Chapter 906

Rongguo Prefecture, Western Corner Gate.

Jia Zheng had been an official for many years, so he naturally had knowledge. The carriage used bright yellow silk curtains, a gilded dome, and was embroidered with a five-clawed dragon pattern, which could only be used by the imperial carriage.

He remembered that ordinary imperial edicts were also passed by single-horse or double-horse bright yellow silk palace carriages, ridden by eunuchs and officials passing the edict, to show the majesty and solemnity of the imperial order.

But the carriage passing the edict today seemed unusual. Not only was it pulled by three horses to show solemnity, but the dome was gilded, and the carriage was embroidered with a five-clawed dragon.

Behind the carriage were two teams of imperial guards, whose appearance was magnificent and grand, almost equal to the pomp of the Emperor's personal arrival. This kind of arrangement was not what ordinary summons should have.

Jia Zheng thought that Brother Cong was resisting the enemy outside the Love Shenjing. It was said that he faced the many with the few and killed more than two thousand cavalry. Although his military merit was not bad, it didn't seem to reach the point of the Emperor's personal arrival.

He didn't expect the Emperor to value Brother Cong so much. The imperial grace was truly vast. Jia Zheng took Baoyu and Jia Huan and hurriedly asked Lin Zhixiao to open the main gate of the Rongguo Prefecture to welcome the angel passing the edict.

The Rongguo Prefecture was a Duke's residence, and the main gate was usually closed and would not be opened easily. Only when there was a legitimate marriage in the prefecture or when welcoming an imperial edict would it be opened to show solemnity.

He also asked if the incense table for receiving the edict in Rongxi Hall was ready. Lin Zhixiao said that the Ministry of Rites had sent someone to pass the message two quarter-hours ago, and all the regulations, objects, and utensils for receiving the edict were ready.

Jia Zheng was relieved to hear this. Seeing the carriage stop at the main gate of the Western Prefecture, the first to get off was the Deputy Director of the Palace, Guo Lin, followed by the Minister of War, Gu Yankui.

Jia Zheng was also taken aback by this scene. Guo Lin had been to the prefecture to pass edicts and could be considered a frequent visitor. A Deputy Director of the Palace passing an edict was already very decent.

Even the Minister of War, Gu Yankui, had arrived. This was a proper leader of the Six Ministries. The solemnity of this edict passing was so great that the military merit Jia Cong had made could actually be so favored by the Emperor.

Jia Zheng had been the head of the Rongguo Prefecture for half his life and had seen the world. Although this scene made him quite confused, he still stepped forward to greet Guo Lin and Gu Yankui.

Gu Yankui smiled and said: "Master Jia, today I and Director Guo are here to issue an edict for Count Lord Weiyuan Jia Cong by imperial decree. Please lead the way and enter the main hall to receive the imperial edict on his behalf."

Jia Zheng hurriedly said: "It is truly hard work for Master Gu and Director Guo to come together to pass the edict. Please enter the main hall, Rongxi Hall."

After entering Rongxi Hall, he saw that the incense table and candles were already arranged. Gu Yankui took out the yellow silk scroll of the imperial edict and unfolded it, reading:

By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees.

Since I ascended the throne, it has been more than sixteen years. The monarch and his subjects are of one mind, working diligently for the country, and the world is at peace.

The remnant Mongols have evil intentions, plotting against the Han mountains and rivers, forcibly occupying cities, and slaughtering the people. Both humans and gods should punish them.

Now Count Lord Weiyuan Jia Cong, by imperial decree, is the Assistant Regional Commander of the Divine Machine Camp of the entire army against the Mongols, loyal, brave, and resolute, with extraordinary wisdom, deep thought, and no fear of life or death.

On the 20th of the first month of the 16th year of Emperor Jia Zhao, in the wilderness outside the Love Shenjing, with a few thousand isolated and brave troops, he defeated tens of thousands of elite remnant Mongol troops, establishing extraordinary military merit against the Mongols.

The country has a strange and handsome general who protects the stability of the capital, sacrifices himself to lead the charge, treads through life-and-death battles, and his bravery is the best in the three armies, and his achievements cover his peers.

Now he is granted the rank of General of Majestic Might, Grade 4A, promoted to Deputy Commander of the entire army against the Mongols, promoted to Supervisor of the Firearms Office, Grade 4A, and granted the honorary title of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works. Respect this.

After Gu Yankui finished reading the imperial edict, he handed the yellow silk scroll in his hand to Jia Zheng with both hands and said: "Master Jia, please receive the imperial edict on his behalf. The military report has been sent urgently to the North Three Passes."

Jia Zheng saw the imperial carriage and saw Gu Yankui and Guo Lin together. He knew that the edict passing today was unusual, but it was still beyond his imagination, which shocked him inexplicably.

He really didn't expect that Jia Cong's battle in the suburbs of the Love Shenjing could be so praised by the Emperor, not only granting him the position of deputy commander but also promoting his official rank by two grades.

Even if Brother Cong was promoted to Grade 4A, the Emperor still felt it was not enough, and added the honorary title of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works. The imperial grace was vast, and he was in the Emperor's heart!

Brother Cong would be sixteen in a few months, and he was already so high-ranking. In the future, he would not be weaker than the predecessors of the Rongguo Prefecture, and I'm afraid it would not be a problem. It was truly amazing...

Jia Zheng took the imperial edict with trembling hands, his excitement and joy overflowing, only calling out thanks for the imperial grace, thinking about how glorious the Jia family would be when the news spread.

