Xuanxia

Chapter 557 Reward (Part )

The sunlight slanted in through the open door of the Qianyuan Hall, casting a bright path inside the hall, while the two sides were shrouded in solemn shadows.

Fu Qingzhou walked along the path of light, and his eyes were unconsciously attracted to the emperor sitting on the dragon throne in front of him - Zhao Yuan.

The Zhao Yuan of today is completely different from the brother who used to laugh, scold, drink and chat happily.

He was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe and a jade crown on his head, sitting upright on the huge dragon throne, with an expression of domineering aura that made him look powerful without even being angry.

Although Zhao Yuan is very young and immature, when he truly sits on the dragon throne as an emperor, he is the true Son of Heaven.

The pair of eyes that were once familiar and kind now flashed with a majestic and deep light. The corners of Zhao Yuan's mouth curled up slightly, and he nodded to Fu Qingzhou imperceptibly, but there was an unquestionable imperial aura in that smile.

Fu Qingzhou still kept smiling.

He came to the front of the hall, bowed deeply according to etiquette, then stood up and looked into Zhao Yuan's eyes.

As he saluted, he also felt the gazes of countless officials in the shadows on both sides.

There might be some kind looks in those eyes, but mostly there are cold and vigilant looks.

"Fu Qingzhou."

In the hall, Zhao Yuan slowly said: "Why don't you kneel?"

Fu Qingzhou quietly rolled his eyes in his heart...

Although Zhao Yuan's voice was dignified and steady, he could still hear a hint of teasing in it.

"Report to the Emperor."

Fu Qingzhou bowed again and said in a deep voice: "The day before yesterday, I fought and destroyed Xiyu Pavilion, and was seriously injured. My leg injury was particularly serious. It is not easy for me to stand now. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Huang, who was standing not far away, glared.

Are you injured? Who are you kidding? Who was that person who just ran all the way with us?

In an instant, sweat began to break out on Eunuch Huang's forehead.

In order to avoid kneeling before the Emperor in the palace, you made up a lie full of loopholes? This is a crime of deceiving the Emperor!

Otherwise, you should stop recognizing me as your half-uncle...

Fu Qingzhou naturally also noticed Eunuch Huang's pale face and grinned at him, which frightened Eunuch Huang so much that his eyelids twitched.

"Well……"

Zhao Yuan hesitated for a moment and said, "I see. Then... please take a seat."

"Huh?" Eunuch Huang was stunned and didn't react.

Zhao Yuan was somewhat dissatisfied. He lowered his head and looked at Eunuch Huang standing under the dragon throne: "Xiao Lingzi?"

It was really weird for him, a young man in his twenties, to be facing "Xiao Lingzi", an old eunuch who looked to be at least in his sixties or seventies.

But Eunuch Huang was startled and immediately smiled: "As you command!"

He disappeared from the spot in a flash, and in the blink of an eye, he pushed a chair to Fu Qingzhou's side: "Young Master Fu, please."

When their eyes met, Fu Qingzhou saw admiration in the eunuch's eyes.

After he sat down leisurely, Zhao Yuan said leisurely: "Well... Fu Qingzhou was summoned to the court today to reward him for capturing the Northern Barbarian spy Manar and destroying Xiyu Pavilion recently."

"In that case, Ning Wushu and Yue Heng, who are also receiving awards, should also be given seats."

Eunuch Huang responded and in the blink of an eye moved two more chairs over.

It was at this time that Fu Qingzhou noticed Ning Wushu and Yue Heng walking out of the shadows.

They were also in the hall just now, but standing at the back of the crowd. After hearing the announcement, they walked to the front and took their seats at the same time.

Ning Wushu was an official, a general in the Northern Frontier Army, but she naturally could not wear armor or carry weapons when attending court, so she wore a specially made official uniform for women.

In the Dayan Dynasty, women could serve as officials, so there were official uniforms that Fu Qingzhou had never seen in any TV dramas or movies in his previous life.

