Chapter 782

The light flowed on the gold bricks, reflecting the human face.

The so-called gold bricks were not actually made of gold, but a type of paving brick used exclusively for important buildings like palaces. They were taken from the Suzhou glue clay in Southern Zhili, sticky without scattering, powdery without sand. The production process was extremely complex, taking at least two and a half years from mud to finished product, unique and one-of-a-kind.

Because of their hard and fine texture, they sounded like metal when struck, hence the name gold bricks.

At this moment, Liang Qu rubbed his shoe soles against the gold bricks, bored, wondering when his own home could be paved with such good bricks.

After submitting the incident documents, he didn't go home but let the Holy Emperor arrange for him to wait in the side hall, stating he had other important matters.

He could guess what the matter was.

About an hour later.

Eunuch Li beckoned.

The fragrance of flowers was faint, the grass lush.

Imperial Garden.

The attendants lined up on both wings, Liang Qu fell half a step behind, accompanying the Holy Emperor on a walk.

A fat-bottomed bumblebee tried its best to flap its wings, rushed into a flower, landed with its limbs, pressed the whole flower until the stem bent, drooping to the ground, and gathered pollen with its butt sticking up.

"I have read the document from Minister Xu. Is the Bai Yuan's ability truly as miraculous as the document says?"

"A naturally strange species, somewhat extraordinary. Like the elders of the Frog Clan, although their cultivation is poor, when it comes to seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster, they are even better than the Eight-Clawed Demon King."

"Does it want to imitate the Sea Hai Fangzhu and do the same to the Flood Dragon, to become the master of the Jianghuai?"

"One mountain cannot hold two tigers. Even if it has no such thoughts, I fear the Flood Dragon won't let it go."

"That is reasonable. However, the Flood Dragon is the head of the Jianghuai Demon Kings, and the Bai Yuan is only at the Great Demon realm. Conservatively estimating, it will be less than twenty years before the Flood Dragon walks the water. Does Minister Liang think it has a chance?"

"The Sea Hai Fangzhu is also a Great Demon, and the Eight-Clawed King is also a Demon King. Whether one is a Demon King or a Great Demon, success depends on people, on the imperial court, and on Your Majesty."

Ask one sentence.

Answer one sentence.

Talking about idle matters is fine, chatting and joking happily.

When it comes to serious matters, Liang Qu believes in saying less to make fewer mistakes.

Walked a circle.

The Holy Emperor turned back.

"The Bai Yuan took the initiative to surrender... Minister Liang, since you are its good friend, what do you think it should be titled?"

Liang Qu grinned.

"This junior still can't quite distinguish between official rank, title, and tier. Eighteen tiers, twenty tiers, first class, second class—I only know that the salary I receive increases every year, and everyone outside envies me. It's all up to Your Majesty."

"Hahaha." The Holy Emperor laughed, waved his hand, "Alright, go home and wait. I will discuss it with the Grand Secretaries.

Supporting a Sea Clan Demon King should not be done with great fanfare. Since it is a thorn in the side of the Flood Dragon, the Bai Yuan should not expose its whereabouts, so there is no need to come to the capital to be titled.

You have received the benefits, so do not go around boasting. Even if there are rumors flying everywhere outside, it doesn't matter, but you yourself must never admit it, understand?"

"Your Majesty, rest assured!"

Liang Qu happily thanked him.

The reason he chose this juncture to have the "Bai Yuan" surrender was precisely because the Sea Hai Fangzhu matter provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Supporting a Demon King in the sea should not be publicized!

Therefore, everything was kept simple, reasonable, and even if it didn't follow the rules, no one would gossip.

Everything is difficult at the beginning.

Once "in the system," promotions and demotions are all among our own people, and the rules will be much more flexible then!

"Slower, slower, don't bump it."

"Go north, go north."

Beside the Accumulated Water Pool.

The frozen connecting wrist was carried out by the attendants and sent to the Alchemy Workshop.

Once in the Imperial Capital, no matter how "undying and inextinguishable" the Eight-Clawed King is, it won't be able to stir up any foam.

Next is a long wait.

High-quality Great Medicine is not easy to refine; it is all measured in months, one furnace after another, and cannot be rushed.

Besides, in terms of order, it must be the Holy Emperor first, then Liang Qu. Getting it before the New Year festival in February would be considered fast.

End of December. Goose-feather snow outside the window.

Alchemy Workshop, Zhao Chamber.

