Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Wu Qimai has already settled in and has been granted a house of moderate size.

Empress Tangkuo of the Jin Dynasty was allowed to stay by his side.

She was too old to even be a palace maid.

The Tangkuo clan was actually the Tanggu clan.

Like the ancient tribes of the southern steppe and northeastern region, their ancestors were prisoners of war or slaves of the Liao Dynasty.

Empress Tangkuo's ancestral home was in the Shuishui River (the northern branch of Hulan River), which belonged to the Tubo people more than a hundred years ago—and she was very likely a descendant of Tubo-influenced Han Chinese.

As prisoners of war and slaves captured by the Liao Dynasty, they lived on the grasslands for a period of time before being thrown into the Hulan River basin.

Because they were surrounded by Jurchen people, the descendants of these slaves gradually became Jurchenized.

The hometown of Empress Tangkuo has now been designated as a directly administered area of ​​the Andong Protectorate.

Her clansmen were also all registered as commoners.

The Tangkuo Jurchens there were able to transform from Han Chinese to Tibetans, and then from Tibetans back to Jurchens.

As long as customs and traditions are changed within one or two generations, of course, they can revert to being Han Chinese!

"Your Majesty... my lord, the Ming Dynasty has sent some wine."

A eunuch came in to report.

This old eunuch was also a prisoner of war, originally from the Liao court, and was a Han Chinese eunuch from the Liao dynasty.

He was a man with a tragic fate, and Zhao Yuan was too lazy to punish him, letting him continue to follow Wu Qimai.

Wu Qimai was shocked: "But...but is it poisoned wine?"

The old eunuch said, "It's not poison. Several jars were sent over; I heard it's commonly known as 'burnt liquor'."

"The Ming official who delivered the wine also said that there would be a ceremony to present the captives in a few days."

"Your Excellency must take good care of yourself and rest well. When the time comes, you will lead a group of prisoners to petition the emperor."

"This is an open humiliation of me!"

Wu Qimai had a mournful face.

"Bring in the wine, and make some snacks to go with it."

Chapter 3494 The Ceremony of Presenting Captives

Besides a few old eunuchs, there were also some retired palace maids who were getting on in years.

The palace maids' wages were paid by the imperial court, and they were responsible for monitoring Wu Qimai's every move.

Their mission will end when Wu Qimai dies of his illness.

Wu Qimai's monthly expenses are also limited, so he can forget about indulging in lavish meals every day.

One meat dish and two vegetable dishes were served, and Wu Qimai invited Empress Tangkuo to join him for drinks.

As the strong liquor went down his throat, Wu Qimai perked up: "What strong liquor! It would be even better if I could get drunk every day."

Tang Kuo advised, "Sir, drink less, or you'll be tossing and turning in pain and unable to sleep again."

Wu Qimai was riddled with ailments, including gout and stroke.

He drank heavily during his time under house arrest; even if he hadn't been taken prisoner, he probably wouldn't have lived for more than a few years.

The next day, the Duke of Anle's ceremonial robes were delivered.

The official from the Ministry of Rites scolded, "Take good care of it, don't get it dirty, wear it again on the day of the prisoner presentation ceremony."

"You've been studying etiquette at the Ministry of Rites these past two days. If you don't remember it and make a mistake during the grand ceremony, the Emperor will punish you so severely that you won't even be able to remain as the Duke of Anle."

"Yes, yes," Wu Qimai quickly bowed.

He followed the official out the door, but instead of going directly to the Ministry of Rites, he was taken to Yujin Garden in the south of the city.

Many meritorious officials have already arrived there to participate in the ceremony.

Hua Rong was already granted the title of Marquis last time, and he will be granted the title of Marquis again this time.

However, the number of fiefs and actual households both doubled, and military rank was promoted by one level and military grade by two levels.

He was also rewarded with gold and silver coins, robes and swords, and posthumously honored his deceased parents.

"This robe is beautiful!"

Hua Rong had already put on the bestowed robes and was comparing them with those of the other generals.

Han Shizhong buried his head in examining his bestowed robes, muttering, "Why does this look so much like the robes of nomadic herders on the grasslands?"

“Not at all,” Yao Pingzhong said. “This is a right-fastening style. Besides, have you ever seen any grassland chieftain with so many folds at the hem?”

"Right,"

Han Shizhong walked back and forth a few steps with his head held high and chest out.

“This robe looks very smart.”

Actually, it was just the "Yesa" of the Yuan and Ming dynasties that Zhao Yuan created as a new style of bestowed clothing.

The fabrics are all top-quality Shu brocade; the fabrics alone are worth a fortune.

Clothing was bestowed according to rank, as shown in the following examples:

Li Bao (a prince) was bestowed with a python robe.

Zhang Guangdao (the Duke) was bestowed with a flying fish robe.

Yue Fei (a marquis) was bestowed with a bullfighting robe.

Han Shizhong (Earl) was bestowed with a qilin robe.

Below the rank of Earl, there are no special patterns, but the materials and styles are largely the same.

Han Shizhong was a count last time, but this time he was unlucky and didn't fight much.

His fief was increased by 200 households, but his actual fief was increased by only 50 households. However, his military rank was promoted several levels, and he was directly transferred to be the Protector-General of the Southern Desert.

"Prince Li has arrived!"

Amidst gasps of surprise, Li Bao appeared, dressed in a python robe.

Wearing a python robe and carrying an embroidered spring sword, Li Bao was extremely pleased with himself.

