ATPnovel Chapter 44 Marquis of Guannei
Chapter 44 Marquis of Guannei
At the same time, the Zongzheng official also completed the verification.
The reply to Liu Hong stated: Liu Bei is indeed a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan and a great-great-grandson of Emperor Xiaojing; his lineage within the imperial clan is confirmed without error.
From this point on, Liu Bei was officially registered as a member of the Han imperial family, and his status was established.
Upon hearing the news, Liu Hong was overjoyed and summoned Wang Fu, the eunuch, again to discuss the rewards to be bestowed upon Liu Bei.
"My dear minister, you see, the epidemic prevention methods have been implemented throughout the land with remarkable results. Liu Bei is indeed a member of the Han imperial family. We can't let him remain a mere military clerk, can we?"
"I intend to promote him to Governor of Liaoxi. What do you think?"
Wang Fu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you mustn't!"
"Liu Bei has just been recommended as a filial and incorruptible official, but has not yet been recommended as an outstanding talent. According to the regulations of the Han Dynasty, there is absolutely no reason for someone who has been recommended as a filial and incorruptible official to be directly promoted to governor. The court officials will surely rise up in opposition."
"Moreover, Hou Chong, the governor of Liaoxi, has done nothing wrong. Replacing him without cause would likely discourage officials on the frontier."
Liu Hong frowned, then said, "Then promoting him to Commandant of Liaoxi Commandery, giving him command of the troops of that commandery, would that be acceptable?"
Wang Fu quickly shook his head again: "Your Majesty, the rank of the Commandant is equivalent to that of a 2,000-stone official, the same rank as the Prefect."
"Liu Bei is still young and has no outstanding military achievements. It would be inappropriate to suddenly promote him to the rank of Commandant. The generals on the border would definitely be dissatisfied."
Liu Hong's face instantly darkened. He glanced at Wang Fu and said in a cold tone, "This won't work, and that won't work either."
"I think Liu Bei might have offended you?"
"What is your intention in obstructing me at every turn?"
Wang Fu's heart skipped a beat, and he fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly and crying out in a shrill voice, "Your Majesty, spare my life!"
"I'm innocent!"
"This servant is utterly loyal to Your Majesty; how could I dare to obstruct Your Majesty's rewarding of meritorious officials?"
"This servant is only afraid that the rewards would be too great, attracting criticism from the court officials and ultimately harming Liu Bei!"
As he kowtowed, his mind raced. He knew that if he continued to obstruct the emperor, it would surely arouse the emperor's suspicion. He had to offer the emperor an acceptable reward plan.
He quickly replied, "Your Majesty, Liu Bei has rendered such great service and is a member of the Han imperial family; he naturally deserves a rich reward!"
"In my humble opinion, it would be better to simply bestow upon him the title of Marquis!"
"It is only right and proper for the Han Dynasty to confer titles upon those who have rendered meritorious service. Moreover, he is a member of the imperial clan, and the court officials will not utter a single word of criticism!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Hong's eyes lit up: "A title of nobility? That's a great idea!"
"Those who have rendered meritorious service should be granted a noble title!"
"So, where do you think should be sealed off?"
Wang Fu's heart skipped a beat again, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty, although Liu Bei has made contributions, he is still young and inexperienced."
"If we directly confer the title of Marquis, it would probably be against the rules."
"How about we first bestow upon him the title of Marquis within the Pass, to recognize his merits?"
Fearing that Liu Hong would be displeased, he quickly added another sentence, which accurately hit Liu Hong's mind.
"Your Majesty, the title of Marquis of Guannei is already an unparalleled honor, which is enough to demonstrate Your Majesty's high regard for him."
"If we bestow the title of Marquis upon him now, what will Your Majesty use to reward him when he achieves further merit?"
"Moreover, as you know, this title of Marquis will be held by the Western Residence in the future..."
"We could have sold it for a good price. Wouldn't it be a waste to just seal it off now?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Hong immediately laughed.
He had always liked to save money on the side and had already begun plotting to sell official positions. Wang Fu's words hit the nail on the head.
You have a point.
Liu Hong nodded and said with a smile, "Then it is as you say, Liu Bei shall be granted the title of Marquis of Guannei."
"By the way, he can't stay as a military clerk."
"The seat of Liaoxi Commandery is Yangle County. Perfect, let him take on the position of magistrate of Yangle County, overseeing the civil administration of the county and concurrently managing military affairs."
