Chapter 258 My Cousin Returns to Court and is Conferred the Title of General (...)
"Oh?" Qi Chengming sat up straight, slowly shifting his gaze away from his cousin, and asked with an air of nonchalance, "What you're saying confuses me."
The general bowed and presented a silk scroll with both hands: "Your Majesty, please take a look and you will understand."
Xiao Chengzi responded immediately, took the document, inspected it, and handed it to Qi Chengming. It was a pre-written request for commendation, which included not only the recent border operation but also several other battles, both large and small, not long ago.
According to the general, his deputy had always been indifferent to fame and fortune, remaining hidden and unwilling to claim credit despite his great achievements. In the past few years, when the general considered his deputy like a son, their relationship becoming so close that they blurred the lines between "us" and "them," he couldn't refuse and didn't include it in his report of merit. Being so far away, he couldn't argue. But as the deputy's merits accumulated… the general felt unworthy of them. Today, with the army returning to court, it was time to settle all military achievements; he absolutely had to petition for credit for his deputy.
Qi Chengming nodded repeatedly as he read the document and then closed it.
above--
Of course, they're all fake.
The truth is that Yang Shou had distinguished himself in battle, but feared his identity would be discovered after meeting the emperor. While gathering his old troops, he discovered that an uncle surnamed Tao was a veteran general who had fought alongside his father. Now that Tao held a higher rank than him, he naturally protected Yang Shou. Publicly, it was said that Uncle Tao had made the greatest contribution, and Yang Shou continued to rise through the ranks behind General Tao.
As a result, they bided their time and kept a low profile... until the new emperor ascended the throne.
The throne has changed hands; it now belongs to the Second Prince, who carries the blood of the Marquis of Weiyong…
Uncle Tao was also pleased, as he could now confidently push Yang Shou forward to enjoy his own merits.
It was only after this advance communication that this scene unfolded in court today.
"What a valiant general!" Qi Chengming thought of the numerous and detailed records of his cousin's achievements on the documents, and all he could see were the dangers his cousin had faced in battle. His heart clenched, but he still had to loudly praise his cousin's bravery.
He took the opportunity to glare at his cousin a few times.
"I cannot fail to bestow titles upon you all." Qi Chengming pondered for a moment, "General Tao shall be appointed General Huaiyuan, and Deputy General Yang—may he be appointed General Mingwei."
Xiao Dezi no longer needed to be urged; he quickly prepared the pen and ink and began writing the imperial edict.
The Ministry of War was in charge of awarding merits and rewards, and Qi Chengming had already rewarded these few who had made the greatest contributions. All the bestowals were recorded in the imperial edict. They included houses, gold, silver, jewels, and silks. The rest was left for Lord Liu to worry about, and there was no need to discuss it in detail in the court.
"This humble general thanks Your Majesty!" General Tao could now be addressed as "Grand General Tao," and he beamed with joy as he led Yang Shou to express his gratitude.
The other courtiers standing in the main hall, acting as mere accompaniments, also echoed the cry of "Long live the Emperor!": "...Your Majesty is wise!"
This matter seems to have come to an end.
Several older officials in the imperial court wore slightly unusual expressions, as if they had recalled something: "..."
But they stared at Yang Shou's appearance with a mixture of belief and doubt, and they themselves were not entirely sure.
Qi Chengming sat on his throne, taking in the entire scene before him. These men were likely the Wang family father and son he had seen fighting alongside his maternal grandfather years ago. After so many years, Yang Shou's face seemed familiar, yet he couldn't be certain who "Yang Shou" was.
Qi Chengming made no attempt to explain.
The house he gave to his cousin Yang Shoushang was right next to the street where the Marquis of Weiyong's residence was located. When Yang Shoushang returned home, he could choose whether or not to move there.
—Although, based on Qi Chengming's understanding of his cousin, he would definitely move.
There was no other reason than that Yang Laoniang felt too much like a dependent living in the Marquis of Weiyong's mansion. But if Yang Shou and Tianniang stayed in the Marquis of Weiyong's mansion with their two children, leaving Yang Laoniang alone at home every day, Yang Shou would not be able to bear it either.
