Chapter 488

【9】

This is not a line to translate; it's a note. Actually the prompt includes 【4】 Entities:... but that's not a line to translate; it's a comment. We only translate lines that have Chinese text. The items with Chinese are those with actual sentences. The 【4】 line is just a note; we should not output a translation for it because there is no Chinese to translate. The instruction: "These lines still contain untranslated Chinese. Translate each FULLY into natural English. Output EXACTLY one line per item as: 【N】 " So we only output for items that have Chinese lines. The 【4】 line is a meta note; we skip.

Thus translation: "On the Nine Heavens Hall, Linghu Qingqing and Gongyang Sanlü exchanged a glance, then simultaneously bowed to Sima Xian."

On the Nine Heavens Hall

All the civil and military officials, except for Linghu Qingqing and Gongsong Sanlü, fell to their knees—even Ma Xiangru, whose mind was a blank slate, did so out of pure instinct.

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Translation: "The entire civil and military assembly, aside from Linghu Qingqing and Gongyang Sanlü, all knelt and paid homage, including Ma Xiangru, whose mind was a blank slate, doing so out of instinct."

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【21】

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The civil and military officials shouted "long live", each face lit up with joy, laughing so hard their big white teeth gleamed splendidly.

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Translation: "The civil and military officials shouted long live, each beaming with joy, laughing so hard their mouths full of bright white teeth shone splendidly."

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【39】

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Thus translation: "Having slain Wu Duyao, crushed the center of the Jin-destroying army, slowed its advance, even forcing the bulk of the Jin-destroying army to retreat backward, thereby buying Great Jin the most crucial strategic time for troop deployment and commander assignment."

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We'll produce.

Such a remarkable feat is truly extraordinary.

No named entities.

Translation: "Such a remarkable feat can be called extraordinary."

【47】

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As for Wu Duyao alone, his name appears on the imperial city's secret register; anyone who kills him in accordance with the secret bounty will be granted a princely title.

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Thus translation: "Speaking of Wu Duyao alone, his name appears on the Imperial City Secret Register; strictly following the bounty listed there, whoever slays Wu Duyao may be granted a princely title."

【59】

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Also, the court officials in general.

Thus translation: "I reckon Sima Xian also knows full well that to bestow a princely title upon a mere Huo Xiong in one leap would surely make the entire civil and military assembly jump in protest."

Thus, granting a first‑rank duke the fief of Yuzhou is acceptable to all.

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【67】

No named entities.

Translation: "After all, this merit is too great."

Sima Xian's face glowed red as he stood before the throne, glancing left and right, then suddenly laughed: "The Left and Right Ministers have served the state well; this time Huo Xiong was able to slay the enemy chieftain thanks to the plan offered by the two venerable elders. My lords, please discuss and decide what reward to give the two elders."

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We need to keep quotes. Translation: "Sima Xian's face flushed red; standing before the throne, he looked left and right for a moment, then suddenly laughed: 'Left Minister, Right Minister, you have rendered service to the court; this time Huo Xiong being able to slay the enemy chieftain is due to the strategies of the two venerable officials…… All you ministers, discuss well, what reward should we give the two venerable officials?'"

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【79】

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Translation: "Linghu Qingqing and Gongyang Sanlü blinked slightly, then quickly exchanged another glance."

Sima Xian's words are also correct.

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Translation: "What Sima Xian said was not wrong either."

【89】

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Thus translation: "Having gravely wounded Wu Duzun, forcing numerous princes of Great Wu to vie for power, thereby slowing the advance of the Great Wu army, even stirring up internal strife among those princes, this is indeed the stratagem devised by the two old fogies in the court."

Huo Xiong's success is unquestionably due to their grand strategy.

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Translation: "'Huo Xiong' being able to achieve merit is inseparable from their grand plan; there is no doubt about that."

【99】

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Translation: "Linghu Qingqing and Gongyang Sanlü smiled faintly; Linghu Qingqing stepped forward two paces and spoke."

Sima Xian stared, then nodded vigorously, laughing and applauding: "The Left Minister is absolutely right; that truly is sound advice. I, naturally, have no reason to refuse... but, well, how should we arrange it? Let me think a moment."

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Translation: "Sima Xian stared, then nodded vigorously, laughing and applauding: 'Left Minister, your words are absolutely correct, truly sound advice and clever strategy; I, naturally, have no reason not to agree…… Just, well, how to arrange it, let me ponder a bit.'"

