Xuanyuan Zhan was very satisfied to see these ministers gradually being tamed.
Today's rewards are truly numerous; this is just the beginning.
Zong Jiu read out one imperial edict after another.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Pei Luo, the sect leader of Hundred Flowers Valley, is unparalleled in both medicine and martial arts, and possesses a benevolent heart and virtuous character. He is the Empress's teacher and has saved the Emperor and Empress from danger on numerous occasions. He is hereby appointed as the Imperial Preceptor. Master Daoyi, the abbot of White Dragon Temple, is compassionate and merciful. He is the Emperor's teacher and has taught the Emperor martial arts and broad knowledge since childhood. The Emperor has benefited from his teachings throughout his life. He is hereby appointed as the Imperial Tutor. You Yi, the deputy sect leader of Hundred Flowers Valley, is skilled in dispelling poison and possesses a benevolent heart and skillful hands. He is the Crown Prince's teacher and has saved the Empress and the late Emperor. He is hereby appointed as the Grand Tutor."
Pei Luo, Dao Yi, and You Yi were all somewhat bewildered after hearing the imperial edict.
Unexpectedly, Xuanyuan Zhan even prepared an imperial edict for them.
Zong Jiu descended the jade steps and handed the imperial edict to Pei Luo and the others: "Congratulations to the three masters!"
It must be said that the Emperor's three bestowals were brilliant: one as the Imperial Preceptor, one as the Imperial Tutor, and one as the Grand Tutor. No one was at a disadvantage; the Emperor's favor was distributed equally among all.
Pei Luo and Dao Yi exchanged a glance, quite satisfied with the titles Xuan Yuanzhan had bestowed upon them.
You Yi was also very satisfied. He raised the imperial edict in his hand and asked Xuan Yuanzhan, "I am now the Grand Tutor, and Xiao Bao is the Crown Prince. Does that mean I am Xiao Bao's master?"
Xuanyuan Zhan and Su Xuening exchanged a smile: "We both acknowledge you as Xiaobao's master. As for whether Xiaobao will acknowledge you in the future..."
"Ahem!" Before the two could finish speaking, You Yi coughed loudly and glared at them reproachfully: "Xiao Bao will definitely recognize me, after all, I am the Grand Tutor!"
Everyone burst into laughter at Youyi's antics.
Youyi had originally planned to return to Hundred Flowers Valley once things were settled here, but now it seems he won't be able to leave.
The officials were all somewhat envious of Pei Luo and his group.
These are all the Emperor and Empress's teachers. They must have helped the Emperor and Empress a lot before, especially the Divine Physician Luo, who once entered the palace to save the Empress. The Divine Physician You also helped the Empress and the late Emperor to get rid of the curse. And then there is Master Daoyi. Who would have thought that Master Daoyi was actually the Emperor's teacher? No wonder the Emperor used to love going to Bailong Temple.
These individuals all received titles and honors. Whether they were the Imperial Preceptor, the Imperial Tutor, or the Grand Tutor, each held a high-ranking official position, all of them being first-rank officials. This was a level that most people could only achieve in a lifetime, or even several lifetimes, yet these individuals attained it with ease.
However, these individuals were all teachers of the Emperor and Empress, and the rewards they received were something that they could not possibly be envious of.
The bestowal of rewards continues.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Su Yun'an, son of the Marquis of Yong'an, is young yet exceptionally loyal and brave, displaying the same qualities as his father. He is hereby granted the title of Prince of Loyalty and Righteousness, and the Marquis of Yong'an's residence is hereby renamed the Prince of Loyalty and Righteousness's residence. The title is to be hereditary and perpetual. He is also bestowed with ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand bolts of silk, and a hundred acres of fertile land..."
Su Yun'an was surprised that his brother-in-law had bestowed upon him a kingship, and he quickly accepted the decree with a smile: "Your subject accepts the decree and thanks you, brother-in-law."
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"
The officials immediately offered their congratulations in unison.
They couldn't even dream of having him. He was the Empress's younger brother, the Emperor's brother-in-law, and the Empress of Western Liang's own son. How could they dare to object to such a status?
