Chapter 542: Commendations (2)

At this time, because everyone had nothing to do and was resting at home, or perhaps busy with other things, upon hearing a series of explosions, they naturally rushed out to take a look, and the result, naturally, was seeing this unfamiliar scene.

Those who were illiterate only saw a group of Soldiers surrounding a plaque; those who were literate were pondering what "Pillar of the Nation" meant. Seeing more and more people gathering, the Shaman also felt it was time to put up the plaque, and Juxiang also arrived at the perfect moment.

The Shaman held a document and read aloud: "Because Chi lived a life of hard work for the country and his merits were extremely high, yet he sacrificed himself for the country while executing a mission, therefore, he is granted the title of 'Pillar of the Nation', and for Chi, the surname 'Wu' is bestowed."

Once the brief document was read, the Shaman directed the Soldiers to install the plaque onto the door frame of Chi's house with a loud *clatter-clatter-clatter*. Fortunately, Chi's house was considered a high-status residence, utilizing the construction of a courtyard house, so the gate was wide enough to accommodate this plaque.

Juxiang watched silently from the side, not saying a word, until the plaque was installed and the onlookers let out various exclamations. The Shaman then told Juxiang: "Prepare to head to the square; in a moment, you will be granted a title of Nobility."

"Granting a title? What is that?"

The surrounding citizens were still immersed in the shock of Chi's family having a surname, and suddenly, something they had never heard of appeared, deepening their confusion.

The Shaman notified everyone: "Next, all Soldiers and Workers who participated in the last mission will have plaques installed. 'Pillar of the Nation' is the highest honor in Huaxia. The remaining people will all have other honors, and you can all come together to watch and celebrate for those Soldiers."

Watching the excitement is human nature; although it had nothing to do with them, everyone was willing to follow along to watch. Mainly, they wanted to see what this actually was—they had never heard of it, but it seemed really impressive.

Because there were many people, they split into several groups. The Shaman mainly presided over the installation of plaques for the families of all those who had sacrificed themselves. The next family was Bocheng's. Because Bocheng was not an important official, but just a Worker, and not a Soldier, his plaque was "Family of a Special Class Merit Hero."

After the Shaman finished visiting all the families, he actually felt his legs were a bit sore and couldn't help but sigh, "I really seem to have grown old."

The square was already prepared. After all the plaques were installed, all the citizens of Huaxia City had followed the Soldiers to surround it. There were also people from Lema City who had come to observe the ceremony, mainly the various levels of officials who had been invited. Ordinary people didn't have that much time, nor did they get the news; by the time they knew, it was already a bit late.

It wasn't that Baifeng didn't want them to know, he just felt that the news should be delayed a bit. Otherwise, if everyone from Lema City flooded over, what would happen? Wouldn't Lema City become an empty city?

Right now, Baifeng was mainly bestowing titles upon Chi, and also gave titles to the few who had sacrificed themselves, though they were all low-level ones; otherwise, these titles of Nobility would be too worthless.

Baifeng followed the custom of reading a sacrificial text to inform the spirits. In truth, Baifeng had no idea if this spirit actually existed, or if what he said would be heard. If it really existed, shouldn't he be more solemn and his heart more pious?

Furthermore, even now, Baifeng was very confused and had no clue which tribe the altar that had once left him stranded here belonged to, or what god it was used to worship.

The citizens piously knelt and bowed along with Baifeng. Afterward, the Minister of Rites, the Shaman, presented a Jiyin to Baifeng. Baifeng said loudly: "Because Chi had merits for the country, was incomparably loyal, and sacrificed himself for the country, he is granted the title of 'Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness', to be inherited for generations."

Subsequently, the Ministry of Rites read out for Baifeng the powers enjoyed by a Marquis: how much land they could own, how many Slaves they could keep, how much area of land could be tax-exempt, and so on. Every time the Ministry of Rites announced an item, a gasp of amazement came from below. When it was announced that the status of a Marquis was only below the Royal Family and higher than any official, the exclamations reached a climax.

All the officials suddenly felt that they seemed to have a greater goal to strive for. If they had ability, but their descendants did not, what should they do? Then a title of Nobility was the best guarantee. The minds of ordinary people also became active; they were basically all illiterate and had no chance to become officials, but a title of Nobility didn't seem entirely impossible.

After the Marquis, it was announced once again that the surname "Wu" was bestowed upon Chi, which counted as the second surname in all of Huaxia. The first, naturally, was Baifeng's surname, Bai.

Those below who had previously felt that the Soldiers were being treated harshly now had no voice at all. They hadn't expected that such a long silence was actually in preparation for a big move, instantly igniting everyone's enthusiasm. Sacrificing for the country was a completely great thing; being able to bring so many benefits to one's descendants was far better than in the tribal era, where one would go out hunting, be bitten to death by a tiger or bear, and then one's children and women might starve to death or be taken by others.

For the people who followed, those who had sacrificed were each granted a Baron title, the lowest rank of Nobility. Although in terms of privileges, it was only slightly better than an ordinary person, the status was a world of difference. Even a Prime Minister was not as good as a Baron, because no matter how great the power of a Prime Minister was, they were still just an ordinary person, but a Baron was a Noble!

Every person who participated in the mission had a surname, making everyone green with envy. And the medals pinned to their clothes, shining with golden light, made people want to rush up and snatch them.

The Soldiers who had previously won first place in the Sports Meet, which was originally capital for bragging, now felt that it had paled in comparison and could not be compared to the medals. Thus, they secretly swore in their hearts that in the future, if there were dangerous missions, they must fight to go. "As a warrior, I am definitely stronger than them. I also want a title of Nobility, I also want a medal, and I also want my own surname!"

Taking advantage of everyone's high enthusiasm and full spirit of striving, Baifeng also spoke very seriously about the crisis currently facing Huaxia: "My Subjects, right now Huaxia, just like when it was first founded, has encountered great difficulties. The farmland has suffered a disaster, and there is not much of a Harvest. From now until next year's Autumn Harvest, everyone can only rely on the stored grain at home. Therefore, everyone should start reducing their daily food intake now."

"Of course, everyone does not need to worry too much. In the National Treasury, there is still enough grain for everyone to eat for a year. Soybeans can also have a good Harvest this year. I will definitely not let everyone go hungry. This is just a countermeasure for everyone to face the disaster."

"Because the trade of Tea Leaves with the Suiren clan and the Xuanyuan Tribe has been suspended, they are about to run out, and we can only wait until next year to trade again before they can be supplied. Therefore, everyone should also be prepared."

"As for the most important food problem, everyone does not need to worry. Huaxia has herds of cattle and sheep. If there really comes a day without grain, everyone will eat meat every day. Next, I will also organize the hunters into teams and send them out to expand the hunting range to obtain more food for Huaxia."