Chapter 659: Lanzhou Merged

The sky had not yet brightened.

Pale purple night sky drifted down goose-feather snow, adding a dazzling white base to the desolate world.

Wumen.

Officials of fourth rank and above in the capital, their heads dusted with frost, stood respectfully in line, occasional puffs of warm breath escaping their noses and mouths; they exchanged words, and in the snowstorm, terms like "appointment," "retirement," "blood pillar," "hunting tiger," and "not yet reached" surfaced intermittently.

With the New Year holiday approaching and no disasters or troubles, the capital had no urgent matters to report; most speech centered on the Ministry of Personnel's new year appointments and transfers, yet no matter how much they talked, they could not avoid last night's blood pillar phenomenon.

A blood pillar rose one hundred and twenty zhang high.

From the end of the Shen hour to the beginning of the Xu hour, everyone in the capital who was not blind could see it.

It caused a sensation.

From princes and generals down to peddlers and porters, all discussed it.

Even on their way to court in carriages and horses, officials had heard street vendors talking about it.

Those who held fourth-rank posts in the imperial capital all had connections to learn secrets, yet Liang Qu's arrival came too suddenly, with no prior warning; information was incomplete, and officials only knew he had broken the record for entering the Hunting Tiger realm, but not by how much.

Creak, creak.

The soles of shoes crushed through snow; eunuchs held out fur cloaks to add warmth to ministers unprepared for the cold.

Silver taels passed between hands to deliver the cloaks.

"Eunuch Li, I have a question to ask."

"Commandant Zhang, please speak."

"Who is the man who entered the capital yesterday evening on a Golden Leaf Boat, breaking into the Hunting Tiger realm? Why such a grand reception?"

Nearby capital officials leaned in half a step.

"His name is Liang Qu, Water Inspector of Hengshui in Pingyang Prefecture's River Office; he has broken our dynasty's age record for entering the Hunting Tiger realm via the Wolf Smoke pathway."

"How old is he?"

"Heaven blesses Great Shun: eighteen years and five months."

"Heaven blesses Great Shun."

"Heaven blesses Great Shun…"

Officials echoed the phrase, silently pondering.

Eighteen and five.

Is he not a full year earlier than Yuan Yuan Yuwen?

Not even in the previous dynasty of Great Gan had such a thing been heard!

No wonder His Majesty was so delighted, keeping him until late at night—this record surpasses even the Founding Emperor and the former dynasty!

Great Shun is truly the rightful heir of all under heaven!

"Has Water Inspector Liang attended court today?"

"Commandant Liang left the palace at Zi hour last night; His Majesty, in consideration, granted him leave to return for the afternoon court. Today's morning court will see His Majesty deliberate with the Ministry of Personnel on rewards. Also to be addressed today are condolences and compensation for fallen soldiers in the Northern Court this December, and honors for General Fu's minor victory in the Southern Frontier—all three matters resolved today."

"I see."

Dong~

The palace gates slowly opened to the sound of bells and drums.

Each minister's thoughts differed; all fell silent.

The hundred officials entered the palace.

A warm spring breeze met their faces.

The Inspector of Discipline called names, cracked the whip, and they entered the hall.

Purple light floated overhead; the upturned eaves blocked the morning sun, casting sharp, alternating shadows of light and dark.

…

January 23rd.

Afternoon Court Ceremony.

Twelve black pearl tassels obscured their expressions.

"Liang Qing, step forward."

The Tianchen Hall was solemn and silent, a pin drop audible.

Xu Xu Wenzhu, Duke Xu, both present; the hundred officials stood in solemn array, all eyes focused on the center.

The brush tip rubbed against paper.

The Imperial Scribe dipped his brush, lifted his wrist, constantly recording the words and deeds of the officials in the hall, like a textual video recorder.

The Inspector's gaze locked on.

Liang Qu swallowed his saliva, respectfully approached beneath the jade steps, daring not to move.

Above the hall, the aura of those beyond the Hunting Tiger realm numbered no fewer than dozens…

Fortunate.

Before leaving home,

Xu Xu Wenzhu had repeatedly warned him of countless precautions, lest he make a fool of himself on his first visit to court.

Bow your head and obey.

Countless vermilion pillars, endless rows of civil and military officials.

The floor, washed too many times, was as smooth as a mirror.

Beams of light streamed through the wooden lattice of the long windows; dust danced within the beams.

Liang Qu clearly saw his own reflection: his hair combed strand by strand, smooth as willow branches by a spring river.

A young face.

All present formed this impression.

The Honglu Temple official raised his voice to announce.

"Since ascending the throne, I have labored tirelessly, hoping for peace within the seas and the people's contentment. Now, you, loyal and diligent in serving the state, have brought joy as the four seas are tranquil and the eight directions at peace…

There is Liang Qu, who since entering court has worked diligently, eradicated remnants, presented novel methods, allied with aquatic clans, and repeatedly achieved extraordinary feats…

At only eighteen years and five months, he has entered the Hunting Tiger realm, proclaiming the glory of Great Shun, magnifying its prestige!

