Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

You should prepare your horses and hone your skills, so as to continue the sharpness of the eagle and falcon; inscribe your achievements on bronze vessels, so as to never forget your lofty ambition.

Awesome! "

General Zhongwu, a nominal fourth-rank official.

The Earl of Haifeng County was a title held by nobility.

However, no matter how low one's rank, one is still a count.

伯！

The civil and military officials looked slightly surprised.

Who would have thought that Yao Si would actually be granted the title of Earl?

It should be noted that the last person to be enfeoffed as Earl Liu was the number one person after the commander-in-chief.

This time, the reward is surprisingly generous!

At the head, Jiang Zhao and his teacher exchanged a glance.

Han Zhang held his tablet and nodded calmly.

Sure enough, it worked!

Jiang Zhao felt a sense of relief.

He always spared no effort in securing credit for his subordinates.

It was just a trial, but the emperor actually approved it?

"The Emperor decreed to the Minister of State:"

Expanding territory depends on winning decisive battles in an instant; guarding a region is even more important than pacifying the area.

Wang Shao, a scholar of the Privy Council, Earl of Taiyuan, and Grand Master of the Palace, was resolute, resourceful, loyal, and diligent in serving the country. He twice expanded the territory and was a meritorious official in opening up new frontiers.

This special honor is hereby bestowed to demonstrate this special privilege.

He is hereby granted the title of Earl of Zhennan, with a fief of three hundred households, the title to be hereditary and perpetual, to share in the prosperity of the nation.

Yu Xi!

Before the bronze vessels and sacrificial vessels, may the dynasty endure forever.

Awesome! "

Before he finished speaking, all the civil and military officials were in an uproar.

Hereditary succession, sharing the fate of the nation?

Except at the beginning of the dynasty, the country almost never bestowed imperial edicts or hereditary titles throughout its hundred-year reign.

Some were stripped of their titles, others of their iron certificates.

He did not bestow any reward upon them.

This time, they actually gave him an extraordinary reward?

Many military officers and nobles looked at the Grand Secretaries, only to find that they all had calm expressions.

Clearly, this matter had been discussed beforehand.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying paid no attention.

Wang Shao is no ordinary fighter.

This man's talent in commanding troops and strategizing is almost on par with that of Marquis Ningyuan, Gu Tingye.

He readily agreed to allow such a talented individual to seek a hereditary title and thus delve into the art of military command.

Moreover, Wang Shao's merits were indeed worthy of being granted a noble title.

Both territorial expansions were undertaken by the group of people who made the greatest contributions.

Wang Shao expanded the territory of Xihe by opening up four prefectures, making him the most meritorious general after the commander-in-chief.

If it weren't for Yao Si, who killed the ruler of Western Xia in battle, Wang Shao would have been the second most meritorious commander after the general.

The two expansions brought the territory to a total of thirteen prefectures, equivalent to at least two circuits.

When Emperor Taizu established his dynasty, there were only thirteen routes. The two expansions were equivalent to opening up one-sixth of the Great Zhou territory.

Among meritorious officials, granting them a hereditary title without fail is not excessive, is it?

Jiang Qing is a civil official who has already been appointed to the cabinet, so he cannot be granted a hereditary title.

Gu Tingye holds the title of Marquis of Ningyuan and even possesses an iron certificate of merit.

Yao Si, who had killed the ruler of the Western Xia Kingdom, was granted the title of Liujue, which can be considered as bestowing a noble title upon him.

The true hereditary succession naturally fell to Wang Shao, who voluntarily became a military general.

He was a great contributor to the expansion of the territory twice. He was granted a title of nobility for his expansion in Xihe. He should have gone even further in his expansion in Xifeng.

Of course, it also carries a sense of compensation.

Even if someone transitions from a civil to a military position and is granted the title of earl, their social standing may not necessarily rise.

"Your subject, Wang Shao, swears to serve Your Majesty to the death!"

Wang Shao blushed, his eyes filled with tears, and he bowed deeply.

Jiang Zhao, Gu Tingye, and he were the three giants who pioneered new territories.

Among them, Jiang Zhao was a prominent family in Huaizuo, and the Jiang clan was a respected family in Huainan, belonging to the hereditary system of scholars.

Gu Tingye was the Marquis of Ningyuan, in charge of the imperial edict, ensuring the prosperity of his descendants for generations.

Only he, from a humble background, would have had no hope of changing his fate if it weren't for Jiang Ge Lao's whim of conscripting troops.

Now that he has been granted a hereditary title, he can be considered to have a foundation of wealth!

Zhao Ceying nodded with satisfaction.

"Your Excellency, the Emperor decreed:..."

