Chapter 1474: Summons

Just as Pingyuan Marquis Chen Hong was earnestly admonishing the two court ministers Kong Zhang and Zhou Pu, in another private room, Cai Duke and Marshal Shi Manqiang was also having a heart-to-heart talk with his juniors from the military.

This tall and burly marshal, now in military uniform, sat beside a square tea table, while Zhao Song, also in uniform, sat opposite him, and the seats on either side of him were occupied by different young officers.

Shi Manqiang and Zhao Song were both renowned, weighty figures within the army, so the two officers able to sit together with them could naturally never be ordinary men — they were none other than Li Huanghe and Ma Tongji, the rising stars of the Great Han army personally selected by His Majesty for the future expedition against Japan.

The moment these four took their seats, the tea-server arrived, but because none of them spoke, under that uniquely military, solemn and killing atmosphere, the attendant constantly felt ill at ease, his hands even trembling as he poured the tea. Having managed to finish pouring with great difficulty, he immediately fled as if granted amnesty, terrified of displeasing these military gentlemen.

Even after the attendant fled, for a time no one here spoke, the atmosphere still somewhat oppressive and stiff.

The reason for this situation was that Cai Duke Shi Manqiang, after calling them all together, had remained silent the entire time.

The military stresses hierarchy and seniority above all; after years in the army, these men had come to treat this as a golden rule, unable to set it aside even in a place far from the front lines. The marshal had not spoken, so no one dared to speak.

Moreover, the marshal held the highest rank and had commanded troops for many years, so although his manner was easygoing, he naturally possessed an aura that awed the others into not daring to speak lightly.

However, though they observed the discipline of hierarchy, the other three did not appear cowed; they simply sat just as rigidly, ramrod-straight in their seats, waiting for the marshal to speak with neither servility nor arrogance. All four men were strikingly heroic and imposing, their stern bearing making the already small tea room feel even more cramped.

Zhao Song was His Majesty's cousin and had won illustrious battle honors through years of leading troops in war, clearly trending toward becoming a great general in the future, while these two young men — Ma Tongji was the eldest son of Julu Marquis Ma Chonghao, and Li Huanghe was the son of Yingchuan Marquis Li Dajin — both came from extraordinary backgrounds and had likewise served in the military for years, so through long exposure they too had acquired an uncommon bearing.

Because the marshal had not spoken, the silence persisted for a long time; only the medals pinned to their chests flickered with candlelight as their chests rose and fell.

To enhance soldiers' sense of honor, encourage a martial spirit among the people, and maintain the army's fighting strength, after the founding of the nation, His Majesty, in addition to improving soldiers' pay and granting them autonomy in command and promotion, also began issuing various medals within the military.

These medals each had their own grades, and their designs, meticulously crafted, were very handsome, awarded to those soldiers who fought valiantly, bore command responsibility, and made significant contributions.

Indeed, when His Majesty began using these medals to reward his officers and men, it provoked an extremely intense reaction within the army and was widely acclaimed.

Among these medals, the highest grade was shaped like a plum blossom, forged from pure gold, and was specially awarded to military commanders who had attained the highest honors. Only by independently commanding a major theater army and completing a great campaign that annihilated a vast number of enemies, thereby winning such immense merit, could one be granted this medal. Currently within the Great Han army, only the marshals at the very apex possessed such a medal, and thus the Golden Plum Blossom Medal had become the emblem of being appointed marshal.

Ever since this medal appeared, fighting courageously, braving death, and winning a Great Golden Plum had become the common ideal of every ambitious young officer within the army. Even Zhao Song, Li Huanghe, Ma Tongji, and these other Great Han nobles of merit were likewise rubbing their hands in eagerness, wholeheartedly determined to become future marshals themselves, wearing the Golden Plum Blossom and proudly looking down upon the world.

At this moment, that large Golden Plum Blossom was shining brilliantly on the marshal's uniform, overpowering all other light and solemnly proclaiming its status as the pinnacle of the entire army, an unshakable position.

The second grade was shaped like an orchid, made of silver, and further divided into three sub-grades by size and fineness. At this moment, pinned to Zhao Song's chest was a second-class Silver Orchid Medal. Ma Tongji and Li Huanghe, because they had repeatedly won battle honors and commanded troops in war for many years, both wore third-class Silver Orchid Medals on their chests. Wearing a Silver Orchid was also the mark of becoming a high-ranking commander in the army.

Zhao Song and the other two wore silver medals; though their silvery-white gleam could not rival the proud aura of the Great Golden Plum, it still stubbornly expressed its wearers' extraordinary prospects.

