Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 625: Hami is short of people
The news of the Hami battle soon reached Peking.

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Houzhao was so excited when he heard the news of this great victory that he almost jumped up, but fortunately he kept his composure.

If he was still the prince, he would probably lose his composure upon hearing this news.

"Okay! Go and summon the six ministries of the cabinet to see me!"

Liu Jin joyfully summoned all the elders of the six ministries of the cabinet to the warm room of the Qianqing Palace.

The top leaders of the Ming Dynasty are now extremely excited. After all, it was during their reign that the Ming Dynasty achieved such a great victory in the northern border. This represents the beginning of a new era for the Ming Dynasty!

All the figures of this era will eventually be recorded in history and remembered and known by future generations!
Zhu Houzhao said to Fei Hong: "Teacher, Yang Yiqing has made such great contributions in the northern border. How do you think we should reward him?"

In this battle, Yang Yiqing almost annihilated all the Mongols. It is no exaggeration to say that he destroyed a country. Many ambitious emperors in previous dynasties had been trying to do this, but no one succeeded.

So this time the court will not only reward Yang Yiqing, but also reward him heavily!

Fei Hong pondered for a moment and said to Zhu Houzhao: "Your Highness, I think Yang Yiqing has made great contributions to the expansion of territory and is worthy of being made a marquis!"

Ever since Emperor Hongzhi dispatched the Ming dynasty's vassal states to Japan, the salaries of those above the rank of marquis have been adjusted. They are almost no longer hereditary, and the number of people who are given the title of marquis is very small. It is impossible to be given the title of marquis without extraordinary merit. In this era, it is very rare to be given the title of earl. This is enough to show the value of Yang Yiqing's title of marquis.

After Fei Hong proposed the title of marquis, no one from the six ministries of the cabinet opposed it, because they all believed that Yang Yiqing's contributions were worthy of the title of marquis.

Zhu Houzhao said: "Then confer the title of Marquis of Zhenbei! All the benefits will be calculated by the Ministry of Personnel and issued later. Don't treat Lord Yang unfairly!"

"According to the order!"

Zhu Houzhao was silent for a moment, and then said to Fei Hong with a look of emotion: "Teacher, what virtue and ability do I have to be able to destroy Mongolia under my supervision?"

Fei Hong and the six ministers all bowed and praised Zhu Houzhao for his wisdom and bravery.

Zhu Houzhao held his hands down and said, "I am not wise or brave. My father is the wise and brave one."

"I am just a little confused. Why did the Mongols, who were so powerful before, get slaughtered like this by us?"

Fei Hong smiled and said, "Because our Ming Dynasty is rich and powerful, the Mongols are certainly no match for us."

Zhu Houzhao continued: "Why is the country rich and the army strong?"

Fei Hong smiled and said, "Since the 12th year of Hongzhi, the Ming Dynasty has been trying to reform, from an agricultural country to a commercial country. The profits brought to the Ming Dynasty by commerce..."

He paused, and looked at Zhu Houzhao in astonishment, as if he understood what Zhu Houzhao meant.

After a brief pause, Fei Hong continued: "Business has brought huge profits to the Ming Dynasty, not only in China, but also in overseas countries. Our Ming Dynasty has gained huge benefits from other countries."

"Thus, our Ming Dynasty achieved prosperity and strength."

"As for the strength of the army, it is because our Ming Dynasty is constantly developing new weapons. The Victory Chariot, Red Cannon, and Flintlock Rifle have all played a huge role on the battlefield."

"With such advanced weapons, our good government and the unity of the people, the Mongols were defeated."

After Fei Hong finished his summary, the six ministers seemed to have sensed something unusual.

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said with emotion: "Yes! Tai'an Hou insisted on taking the business path despite everyone's opposition. At that time, everyone thought that Tai'an Hou was wrong."

"But the facts prove that Tai'an Hou is right."

"As for the Victory Chariot, Flintlock Rifle, and Red Cannon that the teacher mentioned, these were undoubtedly made by Marquis Tai'an himself."

"If it weren't for Marquis Tai'an, how could the Ming Dynasty have reached its current state?"

After a moment's silence, Zhu Houzhao said: "I think that Marquis Tai'an should be credited with the greatest achievement this time. What do you think?" No one objected, because there was no way to refute it. What Zhu Houzhao said was true, and they had no choice but to accept it.

To be honest, if anyone dares to say that the Ming Dynasty’s victory today has nothing to do with Chen Ce, that is absolutely impossible!

The Minister of Personnel stepped out and said, "Your Highness is right...but the Marquis of Tai'an has already received the highest number of awards, and no more can be given."

"It is not appropriate to confer the title of king. Since ancient times, those who can be crowned kings are in the early days of the founding of a country, and the latter can only be crowned by the emperor's family."

Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "That's right, so I haven't considered making Tai'an Marquis a king. Let's make it hereditary."

"The title of Marquis Tai'an should be hereditary!"

Although Chen Ce was granted the title of marquis, the title was not hereditary because at that time Emperor Hongzhi only wanted to save on the salaries of princes and dukes.

Therefore, many people were exempted from the qualification of hereditary succession. Even if they were later granted a title, it would not be hereditary anymore. This was to control the financial expenditure of the Ming Dynasty.

When Emperor Hongzhi conferred the title of nobility upon Chen Ce, it was not hereditary.

Although Yang Yiqing made great contributions this time, Zhu Houzhao did not give him the hereditary title.

Minister of Personnel Ni Yue hurriedly asked, "Your Highness...I'm afraid this is a little inappropriate, right?"

Zhu Houzhao asked, "What's wrong with that?"

Ni Yue: “…”

He had no reason to argue, so he finally said, "I will follow the decision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

……

Chen Mansion.

The news of Chen Ce's hereditary marquisate had not yet arrived, but Wen Zhengming arrived first.

The news of the great victory in Northern Xinjiang and the annihilation of the Turpan army and their departure from Hami had already spread in Shuntian newspapers.

Now the people of Shuntian Prefecture have a great sense of national pride.

Wen Zhengming did not pass the imperial examination this time and was very depressed, so he came to find Chen Ce.

He wanted to get a job from Chen Ce. Although he rejected Chen Ce's request to go to Tibet last time, he came again.

Seeing that the four talented men of Wuzhong had all become officials while he was the only one still taking the exam, Wen Zhengming couldn't bear it.

"Meet Master Chen."

Chen Ce glanced at Wen Zhengming and smiled, "What's wrong? Have you decided to go to Tibet?"

Wen Zhengming smiled and said, "Mr. Chen, I have discussed with my family and originally planned to go to Tibet."

"However, Hami won a great victory this time, and the Turpan people left Hami. Hami must be lacking many officials to govern it. I think with my talent, I should be able to govern Hami with ease."

"Besides, Hami is a bitterly cold place, and I'm sure no one would want to go there. Mr. Chen, can you introduce me there for the sake of Bo Hu and Zhi Shan?"

Chen Ce stared at Wen Zhengming seriously, thought for a moment, and said, "I am no longer an official in the court. I am afraid that if people's words are not serious, I may not be able to have a say in the court."

(End of this chapter)