Chapter 22: Debate on Titles

Feng Ziying had already arrived outside the hall at this time, heard the inner censor announce his arrival, and hurriedly rushed into the hall.

"I, Feng Ziying, humbly request an audience with Your Majesty!"

Feng Ziying, dust‑covered and weary, ascended the hall; evidently he had just arrived in Shenjing and was still processing military reports at several offices of the Ministry of War, having not yet returned home.

"Rise, Minister Feng!" Jing Sheng Di's expression, rarely, bore a hint of smile as he quickly called him up.

Feng Ziying stood upright under the gaze of several purple‑robed ministers, standing straight, his eyes clear and upright, evidently possessing his own bearing.

Zhang Tingyu and a few others, while examining the victory report in their hands, glanced at Feng Ziying on the throne,

seeing Feng Ziying's heroic spirit, neither servile nor arrogant, they silently praised him in their hearts.

This is the manner proper for the noble families of Da Han's military, unlike the son of Duke Cheng, Yang Rong, who only bullies men, dominates women, runs chickens and teases dogs, and is detestable.

"Minister Feng has been on the battlefield for just over a year, yet he has shed the pampered airs of a wealthy noble's son; his bravery is extraordinary, clearly forged on the battlefield!" Jing Sheng Di said with some emotion.

"While the senior ministers are reviewing the military report, you shall tell me in detail about this rare victory!"

"How exactly did Minister Jia defeat the Qing Army at the foot of Jinzhou City with ten thousand against fifty thousand! I am truly curious!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Feng Ziying, upon receiving the order, immediately began recounting from General Jia Jing's command of troops defending Jinzhou City.

Feng Ziying is eloquent and was a firsthand participant in the battle,

so his narration naturally paints vivid scenes, making those present feel as if they were on the spot.

"…At that moment, the Qing Army's fierce general Batulu Oke Tuha had already surged to the south gate and was about to open it to draw the outside army into the city… General Jia killed Oke Tuha with a single spear thrust…"

Then, with divine foresight, he first anticipated that the Qing Army would attack again, turned the plan against them, and slaughtered several thousand Qing soldiers…

He also gathered the city's entire forces, opened the gate to the Qing Army's field battle; General Jia rode at the forefront, charging straight into the enemy's ten‑thousand‑strong army, unstoppable…

Finally, with a combined inside‑outside attack, they dealt a crushing defeat to the Qing Army. General Jia, standing on his horse, about two hundred paces away, drew his bow and shot an arrow that struck Fei Yanggu dead, snapping the three‑stone bow in the process…

Listening to Feng Ziying's account, everyone in the hall was secretly astonished.

Such divine martial prowess combined with outstanding strategy is truly the rare talent of a great general in the Da Han Empire!

"Good! Good! Good!" Jing Sheng Di, still eager after listening, called out "good" three times.

"Skilled in martial arts, versed in military strategy, capable of commanding troops, adept at tactics, and able to win! Jia Jing is exemplary! Truly worthy of being Da Han's fine son!" Jing Sheng Di praised repeatedly.

Duke Xu Ding of Zhao, listening to Jing Sheng Di's praise, couldn't help but show a slight change in expression.

Meanwhile, Niu Jizong wore a full smile, feeling honored.

Zhang Tingyu, Li Guangdi, and Chen Tingjing remained composed, their eyes flickering, revealing no joy or anger.

Winning battles is certainly good, but there is fear that a victorious general may become overbearing and arrogant…

Only Gong Dingzi bowed, performed the salute, and loudly began:

"This victory is entirely thanks to Your Majesty's strategic planning and vigorous support of frontline supplies, enabling unity and this great triumph! I congratulate Your Majesty, I congratulate Da Han!"

"Ha ha! Sir Gong, you flatter me! Though I, within the imperial city, pray daily for the frontline soldiers,"

"the victory itself relied entirely on the frontline soldiers' lives; it was their blood and lives that defeated the Qing Army, their bravery, loyalty, and courage— I merely enjoyed the fruits!" Jing Sheng Di smiled and said gravely.

These words made Feng Ziying beside him feel quite moved— the Son of Heaven is indeed wise!

