Chapter 161: The Duke of Master Xinzheng Departs in Haste, the Earl of Marquis Ningyuan Enters the Capital to Face the Emperor

The principle practiced by Gao Gong was that power unrestrained by rules is the greatest disaster for the world; that is, imperial power must be restricted. Zhang Zhang Juzheng's New Policies, in fact, can be summarized as: Respecting the Sovereign's Authority, Assessing Official Duties, Trusting in Rewards and Punishments, and Unifying Commands.

This is precisely where the contradiction between Gao Gong and Zhang Zhang Juzheng lies: Gao Gong wanted to restrict the infinite power of the Great Ming imperial authority, while Zhang Zhang Juzheng wanted to respect the majesty of the sovereign's authority.

Gao Gong and Zhang Zhang Juzheng shared a common understanding on this major direction: that a shackle must be placed upon the Emperor. Zhang Zhang Juzheng also submitted the "Memorial on Five Matters," requesting that the Emperor attend court, respond to all memorials, summon his auxiliary ministers, discuss state affairs in court, and evaluate capital officials.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng believed that as an Emperor, one must fulfill one's obligations, whereas Gao Gong simply wanted the Emperor to become a clay idol. This was the divergence between the two regarding power unrestrained by rules.

Gao Gong still did not believe he was wrong. At present, the little Emperor was likely fearful of Zhang Zhang Juzheng, which was why he appeared so diligent in governance and so wise and martial.

"If Duke Jiangling continues to be so stubborn, blaming all the officials of the world, offending the powerful and wealthy through land surveys, offending the 'meat-eaters' with the six-book-one-account system, and offending distant peoples by strengthening the military—after you die, the outcry will reach the heavens. To appease the public anger, the little Emperor will surely destroy all your decrees. Otherwise, how could this throne be sat upon securely?" Gao Gong's speech was unusually bold; he said such things right in front of the eunuchs.

However, compared to Gao Gong's remark about "a ten-year-old ruler, how can he govern the world," it did not seem so bold after all.

Gao Gong had always been very bold. He still did not believe the little Emperor was wise; he only believed the Emperor was acting wise because Zhang Zhang Juzheng was at his side and he dared not be otherwise.

"Indeed, that is so. But these matters must be done by someone, must they not?" Zhang Zhang Juzheng was very calm. Yang Bo had said similar things to him many times—about posthumous fame and posthumous affairs, and the futility of policies dying with the man.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng knew one thing: the little Emperor would certainly not let his policies die with him. This little Emperor was very greedy for wealth; he could not possibly turn the millions of *qing* of land surveyed back into the four million *qing* of the Emperor Xiaozong era. Just this political legacy of land surveying, which the greedy little Emperor could retain, would be enough to extend the Great Ming for several decades.

"Utterly foolish." Seeing Zhang Zhang Juzheng so indifferent, Gao Gong appeared to be mocking him, but the expression on his face carried a hint of admiration. Gao Gong had once governed the state and knew that doing these things was not easy; it required not just courage, but also capability.

"You speak as if you were any better. If I hadn't protected you, you would have died twice already," Zhang Zhang Juzheng teased.

The first of these two times was when Gao Gong left the government; he did not want to go and knelt on the ground, begging the Holy Mother to rescind the order, but Zhang Zhang Juzheng rushed over to help him up and sent him away. The second time was the case of Wang Wang Jinglong assassinating the King and attacking the carriage—a grand drama staged by Zhang Zhang Siwei. If Zhang Zhang Juzheng had not stepped forward to tell the Emperor that it was an accidental injury to a good man, Gao Gong would likely not have known peace.

Gao Gong's temper was truly terrible, but this did not affect the friendship between Gao Gong and Zhang Zhang Juzheng. They were very good friends, yet both had sharpened their butcher knives, ready to strike at the other's vital points.

Public is public, private is private; the two of them distinguished this very clearly. Good relationship or not, when it was time to act, one must never be soft-hearted.

"It is also strange. The Grand Minister is very accurate in judging people, and I am not bad at it either. Neither of us believes His Majesty will be a wise ruler; he is fickle, handles all matters perfunctorily, and does not study well." After Gao Gong entered the capital, he was not surprised by Zhang Zhang Juzheng's brilliant achievements; Zhang Zhang Juzheng had always had this ability.

