Chapter 36

The victory report of quelling the Yaozhou rebellion was transmitted back to the divine capital Luoyang at an emergency speed of eight hundred li.

When the news arrived, the entire court erupted in an uproar!

We won!

Moreover, it was an unprecedented great victory!

After the new emperor ascended the throne, such a great victory was undoubtedly an auspicious sign, showing the world that Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian's accession was legitimate!

Facing a rebel army said to number one hundred thousand, the main force dispatched by the court crushed the rebellion with almost zero casualties.

Rebel leader Mo Zhe Nian was slain on the spot, and his close followers were all captured in one sweep.

And the Wumeng tribe chieftain A Hui Nan, who had been the most jubilant in the rebellion, also died after the battle from "severe wounds untreated," an "accidental" death.

After experiencing this thunderstorm-like upheaval, the entire Southwest Seventy-two Caves saw all tribal chiefs become more obedient than sheep. They vied to submit land and household registers to the court and actively sent their offspring to the capital to demonstrate unwavering loyalty.

The "Replace Native Chieftains with Direct Imperial Administration" proposal that Wang Jin put forth in his memorial was, within just a few months, astonishingly smoothly realized in its initial stage!

When Wang Jin, Zhang Jianzhi, and others led the triumphant army, escorting the captured rebel leaders back to Luoyang, they were greeted like heroes.

Emperor Li Xian even had the crown prince personally lead civil and military officials to meet them ten li outside the city, giving these rebel‑suppressing ministers immense honor.

In Ganlu Hall, Emperor Li Xian gazed at the kneeling Wang Jin, his eyes brimming with undisguised fondness and admiration.

"Wang Aiqing, rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Wang Aiqing, this time in the Southwest you employed thunderous methods while carrying a benevolent heart, and without breaking a sweat you quelled a great rebellion for our Tang, also resolving for me a decades‑long Southwest border problem. Such merit should be a model for all officials!" Emperor Li Xian's praises never ceased.

"Your Majesty, you overpraise me." Wang Jin's reply was extremely humble: "I dare not claim credit. Our great victory in this battle is entirely due to Your Majesty's mighty awe, which struck terror into the barbarians; entirely due to Prince Zhang's strategic planning and steady command; entirely due to the officers and soldiers who fought bravely and bloodied themselves. I merely moved my lips, conveying the emperor's benevolence."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became somewhat delicate.

Wu Sansi, Zhongchongke and the others had already prepared their accusations, intending to say Wang Jin was arrogant in taking credit, but now he pushed all the merit onto others, leaving them unable to utter a single word of their prepared speech, their faces turning purple from holding it in.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jianzhi and Li Duozuo looked at Wang Jin with eyes full of approval.

This young man not only possesses the talent to govern the world, but also this political wisdom of not seeking credit and knowing when to advance or retreat; it is truly rare and precious!

Upon hearing Wang Jin's words, Emperor Li Hong was even more delighted, his dragon face breaking into loud laughter.

Good! Good, one who does not seek credit! Beloved Minister Wang, you not only have talent, but also virtue! Though young, you are so steady, my heart is greatly comforted!

"Secretary of the Central Secretariat Wang Jin, for pacifying the southwest, your merit is great. I hereby promote you to Guanglu Doctor with the rank of third grade! I grant you a mansion in eastern Luoyang, a thousand mu of good farmland, one thousand taels of gold, and ten thousand taels of silver!"

"Furthermore, his presented 'Annan Strategy' has proven effective and will benefit generations. Order the Secretariat and the Chancellery to revise and perfect this strategy, making it the Tang Dynasty's future national policy for governing the frontiers! Wang Jin, you shall continue as the Envoy for the Annan Strategy, overseeing its implementation!"

Moreover, his presented 'Annan Strategy' is effective in practice, beneficial for a thousand years. Order the Secretariat and the Chancellery to revise and perfect this strategy, making it the Tang Dynasty's future national policy for governing the frontiers! Wang Jin, still holding the title of 'Envoy for the Annan Strategy', shall oversee its affairs!

