Chapter 208

The reward process had long been pointed out by Jia Pu.

Returning on February 24th, Zhao Xing and others had to do three things every day: bathe and change clothes, burn incense to remove evil spirits, and wait for rewards.

Once the rewards arrived, they wouldn't be in a rush.

On the way up to the sky, many envious eyes were cast from below.

Because only generals with more than a million military merits had such treatment, being led to the Heaven Heart Hall for pilgrimage.

Like those of the eighth or ninth rank, with low military merits, basically, the military department of Pinghai Prefecture issued a commendation document, and the cave heaven of the military realm issued rewards, and that was it.

Yang City is very large, and among the ten garrison troops, there are quite a few people with more than a million military merits.

Zhao Xing took a casual look and found that there were nearly a thousand people rising together, most of whom were sixth-rank, and seventh-rank were only a minority.

Zhao Xing’s current realm had also reached the early stage of the sixth-rank Heaven Fiend realm.

He had been in seclusion at Soul-Severing Pass before, just to break through before the rewards.

If he hadn't reached the sixth rank, the great power of the national fortune would help him improve during this reward, wasting part of the great power on the realm, and the share allocated to lifespan and fortune would be less.

Finishing the fight at the end of December, it is now mid-February, and Zhao Xing’s breakthrough to the early stage of the Heaven Fiend realm went quite smoothly.

"Hum~"

The flying speed was very slow. The appearance of this golden light was to make the people below envious and the people above have face.

And every golden light would magnify the appearance of the person being led in the sky.

When everyone entered the hall, they would also make a sound, which would reach everyone’s ears, equivalent to opening the 'server-wide small loudspeaker' of the Ten Yang Cave Heaven.

After a quarter of an hour, Zhao Xing and others were finally all absorbed into the Heaven Heart Hall.

After entering the Heaven Heart Hall, the process was the same as the previous promotions, first worshiping the Taizu and Emperor Wen, and then seeing Emperor Jing sitting high on the throne.

Emperor Jing was still in the shape of a giant, but compared to when he was promoted to ninth-rank official, Zhao Xing could already see his full appearance clearly.

The Heavenly Emperor’s crown dress worn by Emperor Jing consisted of three parts: the crown, the dress, and the pendant accessories.

First is the crown board on the crown, called 'mian', long-shaped, slightly rounded at the front and square at the back, implying that heaven is round and earth is square.

The jade algae hanging on the front and back edges of the crown, like a curtain, just covered part of the emperor’s appearance.

Doing this, one is to maintain the emperor’s mystery, and two is to require the emperor not to always stare at foreign land, but to look down at the domestic situation more. The saying "seeing but not seeing" comes from this.

The ear-filling pendants hanging on both sides of the crown imply that those who wear ear-fillers should not hear slanderous words. "Turning a deaf ear" is derived from this.

The crown is black, which is the configuration when the Son of Heaven holds court. If he is on a personal expedition, he wears the Heavenly Emperor’s battle helmet, the Human Emperor’s armor, and holds the Human Emperor’s sword.

The imperial crown is matched with the Heaven and Earth Profound Robe, and the upper garment and the two sleeves have a black background.

Embroidered with auspicious beasts such as dragons, phoenixes, and qilin.

The belt is white, the lower skirt is red, and the brown and white separate the skirt, the two parts representing heaven and earth.

Emperor Jing is in a kneeling position, with his hands placed on the 'Heaven' and 'Earth' areas of the skirt, implying the control of heaven and earth!

The Heaven and Earth crown dress is also decorated with patterns, the upper garment patterns are painted, and the lower skirt patterns are embroidered. The patterns are extremely noble with twelve chapters, and other princes, nobles, and subjects are not allowed to embroider the twelve chapters.

The twelve chapters of the Heaven and Earth crown dress include mountains, sun, moon, stars, fire, dragons, axes, rice, sea waves, drum music, mysterious birds, and temples, symbolizing the emperor’s achievements and virtues.

Zhao Xing only saw Emperor Jing’s lips and nose bridge, but failed to see his full facial appearance.

However, whether he could see it or not didn't really matter.

The imperial heavenly mandate caused Emperor Jing’s appearance to be very different in the hearts of every minister.

As long as one becomes an emperor, no one knows what he really looks like.

But when you see it on a formal occasion, you can immediately know that this is the emperor.

After taking a look, everyone bowed slightly and no longer looked directly at the heavenly majesty.

