Chapter 139: Appreciating Merit and Bestowing Rewards

"Wei Rong, stop right there!"

Seeing Wei Rong acting so arrogant, Du Biao's face turned dark. Ignoring the pain, he blocked the path in front of Liu Zheng and grabbed the horse whip Wei Rong had lashed out with, his hand instantly splitting open and dripping with blood.

He let out a loud shout and violently whipped the horse whip back.

Liu Zheng felt a shock in his heart: "Brother Du!"

Du Biao smiled painfully and said: "I have wronged you, Brother Liu. We have only been in Baiya for a few days, and you have been attacked several times; where can I hide my face now!"

"Wei Rong, do not rely on your status to be rude to an honored guest. Get out of here!"

That Wei Rong was almost pulled off his horse by Du Biao's sudden tug.

"You..."

"Are you trying to rebel! How dare you treat the Great Leader's son like this?"

The group of martial artists beside Wei Rong all looked displeased. Wei Rong's face was also livid with rage. As the Great Leader's eldest son, he naturally had his own group of supporters around him. How could he endure such humiliation? Gritting his teeth, he looked on with a sinister gaze: "Fine, fine, fine! When my father returns, I will make you pay!"

"Let's go!"

After Wei Rong left with his group of brothers.

Yang Ke sighed and said: "Young Master Liu... This Wei Rong is the son of the Great Leader Wei Shao. He is usually arrogant and domineering; no one in this Baiya Army dares to provoke him..."

Liu Zheng smiled upon hearing this.

Sure enough, in every group, such a person will appear.

It was only yesterday that he felt the Baiya Army had three major symptoms, but looking at it now, the situation was far more complex than he had imagined... A fourth symptom had popped up: intense internal conflict!

Listening to the way Wei Rong spoke and the attitude of his supporters, it seemed there was indeed some friction between Yang Ke and the Great Leader Wei Shao.

Even if there wasn't before, after being told so often, resentment would naturally arise. That is what they mean by "three people make a tiger."

But Liu Zheng felt that, in the final analysis, it was not just a conflict of interests; there should also be a conflict of philosophy within it.

"What kind of person is that Wei Shao, exactly?"

Liu Zheng asked curiously.

He could not help but be curious. Someone who could control so many people in the Baiya Army, gather these martial artists, and possess this highly coveted number one horse farm in the world must certainly have some basic personal charisma.

Du Biao sighed: "Brother Wei, he has indeed changed a bit over these years..."

"Shut your mouth!"

Yang Ke glared at Du Biao and warned: "Changed what? Isn't our leader just trying to secure a future for us?"

Du Biao snorted coldly: "Who wants that kind of future?"

"I am a martial artist by nature! Haven't I been living quite comfortably all these years? What is the use of an official title?"

The speaker had no intention, but the listener took it to heart.

Liu Zheng's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Seeking an official title?

Put that way, this Wei Shao was probably someone similar to Song Jiang. It was just... Liu Zheng was suddenly a bit curious about what kind of person this Wei Shao really was. In fact, given the expansion speed and current scale of the Baiya Army, if it were up to Liu Zheng, he would also find a way to "cleanse" these "bandit troops" and seek an official title.

This approach was standard practice in any era.

This idea of Wei Shao's was not wrong.

It was just that some disagreements might have occurred within the Baiya Army.

It really is a headache!

Liu Zheng rubbed his temples.

For the next few days, Liu Zheng remained safe and sound. That Zhang Chengjiang had once met Liu Zheng in Liangzhou Prefecture; regardless of whether he was the one who invited Liu Zheng's thirty-thousand-strong army, since they had arrived, he still had to fulfill the duties of a host.

Various banquets, various displays of superficial courtesy.

And during these few days, Liu Zheng also took the opportunity to tour around Baiya Prefecture. Then he sadly discovered that his predictions were correct. The Baiya Army had already begun to grow indifferent in the hearts of the common people.

Some even turned pale at the mention of them.

This was not a good sign.

While Liu Zheng was in Baiya Prefecture.

At the northern front, Ruogu Pass.

The imperial procession from the court finally appeared slowly.

Hundreds of thousands of troops were all filled with excitement.

Crown Prince Xie Fang, the Third Prince Xie Ling, and Zheng Yuxing were all kneeling on the ground, welcoming the Imperial Envoy.

"Zheng Yuxing, leading the Longyan border defense soldiers, welcomes the Imperial Envoy!"

