Chapter 1418: Meritorious Veterans

"Grand General Guo, come, let me share a cup with you!" Though the focus was on Wang and Yang, Emperor Liu would not neglect the other generals either. Looking at Guo Jin, Emperor Liu remained affable: "This expedition to the Western Regions, striking hard at the barbarian hordes, annihilating the Liao army, spreading our nation's might and greatly boosting our morale—you, Grand General Guo, are now a name that resounds far and wide, shaking the western frontier!"

Not to mention Guo Jin's status as a veteran minister of the Liu clan—he was among the earliest old generals to receive favor from Gaozu Liu Zhiyuan. In the northern campaign, when all routes of the Han army advanced together, Guo Jin also commanded an army independently in the northwest theater and achieved distinguished results. Naturally, he deserved Emperor Liu's attention.

In the northwest of the Great Han today, not only were heavy troops stationed with elite soldiers and formidable generals gathered in numbers, but among those with the most resounding reputations were Wang Yansheng, Yang Ye, and Guo Jin. In court and among the people, the elegant title of the "Three Heroes of the Northwest" circulated widely.

Wang Yansheng needed no introduction—a meritorious veteran general who had long garrisoned the border prefectures. That shocking "ear-biting" deed from back then still circulated among the common folk to this day, growing more embellished with each telling.

Yang Ye was the Son of Heaven's confidant, a minister who had followed the dragon from its rise. He had emerged from the ranks, with deep foundations, serving in posts both in and out of court. Recovering Xia and Sui, pacifying and controlling the Tangut—these were his most dazzling achievements in the northwest, and the distant expedition to Mobei further forged his glory.

Guo Jin, over more than twenty years, had also fought across the south and north. The Hexi campaign shook the northwest with his fame, and his killing nature made the barbarian tribes tremble with fear. Already skilled in military strategy, the Western Regions campaign thoroughly established his reputation and could be said to have reached a peak of his life.

Facing Emperor Liu's praise, his mood was naturally delighted. Guo Jin was decisive in killing on the battlefield but was quite an open and straightforward man in daily life. Before Emperor Liu, he did not hide his feelings—though humble words still hung on his lips as he raised his cup and replied: "Were it not for Your Majesty's trust and the court's full support, we would not have achieved such results in driving out the enemy at length. Though I have some small merit, it also relies on my officers and men fighting in blood and serving in slaughter. I dare not claim the glory alone!"

"They all say you, Guo Jin, govern your army with harshness, punishing at every turn. But looking at it now, that is merely your method of commanding troops—you still care deeply for your officers and men!" Hearing his words, Emperor Liu kept the compliments flowing as he spoke to Guo Jin.

"Your Majesty is wise! The art of commanding troops has its various methods. My reputation has been passed around until it frightens people. Fortunately, Your Majesty sees clearly in every detail and has an open mind, able to tolerate my severity!" Guo Jin gave a wry smile, then spoke with gratitude on his face, not forgetting to sing praises to Emperor Liu.

"You generals and commanders! These flattering words of yours come one after another—wherever did you learn them!" Emperor Liu was greatly pleased and could not help making a jest.

"We are but rough soldiers of the army, knowing only how to fight. We cannot speak flattering words, nor do we know flattery. Your Majesty treats us with sincerity, and we only know how to speak from the bottom of our hearts!" Guo Jin replied.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu laughed heartily: "With words like these, how could you be called a rough soldier of the army!"

"General Guo is deeply versed in strategy, wise and brave in equal measure—how could he be a crude and boorish man? You are being far too modest!" Everyone lifts the sedan chair of praise, and Crown Prince Liu Yang also spoke with a smile.

Guo Jin hurriedly responded: "Your Highness flatters me!"

If one were to say who among those present seemed the most low-key, it would be Wang Shenqi, who silently accompanied the banquet with little interjection. However, being at the banquet itself proved his qualification, and Emperor Liu naturally would not forget him.

"Zhongbao!" Emperor Liu always drank according to the person. For the generals and ministers seated before him, his aim was naturally to ensure everyone enjoyed themselves. After several cups in high spirits, he held his wine cup and gazed intently at Wang Shenqi: "In these years, the Great Han has not lacked meritorious generals whose names spread far and who shine before all. Likewise, there are no few loyal veteran generals who work diligently and press forward steadily. In my view, you are the model of the latter!

Unknown and unheralded, yet contributing enormously—garrisoning the borders and going on campaigns, bearing toil without complaint! Let me speak some words from the heart: all along, I have indeed somewhat neglected you.

Were it not for reviewing your record of service, I might hardly have clearly understood how much meritorious service you have rendered for the Great Han over the past twenty-odd years..."

Wang Shenqi—to describe him as a famous general of the age is in no way an exaggeration. Unlike those generals renowned for valor and ferocity, Wang Shenqi's standing in the army relied more on his strategic acumen. In governing troops and conducting himself, he also had less killing aura and more of the rare benevolence and forbearance that contemporary warriors lacked.