Gu Yankui had always esteemed Jia Cong, and the two had a deep personal friendship. Years ago, he promoted Jia Cong to be the consultant for the Nine Provinces, which allowed Jia Cong to make contributions in Liaodong.

He knew Jia Cong's background since childhood and was humble and kind to Jia Zheng. He had treated Jia Cong well and protected him since he was a child, so he admired him very much and spoke to him in a very gentle and close way.

He and Guo Lin chatted with Jia Zheng for a few sentences and then left the prefecture. Jia Zheng hurriedly sent them outside the gate. Until the carriage of the two went far away, Jia Zheng was still in a daze.

Baoyu and Jia Huan had been following Jia Zheng. The two had completely different appearances. Jia Huan's eyes were shining, and the admiration and envy in his eyes were overflowing.

Baoyu's face was pale, his brows were tightly furrowed, his face was full of sorrow, and he looked disgusted. Only when Jia Zheng turned his head did he quickly restrain himself and return to his normal state.

Jia Zheng didn't come back to his senses until the carriage was out of sight. The feeling of emotion and joy was still there. Looking at his two sons behind him, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.

He said: "You have both seen the situation today. A man in the world should be like this, diligent and hardworking, making contributions, and bringing glory to the family, so as not to waste this life!"

Jia Huan saw the pomp of the edict passing. Although he didn't understand the complexity of the official system, he heard that Jia Cong was a general and a vice minister, which was truly majestic and very envious.

Hearing Jia Zheng's words of encouragement, his face flushed red: "I have remembered the Master's words. I dare not compare myself to Third Brother Cong, but I will definitely study hard and win glory for the Master!"

Baoyu looked at Jia Huan with shocked eyes. He really didn't expect this half-brother to be so shameless now, and his flattering words came out of his mouth, which was simply disgusting.

Jia Zheng smiled and said: "Well said. It is excellent that you have this intention. I tested you a few sentences last night. Although you have been in the academy for a short time, your spirit and words have improved."

Jia Zheng looked at Baoyu and saw his pale face, shifting eyes, and awkward expression. His face had no generous feelings, his behavior had no free and easy form, and he looked shrinking.

He frowned and asked: "Baoyu, what about you?"

Baoyu held it in for a long time and said tremblingly: "My son will also study hard and win glory for the family in the future."

Just after saying this, his stomach was churning, and he almost couldn't help but vomit wildly, but his father Jia Zheng was in front of him, and he didn't have the courage to do so.

As the saying goes, no one knows a son better than a father. How could Jia Zheng not see that Jia Huan was enthusiastic about learning, while Baoyu was still insincere? He couldn't help but feel even more disappointed.

It was just that today was a great happy event in the prefecture, and it was really not the time to reprimand his son. He just hummed slightly and went to the inner courtyard to report the good news.

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Two quarter-hours ago, Jia Mu had just sent someone to pass a message to Jia Zheng, and Lin Zhixiao came to pass a message from the Second Gate, saying that the Ministry of Rites had sent officials to pass a message, and the palace was about to enter the prefecture to pass the edict.

Jia Mu was full of smiles when she heard this. The noble wives who came to congratulate her congratulated Jia Mu one after another. Jia Mu also ordered Yuanyang to wait at the Second Gate and pass back the news as soon as possible.

After less than a cup of tea, Yuanyang returned full of joy and smiled: "Grandmother, great joy. The palace sent a bright yellow carriage, and the pomp of the summons is very big."

"Master Gu of the Ministry of War passed the edict, accompanied by Director Guo. Third Master Cong was not only granted the position of deputy commander but was also promoted to Supervisor of the Firearms Office, Grade 4A, and granted the honorary title of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works."

Yuanyang didn't understand the complexity of the official system, but she had a good memory and a clear voice. Although she couldn't recite the content of the imperial edict, she said the most important things clearly.

As soon as Yuanyang finished speaking, half of the noble ladies sitting in the hall, with noisy chatter, fell into a strange silence upon hearing the news, and one could almost hear a pin drop.

After a while, the wife of Marquis Zhongjing smiled and said: "Aunt, you are very blessed. The Jia family has produced a sixteen-year-old Grade 4A official, a dignified vice minister. Even in plays, they wouldn't dare to sing like this."

"The ancestors of the Jia family were deeply blessed. Having a unicorn son like Brother Cong, who can pass the imperial examination and be listed in the Hanlin Academy, and can charge into battle and command ten thousand troops, is truly amazing."

The wife of Marquis Cheng Yang smiled and said: "Grandmother, I am so jealous when I hear it. How could our Liu family not raise such a descendant? I really can't cultivate this blessing of yours, Grandmother."

"Last year, the prefecture produced a fifteen-year-old Hanlin scholar, and this year it produced a sixteen-year-old Grade 4A high official. I don't know what happy events will happen next year. Just thinking about it makes me feel that Brother Cong is amazing."

…………

Yingchun, Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, and the other sisters were full of joy when they heard the news. Xichun even shouted: "Third Brother is so amazing, Third Brother can be a great general."

Shi Xiangyun was also in high spirits and said: "Aunt, aren't the vice ministers of the Six Ministries all Grade 3A? Third Brother has just been promoted to Grade 4A, how can he be granted the title of Vice Minister?"

The wife of Marquis Zhongjing was born in an official family and had been a Marquis's wife for half her life, so she naturally knew the origin of the official system. She smiled and said: "You girl, you only know a little and don't know the rest."