Chapter 306

At this time.

Jinghua Imperial Palace.

"Good, good, good, what a wonderful Yanqi Treaty! Wonderful!"

Xie Tianyao let out a hearty laugh, his voice shaking the palace.

"Long live the emperor, long live, long live ten thousand times!"

"Peace restored, the emperor's will vast and grand!"

The civil and military officials all knelt down in succession, beginning to sing praises and extol virtues.

Xie Tianyao, the smile on his face, continuously overflowed, and he could not take it back. Because no one else knew why he was happy. His own daughter... Xie Chan, forcing the Dayuan Kingdom to sign such a humiliating treaty that surrendered sovereignty and brought shame to the nation—how could he not be happy?

At this time.

He could almost imagine what Xie Lao'er of Dayuan Kingdom looked like and felt right now.

He must be about to die of anger, right?

"Your Majesty, this matter is a great achievement for the Western Regions Commissioner!"

The Qin Prince stood up again and spoke loudly.

Yesterday, he had just received a letter from Liu Zheng, the content of which naturally expressed his admiration for the Qin Prince, flowing endlessly... and also expressed his gratitude for the Qin Prince's multiple acts of kindness toward the Liu family father and son while in the capital. More importantly, Liu Zhou in this letter conveyed a very clear signal!

He plans to take down the Ying family of Liangzhou and support the Zhou family!

Isn't this saying he has made up his mind to follow their noble class? This is no small matter! This Liu Zheng, being on good terms with both the crown prince and the noble class, has already become one of our own, so he will surely help Liu Dahao, Liu Zheng speaking.

Xie Tianyao laughed heartily: "What the Qin Prince says is extremely correct; I too have been pondering how to bestow rewards appropriately."

Zhu Zhen stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said: "Your Majesty, the day of reconstruction for the Western Regions Protectorate, the rewards have already been sufficiently generous. This year the treasury is empty; further rewards would be..."

Others also nodded in agreement.

Don't look at each reward being a promotion and ennoblement; in reality, in a feudal dynasty, such rewards are not merely spiritual incentives, regardless of material rewards—if that were the case, how could imperial majesty be displayed?

Every time promotions and ennoblements occur, there are likewise material rewards, and they must match accordingly. Things like silk and cloth, fine silks and brocades, various tribute items, slaves—all are bestowed as rewards. Thus each reward, for the imperial household, is likewise a heavy burden.

This matter is handled by the Minister of Rites, who, upon hearing Zhu Zhen say this, also came forward to express agreement.

Who would have thought the old emperor Xie Tianyao, yet he burst into hearty laughter: "This time, I do not intend to reward the commissioner, but rather to reward the Western Regions Construction Corps!"

Only then did everyone collectively let out a sigh of relief.

Liu Dahao and Liu Zheng's current ranks—bestowing a reward once would be no small matter.

Whereas Ling Chen and Xie Chan, being fresh from obscurity, a few trifling things would suffice to send them off, and it would not strain the Longyan Dynasty.

"Zhao!"

Xie Tianyao said.

The entire court knelt down.

"Western Regions Construction Corps, Ling Chen, for defending the nation with merit; Xie Chan, heroine among women, exalt the might of my Longyan Dynasty! Appoint Ling Chen as Prefect of the Western Regions Construction Corps, Xie Chan as Pingxi General!"

"Effective immediately, the Grand Canal of the Western Regions Construction Corps, throughout the nation, shall cooperate wholeheartedly; those who outwardly comply but inwardly defy shall be beheaded!"

All people shouted in unison, "Long live!"

Yet many in their hearts were already overwhelmed with sorrow.

The Grand Canal...

This is the old emperor truly granting this Grand Canal a permit! Who does not know what the Grand Canal signifies? Once opened, it will connect north and south; Liangzhou possesses Yinzhou ships—this...

A few days ago, another two hundred thousand convicts were sent to the Western Regions; this time, the progress of the Grand Canal truly seems unstoppable.