A state bestows office and title by merit—this is to honor wisdom through achievement, to reward valor through deeds.

I now grant him the title of Baron of Baron Xingyi, hereditary and perpetual, appoint him as Third-Grade Flying Cavalry Captain, promote him to the lower rank of Fifth Rank Water Balance Inspector, elevate his steed to a Second-Rank Dragon Blood Horse, bestow a thousand mu of fertile land, a Class Three residence in District Jia, a Cloud-and-Thunder Pattern robe, a Tiger-Warden Jade Belt, and a pair of Kui Boots.

Exempt the attached counties of Pingyang Prefecture from taxes for three years!

All past tax arrears by the people are forgiven; no new taxes shall be levied for twenty years!

Prefect Magistrate Jian Magistrate Jian Zhongyi of Pingyang and Commandant Xu Xu Yue of the River Office, for their recommendation, are awarded three major merits.

Pingyang Prefecture enjoys good governance and prosperity, maintains friendly ties with aquatic and marine clans; henceforth, Lanzhou shall be merged into Pingyang Prefecture, and a new Waterborne Fourteenth County, Jiangchuan County, shall be established, with Brother Quan Brother Quan Linghan appointed as its County Magistrate.

Those with transcendent merit must be granted extraordinary favor; those who possess civil and martial talent must bear the weight of the state.

May Liang Qing and his descendants uphold this great trust, safeguarding the peace of the realm and the welfare of the people.

This is my decree!"

The wolf-hair brush never ceased.

The vast hall was so silent it grew chilly.

Ethereal incense drifted from the mouths of tortoise and crane figurines; sunlight shifted unpredictably within the smoke.

Officials had known only the first half; they had debated it during morning court, yet never expected such a turn in the second!

Sudden.

A seismic shock across all of Pingyang Prefecture!

"Thank Your Majesty!"

Liang Qu's head buzzed.

He smelled the incense, heard his own heartbeat, raised both hands, dazedly received the edict, bowed deeply, stepped backward with bent waist, and vanished into the ranks.

The civil and military officials glanced sideways, their thoughts unanimous.

This was no mere Wolf Smoke entry into the Hunting Tiger realm—it was a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate; a humble fisherman's son, risen in just a few years.

Remarkable.

Even the top three in the Military Examination might not have such an opportunity.

"Minister Fu, step forward."

The afternoon court continued.

The Honglu Temple official continued chanting.

Liang Qu was not the only one receiving rewards today.

With Great Shun's vast territory and myriad affairs, someone was always achieving merit, someone always committing fault.

At the end of the line,

Liang Qu watched General Fu arrive beneath the steps, finally snapping out of his shock, recalling the rewards just granted, his heart surging.

Worth it!

From Sixth-Rank Lower Hengshui Inspector to Fifth-Rank Lower Water Balance Inspector—two promotions.

Now, in the entire Pingyang Prefecture River Office, few stood above him.

Flying Cavalry Captain, Fifth Rank, Third-Grade Merit Officer!

This is the "rank"; military ranks total twelve grades, ascending from lowest to highest.

The lowest is First-Grade Cavalry Captain, equivalent to lower sixth rank; second is Cloud Cavalry Captain, standard sixth rank; the highest is Twelfth-Grade Left and Right Pillar of State, standard first rank.

The titles of all twelve grades of merit officials were largely derived from the former dynasty's honorary titles; "honorary" here means idle—pleasant to say aloud, yet carrying no actual authority, only extra salary.

They were singled out as merit ranks primarily for those who were no longer eligible for promotion but felt undeserving of mere rewards, thus turning a single path into a dual one, adding an extra title of honor.

Of course.

Far more crucial are the noble titles!

Baron of Baron Xingyi!

A baron ranks equal to a fifth-rank official, yet its value far exceeds that of an ordinary fifth-rank officer!

Within the nobility system.

Real grants come with land, named after the territory—like Ningjiang, formerly known as Xu Yue, hence called Prince of Xu Yue.

Virtual grants have no land; their titles prefix not with place names but with virtuous, laudatory terms—such as Earl of Sincerity, Prince of Reverence, Prince of Faith.

Throughout the realm, only the Wu Sheng who willingly serves the imperial court may receive a real grant.

Thus Liang Qu's barony could only be a virtual grant.

Fortunately, the name Yixing carried auspicious meaning, so the Holy Emperor simply reversed the order, renaming it Baron Xingyi.

Instant fame across the land!

"Hereby bestowing upon Fu..."

A succession of grants and rewards.

The Honglu Temple loudly proclaimed the names of officials retiring or being dispatched to provincial posts; those called stepped forward to bow and thank the Emperor.

Less than half an hour passed.

The court dismissed.

The officials left the palace.

Liang Qu, newly ennobled, had not yet sought out Xu Xu Wenzhu; he lagged half a step behind, suppressing his excitement, and followed the eunuch to a side hall, where he received from a vermilion table his symbols of rank: his noble title, merit grade, and official position—including robes, waist token, and seal.

Now came the garments.

"This robe..."

(End of Chapter)