A process of showing off after worshiping Emperor Jing: praising achievements.

"Tiger Jiao Army, Wei Hong."

On the throne, golden light rippled, and a majestic voice came.

"The minister is here!"

One person came out of the hall and knelt on the ground.

"March, 17th year of the Jingxin calendar, you led the army to break the barbarian 'Tianyou Force', beheaded 157 enemy chiefs, and 48,720 enemy troops..."

Emperor Jing began to count the contributions Wei Hong had made.

At the same time, a majestic voice came from the outside world.

"...Tiger Jiao Army Wei Hong, with outstanding military merit, promoted three grades, entered the noble rank, and was enfeoffed as 'Marquis of Building Merit'."

"Granted 2.78 million mu of land, a fief of 2,780 households, rewarded with a 'Courageous' sword, two blue dragon leopards... entered as a public councilor, added five levels of merit, to express his achievements!"

Praising achievements only picks out the brilliant battles to talk about briefly, but the enfeoffment, rewards, and grants will be told in full, and it is a very long string.

Wei Hong’s military merit is 2.78 million, not enough to be enfeoffed as a Martial Marquis, so he was enfeoffed as a third-rank Marquis.

A third-rank Marquis, the title is usually named after the fief, but there are differences. If it is to commend achievements and contain the expectations of the emperor, it is like Wei Hong, enfeoffed as Marquis of Building Merit.

It is one grade higher than those with fief names. Although there is no essential difference, this is a kind of glory.

"Minister Wei Hong, kowtow to thank the holy grace, may my emperor live for ten thousand years!"

After a pause, Emperor Jing called the next person.

"Helian Lie!"

"The minister is here!"

"June, 17th year of the Jingxin calendar..."

The waiting time was very long, and Zhao Xing also listened carefully.

Those who can enter the Heaven Heart Hall have now reached the threshold of Marquis, but some people’s titles are mediocre or even funny.

For example, one named 'Zhang Ping', his Marquis title is named after the fief, and that county is in the 'Bagralu' county of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture.

The Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture had not yet had time to rename this county, so this person was enfeoffed as 'Marquis of Bagralu'.

No one would laugh at him, because most people are such Marquis titles. Not only this time, many Marquis of Great Zhou have strange titles.

Generally, when encountering such tongue-twisting or very long titles, they are not directly called by the title, but by the surname, or abbreviated.

For example, this Zhang Ping, he is called Marquis Zhang, or Marquis Ba, and the people below just call him Marquis.

The idle Marquis of Great Zhou are everywhere, and only the first or second-rank Martial Marquis have some weight. Because Martial Marquis are basically generals with real power, if they are enfeoffed, they will inevitably hold great power, and they must pass the threshold of the fifth rank. First-rank Marquis are usually fourth-rank.

As for princes of different surnames, they are rare, and only those in the top three ranks have the opportunity to be enfeoffed.

There are quite a few Commandery Princes among the royal family, and Princes of the Blood are also rare.

It will only be flooded in the period when the Great Zhou collapses, but at that time, the prince title has no bonus, and even if enfeoffed, it will not get much fortune feedback, and it is even a burden.

"Divine Might Army, Zhao Xing."

When Zhao Xing was called, it was already the morning of February 27th.

"The minister is here."

Zhao Xing came out of the ranks and knelt on the ground according to the process. At this time, there is no need to worship. He has to wait until the reward is finished before he has to kowtow, that is, his head has to touch the ground.

Master Zhao also had no psychological burden, just hoping that Emperor Jing, the big boss, would not come up with any strange titles.

"June 25th, 17th year of the Jingxin calendar, you killed the Sand Clan enemy chief Pati and saved the Town-Sea Army supply city from danger."

"July, 17th year of the Jingxin calendar, you completed a total of 34 advanced tasks, planted blood yuan fruits, heart worm grass, and solved the needs of the Eastern War Zone..."

"August 27th, 17th year of the Jingxin calendar, you sneaked into Fire Dragon Pass and successfully brought back the rare spiritual seed 'Earth Fire Lotus'..."

"September, 17th year of the Jingxin calendar, you cultivated the fifth-tier Earth Fire Lotus and provided materials for the army’s fire-avoidance clothes."

"September, you followed the army across the Flame Mountain and blew up the 'Round Moon City' in Fire Dragon Pass..."

"December, 17th year of the Jingxin calendar, broke the bewitching array and provided military supplies for the 140,000-strong army..."

