"Hahahaha, stop joking around, stop joking around. I just thought it was a coincidence, didn't I? Imperial Son-in-Law... Hahaha, I really want to see Zhao Cheng drive the carriage for you!"
Yuan Xiu walked behind the door, turned around, and smiled, "I have made a decision. I will appoint Zhao Cheng as the General Who Wins the Battle."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions returned to normal.
The victorious general, a fifth-rank official.
Although he was only promoted to the first rank, it's not shameful for a fifth-rank general to become a prince consort.
However, everyone still felt that Yuan Xiu's reward was a bit stingy. According to their calculations, Zhao Cheng's merits in eliminating spies three times, plus the added benefit of being the consort of the eldest princess, should at least earn him a fourth-rank official position.
Clearly, Yuan Xiu's arrangement for Zhao Cheng was not based on normal thinking.
What do you guys think?
"I think it's appropriate."
"I second that proposal."
"I second that..."
"Then it's decided." Yuan Xiu paced back and forth in the room, saying, "News from Shuotong City says that Zhao Cheng's great victory this time is largely due to a martial arts figure named Xu Qingshan..."
Upon hearing this, Wen Tai remained expressionless, only slightly narrowing his eyelids.
"Another江湖人士 (jianghu figures)... I'm growing to like these江湖人士 more and more these days."
Yuan Xiu looked around at everyone and asked, "What do you all think should be done to reward this person?"
Chen Changyun immediately said, "Your Majesty, you can let him participate in the martial arts examination, just like Zhou Chuan, and go directly to the final stage."
"That's what I think, but what if he doesn't want to come? He's a meritorious official of the Great Jing now. We can't just arrest him and discourage the people of the Great Jing's martial arts world, can we?"
Chen Changyun continued, "Then let someone pay him a visit first, bringing gold and silver as a reward, and also mention the martial arts examination. If this person can participate in the martial arts examination, that would be the icing on the cake!"
"Okay, you can arrange for someone to take care of it."
"yes!"
Yuan Xiu pondered for a moment, then returned to his seat at the imperial desk and asked, "Left Prime Minister, Minister Lu, what are your thoughts on the selection of an auspicious date for my elder sister's wedding?"
Lu Zhaochao glanced at Wen Tai, and seeing that Wen Tai did not respond immediately, he said first: "I think the sooner the better. Taking advantage of the afterglow of the state banquet, we should choose an auspicious day to announce that the Great Jing Kingdom is full of happy events."
"Where is the Left Prime Minister?"
When the emperor asked, Wen Tai replied, "I agree with Minister Lu's suggestion, but there is one point I hope Your Majesty will consider."
"you say."
"Since the Princess is marrying down, the Right Prime Minister's residence should be the main venue. We suggest consulting the Right Prime Minister about the wedding date, and having the Zhao and Yuan families discuss it together."
Yuan Xiu narrowed his eyes, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
The Zhao and Yuan families?
Why the Zhao and Yuan families?
It should clearly be the Yuan and Zhao families!
Yuan in front! Zhao behind!
Looking at Wen Tai's calm and composed demeanor, Yuan Xiu knew that he was doing it on purpose, but there was nothing wrong with what he said.
You just married the eldest princess to the Right Prime Minister's residence, so isn't that putting the Zhao family in charge?
Zhao Yuan, Zhao Yuan, that's right, isn't it?
Yuan Xiu suppressed his displeasure, but the seed of resentment had already been planted in his heart. He said, "Then let's do as the Left Prime Minister says! Minister Lu, although the Princess is marrying down, this is a matter of great importance. You should go to Yanchuan in person and have a detailed discussion with the Right Prime Minister!"
Lu Zhao nodded and said, "Your subject obeys!"
Chen Changyun's eyes darted around as she walked over to Yuan Xiu, her pregnant belly protruding, and said, "Your Majesty, since this is a marriage of convenience, our dowry must be of a high standard. The Right Prime Minister's residence should also provide a bride price commensurate with our dowry, right?"
Seeing that Yuan Xiu remained silent with his eyes narrowed, Chen Changyun continued, "The national treasury is already tight, disaster relief requires money, and now the establishment of the three new northern prefectures will also cost a large sum of money. If the Right Chancellor's Office doesn't come up with several million taels..."
"Enough!!" Yuan Xiu suddenly roared in anger.
Knowing Yuan Xiu's temper well, Chen Changyun immediately knelt down and dared not say another word.
Yuan Xiu kicked Chen Changyun and shouted angrily, "What kind of person do you take me for?!"
Chen Changyun was speechless for a moment, wondering what he had said wrong.
Your Majesty, isn't this how you usually take advantage of opportunities to extort money?
The bodies of Su Wansan and his family had only recently gone cold!
I've been so focused on getting money for Your Majesty, what did I do wrong?
Unable to think of a proper answer, Chen Changyun could only kowtow and say, "Your subject has misspoke!!!"
Yuan Xiu said sternly, "I'm marrying off my sister, not selling her!! You can bring up money with me for anything, but not for my sister!!"
Chen Changyun then realized what was happening and quickly kowtowed several times, shouting, "I am guilty! I am guilty!!"
"Enough!" Yuan Xiu added another kick, cursing, "I know you're a loyal dog, but you have to distinguish between right and wrong, you know?"
"I understand, and I will never dare to do it again!"
Yuan Xiu waved his hand and said, "I'm tired, you may all leave!"
After Wen Tai, Chen Changyun, and the other three withdrew, Yuan Xiu took off his clothes and lay down on the dragon table.
Without a word, Wei You came over and massaged his shoulders and back.
Normally, Lü Lu would have quietly retreated, but this time he walked up to Yuan Xiu and said, "Your Majesty, this old servant knows Xu Qingshan."
"Oh?" Yuan Xiu turned his head to look at Lü Lu and said, "Tell me about it."
"Xu Qingshan was once a chivalrous knight-errant. The sword technique he practiced was the Impermanent Sword. Although it was not a righteous sword technique, he did good deeds when he saw injustice. This contrast also contributed to his reputation in the martial arts world."
"Later, he disappeared from the martial arts world without anyone knowing what happened to him."
"When he reappeared, he was no longer the chivalrous swordsman he once was, but had become a butcher's knife in someone else's hands."
Yuan Xiu asked, "You mean... he has already acknowledged his master?"
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