Gao Gong was surprised by the little Emperor's terrifying perseverance. While studying quite well, he had also managed to dabble in so many "unprofessional" hobbies. The key was that they were all quite useful.

On the 10th day of the first lunar month in the fourth year of Emperor Longqing, the Ministry of Rites and the Office of Scrutiny for Rites requested that the then six-year-old Crown Prince Zhu Zhu Yijun begin his studies in the pavilion. The Emperor Longqing Emperor replied: "Wait until he is ten."

The next day, Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong jointly submitted a memorial requesting it again. The Emperor Longqing Emperor still said: "Too early."

Gao Gong gave up on submitting memorials, but Zhang Zhang Juzheng submitted another on the 12th day of the first lunar month, nagging the Emperor Longqing Emperor until he was annoyed, and only then was it granted.

In the fourth, fifth, and sixth years of Emperor Longqing, the little Emperor—the Crown Prince at the time—studied in a state of utter confusion.

Some are born with knowledge, some learn to know, and some know only after experiencing difficulties. What one is born with is limited; one must learn to know, and one must experience confusion to achieve understanding. Yet the Emperor Wanli Emperor did not display the qualities a ruler should have. Those born noble are generally lazy, and this was especially true for the Emperor Wanli Emperor.

In the view of Gao Gong and Yang Bo at the time, the foundation of the state lacked virtue, and there was fear of impending disaster.

But this time, upon entering the capital, Gao Gong sensed something abnormal. Could Zhang Zhang Juzheng possess the magic to turn stone into gold, carving a stubborn rock into a piece of unpolished jade?

"I will have a copy of the Daily Records made for you, and you will know how difficult it is for me. State affairs are already numerous, and His Majesty keeps posing difficult problems. It is truly exhausting." When Zhang Zhang Juzheng said this, he was full of smugness. Exhausting? What exhaustion? He was clearly showing off.

Among his many untalented disciples, the Emperor—this final disciple, this most crucial disciple—had the best academic performance. It was just that he learned too well; it would be better if he didn't have so many questions.

"The case of the assassination attempt on the King, I fear, truly let His Majesty know how terrifying our Great Ming has become. Rites have collapsed and music has been ruined; the state is no longer a state. His Majesty, with his ten-thousand-gold nobility, residing in the nine-fold palace, was actually faced by an assassin with long and short blades. This suddenly made him diligent." Zhang Zhang Juzheng was extremely moved when he said this; for a moment, he did not know whether to thank Wang Wang Jinglong or curse him for his great rebellion.

It was very contradictory. On one hand, Wang Wang Jinglong's appearance awakened the little Emperor; on the other hand, Wang Wang Jinglong's assassination attempt was indeed deserving of death in the Great Ming, where rites and teachings were strict.

Gao Gong, Yang Bo, Wang Wang Xijue, and Zhang Zhang Juzheng all acknowledged a basic fact: the Emperor Wanli Emperor was truly very intelligent, but as for studying, he really did not study.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng said with a hint of reluctance: "His Majesty has great perseverance. In martial arts, he studied successively under the Provincial Military Commander Zhu Zhu Xixiao and General Qi Qi Jiguang. He practiced in the heat of summer and the cold of winter, year after year. Unless he suffered a major injury, he never rested. He is even more diligent than in his studies. Now, he can be called skilled in archery and horsemanship. He can draw a sixty-two-pound bow and hit the target ten times out of ten. He can shoot arrows while galloping on a large horse, although his mounted archery is still not accurate—but mounted archery is never accurate to begin with."

"His Majesty is only fourteen after the New Year. When General Qi was thirteen or fourteen, he could only draw a seventy-pound bow."

"Actually, His Majesty has no talent for the martial path. I have asked the Great Physician of the Imperial Hospital."

"Diligence can compensate for clumsiness."

Zhang Zhang Juzheng knew how much suffering the little Emperor had endured to practice martial arts. Even if he couldn't hit a target at ten paces with a slingshot, he now hit every shot. The fish in Taiye Pond knew the little Emperor's aim was accurate.

The little Emperor was not the brawny, naturally strong type. Li Li Rusong, for instance, was naturally strong, a born general, large from birth, and as sturdy as an adult at twelve or thirteen.

