The court officials looked at each other in bewilderment.
The assembled officials were all looking at each other, especially those who were fickle and indecisive, wishing they could crawl into a hole.
What Prime Minister Cao said made sense.
Facts spoke louder than words; the situation of offense and defense had changed!
They were confused, how could they have chosen Yuan Shao?
Countless officials shook their heads, murmuring to themselves that they would sever ties with Yuan Shao once they returned, lest they make another mistake!
It was indeed strange…
The court, which had been filled with apprehension and undercurrents of unrest.
Because of Cao Cao's words.
No, to be precise, it was because of Lu Yu's great victory and Cao Cao's "art of employing people" introduced through Yin Lin, which instantly stabilized the entire court.
Now, whether it was the Han court, Cao's camp, or yesterday's surrender faction, at this moment… there was only one voice left, and that was to fight a decisive battle, support Cao Cao, and fight Yuan Shao to the death, settling the universe with one battle!
At this moment…
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Cao." Xun Yu stepped forward again and said, "The previous battles on the front line… three victories, repelling Yuan Shao. Whether it was Situ Lu, the Dragon Cavalry, or the Tiger Leopard Cavalry, all have made great contributions. Although the decisive battle has not yet ended, it is time for Your Majesty and Prime Minister Cao to reward the meritorious generals! With such clear rewards and punishments… the morale of the soldiers will surely soar!"
Whoa…
Throughout this day, in this imperial court, Xun Yu did not say much, but every word was to the point.
Rewards…
Indeed, it was time for merit to be rewarded. Defeating Yan Liang, killing Wen Chou, and flooding 450,000 Yuan soldiers… the rewards could not be low!
And also…
Cao Cao thought of someone, to be precise… someone specially mentioned in Xiahou Yuan's battle report, someone who was "meritorious."
His reward was extremely important for the next step.
"Your Majesty…"
With this thought, Cao Cao turned around, cupped his hands, and bowed to Emperor Liu Xie. "Three battles were won, annihilating 200,000 of Yuan's army. This is all due to the credit of the soldiers on the front line. I request to enfeoff Situ Lu as 'Marquis of Baima' and Guan Yunchang as 'Marquis of Hanshou Ting'… Xiahou Miaocai as 'Marquis of Yanjin'…"
He first named four people.
Then Cao Cao's eyes darted, and he continued, "Furthermore, all the generals of the Dragon Cavalry Camp have made outstanding contributions in this battle. I request to enfeoff the three Dragon Cavalry Camp generals 'Cao Xiu', 'Zhang Liao', and 'Gao Shun' as Marquises within the Passes! The rest of the soldiers should also be rewarded accordingly!"
Enfeoffment as Marquis…
And not just one Marquis, but a whole group of Marquises…
A dance of Marquises!
This time, it was not just Emperor Liu Xie who was surprised, but all the officials were stunned. To enfeoff so many Marquises at once?
Prime Minister Cao had such a grand gesture, and Situ Lu had such great prestige!
Of course…
Although they were all Marquises, there was a big difference between one Marquis and another.
One must know that in the Han Dynasty, according to military merit, the noble ranks included Marquis-level, Minister-level, Grand Master-level, and Minor ranks…
All of these could be called "Marquis"!
For example, Lu Yu's Marquis of Baima was because Baima City was a county, thus it was considered a county-level Marquis.
A county-level Marquis was a type of the twentieth rank of ennobled Marquises. The ranks of ennobled Marquises in the Eastern Han Dynasty were further divided into three grades—Marquis of County, Marquis of Township, and Marquis of Ting!
Therefore… Cao Cao's request for Lu Yu's Marquis of Baima could also be called "Marquis of Baima County," as the name suggested!
And Xiahou Yuan's Marquis of Yanjin could also be called "Marquis of Yanjin County." Both he and Lu Yu belonged to the highest grade among the twentieth rank of ennobled Marquises—Marquis of County!