This official uniform for women has a dark green base and is delicately embellished with silver cloud patterns, which makes it look solemn while retaining its feminine beauty.

When Ning Wushu wore this dress, she looked less chivalrous and more elegant and majestic, and her figure looked tall and straight, like a green pine.

After sitting down, she smiled at Fu Qingzhou without saying anything.

Fu Qingzhou turned his head and looked to the side - Yue Heng was still dressed like a poor scholar, sitting very straight, staring straight at Zhao Yuan, not even daring to look at Fu Qingzhou and say hello.

"Today, I want to reward you greatly, but..."

After they sat down, Zhao Yuan's voice suddenly sank: "Before that, I have something to say!"

He looked around at the courtiers with a sharp gaze, and suddenly slapped the armrest of the dragon throne, shouting angrily: "You civil and military officials, you eat the emperor's food, but you are not loyal to the emperor!"

The scolding came so suddenly that all the court officials were shocked.

But Zhao Yuan hadn't finished scolding.

He stretched out his hand and waved it vigorously, his voice as loud as thunder: "Under your noses, major events such as the Northern Barbarians' spies sneaking in and the Xiyu Pavilion causing chaos have happened one after another, and you are helpless and have to rely on a few young people to make great military achievements! I ask you, where is your dignity?!"

Fu Qingzhou sat there, listening to the officials in the hall moving restlessly and making rustling sounds, and he grinned in embarrassment.

No, Brother Zhao Yuan...if you want to reward us, just do it quickly. Why did you call us in to sit down and then curse us here?
Is it suitable?

But in fact, he also knew the significance of Zhao Yuan's doing this.

It’s just to establish your authority.

No, it's not just about establishing authority... As expected, seeing Zhao Yuan so furious, the entire hall suddenly fell silent, and all the ministers lowered their heads and hands, speechless - but soon, an old minister who was standing very front and of a very high rank slowly walked out.

"Your Majesty, calm down."

The white-haired old minister had a resonant voice: "Since ancient times, talented people have emerged in large numbers. Today's young people will be the pillars of the future. The fact that these young people have made such great contributions is a sign of the prosperity of our country and the succession of successors!"

After saying this, he bowed deeply to Zhao Yuan and said, "I, your majesty, congratulate you and Dayan!"

His words were so beautiful that the other officials immediately responded, bowed, and said in unison: "Congratulations to your majesty and to the great emperor!"

Zhao Yuan's expression eased slightly and he nodded.

Only Fu Qingzhou, who was staring at him the whole time, saw a hint of pride in his eyes.

"Sure enough, this guy is trying to gain power from the officials bit by bit..."

Fu Qingzhou thought to himself, "Although I don't know how he will reward us, he is cultivating a powerful team for himself. If he rewards us too much at once, other officials will definitely object. But now, this group of people are all 'congratulating His Majesty and the Great Yan', and it will be impossible for them to say anything against it later."

"This kid has learned a lot of tricks."

While he was thinking, Zhao Yuan over there spoke: "Your Excellency Yuan, what you said is absolutely right. Today's young people will be the pillars of tomorrow! In this case, I will reward them well!"

My dear Yuan?
Fu Qingzhou's eyes changed slightly as he looked at the old minister. This is Yuan Ye, right?

He glanced secretly at Yue Heng.

Yue Heng also looked at the old minister with complicated eyes - Yuan Ye was his Chu Chumei's grandfather!
But he has already boarded the emperor's chariot, and next, he has to help the emperor deal with this grandfather...

On the other side, Zhao Yuan called out leisurely, "Ning Wu Shu."

Ning Wushu stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty, I am here."

"You tracked down and destroyed the Beiyi spy plan, and captured the Beiyi little prince and head of the military secretariat, Ashina Manar. Your achievements are remarkable! I remember that you were a general of military strategy in the Northern Frontier Army?" Zhao Yuan said in a deep voice.

Ning Wushu responded with a yes.

"very good."

Zhao Yuan smiled and said, "I will now promote you to General Xuanwu of the Northern Frontier Army, a fourth-rank official, and grant you five hundred taels of gold, eight hundred bolts of silk, and five boxes of jewels!"

