Chapter 231: with translation of chapter title

Xiong Cili paused in thought, then clasped his hands and said:

"What of the Duke of Stabilizing the Nation? To stabilize is to pacify."

"The Marquis of Champion pacified the northern grasslands, leaving the southern and northern deserts without a royal court; moreover, the Tang had a Northern Stabilization Military Envoy, and the Xia had four Stabilization Generals, which is also well‑deserved."

"The Duke of Stabilizing the Nation, though plain and easy to understand, is somewhat lacking in elegance!" Prince of Northern Serenity Shuirong thought for a moment, then rebutted.

Chen Tingjing thought for a moment, then stepped forward and reported:

"Your Majesty's words, 'Might shaking the four barbarians,' perhaps we should confer the title Duke of Mighty Nation, with the Marquis of Champion having nine battles and nine victories, to showcase the might of our Da Han Empire's army."

"Moreover, its march passes through our Da Han Wuwei Commandery, which is both a place name and a meaning."

"The character 'Wei' is not as good as 'Wei' (guard), as the ancient Tang military deity Li Jing, who defeated the Turks, captured Khan Jili, and his merits covered a lifetime."

"His achievements are rather similar to those of the Marquis of Champion; if we confer the title Duke of Guarding the Nation, it carries both historical depth and a sense of inheritance."

Prince of Northern Serenity Shuirong's expression changed slightly, and he slowly spoke again.

The Duke of Guarding the Nation Li Jing, as the highest model of warriors through the ages, is compared by Prince of Northern Serenity to Jia Jing's achievements, showing his recognition of Jia Jing's pacification of the grasslands.

However, when the Prince of Northern Serenity said this, the civil officials were somewhat at a loss.

Duke of Guarding the Nation? How can that be!

Although Jia Jing's merits are high, they still do not match this title.

At this moment,

Li Guangdi's expression changed, recalling the past scene of discussing noble titles for Jia Jing, and he stepped forward and said:

"Perhaps we should confer the title Duke of Liaodong, as Liaodong is a deep‑seated trouble for our Da Han Empire; in the future our court and the False Qing will inevitably have a battle."

"Granting the title Duke of Liaodong also encourages Jia Zi Jie to achieve merits in Liaodong in the future."

Emperor Jing Sheng Di listened expressionlessly to the options offered by several people, feeling none were quite satisfactory.

This is his own dream‑fulfilling virtuous minister; even a title like Duke of Guarding the Nation, a military deity, he felt lacked a few points of meaning.

Needless to say, titles like Duke of Mighty Nation or Duke of Liaodong have obvious flaws.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di thought for a moment, then again addressed the Prince of Nanan Commandery and Zhang Tingyu, saying:

"Lord Huo, Minister Heng, do you two have any good title proposals?"

The Prince of Nanan Commandery's eyes flashed, and after thinking said:

"I do not possess the extensive knowledge of a cabinet minister; I only think that if a more special title is needed to highlight his merits..."

"Perhaps we could choose from ancient great states, such as Duke of Qin, Duke of Wei, Duke of Yan, etc.; I wonder if that is appropriate?"

The Prince of Nanan Commandery's words caused the civil officials present to involuntarily change expression.

Good fellow!

Duke of Qin, Duke of Wei, Duke of Yan?

This is even more absurd than Prince of Northern Serenity Shuirong's Duke of Guarding the Nation!

If later we confer a kingship, wouldn't that be King of Qin, King of Wei, King of Yan?

Is this about the Xuanwu Gate mutiny or the Feng Tian pacification of rebellion?

What on earth is this for?

Qin, Wei, and Yan were all ancient great states, and these titles each carry special significance.

Ordinary ministers, unless they have unparalleled achievements, absolutely should not be lightly granted such titles.

It is unclear whether the Prince of Nanan Commandery truly speaks for Jia Jing, or is deliberately flattering to the point of killing.

Zhang Tingyu, with a calm expression like a still well, stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty! My suggestion is to confer the title Duke of Pacifying the Nation."

"Jia Zi Jie was already titled Marquis of Pacifying Martial, which is a continuation. Moreover, 'Jing' means to stabilize and pacify, perfectly matching Jia Zi Jie's northwestern border pacification achievements!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di, upon hearing their words, fell silent for a moment, not responding immediately; the character 'Jing' in Zhang Tingyu's proposal gave him some association.