【111】

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Thus translation: "On the gate tower of the south gate of Great Marsh City, a small square table stood, with Wu Tie, Pei Feng, Lao Tie, and Huang Lang gathered around it; Huang Yu and Li Er Haozi led a few soldiers, lighting a bonfire nearby, roasting several Great Marsh specialty White Jade Camels until they gave off a rich, enticing aroma."

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The White Jade Camel lives up to its name: pure white as snow, lustrous as jade, with tender, smooth flesh throughout, imbued with an incredibly rich heavenly‑earthly spiritual essence. Every cut is a peerless delicacy—exquisitely tasty and powerfully nourishing, rivaling an elixir.

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Thus translation: "The White Jade Camel, true to its name, is pure white as snow, lustrous as jade, its flesh fine and tender throughout, containing an incomparably rich heaven-earth spiritual marrow; each piece of meat can be called an absolute delicacy, not only tasting exquisite but also nourishing the body, its efficacy comparable to that of an immortal pill."

【121】

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Translation: "Such a rare treasure is produced only in a few prefectures of Great Wu, and it is difficult to raise, with extremely low yield, having always been reserved exclusively for the Great Wu imperial household."

After a night of fierce fighting, the central corps of the defeated Jin army collapsed; in their supply camp, Wu Tie seized over ten thousand White Jade Camels. According to the captured officer in charge of the Great Wu army's supply depot, these camels were the field rations for Wu Duyao's troops.

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Translation: "After a night of fierce battle, the central division of the Jin-destroying army collapsed; in their supply camp, Wu Tie captured over ten thousand White Jade Camels, and according to the captured officer in charge of the supply camp of the Great Wu army, these White Jade Camels were Wu Duyao's field rations."

【133】

No named entities.

Translation: "\"An exquisite delicacy, truly, an exquisite delicacy! \"" Keep quotes.

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Entities: Huang Lang

Translation: "Huang Lang shook his head and swayed, letting out a long sigh."

【141】

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Translation: "A piece of roasted White Jade Camel meat, still white as jade, upon entering the mouth instantly fills it with fragrance; the flavor of the roasted meat surges like a flood in the mouth, the meat is very elastic, the bite superb, tender and tasty, each chew releasing a different rich aroma that explodes in the mouth."

An exquisite delicacy, truly a rare treasure.

No named entities.

Translation: "An exquisite delicacy, truly a rare treasure."

【151】

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Translation: "Especially, strands of extremely pure heaven-earth primal energy from the roasted meat continually flow into the body, Huang Lang's internal magical power subtly refined to greater purity, and moreover increasing rapidly bit by bit."

Ah, no wonder the Great Wu royal family's martial prowess outshines the three kingdoms; with such a peerless delicacy, even someone of modest talent, if they take it regularly, can become an outstanding master. Huang Lang swallowed the meat in his mouth, sighing heartily with a mouth full of aroma.

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Translation: "\"Ah, it's no wonder the Great Wu imperial household's martial might reigns supreme among the three kingdoms; possessing such an ultimate delicacy, even if one's aptitude is slightly inferior, long-term consumption can also forge an ultimate expert. \" Huang Lang swallowed the roasted meat in his mouth, his mouth full of aroma, sincerely marveling."

【161】

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Translation: "Wu Tie nodded with a smile, he also heartily drank and ate meat, muttering: 'However, it's just that our brains lack a bit. Tsk, but that's fine; otherwise, where would we get the chance to achieve such merit?'"

In the distance, a disordered formation of the defeated Jin fleet can be seen swiftly gliding across the horizon.

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Translation: "Far off, one could see a disordered formation of the Jin-destroying army's fleet swiftly gliding across the horizon."

【171】

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Translation: "This is a detached fleet returning from the northeast direction."

It's obvious they have received the news of Wu Duyao's death; the defeated Jin troops are in disarray, unsure what to do, so they simply withdraw. It's likely that some among them suspect this campaign might actually be a trap set by the Great Jin.

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Translation: "It is obvious they have received the military news of Wu Duyao's death; the Jin-destroying army's formations are in disarray, not knowing what to do, so they simply led their troops to retreat. It is likely that someone among them suspects that this punitive expedition might actually be a trap set by Great Jin for them."

【181】

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Translation: "In Great Wu, where the fearsome reputation of the Prince of Valor Wu Duyao ranked only below Wu Duzun, he was thus easily slain..."

Such a completely unreasonable thing actually happened just like that.

No named entities.

Translation: "Such a thing utterly contrary to common sense actually happened just like that."

