Chapter 65: Another Promotion to [Assistant Commissioner]! The Crown Prince Zhu Biao

“Lord Zhu of the County.”

“The imperial decree has now arrived; I shall return to Yingtian to report.”

The battalion commander of the imperial guard, tasked with delivering the edict, bowed to Zhu Ying.

“Your effort is appreciated.” Zhu Ying immediately returned the bow.

“Duke Fu, your servant takes his leave.” The imperial guard battalion commander bowed respectfully to Fu Youde.

“Go well.”

Fu Youde smiled, making no effort to detain him.

These envoys from Yingtian had remained in Daning for a long time, waiting for Zhu Ying’s return to bestow his noble title; noble titles, unlike official promotions, were imperial favors bestowed by the Emperor himself—a honor granted by the imperial family, and could only be conferred by an envoy sent directly by the Emperor.

After the imperial guard departed.

Zhu Ying glanced around the tent; it seemed his rank was the lowest here—among the regional military commissioners, there were also vice commissioners, assistant commissioners, and garrison commanders of various units.

He was the only garrison commander present.

“General Fu.”

“Is there anything else to be instructed? If not, your servant begs leave.” Zhu Ying bowed to Fu Youde.

Clearly.

Zhu Ying had self-awareness.

Everyone here held at least the rank of assistant commissioner, commanding ten thousand troops.

His presence here seemed improper; it would be best to leave.

Moreover,

After being enfeoffed as a county lord, Zhu Ying could clearly sense many hostile glances.

“Zhu Ying.”

“The surprise I spoke of is not merely this one.”

Fu Youde smiled, then took another edict from the table.

But this one was not read by the imperial guard envoys from Yingtian.

Clearly, this was not a noble title grant, but an official promotion.

It could be read by a military commander.

“By imperial decree, Zhu Ying, attend the bestowal,” Fu Youde declared loudly.

“Another reward?”

Zhu Ying’s eyes lit up, his heart instantly filled with anticipation: “It seems my battlefield merits on the northern frontier were truly outstanding—rewards keep coming.”

“Your servant Zhu Ying attends the bestowal.”

Zhu Ying bowed deeply, full of expectation.

“By the mandate of Heaven, the Crown Prince’s edict decrees:”

“Garrison Commander Zhu Ying of the Daning frontier army has rendered great service to the state: he raided enemy encampments, slew enemy chieftains, severed enemy incursions into Great Ming territory, safeguarded the peace of this land, and protected the people of Great Ming—his labors are meritorious, his battlefield achievements exceptional.”

“I am deeply proud.”

“Garrison Commander Zhu Ying’s battlefield merits are exceptional; according to Great Ming military merit regulations, he deserves great reward.”

“Now,”

“Promote Garrison Commander Zhu Ying one rank—to Assistant Commissioner—and place him in command of ten thousand troops! Bestow one thousand taels of gold, armor, sword, bow, and a red cloak!”

“I hope Commander Zhu will continue to fulfill his duties faithfully and earn new merits for Great Ming.”

“I hope one day to see Commander Zhu’s noble bearing in Yingtian.”

Here the words ended.

Fu Youde’s reading ceased.

“First granted the county lordship by the Emperor.”

“Now the Crown Prince promotes him one rank and bestows a red cloak—this is the authority and symbol reserved for those above Regional Military Commissioner.”

“The Emperor and the Crown Prince both hold this youth in high regard.”

“Our Huaixi generals have long fought and died for the imperial court, yet now a mere boy receives such favor—this clearly intends to sideline us Huaixi.”

“This youth is surely the Emperor’s tool to weaken our Huaixi influence within the military…”

Seeing such lavish rewards—armor, sword, and especially the red cloak, a symbol of rank reserved for those above Regional Military Commissioner, now bestowed upon Zhu Ying, a former garrison commander, no, an Assistant Commissioner—

Not only was he granted armor and a sword, but also a red cloak—the key gift, for only those above Regional Military Commissioner may wear it, a symbol of status, yet now Zhu Ying, a Garrison Commander—no, a Deputy Regional Military Commissioner—had received it.