"Respectfully welcome the Imperial Envoy!"

The Imperial Envoy was the messenger of the Emperor. Wherever they went, they represented the will of the Emperor, so they were kneeling to the current Emperor, not to Grand Eunuch Zhou.

The large horse carriage representing the imperial procession slowly arrived before the people. Grand Eunuch Zhou climbed out from inside and said in a shrill voice: "By the grace of the Emperor, the decree says: In the fortieth year of Longyun, the great victory at Rongshan Pass, the Longyan soldiers, fearing not life nor death, have raised the prestige of our nation..."

A round of singing praises.

"My heart is greatly comforted!"

"The army is the nation's most important tool! Those with merit shall be rewarded, those with faults shall be held accountable!"

"By the will of Heaven, I proclaim... Pingdi General Zheng Yuxing!"

Zheng Yuxing, in full military attire, knelt on the ground: "This general is here!"

"Promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Second Rank Commanding General!"

Boom!

The entire crowd was in an uproar.

Zheng Yuxing was also incredibly excited, his whole body trembling.

The General of the Four Directions is a third-rank commanding general, which is already an extraordinary status in the military. But this great battle has directly promoted Zheng Yuxing to a second-rank General of Chariots and Cavalry! Second-rank commanding generals are divided into the General of Agile Cavalry, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and General of the Guard. In reality, these are already generals at the level of the Grand Commandant.

In other words, through this battle, Zheng Yuxing has directly attained the rank of Grand Commandant!

How could he not be happy?

"Crown Prince Xie Fang!"

"Your son is here!"

"In view of the Crown Prince's outstanding military achievements and orderly coordination in the great victory at Rongshan Pass, I grant..."

The Crown Prince was also overjoyed.

It was certainly unrealistic for his status to receive any further promotion in rank. Therefore, the granting of rare treasures and exotic items was considered the old Emperor's attitude... After all, he had just arrived and lost an army of one hundred thousand; it was already fortunate that the Emperor did not hold him accountable.

Then next, it was the Third Prince Xie Ling's turn.

For this Third Prince Xie Ling, the old Emperor directly bestowed the title of Prince of Han!

At this, the entire venue was in an uproar, shaken and shocked!

The crowd looked at one another in dismay.

Prince of Han!

This is the highest title for a Feudatory King under the Emperor of the Longyan Dynasty! It could be seen that the old Emperor's reward for this Third Prince was higher than that for the Crown Prince! This again left many people unable to understand.

Xie Ling was so happy, he accepted the Imperial Edict.

But Xie Fang's expression was somewhat gloomy.

Grand Eunuch Zhou said a few words of congratulations with a forced smile, and only then took out another Imperial Edict.

"Where is Liu Zhoutong, son of the Marquis of Yinzhou, Liu Dahao?"

The entire venue went silent.

Grand Eunuch Zhou frowned slightly: "Where is Liu Zhoutong?"

Crown Prince Xie Fang could not help but sneer: "Grand Eunuch Zhou, that Liu Zhoutong left long ago!"

Grand Eunuch Zhou's expression changed drastically: "How preposterous! To be rewarded for merit, yet he is nowhere to be found—is he not disregarding the Emperor?"

In such a situation, who wouldn't be eagerly waiting here?

Yet this greatest contributor had just run off?

Could it be that he did not want the reward?

In all his life, Grand Eunuch Zhou had served as an Imperial Envoy many times, but this was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

Zheng Yuxing hurriedly said: "Grand Eunuch Zhou, Liu Zhoutong truly had matters at home, which is why he led his troops back to Yinzhou..."

Grand Eunuch Zhou snorted coldly: "How am I supposed to explain this to the Emperor?"

"Hmm?"

The crowd did not quite understand.

Zheng Yuxing smiled: "When Liu Zhoutong left, he requested that I accept the edict and express his gratitude on his behalf..."

Grand Eunuch Zhou rebuked angrily: "Absurd! The Emperor ordered Liu Zhoutong to enter the capital for an imperial audience; he is not here, what use is it for you to handle it!"

What?

Several people were shocked once again.

Enter the capital for an imperial audience?

How great a grace was this?

The Crown Prince and the Third Prince also had glints of light flashing in their eyes. The old Emperor was suddenly so interested in this Liu Zheng; could it be that he intended to promote him? At this moment, the one who regretted it most was naturally the Third Prince. Had he known this, he should not have been so negligent toward that Liu Zhoutong back then...

