Chapter 7134 Grand Conferment of Titles upon Officials

Chapter 7134 Grand Conferment of Titles upon Officials
"Ilias, Ilias, are you there? I have some news you need to hear, it's about you." Slavnis, wrapped in a golden, shimmering silk robe in the dead of winter, sneaked out of the courtyard to find Ilias. Upon hearing this damned voice, Ilias quickly put away the box containing his silk, which was his treasure.

However, Slavnis reacted quickly and managed to stop Ilias. "Several chests of silk, what are you hiding them for? Wear them! If you won't wear them, then wear them!"

As they were talking, Slavnis reached out to grab Ilias's box, but Ilias kicked it away. "If you reach out again, don't blame me for being impolite. This is a reward from the Han Dynasty's eldest princess. Put your dirty hands aside."

When the Xiongnu appeared during the Grand Military Exercise, it was agreed that the Han court would grant titles to those who killed Xiongnu, and even more titles to those who captured Xiongnu alive. However, because the Kushans and Romans were also present in the smaller world, there were supplementary rewards. That is, the Kushans could change their identities and become Han Chinese to atone for their sins by killing Xiongnu, while the Romans would reward those who killed Xiongnu with silk, and even better silk to those who captured Xiongnu with official titles.

Compared to most Romans, Elias was quite diligent in capturing Huns, even capturing a Hunnic commander of a thousand cavalry. He was also collecting taxes from his comrades, offering a chest of fine silk for each Hun captured, and he also managed to extract several Huns from his other comrades.

So in the end, Elias got his hands on several chests of the finest silk, which Slavnis greatly envied, because he was either fighting or on his way to fight the whole time. It was only thanks to fighting that he killed some Huns on his way to fight that he wouldn't have been able to wear the bright yellow brocade that he was wearing today, which reflected the firelight. Therefore, when he received several chests of the finest silk from Elias, he rushed over to exploit it, because he knew that if he arrived late, others would likely have already exploited it.

After all, in this kind of thing, everyone who sees it gets a share. Who told Elias to get so many boxes? If you had only gotten a few, that would have been one thing, but you got so many and didn't share them with the brothers. What are the brothers supposed to think of you?

"Ilias, you've been caught. I've received news that the Han Dynasty's reward was this: one Xiongnu and one box of tribute silk." Hasgard squeezed in through the door, delivering bad news to Ilias even before he arrived.

Elias was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then everything went black, because he instantly realized that he had told others about exchanging a Hun for a chest of fine silk.

More importantly, upon hearing this news, Elias looked at the several boxes of fine silk in front of him and felt a chill run down his spine. Damn Ganassis, he swindled my tribute silk.

"Ilias, you beast! You ripped off the tribute silk and turned it into top-grade silk! I'm going to fucking kill you!" Aphrodite stormed in, brandishing a Roman dagger and brimming with fury. He had thought he'd struck gold by getting a box of top-grade silk for free, but when he turned around and found out that the reward from the Han Dynasty was tribute silk, he was completely stunned.

So this is how you bastards take your cut? You mean the distributors take over 99%? I'm going to fight you bastards to the death today!
As they were talking, Aphrodite charged toward Elias with his sword. Elias cursed angrily, saying that it was that bastard Ganassis who did it and that he had not received any tribute-grade silk. He then turned and ran away. After all, he had indeed pumped water from the silk, but he had only pumped the top-grade silk into high-grade silk. He had pumped at most 88%!

Seeing that Aphrodite's sword had driven Elias away, Hasgard, the thick-browed, big-eyed, seemingly simple-minded warrior, smiled at Slavnis. The two of them picked up a silk chest and ran off. Forget about it, they'd take these abandoned things—whose owner they didn't know—first. As for the issue of Ganassis's water-draining, they'd discuss that later; they'd report it to Caesar!
On the other hand, the veterans of the Kushan Empire serving the Han court also received rewards from Liu Tong. Even Zena was granted a noble title by Liu Tong, since the Xiongnu's commander of ten thousand cavalry, Qilian, was captured alive by Zena. This can be considered the highest sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Based on the Han Dynasty's situation with the Xiongnu, Zena could have joined the Han Dynasty under a different identity if he wanted, given his merit. However, Zena refused the offer, saying that he still wanted to go back to follow Oswin. Liu Tong simply nodded without saying anything, but decided to give Zena a chance and allow him to participate at the end of the procession when worshipping ancestors at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

After all, Zena was the one who captured the person, so it wouldn't be very reasonable to prevent the other party from participating.