“This edict was written by Crown Prince Zhu Biao.”

“My goodness.”

“History rightly calls Zhu Biao the most stable Crown Prince—he can now issue edicts in his own name.”

“Truly, he is the first in status.”

Hearing the edict’s words, Zhu Ying immediately recognized it was not written by Zhu Yuanzhang, but by the Great Ming Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

In any dynasty, a Crown Prince issuing an edict under “By the Mandate of Heaven” would invite his father’s suspicion—but in today’s Great Ming, under Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, such a thing did not exist.

“Your servant Zhu Ying thanks the Emperor’s great grace and the Crown Prince’s great grace.”

Zhu Ying came to his senses and bowed deeply.

Fu Youde smiled: “Bring the rewards.”

At the command,

soldiers entered the tent.

One carried a brand-new battle armor—true general’s armor, with superior defense and a battle helmet.

Another carried a sword, a bow, and a red cloak.

“This armor, bow, sword, and cloak were all bestowed by the Crown Prince.”

“As for the thousand taels of gold—the Emperor’s gift—I have already arranged for it to be delivered to your tent. You may assign men to transport it, or dispose of it as you wish.” Fu Youde stepped forward and placed the edict into Zhu Ying’s hands.

“As for the thousand taels, and the thousand taels bestowed by His Majesty, I have already arranged for them to be delivered to your tent; you may assign men to transport them or dispose of them as you see fit.” Fu Youde stepped forward and placed the imperial edict in Zhu Ying’s hands.

the system prompt sounded again: “Host has claimed the edict. Reward: one ordinary treasure chest.”

“Host promoted to [Assistant Commissioner]. Reward: one first-tier treasure chest.”

The system announced.

“Thank you, General Fu.”

Zhu Ying immediately expressed his gratitude.

“And this red cloak—it is the Crown Prince’s grace. Only those above Regional Military Commissioner may wear it in the army. The Crown Prince granting you this authority shows his high regard; do not disappoint his expectations.” Fu Youde spoke with solemn weight.

Zhu Ying promptly replied: “Rest assured, General Fu—I shall never betray the imperial grace.”

Zhu Ying had now been promoted to Assistant Commissioner, commanding ten thousand troops!

Commanding ten thousand troops meant he was a general.

He could now refer to himself as “your servant” before superiors.

“Enough.”

“Take your seat.”

Fu Youde smiled, pointing to the last seat in the third row on the left.

Fu Youde smiled and pointed to the last seat in the third row on the left.

Zhu Ying bowed and walked to that position.

Now promoted to Assistant Commissioner, he indeed had the right to sit.

Now that he is Deputy Regional Military Commissioner, he indeed has the rank to sit.

“You have now been promoted to Assistant Commissioner, commanding ten thousand troops!”

“Your unit remains under the Daning frontier army.”

“You currently command fewer than three thousand soldiers. For the assembly of your Assistant Commissioner’s ten-thousand-man unit, do you have any ideas?” Fu Youde asked Zhu Ying.

“Your servant replies, General Fu.”

“I shall follow all orders, but I hope my old comrades remain with me, and that the horses seized from the Tartars be put to full use.” Zhu Ying replied calmly and respectfully.

“Your servant obeys all arrangements, but I hope my old comrades remain with me, and that the horses taken from the Tartars in this battle be put to full use.” Zhu Ying replied calmly and respectfully.

the officers in the tent all changed expression.

Clearly, they understood Zhu Ying’s meaning.

He intended to form an Assistant Commissioner cavalry unit—entirely mounted troops.

He intended to form a Deputy Regional Military Commissioner’s cavalry unit, entirely mounted.

“You’ve got quite the appetite.”

“The original Daning frontier army had only ten thousand cavalry, all maintained by the entire Daning prefecture, distributed among multiple Assistant Commissioner units.”

“Yet you wish to form a full Assistant Commissioner cavalry unit by yourself.” Fu Youde chuckled.

“Your servant’s proposal, General Fu. The final decision rests with you.” Zhu Ying replied immediately.

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(End of chapter)