Chapter 949

After annihilating the Xiongnu, Ying Zheng had already prepared to recall Meng Tian, while his deputy generals, as well as Li Mu, remained stationed in Touman City under Ying Zheng's orders. Although the Xiongnu had been annihilated, they had only just occupied that area. To prevent accidents, a large army had to be sent to guard it. One reason was to prevent the remnants of the Xiongnu from counterattacking, making that land completely belong to the Qin Guo. The second was to guard against the Donghu and Yuezhi, preventing them from taking the opportunity to pick peaches and reap the benefits.

As for why Meng Tian was recalled? Naturally, it was because Meng Tian had made the first contribution this time, and Ying Zheng had to reward him for his merits. Besides that, he was also prepared to take Meng Tian along for the Fengshan sacrifice he was planning.

Time passed slowly.

On this day, when Meng Tian led many of his personal guards, the Golden Fire Cavalry, onto Baqiao Bridge, Ying Zheng, accompanied by all the civil and military officials, came to Baqiao Bridge to welcome Meng Tian.

This was a rare honor.

It must be known that the only person previously worthy of Ying Zheng coming to welcome him in person was Su Xuan, who had returned from seeking immortality at sea.

Today, Meng Tian became the second.

"Your subject, Meng Tian, pays respects to Your Majesty the Emperor!"

Seeing Ying Zheng, Meng Tian, leading a group of generals and colonels, fully armored, walked up to Ying Zheng and saluted.

"General Meng, no need for formalities!"

A faint smile hung on the corner of Ying Zheng's mouth as he looked at Meng Tian before him.

The Meng family had served the Qin Guo for generations, and Meng Tian could be considered one of his childhood playmates. It could be said that compared to Li Xin, Meng Tian had a closer relationship with him and was more trusted by him.

Meng Tian did not fail his high expectations and defeated the Xiongnu; Ying Zheng was very satisfied.

Of course, he also saw Meng Tian's hard work. On Meng Tian's face, there was a hideous scar, presumably caused during the battle with the Xiongnu. At the same time, compared to the high spirits when he left, Meng Tian had become much more weathered.

Life at the border, although not long, was indeed quite hard, especially when Meng Tian was fighting the Xiongnu at the border, with treacherous villains like Zhao Gao there dragging his feet.

Thinking of this, Ying Zheng said to Meng Tian again, "General Meng has worked hard!"

Hearing this, Meng Tian saluted again, "This is all what your subject should do!"

Ying Zheng nodded and said to Meng Tian, "General Meng has returned from the Mobei region after traveling thousands of miles; it can be said to be extremely hard work. This is not the place to talk; let's return to Xianyang and talk later."

Thus, Ying Zheng took Meng Tian and many triumphant soldiers back to Xianyang.

Within the Xianyang Palace, a grand state banquet had been prepared.

After Meng Tian and Ying Zheng arrived, they began to eat directly.

During this process, Meng Tian saw the National Preceptor Su Xuan, who was sitting beside Ying Zheng.

When he looked at Su Xuan, Su Xuan also gave him a faint smile.

After they were full of wine and food, Ying Zheng ordered the eunuch beside him to bring an imperial edict and read it out.

"Inner Historian Meng Tian, leading two hundred thousand troops to annihilate the Xiongnu, guarding the safety of the border, and even expanding the territory by a thousand miles. From now on, the Hu people will not dare to go south to graze their horses. Meng Tian's merit is very great; not ennobling him as a marquis is not enough to express his meritorious service. Today, Meng Tian is ennobled as the Marquis of Jiuyuan, with a fief of fifteen thousand households in Jiuyuan Commandery."

As this imperial edict was finished being announced, the civil and military officials in the court were not very surprised.

In the Qin Guo, one could not be ennobled as a marquis without military merit, but there were exceptions. In the past, Lao Ai was ennobled as the Marquis of Changxin without any merit, just because of the Empress Dowager. It can be seen that as long as His Majesty the Emperor is willing, it is not a difficult thing to give someone a marquis title.

Earlier, Li Xin was ennobled as a marquis by His Majesty the Emperor for annihilating Baiyue and making great contributions. Today, Meng Tian annihilated the Xiongnu, and his merit was even greater than Li Xin's. It is not strange that he would be ennobled as a marquis.

The only thing that was a bit surprising was the title of this marquis.

"Marquis of Jiuyuan!" ===== CHAPTER 951 =====