Chapter 192

In late May, the Master returned to the capital in triumph, immediately rushing to the palace to pay his respects and hand over the military tally and seal. With this, the mission of the Commander for Pacifying Rebels in Jinzhou was completely over.

When the old Emperor saw the Master, he was very happy, praising him again and again in front of all the ministers, but he refused to give any practical benefits. He did not grant promotions or titles, only giving gold, silver, jewelry, land, estates, maids, and women.

Judging by the Master's merits, this reward was not worthy at all. It carried a clear intention of suppression, just short of killing the donkey after the millstone was used.

Many court ministers had strange expressions, seemingly very surprised that the Master had actually encountered such treatment.

The two Prime Ministers looked at their noses and hearts, and they had long understood the old Emperor's handling of the matter. They also clearly knew that the reward given to the Master was indeed stingy.

However, this was decided by the old Emperor himself, and they were not in a position to comment. They could only sigh for the Master—what bad luck to encounter such a muddled Son of Heaven.

Not to mention promoting his title, at least a promotion in official rank would have been fine.

But no!

The old Emperor would not give a title, nor would he give an official position, only willing to give a little gold and silver money to dismiss him.

Being so stingy, who would be willing to fight with heart and build merits in the future? Doing this not only chilled the Master's heart but also chilled the hearts of martial generals all over the world.

But the old Emperor had different thoughts.

He was stingy in rewarding the Master but generous in rewarding the generals in the army; he was playing the game of winning over and dividing. The martial generals below were getting too close to the nobility, and he was not satisfied.

He was using the suppression of the Master to remind martial generals all over the world that if they wanted to get promoted and get rich, they should not get too close to the nobility. As a martial general of the imperial court, as long as one kept to one's duty and served well, the imperial court would never be stingy with official positions and money. However, if one got too close to the nobility, then don't blame the imperial court for suppression.

The Master also knew the meaning behind it, and it was inevitable that he felt disheartened.

The old Emperor had become increasingly wary of the nobility over these years, no longer valuing them as he did in his early years; what could be done? Such was the general trend, and he could only follow the old Emperor's wishes and retreat to the second line. When the old Emperor used him, he would honestly serve. When the old Emperor did not use him, he could only mope at home and be a playboy.

Were the nobility convinced?

Certainly not convinced!

It was just that it was not worth it to compete with the old Emperor for a moment's length.

What the nobility sought was a century-old family; if the old Emperor did not favor them, then they would silently wait for the new Emperor to ascend the throne. The new Emperor would certainly need the support of the nobility, and at that time, the nobility would be able to rise again.

In short, everyone had the same idea: they did not care about temporary coldness, only seeking long-term wealth and honor.

After receiving the reward, the Master resigned from the palace and went home to drink.

The Marquis Prefecture held a grand banquet, holding it for three days to celebrate.

The first two days were for entertaining guests from all sides, and the last day was for a family gathering.

Chen Guanlou was fortunate enough to receive an invitation and, carrying a gift, went to the Marquis Prefecture to attend the banquet.

Master Du was also among those invited. Master Du had taught at the Marquis Prefecture for many years, so he was arranged to attend the family banquet; this was an expression of closeness.

Master Du was very satisfied.

Seeing Chen Guanlou, he greeted him enthusiastically.

The two were both friends across generations and business partners. Ever since Chen Guanlou took Master Du to do the antique calligraphy and painting business, Master Du had money, and his entire mental outlook had changed. He used to be a frustrated old pedant, but now he was a satisfied Mr. Du in the second spring of his life.

"Do you want to see the Master? In a few days, when the Master is free, I can pass the message for you."

"Why would I want to see the Master? The Master won a victory, but he received neither a promotion nor a title; I imagine the Master is dissatisfied in his heart. To go up at this time, wouldn't that be asking for trouble?"

When Master Du heard this, he felt it made a lot of sense, then sighed, "I really didn't expect the imperial court to be so stingy."

Chen Guanlou sneered, and behind people's backs, he whispered, "It's not that the imperial court is stingy; it's clearly the old Emperor who is stingy."

"Shh, you can't say that recklessly," Master Du said, looking nervous.

Chen Guanlou laughed again, "However, the Master really made a fortune on this trip. The day he returned, I saw with my own eyes that the large carts transporting goods stretched for several miles. It is said that he also brought back several beautiful concubines, one of whom is even pregnant. The Master is truly amazing."

Going out to fight, making a fortune, and having children—he didn't delay anything. He received gifts until his hands were soft and women until his waist was soft. What was even more impressive was that the Master openly accepted gifts and openly brought these gifts back to the Marquis Prefecture, not fearing impeachment by the Censorate at all, and even less fearing the imperial court's questioning.

He had struck a pose: this Marquis is a corrupt official; for this Marquis to endure hardships and share joys and sorrows with the soldiers to fight, that is impossible. If you don't like it, sue me! If you win the lawsuit, then you are capable.

No court minister would sue the Master with this little handle at this time. Even a censor who was like a firecracker knew that impeaching the Master for this little matter was meaningless and had no force. It would be better to impeach him for the matter of letting soldiers ravage the old home of Prime Minister Li, which would be a more violent blow.

However, the Master had won a victory after all and had captured the third-ranking figure of the rebels; merits and demerits canceled each other out, so everyone simply pinched their noses and endured it.

When the Master commits a crime next time, it won't be too late to settle the new and old accounts together after the autumn.

By the way, the old Emperor used the reason that merits and demerits canceled each other out to refuse to promote the Master.

What could the Master do? He could only bow and say, "Your Majesty is wise! This old subject is ashamed to receive it!" Thus, the matter was put aside, seeking a happy ending for everyone.

The Marquis Prefecture held a grand banquet also for this purpose, performing for the old Emperor to see: Look, this old subject has no dissatisfaction at all; this old subject is so happy that he held a three-day banquet, and the money was spent like flowing water. The silver that was embezzled in Jinzhou was all contributed to the GDP of the capital!

In short, everyone was happy.

Even if they weren't happy, they had to put on a happy appearance.

At this time, the only person with the most reason to put on a face was the First Lady. The Master brought back so many women in one breath, and one of them was even pregnant, which made her so angry that her silver teeth were shattered. As a grandfather, he still couldn't control the two taels of meat below. The First Lady recorded every single one of those local tyrants in Jinzhou in her little notebook, and if there was a chance, she would definitely repay them one by one.

The Second Lady was jealous while laughing. Seeing the first branch rising, she was so anxious that her heart and liver hurt. Seeing the First Lady's unhappy appearance gave her a little comfort.

The old lady was much more rational; if the first branch rose, then the second branch had to retreat three steps and not steal the first branch's limelight.

One word: Endure!

She had already endured for decades, so it wouldn't hurt to endure for a few more years.

Rarely, she was amiable to the first branch, discussing everything, and even reminded the Second Young Mistress who was in charge of the household that all matters, big or small, had to be approved by the First Young Mistress before they could be handled. From now on, all matters in the mansion would be based on the will of the first branch.

The Second Young Mistress originally wanted to fight for it, but one look from the old lady made her shut her mouth.

"If the second branch is not convinced, if you have the ability, you can also share the worries for His Majesty and the imperial court. If you don't have that ability, shut your mouth and serve honestly. This Marquis Prefecture was originally the first branch's." The old lady publicly stated her position, intending to please the Master.

The Master did not buy her act at all.