Ning Wushu looked solemn and bowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I will live up to your expectations and defend the Northern Frontier and Dayan until my death!"

"Very good, General Ning has taken on his father's style! As expected, a tiger father will have a dog daughter!"

Zhao Yuan smiled and praised him a few times, then called out, "Yue Heng."

Yue Heng was startled and suddenly jumped up from his chair: "I'm here."

Zhao Yuan smiled at him and said, "In the Xiyu Pavilion case, you assisted Mingjian Pavilion in handling the case and made great contributions. You also personally led Mingjian Pavilion to rescue Fu Qingzhou and others. You also found clues and evidence that Xiyu Pavilion and Jiang Baichuan had joined forces with Jinchan Temple's rebellious monks Huijue and Huixin to kill people and practice evil skills. You have made countless contributions!"

"I now appoint you as a cabinet scholar, grant you a house, three hundred taels of gold, five hundred bolts of silk, two boxes of jewels, and three hundred volumes of sage books. I hope you will serve diligently and help the country."

When these words came out, all the officials were shocked!

Yue Heng himself was stunned.

Cabinet Scholar?!
Although the Cabinet Scholar is only a lower-ranking official in the cabinet, the cabinet is still the power center of the entire court!
An ordinary scholar, who had never taken the imperial examinations, had made some achievements and was directly admitted into the cabinet? !
But then, all the officials were surprised to find that... Yuan Ye, the second-in-command of the cabinet who had just spoken, was actually nodding and smiling at Yue Heng!

Even the other old official in the shadow beside Yuanye did not say anything, but just smiled silently.

There are no fools in the court.

In the previous case where Yue Heng severely injured Lan Hongjun, his background had been almost completely exposed. Even a few secret envoys from Mingjian Pavilion knew his identity, so how could these high officials not know?

Soon, they reacted.

That's right! His "grandfather" was originally the second assistant of the cabinet! The Yuan family almost controls more than half of Dayan's civil service resources. Who dares to object to his grandson-in-law becoming an official and taking over?
You see, even the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, Lord Yan, has no objection!
Fu Qingzhou observed the expressions of the officials and naturally guessed that the person next to Yuan Ye was Yan Yidonggang.

Is this the quasi-master of the "Sword of Righteousness"...

He didn't know why Yan Yidonggang didn't object, but most likely, it was because of what Zhao Yuan said.

Yue Heng's identity is really subtle, used to check and balance multiple forces, perfect...

While he was thinking about this, Yue Heng had already thanked him with great fear and trepidation.

Zhao Yuan also opened his mouth slowly and called out the name "Fu Qingzhou".

Fu Qingzhou stood up slowly and bowed: "I am here."

"You... have made the greatest contribution."

Zhao Yuan smiled and said, "You were the main force in both cases and made great contributions. Have you ever thought about what kind of official you want to be?"

Fu Qingzhou smiled helplessly: "Your Majesty, I am not cut out to be an official, so let's not do that. If you are willing, I will definitely accept more gold, silver, treasures, and magical weapons if you give me them. But I am not really suitable to be an official... I am just a gangster, and I can't handle any government affairs."

"so……"

Zhao Yuan stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and said leisurely: "I heard that you have a nickname in the martial arts world, called Qianlong?"

Fu Qingzhou blinked.

The court of Dayan does not seem to be very shy about the word "dragon", otherwise he would be accused of plotting rebellion with the nickname "Hidden Dragon"... At the moment, it seems that neither the civil and military officials nor the emperor himself cares much.

So, he nodded.

"very good."

Zhao Yuan smiled and said, "Then I will confer upon you the title of Fengtian Yiyun Tuicheng Qianlongbo, a hereditary title, and reward you with a thousand taels of gold, a thousand pieces of silk, twenty boxes of jewels, and a house in the capital. I will also allow you to choose three magical weapons from the imperial arsenal... How do you think?"

(End of this chapter)