Chapter 197: Champion Marquis?

After Jing Sheng Di finished speaking about the disposition of Ji An Marquis, no one in the hall stood up to oppose.

Chen Tingjing and the other civil officials naturally would not plead for Ji An Marquis; although crimes by military officials usually result in confiscation of property and exile, and there is the Eight Deliberations system, such direct sentencing to death is rare.

But Ji An Marquis betrayed the emperor's grace; executing him also conforms to Da Han Empire's law and system.

Moreover, Jing Sheng Di's prestige is now high; no one wishes to speak for Ji An Marquis at this critical juncture.

Xia Shouzhong's expression turned solemn, his voice grew cold, and he bowed, saying:

"I obey the decree."

Jing Sheng Di glanced over the officials, pondering the matter of the Jin merchants for a moment.

This matter is too extensive; according to Zi Jie, it seems that many cabinet ministers in the court are involved.

When Xu Qianxue took a concubine and Li Guangdi celebrated his birthday, the Jin merchants had already sent silver.

This matter should first be investigated by the Imperial City Guard; we must not startle the snake.

A hint of contemplation appeared on Jing Sheng Di's stern face; he rose and paced, then spoke in a low voice:

"Vice Minister Wang!"

Wang Ziteng's heart sank; previously, His Majesty always addressed him as Wang Qing or Ai Qing.

Now he actually calls me Vice Minister Wang; the closeness or distance implied, he surely understands.

Wang Ziteng felt a chill, quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said:

"I am here!"

Jing Sheng Di said:

"Starting today, you shall begin to reorganize the Jingying; I do not demand that you make the Jingying as brave as the Ba Shang."

"But eliminating the old and weak, ending idle pay, clarifying military discipline, and strengthening training are mandatory!"

"The soldiers of the Jingying must change their appearance, become daring and capable elite troops, not cowardly weaklings who fear battle and the enemy! Can you do it?"

Jing Sheng Di emphasized the four words "fear battle and fear the enemy," openly striking at Wang Ziteng.

Wang Ziteng's heart jolted; he felt cold sweat soak his back, knowing that his several proposals for peace had already displeased His Majesty.

He spoke out loudly without hesitation:

"Your Majesty! I will surely remember your teachings! I will make the Jingying even more elite than the Ba Shang!"

"I will train a hundred thousand true dare-to-fight-and-win elite soldiers for Your Majesty! If I fail, I willingly accept punishment!"

Wang Ziteng's resolute statement eased Jing Sheng Di's expression somewhat; he said:

"I will listen to your words and observe your actions; I await your good news!"

After Wang Ziteng withdrew nervously, Jing Sheng Di turned his gaze to Li Guangdi and Gong Dingzi in the hall.

After a moment's thought, he still focused his gaze on Gong Dingzi and said:

"Lord Gong!"

Gong Dingzi's expression carried a hint of excitement; he stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said:

"I am here!"

Jing Sheng Di said slowly:

"The court's finances are depleted; the New Policies must be implemented without delay, and the difficulty lies in Jiangnan."

"In places like Jinling, Suzhou, and Yangzhou, despite several changes of governor, progress remains stalled. Last year I had hoped Xu Qing would achieve something, but the result was also futile..."

"I have also just received a secret report from Jiangnan: civil and military officials there collude, oppose the court, and obstruct the New Policies."

"At this point, I know that gentle persuasion will hardly convince those Jiangnan gentry clans who have homes but no loyalty to the state!"

"The great families of Jiangnan are closely intertwined, deep-rooted; since the time of the Founding Emperor, those Jiangnan gentry clans have been overly powerful."

"Officials throughout Jiangnan are all tied to them by countless connections; even the clerks in the government offices are often their lackeys."

"In the prosperous places of Jiangnan, there is actually a resistance to influence, making it a state within our Da Han Empire where royal law is hard to enforce and orders difficult to carry out—truly hateful!"

"Jiangnan is a vital tax base for the court, a core region of our Da Han Empire; the affairs of Jiangnan concern the success or failure of the New Policies, and the time has come when we cannot avoid resolving them."