Third grade!

Guanglu Doctor!

This is truly a high-ranking official in the court!

Wang Jin, this young man in his early twenties, in less than a year's time, has achieved a promotion path that others could never attain in a lifetime!

This is no longer riding a rocket; it's like mounting an immortal crane and ascending to heaven in a single step!

Wang Xiu, inside Wang Jin's body, felt this overwhelming wealth and honor, her heart pounding nonstop.

He knew his first move had been executed perfectly.

He not only earned the Wang family its first foothold-worthy estate, but more importantly, he won the emperor's favor and trust for himself!

The present emperor, newly ascended to the throne, precisely needs someone like him—young and without any foothold in the court.

This is the greatest capital for his future establishment and livelihood!

That evening, the emperor held a grand banquet in the palace to celebrate the meritorious officials who suppressed the rebellion.

At the banquet, Wang Jin was undoubtedly the most dazzling star of the gathering.

Crown Prince Li Chongjun, at that moment also holding a cup, walked over to him of his own accord, a sincere smile on his face.

"Master Wang, I had long foresaw that you were no ordinary pond-dweller, but I never imagined your meteoric rise would come so quickly. This cup, I toast to you!"

Wang Jin hastily rose and said with trepidation, "Your Highness, you overpraise me; I dare not accept such praise."

He recalled that he had once advised the crown prince to "conceal his talent"; looking back now, the effect was evident. During his absence, the prince had indeed become much more restrained, and his relationship with the emperor had eased considerably.

After the banquet dispersed, Wang Jin returned to the mansion newly granted by the emperor.

It was a grand five-courtyard residence, with pavilions, terraces, towers, artificial hills and flowing water, ten times more magnificent than the house he had previously bought in Yongxing Fang.

His wife, Lady Li, had already brought the servants and had the place kept in orderly condition.

Seeing her husband return safely and having attained such great honor, Lady Li was moved to tears.

"Husband, you… you have finally come back."

Wang Jin (Wang Xiu) took her hand, his heart also filled with myriad emotions.

He opened the game interface, looking at the refreshed data displayed, and a tremendous sense of achievement welled up within him.

He opened the game panel, looking at the freshly renewed data above, a great sense of accomplishment welled up.

【Founding Head of Family: Wang Jin】

【Family Prestige: 95/100 (Renowned Under Heaven)】

【Family Influence: 50/100 (Prominent Minister in Court)】

【Family Influence: 50/100 (high-ranking official in the court)】

【Real Estate: One five-courtyard mansion in eastern Luoyang, one Yi Water Manor (1,300 mu), three shops on Copper Camel Lane】

【Currency: Gold 1,050 taels, silver taels, copper coins several strings】

【Items: Shu brocade x10, wound medicine x0, strengthening pills x0, soy-sauce beef jerky x4, various treasures and antiquities several】

【Family Members: 58 people (Wang Jin, wife Lady Li, and 56 servants, artisans, guards, etc.)】

Looking at this luxurious asset list, Wang Xiu knew that his Wang family was no longer an obscure, nameless commoner household.

Looking at this luxurious asset list, Wang Xiu knew that his Wang Family was no longer that obscure, nameless commoner household.

They have truly stepped into the gate of top-level nobility.

But Wang Xiu was not blinded by the immediate victory; between his Wang Family and the top-level nobility there remains an unbridgeable chasm: foundation and the ability to bear risk.

In the face of those long-established clans, his Wang Family is nothing more than a country bumpkin who suddenly gained the emperor's favor.

He knows better than anyone that the higher you climb, the harder you fall.

What's more, he could clearly see the looks of Wu Sansi and Zong Chuke, filled with resentment and killing intent.

He himself is now a favored person before the emperor; they dare not act against him for the time being.

He must, for the family's future, make the next move well.

He must, for the family's future, make the next move well.