Chapter 647: Another Promotion

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

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

After the Imperial Edict was read, no one dared to say anything more.

Even if they had thoughts in their hearts, they dared not speak them. It seemed the lingering scent of blood at the Imperial City gate still hung in their noses.

Xie Tianyao.

He had come back to life.

This iron-blooded emperor had already displayed his cold-bloodedness and decisive killing intent back when he was fighting for the throne.

Today.

Who dared to say another word?

"Prefect Liu, step forward to receive your appointment!"

Suddenly, at this moment, Grand Eunuch Zhou brought out another Imperial Edict.

The expressions of everyone in the hall changed drastically.

Was he being promoted again?

Liu Zheng had been very low-key when he arrived today, hiding in the crowd.

Upon hearing this, he trembled all over and hurriedly stepped out, prostrating himself on the ground.

"Whereas Liu Zheng of Liangzhou has performed meritorious service during the ceremony, negotiated the withdrawal of troops, and presented a grand strategy for Liaodong to the Imperial Court, bringing grace to the Grassland. The territory of Liangzhou is rich and prosperous..."

It was another long list of merits.

People felt their heads spinning as they listened.

Why?

There were simply too many merits...

Since his last promotion, he had actually accumulated so many more.

How long had it been?

Not long at all...

His merits included pacifying the Southern Barbarians, developing the Western Regions, promoting the Imperial Examination, founding academies, breakthroughs in big data, the creation of New Learning, his performance at the Christmas Ceremony, these negotiations, the land of Liaodong, and the gold and silver he brought out that made everyone green with envy...

He was now a rank 4b official!

The group of people with their heads lowered muttered in their hearts.

The previous Prefect Liu was already a rank 5a official, Prefect of Liangzhou, and concurrently a Hanlin Academy Reader. In Liu Zheng's past life, this was already the level of a deputy department-level official. He was only twenty-five years old this year; a deputy department-level official at this age was something absolutely unheard of in his past life...

Rank 4b.

How many in the entire Imperial Court could claim such a rank?

"Promote Prefect Liu to Liaodong Prefecture! Concurrently serving as Hanlin Academy Shidu Xueshi!"

Liu Zheng was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your immense grace!"

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

This official position was also within everyone's expectations.

Rank 4b!

Liaodong Prefecture—this could be considered the final word on the matter. It gave Liu Zheng a suitable position to participate in the construction of Beidacang. Having a sufficient position and right to speak in Liaodong meant he could at least stand on equal footing with Tie Mu City.

"Court dismissed!"

Once they exited the Imperial City.

Everyone came over to congratulate Liu Zheng and Liu Dahao.

Liu Zheng also responded with a smile, expressing his gratitude.

This could be considered Liu Zheng's first proper time attending court, and he was still a bit unaccustomed to facing so many Longyan Dynasty bigwigs all at once.

Under his observation, the Noble Class and the Scholar-official class in this court were very clearly demarcated. One could tell just by looking at where everyone stood. And now, because of the Prince of Qin, the Prince of Wei, the Prince of Yong, and the Xiliang King, a "New Aristocracy" class had naturally formed, making it clear that the forces in the court were divided into three factions.

That fellow Liu Dahao wanted to leave as soon as the court was dismissed, but he was pulled back by the Prince of Yong. Liu Dahao still didn't understand what was going on, but Liu Zheng had already realized he should wait for the Prince of Qin, Xie Zhao, to come out. Sure enough, the Prince of Qin walked over surrounded by a group of people, laughing as he cupped his hands: "Congratulations, Scholar Liu!"

Liu Zheng hurriedly smiled modestly: "Many thanks to the Prince of Qin for your support!"

The Prince of Qin chuckled and did not decline; the group then walked together. Because of their status, Liu Zheng still lagged one step behind Xie Zhao.

After a while, Xie Zhao paused, walked parallel to Liu Zheng, and asked as if casually: "Scholar Liu, is this land of Liaodong truly viable?"

Liu Zheng was stunned, then laughed heartily.

So the Prince of Qin thought he was just using money to smooth things over?

He whispered: "Does the Prince of Qin wish to participate?"

The Prince of Qin's pupils contracted instantly, and he coughed a few times: "What are you saying? Mandarin is just asking if you have any difficulties. After all, there are so many of us who can help you share the burden, right?"

The Prince of Wei and the others nodded in succession.

Share the burden?

They wanted to make money, didn't they?

Liu Zheng saw through it but did not expose it. He knew that despite these people being the Noble Class, in the current Longyan Dynasty, they were actually quite poor... Their long-term extravagant lifestyles led to high expenses, but because of the financial income of the entire Imperial Court and their own territories, they sometimes couldn't even make ends meet. These so-called Nobles were not even as wealthy as the Scholar-officials. Or rather, the entire Imperial Court was not as wealthy as those Scholar-officials.

They had missed out on the dividends from Liangzhou and the dividends from Yinzhou Coin.

This time...

The land of Liaodong.

Although their advisors were all saying that it was absolutely impossible for Liu Zheng to govern the land of Liaodong into prosperity. The harsh environment determined its coldness and bitterness.

However...

Who was this?

This was Liu Zheng!

The famous Prefect Liu... no, he is already Prefect Liu!

The famous Prefect Liu!

With him, there is almost nothing that is impossible.

A miracle!

In his hands, he has already created many miracles.

Therefore, Xie Zhao was somewhat tempted.

Participate in it?

The Prince of Wei was also thinking, participate in it?

Liu Zheng naturally knew what they were thinking, and did not hide it, laughing: "Does the Prince of Qin think that Liu Zheng is a person who does loss-making business?"

The Prince of Qin heard this and remained silent for a long time.

Only then did he grit his teeth fiercely: "Fine, then Mandarin will also participate in it!"

Liu Dahao and Liu Zheng's eyes lit up at the same time: "How much does the Prince of Qin intend to invest?"

The Prince of Qin laughed loudly, his face full of arrogance: "Five hundred thousand taels!"

Pfft...

How much?

The dignified Prince of Qin is only investing five hundred thousand taels?

Just this?

Watching the Prince of Qin, Liu Zheng and the others leave.

The people on Zhu Zhen's side, meanwhile, fell into silence.

A group of people walked in silence just like that.

A blow!

The most important point of the creation of this Economic Special Zone this time is that Liaodong Port is about to open the gates of the Longyan Dynasty to maritime trade.

For the Scholar-Official Group, this is simply a devastating blow!

Their group controls the maritime trade of grain, silk, cloth, ceramics, tea, and so on in the Jiangnan region, and the annual profit is staggering.

But once this Liaodong Port appears...

The landscape will change.

For such a large group, if this income is lost, it is almost facing collapse. The impact is too great, affecting the annual planting and harvesting of grain, the production of cloth and silk...

"Lord Zhu..."

"Lord, please say something!"

"What are we supposed to do?"

Looking at the high-spirited New Aristocracy ahead, this group of people finally could not hold back and spoke up one after another.

"All of you, shut up!"

Zhu Zhen shouted coldly, walking forward tremblingly: "Since things have reached this point, you might as well go home and eat a good meal!"

The expressions of the group changed slightly.

Eat a good meal?

What does this mean?

They are now at the point where they can barely afford to eat!

Zhu Zhen boarded his Horse Carriage.

Leaving behind this group of people who were in utter despair.

"Lord..."

"We shall discuss it again when we return..."

Zhu Zhen closed his eyes tightly.

It seems...

It is time to put up some Bitter Remonstrance.