Zhu Tong's words immediately won the support of many ministers.
As for Yu Sheng, who was at odds with Bai Qingyuan, he glared at him angrily. If it weren't for the imperial decree, he probably would have already started cursing.
Therefore, Bai Qingyuan was under great pressure, and a layer of cold sweat seeped out on his forehead, but since things had come to this point, he could not give up halfway.
So he took the initiative to say, "Your Majesty, it's not that I'm deliberately making things difficult for Young Master Jing, but the late emperor's edict cannot be disobeyed! If, as Prime Minister Zhu says, every monarch can arbitrarily modify the late emperor's edict, where is the imperial dignity?"
Seeing everyone remain silent, Bai Qingyuan pressed on, saying, "I am not deliberately targeting Young Master Jing, but rather upholding the dignity of the royal family! However, what Prime Minister Zhu said is not without reason. Young Master Jing has repeatedly rendered outstanding service to the country. If we underestimate him, it may discourage people. Your Majesty, I have a suggestion, but I don't know if it is feasible!"
"Speak freely!"
"Your Majesty, because the late Emperor decreed that it is absolutely impossible to grant Young Master Jing an official position of the fifth rank or higher, at most he can only be of the fifth rank."
Emperor Andi nodded, signaling him to continue.
"Compared to the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy, Mr. Chen Jiannan, who was only a fifth-rank official, his rank is already quite high. However, even so, it seems that he is still far from achieving the merits of Mr. Jing. Therefore, I think Your Majesty can give Mr. Jing two forms of compensation."
When it came to compensation, everyone perked up their ears.
"Firstly, since the official position bestowed upon Young Master Jing is not high, we can give the initiative entirely to Young Master Jing or His Majesty in the selection of the official position. Young Master Jing can choose any official position of the fifth rank, or His Majesty can appoint one at will, and no one else can object!"
The ministers looked at each other, and then gave him a disdainful look, thinking that as long as he didn't object, who else would object?
Meanwhile, figures like the Duke of Huguo and Grand Tutor Hao had already begun to consider which fifth-rank official positions with significant real power they could offer from their own households.
Ignoring them, Bai Qingyuan continued, "Secondly, we can grant Young Master Jing two titles!"
"Two titles?"
The courtiers were in an uproar.
Duke Yu Sheng immediately jumped out again: "You surnamed Bai, are you senile? It's one thing to keep obstructing Young Master Jing from becoming a fifth-rank official, but now you want to come up with two titles? How can one person have two titles?"
Bai Qingyuan glanced at him disdainfully, not bothering to reply, and instead said to Emperor An, "Your Majesty, the two titles I proposed are for Prince Jing, as he has rendered great service to An Kingdom and deserves a title. The other title will be granted to his family as an indirect form of recognition!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes fell on Liu Jinghong and Zhu Xinning, because everyone knew that in the imperial court, the two women were both Jing Zhe's sisters and his family.
If a title is to be granted, it should naturally be given to them.
Most importantly, one of them is a second-rank General Jinghong, and the other is a fifth-rank Imperial Secretary. Neither of them holds any noble title. This suggestion is indeed quite good.
Emperor An nodded in approval upon hearing this, then looked at Jing Zhe and asked, "Jing Zhe, are you satisfied with Grand Tutor Bai's suggestion?"
Jing Zhe shrugged and said, "It seems that I have no other choice but to make this suggestion!"
"Very well, since that's the case, then I will grant you two titles! I will bestow upon you the official rank of fifth grade, and the title will naturally match, so I will grant you the title of Baron of the Founding County!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Jing Zhe quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude.
In fact, the title has many meanings, but in Jing Zhe's view, the best one is that it is a long-term meal ticket that can be passed down. As long as one holds the title, the lives of one's descendants are guaranteed.
Of course, Jing Zhe wouldn't be satisfied with just that. For someone who aspires to build a large harem, having many descendants is inevitable, and being merely a county magistrate is certainly not enough for him.
"There's still one title left. Who does Jing Zhe want to give it to?"
As he spoke, Emperor An also looked at Zhu Xinning and Liu Jinghong.
Upon hearing this, Jing Zhe seemed to have a sudden inspiration.
It's not enough for me to have a title myself; I should get one for each of my sisters so that their children won't have to worry about not having one!
Seeing Jing Zhe grinning foolishly, Bai Qingyuan sneered inwardly.
He "kindly" helped Jing Zhe fight for a title, but in reality he was digging a pit for him. He had two older sisters, but there was only one title. Who to give it to and who not to give it to was going to offend people!
Logically speaking, if the goal is to maximize the benefits, then it should be given to Liu Jinghong, since she is a second-rank general and the title she is granted should also be second-rank, which is a meteoric rise.
However, giving the title to Zhu Xinning seems more reasonable. After all, Liu Jinghong has fought on the battlefield for many years and has had far more opportunities to make a name for himself than Zhu Xinning. If Zhu Xinning misses this opportunity, it will be difficult for her to obtain a title again.
Jing Zhe, realizing what was happening, could only manage a wry smile.
This is indeed a difficult problem!
That old dog, he actually tricked me!
Jing Zhe belatedly realized what was happening and glared fiercely at Bai Qingyuan, who turned his head away, pretending not to see it.
Jing Zhe then looked at Liu Jinghong and Zhu Xinning and found that the two of them were gesturing to each other with their lips, then giving him the same look, and gently shaking their heads.
Needless to say, they all wanted to give such a good opportunity to the other party, making it even more difficult for Jing Zhe to choose after reading the list.
Finally, gritting her teeth, she said resolutely, "Your Majesty, I have made up my mind. This title will be awarded to my second sister!"
"Very well, I hereby bestow upon Zhu Sheren the title of a fifth-rank talented woman!"
"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."
After Zhu Xinning knelt to express her gratitude, there was little joy on her face. On the contrary, Liu Jinghong, who was not granted a title, looked delighted, but after the joy, her eyes showed a particularly lonely look.
Jing Zhe happened to catch a glimpse of this scene and sighed inwardly.
With so many older sisters comes a lot of trouble; it seems impossible to keep everyone on the same page.
"Alright, now that the titles of nobility have been bestowed, let's talk about official positions!"
Emperor An waved his hand and continued speaking.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Duke Yu Sheng, the Protector of the Nation, stepped forward again: "Your Majesty, there is a vacancy for a fifth-rank official position in the Duke of Protector of the Nation's mansion."
"Oh? What?"
"As the Commandant of the Duke's Mansion, I saw yesterday that Young Master Jing's talent is more than enough to take on the role. Moreover, once Young Master Jing enters the Duke's Mansion, I will personally guide him. In just a few years, I will be able to transform him completely, promote him several ranks, and make him a renowned figure among the military generals of Anguo!"
At first, he was speaking to Emperor An, but later it seemed more like Yu Sheng was expressing his loyalty to Jing Zhe, as if to say: As long as you come, I will make sure you rise to prominence within a few years!
Emperor An glanced at Jing Zhe, thinking to himself that he was indeed in high demand!
Before he could speak, a deep voice rang out.
"Your Majesty, I disagree!"
"..."
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