Zheng Yuxing said honestly: "Grand Eunuch Zhou, that Liu Zhoutong should currently be in Baiya Prefecture. Do you think... should I send someone to fetch him with all speed, or..."

Grand Eunuch Zhou was stunned: "Baiya Prefecture?"

Suddenly.

A flash of inspiration crossed his mind, and he secretly looked at the Prince of Lu beside him. The Prince of Lu immediately winked and gave him a look in return.

Oh?

Could it be that this Liu Zhoutong also had a connection with the Prince of Lu?

Then why did the Empress insist, when drafting the edict, that the Emperor must bring this boy to Jinghua?

Could it be that she really favored this boy's future?

What kind of person was Grand Eunuch Zhou? He had grown up in this intrigue since he was a child, so he immediately chuckled: "There is no need. Liu Zhoutong is a meritorious official of Longyan. Since he truly had matters to attend to, it is naturally not impossible to be accommodating."

"Proclaim!"

The crowd knelt again.

"For the great victory at Rongshan Pass, Liu Zhoutong brought divine troops from the heavens, bravely repelled the Xiongnu, and his meritorious deeds shake the past and dazzle the present! I..."

The crowd pricked up their ears.

The nonsense before that was not important at all.

What they wanted to hear was the most important reward that followed!

One must know, this Liu Zhoutong was only twenty-one years old today! He was already at the position of Prefectural Assistant; with such a great contribution, to what rank could he be promoted?

Grand Eunuch Zhou paused.

A young eunuch immediately handed him a cup of water considerately to moisten his throat, and only then did Grand Eunuch Zhou continue to chant: "In view of Liu Zhoutong's heroic resistance against the enemy in the great victory at Rongshan Pass, raising the prestige of our nation!"

"Liu Zhoutong is granted the title of Marquis, and concurrently serves as Commandant of Kezhou!"

"Appointed as Prefect of Kezhou!"

The entire venue was deathly silent.

It was an unremarkable reward; from Prefectural Assistant to Prefect, this was within the expectations of most people. And being granted a concurrent general's title due to military merit was also normal. However, granting Kezhou to Liu Zheng was somewhat profound...

Among them, the one with the most unsightly expression was Chen Ping.

Although Kezhou is currently under the control of the Liu Family father and son, they are, after all, illegitimate. It would be reasonable and lawful for Chen Ping to deal with the Liu Family father and son and take back Kezhou. But with things turned into this mess now, what can he do?

However, the next conferral of rewards made Chen Ping truly unable to sit still!

"In view of State Marquis Liu Dahao, for his meritorious service in raising his son, his achievements are outstanding!"

"Promoted to Yinyang Prefect!"

All color drained from Chen Ping's face.

Prefect!

Liu Dahao had actually risen in status through his son, directly becoming a Prefect! This meant that this Liu Dahao had become the second Prefect within the borders of Liangzhou... Zhang Chengjiang was also the Baiya Prefect, and the former Liangzhou Governor was already an Inspector.

Therefore, in this way, Liu Dahao had actually become the most powerful Prefect within the borders of Liangzhou!

Chen Ping's mind was instantly in turmoil.

Then Grand Eunuch Zhou read out some rewards of gold, silver, treasures, horses, and fabrics, before smiling and saying: "Why have you not yet thanked the Emperor for his grace?"

Zheng Yuxing knelt and bowed: "Your subject accepts the grace on behalf of Prefect Liu!"

Grand Eunuch Zhou then chuckled: "Very good, very good. The remaining rewards will be arranged later; they are not included in the Imperial Edict."

The crowd knelt and bowed in unison.

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!"

This great victory brought joy to everyone, and almost everyone received the benefits they wanted.

Zheng Yuxing, the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and others even invited Grand Eunuch Zhou into the military tent; how could they not serve this Imperial Envoy well? Not only did they have to serve him well, but they also had to stuff him with all sorts of lavish gifts when he left...

After a round of hypocritical pleasantries and toasts.

Grand Eunuch Zhou chuckled: "Everyone, the Emperor has said that he wants to bring that Prefect Liu to Jinghua. If I fail to handle this matter properly, I could lose my head!"

The crowd looked at each other in dismay.

Prince Lu let out a cold snort and spat secretly.

This massive glutton, it seems he can't help but go to Baiya to stir up trouble again?

【Author's Note】

Acute gastroenteritis, I'm going to the emergency room... That's all for today. If there's any pacing that's off, I'll fix it when I get back...