When the Emperor was injured by Luo Luo Sigong, a sparring partner who did not know his place, he gritted his teeth and smiled brightly, fearing that the imperial court and the Empress Dowager would investigate. He even had Zhang Hong keep it a secret and had the Great Physicians of the Imperial Hospital, Chen Chen Shigong and Li Li Shizhen, treat him in secret.

But the Daily Records recorded it all.

The little Emperor actually knew very well in his heart that as the Son of Heaven, he might never need to go to the battlefield in his life, but he had forced himself to become a top-tier martial artist among the youth. That was all achieved through enduring beatings.

Gao Gong felt Zhang Zhang Juzheng was doing useless work; Zhang Zhang Juzheng felt the little Emperor's martial practice was useless work. Useful or not, do it first and see.

"Really? Isn't the Duke of Jiangling just gilding his own face?" Gao Gong was a bit skeptical. In the side hall of the Hall of Literary Brilliance, there was absolutely nothing related to martial arts. He truly didn't know the progress of the little Emperor's martial arts training, which had actually caught up to fierce generals like General Qi and Li Li Rusong! How much perseverance must that take? Perseverance—is that something a naturally noble person possesses?

Hearing this, Feng Bao finally couldn't help but say sternly: "Old man Gao Gong, I have tolerated you for a long time! Don't doubt that His Majesty can do what you cannot! His Majesty is a man of great ambition and perseverance. Do you understand 'ambition' and 'perseverance'? If you understood, would you still be able to crawl back to your old home in Master Xinzheng?!"

Feng Bao was scolding someone again. He could tolerate other things, but questioning the little Emperor's martial arts level was absolutely intolerable!

Great eunuchs like Feng Bao and Zhang Hong had witnessed with their own eyes the hardships His Majesty endured, transforming from a little chubby boy into a sturdy young man. Why should Gao Gong, with just a flick of his tongue, negate all that hard work?

They should just let His Majesty shoot an arrow and let Gao Gong, like Zhou Zhou Liangyin, taste the life-and-death terror of an arrow passing by his cheek; then he would know whether His Majesty's martial arts level was real or not!

This stubborn old man Gao Gong would be better off rotting in Master Xinzheng; coming out really makes people angry.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng just smiled. Feng Bao scolded people every day and scolded them so thoroughly they couldn't even talk back.

"Eunuch thief!" Gao Gong flicked his sleeves and said angrily.

"A cowardly villain without ambition or perseverance!" Feng Bao sneered and cursed again.

"Alright, alright, stop arguing. With the Duke of Master Xinzheng leaving this time, I fear there may be no day to meet again. Take care in everything," Zhang Zhang Juzheng said, watching the sunset, and urged him solemnly.

"You too." Gao Gong strode out of the Imperial Palace and headed toward the Reception Hostel to pack up, intending to leave the capital overnight. By His Majesty's imperial decree, he was not allowed to linger.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng stood on the steps watching Gao Gong depart, tightened his cloak, and headed toward the Wenyuange.

When Zhu Zhu Yijun saw Gao Gong's "Memorial on Eliminating Eight Evils," he was even moved to consider letting Gao Gong return to the court to serve as Minister of Personnel. Zhang Han was simply too abstract; he was hated by people and dogs alike, and truly unfit for important responsibilities.

When Gao Gong was in charge of the country, he concurrently held the Ministry of Personnel, and he was a master at anti-corruption.

However, this would easily send the wrong signal, causing factional strife in the court to flare up again; it would be better to let Zhang Han just occupy his position and do nothing in the court.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong fought with extreme bloodiness in the court, but their private relationship was excellent. In the sixth year of Emperor Wanli, when Gao Gong died, his wife, Lady Zhang, petitioned for funeral honors—that is, asking the court for a posthumous title and an official burial. The Emperor Wanli Emperor issued a stern decree: Gao Gong was disloyal and insulted His Majesty. Now that he is dead, his wife still comes to beg for favors; it is not permitted. So ordered.

