Chapter 490 Medals, Wei Shuyu Speaks for Qin Qiong

"You bastard!"

"Who gave you permission to eavesdrop outside?"

"Where are the guards? Don't they know to stop him?"

Li Shimin was furious.

While I was discussing matters here, the guards at the gate were neglecting their duties.

This crime is enough to get them executed.

"Your Majesty, it has nothing to do with them..."

Wei Shuyu bowed and said, "It is because of my good hearing that I heard Your Majesty's holy voice from afar."

snort.

Li Shimin snorted coldly.

Xiao Wei refused to serve as a subject.

First, he leaked the imperial edict, then he eavesdropped on the court officials' discussions.

What a waste of my five hundred bolts of silk! Why did I give them to Little Wei?

If he makes a mistake, wouldn't he be able to get away with it legitimately?

I've made up my mind.

From now on, any gifts bestowed upon the Wei family must be delayed for a few days.

Who knows, if either Wei or Wei makes a mistake, I'll... save money!

"Get in here now."

"Would I want to stand at the door and become a laughing stock?"

Seeing that Li Shimin remained silent, Wei Zheng immediately stepped in to smooth things over for his son...

Wei Shuyu looked up and glanced at Li Shimin.

Seeing that Li Shimin did not object, he tentatively took a step in.

What did you just say?

Li Shimin then asked, "What honor?"

"His Majesty……"

Wei Shuyu bowed first before continuing, "Before speaking of glory, Your Majesty, please listen to a story I have to tell you."

"Spit it out if you have something to say!" Li Shimin said unhappily.

"One day, when I went to find Xiao Shandao, I happened to see a disabled old soldier with a missing arm and a scar on his face next to the Qin residence..."

He was telling a child about his glorious deeds.

He said…

"He has fought Song Jingang, Dou Jiande, and Liu Heita."

"Does Your Majesty know how the child responded?"

“Of course we regard him as a hero!” Li Shimin replied affirmatively.

"No……"

Wei Shuyu shook his head: "The child took off running, but tripped and fell."

"The disabled veteran tried to help the child, but the child was so frightened that he burst into tears."

Li Shimin's face darkened.

However, she stubbornly explained, "It's understandable that children are afraid of this."

"Does Your Majesty think this is the end of it?"

Wei Shuyu shook his head helplessly: "The baby's cries attracted his parents."

"His parents showed disgust and disdain when they saw the disabled veteran..."

"Not only did they humiliate the veteran by saying he was disabled, but they even blamed the veteran for the child falling down!"

"They claimed that veterans beat their children."

"You bastard!"

Li Shimin was furious.

Just as Wei Shuyu was satisfied with Li Shimin's performance...

Li Shimin suddenly snapped at him angrily, "So you just stood by and watched, without even trying to help?"

Well……

Wei Shuyu was stunned.

I was telling a story, why are you getting so angry?

Turning my head...

But he found that Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong were also staring at him with angry eyes.

Damn it... Getting anything done is so tiring!

"Your Majesty, I know you will definitely stop me if you see this..."

"But what about those you haven't seen?"

"The Tang Dynasty was at war for years, and the number of disabled soldiers was in the tens of millions."

"Does Your Majesty think that this is the only instance of a disabled veteran being ridiculed?"

Upon hearing this...

Li Shimin's expression immediately turned serious.

As an emperor who rose from the ashes, he cared for his soldiers more than anyone else.

"Go on!"

Li Shimin said urgently.

He knew that since Xiao Wei had brought it up, he must have already come up with a solution.

"The reason why disabled veterans are ridiculed is mainly because their contributions are unknown!"

Wei Shuyu continued, "The people don't know that the reason they can live in peace is because these disabled soldiers are carrying the burden for the front lines!"

"I believe..."

"The imperial court should bestow upon the soldiers the honor they deserve!"

Li Shimin's face showed slight dissatisfaction.

He had every reason to suspect that Wei Shuyu was subtly criticizing him for not giving him enough rewards.

"How shall it be bestowed?"

"The military merit system of the Tang Dynasty is very comprehensive, and I have not shortchanged you in any way in terms of the rewards you deserve!"

Li Shimin understood the importance of the army better than anyone else.

Therefore, there is absolutely nothing to criticize regarding their treatment of soldiers.

