Fang Xuanling's job was to fill in the gaps and make up for Li Er's shortcomings. In addition, the consistent policy since the Zhenguan era was to reduce the number of noble titles and cut unnecessary expenses.

Therefore, he had ample reason to confront Li Er and even persuade him to relinquish the title.

"Your Majesty, I would like to ask who Li Dechong is, whom you just mentioned in your imperial edict?"

"And what about Li Zhong, whom you just mentioned? What merits did he make that earned him the posthumous title of County Baron of the Tang Dynasty?"

"And it's in Xianyang, the capital region..."

Li Shimin had long anticipated Fang Xuanling's arrival, and thus had prepared a pre-arranged reason.

"I only recently remembered that when I was fighting against Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong in my early years, I was once trapped by enemy troops. A man named Li Zhong led his troops to break through the encirclement and rescued me from the enemy army."

"Oh oh oh..."

"Although I was rescued, he was hacked to death by the enemy!"

"Oh oh oh..."

"I was too busy with state affairs back then and forgot to bestow titles upon this person. Only recently did I suddenly remember, and so..."

"Oh oh oh..."

No matter what Li Shimin said, Fang Xuanling would just say "oh" instead. He finally understood that His Majesty was treating him like a fool!

Back when they were fighting against Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande, he was the military advisor, specifically responsible for recording military achievements!

If there is such a person as Li Zhong, how could he have no recollection of him at all!

"Your Majesty, our dynasty's consistent policy is to tighten the issuance of titles of nobility; there is no reason for them to be issued indiscriminately."

"Therefore, Your Majesty, I humbly request that you rescind your decree and refrain from fabricating stories for unrelated individuals..."

"Compile?"

"You dare question me, Fang Xuanling!"

"I'm going to seal it off, and I don't believe you can interfere!"

Fang Xuanling didn't have Wei Zheng's courage to speak frankly and offer advice; he immediately cowered when he saw Li Shimin get angry.

"If Your Majesty insists on bestowing rewards, I naturally dare not object. However, as an official of the Secretariat, I have the right and the obligation to offer advice!"

Li Shimin waved his sleeve in displeasure upon hearing this.

"alright!"

"Now that you have finished your advice, hurry up and draft the imperial edict, and then submit it to the Secretariat for review and stamping!"

"oh oh……"

Fang Xuanling returned to the Secretariat dejectedly, now deeply missing the stubborn old man Wei Zheng. If Wei Zheng were still alive, he certainly wouldn't have allowed His Majesty to issue titles so indiscriminately.

"Colleagues, His Majesty says this man is an old friend who followed him in the campaign against Dou Jiande in his early years. You should quickly draft the document of bestowal of honors..."

The people in the Secretariat were stunned when they heard this. It had been more than 20 years since His Majesty's campaign against Dou Jiande, and now he was only now thinking of rewarding those who had made contributions back then.

However, since the big boss has spoken, these small fry have no choice but to obey.

Before long, a beautifully crafted imperial edict was drafted.

Thanks to Li Shimin's deliberate efforts, what usually took three to five days to complete was stamped and promulgated in less than two hours this time.

Li Jue was awakened by the sound of gongs and drums outside the door. He was just about to scold someone for being so inconsiderate, making a scene at someone's door so early in the morning, when he saw Pan Hu running in excitedly.

"Young Master, someone from the imperial court has arrived, saying they have an imperial decree from you!"

"What?"

Upon hearing the words "imperial edict," Li Jue was terrified.

I've spent my whole life trying to avoid the royal family, so why did I end up going against them?

"Run!"

"They must be here to arrest us!"

Upon hearing this, Pan Hu immediately remembered his young master's true identity. His young master was the eldest grandson of the royal family who had been demoted to a commoner!

"Young master, run out the back door quickly! This old servant will hold off the enemy in front!"

"no!"

"If we're going to run, we'll run together. I'll never abandon you!"

"Young Master!"

"Uncle Tiger!"

Just as the two were arguing about who should run first, the door was pushed open from the outside.

Li Shimin entered the room and looked with a smile at the master and servant who were terrified like startled birds.

"The imperial court is offering rewards, why are you two running away!"

"Old Li, don't tell anyone you did this!"

"Ha ha!"

"This matter is indeed related to me!"

"To be honest, I had a son in my younger years who died fighting for the Tang Dynasty. He originally had a title, but since he died without an heir, the title remains vacant."

"Now that I see you're such a clever little boy, I'd like to take you in as my adopted grandson so you can inherit my poor son's title. I wonder if you'd be willing?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue's eyes lit up. The conditions offered by Li Weng were practically tailor-made for him!

"Grandson greets grandfather!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin burst into laughter.

"You little rascal, you really don't act until you see the benefit, hahaha!"

"I told you long ago that I wouldn't treat you unfairly, and now you've gotten a title for free. That's enough to make up for the fact that you call me 'Grandpa'!"

Li Jue happily knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times to Li Dechong.

"Grandfather, please accept my bow!"

"Don't worry, Grandpa, your grandson will definitely take care of you from now on, support you in your old age, and see you off in your final days!"

Li Shimin didn't believe this guy's empty promises and pointed to the path outside the door.

"Go and accept your reward!"

"well!"

Before long, Li Jue returned with a smile, but this time he not only had an imperial edict officially conferring upon him the title of Baron of Xianyang County, but also a set of official robes tailored to his exact size.

"So I'm an official now?"

Seeing Li Jue happily circling around the government office, Li Shimin patiently explained to him.

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