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Marquis Dingping, Mu Lingchen, has helped me in my time of crisis, and our bond is as strong as that of brothers. He is hereby granted the title of Prince Dingping, and is bestowed with the Prince Dingping's Mansion, ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand bolts of silk, and a hundred acres of fertile land..."
When Zong Jiu handed the imperial edict to Mu Lingchen, Mu Lingchen was still somewhat bewildered.
Xuanyuan Zhan looked at him and laughed, "What? You're not satisfied with being made a prince? Then tell me what you want?"
Mu Lingchen snapped out of his daze and quickly said, "Your Majesty has already shown me immense kindness by exonerating my father."
He knew he would be rewarded, but he really didn't expect him to be made a king directly.
Xuanyuan Zhan was amused by him: "I wouldn't dare, why don't you accept the imperial decree and express your gratitude?"
Mu Lingchen was overjoyed and immediately bowed his head, saying, "Your subject accepts the decree and thanks you!"
Mu Lingchen held the imperial edict and kowtowed several times to Xuan Yuanzhan.
Xuanyuan Zhan looked helpless. If he weren't sitting on the dragon throne, he would have helped him up.
There's no need for them to be so polite!
"Congratulations, Prince Dingping! May Your Highness live a thousand years!"
Well, they can't even envy that.
The Emperor himself said that this man was like a brother to him, even closer than blood brothers, so how could they dare to envy him?
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Crown Prince Xuanyuan Duo is hereby granted the title of Prince of Li, the Holy King's Mansion is hereby renamed the Prince of Li's Mansion, and the Prince of Li is hereby bestowed with ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand bolts of silk, and a hundred acres of fertile land..."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor!" Xuanyuan Duo hurriedly reached out to receive the imperial decree and kowtowed in gratitude.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: General Ling Lang, loyal to the nation and valiant in his resistance against the Northern Rong, is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Zhenbei, and is ordered to command the Zhenbei Army to continue guarding the northern frontier for me. He is bestowed with ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand bolts of silk, and a hundred acres of fertile land..."
Ling Lang immediately accepted the imperial edict and kowtowed to Xuan Yuanzhan: "Your subject accepts the edict and thanks you!"
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: General Bai Ying of the Northern City Army has rendered meritorious service in resisting the Northern Rong and has also contributed to the founding of the dynasty. He is hereby appointed General Who Conquers the West, and is granted ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand bolts of silk, and a hundred acres of fertile land..."
Bai Ying immediately accepted the imperial decree and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject accepts the decree and thanks you!"
The bestowal of titles and honors continued, with Emperor Zongjiu reading out one imperial edict after another.
Those who fought alongside Xuanyuan Zhan before were almost all rewarded, from top to bottom.
Besides Ling Lang being enfeoffed as a marquis and Bai Ying being appointed as the General Who Conquers the West, the commanders of the three armies, General Cao Qi of the Capital Reserve Army, Deputy General Liu, the three generals of the Su family army, and even the bandit leaders who had fought alongside Xuan Yuanzhan before, Zhang Debiao, Li Yuanbao, and Qian Ergou, all received rewards, ranging from generals to lieutenant generals and deputy generals. In short, no one was left out.
Even Xie Dongfang, who was far away in Xiangnan, was rewarded by Xuanyuan Zhan with an imperial edict.
Knowing that he disliked official positions, Xuanyuan Zhan specially arranged for him to become a counselor in the Ministry of Works, a second-rank official. He did not need to attend court; he only needed to study grains in the fields and submit a memorial every six months or a year to report on his research results.
Xuanyuan Zhan's thoughtfulness pleased those who had fought alongside him, making them feel that they had made the right choice in following him.
In short, everyone was happy.
Perhaps because today is the day the new emperor ascends the throne, apart from the bestowals, the emperor did not specifically punish anyone.
However, the late emperor had already dealt with most of the cases that needed to be punished or sentenced.
The late emperor was quite shrewd; he handled the punishments himself, leaving the rewards to the new emperor. This was, in a way, helping the late emperor win over the hearts of the people.
It must be said that the late emperor was prescient. With the emperor's recent bestowal of titles and honors, countless people from all walks of life will be devoted to him from now on.
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