"Divine Might Army Zhao Xing, with outstanding military merit, promoted three grades, entered the noble rank, and was enfeoffed as 'Marquis of Yuanrang'!"

"Granted 165,000 mu of land, a fief of 1,650 households."

"Rewarded with a 'Protecting Army' scepter, two green-eyed dragon lions, one qilin flying boat, a pair of jade ruyi..."

"Entered as a Commandery Councilor, added six levels of merit, to express his achievements!"

After Emperor Jing finished speaking, Zhao Xing immediately kowtowed and shouted loudly: "Minister Zhao Xing, kowtow to thank the holy grace, may my emperor live for ten thousand years!"

February 28th, Zhao Xing came out of the Heaven Heart Hall, finally ending this long reward.

This is just the pilgrimage and praising achievement link, and the rewards are also noble titles, scattered ranks, and honorary officials.

The real official position reward still has to be decided later by the military realm, the military department of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, and the main general of the Divine Might Army, and then enter the temple once more to receive the promotion of the national fortune.

There are many specific details, such as Zhao Xing now owning 160,000 mu of land, but this land cannot all be low-grade farmland.

In addition, the 'Protecting Army' scepter, two green-eyed dragon lions, one qilin flying boat, a pair of jade ruyi... rewarded by Emperor Jing, these things are all given extra.

The crown dress, ribbon seal, and all equipment after becoming a sixth-rank official still need to be reconfigured.

The process for officials in the middle three ranks is much more complicated.

However, in any case, a small goal has finally been completed.

"What a Marquis of Yuanrang, congratulations, congratulations." After Zhao Xing flew down, many people came to congratulate him.

Among them were his former friends Zhuang Ziqing and Cao Shuang in the Earth Profit Institute, as well as Han Bing, Wang Ji, and Che Shihai.

"Rang means abundant crops and prosperity, which fits your style, boss," Che Shihai praised.

"Green-eyed dragon lions are cave heaven exotic beasts. Having them as mounts is too cool!" Cao Shuang envied, "I have only seen them twice."

"The qilin flying boat is also not for sale. It is a symbol of status and glory. With this official frame, when you go to other small counties in the future, the main official will have to kneel to welcome you."

"Damn, treat us, treat us," Zhuang Ziqing said, "Hurry up and treat the brothers to a big meal."

"Among the reserve agricultural officials in the 16th year of the Ten Yang Cave Heaven, only Zhao Xing is doing the best. Now he is a sixth-rank official and has become a Marquis."

This matter is naturally worth celebrating. Among the entire reserve, only Xia Jing and Zhao Xing have passed a million military merits and were enfeoffed as Marquis.

Talents like Shi Yong and Fu Ying at the beginning could not reach Zhao Xing’s height.

"Easy to say," Zhao Xing smiled, "After I finish these few days, I will hold a banquet in the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard. You all come then!"

There is still a lot to do after the reward, first is the problem of the fief.

Zhao Xing found Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Xia Jing to discuss.

Old Chen’s title is Marquis of Yuanzhen, and Long Xiao’s title is Marquis of Yunxiao.

Chen Shijie’s grade reached sixth-rank proper lower, and Long Xiao was the same.

Because the official grades of these two people before were both seventh-rank proper upper, now they have both been promoted three grades.

Xia Jing’s starting point was the same as Zhao Xing’s. At the beginning, they were both seventh-rank lower after completing the task. Now they have been promoted three grades, which is sixth-rank upper.

The previous temporary positions were all promoted by the main general of the army, only giving authority, not improving status.

"The fief is jointly drafted by the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture and the military department of Pinghai Prefecture, reported to the thirty-three princes of the military realm for review. After reporting, as long as it does not violate the regulations, it will usually not be returned."

"As far as I know, most of the Marquis fiefs this time are placed in the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, and a few are in the inland. The land grade is converted according to the proportion, which depends on luck," Xia Jing said first, he knows this best.

"Is there any room for manipulation?" Zhao Xing asked.

Xia Jing nodded: "Yes."

"Like you and me, those who are not Marquis named after the fief are one grade higher and have room for discussion."

"Those whose fief and title are tied together have no way, no choice."

Zhao Xing nodded: "Can I exchange it all to the inland?"

Xia Jing wondered: "Why do you want to exchange it all over?"

"Although it is not as good as the land in the inland in the short term, in the long run, our Great Zhou is in its prime, and the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture will become a fertile land in the future."

"Because at that time, the policy will inevitably focus on the Yingyuan Prefecture, engaging in large-scale development, and these lands will appreciate."