However, compared to generals like Yang Ye who shone with eternal brilliance, Wang Shenqi appeared somewhat ordinary. Yet surveying his rich record of service, one could not help but sigh—this was a veteran general rarely seen in the Great Han.

Gu Xu's initial rise in the military could be traced back to the first year of Qianyou, when Wang Shenqi served under Yang Ye and participated in the pacification of Hezhong, gradually gaining fame. Thereafter, he became Yang Ye's closest comrade-in-arms. After Hezhong was pacified and Li Shouzhen and his son were executed, Yang Ye was assigned by Emperor Liu to guard Yanmen. Before departing for his post, Yang Ye made a single request to Emperor Liu—to bring Wang Shenqi along.

Then followed nearly ten years of garrison duty at Yanmen. In the fifth year of Qianyou, when the court reclaimed authority over Hedong, Wang Shenqi was active in that effort as well. Later, recommended by Yang Ye, with sufficient merit and seniority, he independently commanded an army for the first time, serving as Army Commander of Feihu. During the great Han-Liao war, he also followed Zhao Kuangyin in capturing Wei Prefecture and participated in the Battle of Yunzhong.

After the Qianyou northern campaign, he was transferred to the capital to serve as a senior general of the imperial army. Later, he followed Yang Ye to Yulin Circuit to receive the Xia-Sui region, accumulating hard toil in the process of pacifying and controlling the Tangut people. After that came following Yang Ye with the Yulin Han cavalry, sweeping through the Liao passes at the Yin Mountains and the distant expedition to Mobei.

It could be said that in Wang Shenqi's twenty-odd years of service, apart from the opportunity to stand alone during his tenure as Army Commander of Feihu, most of his time existed as a foil to Yang Ye. During his time as a general in Kaifeng, with so many generals gathered in the capital, he appeared even more mediocre.

However, beneath Yang Ye's radiant shadow, one could not deny Wang Shenqi's ability and merit. Moreover, compared to the vast majority of Han army generals, Wang Shenqi's career had been far smoother. Aside from the visible and invisible suppression by Yang Ye, he also benefited from it—at least he was a member of the Great Han's military merit nobility, one who had been enfeoffed as a marquis.

But being a capable general, how could he fully endure being an appendage to another? Wang Shenqi's relationship with Yang Ye was certainly close—over twenty years of comradeship in arms had passed countless trials. He held Yang Ye in great respect, but looking back on the first half of his life, how could there not be some wistfulness in his heart?

Even at this imperial banquet in Chuigong Hall, before the Son of Heaven, Wang Shenqi deliberately kept a low profile and remained silent. But now, suddenly hearing Emperor Liu speak these plain yet sincere words, Wang Shenqi's mood could not help but surge, and his perpetually stern expression showed a visible change. Holding his cup with both hands, he replied: "Your Majesty's appreciation and favor, I will keep engraved in my heart. I shall only do my duty and serve with loyalty!"

"When it comes to diligence and devotion to duty, Zhongbao, few in the army can match you!" Emperor Liu said.

Draining a cup of wine in one go, Emperor Liu looked at Zhao Pu with sparkling eyes: "Chancellor Zhao, regarding the matter of rewards for the expedition's officers and men, you should already have a draft proposal for Zhongbao's bestowal!"

Hearing this, Zhao Pu immediately echoed: "After preliminary deliberation by the Hall of State Affairs and the Ministry of War, we propose elevating his noble rank by two grades, pending Your Majesty's imperial approval. As for positional transfers, comprehensive discussion is still needed!"

"No further discussion needed!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and said very generously: "Zhongbao, many of the generals in the northwest are being reassigned this time, but the northwest bears the weight of the court's border defense—it requires a veteran minister of both prestige and capability to preside over northwestern military affairs. I know you have long been in the borderlands, diligent in serving the throne, and have worked very hard. But I still wish to entrust you with the northwestern command. What do you think?"

What else could Wang Shenqi say? Emperor Liu's meaning was perfectly clear—northwestern military affairs, standing alone in command. This was something he could only hope to encounter by chance. With opportunity before him, how could he refuse due to hardship?

Therefore, Wang Shenqi immediately rose, moved and resolute, and replied: "I shall bend my every effort to the task until death!"

"Haha!" Emperor Liu laughed at once: "Tonight is for me to welcome and wash the dust from you all—don't make the atmosphere so solemn. Sit, drink!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Promoted in rank and elevated in nobility—congratulations, Zhongbao!" As a close friend, Yang Ye immediately offered his congratulations.

The others likewise all extended goodwill. With Emperor Liu having spoken thus far, one could imagine that henceforth, in the weight of the Great Han's military and political affairs, Wang Shenqi's standing would receive a leapfrog elevation. As for his noble rank—Wang Shenqi had originally been a third-grade Marquis of Guangyuan; now elevated to first-grade, that placed him among the foremost of the military merit nobility. Status and power, both at once—he was bound to become a figure of intense interest at court.

As for Wang Yansheng and the others, there was no envy either. Though Emperor Liu had not announced their rewards on the spot, they all knew in their hearts that the Emperor would not treat them poorly. On this point, they perhaps had more confidence than Emperor Liu himself.