The furnace fire gradually extinguished, Zhao Yaozuo adjusted his breath.

The medicine boy set up a ladder, climbed onto the furnace, opened it to retrieve the pills. Heat surged, and the surging medicinal fragrance filled the room.

Zhao Yaozuo closed his eyes and said: "The next one should be Li Hou's Longevity Pill, right? Last year, Commandant Liang cut in line, and I didn't expect there to be a few more times later. Unknowingly, it's been dragged out for almost a year. He has urged me several times. Rest for ten days for now, prepare the medicinal materials, and as soon as possible..."

"Master, it's changed again." The medicine boy said.

"Changed again?" Zhao Yaozuo opened his eyes in astonishment, "Who cut in line?"

"Your Majesty. The Great Superintendent came to give instructions personally. The Longevity Pill is changed to the Innate Pure Yang Pill. The Demon King's connecting wrist and medicinal materials have already been sent. It needs two furnaces. Refine the smaller part first, then the larger part. The larger part is for Commandant Liang. He told Master to be as fast as possible."

Zhao Yaozuo: "..."

"Change to resting for five days. Tell Li Hou to wait a little longer."

"The Imperial Decree says: In the past, when the Holy Emperor ruled the world, he relied on martial might to pacify the common people, never... I specifically imitate the ancient system, establishing martial posts to protect the achievements of governance... Respect this and do not be lazy!"

Accumulated Water Pool residence, covered in white snow.

Eunuch Li respectfully held the imperial decree, stepped on the accumulated snow to enter, and offered his congratulations in person. The corresponding jade plaque, hanging ornaments, and seal were all complete!

"Lord Liang, congratulations! From now on, you are the Earl of Xingyi! Apart from hereditary ones, a twenty-year-old County Earl, you are considered the first of your kind!"

"How could it be so fast?" Liang Qu was surprised by Eunuch Li's visit, "I heard from General Xu that it might have to wait until the Sea Hai Fangzhu fulfills the promise..."

"The Grand Secretaries indeed had different opinions, thinking we should wait until the sea demon matter was accomplished. It was His Majesty who overruled the objections and gave the reward first." Eunuch Li said with a smile, "His Majesty said you owed Lord Wei a year's salary, so he wanted to increase your salary early and settle it early."

Liang Qu was very embarrassed.

The Holy Emperor actually knew about this?

Unfolded the imperial decree.

The embroidery stitches of the palace seamstress were dense, the golden light brilliant. The merits were not detailed in writing, but the corresponding rewards were all there.

The primary one was the change in status.

Xingyi Baron promoted to Xingyi County Earl, ranked as Regular Fourth Rank, hereditary with rank reduction, to Xingyi Baron, hereditary and permanent!

Annual salary of 17,000 taels! No need to work, just lie down and take the money!

Four-turn Brave Cavalry Commandant, ranked as Regular Fifth Rank, promoted to Six-turn Upper Cavalry Commandant, ranked as Regular Fourth Rank!

Annual salary of 5,500 taels!

The official position of River Balance Commandant remained unchanged.

It was normal for the official position not to change.

If Liang Qu's official position were promoted again, the Pingyang Prefecture River Patrol Office basically "could not accommodate" him.

Now, adding official rank, title, and tier together, the annual salary alone was more than 25,000!

More than doubled.

Awesome!

Apart from the change in status, there were substantial benefits, not to mention the small ones.

One Xuanhuang Plaque!

The Xuanhuang Plaque acts like a grain coupon. Combined with ten great merits, it can be exchanged for one portion of Xuanhuang Long Qi!

The most upright and peaceful energy in the world, can be consumed without a medium!

The King of Yue once gave him one, and his master Yang Dongxiong was promoted to a Perfected Form Grandmaster precisely because of this Long Qi.

Now Liang Qu had earned one himself!

Moving down.

Twenty-three great merits!

Eunuch Li said with a smile: "His Majesty said, at the end of this year, he will add two more for Lord Liang, which can be counted as twenty-five."

Right.

Almost forgot about this.

Apart from great merits and the Xuanhuang Plaque, the other rewards were mostly fragmented cloth, porcelain, and ordinary recovery-type elixirs.

Hard to sell, so keep them at home as a foundation.

Satisfied and refreshed!

After reviewing everything, Liang Qu rolled up the imperial decree: "Eunuch Li, I still have one matter to ask."

"Lord Liang, please speak."

"What is the situation with the Jian Zhongyi case in Qingzhou?"

(End of chapter)