"The soldiers' sacrifice is certainly crucial! Yet Your Majesty's talent for recognizing and appointing people is also undeniable! Both Nian Gengyao and Jia Jing were promoted at Your Majesty's strong recommendation, and in court Your Majesty is determined to pursue war; how can this not be called Your Majesty's wisdom?"

Gong Dingzi's expression turned solemn as he argued on principle!

Zhang Tingyu and the others also shouted in unison, "The Son of Heaven is wise!"

"Alright! I'm not letting you just brag! The frontline achieved such a great victory! It must be rewarded!"

"As the saying goes, without clear rewards and punishments, nothing succeeds; when rewards and punishments are clear, all quarters can act."

"Jia Jing this time shattered fifty thousand Qing troops and slew the enemy commander—a great merit indeed; discuss how best to confer a title upon him!"

Jing Sheng Di asked the assembled.

He already had an idea in mind, but first wanted to gauge the ministers' opinions.

Duke Xu Ding of Zhao spoke first;

"Jia Jing is still young; I think he can be promoted one rank and granted a first‑class baron title as reward"

A promotion of one rank means moving from subordinate fifth rank to principal fifth rank.

Granting a first‑class baron title also corresponds to a principal fifth rank.

Da Han titles are divided into military titles and noble titles.

Military titles include king, duke, marquis, count, viscount, and baron.

Among them, the king title is super‑grade, duke is first grade, marquis second, count third, viscount fourth, baron fifth.

Noble titles consist of first‑class general, second‑class general, third‑class general, fourth‑class general, and fifth‑class general.

A first‑class general holds the same rank as principal third grade, second‑class general as principal fourth, third‑class as principal fifth, and so on.

Military titles cannot be granted without military merit; they are hereditary, may establish a banner at the gate, possess a personal troop fief, and command military authority.

Noble titles are hereditary wealth; aside from sounding nicer, they essentially have no real power, merely an empty title that is inherited in decline.

According to the founding law of Da Han, outside the imperial bloodline, military titles can only be granted for military merit.

Furthermore, an heir to a military title must have military merit to inherit it; otherwise it converts to a noble title, a measure to prevent corrupt aristocracy.

Thus, this explains why Jia She inherited a title, only a modest first‑class general, rather than his father Jia Daishan's first‑class Rongguo Duke.

As for why Duke Cao holds a military title, it is said his family performed great deeds during Emperor Chengzu's Rebellion Suppression, and was specially favored by Chengzu.

Beside them, Niu Jizong, after hearing Duke Xu Ding of Zhao's words, retorted:

"The duke's proposed title seems a bit modest! I recall just a few days ago, in the southwest we only secured a minor victory over the Annam natives, killing no more than a thousand enemies, yet the duke strongly advocated granting the commanding officer Zhu Chang a third‑class viscount."

"How can Jia Jing's massive victory over tens of thousands of False Qing, having slain the enemy commander, be met with only a suggestion of a first‑class baron? Is it because the False Qing are still inferior to Annam, or because Zhu Chang is the duke's nephew?"

Niu Jizong's eyes could not hide his sarcasm.

Although Duke Xu Ding of Zhao holds the ducal title, Niu Jizong shows no fear.

His family is also a ducal household, not inferior to the Duke of Zhao.

And how did the Duke of Zhao obtain this ducal title?

Speaking of which, it's laughable—not because he won battles and earned military merit.

But rather, he and the Retired Emperor were captured together by the Qing Army years ago, because within Qing territory he had looked after the Retired Emperor many times,

Afterwards he and the Retired Emperor all the way called for entry back to the capital, was relied upon by the Retired Emperor as a confidant, praised for his merit in protecting the lord and rescuing the carriage, and inherited the ancestral title of Duke Zhao.

So, the Duke of Zhao is merely a fortunate servant of the Retired Emperor, which allowed him to become Governor of the Five Military Governor's Office, to discuss affairs together with everyone in the Hall of Heavenly Purity, and he truly has no real ability or military merit.

Niu Jizong naturally does not fear him.

"I propose promoting Jia Jing to Fourth Rank Middle Colonel, granting him the rank of First-Class Viscount, to reward his merit."

The State-Protecting Duke Niu Family and the Jia Family are old family friends, so Niu Jizong naturally strives to secure benefits for Jia Jing.

Nowadays, the founding lineage has finally produced a talent; we cannot let others bully him.