After the war between Guliang County and Yunjing County ended, the post-war rewards finally arrived.
The civil official is the prime minister, who is the head of all civil officials, and the military official is the Dragon Commander, who is the highest military commander of the Great Jing. Zhao Huan has already given him all he can reward. Some court officials suggested that Zhao Huan be made a king, but Zhao Huan refused with a firm attitude.
Zhao Cheng was granted the title of Grand General, replacing Wang Ren's previous position. Neither Zhao Huan nor Zhao Cheng objected to this, and due to Zhao Cheng's outstanding performance on the western front, he was highly popular among the people, and there were few dissenting voices.
Xiao Luofeng and Feng Jingsheng were promoted to the rank of Second-Rank General, and all the generals under their command received rewards and promotions.
Even Zhao Zhan, who was responsible for assisting the state but did not go on the expedition, was promoted to the position of Director of the Imperial Secretariat, a high-ranking official of the second rank.
All the civil and military officials knew that the Zhao family father and son had the final say on this batch of rewards, which made the arrangements for Zhao Zhan seem quite delicate.
Zhao Huan is setting up a plan.
He divided his military power with Zhao Cheng and his control over the civil officials with Zhao Zhan.
One was a military officer, the other a civil official, who assisted him in controlling the court.
All the officials understood that although the Zhao family hadn't taken that step, the Yuan family's empire was actually completely under the control of the Zhao family.
Compared to more than a decade ago, Zhao Huan has finally stopped holding back.
The first year of the revival, October 1st.
Under Shi Minghua's meticulous care, Yang Cai'e gave birth smoothly.
Zhao Cheng's third son was born.
He was named Zhao Changgong.
Zhao Huan couldn't stop smiling. Compared to his previous lazy and listless appearance, he now seemed to have transformed from an old man into an energetic middle-aged man.
With the Zhao brothers, Zhao Cheng and Zhao Zhan, in charge of important affairs of the court, he spent most of his time playing with his grandson, seemingly enjoying a life of leisure.
In the pavilion atop the artificial hill, Xu An looked down at Zhao Huan, who was holding Zhao Changgong, and said to Zhao Cheng, "Your old man used to be frightening, but now that he has immense power, he's become quite approachable."
Li Guanyu opened his folding fan and said, "Yes, back in Yanchuan, the Prime Minister never received guests. It's nothing like now, where he chats and laughs with guests like this."
"He was showing off."
Zhao Cheng glanced down the mountain and said, "He seems afraid others won't know he has three grandsons."
Xiao Luomu stood with his hands behind his back, looking down the mountain, and said, "The Prime Minister has four sons. If each of them were to have children like the young Prime Minister, the future power of the Zhao family would be limitless!"
Xu An said, "Why call him 'Little Prime Minister'? He's a great general now!"
Zhao Cheng said, "Look how jealous you are! You're a fifth-rank official secretary now, why aren't you married and have children? Did you have too much fun back then and now you're not up to it?"
"Bullshit!" Xu An pouted and said, "If I'm going to get married, I'll definitely marry the most satisfactory one."
"Is Xiuer not good enough?" Zhao Cheng asked doubtfully.
Xu An frowned and said, "She... is not a Jingren after all."
"Nonsense!"
Zhao Cheng nudged Xu An's head and said, "Even Da Jing isn't what it used to be. Why do we care if she's a Jing person or not?"
Li Guanyu closed his folding fan and echoed, "The General is right."
Zhao Cheng waved his hand and said, "Forget about the title of General. Let's keep the same way we were in Yanchuan. We're the Four Young Masters of Yanchuan!"
"in this way……"
Li Guanyu bowed and said, "Congratulations on the birth of your son, Young Prime Minister!"
"Thank you, young master!" Zhao Cheng raised his wine cup.
"Young Master, have one with you!"
"Young Master Shang is a bird."
"Hahaha……"
The four men reunited and reminisced about the past. They didn't talk about national affairs or business; their drinks were filled with memories of the days when they hung out together in Yanchuan.
Night had fallen in the blink of an eye, but the four of them were only slightly tipsy and not drunk.
Zhao Hu walked into the pavilion and winked at Zhao Cheng.
Zhao Cheng said, "What is it? There are no outsiders here, so speak freely."
Zhao Hu said, "Miao Shaohua has arrived."
Zhao Cheng thought for a moment and asked, "Did she come alone, or with Miao Donglin?"
"One person came, saying he had come to offer congratulations, and he had prepared many gifts."
After a pause, Zhao Hu said, "You guys continue drinking. I'll go and arrange accommodation for her."
Zhao Cheng put down his wine glass and said, "Do you think I shouldn't have met him?"
Zhao Hu said, "She must have come for her son."
"It's true that I came to congratulate him, and it's also true that I came for my son."
Zhao Cheng stood up and smiled, "Guests are welcome; how could I not see them?"
inside the house.
Seeing Zhao Cheng enter with Zhao Hu, Miao Shaohua quickly went to greet them, kneeling on both knees and saying, "This humble woman, Miao Shaohua, greets the Great General! Congratulations on the birth of your son, Great General!!"
"Mr. Miao, you're too kind."
Zhao Cheng gestured for Zhao Hu to help Miao Shaohua up, and then sat down in a chair first, saying, "We are partners, so there's no need to be so formal in private."
"yes."
While Miao Shaohua was sitting down, Zhao Cheng sized her up and saw that she was still charming, but not in good spirits.
This suggests that she is actually in better shape than before since Qi Bainian left. Her poor mental state is probably due to worrying about Miao Rusong.
"How's business in Jiangyang County?" Zhao Cheng asked.
"Very good! The Southern Zhou army suffered some setbacks after reaching Yun Jing County, but after the invincible Commander Long drove them away, they have now fully recovered!"
"Where are Lu Chen and Tu Ziming?"
“Boss Lu and Boss Tu are young and promising. Their businesses have gradually surpassed those of my Miao family. I can’t help but feel resentful.”
Zhao Cheng smiled slightly and said, "It seems that Boss Miao is truly sincere in coming here this time!"
Thump!
Miao Shaohua immediately knelt down, looking at Zhao Cheng with a pleading expression, and said, "General, please spare Rusong! He... I won't defend him, I just hope he can live!"
Zhao Cheng said, "Isn't he alive and well now?"
Miao Shaohua said, "Although I am just a common woman, I know that the imperial prison is a place where life is worse than death..."
Zhao Cheng turned his head and suddenly asked Zhao Hu, "Do you know how Miao Rusong is doing now?"
Zhao Hu said, "He has admitted to everything he should. He was the one who planned to poison the Princess."
As he spoke, Zhao Hu glanced at Miao Shaohua and said, "This kid has a tough bone to stick out. He's willing to admit these things, but he'll suffer for it."
Miao Shaohua plopped down on the ground, asking tremblingly, "He...he..."
Zhao Hu said, "The Imperial Prison naturally has its own methods. If they want someone to die, they can't let them live; if they want someone to live, they can't let them die. Don't worry, they still have a breath left."
"General!!"
Miao Shaohua grabbed Zhao Cheng's leg and cried, "Just keep Ru Song alive and let him come home with me!"
Zhao Hu interjected, "Boss Miao, what makes you think you can ask us to release him? If Mr. Ruominghua weren't in the palace, the one who would have been killed would have been my master's child."
Clang!
Zhao Hu suddenly drew his sword and said sternly, "However, considering your relationship with my master, I can help you out and stop Miao Rusong from suffering. I'll end his suffering with one strike!"
Miao Shaohua's expression changed drastically!
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