"I am not speaking of rewards, but of honor!"

"A testament to their participation in the battle!"

Um?

These words immediately caught the attention of the group.

"How shall this honor be bestowed?" Li Shimin asked solemnly.

"Well..."

Wei Shuyu thought for a moment.

Then he took out a copper coin and placed it in front of his chest.

"An item about the size of a copper coin could be issued, to be worn around the neck..."

"I will temporarily name it the Medal!"

"A medal can be awarded for every major battle or for every great achievement!"

"Your Majesty, please don't underestimate this medal..."

"It seems like just an insignificant little thing."

"But it perfectly showcases a soldier's contribution to the Tang Dynasty!"

Um?

Li Shimin's eyes lit up.

He could naturally understand the meaning behind the medal.

It not only showcases the bravery of the soldiers, but also serves to unite the morale of the army.

Soldiers will be even more dedicated for the sake of honor.

"What do you think of Shuyu's suggestion, my dear ministers?" Li Shimin asked.

"Your subject agrees!"

Yuchi Gong was the first to agree.

This was beneficial to the soldiers, so he naturally had no objections.

“I agree as well,” Wei Zheng quickly echoed.

"Your Majesty, I agree as well!"

Cheng Yaojin quickly spoke up, but soon changed his tone: "However, this matter still needs to be discussed in the imperial court. Let's talk about Shubao now."

Wei Shuyu was taken aback.

As a soldier, he wanted to secure some benefits for the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty.

I almost forgot about the important matter.

"His Majesty."

Wei Shuyu immediately bowed and said, "Your subject also believes that Uncle Qin's merits are worthy of being listed among the twenty-four meritorious officials in the Lingyan Pavilion!"

"My mind is made up on this matter; there is no need for further discussion."

Li Shimin waved his hand and decisively rejected Wei Shuyu's words.

"Your Majesty, this matter must be discussed!"

Wei Shuyu said firmly, "The twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion represent the highest honor for the subjects of the Tang Dynasty."

"May I ask... who is braver and fiercer than Uncle Qin?"

You stinky little Wei.

Are you trying to mess with me again?

Li Shimin gritted his teeth.

"Who said there aren't any? Aren't you one?"

Li Shimin said sarcastically, "Didn't you defeat Shubao?"

"Your Majesty, this isn't very interesting..."

Wei Shuyu rolled his eyes: "That was all at Uncle Qin's behest."

"Following your logic, I could also beat Uncle Cheng to a pulp."

Turning his head, Wei Shuyu looked at Cheng Yaojin: "Right, Uncle Cheng?"

Go to hell.

Cheng Yaojin's eyes widened.

But he also knew that Wei Shuyu was doing it for Qin Qiong's own good.

"Yes, Your Majesty..."

"I'm too old now, I can't beat Shuyu anymore."

Cheng Yaojin nodded expressionlessly.

"You bastard."

Li Shimin was furious: "You two dare to play tricks on me?"

"His Majesty!"

Wei Shuyu suddenly said solemnly, "I have only one question to ask..."

"Among the twenty-four meritorious generals of Lingyan Pavilion, who is more fierce and daring to kill than Uncle Qin!"

Li Shimin remained silent.

Qin Qiong's reputation as the number one war god is no exaggeration.

Even Yuchi Gong was completely defeated by Qin Qiong; there really is no one who can compare to him.

"Being fierce is useless!"

Li Shimin still shook his head in opposition: "Considering all his contributions, Shubao is still slightly inferior to the others!"

"No!"

Wei Shuyu shook his head: "I think it's quite the opposite."

"In my opinion, the symbolic significance of Uncle Qin is beyond what merit can be compared to!"

"What do you mean?" Li Shimin asked, puzzled.

"Uncle Qin has a high reputation in the army because he dares to fight and charge!"

"He represents courage and fierceness!"

"He is a representative military general of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Let me give you an example..."

"In ancient times, Xiang Yu represented hegemony."

"Lu Bu represents invincibility."

"Zhao Zilong represents courage."

"Guan Yu represents loyalty and righteousness."

"Uncle Qin is destined to be remembered in history..."

"Such a person is not on the list, yet the list of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion..."

"It may not be recognized by the world!"