As for Guan Yu's "Marquis," it was because there was a "Ting" on the Yellow River named Hanshou, hence he was called Marquis of Hanshou Ting!
Breaking it down, it consisted of three parts—place name (Hanshou), Ting (rank), and Marquis (title)!
Of course…
Even though Guan Yu was only a Marquis of Ting, he was still one rank higher than Cao Xiu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun's Marquises within the Passes!
This was because Marquises within the Passes ranked nineteenth in the noble hierarchy.
One rank higher meant much more!
Of course… none of these were important. What was important was… that once Cao Cao opened his mouth, Emperor Liu Xie naturally would not refuse.
"Everything will be as Prime Minister Cao wishes." Liu Xie said, "Furthermore, besides… these first meritorious individuals, there must be outstanding contributors among the Dragon Cavalry Camp, Tiger Leopard Cavalry, and Cao's elite soldiers. I will trouble the Ministry of Imperial Decrees to draft imperial edicts for their ennoblement!"
"Yes!" Xun Yu cupped his hands and accepted the order.
Hearing this, Cao Cao stroked his beard, his heart filled with emotion.
It was not easy for Yu'er on the front line. As an old father, he could only try to secure titles for him and his generals!
The decisive battle between Cao and Yuan had just begun…
The road ahead was still long!
With this thought…
Cao Cao cupped his hands and bowed to the Emperor. "Cao Cao thanks Your Majesty for the grace bestowed upon all the soldiers!"
As he said this…
Countless officials also cupped their hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Heh heh…
For the Emperor, he could only "heh heh." Whether he was wise or not seemed not so important, right?
Besides, could he refuse? Did he dare to refuse?
However… after this court session, the world gained a newly crowned Marquis, and one wondered what kind of storm this Marquis would stir up next!
At this moment…
All the court officials bowed to the Emperor, seeming to be quite satisfied with Lu Yu's merits!
Only Xi Zhicai… felt something was not quite right!
Lu Yu was the Grand Minister, and he had made great contributions this time, so it was only natural for him to be enfeoffed as a "Marquis." Xiahou Yuan had dug the Bian River, and more importantly, he was Cao Cao's cousin and one of the leaders of the warriors from Qiao and Pei. It was also natural for him to be enfeoffed as a "Marquis." But… what about Guan Yu?
If they were to be strict about it, his status…
Let alone Lu Yu and Xiahou Yuan!
Even the generals of the Dragon Cavalry Camp could not compare!
Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and Cao Xiu were all enfeoffed as Marquises within the Passes. According to common sense… Guan Yu should at most be a Marquis within the Passes, but… a Marquis, this title was not light!
Thinking of this, Xi Zhicai looked towards Xun Yu… intending to ask.
Xun Yu, however, perceptively waved his hand, as if sensing what he wanted to ask, and gestured… to discuss it after the court session!
Thus, the court session ended…
The Ministry of Imperial Decrees became busy, drafting edicts for promotions and ennoblements, while… countless swift horses were already prepared, waiting to deliver the title of "Marquis of Baima" to the front line at Guandu!
Everything was in order!
Everything was proceeding as planned!
…
…
Xudu City, Situ Residence.
"Great victory? Marquis of Baima?"
Cai Zhao Ji, who was sitting in the study, heard the report from the armored soldier and was startled… and stood up abruptly.
It was rare for the Imperial Academy to have a holiday today. She had planned to sit in her study and read books with her two younger sisters-in-law, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, and chat about poetry and songs…
Who would have thought that as soon as she sat down, a Hurong Army soldier would come to deliver news, no, to be precise… to deliver a lot of news.
"Yes… Miss Cai, from now on, we dare not call young master Lu Situ anymore; we must change our address to Marquis Lu!"
Deep voices sounded one after another.
"Also, there was a great victory on the front line. Marquis Lu has made great contributions this time, and Prime Minister Cao is extremely pleased… he specifically ordered us to bring many fine silks and brocades, rare antiques and curios, for Miss Cai and young ladies Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao to enjoy!"