The hall fell silent for an instant.

The others thought Zhang Tingyu had again offered a title that matched Emperor Jing Sheng Di's wishes.

After all, the phrase "Minister Heng knows my will!" is almost Emperor Jing Sheng Di's catchphrase! Who doesn't know that Zhang Tingyu has the emperor's holy heart!

Just as the ministers thought the dust had settled,

Emperor Jing Sheng Di tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk twice, then suddenly said:

"My reign title is Jing Sheng."

This made the ministers present pause in surprise; weren't they discussing Jia Jing's dukedom title?

Why does Your Majesty suddenly bring up his own reign title?

Emperor Jing Sheng Di ignored their thoughts and continued:

"Jing means sunlight. Sheng means flourishing."

"When I first chose this reign title, I hoped the Da Han Empire could be like the sun at its zenith, flourishing and prospering, achieving another renaissance."

The ministers glanced at each other, harboring a vague ominous feeling.

Emperor Jing Sheng Di glanced at those present and said word for word:

"For the past nine years, I have been cautious and diligent, striving to govern, yet the nation's condition has declined, a stubborn disease hard to cure; I have exhausted my efforts, still unable to see the light of Da Han's revival."

"I originally thought my Jing Sheng reign title would become a joke, only to be mocked by posterity. Yet... Heaven has no road that abandons people!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di, as he said this, his voice unintentionally grew a bit louder:

"Since I have Zi Jie, previously in Liaodong he defeated a False Qing army of 150,000, averting a crisis."

"Then in the northwest, nine battles nine victories, crushing the Northern Yuan, forcing the False Qing and the chaotic Xie to hurriedly seek peace in the capital, shaking the world and boiling the realm."

"Thus some subjects privately say that Da Han is experiencing a second renaissance, and some claim I will become the ruler of Da Han's revival."

Emperor Jing Sheng Di, upon saying this, his expression brightened slightly, a flush appearing on his face, paused, then continued aloud:

"But… I know, I am not the reviving monarch of the Da Han Empire; Zi Jie truly is a reviving minister of the Da Han Empire. I have merely basked in his light!"

When Jing Sheng Di uttered those words, the ministers erupted in a clamor, their faces all turning pale.

The Emperor is not the reviving monarch, yet Jia Jing is a reviving minister?

What a shocking statement?

This… simply should not have come from the Emperor's mouth!

The ministers exchanged glances, and some even muttered inwardly:

Your Majesty's such nonsense… could it be that you have been plagued by a nightmare?

But Jing Sheng Di's shocking declaration had not yet concluded; carrying the inner turmoil stirred these days by the northwest's swift report and the matter of the dream‑responding virtuous minister, he resolutely said:

"I intend, using the character 'Jing' from my era name as Zi Jie's title, to grant him the rank of First‑rank Jing Duke."

The hall fell silent for a moment, only the ticking of water droplets in the bronze water clock could be heard.

The ministers wore bewildered, at‑loss expressions, not knowing what to say.

First‑rank duke?

Or using the current era name as the ducal title??

This is even more peculiar than Prince Nan'an's suggestion of using the great nation's name as a title!

What on earth does the Emperor mean???

Having let us argue for half a day earlier, and in the end not adopting a single word?

Even Zhang Tingyu, who is usually composed, furrowed his brows now, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes!

The Emperor's favor toward Jia Jing is excessive!

In fact, he had just sensed that something was amiss!

The Emperor, contrary to his usual practice, demanded merit‑based rewards; he did not adopt Fang Congzhe and his son's proposal to jointly confer a Third‑rank dukedom as a good check, and he also gave no response to the counsel to make himself a Second‑rank duke, lacking the former attitude of "the ministers understand my mind".

He knew there might be some plot inside!

Moreover, before Jia Jing went to the northwest, he already feared that Jia Jing would achieve another great feat, thereby receiving imperial favor, amassing power over court and realm, and even threatening their cabinet ministers.

Sure enough, as expected,

the Emperor not only intends to grant Jia Jing a First‑rank dukedom, but also to use the era name as Jia Jing's title!

It appears as though ruler and minister are one!

What on earth is happening? The Emperor was not like this before!

He cannot understand!