So at the beginning of the eleventh year of Yuanfeng, before dawn, Zena changed into a formal suit of armor and went to participate in the Han Dynasty's ancestral worship as a captain. Although he could not enter the palace and was even at the end of the procession, this act was essentially an acknowledgment of his previous merits.

"Zena." Jiang Guang frowned as he looked at Zena, who was in about the same position as him, but considering that the other was wearing the same captain's armor as him, he just muttered a couple of times and didn't say anything.

As for Sun Er and Zhang Yong, they are now in the front half of the group. After all, they are already marquises. However, following behind a group of big shots, Sun Er, Zhang Yong, Wei Shuang, and Zhang Ping are somewhat uncomfortable, especially with the change in their attire. They have participated in similar activities before, but in the past, they wore armor and stood at the very back, where they could casually chat with the brothers around them. But now, they are standing in the middle and front, surrounded by big shots, and they don't even dare to breathe loudly.

More importantly, the custom-made imperial robes worn by the four of them made them look somewhat like a poor imitation when they looked at each other.

Therefore, the four players currently in the mid-to-front positions are inevitably feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

"What is it?" Zena asked Jiang Guang expressionlessly. Given the current situation, what else was there to say? He was attending the grand court assembly because of his merits against the Xiongnu, so even if Jiang Guang disliked him, he wouldn't dare to fight him, especially at this time.

"Why don't you just surrender?" Zhang Liang, who was standing next to Jiang Guang and was also wearing the armor of a captain, said to Zena. "Considering the reward you received for capturing the Xiongnu commander of ten thousand cavalry, no one will pursue the matter further. As long as you don't act too recklessly and keep to yourself, no one will bother you."

"Do you think it's possible?" Zena looked at Zhang Liang. Compared to the Zhang Liang he had seen in the small world some time ago, the current Zhang Liang made Zena feel a faint sense of danger. This was a sign that his will was about to break through to the limit of normal will.

If Zhang Liang was at most a nuisance to Zena in the past, and Zena was almost guaranteed to win if he encountered him, then Zhang Liang now is a ruthless person who could potentially kill Zena.

"There's nothing to say, Ananda, would you like to join us?" Zhang Liang continued to extend an invitation to Ananda. Compared to Zena's blood feud, Ananda had very few. After all, he was Oswin's bodyguard, and the battles he actually fought were unavoidable, life-or-death battles that no one would hold a grudge against, and there was no special targeting. Therefore, when facing Ananda, the veterans of the Han Dynasty, who were captains, were relatively natural.

After all, swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield, and everyone is prepared to die once they go to war. Everyone is aware of this, so they are relatively polite to Ananda.

Of course, to be honest, if Zena hadn't been targeting and killing elite veterans of the Han Dynasty, he wouldn't have been so hated and become what he is now; it's simply because he killed too many.

“How could I possibly join? Forget it, let’s wait until after the fight,” Ananda said, shaking her head. “Zena hasn’t joined yet, how could I possibly join?”

"Fine, then don't blame us if you die on the battlefield, swords have no eyes." Zhao Ying, who had managed to sneak in for some unknown reason, said with a grumble.

Originally, only officials in the capital with a salary of 2,000 shi or more and 600 shi or more could participate in such activities. As everyone knows, Zhao Ying was a deputy director of a street office with a salary of 100 shi, and that was a specially assigned high-ranking position. Otherwise, a deputy director of a street office would only be a temporary position.

Even so, Zhao Ying still came to participate in the event dressed in a captain's armor. Perhaps he realized that he couldn't really kill Jiang Guang and was preparing to become a captain in another place. Or perhaps he felt that it would be strange if he didn't participate since Jiang Guang was participating, so he found a set of armor and came to participate. After all, Zhao Ying could still get approved for this kind of event.

No matter what, the head of the 10,000 cavalry commander in Zhao Ying's hands was not fake; he was a meritorious official.