In addition, there's the current situation.
Wang Shuo's cousin has already inherited the title, and Yang Shou's cousin had previously written that he did not wish to compete with his brother. The fact that both brothers are leading troops in battle is an unavoidable twist of fate. Although Qi Chengming had written to emphasize that his cousin should not worry, but…
Given my cousin's gentle nature, he would definitely take the opportunity to move out and avoid suspicion.
As long as the branch residence and the Weiyong Earl's residence are separated into two families, they can still visit each other on a regular basis, but it will not attract much attention from outsiders.
"Alright, let's adjourn the court if there's nothing else." Qi Chengming, thinking that he hadn't seen his cousin for several years, lost all interest in arguing with the old fogies at the morning court. He decisively announced the end of the court session and gave Yang Shou a wink before leaving.
The court officials left the main hall one after another. Grand Secretary Mu deliberately stayed behind, his attitude much more respectful than before his ascension to the throne. He whispered to the new emperor, "Your Majesty, there are a few old friends of this old minister. Should this old minister go and...?"
This was the second time the matter of deposing the late empress had been raised in court. After the first attempt failed, the new emperor dismissed and demoted many officials, both high and low, who had opposed the move, but their fates were relatively good. This time, however, a few highly respected ministers remained, clearly exposed like fish caught on a beach after the tide has receded, and they continued to resolutely oppose it. It was easy to imagine that their imminent fate would not be good.
Grand Scholar Mu has come to plead for his old friend.
"Okay," Qi Chengming readily agreed.
He knew that Grand Secretary Mu was going to try to persuade people, and he also knew that those stubborn old fogies were hard to change; Grand Secretary Mu's efforts were likely futile and wishful thinking. But what if? Although Qi Chengming had just ascended the throne, he was already tired of watching these old fogies bicker.
Zhao Fuman approached silently, like a shadow. His plump, white face was full of kind smiles. He bowed and asked in confusion, "Since Your Majesty is impatient with dealing with them again and again, why not just announce the abolition?"
After going through so much trouble, patiently listening to the court officials' approval—the new emperor is clearly a divinely ordained ruler, why give them such a high esteem? It's not like he lacks ability… Zhao Fuman couldn't understand. If it were Emperor Hongren, and he had the same extraordinary abilities and confidence as Emperor Taiyuan, he would have already unilaterally declared the deposed empress. There wouldn't be this dragging on for so many days.
To say that Emperor Taiyuan was worried about his reputation... well, that doesn't seem like it.
Qi Chengming glanced at Zhao Fuman's seemingly calm but actually anxiously curious expression, and with a mischievous glint in his eye, decided not to tell him. He simply chuckled and went to the side hall.
He hadn't yet dealt with the whereabouts of Eunuch Fuman, which was why he allowed the man to assist Xiao Dezi and Xiao Chengzi before the Emperor. However, to be honest, Qi Chengming was wary of Eunuch Fuman. He wouldn't tell him.
Qi Chengming had just stepped into the side hall when Xiao Ju brought him tea, but he hadn't even touched the cup to his lips. Xiao Chengzi, equally intrigued, couldn't wait to ask, "Your Majesty, what is it?"
Qi Chengming gestured for him to go to the door and check. After childishly confirming that Zhao Fuman hadn't followed, he swallowed a couple of sips of tea to explain to him: "What's the big deal? Is it worth it for me to fall out with the ministers? I'll have plenty of things to do with building walls and opening windows in the future. I'll save my impulsiveness for crucial moments."
Qi Chengming has many new ideas and methods to implement in the future, and that's when things will get interesting. Before that, especially in the early days of his reign, it's more appropriate for him to use more tactful and conventional methods.
Everyone knew that Qi Chengming wanted to depose the late empress, but he only instructed his censors and confidants to speak out and take sides, without taking the lead himself. This left the debate to the court officials, and the final decision was left to him, who sat high on the throne. This whole process followed the normal deliberation procedure.