This statement says there is no reward for Liu Zhou...

Yet it has given Liu Zhou a great gift!

Now look at Liangzhou.

A seven-day holiday.

The entire Liangzhou City is enraged.

All government offices have completely fallen into paralysis; how are they to live? Many have taken to the streets, wanting to cause trouble. Moreover, the gathered crowd is visibly growing, each filled with righteous indignation.

At this time.

Ying Rong and a group of Liangzhou officials, on their way to the Liangzhou Prefecture, in the carriage saw this scene; a lackey beside them laughed loudly: "Master Ying, this Liu Zhou is simply digging his own grave!"

Ying Rong also laughed and shook his head: "People say Liu Zhou is extraordinarily wise, but this operation truly leaves people bewildered! Can a holiday solve everything?"

The few people in the carriage burst into laughter.

They very much wanted to see how Liu Dahao and Liu Zhou are faring at this moment, how harried and distressed they are.

However.

When they arrived at the Liangzhou Prefecture, the entrances of those government offices, one by one, were all dumbfounded.

Only see at this time those office doors, each had posted a notice.

"Ministry of Agriculture Executive Wang Ping, his sow gave birth to piglets, requesting leave for seven days..."

"Ministry of Works Executive Luo Qiang, his concubine is giving birth, requesting leave for seven days..."

"Ministry of Commerce Deputy Counselor Zhang Liang, suffering a stroke and brain illness, requesting leave for ten days..."

"Ministry of Revenue Counselor Ying Shao..."

"..."

Always, the meaning above is simply that these people have all concentrated their leave during these days; Liangzhou Prefecture, having no choice, can only concentrate the holiday, and still beg the broad populace for great tolerance. This notice's wording is utterly helpless and sincere, and above it still bears Liu Zheng's great seal.

"Pfft..."

Ying Rong saw it, nearly spitting out a mouthful of old blood; the others were also staring at each other in disbelief.

Who could have imagined that Liu Zhou would actually come up with this move?

Still playing around like this?

As expected.

The crowd gathered at the gate of Liangzhou Prefecture, upon seeing these notices, all became furious.

"Great! So it turns out Prefect Liu isn't taking a day off!"

"It's these officials slacking off!"

"Outrageous!"

"A bunch of good-for-nothings, still pretending to be officials!"

A group of people immediately flew into a rage, with some already wanting to smash Liangzhou Prefecture. Someone sharp-eyed spotted among the officials the executive who had a sow give birth, the executive whose concubine was in labor, and the counselor who had a stroke. Instantly, the crowd's emotions exploded.

"Great, each one taking leave at home, yet still wanting to attend the Cabinet?"

"Go back and assist with childbirth!"

"Get lost back there!"

On the spot, chaos erupted instantly.

Those officials, who had never suffered such treatment before, instantly flew into a rage: "Outrageous, riffraff, a bunch of riffraff, where are the garrison troops, garrison troops!"

However, no matter how they shouted, the garrison troops remained motionless.

Seeing the garrison troops unmoved, the crowd grew even more agitated. "Well, the Prefect and Prefect Liu don't care anymore, so why not let loose?" Soon, the scene descended into punches and kicks.

Ying Rong, this big shot, was kicked by someone unknown several times.

He was so angry his whole body trembled.

Riffraff!

This is a bunch of riffraff!

Many officials on leave were soon beaten black and blue. The crowd also realized that with so many people causing trouble, the garrison did nothing—so what did they have to fear?

You get hit and don't even know who struck you!

"Quick, quick, quick, Lord Ying, hurry into the prefecture!"

"These riffraff must be killed, killed without pardon!"

"Whose stinking shoe is this?"

A group of people fled with their heads covered.

Who would have thought...

Yesterday they still used the populace causing trouble to deal with Liu Zheng.

Today, Liu Zheng repaid them in kind with their own methods.

Brilliant!