Any imperial edict written in such colloquial language was spoken personally by the Emperor. He would not let the Ministry of Rites report it again, would not grant Gao Gong a posthumous title, would not grant an official burial, and furthermore, would not let anyone memorialize about this matter.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng submitted a "Memorial Requesting Grace for the Late Grand Secretary Gao Gong," asking the Emperor Wanli Emperor to show mercy and grant Gao Gong a posthumous title and official burial. The Emperor Wanli Emperor replied: Gao Gong betrayed the trust of the late Emperor and despised my youth; his crimes are unforgivable.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng pleaded in person, and finally, the Emperor Wanli Emperor chose to compromise, issuing a decree saying: Since you ministers say he once served the late Emperor in the Prince of Yu's residence as a lecturer, I will consider the old kindness and tentatively allow him to be restored to his original rank and granted funeral rites; let the Ministry of Rites be informed.

The Emperor Wanli Emperor still did not grant Gao Gong a posthumous title. It was not until the thirtieth year of Emperor Wanli, twenty-four years after Gao Gong's death, that the Emperor Wanli Emperor chose to compromise amidst the endless memorials from court officials and granted Gao Gong a posthumous title.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng returned to the Wenyuange to continue processing memorials, and an imperial decree was delivered to the Wenyuange.

"His Majesty asked me to announce the decree: you are permitted to see Gao Gong off, Master." Feng Bao held an imperial decree, asking Zhang Zhang Juzheng to go with him to the hostel to see Gao Gong off as he left the capital.

The little Emperor, who respects teachers and the Dao, knew of the private friendship between Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong, so he let Zhang Zhang Juzheng go to see him off. The carriages of the Great Ming were very slow; today's parting could very well be a final farewell.

The reason Zhu Zhu Yijun issued this imperial decree was entirely out of fear that Gao Gong would use the excuse of darkness to not leave, forcing Gao Gong to leave the capital overnight so as not to cause trouble in the capital.

Zhu Zhu Yijun could still control things for a day or two without any strange occurrences; any longer, and it would be a chaotic dance of demons.

Gao Gong had packed his bags. He had thought a great storm was waiting for him upon entering the capital this time, but the result was a calm meeting with an old friend before he had to leave.

Although he had only been back in the capital for a single day, everyone inside and outside the capital knew he was there. When people leave, the tea goes cold; having lost his power, not even a ghost would come to his door. Only two people came to see him off: Ge Ge Shouli and Zhang Zhang Juzheng.

Ge Ge Shouli firmly believed that Gao Gong was a good man, and he had always believed this consistently. Therefore, when Gao Gong returned to the capital, Ge Ge Shouli was genuinely happy. Even though no one else came to see him off, he still came; this was taking a huge risk.

Gao Gong had been expelled from the court for insulting the Emperor, saying, "How can a ten-year-old ruler govern the world?" No one dared to touch that karma, but Ge Ge Shouli still came.

When Yang Bo said Ge Ge Shouli was simple and honest, that is exactly what he meant. Yang Bo knew that Gao Gong was absolutely not such a great, upright, and righteous man; in the court, everyone was a piece of human scum who would eat people without spitting out the bones.

Feng Bao stood before the imperial decree, his voice rising and falling with dramatic flair as he said: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"Gao Gong is foolish, stubborn, and easily angered by nature. His actions are impulsive and willful; he acts according to his emotions and is arbitrary, acting solely on his own judgment. Although he dared not commit the great evil of deceiving his sovereign, he truly lacked the careful caution of serving his sovereign. Because of this, he mistakenly offended the imperial majesty and deserves to die. However, in the past, he served the late Emperor in the Prince of Yu's residence for more than nine years, working diligently like a dog or horse; this seems sufficient to redeem a ten-thousandth of his crimes."

"Our dynasty governs the world through filial piety. I cannot bear to discard the remnants of the late Emperor, let alone a former official of the late Emperor; it is appropriate to show concern. The Master taught me: 'Preserving old officials without changing grace and courtesy is a grand ceremony of the state; hiding mountains and accepting rivers, recording merits and forgetting faults, is the deep benevolence of a wise ruler.' I believe this to be true."

"Tentatively allow him to be restored to his original rank, send him out of the capital with courtesy, return to his hometown by post-horse for treatment, and bestow upon him white gold and patterned silk, with an official escort. So ordered."

"Gao Gong, why don't you hurry up and thank the Emperor for his grace!" Feng Bao had someone flatten the imperial decree, peeled off the paper from the decree, handed it to Gao Gong, and then rolled up the brocade cloud-patterned satin of the decree and took it back.