"Lord Gong has both capability and resolve, and is wholly loyal to the state, with sincere devotion."

"I intend to appoint Lord Gong as Governor of Southern Zhili, Imperial Envoy, with the title Junior Protector of the Crown Prince, bestow the Imperial Sword, and make him Superintendent of Jiangnan Land and Naval Forces."

"To command both civil and military, bear full responsibility for all Jiangnan affairs, thoroughly overhaul the Jiangnan officialdom, and implement the New Policies. What do you think?"

Jing Sheng Di's face grew gloomy, a hint of severity flashed in his brows and eyes; this time he has resolved to thoroughly rectify the Jiangnan aristocratic clans.

Therefore he not only sent his trusted heavyweight minister, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet Gong Dingzi, to serve as Governor of Southern Zhili, but also granted him great authority, letting him command Jiangnan's military and civil administration.

He thus possesses both the dignity of an Imperial Envoy and supreme authority.

He knows that only in this way can he completely break through the barriers and bear the responsibility of thorough rectification.

Gong Dingzi's expression was reverent; without hesitation he bowed and said:

"I will faithfully obey the imperial decree!"

This matter may be difficult, but if accomplished it would be a great merit.

Moreover, His Majesty employs him instead of Li Guangdi and others, clearly showing greater trust in him.

Zhang Tingyu and Chen Tingjing feel that Jing Sheng Di's order is somewhat abrupt, but the Jiangnan matter indeed has reached the time when it must be resolved.

Jiangnan concerns the state's tax revenue and the success or failure of the New Policies; not sending a heavyweight minister is certainly unacceptable.

As Gong Dingzi received the order, Jing Sheng Di turned his head to look at Chen Tingjing and the others, and said:

"The Cabinet will these days first discuss the rewards for the Northwest War; after Zi Jie's subsequent military report and Tuo Tuo Bu Hua's head are delivered to Shenjing."

"For the relevant meritorious officers, record their military achievements, report to me, and grant timely rewards."

"Especially Zi Jie in this battle fought with the zeal of a spark, beheading generals and capturing flags, swiftly defeating the Northern Yuan, thus preventing the Northwest from becoming a great disaster and safeguarding our Da Han Empire's realm and altars from peril."

"Such can be described as laborious and meritorious, stabilizing the state and securing the nation, with outstanding achievements."

"I propose to promote his rank to First-rank Champion Marquis and elevate him to Senior Second-rank General Who Conquers the West; you all discuss whether this reward is appropriate!"

Jing Sheng Di's voice was like metal and stone; he immediately spoke, his expression showing a measure of satisfaction at having his wishes fulfilled.

My Champion Marquis will finally live up to his title!

Zhang Tingyu furrowed his brows, silently sighing in his heart; the thing he had worried about finally happened.

Jia Jing's swift and great victory this time not only deepened the imperial favor in Jing Sheng Di's heart, making it even greater.

Moreover, he will be promoted again and granted higher nobility; at a young age he truly became the Da Han Empire's highest military merit, holding a high post and great authority, wielding great power.

Neither the Champion Marquis nor the Senior Second Rank Commander-in-Chief of the West is simple!

Whether rank or office, both have nearly reached the pinnacle of military merit.

Needless to say, the Champion Marquis can be called the most valuable marquess title throughout history.

It is even rarer and more noble than an ordinary duke.

Only those with outstanding military achievements and who are brave above all armies can obtain this title; otherwise, it is unattainable.

Likewise, the Senior Second Rank Commander-in-Chief of the West is extremely rare; only senior generals with great achievements may add the character "Great" to their title.

This "Great" character signifies the ability to command a larger force, and on the battlefield one can even oversee and command tens of thousands of troops.

Throughout the Da Han Empire since its founding, the number of officials able to hold the rank of second-grade General is very few.

And in the present Jing Sheng court, only the Prince of Nan'an holds that position.

The nobility of such a General can be compared to the Three Dukes among the Da Han Empire's military officials.