outstanding contributions to the empire or the royal family.
In this regard, the requirements are more stringent and the standards are higher. It also proves from the side that in the Han Dynasty, imperial power was supreme. At least in the era of Emperor Liu, he looked down upon everything and was above everything else.
...
For the officials of the Han Dynasty, the first month is the most leisurely month because it has the most and continuous holidays. The busiest month is also the first month. After the holidays, they have to devote themselves to trivial and heavy affairs and deal with those things that have been put aside. Chores.
Of course, this is only true when the country is stable and politically clear. In the past, even in the early years of opening a treasure, you still had to work hard when you should.
It was February 2nd of another year. Taking advantage of the good season, Emperor Liu led a group of people to loosen the soil on the outskirts of Xijing. He has entered his 22nd year as emperor. In the past twenty years, this practice of plowing the farmland to show his emphasis on agriculture has become a norm.
Even when he was out on patrol or on an expedition, an edict would come to the capital, and the queen, prince, and ministers who stayed in the capital would go to the ground on his behalf. To this day, Emperor Liu still maintains this habit, but the difference is that it is not a show like back then, and he also specially finds people to watch.
Thanks to the nourishment of the Yiluo River, the land around Xijing is quite fertile. At the beginning of mid-spring, the vegetation began to multiply, and the land chosen by Emperor Liu belonged to the work field.
There are already acres of wheat fields around, and the growth looks good. As expected, there will be a bumper harvest this summer. This situation makes Emperor Liu feel better, and he can wield the hoe with more energy.
This time, Emperor Liu dressed lightly and obeyed. In addition to the prince Liu Yang and the prime minister Zhao Pu, he was accompanied by a group of newly promoted military nobles including Wang Quanbin and Pan Mei.
As the hoe flew around, Prince Yansheng of Pingxi County wasted a lot of energy. He stepped hard into the soil, spat, and complained: "This is bullying me because I don't know how to cultivate the land!"
Beside him, his comrade-in-arms in the Western Expedition, the newly promoted Bowang Marquis Guo Jin couldn't help but smile and said: "Your Majesty spared no effort to farm the land, so why should I complain?"
Wang Yansheng looked towards Emperor Liu and said immediately: "I don't dare to complain. It's just that we have oxen and plows that we don't need. Why do we have to do hard work?
Furthermore, if you use the same hands that hold swords and knives, and go into battle to kill enemies, to play with these picks and tools, isn't it just killing a chicken with a sledgehammer? "
Having said that, Wang Yansheng still seemed very happy. After all, although the newly acquired prince was only a county prince, he had also crossed the natural chasm from marquis to prince, so his mood could not be worse.
The same goes for Guo Jin. He was promoted to a first-class marquis and received a second-class Silver Medal. After all, he was a direct descendant of the old Liu family, and Emperor Liu was still very fond of him.
Obviously, they had received some criticism and suppression because of the massacre in Gansu, but Emperor Liu still recognized their achievements. After the conferment, the little resentment dissipated.
After hearing this, Guo Jin said: "Didn't Your Majesty say it before? A soldier of the Han Dynasty should hold a sword in one hand and a plow in the other to open up territories and leave a name in history!"
"Can you really let me wait until I start farming?" Wang Yansheng muttered. As he spoke, a strange color flashed through his tiger eyes. He approached Guo Jin and whispered: "Brother Guo, you said His Majesty wants us to do this." The military minister accompanied us to the field, does he mean to let us take off our armor and return to the field?"
Hearing what he said, Guo Jin looked at Wang Yansheng in surprise. When did "Wang Jian'er" have such thoughts? In response to this, Guo Jin's face, which seemed to have a bit of evil spirit, said calmly: "The enemy in the north has not been eliminated, how can it be the time to let the horse go to the south mountain?"
"That's right! When it comes to fighting barbarians, Wang is not weak to others. His Majesty can definitely use me!" Wang Yansheng smiled confidently.
"Brother Wang, you still want to upgrade your title?" Guo Jin said.
"Isn't it possible?" Wang Yansheng said: "I don't dare to hope for the position of Duke, but I still dare to think about it as a county prince. I regard you as a nephew, but relying on your majesty's excessive favor and trust, I have made some small achievements, and I am also promoted. It’s time for the Duke…”
Obviously, Wang Yansheng was a little unconvinced. However, what he didn't know was that many people were dissatisfied with his title as Duke of Pingxi County because he had made too many mistakes in the past...
In comparison, Guo Jin has an equally strong temperament, but he despises these fame and fortunes, so he seems to be unconcerned: "Your Majesty rewards and punishes Shang Gong, why do you care so much about it?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Yansheng was stunned for a moment, looked at this brother who was several years younger than him, and sighed: "I'm not as good as Brother Guo!"
"It's getting late, you and I should finish cultivating this half acre of land as soon as possible!" Guo Jin responded with a smile.
"We have been in the Forbidden Army for several years, and it is very boring. I don't know when will His Majesty start the Northern Expedition again? Last time, I missed it. This time, we will leave the northern part of the Great Wall and sweep across Monan!" Wang Yansheng seemed to be making a vow. , waved the hoe in his hand fiercely.
"The war situation in the southwest has been initially determined, and Dali has not yet been completely captured. It may be difficult to achieve it in a short time!" Guo Jin shook his head and said, but his eyes were also flashing with anticipation.
The ambition and vigor of generals like them on the battlefield will be flattened in a few more years of peace.