"This way, it's both in accordance with the law and doesn't mean we're mistreating him."
Wang Fu quickly bowed and echoed, "Your Majesty is wise! This is a perfect plan!"
The following day, at the court assembly, Liu Hong formally issued an edict:
Liu Bei, a military officer in Liaoxi Commandery, compiled a complete book on epidemic prevention, which relieved the plague and protected the people, a meritorious deed for the nation.
He was also a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a member of the Han imperial family, and his loyalty and bravery were commendable.
Now, Liu Bei is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of three hundred households, and promoted to Magistrate of Yangle County, Liaoxi Commandery. This is the imperial decree.
Once the decree was issued, no one in the court dared to object.
The conferment of titles and appointments were based on merit and evidence, and were reasonable and justifiable. No one could find any fault with them.
An urgent imperial edict was dispatched from the Southern Palace in Luoyang, and the fast horse galloped toward Liaoxi County in Youzhou.
It was delivered to western Liaoning in a short time.
Upon learning of the imperial edict, Hou Chong, along with all the officials of Liaoxi Prefecture, dressed in court attire, quickly went out of the city gate to greet it.
Liu Bei, dressed in the official robes of a clerk, followed closely beside Hou Chong, with Xu Rong, Tian Yu, Cheng Pu, and Han Dang standing on either side, each with a solemn expression.
The courier horse galloped up, and the head eunuch reined in his horse and dismounted.
Holding the bright yellow imperial edict aloft, the emperor's gaze swept over the assembled officials, and he announced in a shrill voice, "Liu Bei, Military Clerk of Liaoxi Commandery, receive the imperial edict!"
Hou Chong and Liu Bei immediately stepped forward and performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony before the imperial edict. Behind them, all the officials knelt down and loudly proclaimed, "Your subjects respectfully welcome the imperial edict!"
The Imperial Eunuch unfolded the imperial edict, cleared his throat, and began to read it aloud.
From Liu Bei's writing of "Complete Book on Epidemic Prevention in Western Liaoning" to explain the epidemics that plagued the world, to his status as a member of the Han imperial family.
Then came the imperial edict granting him the title of Marquis of Guannei, a fief of three hundred households, and the promotion to Magistrate of Yangle County.
Every word was clearly heard by everyone present.
After the imperial edict was read aloud, Liu Bei kowtowed to express his gratitude, accepted the edict with both hands, and raised it above his head with composure, showing no sign of losing his composure.
But Xu Rong, Tian Yu, and the others behind him could no longer contain their excitement.
Tian Yu's hands, hanging by his sides, trembled slightly, his eyes filled with pride and joy.
My lord was only sixteen years old when he was granted a marquisate and appointed as a magistrate, becoming a Marquis within the Passes bestowed by the Han court. What an honor this is!
Xu Rong gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his back ramrod straight, his tiger-like eyes shining with an astonishing light. The lord he had followed had finally been seen by the emperor and received the reward he deserved.
Cheng Pu and Han Dang exchanged a glance, both seeing relief and determination in each other's eyes.
They had indeed followed the right person. Upon arriving to seek refuge, their lord had bestowed such a great favor upon them, and their future prospects were limitless.
The people surrounding the area, upon hearing the contents of the imperial edict, erupted in thunderous cheers.
"Lord Liu has been ennobled!"
"His Majesty has bestowed upon Prefect Liu the title of Marquis of Guannei!"
"Very good!"
"Lord Liu is like a second father to us; he truly deserves this reward!"
The people knelt down and kowtowed in the direction of the imperial edict.
They bowed to Liu Bei from afar, and cheers rose in waves, shaking the banners on the city walls.
The imperial edict-bearer, who had come to deliver the decree, was filled with astonishment upon seeing this scene.
He traveled to various prefectures and counties on imperial orders, and had never seen a minor official in a border prefecture receive such genuine support from the people.
Hou Chong stood up, first had someone present a thank-you gift to the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree, then exchanged pleasantries with him before finally seeing him off with satisfaction.
These are all matters of human relationships and social customs. As Liu Bei's father-in-law, he would not allow them to offend the powerful eunuch clique.
They were unaware that if it weren't for the eunuchs' obstruction, Liu Bei might have already become the ruler of a region.
Looking at Liu Bei holding the imperial edict beside him, Hou Chong's face was full of undisguised satisfaction and pride.
He smiled and said, "Xuande, congratulations!"
"To be granted a title and appointed to a high-ranking position—a truly joyous occasion!"