The next day.

Some people were filled with unease at today's morning court session, especially the newly risen nobles.

They were all a little flustered, after all, this was their first time meeting the emperor since they had reached this position.

Although it existed before, the feeling is different now.

Back then, their official rank was low; now that they've risen in rank, their feelings upon seeing the Emperor are entirely different. Moreover, they were promoted by the Prince of Xiaoyao, so...

"His Majesty has arrived!" came the eunuch's booming voice.

The officials in the Golden Palace immediately knelt down, chanting loudly, "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Li Qiji, dressed in a dragon robe, sat calmly on the dragon throne, raised his right hand and waved it, saying directly, "My beloved ministers, rise!"

The officials all said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Then they all stood up, each one like a quail, not daring to look directly at the emperor's face.

Hua Quan walked to the front of the hall and announced loudly, "If you have something to say, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn!"

The officials looked at each other, none of them had anything to report!

After looking around and finding no one, Su Xu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty,"

Last year, when the Japanese attacked our border, during the time when His Majesty personally led the expedition...

The imperial city also experienced a palace coup, with concubines in the harem joining forces with court officials to launch it.

"The officials involved, as well as the concubines in the harem, have all been imprisoned and are awaiting the Emperor's judgment."

Li Qiji waved his hand, "Since they are all traitors, let's execute them after the autumn harvest!"

"I'm sure all of you ministers have heard about this matter."

"In that case, let's investigate and prosecute according to the case tried by Prince Xiaoyao and others!"

"My newly promoted ministers, I hope that you will all be conscientious in your duties and strive to do your best!"

"I am a wise ruler who clearly distinguishes between rewards and punishments."

Now that the rebels have been executed in the autumn, all the officials who led this expedition will be rewarded.

"Where are the Seventh Imperial Uncle and the Carefree Prince?"

Li An and Li Qishang stepped forward, both clasping their hands in greeting and saying, "Your Majesty, we are here."

"Seventh Imperial Uncle, your contributions in the campaign against Japan are undeniable, but the fact that you were not allowed to return to the capital without being summoned cancels out your merits and demerits."

He was also granted the title of Prince Rong and a mansion in the suburbs of the capital.

"Does the Seventh Prince have any complaints?" Li Qiji asked, looking at Li An who was standing there.

This position was the result of his discussion with his mother, as he also hoped that his mother could find happiness with her lover.

Upon hearing this reward, what did Li An not know?

He immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have no complaints and thank you for your great kindness!"

Li Qiji nodded. "After court, hurry up and repair the mansion, and move out as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Your Highness, I am very pleased to see you grow up."

If it weren't for you guarding the court from the rear, I think I would have been completely overwhelmed on the front lines.

The title of Prince Xiaoyao was conferred upon him as a first-rank prince, and he was granted a mansion in the capital.

Li Qishang was somewhat shocked to hear that he had been promoted again, but he was still very happy. He quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor!"

"You, you've lived in the palace for so many years now."

"It's time for you to leave the palace and establish your own residence. Let's do it this time; it will fulfill your wish."

Li Qishang took a deep breath and repeatedly thanked him, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!"

The officials below stared wide-eyed. Good heavens! Wasn't this reward from the Emperor far too extravagant? This was a prince, a duke! This…

But no one dared to say anything more!

After all, they are all members of the royal family.

"Marquis Ping Le, General Guan, Junior General Guan, and General Chen, step forward and receive my command!" Li Qiji stood up from the dragon throne, and the three of them quickly stepped out from the ranks upon hearing this.

"Your subordinate is here," the three said in unison.

Li Qiji looked at the three people below him and slowly said, "The Marquis of Pingle has followed me through countless life-and-death situations, slaying enemies time and again..."

Only by protecting me behind you can I escape death.

The Marquis of Ping Le was promoted to the rank of First-Rank Duke of Zhenguo, a hereditary title.

These words caused an uproar. My God!

Guan Hongsheng was somewhat dazed, and it was only after his son reminded him that he quickly knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"

The Emperor really values ​​the Guan family!

Aren't you afraid that the Guan family's achievements will overshadow your authority?

That won't do!

Just as the courtiers were chattering away, Li Qiji announced another extremely important official position.