This means that the matter will transform from the emperor's private will into a statement and endorsement from the entire court. It will then become a serious public matter, not a private one, thus avoiding controversies such as "the new emperor is unfilial." Whether the court officials are willing to contribute or not, they can only act in this way, swayed by the greater good—although everyone knows that His Majesty is both the player and the referee, and what he wants to achieve is nothing short of shameless favoritism, as evidenced by those who were demoted a few days ago.
If an emperor follows the rules and regulations, and uses underhanded tactics within those frameworks, what can anyone do?
Qi Chengming put down his teacup. He was starving that morning, so he picked up two pieces of pastry that he didn't usually eat and stuffed them into his mouth. He was slyly pleased that he had managed to outmaneuver the court officials.
—Hey, he just won't say it out loud!
Xiao Chengzi suddenly realized, wanting to remind him but unable to speak: "Your Majesty..."
Watch your self-reference!
Just in time, Xiao Dezi announced at the door, beaming with joy: "Your Majesty, General Yang requests an audience!"
"Quickly, let my cousin in!" Qi Chengming swallowed hard and hurriedly greeted him, completely forgetting about his self-reference. He had only recently ascended the throne, and sometimes he would forget to use the imperial "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I, the Emperor") when he spoke quickly, so it wasn't a big deal.
Having endured the elements and inevitably become haggard and rough-looking, Yang Shou entered with a smile, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty—"
Before he could finish speaking, Qi Chengming jumped off the bed and punched Yang Shou, whose body had become much more muscular, saying with great displeasure, "You'd better think this through before you speak."
"Cousin!" Yang Shou called out without hesitation, his face beaming with a broad smile.
He stopped pretending to bow and the two embraced tightly. Yang Shou blurted out, genuinely happy, "You've grown a lot taller and stronger."
The last time he saw his cousin, he was a down-on-his-luck young prince, sickly and unwelcome in Liuzhou. This time, his cousin had not only grown taller, but also possessed the handsome features of a young man, as well as the imposing presence and nobility of an emperor. His sickly appearance had vanished, and his eyes were now bright and alert, revealing only a dashing and handsome appearance.
"I should be the one saying that," Qi Chengming said, looking at his cousin with surprise.
It's understandable that he's become rougher. After several years in the military, my cousin, who used to have the air of a refined general, has actually started to develop into a burly man, with the muscles on his arms looking quite different from a few years ago.
Qi Chengming then thought about his cousin Wang Shuo's tall stature...
Um.
It just goes to show that they're family; their genes are indeed similar.
What about yourself?
Qi Chengming's heart skipped a beat. He didn't usually train his muscles and bones, and occasionally took the nourishing formula prescribed by Doctor Bian. But if he worked hard in the future, could he also become a muscular man?!
—It's fortunate that the others didn't know what he was thinking, otherwise Song Gu would definitely have been the first to rush up to the new emperor with tears streaming down his face and plead with him.
Qi Chengming was still lost in thought when he called his cousin to come to bed with him so they could have a proper chat. He said, "I won't keep you for lunch at the palace. Go back and see everyone first. Zhong'er has been missing you for a long time."
"Speaking of this," Yang Shou said, regaining his composure and becoming serious, "Your Majesty, I am returning this time... I humbly request that Your Majesty grant me permission to retire and spend time with my wife, children, and elderly parents."
Qi Chengming understood his meaning when he heard him address him as "Your Majesty".
“Cousin, I’ll say it again.” Qi Chengming stared into his eyes and solemnly promised, “I don’t care about anything else. You can boldly reveal your identity and continue to protect your country. Don’t be afraid of anything. I will support you no matter what.”
Qi Chengming commands four large armies, two of which are currently led by his maternal relatives and cousins, naturally causing them unease. However, Qi Chengming will not act rashly based on the monarch's suspicion or political maneuvering.
...If I had to say, he was different from all the feudal emperors of the past.
He already has the powerful advantage of an infrastructure system, and he also has plenty of strength and means.
He can handle it.
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Author's note: Second update.
Our Xiaoming has also mastered many of the necessary methods of an emperor, but there are some things he doesn't need to learn—he will be an unconventional emperor.
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