"Your subject kowtows to thank His Majesty... for his holy grace, eh?" Gao Gong held a piece of paper, completely stunned...

What kind of game is this?! What kind of game! Where is the logic in announcing a decree and then taking back the brocade cloud-patterned satin used to mount it? Just giving a piece of paper—what on earth is this situation?

Feng Bao looked at Gao Gong's face full of question marks and said as a matter of course: "The Master said we should practice frugality. His Majesty feels that we should uphold frugality, so from now on, for unimportant imperial decrees, no satin will be provided; just take it back and mount it yourself."

"Did the Master say to let His Majesty practice frugality?"

Feng Bao looked at Zhang Zhang Juzheng and asked a lethal question: If he upholds frugality, was that taught by the Master!

"He said so..." Zhang Zhang Juzheng looked at Feng Bao blankly, nodded woodenly, as if struck by lightning. He did indeed say frugality; for example, the Aoshan lanterns—he was indeed the first to oppose them, and then the Emperor opposed them even more than he did. At that time, the court was poor, and one wanted to spend every copper coin as if it were a tael of silver. Now that there is money, they are actually taking back even the satin!

"Hmm, that's it then. The Master taught well!" Feng Bao happily put away the satin and returned to the palace, feeling triumphant.

In the area of humiliating people, the Emperor maintained his formidable combat effectiveness as always.

Zhu Zhu Yijun did not like Gao Gong. Whether based on political stance or his own heart, he did not like Gao Gong. The deformed species known as the Jin Party was something Gao Gong and Yang Bo had indulged. Zhang Zhang Juzheng's Zhang Party also had indulgence and shielding, but Zhang Zhang Juzheng shielded people like Qi Qi Jiguang, Yin Yin Zhengmao, Song Song Yiwang, Wang Daokun, Pan Pan Jixun, and Ling Ling Yunyi.

Gao Gong shielded goods like Fang Fang Fengshi, Wu Dui, and Yang Zhao. Only Wang Wang Chonggu handled affairs quite effectively, desperately building official factories to make money.

It would be strange if Zhu Zhu Yijun, a monarch who values honest officials, could like Gao Gong.

When Gao Gong left the country, he was a Junior Preceptor and Grand Preceptor to the Crown Prince, First Rank, without an actual position, enjoying First Rank treatment—that is, having ten thousand mu of tax-exempt land. But when Gao Gong died, this treatment would be gone; this was the state law of the Great Ming that had continued from the Emperor Hongwu years to the present, but very few people observed it.

Returning the land meant returning this land.

Zhu Zhu Yijun naturally had his own intentions for restoring Gao Gong's official rank. At present, the land survey had not yet begun in Henan, and the situation on the ground in Henan was extremely complex. Even with the Prince of Zheng's heir in the capital, there would inevitably be trouble during the land survey. Zhang Zhang Juzheng began the land survey in the sixth year of Emperor Wanli, and it was not finished in Henan until the ninth year of Emperor Wanli.

Until the fifteenth year of Emperor Wanli, Henan still reported the amount of land since the Xiaozong years; it was the only place among the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Great Ming that had failed to complete the land survey.

Gao Gong was at least an honest official. His students and former subordinates, hearing that Gao Gong had the treatment of a gentry official, could also work with peace of mind. When the court surveyed the land in Henan, Gao Gong would be of some help.

Gao Gong held the imperial decree on a single sheet of paper in his hand, unable to laugh or cry, and could only shake his head. The little Emperor was truly clear about love and hate; if he said he didn't like you, he didn't like you. He wouldn't even give satin for the imperial decree, just a piece of paper. He had long heard that the little Emperor was a master at making people angry, and it was indeed so.

Ge Ge Shouli and Zhang Zhang Juzheng saw Gao Gong off.

Hurriedly entering the capital, hurriedly leaving the capital; coming in a hurry, leaving in a hurry. A generation of Grand Secretaries, and only two people saw him off.

On the seventh day of the twelfth month of the third year of Emperor Wanli, another important figure entered the capital: the Regional Commander of Liaodong and Earl of Marquis Ningyuan of the Great Ming, Li Li Chengliang. He entered the pass from Jia Shanhai Pass to enter the capital. This time, he was returning to the capital to report on his duties and also to thank the Emperor for the hereditary certificate.