"I'm saying this to you all too," Ananda said frankly. At their level, they all knew in their hearts that dying in battle was inevitable, and they were all prepared for that.

"Alright, shut up. Her Highness the Princess has entered the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Stop your babbling. Is there anyone who understands lighting and shadows? I want to see a close-up." Pratt called out to the somewhat tense group of guys around him. Then, high-definition 3D lighting and shadows quickly appeared in his eyes. With so many amazing people present, could they possibly grant him such a small wish? Who do you think you are!
Chen Xi was stunned when he saw Liu Tong order his men to bring the captured Xiongnu to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Damn it, the Han dynasty really executed the Xiongnu directly in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, performing a blood sacrifice to their ancestors? This was too outrageous! The Imperial Ancestral Temple was supposed to be a sacred place; even a speck of dirt would cause trouble for a group of people. But now it was stained with blood—it was too absurd!

However, thinking back to the Han Dynasty, when Emperor Yuan heard that Gan Yanshou had obtained the head of the Xiongnu Chanyu, he immediately sent it to the Imperial Ancestral Temple after confirming it. Then he had music played in the temple, which was somewhat like dancing on a grave. But the members of the imperial clan were overjoyed and were just short of expressing their delight.

Thinking about it that way, Chen Xi didn't think it was too outrageous to include the Xiongnu people in the executions...

Okay, it's still a bit barbaric.

"Are the Xiongnu alright?" Chen Xi asked Jia Xu, who was standing beside him, via telepathy. Originally, Liu Bei had intended to let Chen Xi enter the ancestral temple as well, but Chen Xi refused. What would it look like if he went in? This was the ancestral temple of the Liu family, and it wouldn't be appropriate for him to go in. So he waited outside with the others until the Liu family finished dealing with their affairs and then led them to Weiyang Palace for a grand court assembly.

"The poison was specially prepared by the Academy of Medical Sciences, so there's no problem with it," Jia Xu said simply. "Are you sure you want Kongming to give the entire account and answer all the questions this time?"

“Well, it’s been eleven years since Yuanfeng, and I’ve already done it twice. There’s no need for me to do it a third time. Let Kongming do it; it’s also a preparation for what’s to come.” Chen Xi said calmly. Jia Xu didn’t say much, just nodded to indicate that he understood.

In the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Liu Tong coldly executed Qi Lian, the commander of ten thousand cavalry of the Xiongnu. To be honest, Liu Tong felt a little regretful when he executed him, thinking that it would have been better if he had been a wise king of the Xiongnu or a Chanyu.

After the Xiongnu were all sacrificed, the Han imperial family, both big and small, began to burn another eulogy for their ancestors, describing the current situation of the Han dynasty. Then, they officially established Liu Shan as the crown prince. This was something that had only been announced yesterday and was to be implemented today, and all the members of the Han imperial family agreed with it.

Then, with the help of Liu Yu and Liu Ai, Liu Shan was dressed in a crown representing the crown prince. Liu Shan then personally burned a eulogy, which served as a witness to the event. Of course, this was only the completion of the internal procedures. The formal announcement would be made at the grand court later, and there would be a proper procedure. However, at that time, it would be a matter for the Grand Master of Ceremonies and the previous dynasty, and these members of the imperial clan would not have much to do.

Incidentally, the task of changing Liu Shan's clothes should have been done by the elders of the imperial clan, but since the Han dynasty was now reduced to just a handful of men, they had to ask the oldest, Liu Yu and Liu Ai, for the job. Although it wasn't exactly appropriate, they had to do it for now.

"Establish Chen Qian as the Crown Princess." Liu Tong glanced at Chen Qian, who had been brought in with him, and then, following a similar procedure to that of Liu Chan, dressed Chen Qian in the clothes representing the Crown Princess. He then handed the official seal directly to Chen Qian and, in front of everyone, burned the sacrificial text for the ancestors.

This scene was perfectly natural to everyone present, which meant that Liu Shan's ascension to the throne and the appointment of Chen Qian as empress was an inevitable outcome that their ancestors had already witnessed. Similarly, as long as Chen Qian herself did not cause any trouble, it was virtually impossible for her to be deposed as empress.