As he spoke…
The Hurong soldier extended his arm out the window.
Cai Zhao Ji looked curiously…
Indeed, the entire courtyard in front of the study was filled with jewelry, calligraphy, and paintings… as well as bolts of fine silk.
There was simply too much…
"What a grand gesture!" Cai Zhao Ji sighed inwardly, then… she bowed to the Hurong soldier. "Please trouble the brave soldier to tell my elder brother that… Cai Yan has received it. My brother is thoughtful."
"You are too kind, Madam…"
The Hurong soldier cupped his hands and returned the bow, then prepared to leave.
Just then…
Xiao Qiao, behind Cai Zhao Ji, suddenly thought of something.
She couldn't help but ask, "Excuse me, brave soldier? How much longer until my husband returns?"
This…
Xiao Qiao's question made Cai Zhao Ji startle… who asked like that? Moreover… where would this Hurong soldier know?
She was just about to scold her…
But then she thought, Xiao Qiao also missed her younger brother, so she couldn't blame her…
Speaking of which, Cai Zhao Ji couldn't see her brother and was suffering from longing!
But Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao couldn't see their husbands, which meant they were alone in their chambers, and how could a lonely night not be lonely?
Thinking of this, Cai Zhao Ji's mood inexplicably added a touch of melancholy.
"This, I do not know!" The Hurong soldier cupped his hands again. "Farewell…"
With that said…
He had already slowly walked out of this courtyard!
"Sister Zhao Ji, did I… say something wrong?" Xiao Qiao blushed, feeling a little guilty.
Thinking about it now, she was a bit out of line.
Husband was doing great things, how could she ask when he would return? It made her seem like she was insatiable…
The women of the Situ Residence, no, the Marquis Residence, should have proper etiquette and understand the rules.
The more she thought about it, the redder Xiao Qiao's face became…
Da Qiao gently patted Xiao Qiao's shoulder, trying to comfort her.
Cai Zhao Ji, however, smiled slightly. "I miss my brother, and Xiao Qiao misses her husband. Where is there anything wrong with that? What you asked… isn't it what we all want to ask?"
Ah…
Xiao Qiao opened her mouth, just about to speak.
— "Chief Cai… Chief Cai…"
A clear voice sounded.
Gu Ji </span> Seeing Zhuge Jun rushing over.
His head was sweating, and he exhaled white mist, appearing particularly excited.
"'Kong Ming'? What is the matter that makes you so flustered?"
Cai Zhao Ji asked…
"Papermaking, papermaking has been successful… Young Master Sabeki is truly amazing. Using Chief Lu's method, it only took three days… only three days to complete the improvement of papermaking! The paper is now white and firm, and can completely… can replace the current bamboo slips! Most importantly, the cost of this paper is extremely low!"
Zhuge Jun appeared exceptionally excited.
In fact, he had only reported half of the good news. Movable type printing was also basically completed, only lacking the final "type mold."
If it were completed, then… coupled with papermaking, Chief Lu's so-called "newspaper agency" could be established.
And as Chief Lu predicted, it might truly be possible to quickly spread sheets of paper… articles, throughout the thirteen prefectures of the Han Dynasty, to every scholar, and let every common person hear about it!
This way, it would be enough to guide public opinion.
This…
This…
The more Zhuge Jun thought about it, the more excited he became. This matter was too big, it was unprecedented.
Upon hearing this, Cai Zhao Ji's clear eyes suddenly widened.
"Really… really?"
"Quick… quickly take me there!"
Compared to the so-called newspaper agency and guiding public opinion, Cai Zhao Ji was more concerned about a small task her younger brother, Yu, had left her.
That was to send her handwritten "Memorial Denouncing Yuan Shao's Ten Crimes" to the thirteen prefectures of the Han Dynasty through the newspaper.
