Chapter 44

Jing Sheng Di hurriedly summoned the ministers, preparing to first settle the rewards.

These past days, although we have discussed it several times, we still haven't been able to finalize it.

First of all, we naturally need to reward Jia Jing; his previous merits have already been rewarded,

This time we mainly need to discuss how to calculate the military merits for the battle of Jizhou City.

Jing Sheng Di's complexion has improved considerably these days; hearing palace gossip, even his daily meals have increased a bit.

He swept his gaze over everyone in the hall,

Grand Secretary of the Hall of Literary Glory Zhang Tingyu, Grand Secretary of the Hall of Martial Brilliance Li Guangdi, Grand Secretary of the Pavilion of Literary Depth Chen Tingjing, Grand Secretary of the Hall of Preserving Harmony Gong Dingzi, Left Deputy Governor Niu Jizong, Right Deputy Governor Duke of Zhao Xu Ding were all present.

Jing Sheng Di got straight to the point and said:

"The Liaodong campaign has come to an end! In the harsh winter, I expect the False Qing will not launch another attack at this time."

"We have previously discussed that Nian Gengyao, who commands troops skillfully, was promoted to first-rank marquis and will continue to garrison Liaodong to guard against the False Qing."

"Now Jia Qing has returned to court with his army, already outside Shenjing City; he will be able to enter the palace later today, and we must decide on his reward!"

The ministers below had already anticipated this, each thinking their own thoughts, and they also understood that Jing Sheng Di greatly valued Jia Jing, so they had no objections.

To speak frankly, Jia Jing's swift capture of Jizhou City and the taking and killing of the Great Qing prince was also beyond their expectations.

This young man indeed possesses some genuine talent; in warfare he is truly formidable.

Especially his personal martial prowess, it is simply shocking to hear.

That is, he indeed slaughtered a bit……

Jing Sheng Di continued in a low voice:

"In this victory over the Qing army, Jia Qing's merits are evident to all! Whether it is his command strategy or personal martial prowess, there is nothing to criticize!"

"And being able to win quickly and decisively prevents my Da Han Empire's interior from suffering Qing massacres, and prevents me from being driven to the gates of Shenjing by the Qing army, losing all national prestige!"

"He should be rewarded to show the world, demonstrating that the court's punishments and rewards are clear, and not to neglect meritorious officials!"

Jing Sheng Di's words left the several ministers below looking at each other.

Winning a battle certainly deserves a reward; the current problem is how to reward him.

"What do you all think?"

Jing Sheng Di asked the ministers below, his gaze stern as he observed their reactions.

Grand Secretary of the Hall of Literary Glory Zhang Tingyu had a blank expression; he always believed that myriad words are not as good as silence, and rarely speaks.

Grand Secretary of the Hall of Martial Brilliance Li Guangdi had a calm gaze, likewise showing little expression.

Grand Secretary of the Hall of Preserving Harmony Gong Dingzi wore a respectful countenance, expected to have no differing opinions.

Grand Secretary of the Pavilion of Literary Depth Chen Tingjing looked relieved, as if he had let out a breath, the Liaodong campaign having finally ended, the court's finances can finally ease up!

Meanwhile, Left Deputy Governor Niu Jizong showed a pleased expression and was the first to speak:

"Your Majesty's words are most correct! This battle's such great result is entirely thanks to Jia Jing's fearlessness in adversity and swift pacification of the Tatars."

"Otherwise, the vicinity of the capital would likely fall into war, a scene of devastation, with the people suffering unknown casualties. I believe Jia Jing has rendered great service to the state."

Niu Jizong's single remark of "great service to the state" essentially established Jia Jing's merits, setting the tone for his subsequent rewards.

Zhang Tingyu, Li Guangdi, Chen Tingjing and others had no objections; granting Jia Jing a marquisate after this battle was something everyone had already tacitly accepted.

Only Right Deputy Governor Duke of Zhao Xu Ding furrowed his brows, stepped forward, and said:

"Your Majesty! I think Jia Jing, while having minor merit, has slaughtered countless captives on the battlefield—is this not excessively brutal?"