"Alright." After bowing to the ancestors once more, Liu Tong led Liu Shan and Chen Qian out of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Liu Bei followed behind Liu Shan with a hint of helplessness. At this moment, he somewhat understood why Chen Xi was so embarrassed by certain etiquette rules.

I, Liu Bei, can't possibly keep kowtowing to the Crown Prince every now and then, that won't do!
However, according to the established etiquette, even if Liu Bei doesn't kowtow now, he will have to when A Dou ascends the throne, which is quite awkward. It seems that these ancient etiquette rules still need to be revised.

When Liu Tong led Liu Shan and Chen Qian out of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, everyone present understood that Liu Shan had been established as the Crown Prince. The next step was for the Grand Master of Ceremonies to hold a grand ceremony to announce this to the world. From this moment on, Liu Shan was the Crown Prince and Chen Qian was the Crown Princess.

"Read it aloud," Liu Tong said to Zhang Zhi, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, who was standing to the side. Originally, this matter should not have been read by Zhang Zhi, but this was the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and nobodies were not qualified to read the edict here. Only Zhang Zhi, one of the Nine Ministers, could read it. Zhang Zhi had already seen the contents before coming, so he was not surprised.

Everyone knelt on one knee along the steps, and Zhang Yi began to read the imperial edict. In fact, there was not much content. The main points were to establish Liu Shan as the crown prince, Chen Qian as the crown princess, Liu Bei, the King of Jin, to relinquish his position as Grand Commandant and no longer be responsible for routine work, Chen Xi to be promoted from Minister of the Imperial Secretariat to Chancellor, Li You to be promoted from Vice Minister of the Censorate to Grand Censor, Jia Xu to Minister of Works, and the positions of Minister of Education and Grand Commandant would be left vacant for the time being. The others would receive rewards, and with Liu Bei's promotion and departure, and Chen Xi becoming Chancellor, the other officials would finally be able to be promoted as well.

Previously, a fatal flaw was that Chen Xi was the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, making it difficult for others to surpass him in rank and title. Except for a very few individuals who could break through this restriction due to their special circumstances, the ranks and titles of others were suppressed.

For example, Li You's official position should have been Grand Censor long ago, because he was in charge of the Censorate and exercised the powers of the Grand Censor. However, Li You has always been the Vice Censor-in-Chief, because as long as Chen Xi is not the Prime Minister, the position of Grand Censor cannot exist.

So, all the high-ranking officials in Liu Bei's faction had been suppressed by Chen Xi, but now they can finally be released. Although the work they do is not much different, they can finally be considered to have earned their titles.

"We've finally reached this point," Jia Xu said to Chen Xi with a hint of melancholy. "When I extorted Master Zixu more than a decade ago, I knew this day would come, that there would be a time for bestowing titles upon my officials. I never imagined it would take so long to finally arrive."

"Shocked?" Chen Xi asked with a smile.

"No, I'm just amazed that you've endured so much for so long. I originally thought I should have promoted you to prime minister last time, but I didn't expect you to actually suppress the bureaucratic system," Jia Xu said with a hint of regret.

The kind of official rank that you get promoted to now means you won't be promoted in the next wave. This way, it will be conveniently separated from the thirteenth year of Yuanfeng, which is a good thing for the overall situation going forward.

Jia Xu was well aware of the correctness of doing so, but to be honest, it was only because of Chen Xi that things were so complicated. If anyone else had done this, they would probably have exploded long ago. He forcibly suppressed the promotion of officials for a full five years, and the people below did not explode. It was only because Chen Xi was too strong that others did not know what to say in the face of Chen Xi's situation. Compared with that guy's achievements, my achievements really seem to be insignificant.

“If I had become prime minister last time, and other officials had also been promoted, then in the thirteenth year of Yuanfeng, when we conquered Kushan and bestowed titles upon military generals and officials, the domestic bureaucracy would have also benefited from this achievement and would have needed to be rewarded,” Chen Xi replied with a light laugh. “So it’s more stable to stick to the current system.”

He should have been promoted and ennobled in the fifth year of Yuanfeng, but Chen Xi dragged it out until the tenth year of Yuanfeng, resolving a bunch of problems along the way. I guess you all understand what happened.