There would be no trouble in Liaodong; war has intervals. The Tuman Khan had just suffered a crushing defeat and still needed to stabilize the ten Battalion Commander under his command.

The Chahar ten Battalion Commander leader Nao Mao Da was captured in the cesspool of Daningwei. The Tuman Khan lost one of his right-hand men. Although the five Khalkha tribes also suffered losses of troops and generals, they did not lose any high-ranking officials and would only become more arrogant.

The most important thing for Li Li Chengliang entering the capital was to meet the Emperor. Li Li Chengliang was also one of the external officials Zhang Zhang Juzheng had arranged for the Emperor to meet.

The little Emperor was very satisfied with this candidate, and Li Li Chengliang actually did not use excuses like being unwell or having battles on the front lines to avoid entering the capital, but instead entered the pass openly.

Listening to orders but not listening to summons is one of the typical characteristics of a military governor—that is, only listening to mobilization orders but not listening to summons for an audience. The court's orders could be listened to, but wanting to see the person—don't even think about it. Moreover, the court's orders were listened to selectively and at a price.

For example, when Li Li Chengliang went out of the pass to fight, Wang Wang Guoguang talked about the issue of pay arrears. In fact, Li Li Chengliang never thought that pay arrears could be solved. He had to fight; if he didn't fight, the hearts of the people in Liaodong would scatter, and he, Li Li Chengliang, would not want to be "Grand Marshal Li" anymore.

But the court still solved the pay arrears and rewards with great difficulty, with money coming from the Emperor's private treasury.

Li Li Chengliang being able to enter the pass, and doing so with great fanfare, telling everyone along the way that he had entered the pass, was an excellent signal.

Face is given to each other. If everyone is decent, there is room for maneuver, and it won't reach the point of shocking foreign states or letting the Spanish envoy to the Great Ming, Pan Li Yashi, watch the fun.

Just as Li Li Chengliang arrived in Tongzhou, the Emperor's rewards arrived. The content of the edict was to bestow some gold, silver, and silk, with the reason for the reward being Li Li Chengliang's fatigue from the journey.

Just as Li Li Chengliang arrived at the Reception Hostel, another imperial decree arrived. The content of the edict was to grant a Second-Rank Merit Medal, a medal made of pure silver, shining brightly. Besides the medal, there was also a bronze certificate engraved with the merits of the Battle of Pinglu Fortress.

Li Li Chengliang held that silver merit medal and looked at it for a long, long time, until his eyes were sore, and then squeezed his eyes hard and stared at it. It wasn't that he, Li Li Chengliang, hadn't seen the world; it was that he truly hadn't seen this thing.

In the tenth month, the Ministry of War issued a document inquiring about the Five-Rank Merit and Four-Odd Merit, changing from head-count merit to battle-line merit and service merit.

Li Li Chengliang agreed with both hands and feet. The drawbacks of head-count merit were clear to all military generals who wanted to win battles!

He didn't expect the court to really do it, instead of just asking and letting it be.

A Second-Rank Silver Medal—this was the court's affirmation of his military merit. He actually didn't have many expectations for entering the capital this time. Civil officials of the Great Ming treated military officials like slaves, but the moment he received the merit medal, he knew that the wind in the court might have really changed.

Zhu Zhu Yijun believed that the Five-Rank Merit should be made of jade, gold, silver, copper, and iron, but Zhang Zhang Juzheng disagreed. Jade is associated with the Emperor; in the Great Ming, even princes have gold seals, and only the Emperor can use jade seals. First-Rank Merit cannot use jade. Finally, the Ministry of War tentatively decided on gold, silver, copper, iron, and lead for trial implementation.

That military men could actually straighten their backs and be military men, and could display their talents without having to kowtow everywhere—for Li Li Chengliang, this was an extremely unfamiliar experience. It felt too good, making Li Li Chengliang feel like he was living in a dream.

Zhu Zhu Yijun summoned Li Li Chengliang, who had entered the capital to report on his duties, in the side hall of the Hall of Literary Brilliance.

