At this moment, the phrase "there's nothing left to reward" popped into many people's minds.
This is a very dangerous sign.
Xiao Zhixing was a prince of the highest rank, commanding an army of over 200,000 men and overseeing military affairs in the north, even holding both military and political power in the two northern prefectures.
Their power and influence were immense.
He was even more illustrious than Xiao Yuanshan was back then.
How should the court and the emperor reward such a person?
After all, such a great achievement cannot go unrewarded, otherwise people will complain that the emperor does not value meritorious officials.
The Emperor System mocked Zhao Yunqi in his mind's eye, "Didn't you want to put on an act? Your chance to prove your favor to her has come, but what will you use to prove it? Empty words won't do; you have to give her real benefits."
It couldn't help but want to rub salt in his wounds, "She has money and manpower, and her subordinates are full of talented people. You, the emperor, may not be able to compare with her. This time, she should probably be given the position of crown prince or the throne as a great reward."
Zhao Yunqi ignored it and instead responded to Bai Fengmei's words in court, "By imperial decree, Cen Heng of the Northern Prefecture Hundred Crafts Institute is promoted to the rank of Assistant Minister of Works, fourth grade."
"Xiong Chumo was promoted to Junior General, commanding 50,000 troops, and stationed in Haizhou to jointly defend Jianan Pass with Feng Lizhen."
"Huo Baijun was promoted to Junior General, jointly commanding 50,000 troops, stationed in Yangzhou, to support Xue Chen in protecting Feiyun Pass."
"Mu Wan is promoted to Junior General, and the women's army is named the Heroines' Army, to jointly defend Xining Pass with the Mu family army!"
"Yuan Sheng is hereby appointed as the Grand Governor of the Four Northern Prefectures, in charge of the military and political power of the four prefectures of Beizhou, Mengzhou, Ningzhou, and Xiazhou!"
The main hall of the Gan Sheng Palace was deathly silent; the ministers were stunned by his series of lavish rewards.
Even Bai Fengmei was stunned, her mouth agape, as if she had misheard.
*Smack*
The jade tablet fell from Li Xiao's hand. He snapped back to his senses and cried out, "Your Majesty! Please reconsider!!"
With a thud, the old man knelt down in fright, his whole body trembling.
He almost wanted to rebelliously question the emperor: "Have you gone mad? Why don't you just abdicate the throne to Xiao Zhixing?!"
With a thud, everyone knelt down and prostrated themselves.
Even Xiao Zhixing's ministers echoed his call for reconsideration.
This is terrifying! The emperor is going crazy like this. Is he so angry that he wants to use flattery to kill him?
The Emperor System emitted a sharp, piercing roar: "Zhao Yunqi!! You've gone mad!!"
"Aaaaah—you must be crazy!" It could only scream; it didn't know what other swear words to use to curse him.
The viewers in the live stream watching this scene also fell silent, and the chat seemed to have been cleared.
They were also stunned by Zhao Yunqi's sudden generous reward. Even though they already knew Xiao Zhixing's identity, seeing this scene in person still made them feel inexplicably uneasy.
Xiao Zhixing frowned slightly, quickly pondering Zhao Yunqi's deeper meaning.
Praise to death?
Or was he responding to her, or telling the world that he and Xiao Zhixing were indeed in harmony as ruler and subject? He wouldn't force her to rebel.
Or perhaps elevate her?
Even if she is forced to rebel in the future, he can say that he was forced to do so. Look how much favor I showed her back then, but she didn't appreciate it.
Or perhaps he wanted to provoke her ambition, nurture her desires, and make her cause trouble so that he could take the opportunity to eliminate her?
Those who wield power either kill, subdue, or flatter to death; they will never tolerate anyone being more powerful than themselves, especially if that person is the emperor.
Xiao Zhixing couldn't think of any other reason besides these.
Zhao Yunqi's generous reward could not have been without ulterior motives.
In the main hall of Gansheng, officials knelt and begged the emperor to rescind the imperial edict.
Zhao Yunqi sat high above, a slight smile on his face. "My beloved ministers, what are you doing? My reward is fair and just, worthy of Yuan Sheng's merits. Are you behaving so strangely because you doubt Yuan Sheng's loyalty to me and to our country?"
Everyone looked miserable and could only continue kneeling.
They have now lost their usual composure and wisdom, and are completely at a loss as to how to deal with the emperor.
Zhao Yunqi laughed and said, "Oh dear, I'm not afraid that she wants my empire, so what are you afraid of? Yuansheng is a loyal and devoted son of the country, and he is very much like me. What harm would it do if I gave her the empire?"
The ministers were truly heartbroken and wished they could rush forward and cover the emperor's mouth.
Only an emperor would dare to utter such astonishing words.
But Xiao Zhixing could not accept it.
The more he praised Xiao Zhixing, the more terrified they became, always feeling that he was preparing some big move.
If things go wrong, it could really cause a huge mess, because Xiao Zhixing is also a restless person.
This power struggle between the ruler and his minister, constantly intimidating them, is too much for them to handle.
The Emperor System cried out in despair, "What exactly do you want? You don't really intend to pass the throne to her, do you? You must be insane!"
Zhao Yunqi replied, "Don't worry, I have my own reasons. The Crown Prince will definitely be chosen after three years of strategic planning. I'm not crazy. You'll understand my intentions in the future."
The Emperor System was skeptical. "Really?"
"I am one with you, how could I lie to you?"
The Emperor System grumbled, "Fine, you have your reasons, but only a fool would do something like this, stuffing chips into the enemy's hands."
"Who is Xiao Zhixing? Once power is in her hands, no one can get it back. How are you going to handle this in the future? Even if we choose a crown prince, how can we let him compete with her?"
Zhao Yunqi said, "I have already considered all of these things, you don't need to ask any more questions."
The Emperor System was so angry it almost went berserk.
Outside.
The ministers knelt there, insisting that he retract his imperial decree.
Zhao Yunqi declared arbitrarily for the first time, “My mind is made up. You ministers need not try to persuade me any further. I also believe that Yuansheng can manage the northern region well and guard the northern gate for Dasheng.”
Li Xiao, with snot and tears streaming down his face, wailed, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please retract your decree!!"
Zhao Yunqi stood up abruptly, "Court adjourned!"
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