One after another, bestowal of honors and imperial edicts were proclaimed.

About half an hour later, the imperial edict was read aloud.

Zhao Ceying stood up and looked directly at the officials:

"I have prepared a royal banquet to welcome back the meritorious officials who have contributed to the expansion of our territory."

"All officials, proceed to the Hall of Imperial Arches!"

All the civil and military officials bowed in unison.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Chapter 211 With Zichuan's talent and my strategic acumen, how can we not accomplish something great? (Two chapters combined)

Chui Gong Hall.

The city lights are dazzling, and the sounds of traditional instruments fill the air.

Civil and military officials took their seats in an orderly fashion.

As a meritorious official who expanded the borders and a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Jiang Zhao was undoubtedly one of the key figures in the celebration.

Therefore, he was placed in the first position on the right, second only to Grand Chancellor Han Zhang.

Rice noodles, boiled rice, mutton, fish, lotus seed and pork soup, roasted chicken, fried meat, flatbread, and jujube cake are served in nine small bowls.

In addition, there are fresh fruits, candied fruits, and fermented rice wine.

Holding bamboo chopsticks, Jiang Zhao picked up a few pieces and nodded repeatedly.

Compared to the late emperor, the current emperor is indeed much more generous.

At least, it has filled about half of the space for a three-foot wooden table, and it is no longer shabby.

"Jiang Qing."

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying raised his cup.

"Your Majesty."

Jiang Zhao put down his chopsticks and raised his cup in a toast.

"Haha!" Zhao Ceying laughed loudly and drank it all in one gulp.

Since September, Ouyang Xiu and Lü Gongzhu have repeatedly submitted memorials, attempting to coerce the emperor, but this has only fueled his anger.

Fortunately, Jiang Zhao did not betray his trust.

Not only did they clear out the territory, but they also expanded their territory to five more states.

Their pioneering achievements will be recorded in history.

Zhao Ceying was naturally overjoyed that her efforts had paid off.

After finishing one cup, Zhao Ceying poured another: "My lord, General Duke of Ying."

"Your Majesty, please."

Han Zhang and Zhang Fu quickly raised their cups, and the emperor and his minister drank together.

After two cups, I drank another one.

According to the procedure, at least one cup must be drunk with the officials.

Zhao Ceying raised his cup and looked down: "My dear ministers."

Throughout the year, on nine major festivals—New Year's Day, Lantern Festival, Cold Food Festival, Ghost Festival, Double Ninth Festival, Qingming Festival, Winter Solstice, Laba Festival, and Summer Solstice—imperial banquets were bestowed upon the court officials, who were naturally familiar with the procedures of these banquets.

"To Your Majesty," all the civil and military officials raised their cups in unison.

After downing three cups in a row, Zhao Ceying, in high spirits, let out a long sigh.

Afterwards, they looked in turn at Gu Tingye, Wang Shao, Zhang Ding, Zheng Xiao and other military generals who had expanded the border, and drank together.

After about ten cups, Zhao Ceying was slightly tipsy and continued to raise his glass.

"Jiang Qing."

Jiang Zhao nodded, poured more wine, and raised his cup.

The clinking of glasses and the passing of several rounds of drinks.

"Your Majesty, the Tibetan leader Dong Zhan wishes to join us for a dance," the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonies announced.

In an instant, the hall fell silent.

In a mere instant, the officials exchanged glances and began to discuss the matter endlessly.

Could it be that the famous scene of Emperor Taizong Wen can be reenacted today?

"it is good!"

Slightly tipsy, Zhao Ceying glanced at the officials with great interest and said with a smile, "I have long heard of the passionate and unrestrained Tibetan dance. Now that the royal army has returned in triumph, why not let Dong Zhan perform a dance so that we can experience the charm of the Western Regions?"

"Your Majesty is wise," Jiang Zhao said, bowing respectfully.

Since the officials are in the mood, there's no need to spoil their fun.

Moreover, this is an imitation of a great emperor throughout history, so we should support and endorse it even more.

Your Majesty, you are truly a ruler of all ages!

"Your Majesty is holy."

All the civil and military officials echoed his sentiments.

The civil and military officials frequently glanced at the main gate, their faces filled with anticipation.

Even several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet were not spared.

Honestly, who wouldn't want to see the Tibetan leader's dance?

When he retires and returns to his hometown, even if he's just bragging, he'll still have something to brag about.

Many people looked at Jiang Zhao, secretly surprised.

Given the martial prowess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, if it weren't for the fact that the person in charge of the army was Jiang Zhao, a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, probably no one would have believed that the Tibetan king could actually be captured alive.