Zhu Youxiao was also puzzled by this. Aren't there dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons? Earls and marquises were not easy to become, so what about viscounts and barons? Why didn't anyone get them? Did some ancestor abolish the viscount and baron titles?

If you don't understand, just ask. There are many officials who study classics and regulations. Sure enough, the answer was found, which made Zhu Youxiao very satisfied.

It turns out that the Ming Dynasty did not have any official edict or document to abolish the titles of viscount and baron, but no one had conferred these two titles since Hongwu.

After the Jingnan Campaign, Emperor Yongle felt that it was not a good idea to confer titles of hereditary dukes and marquises like Emperor Taizu had done, so most of the "hereditary heroes of the Jingnan Campaign" were hereditary earls, and there were also a group of marquises and earls who could not be hereditary.

At the same time, Emperor Yongle promoted the rank of earl to the first rank or above, which made the status of the heroes who participated in the Jingnan Rebellion different from ordinary people.

However, because the viscounts and barons had too low treatment and rank and lacked the value of a respected status, they gradually disappeared naturally in the long river of history.

Perhaps this is the conclusion, but for Zhu Youxiao, it is not important. As long as there are no rules and books to constrain him, the reform is not called reform, and the rules can be established from him.

Of course, Zhu Youxiao wanted to establish good rules and incentive mechanisms. Unlike the carpenter emperors in history, Wei Zhongxian's nephew Wei Liangqing had no merits but was simply given the title of Suning Earl.

This was nothing. A few months later, the imperial court completed the construction of the three palaces, and Wei Liangqing was promoted to Duke of Ning. You should know that among the heroes who fought alongside Taizu to conquer the country, only six were granted the title of Duke.

The following year, Wei Liangqing was awarded the title of Grand Tutor for his victory at Ningyuan. Grand Tutor, the highest of the Three Dukes, was the highest honor bestowed upon an official. From the founding to the fall of the Ming Dynasty, no more than twenty people were awarded this title.

Just because he had a kind uncle who wasn't a man, Wei Liangqing's promotion was like riding a rocket. Damn, you're more awesome than the "Xinjian Earl" Wang Yangming and the Prince Taibao Qi?

He didn't confer titles on those who should have, and conferred titles on those who shouldn't have. Such an emperor and such a court chilled the hearts of civil and military officials, and their demise was only God's will.

However, the bestowal of titles must not be done indiscriminately, the privileges of the nobility must be limited, and the chronic problem of abusing power to break the law must be eradicated. Immunity from death or punishment is unacceptable.

As for fiefdoms, that should be possible, but not within the territory of the Ming Dynasty. The world is so big, it would be great if everyone could go out and claim their own territory.

Of course, conferring titles cannot be done hastily, and Zhu Youxiao is still in the process of perfecting it. But this does not affect his reward for meritorious officials. If you want a horse to run fast, you must feed it grass. This principle is very simple.

…………………………

Three of the four guards have been emptied, and the slaves along the coast, covering more than 400 miles, have all abandoned them and dared not occupy them. Only a thousand captives remain...

This connected Denglai, Lushun, Pidao, Shicheng, Kuan'ai and other places into an arc, forming a barrier that continued to advance forward for the Later Jin, and forming a tighter and more oppressive encirclement. The Liaodong war had entered the strategic offensive stage.

At such a critical time, it is understandable that the Liaodong generals were rewarded.

"Your humble servant bows to thank God for His grace. Long live the Lord, long live the Lord, long, long live the Lord!"

Mao Wenlong kowtowed to express his gratitude, and took the golden command arrow and flying fish robe bestowed by the emperor, as well as the imperial edict promoting him to the left general, in both hands.

The flying fish-like python also has two horns. The so-called flying fish pattern is a python pattern with fins and a tail added for a subtle twist, not a true flying fish. Only granted by the emperor could it be worn, and it was second only to the python robe in terms of bestowal during the Ming Dynasty.

As for the flying fish robes worn by the Jinyiwei officials, they were merely clothes decorated with flying fish patterns, not robes bestowed by the emperor to show his grace.

As for the next stage of combat, the emperor has already explained it in the secret decree. Mao Wenlong and others have already discussed and studied it and formulated a corresponding combat plan.

Generally speaking, it is connected with southern Liaoning. Southern Liaoning has stable bases such as Lushun and Jinzhou, and the Dongjiang headquarters has also established a solid defense in Zhenjiang and its surrounding areas.

The Jiannu's retreat made it easier for the Dongjiang Town to achieve the emperor's strategic deployment. Moreover, the Liao Town's oppression of the Later Jin's ruling centers of Liaoyang and Shenyang made it even more difficult for the Jiannu to mobilize heavy troops.

Jianzhou will also be the main target of Dongjiang Town. To this end, two brigades from Deng Town and one from Jin Town will join the battle sequence of Dongjiang headquarters, allowing Dongjiang Town to draw its main force to strike hard at the two flags of Jiannu in Jianzhou.

Mao Wenlong stood up, the imperial envoy offered his congratulations, and the generals also came forward to congratulate him, which further enhanced the festive atmosphere.

On the road to becoming a marquis, I have taken another big step forward!

Mao Wenlong smiled happily, chatted and laughed with the generals, and ordered a banquet to entertain the imperial envoy.

Given the emperor's current support, he was even confident that he could destroy the Jiannu with just the Dongjiang Town. Of course, it would take longer.

Mao Wenlong also knew that the emperor was very anxious. Although he did not urge war on the surface, the logistical supply was constantly being strengthened and the strategic deployment was also clear.

Strategic counterattack. Based on the Ming army's current equipment and replenishment speed, as well as the training cycle of old and new, if they continue to operate for more than half a year or less, the Jiannu will be exhausted to death, right?

What's more, the Jiannu's food and material reserves will run out by this winter at the latest, and signs of a major famine are already emerging.

Mao Wenlong was very clear about this information and agreed with the emperor's battle plan.

First, they launched continuous harassment and attacks, gradually consuming the Jiannu army like sticky candy, and gradually advancing to form a more favorable combat situation; finally, they launched a large-scale attack, engaging in one, two or several battles, and completely established the victory in Liaodong.

The so-called victory was either to cripple the Jiannu army and force them to flee north to a more desolate and cold place; or to turn them into scattered guerrillas and have them wander around.

To put it bluntly, the Jiannu no longer posed a threat. Under the raids of the Ming army, they could only survive and wait for their final demise.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!