"This would likely make the world think our Da Han Empire engages in slaughter, truly damaging the image of our Da Han as a land of propriety!"

"Moreover, after Jia Jing captured the Great Qing prince Yinyue, he beheaded him without seeking an edict—this is frankly presumptuous! It also leaves no room for negotiation between our Da Han and the Great Qing."

"His actions have both merit and fault; I believe we should offset merit against fault and not grant him a reward."

In the hall, Xu Ding's remarks caused a sudden silence; everyone stared at Duke of Zhao Xu Ding with some astonishment.

"Offset merit against fault?"

"Even if you, Jingnan Wuxun and Founding War Merit, are at odds, you cannot speak like this against your conscience!"

Jing Sheng Di's face also darkened instantly; he was quite displeased inside.

But Niu Jizong didn't care about that, his leopard eyes fixed directly on Zhao Guogong as he shouted:

"Shut your dog's nonsense! You only say Jia Jing killed captives—have you seen the frontline memorials recording how many of our soldiers and civilians the Qing army killed? Chengde City was utterly slaughtered, almost turned into a den of ghosts—can't you see that?"

"You now show no sympathy for our Da Han's people, yet you speak up for the Tatars—are you an official of our Da Han, or of the False Qing?"

Niu Jizong's temper flared; he pointed straight at Xu Ding and launched a tirade.

As a commander who had served at the Liaodong frontier, Niu Jizong knew all too well the Tatars' brutality.

"Once the Tatars breach a frontier city, burning, killing, and looting are mere trifles; they routinely massacre cities, utterly lacking humanity."

The frontier soldiers defending home and country, not knowing how many casualties they suffered, finally won this victory; he will not allow Xu Ding to deny Jia Jing's merits in this way.

Jing Sheng Di's expression was equally grim; he lifted his gaze to Xu Ding, his voice cold, and said:

"Duke of Zhao, you probably forgot Chengzu's dying instructions!"

"After Chengzu suppressed the Jingnan rebellion, he spent almost his entire life campaigning against the False Qing in Liaodong, personally leading four expeditions there, slaying countless foes, and even directly exterminated the Great Qing's progenitors Nurhaci and Huangtaiji."

"On his deathbed he left the instruction: The Great Qing is a grave threat to our Da Han Empire and must be destroyed!"

"He also decreed: Whoever destroys the Qing, the ruler may become the restorer of our Da Han Empire, and the minister may become a hereditary, irreplaceable king."

Jing Sheng Di's single remark left Xu Ding ash‑faced, instantly filling his heart with dread.

This almost amounts to cursing Xu Ding for forsaking his roots and forgetting his ancestors!

After all, as a Jingnan military achiever, you, Duke of Zhao, rose to prominence and received your title by following Chengzu.

Now they actually even forgot the dying words of Emperor Chengzu, and still spout bullshit about the Da Han Empire wanting to negotiate peace with the Great Qing— isn't that ridiculous?

Jing Sheng Di furrowed his brows, looking at the several officials in the hall, and spoke in a resonant tone:

"I might as well speak plainly! There is absolutely no possibility of peace between the Da Han Empire and the False Qing! This is not only the will of the Taizu and Chengzu, but also my will!"

False Qing has invaded our borders year after year, slaughtered our people, utterly vicious and extremely evil, a crime of the greatest magnitude! It is truly a grave internal threat to the Da Han Empire!

When the Qing Army first arrived with 150,000 troops, many officials throughout the court urged me to negotiate, but I did not compromise! Now the Da Han soldiers are brave, and I am even less likely to compromise!

The Son of Heaven guards the nation's gate! The monarch dies for the state! Only one of Da Han and False Qing can exist! Either Da Han perishes, or False Qing dies! There is absolutely no third possibility!

Jing Sheng Di stood up, pounded the table before him, and shouted in a voice both fierce and angry!

The ministers present at once wore solemn expressions, feeling Jing Sheng Di's resolute will, and they knelt to the ground, shouting loudly:

Your Majesty is wise! We will faithfully obey the imperial edict!