【191】

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Translation: "Military morale was shaken, the soldiers had no will to fight; before the troops could be reorganized and morale restored, the Jin-destroying army truly had no strength left to continue its advance."

Wu Tie watched the defeated Jin troops retreat southward, but had no inclination to order their interception.

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Translation: "Wu Tie watched as the Jin-destroying army retreated southward, and he had no mood to order an interception."

【201】

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Translation: "The Five Elements Spirits are our own; Wu Tie is reluctant to let them sacrifice pointlessly in the flames of war."

As for the Black Phoenix Army and the Great Zezhou troops...

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Thus translation: "As for the Black Phoenix Army and the Great Marsh Prefecture's army..."

【211】

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Translation: "Better forget it; even combined, the Black Phoenix Army and the Great Marsh Prefecture's army are not enough to match a single detachment of the Jin-destroying army's fleet."

As for Sima You and the others... Wu Tie doesn't even hold out hope.

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Translation: "As for Sima Yu and the others, Wu Tie hardly even hoped for them."

【221】

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Hmm, according to the efficiency of the Great Jin Ministry of War, your achievements should already have reached Anyang City. If the court were to make any arrangements for you and General Pei, the emperor's decree should have arrived by now. Huang Lang, well versed in Great Jin affairs, eats and drinks heartily while calculating.

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Thus translation: "\"Well, according to the efficiency of the Great Jin Military Bureau, your achievements should have already reached An'yang City. If the court has any posting for you and Commander Pei, the emperor's edict should have arrived as well. \" Huang Lang is well versed in Great Jin affairs; while he ate and drank heartily, he was calculating."

【233】

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Translation: "\"Hmm, I don't know either...... \" Wu Tie was just casually agreeing with Huang Lang's words when suddenly he leapt up, throwing a right-handed punch at the empty space three zhang behind him, where not even a ghostly shadow existed."

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"Get out!" Wu Tie's five fingers flashed with five-colored divine light as he unleashed a punch that shook the void within the gate tower, twisted the laws of heaven and earth, scattered primordial energy in chaos, and demonstrated the power to break myriad laws.

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Translation: "\"Get out! \" Five-colored divine light flashed on Wu Tie's five fingertips as he unleashed a punch; the void within the gate tower trembled, heavenly laws twisted, heaven-earth primal energy fell into chaotic disarray, and this punch forcibly manifested the might of 'one punch breaking myriad laws'."

【243】

Entities: none specific.

Translation: "More than a dozen twisted black shadows shot out of the void, among them one shouted hoarsely: 'Great punch... what kind of divine...'"

Before he could even utter the word "pass," he suddenly shut his mouth and slowly raised his hands.

Entities: none.

Translation: "Before the character 'tong' could even leave his lips, this person suddenly shut his mouth and slowly raised both hands."

【253】

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Thus translation: "Lao Tie appeared like a ghost behind this person, lightly tapping the captured Heavenly Path Divine Weapon–grade spear against the back of his head. The spear was silvery white throughout, emitting a bone‑chilling Cold Qi; its near‑transparent tip had already faintly pierced the skin at the back of the person's head, a drop of blood seeping out and instantly freezing into ice crystals."

"Iron... Iron..." he opened his mouth but could not find the words.

Entities: none.

Translation: "\"Tie...... Tie...... \" the man opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak."

【263】

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Translation: "It was simply because, on the household register that Wu Tie had compiled for Lao Tie in Great Marsh Prefecture, that name was too heart‑wrenching."

Old Tie's name on the Great Zezhou household register is actually "Tie the Elder".

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Thus translation: "In the civilian household register of Great Marsh Prefecture, Lao Tie's name was recorded as 'Tie Da Ye'!"

【273】

Entities: none.

Translation: "How are they supposed to address him?"

"Lord Tie, we are not enemies!" he replied quickly, giving a dry laugh: "We are the Imperial City Secret Guard, sent to deliver the edict!"

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Thus translation: "\"Tie Da Ye, sir, we are not enemies! \" This person, indeed quick‑reacted, gave a dry laugh: 'We are the Imperial City Secret Guard, ordered to deliver the edict!'"

【283】

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Translation: "More than a dozen figures that had leapt out of the void now revealed their forms, each clad in scarlet tight‑fitting attire, their long robes embroidered with gold thread depicting a flood dragon stirring the sea; the whole outfit was extraordinarily splendid and martial, bearing an extraordinary presence."