The third grade was the osmanthus, made of bronze and divided into three sub-grades, specially awarded to mid- and low-level officers to commend their valiant combat. The fourth grade was the sunflower, made of iron and likewise divided into three sub-grades, specially awarded to low-level squad leaders and soldiers, those who fought directly on the front lines.

These medals served not only to boost morale but also as proof of recorded merit. When each medal was issued, a designated person would record the honors the recipient then held. When soldiers and officers returned home, these honors could earn them more granted land, and some officers, after accumulating several high-grade medals, could even be accompanied by the special honor of being enfeoffed and commended by His Majesty.

Recently, quite a few soldiers had become members of the merit-nobility through this very path.

Stimulated by the fame and profit the medals represented, the morale of the already high-spirited Great Han army surged once more, and the slackness that had settled in some hearts due to the realm being pacified was swept clean away by this stimulus.

After an unknown length of time, Cai Duke and Marshal Shi Manqiang finally stirred from his stone-wall-like silence.

Then, he slowly reached out, picked up the teacup before him, and drained it in one gulp.

No one here protested his way of drinking the supreme-grade Da Hong Pao like this, because these military men all enjoyed their tea this way and could not be bothered to distinguish good from bad.

After drinking, he set the teacup back on the table, then coolly surveyed the two men opposite and beside him.

"Zhao Song, Li Huanghe, after not seeing you for a few years, you've truly made something of yourselves."

He did not say this to Ma Tongji, because Ma Tongji had been fighting under his command these past few years and was a young officer he had focused on training and promoting.

"How could I deserve such praise from the marshal!" Zhao Song smiled.

"How do you not deserve it?" The marshal shot him a glance. "I hear His Majesty has already enfeoffed you as Xingyang Count. A count — how many of those are there in the entire court? Can that not be called making something of yourself?"

Count?!

Upon hearing this word, the two young officers Li Huanghe and Ma Tongji both felt a jolt in their hearts and could not help exchanging a glance.

Because of his special status and seniority, Zhao Song had always been regarded as the most qualified person within the military system aside from the several marshals, and was also seen as a special benchmark figure bridging the army's first and second generations. That he had now been enfeoffed as a count by His Majesty signified that the second-generation officers would also begin to make their mark and gradually become the main leaders of the army.

This deeply stimulated them and also stirred their desire to advance.

From ancient times to the present, being enfeoffed as a marquis and appointed chancellor has been the common ideal of every ambitious youth — how could they possibly be an exception?

"I am favored by His Majesty's regard... to be honest, Zhao Song has always felt uneasy at heart," Zhao Song said, half out of modesty and half in earnest.

"There's no need to feel uneasy. Although you are His Majesty's cousin, how you've led troops and fought battles all these years, how many merits you've earned — everyone has seen it clearly. What idle talk is there to fear? In my view, His Majesty promoting you this time is even a bit late! With your battle merits and seniority, you should have been enfeoffed as a count long ago!" Marshal Shi Manqiang laughed. "Still, it's a pity the countship came late, but your future marquisate might come that much sooner..."

"I beg the marshal's guidance and support..." Zhao Song quickly paid his respects to the other man.

"You are a general of the Great Han, a favored commander in whom His Majesty places great hopes — what guidance or support from me is there to speak of?" Marshal Shi Manqiang gently shook his head, then suddenly raised a hand and pointed at the two young men beside him. "Rather, it is you — these two young men will still have to rely on you for guidance. They are highly promising young juniors, handed to you by His Majesty; you must nurture them with care."

"Huanghe and Tongji are both renowned young warriors in the army, and men whose backgrounds we know well — it is they who will be helping me." Zhao Song still wore a smile. "Of course, as long as it lies within his power, Zhao Song will certainly help these two juniors and never let them face difficulties."

These words, laden with implication, left the two young officers partly understanding, but for the most part still utterly confused.

They had only recently been transferred back from their posts. Ma Tongji had been fighting continuously in the mountainous regions of Guizhou, Sichuan, and other areas, while Li Huanghe had also been under Marshal Dong Bingfeng's command, fighting across Guangdong and Guangxi. After being transferred back, they were immediately summoned to His Majesty's military camp for an audience, but the transfer orders were vague, not telling them why they had been recalled, nor how long they would remain in the capital, nor whether they would have other assignments.

After returning to the capital, through various channels of information, they had vaguely learned some news and knew they might be transferred away from their current garrisons to participate in a new combat mission, but beyond that the details were quite unclear.

However, though the specifics were unclear, it was obvious that His Majesty attached great importance to this new campaign, otherwise he would not have personally transferred back his especially trusted cousin Zhao Song.

Precisely because they had considered this point, both young men felt considerably more at ease, and inwardly they were both rubbing their hands in eagerness, anticipating that in the coming war they could shine brilliantly and add a few more weights to their standing in His Majesty's esteem.

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