Chapter 45: Liaodong Marquis? Liaoning Marquis? Jingwu Marquis?

Duke of Zhao's complexion was grim, his spirit scattered, realizing that his words just now had already lost the holy heart.

I can confront the founding line's martial heroes point‑blank and have opposing opinions,

but I must never, ever utter words about a peace negotiation between Qing and Da Han Empire!

Ultimately it is still Jia Jing, the young prodigy, who deeply holds the holy heart; this great victory gave Jing Sheng Di confidence to annihilate Qing, otherwise he wouldn't have chastised me so severely!

The court affairs become increasingly treacherous, and my days after the Jingnan line's martial heroes will be hard!

Jing Sheng Di, ignoring the Duke of Zhao's thoughts, spoke directly:

"Continuing the discussion on rewarding Jia Jing! In my view, we should stick to the earlier suggestion: promote him to a third‑rank marquis to reward his war merits, and also raise his official rank by one grade. What do the rest of you think?"

Based on his merits, conferring a third‑rank marquis is indeed appropriate, and raising his official rank by one grade is also justified.

Several civil ministers, though feeling Jia Jing is still too young, think his rank could be held back a bit and are not eager to promote him from the third grade,

Bestowing a marquisate already suffices to reward his merits, but after Jing Sheng Di's recent angry rebuke of the Duke of Zhao, it's not a good time to speak up again.

Jia Jing is currently in favor; some matters truly cannot be spoken of further.

Grand Scholar Gong Dingzi of Baohe Hall stepped forward first and bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty is wise! With Jia Jing's merits, conferring a third‑rank marquis and raising his official rank by one grade is, in my view, perfectly appropriate!"

Zhang Tingyu and Li Guangdi and others also bowed and said:

"Your Majesty is wise; I have no objections!"

Niu Jizong also stepped forward in agreement.

Jing Sheng Di then said: "Since we are conferring a marquisate, it should come with a title. I've pondered for several days but remain somewhat hesitant. All of you are learned scholars; please each voice your opinion and help devise a suitable one!"

In the Da Han Empire, the noble ranks of duke, marquis, count, viscount, and baron—among them, the count, viscount, and baron are divided into first, second, and third grades, and have no titles.

When it comes to a marquisate, the rank is already second grade, truly a senior martial hero of the state, and generally carries its own title.

Niu Jizong, hearing this, felt a bit envious; he should know that as a first‑grade count, he still lacks a personal title!

However, Jia Jing is one of our own, and his face also shines; he immediately bowed and said:

"Your Majesty! I think Jia Jing won his victory while defending Liaodong, so we could use Liaodong as his title, conferring the rank of Liaodong Marquis. I wonder if that is appropriate!"

Da Han Empire marquis titles are usually named after a city, township, county, or prefecture; Niu Jizong's suggestion of Liaodong Marquis is also a line of thought.

But the others clearly disagreed; Liaodong is perhaps too vast,

Jia Jing is only a third‑rank township marquis; using a single city's land as his title would be fine!

If you grant him the whole of Liaodong as a marquis, and later promote him to a second‑rank or first‑rank marquis, wouldn't you be bestowing the entire Da Han Empire upon him?

Gong Dingzi stepped forward and bowed:

"Your Majesty, I think we can take the 'Liao' from Liaodong and add a 'Ning' character—grant the title Liaoning Marquis!"

"First, it conveys the meaning of 'heavenly Liaodong at peace'; second, it expresses a wish for Liaodong's tranquility. To honor his merit and inspire Jia Jing to achieve further feats, this seems more appropriate!"

Zhang Tingyu and the others, upon hearing Gong Dingzi's words, couldn't help but have their expressions change.

Well done!

Heavenly Liaodong, tranquil lands!

Niu Jizong only suggested Liaodong, and you are bestowing even the heavens and earth!

Knowing that Gong Dingzi is your person, we want to please him, but you can't be so boundless!

This title could even serve as a reign title for the Da Han Empire!

Liaodong's tranquility is a national strategic matter; can we rely solely on the young Jia Jing?

Li Guangdi, with a somewhat grim expression, spoke:

"Your Majesty! I think, since Jia Jing captured the Qing Army commander at Jizhou City, we should confer the title Jizhou Marquis. Jizhou has long been a military stronghold, and this would reward his merit and serve as encouragement!"

The suggestions from the several were all good, yet none satisfied Jing Sheng Di particularly.