Li Li Chengliang, burly and broad-shouldered, walked into the Hall of Literary Brilliance like a small mountain. After entering the hall, he knelt on the ground and said in a voice like a booming bell: "Earl of Marquis Ningyuan, Li Li Chengliang, pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live Your Majesty. Your subject comes from Liaodong specifically to enter the capital to thank Your Majesty for your holy grace."

"Attendant Feng, announce the decree," Zhu Zhu Yijun said with a smile.

Feng Bao flicked his horsetail whisk and said loudly: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"Tuman, the Haixi Jurchens, and the Jianzhou Jurchens colluded to cause harm, and because they were not allowed to trade, they repeatedly invaded. Li Shuai used strange tactics to strike, making the thieves return in a sorry state, which is the strategy of Sun Bin fleeing to Daliang. Recording the victories at Gule Fortress and Pinglu Fortress, merit deserves reward; the state has its own grand ceremonies."

"The Master once said: 'Soldiers break through defenses and capture strongholds, personally braving arrows and stones, wearing armor and holding weapons, enduring thousands of hardships, only to get a reward for one level, while those who sit in the temple hall plunder and possess it. Where is the courage to break through? Martial men exert strength to obtain it in the fields, while scholars sit and enjoy the benefits. Not only will those who are rewarded for their merits not know what to be encouraged by, but those who watch and hear from the sidelines will also be indignant and dissatisfied. This is not the way to manifest great justice and clarify encouragement.'"

"Hereby specially promote Li Li Chengliang to Left Regional Military Commissioner of the Central Regional Military Commission and concurrently Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince, enfeoff him as Earl of Marquis Ningyuan, bestow a hereditary certificate, and grant an annual salary of eight hundred piculs. Your bit-by-bit loyalty, only Heaven can witness!"

"The established constitution of the successive dynasties, spreading virtue and bestowing grace, is proclaimed to the world so that all may hear."

"So ordered."

After Feng Bao finished reading the imperial decree, Zhang Hong brought over a python-patterned crane cloak, and Feng Bao draped it over Li Li Chengliang, completing the grace of bestowing the hereditary certificate.

Li Li Chengliang knelt on the ground, but said nothing. He was a military man, but he could understand the imperial decree. Zhang Zhang Juzheng's meaning was that soldiers risked their lives to obtain merit, but civil officials in the temple hall plundered the soldiers' merit and sat back to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Who wouldn't be angry and indignant for the soldiers when they heard this? If rewards and punishments are not fair, and merits and punishments cannot be clarified, then the court cannot be good.

These words touched Li Li Chengliang's heart. Last year, when capturing the rebel chief Wang Gao and pacifying Gule Fortress, Li Li Chengliang had deliberately suffered a slight injury, just in case someone wanted to steal his merit or simply slander him; he would have something to say.

The sky has changed, the sky has changed, the sky has finally changed, the sky has finally changed.

This was Li Li Chengliang's greatest feeling after entering the pass.

"Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your great grace," Li Li Chengliang bowed his head, his tone seemingly a bit flat, but with a bit of firmness. If the court treats soldiers like this, why wouldn't the soldiers fight to the death to show their loyalty?

"No need for formalities, no need for formalities," Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his small hand and said with a smile: "Come closer, Li Shuai is indeed mighty!"

"Your subject is just a martial man," Li Li Chengliang said with a smile. This was also his first time seeing the little Emperor, a very kind person with a face full of smiles.

"I am very happy that the Earl of Marquis Ningyuan could enter the capital in person." Zhu Zhu Yijun once again clearly expressed his joy at Li Li Chengliang's entry into the capital, which gave the court great initiative.

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked at Li Li Chengliang and said quite warmly: "Earl of Marquis Ningyuan, I have a matter recently that needs the Earl of Marquis Ningyuan's help."

"Whatever Your Majesty orders, your subject will surely go through fire and water, and will not shirk!" Li Li Chengliang said very sincerely: "Really, I wouldn't lie to Your Majesty."

Zhu Zhu Yijun said with a smile: "It's not going through fire and water. The Tuman Khan's son, Buyan, is in the capital, and the Ministry of Rites is not having a very pleasant talk with him. Can the Earl of Marquis Ningyuan help me go and talk to Buyan? Just reason with him and move him with emotion."

Upon hearing this, Li Li Chengliang asked: "Should I beat him up, or break one of his arms?"

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