Now that the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan was underway…
Cai Zhao Ji felt that she couldn't help Yu'er much!
But the only task Yu'er had entrusted to her, she must complete, no matter the cost.
"'Kong Ming', lead the way…"
With this thought, Cai Zhao Ji's tone became more serious, and even more urgent.
The usually dignified her actually started to jog, appearing a bit like a "wind-like" woman!
…
…
Xudu City, outside the Canglong Gate of the Imperial Palace, the Ministry of Imperial Decrees.
The edicts of enfeoffment had been drafted.
Lu Yu – "Marquis of Baima"
Xiahou Yuan – "Marquis of Yanjin"
Guan Yu – "Marquis of Hanshou Ting"
These were three "ennobled Marquises" with fiefs and revenues.
Previously, they were called "Che Hou." During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han… due to the avoidance of Liu Che's name, a character was changed! "Che Hou" was changed to "Lie Hou"!
Later ones, like Cao Xiu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun's Marquises within the Passes, had revenues but no fiefs!
In addition to these… there were also the Dragon Cavalry Camp, Tiger Leopard Cavalry, and even the soldiers of Cao's camp!
According to the text in the previous battle report, they were all to be rewarded accordingly.
This seemed like a simple task.
But in reality, it was extremely tedious…
Xun Yu, Xun You, and Xi Zhicai carefully verified it many times before sending a eunuch to the inner court for Emperor Liu Xie to review and affix the seal.
After completing these tasks, Xun Yu stretched his arms and yawned… He was getting old, and doing such arduous work, his energy was not keeping up with his younger days.
At this moment…
Xi Zhicai seized the opportunity to pull Xun Yu and Xun You to the back hall.
His doubts had been building up for half a day, and he couldn't bear not to ask…
"Wen Ruo, Gong Da… did you not feel anything strange about Prime Minister Cao's enfeoffment today?"
Xi Zhicai said.
Strange?
Xun Yu and Xun You looked at each other and shook their heads.
"Zhi Cai? What makes you say that?"
Xi Zhicai's brows furrowed even tighter. "Guan Yu? Guan Yun Chang? Why should he be enfeoffed as an ennobled Marquis? In my opinion, enfeoffing him as a Marquis within the Passes would be good enough… His military achievements were all thanks to Situ Lu. Without Situ Lu? Could he have captured Yan Liang and killed Wen Chou? Him? What qualification does he have to receive this 'Marquis of Hanshou Ting'! Could it be… Prime Minister Cao still hasn't seen clearly? Guan Yu will not surrender to him! No matter how great the favor!"
In the past… when Guan Yu was trapped, Xi Zhicai was the first to oppose accepting Guan Yu's surrender. Now… he still held the same attitude.
Prime Minister Cao treated him well, didn't he?
A small banquet every three days, a grand banquet every five days, presenting gold when he mounted his horse and silver when he dismounted!
Now… he had merely followed Lu Yu and gained some merit? Why did he leap from being a commoner to an ennobled Marquis?
This was not the most crucial point. The most crucial point was that Xi Zhicai knew…
Prime Minister Cao had once gifted Guan Yu a set of luxurious brocade robes.
But…
Although Guan Yu outwardly wore these brocade robes, he still wore the worn-out coat gifted to him by his elder brother Liu Bei. It was said that this worn-out coat was also personally woven by Liu Bei!
Wearing such clothes was very telling…
Guan Yu would not surrender to Cao, and both Cao Cao and Lu Yu were too wishful thinking to win him over!
"You…"
Xi Zhicai saw that Xun Yu and Xun You had normal expressions, and he felt something was not right. It shouldn't be like this; such a big matter, and Wen Ruo and Gong Da were so calm?
At once… he asked in surprise, "Do you two know something? Are you hiding something from me?"
This…
Xun Yu and Xun You looked at each other again.
Xun Yu blurted out, "Zhi Cai… before, Situ Lu said a sentence to Cao Anmin, who was imprisoned. Do you know it?"