"Where are General Guan and Junior General Guan?" Li Qiji asked loudly.

Guan Chengzhuo and Guan Chengheng quickly stepped forward and knelt down. Li Qiji smiled and said, "Generals, you are both young and promising."

They're comparable to me back in the day. I also started out like those two generals.

The two generals also made significant contributions in this battle.

"General Guan is hereby granted the hereditary title of Duke of Zhenguo, and General Guan is hereby honored as Marquis of Wu'an."

Li Qiji's words left everyone present dumbfounded. Was the Guan family really going to take things too far?

Isn't that a bit too exaggerated?

Is the Guan family about to stand shoulder to shoulder with the sun?

The Guan brothers hadn't even had a chance to express their gratitude!

Then an old voice rang out, "Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

When the ministers saw that the remonstrating officials had all knelt down, they also loudly urged the emperor to reconsider.

Li Qiji stood with his hands on his hips, looking at the kneeling crowd below the stage.

He said in a cold tone, "My beloved ministers, come and tell me, what is your plan for careful consideration?"

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhenguo's family is now a powerful and influential family in the capital. Isn't this making people think that Your Majesty is spoiling the Empress?"

"The eldest daughter of the Guan family is already an empress, whose status is beyond measure. Not to mention that the empress's father has become the Duke of Zhenguo..."

That's to be expected. Even if hereditary succession is allowed, it's certainly normal for a son to inherit his father's title.

"But you've made the second son of the Guan family the Marquis of Wu'an. Doesn't that make the whole family incredibly wealthy and powerful?" The old man looked worried.

"Your Majesty, your achievements are too great and threaten the throne!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, your merits are too great and threaten the throne?"

Li Qiji was furious. He took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, put his hands firmly on his hips, and circled around the stage.

He then burst into a tirade of curses: "To hell with his power and influence! His daughter is my Empress, and she's carrying my child in her belly!"

"The chair I'm sitting on belongs to my son and his grandson, what right does he have to be a master? What great merit does he have?"

Li Qiji, with his rebellious nature, was truly swayed by these censors.

He was so angry that he started speaking recklessly in court, giving the impression of a shrew cursing in the street.

The officials, their eyes blinking as they were being scolded;

Looking back, it seems that's indeed the case!

The harem now only has Guan's daughter left. Wouldn't the child she gives birth to be the next monarch?

A hundred years from now, the empire could be considered half of the Guan family's territory. This interpretation seems to make sense!

Instantly, they all cowered like quails, afraid to speak, lest they be rebuked! Or lose their lives!

Seeing that everyone was silent, Li Qiji looked at the two Guan brothers and said, "What? Do General Guan and Young General Guan have any objections to my bestowal of titles?"

Upon hearing this, the Guan brothers exclaimed, "Good heavens! We dare not!" They immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, we thank you for your great favor!"

Li Qiji waved his hand in satisfaction upon hearing this, and then said to Chen Jianjun, "General Chen, step forward and receive my orders."

"Your subordinate is here."

"I have witnessed General Chen's guarding of the border. This time, in the fight against the Japanese..."

General Chen fought desperately, and thus was promoted to the rank of Second-Rank General.

They can proceed to Guantao County immediately to continue guarding the border.

Chen Jianjun was beaming with excitement. This was a second-rank official position! He used to be a fifth-rank official, but now he was the head of the naval battalion in Guantao County. He truly deserved the title.

"Your subject obeys the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!" Chen Jianjun smiled broadly, his eyes practically disappearing behind his teeth.

"All officers who participated in this battle will be promoted one rank."

Each fallen soldier received a pension of fifty taels of silver.

"Make sure they are distributed to your relatives' homes. I will conduct random checks, and anyone who dares to embezzle any will be executed immediately."

The officials bowed in unison and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, we obey!"

Li Qiji then looked at Su Xu and the other ministers;

He said very generously, "Except for the newly promoted ministers, the salaries of all other ministers will be increased by one level, with a stipend of 1 bushel of rice."

The veteran officials were overjoyed, their faces beaming with smiles. They never expected to make a profit today!

"Yes, thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"

The entire court was filled with laughter and cheers. Seeing that nothing was wrong, Li Qiji announced the end of the court session and went to attend to his own business.