Only officials of rank three or higher in the Great Jin are entitled to wear the crimson robe.

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Translation: "Only officials of third rank or higher in Great Jin are entitled to wear crimson robes."

【293】

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Translation: "But the third‑rank officials of Great Jin would obviously never engage in such sneaky deeds!"

Only the close attendants of the Great Jin imperial family—such as the senior palace eunuchs and even the divine emperor's personal guards—are permitted to wear robes decorated with the jiao‑dragon pattern.

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Thus translation: "And only the close attendants of the Great Jin imperial household—such as the palace's high eunuchs, or even the guards beside the Celestial Emperor—are entitled to have such embroidery of flood dragons on their robes."

【300】

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Translation: "\"So you're someone close to His Majesty! \" Wu Tie rose with a beaming smile, walking up to the man whose spear tip pressed against the back of his head and asked with a smile, 'Sir, how should I address you?'"

【308】

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Translation: "\"Zhou Chu. \" With both hands raised high, Zhou Chu, daring not to move rashly, gave a dry laugh: 'Tie Da Ye, sir, could you lower your weapon?'"

Wu Tie approached Zhou Chu and began rummaging around his waist.

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Translation: "Wu Tie approached Zhou Chu, reaching into his waist and rummaging about."

After feeling around for a while, Wu Tie took out an identity token and several official documents, carefully verified them, and only then confirmed Zhou Chu's identity.

One of the four deputy grand commanders of the Divine Kingdom of Great Jin's Imperial City Secret Guard, Zhou Chu holds the hereditary title of a first-rank marquis, occupies a second-rank office, and is a bona fide close aide to Sima Xian; he is the most loyal and staunch hound of the Great Jin imperial house.

"Lord Zhou, what are you… being so mischievous." Wu Tie hurriedly chuckled and stuffed these tokens, documents, and the like back into Zhou Chu's waist pouch, giving him a reproachful look: "How did you sneak into the city without a sound? Eh? Strange, how did you get through the city's great defensive formation? Tsk tsk, good, good, just now the junior officer didn't strike hard; otherwise..."

Zhou Chu's face twitched, and he laughed as hideously as the dozen or so subordinates beside him.

Given their status, it was naturally no difficulty for them to easily pass through the great defensive formation of a city under Great Jin's rule; they knew every restriction and obstacle within the formation crystal clear.

As for why they sneaked stealthily behind Wu Tie.

To be honest, Zhou Chu felt a bit jealous.

As a close aide to the divine emperor, he suddenly saw an outsider achieve such a tremendous feat and receive such a lavish ennoblement… Zhou Chu wanted to gauge Wu Tie's mettle.

If he could give Wu Tie a show of force upon dismounting, that would be even better.

Wu Tie didn't play by the rules; with a single punch, this mere third-rank general at the half-step Tai Cang Realm shattered the formless evasion technique unleashed by Zhou Chu and the others, who were at the peak of the Tai Cang Realm, and forced them out.

No need to mention Zhou Chu's embarrassment and anger.

If it weren't for the imperial edict from Sima Xian on his person, Zhou Chu would genuinely want to flaunt the might of the Imperial City Secret Guard, really tangle with Wu Tie, and let him see how the big shots from the imperial city usually bully people!

After a few dry laughs, Zhou Chu said in a strained voice: "Lord Huo Xiong, congratulations, congratulations… hehe, my lord, you've risen straight to the clouds, a first-rank 'Duke of Yu Prefecture', the heavenly grace is vast—truly, the heavenly grace is vast!"

Wu Tie's mouth twitched, and he, along with Pei Feng, Huang Lang, Huang Yu at the gate tower, Li Er Haozu, and the others, all froze.

Although they knew a heavy reward was coming, to jump straight from a sixth-rank marquis to a first-rank duke in one go—this reward was too generous.

"Lord Zhou… what is this…?" Wu Tie's mind raced through countless thoughts, his heart fluttering, his feet feeling a bit unsteady. A first-rank duke? And from the title, it seemed he had been granted an entire prefecture as his fief.

I don't know where "Yu Prefecture" is, but a whole prefecture… even if it's the smallest, most broken prefecture, it's still a hundred times better than Ze Prefecture.

With a thriving populace and a prosperous prefectural seat, the things Wu Tie could do are just too many.

The tasks given to him by the two old monsters, Wu Yu and Xi Bai, suddenly showed signs of progress; Wu Tie's heart burned hot, and a sudden cold sweat broke out on his back—pure excitement and anxiety.