"What sentence?"
"'The black in front of you is not black; what white do you speak of?'"
Xun Yu blurted out, "Enfeoffing Guan Yu as 'Marquis of Hanshou Ting' is related to the plan of Prime Minister Cao and Situ Lu… Although Marquises within the Passes have considerable status, they are ultimately still lacking. Marquis of Hanshou Ting is just right; it is not a Marquis of Township, nor a Marquis of County, nor even a Marquis of a Kingdom, but merely the smallest 'Ting' Marquis among the ennobled Marquises. This status is just right to send him back to Liu Bei's side!"
Ah… Ah…
Hearing this, Xi Zhicai's face turned completely blank.
"Send… send Guan Yu… back to Liu Bei's place?"
He exclaimed, as if hearing something incredibly funny, and stood there stunned!
"Hahaha…"
While Xi Zhicai was stunned, Xun Yu and Xun You burst into laughter.
Clearly…
They knew some confidential information.
"You two stop playing coy. Just tell me what you know!" Xi Zhicai asked impatiently.
Xun Yu stroked his beard and decided not to hide it from his close friend and fellow countryman.
"Zhi Cai, do you know why Prime Minister Cao's spirits have been low recently? Why are his eyes always dark, as if he hasn't slept enough?"
This…
Xi Zhicai slapped his forehead. He was so smart. With Xun Yu's reminder, he immediately thought of… a large mansion not far from the Situ Residence, and inside lived two of Liu Bei's wives!
These were Liu Bei's wives, these were… these were married women!
Instantly, Xi Zhicai shivered all over!
Considering Cao Cao's unique preferences…
This… could it be…
But… but even so, why let Guan Yu go? What does this have to do with the two Madame Liu?
Could it be…
At once, Xi Zhicai had a bold guess…
"Could it be… could it be that Prime Minister Cao… he… he plans to…"
"Hush!"
Xun You covered Xi Zhicai's mouth. Walls have ears; one must be careful!
However…
Xi Zhicai's mouth was covered, but his eyes were wide open!
Good heavens, good heavens…
Old Cao was playing too wild!
Compared to the bold moves of Old Cao and Lu Yu, Xi Zhicai felt… his hometown Yingchuan was simply a rural area!
As the saying goes… city people really know how to have fun!
"Zhi Cai… be careful of eavesdropping!" Xun You also reminded him, then he put down his hand, stroked his beard, and sighed, "Actually, compared to Situ Lu's sentence, 'The black in front of you is not black; what white do you speak of?', I prefer… another eloquent sentence he said!"
"What sentence?" This time, Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai said in unison.
Xun Yu smiled slightly and answered readily, "The drunkard's intention is not in the wine, but in the mountains and rivers!"
At this moment…
A voice came from outside the door of the Ministry of Imperial Decrees.
"Gentlemen, if there is nothing else, I will go to the Prime Minister's residence first. Prime Minister Cao has something important to summon me!"
Judging by the voice, it seemed to be Zhang Zhongjing.
One must know that the Ministry of Imperial Decrees needed to have a physician on duty to prevent any sudden problems. In most cases, it was Zhang Zhongjing's disciples on duty, and occasionally… when it involved some key issues, Zhang Zhongjing would also come!
Hearing Zhang Zhongjing's words…
Xi Zhicai was the first to ask, "Is it that Prime Minister Cao's headache has recurred?"
"This, naturally, is not the case." Zhang Zhongjing waved his hand… "If it were a headache, then Senior Brother Lu should be summoned. How could they summon me?"
This…
Xi Zhicai wanted to ask again.
Xun Yu, however, waved his hand, signaling Zhang Zhongjing to go quickly!
Heh heh… He was in a fog…
Xun Yu sighed inwardly…
Prime Minister Cao's headache had not recurred, but rather… he was going to replenish his kidney!
Even a steel kidney couldn't withstand such exertion!
…
…