This guy wasn't really happy, because once he became a prince, he couldn't lead troops outside anymore and had to stay obediently in the Privy Council.

He was eager to start another war, whether it was against the Western Xia or the Dali.

Perhaps he can be appointed as the commander-in-chief!

"Greetings, Prince of Liaodong!"

Everyone stepped forward to bow and greet them, but the atmosphere was somewhat comical.

The generals who were familiar with Li Bao were even winking and grinning.

Li Bao returned the greeting earnestly, then immediately reverted to his roguish manner: "Damn it, everyone go do what you're supposed to do, why are you all crowding around me?"

A few close friends chuckled and gathered around, reaching out to touch Li Bao's python robe, shouting that they wanted to have a go at it.

"Go away, don't get Grandpa dirty." Li Bao really liked the clothes.

Yelü Yudu stood on the periphery of the crowd, wearing a bullfighting outfit.

He didn't achieve any military merits this time, but Yelü Yudu was ennobled as a marquis.

He knew very well that his title had reached its limit, but perhaps his official rank could be promoted further.

The reason he was granted the title of Marquis was that Yelü Yudu had already completed his historical mission.

The Jin dynasty has been destroyed, so he's no longer of any use.

The title of Marquis was his last use, namely to appease the many Khitan people in the north. He was the representative and benchmark of the Khitan people in the Ming Dynasty.

This was tantamount to the Ming Dynasty publicly stating that it would no longer discriminate against Khitans, and that they would even be able to serve as officials in the court.

As long as one serves the imperial court well, one can even be granted a title and become a nobleman.

If any Tangut people surrender and perform meritorious service in the future campaign to eliminate the Western Xia, they will be granted a marquisate.

Just then, Wu Qimai was lured in.

Eager to demonstrate his firm stance, Yelü Yudu deliberately sarcastically asked in a loud voice, "Isn't this the Emperor of the Great Jin?"

"Once so majestic, how come they're now like stray dogs?"

"Hahahaha!"

The generals burst into laughter, treating Wu Qimai like a monkey to be watched.

Wu Qimai was furious, but dared not offend these nobles, so he quickly bowed and scraped, saying, "A man of a fallen kingdom pays his respects to you nobles."

Yelü Yudu seemed to have found a new path, and said sarcastically, "I am only a marquis, while you are a duke."

"With the esteemed Duke Anle here before me, I dare not accept such a grand gesture."

Chapter 3495 Surrender to the Emperor

Li Cheng, who was far away in the Andong Protectorate, did not return to the capital; he was responsible for intimidating the various tribes.

General Zhao Li, the North Korean commander, was present. He was a hot-tempered man who kicked Wu Qimai to the ground, saying, "You dog thief, how dare you accept this dukedom?"

"If I were you, I would have committed suicide long ago. How could I still have the face to live on in this world?"

Guan Sheng stepped in to stop him, saying, "Don't humiliate him any further."

"What if we really drive him to suicide and delay the ceremony of presenting prisoners of war?"

Zhao Li had once led troops under Guan Sheng. He dusted himself off and said, "I kicked you, but I also got my shoes dirty."

Wu Qimai was kicked to the ground, and he really had suicidal thoughts.

But this thought was quickly dismissed. He had endured countless grievances and been sidelined in the Jin Kingdom for so many years.

Having endured ridicule all the way to Kaifeng, he had already experienced the humiliation he deserved. Wouldn't it be a waste to commit suicide now?

Better to die than live!

Wu Qimai wanted to throw caution to the wind and kowtow to the nobles of the Ming Dynasty.

But having been an emperor before, he couldn't bring himself to do it, so he just sat there on the ground, looking foolish.

Zhang Guangdao arrived at some unknown time and said to Wu Qimai, "Get up."

He then said to the generals, "You are, after all, dukes of the Ming Dynasty. You should all keep yourselves in check, or people will laugh at you."

Wu Qimai quickly stood up and bowed to Zhang Guangdao in thanks.

The nobles dared not disobey Zhang Guangdao. Although Li Bao held the highest rank, everyone knew that this Duke was the emperor's most beloved general.

Li Bao is a rather abstract person; his focus is different from others.

He walked up to Zhang Guangdao, bent down and examined him carefully: "What's embroidered on your robe?"

"It looks a bit like a python, but it also has fish fins and a turtle tail."

Zhang Guangdao immediately smiled and explained, "This is a flying fish. I specifically consulted Minister Hu of the Ministry of Rites, and the flying fish comes from the Classic of Mountains and Seas; it is an extremely auspicious beast."

Li Bao whispered, "Quickly destroy Western Xia, and you'll be granted the title of Prince."

"Now that I'm acting as a prince all by myself, I'm really panicking. So many eyes are watching me."

"Hahahaha!" Zhang Guangdao burst into laughter.

Yao Pingzhong looked at their python robes and flying fish robes, his eyes burning with envy.

He remained a count, but this time he received nothing; his bestowed robes only featured a qilin pattern.

Although he looks impressive and handsome, he is still lacking something. Now all he can think about is fighting and making meritorious contributions.

As he pondered this, Yao Pingzhong turned to look at Wu Qimai, feeling an urge to beat up this deposed king.

These damned Jurchens, terrified at the mere mention of their name, actually withdrew from northern Shanxi, and even retreated a thousand miles away?

"This has prevented me from achieving any merit this time. If the Jin soldiers had held northern Shanxi to the death, I might have been able to earn merit and be ennobled!"