Long Xiao and Chen Shijie also looked at Zhao Xing strangely.

They never thought that Great Zhou would be defeated this time, and eventually even lose half of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture.

Now it is a great victory, expanding territory by tens of thousands of miles in less than two years!

In a few years, maybe the Southern Barbarians will be destroyed, and then the Yingyuan Prefecture will inevitably appreciate. Why exchange it?

Zhao Xing originally wanted to find a reason to prevaricate, but now these three people are relatively good friends, so he said some real thoughts: "You only see the great victory and only think of this one result. Have you thought about other possibilities?"

"What do you mean?" Xia Jing frowned, "Do you think the barbarian-pacification war will fail? Our dynasty has experienced the thousand-year accumulation of Emperor Wen, and the current sage has worked hard for hundreds of years, with talents coming out in large numbers, and the army is strong and the horses are strong. I really can't think of any possibility of failure."

"What if?" Zhao Xing said, "Take history as a mirror. The Central Plains Divine Land has always had only nineteen prefectures. What if our dynasty fails to conquer the Southern Barbarians?"

Seeing Xia Jing about to argue again, Zhao Xing waved his hand: "Don't rush to argue with me yet. I just say what if there is this possibility, then if our land is all placed in the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, it will be a big loss."

"A fief of one or two thousand households is also a lot of money every year. If it is lost, the imperial court will not compensate."

"I don't lack money," Xia Jing pondered, "But since you said so, I will exchange half of it to the inland. This matter is easy to operate. Many people want to have a place in the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture. If you want to exchange, you can tell me directly. Yang An may not be as useful as my father."

"I want to exchange it all, preferably in the eastern part of Pinghai Prefecture." Zhao Xing said.

"Eastern part? Do you want to be an island owner?" Chen Shijie said in surprise, "You seemed to have a yearning for coastal cities a long time ago."

When in Gucheng, Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie talked about the female immortal Your Majesty Yuanjun. At that time, Zhao Xing mentioned Zixiao Island and asked if the "Water Book" was placed there.

"It doesn't have to be an island owner, it's just that I have never seen the sea and want to go there to see it," Zhao Xing said, "Old Chen, you should also exchange it there. On the sea, the phenology is changeable. You know, centennial phenology, millennial phenology, mostly appear on the sea."

"Maybe if we exchange to the East Sea, we can find treasure."

Chen Shijie looked at Zhao Xing’s eyes and nodded: "Okay, anyway, it’s just a fief, actually anywhere is fine, so I will also exchange it there. Heir, when you operate, can you tie my land with Zhao Xing’s?"

Long Xiao said: "And me, and me, how did you two forget me?" "I also want to exchange it there and accompany you."

"Brother Long, don't you exchange it to your hometown?" Xia Jing wondered, "A good opportunity to return home in glory."

Long Xiao shook his head: "My hometown Pingze County was flooded by a great flood at the end of the Dingxin calendar. My mother died in the flood, and my father suffered from tuberculosis. Later, he took me to live with my aunt’s family and passed away in the 10th year of the Jingxin calendar."

"Most of my relatives are gone, only one sister, who has married into another commandery. I do want to return home in glory, but the hometown must still be there."

"Hometown, acquaintances are all gone, still show it to the air?"

Xia Jing couldn't help but want to laugh, but felt that this was a sad thing and shouldn't laugh, so he held it back.

"You three all want to exchange to the East Sea? Brother Zhao, don't you exchange some to Nanyang Commandery?"

Zhao Xing shook his head: "No need, I will buy some land in Gucheng at that time."

In fact, Zhao Xing did not intend to buy land in Gucheng at all.

He will move Zhao Zheng, Madam Cai, and Zhao Ruide away at that time.

Because when the Prince of Liang rebels, all parts of Pinghai Prefecture will suffer disasters, not only war disasters, but also natural disasters.

A prince of a different surname rebelled in Pinghai Prefecture, which had a huge impact on the national fortune. At that time, Pinghai Prefecture was swaying in the wind and rain. Although it was extinguished in just two years, he was afraid of being implicated.

East of Pinghai Prefecture, leaning against the East Sea. Zhao Xing remembered that it was not implicated there. Besides, he planned to go there to do things in the future, so it is better to exchange land there early.

"Since this is the case, then I will also get a piece of land there," Xia Jing touched his chin, "I always feel that I can make a fortune following you, although I don't lack money, hahaha."

