Chapter 23: First Rank Son, Piao Yao Middle General

"The civil official has risen three grades in a row, Niu Jizong, are you insane! A twenty‑year‑old regular fourth‑rank Middle General—our Da Han Empire hasn't seen such a promotion in decades!"

Duke Zhao, whose face was flushed with embarrassment after Niu Jizong's mockery, heard Niu Jizong's subsequent admonition, furrowed his brows and exclaimed in surprise.

It would be enough to confer the First Rank Son on Jia Jing for his military merit, after all he comes from a top‑tier martial merit family.

But the civil official's three‑grade consecutive rise is just too extravagant!

A Middle General is not a mid‑ or low‑level officer; he is a genuinely high‑ranking Da Han military commander who can lead tens of thousands of troops in external campaigns as a principal commander.

The military civil official rank in the Da Han differs from civil officials; it is not so easily promoted!

Just look at Nian Gengyao: even while commanding nearly a hundred thousand troops in Liaodong, he is only a third‑rank Pingliai General.

Jing Sheng Di pondered for a moment, then asked Zhang Tingyu beside him:

"Minister He, you are also well‑versed in military affairs; what is your opinion? Which rank and title should be granted to be most appropriate, so that we avoid slighting meritorious officials yet set an example for the other generals!"

Jing Sheng Di was actually quite pleased with Niu Jizong's recommendation for the reward.

When the realm is unsettled, we need to set an example for the martial heroes,

Jia Jing was originally a talent he personally promoted and employed; now that he has achieved merit, he naturally deserves abundant honors.

Moreover, this battle is the first engagement against the Qing, and Jia Jing secured the initial victory; of course he should be heavily promoted to boost morale and seek further achievements.

If he truly can annihilate the Qing Army's 150,000 troops, he would be worthy of any duke or marquis title.

Given the current national situation, this victory is desperately needed!

He himself also needs this victory to establish prestige, to implement New Policies, to reform administration, to ensure internal peace for the people and repel external foes.

He needs prestige; the Da Han Empire needs time, and this war concerns all living under heaven—it's a strategic issue.

"Your Majesty! Governance of the strong arises from law, the weak and chaos from indulgence; when the ruler is enlightened in this, rewards and punishments are proper rather than benevolence alone."

"If rewards and punishments are not trusted, edicts will not be obeyed. I, your humble minister, think that based on his military merit, Jia Jing should be promoted two grades to become a subordinate fourth‑rank, and be granted the title First Rank Son."

"Titles must not be bestowed frivolously, but Jia Jing may be made Brave and Valiant Middle General, exempt from the control of the General Who Pacifies Liaodong, and authorized to command twenty thousand cavalry to independently seek battle opportunities against the enemy."

Zhang Tingyu slowly began:

His meaning was clear: based on Jia Jing's military merit, a two‑grade promotion and the First Rank Son title are precisely appropriate rewards.

Rewards must not slight meritorious officials, yet they also must not lavish titles on the nation's prized assets.

Therefore, if Your Majesty wishes to reward Jia Jing to motivate morale and set an example, then provide benefits in other respects.

For example, he put forward two suggestions,

One is to designate Jia Jing's Middle General title as 'Piao Yao Middle General', a title considered the foremost among Middle Generals because its previous holder was legendary.

Thus, any discerning observer would immediately see Jing Sheng Di's great expectations for Jia Jing; it can likewise boost morale, perhaps even more effectively than promoting him to regular fourth rank.

The other is to grant Jia Jing greater autonomy,

Jia Jing possesses strategic acumen in warfare; leading cavalry to seek opportunities may be more advantageous for victory, and this also reflects the court's trust in him.

Zhang Tingyu's words made Jing Sheng Di's eyes shine; Minister He understood the emperor!

Thus, it both motivates morale and clarifies rewards and punishments—a win‑win solution!

Moreover, he indeed also intended to give Jia Jing even greater autonomy,

First, to cultivate Jia Jing's ability to act independently.

Second, although Nian Gengyao fights steadily, he is not adept at unconventional tactics; the Liaodong battlefield demands a swift victory and cannot tolerate delay.

"Minister He's words are those of a seasoned state‑builder! If all ministers were like you, how could the court and the realm be anything but tranquil!"

"We will end the discussion here today; I shall not keep you any longer. The cabinet may retire and, following Minister He's suggestion, promptly draft the edict to dispatch to Liaodong!"

The next day.

Jia Mansion.

Inside Rong Qing Tang Hall of Jia Mu in the Western Mansion, all the important persons of the Jia Mansion in the capital assembled,

They had received the palace's news yesterday that Jia Jing had won a battle in Liaodong and was granted a title by the Son of Heaven; today an imperial edict would arrive at the Jia Mansion.

Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, Jia She, Lady Wang, Mrs. Xing, Aunt Xue, You Shi, Qin Keqing, Li Wan and others sat in the hall,

Wang Xifeng and Yuanyang attended beside Jia Mu.

Yingchun, Tan Chun, Xichun, Xiang Yun, Daiyu, Baichai and others sat in a side chamber separated by a screen; today they were all in splendid embroidered robes, in high spirits.

Lin Daiyu and Baichai, not members of the Jia family, did not need to receive the imperial edict.

Other concubines, matrons, stewards and maidservants stood inside the hall to attend.

There was also a plump young girl in a red jacket, looking festive,

who darted through the curtains, appearing especially delighted, and no matron or maid dared to restrain her.

She was precisely Xiao Jiaoer, the only maid of Third Uncle Jia in the Jia Mansion, famed as the 'Matrons' Nemesis.'

Everyone had been waiting here since early morning, the incense table prepared, awaiting the palace's edict.

For a distinguished household like the Jia Mansion, regaining a military title is certainly one of the few momentous events within the house.

Jia Mu, heavily adorned in ceremonial makeup, sat on a high couch with her most beloved grandson Jia Baoyu at her side,

she stroked Baoyu's hand while watching the hall's jubilant scene, as festive as a New Year celebration.

She recalled the earlier incident when that valiant grandson caused a ruckus in Rong Qing Tang Hall, injuring Lai Da, as if it were still before her eyes.

"Grandson, today you must set your resolve here! If you achieve nothing, you shall never return to the mansion!"

The past scenes were vivid; she never imagined that just two years later, this grandson would already be granted a military title, shining the family's doorway!

This is a joyous event for the entire Jia family! Every member of the Jia family is delighted for him; this is the family's cohesion!

Even she cannot ignore it!

Of course, she is also pleased inside; the Jia family's military title was lost by her son, yet reclaimed by her grandson!

Although it may for now be only a baron or viscount, the future is boundlessly brilliant!

She's only worried that Jia Jing, that grandson, isn't as obedient as Jia Baoyu; the Jia Mansion may not have peaceful days ahead!

"I wonder what office or rank Third Brother will receive this time. I heard outside that he killed tens of thousands of Tartars! It's a great victory; the Emperor himself is overjoyed! Old Lady, you're so knowledgeable—tell us about it!"

Feng Jie, seeing Jia Mu's expression rather happy, joined in the fun and asked.

Since the imperial edict was still some time away, Feng Jie took the chance to entertain Jia Mu.

The others in the hall were clearly also concerned about the question, and they all turned their gaze toward Jia Mu.

Jia Mu had already considered this matter, and now, being in the mood, she began to explain it to the crowd:

"The title can only be a baron or a viscount; anything higher is unlikely! Military titles are hereditary and irreplaceable, very valuable, and should not be granted lightly."