Jing Sheng Di pondered for a moment, then asked the silent Zhang Tingyu:

"Minister Heng, what do you think?"

Zhang Tingyu seemed to have a prepared answer and bowed:

"Your Majesty! I think whether it's Liaoning, Liaodong, or Jizhou, each carries certain limitations!"

"Jia Jing is a youthful hero of the Da Han Empire; now our four corners are unsettled, and the court will still need his achievements in the northwest and southwest regions."

"His achievements and military prestige should not be confined to Liaodong alone, but should deter the four barbarians, expand our borders, and make the Da Han Empire's fame spread far!"

"Then we should confer the title Jingwu Marquis, meaning to pacify the world with arms! Moreover, 'Jing' sounds similar to 'Jing', making it a fine epithet."

Jing Sheng Di, hearing this, nodded in agreement.

Why did he summon Jia Jing back to the capital? Isn't it to employ his martial prowess elsewhere?

Minister Heng is right!

Heaven has bestowed such talent upon me, not merely for Liaodong.

Jia Jing will become my champion marquis and Grand General, who will intimidate the four barbarians, defeat distant foes, open new lands, and I hold great expectations for him!

Minister Heng knows me!

Jing Sheng Di immediately issued an order:

"Minister Heng's words are sound! Promote Jia Jing to a third‑rank Jingwu Marquis, grant him the Dan Book and Iron Token, raise his official rank by one grade, appoint him as a third‑grade subordinate Eastern Guard General, draft the decree in the Cabinet, and issue the imperial edict!"

All ministers bowed, indicating they would obey the edict.

Jing Sheng Di added:

"Other meritorious officials cannot be left unrewarded; according to the list of meritorious persons reported by Jia Jing, I decide to promote Qin Qiong to a subordinate fourth‑grade Zhonglang General and advance him to a first‑grade count."

"Promote Zhang Yi (Zhu Que) to a subordinate fourth‑grade Zhonglang General and advance him to a second‑grade count. Promote Feng Ziying to a regular fifth‑grade Left Colonel, advancing him to a first‑grade gentleman. Promote Han Qi to a regular fifth‑grade Right Colonel. The remaining individuals are ordered by the Ministry of War to be promoted according to merit."

Qin Qiong's rank is higher than Zhu Que's because of his merit in capturing Yin Ti this time.

Zhu Que's rank and position are higher than Feng Ziying's and Han Qi's because, first, he fought more bravely, and second, Feng and Han have served fewer years than Zhu Que, who has been with Jia Jing since Jia Jing entered service.

In response, the ministers below raised no objections, clasping their hands and affirming.

These had already been discussed and settled a few days ago; this time is merely the formal confirmation by Jing Sheng Di.

After this matter was concluded, Jing Sheng Di no longer had the mind to discuss other affairs; instead, he stood up and asked Xia Shouzhong, who was standing nearby:

"Grand Companion, hasn't Minister Jia arrived yet?"

Xia Shouzhong thought to himself: "Your Majesty, you've asked this five times since you got up this morning!"

Xia Shouzhong had never seen Jing Sheng Di care so much about a minister, and he dared not hesitate to reply:

"Your Majesty, General Jia has already entered the palace and is hurrying toward Qian Qing Gong."

Hearing this, Jing Sheng Di's expression showed a hint of joy, and in a light tone he said:

"Minister Jia has traveled thousands of miles from the front lines, laboring greatly; I and the other ministers shall go outside the gate to welcome him."

At these words, the faces of the ministers in the hall were startled.

What? The Son of Heaven and we senior state officials going outside to welcome the young Jia Jing?

Isn't that a bit overly ceremonious!

Even though Jia Jing's merits are indeed considerable, the court has already promoted and ennobled him, so it shouldn't require such excessive deference!

Zhang Tingyu let out a sigh inwardly; he was not surprised by Jing Sheng Di's actions,

He knew Jing Sheng Di well—his likes and dislikes were stark; when he liked someone, he liked them to the bone, wanting to exalt them to the heavens and give them everything!

When he despised someone, he wished to cast them into hell; one could say he was a man of his temperament!

Undoubtedly, at this moment Jia Jing is a minister that Jing Sheng Di likes and values greatly!

Jing Sheng Di, regardless of what the other ministers thought, led the way toward the outside gate,

The few ministers behind him could only follow closely, together heading to the outside of Qianqing Hall to await the triumphant Marquis Jingwu.