Fief exchange, it is only good to exchange during this period.

After that, the fight against the Southern Barbarians was not smooth, and the value expectation of the land in the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture also dropped significantly, and no one was willing to exchange it.

Exchanging now, many people will be willing to agree, just want to eat the policy dividend in the expectation.

After exchanging, maybe one piece of land can be expanded into ten pieces. Of course, many people are willing to do this business!

Solving the fief, then it is the official position.

After the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture sought Yang An’s opinion, Yang An sought Zhao Xing’s opinion: "Initially planned, you will be promoted to the sixth-rank upper 'Protecting Army Commandant'."

"Zhao Xing, do you have any thoughts?"

"It depends on the general’s decision," Zhao Xing arched his hand.

The one-armed Yang An smiled: "Okay, then it is this official position."

The responsibilities of this position are flexible and changeable, and you can do anything. In the future, if you want to transfer Zhao Xing, you don't have to go through any process, and you can move wherever you need.

Chen Shijie is the sixth-rank proper lower 'Governing Army Commandant', Long Xiao is 'Fengchang Commandant', all three can command the army alone.

The official positions arranged by the military realm for the three of them all vaguely have the idea of wanting to continue to use them to participate in subsequent wars.

But Zhao Xing didn't care about this. He knew that the 18th year of the Jingxin calendar would not increase the intensity of the war, and he still had to train troops.

Earn some more military merits, improve the merit rank, scattered rank, and then there will be plenty of ways to get out.

Now expressing loyalty to the imperial court, speaking righteously, can also pave the way for later escape methods.

The official position was drafted, reported to the three kings, and the final review was quickly passed.

Zhao Xing came to the temple in the Ten Yang Cave Heaven to complete the last step of promotion—accepting the baptism of national fortune.

Familiar Heaven Heart Hall, familiar court ranks.

Entering the golden palace this time, Zhao Xing found that his body had grown much taller.

Looking back, the officials of the lower three ranks were endless, and he couldn't see the end at a glance.

Looking forward, although the number of officials in the middle three ranks was still huge, at least there was no feeling of crowding, and it was no longer endless.

"Rumble~"

Emperor Jing, who was sitting on the throne, waved his hand, and a dragon-shaped golden light in the palace covered Zhao Xing.

"Fortune Golden Dragon! This time there will be a big wave!" Zhao Xing felt a chill in his heart.

The Fortune Golden Dragon entered the body, first exploring Zhao Xing’s cultivation realm and cultivation foundation.

But this time, Zhao Xing’s life soul was sixth-rank, and his cultivation foundation was incomparably solid, so he couldn't add a bit.

So the Fortune Golden Dragon just walked through the dantian and sea of consciousness symbolically, and then rushed into Zhao Xing’s life palace.

Hum~

The life palace was desolate, but at this time it was covered with a golden color by the Fortune Golden Dragon.

Invisibly, Zhao Xing’s fortune and lifespan were changed.

Lasting for a long time, the Fortune Golden Dragon flew away with a swoosh.

Zhao Xing looked at this Fortune Golden Dragon, showing reluctance.

But soon he thanked Emperor Jing and exited the temple.

The moment he walked out of the temple, Zhao Xing looked back.

"If I learn the secret method of the outer sect and lock this Fortune Golden Dragon and refine it, I don't know how much benefit it will have."

"Unfortunately, playing like this in this period is courting death."

In Emperor Jing’s era, no one dared to steal fortune because Great Zhou was still in its prime. Learning evil methods to steal fortune?

You will die suddenly, your soul will fly away! And your nine clans will be executed!

In Emperor Wu’s era, there is no need to steal, because Emperor Wu is not stingy like Emperor Jing, and he gives a lot himself.

Only in the dynasties after Emperor Wu is it time to steal Great Zhou’s fortune.

At that time, Master Zhao will definitely be in a high position, so he won't have to worry about doing it.

"This time, rising from the lower three ranks to the middle three ranks, my life soul didn't even get a little improvement, all in fortune and lifespan."

"I don't know how it was allocated." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

This time, what he wanted was more fortune, because the spiritual essence of heaven and earth in the Ten Yang Cave Heaven was coming soon.

With increased fortune, the spiritual essence of heaven and earth obtained will inevitably be more.

At that time, he will be able to find more good things.

"Go back first."

Zhao Xing didn't check immediately, but after staying away from the temple, he returned to the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard to open the panel to check the changes after promotion.