Lao Tie quietly lowered his spear, put on a smile, appeared harmless as he walked up behind Wu Tie, stood there chuckling, and kept throwing flirtatious glances at Zhou Chu and his dozen or so subordinates.

Lao Tie is a shameless fellow; just moments ago he almost skewered Zhou Chu with his spear, but upon hearing the good news he instantly became like a brothel madam, his eyes flowing like autumn waters, practically wriggling his waist to cozy up to Zhou Chu.

Zhou Chu gave a few dry laughs, touched the frozen droplet of blood on the back of his head, and cursed the heavens in his heart.

After all, he had started the trouble himself, tried to show off but failed, and ended up being pressed to the ground and rubbed by Lao Tie—really no face to kick up a fuss. Zhou Chu produced a seven-color silk imperial edict and said in a deep voice: "Lord Longjiang Marquis Huo Xiong, Black Phoenix Army Commander Pei Feng, convict Huang Lang, and the commander of Ze Prefecture's forces, Tie… Tie Sir…"

Zhou Chu's teeth itched with anger; he glared at Lao Tie and shouted sternly: "Commandant Tie, you'd better change your name soon, otherwise when we reach Anyang City you'll offend many nobles and later suffer losses."

Lao Tie gave a "hehe" laugh and remained silent.

Wu Tie hurriedly laughed: "Lord Zhou, rest assured, I'll change it right away, right away—from now on he won't be 'Tie Sir', he'll be… hey, 'Tie Hu' is a good name."

Lao Tie snorted, Zhou Chu gave him a fierce glare, slowly unfurled the edict, and intoned: "His Majesty has decreed: in wartime, keep things simple; you all just kneel to receive the edict!"

Wu Tie and Lao Tie simultaneously cursed their mothers in their hearts, unwilling yet putting on a look of fearful reverence as they knelt on the ground.

Sima Xian's edict is simple.

"Huo Xiong" is ennobled as a first-rank Duke of Yu Prefecture, granted Yu Prefecture as his fief; at the same time his military rank is promoted to first-rank general, and he assumes the actual post of Commandant of the Eastern Garden in Anyang City.

Pei Feng, for his battlefield merits, is made a first-rank Marquis of Ling Mountain, his military rank raised to second-rank general, and granted the Ling Mountain Commandery in Shu Prefecture adjacent to Yu Prefecture as his fief; the Black Phoenix Army is transferred from a private army corps to become a division of the Eastern Garden Forbidden Army, placed under the command of the Eastern Garden Commandant "Huo Xiong".

Huang Lang, for his merits in defending the city, has all his crimes waived, is made a first-rank earl, and is granted a fief of three hundred li within a commandery of Shu Prefecture.

Lao Tie, for his battlefield merits, together with "Huo Xiong" bravely stormed the main camp of the destroyed Jin army; his loyalty and valor are commendable, so he is specially granted a second-rank Marquis of Wei Mountain, likewise given the Wei Mountain Commandery in Shu Prefecture as his fief, promoted to second-rank general, able to independently command an army, and likewise placed under the command of the Eastern Garden Commandant "Huo Xiong".

Besides this, Huang Yu, Li Er Haozu, and others—any of Wu Tie's close confidants, even the Black Phoenix Army's leaders like Ma the Elder and Qian San—also received extremely generous rewards. Especially Ma the Elder and Qian San, these backbone officers of the Black Phoenix Army, each obtained a low-rank earl's title.

Wu Tie wore a smile all over his face, and Lao Tie also wore a smile all over his face.

Pei Feng, Huang Lang, and the others were all beaming with joy.

Li Er Haozu, who inexplicably obtained the title of third-rank general, was overjoyed to the point of feeling dazed, his body trembling uncontrollably, unable even to stand.

Zhou Chu looked at the smiling Wu Tie and company, felt both jealousy and envy, cursed "country bumpkin" in his heart, then took out a jade tablet and gently pressed it into Wu Tie's palm.

"'Duke of Yu Prefecture, this is the emperor's secret edict, have a look…" Zhou Chu lowered his voice: "His Majesty has decreed that within half a month, the Duke of Yu Prefecture must lead all his subordinates to his fief—no delay whatsoever—within half a month, if the Duke of Yu Prefecture handles this well, the rewards will naturally be plentiful."

"If he fails to do so, please, Duke of Yu Prefecture, do not delay the schedule… within half a month, no matter what, the Duke of Yu Prefecture must also bring all his personnel out of Ze Prefecture."