Chapter 345: General of Dezhou
Old Mrs. Wan was supported by Old Second Wan, Old Second Wan's wife was holding little Fubao, and Mrs. Liu was holding Wan Yu. They all looked nervous and their hearts were pounding.
Only Xiao Fubao had a look of excitement on her face. She had never seen such a grand ceremony since she could remember. The last time the Wanxing Mo family read out the imperial edict, they were not at home and missed the fun.
This was the first time she had seen such a grand scene. The little girl’s face was full of curiosity and she didn’t feel afraid at all.
"Jinzhu, Auntie, please come quickly. The imperial court has issued an edict saying that someone in your family will be appointed as a general. Why are you still in the house?"
Jinniu ran fast and had already run into the yard, helping Wan Laoer to support Wan Laotai.
"Village chief, we just got the news. I thought it was someone's wedding, but it turned out to be an imperial decree. Why didn't you come out so quickly?"
"Auntie, please be careful with your steps and don't be nervous. Although I am nervous too, we can't make any mistakes." Jinniu did not forget to remind the Wan family.
"Oh, I know. I'm not confused yet. How could I go wrong?"
As soon as Old Mrs. Wan went out, she saw that the convoy outside was even longer and more spectacular than what they had seen in the yard.
In the middle of the guard of honor was a magnificent carriage. At this time, a eunuch dressed in gorgeous court robes slowly walked out of the carriage, holding the imperial edict in both hands, which symbolized the emperor's great grace.
Behind the carriage was a group of dancers in colorful clothes, waving colorful ribbons in their hands, adding a touch of lively color to this solemn scene.
The entire guard of honor was so grand and spectacular that wherever it went, the villagers immediately avoided it.
Shen Jinyuan did not come this time, and the imperial edict came directly all the way from the capital.
"Where are Wan Quan's family?"
Old Mrs. Wan and Old Second Wan quickly bent down and trotted forward.
"The woman is here."
"The common people are here."
The two men knelt on the ground cautiously, not daring to raise their heads.
Wan Ersao and Liu also put Fubao and Wan Yu on the ground, and knelt behind Wan Laotai and Wan Laoer with the children in their hands.
The eunuch who read the imperial edict looked down and frowned slightly.
"Xiao Tianzi, help the old man up. No idle people are allowed within ten feet. Teach them the rules. Aunt Liu, help arrange the surrounding area."
"yes."
Xiao Tianzi and Aunt Liu hurriedly came out from the side and bowed their heads in response.
Soon, the people who were watching the excitement were blocked by the soldiers ten feet away.
Xiao Tianzi took the Wan family aside and taught them the etiquette of three kneelings and nine bows.
Aunt Liu led people to clean up the Wan family's yard and entrance, laid out a red carpet, and set up a table with incense and candles in the yard.
After everything was done, he reported to the chief eunuch: "Sir, everything is ready."
The eunuch who announced the decree then slowly got off the carriage, holding the imperial edict in both hands, with a dignified expression and his back straight, he walked into the Wan family's courtyard on the red carpet.
The Wan family was taught by Xiao Tianzi that they must burn incense and change clothes before receiving the order.
The entire Wan family, from top to bottom, changed into their new clothes, dressed up, and came to the yard again.
The chief eunuch nodded in satisfaction and stood in front of the desk, slowly unfolding the imperial edict.
"All the family members listen to your orders."
Old Mrs. Wan quickly led her children and grandchildren to perform the ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows, and knelt on the ground to receive the order.
"In compliance with the will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Now there is a wise man named Wan Quan, whose courage is commendable and whose virtue is praiseworthy. He devotes all his energy to the affairs of the state and stands up in times of crisis. With his own strength, he penetrated deep into the enemy's rear, burned the enemy's food supplies, and helped our army defeat Beiliang. His achievements are obvious and witnessed by everyone.
I have specially appointed him as the Lieutenant General of Dezhou in recognition of his merits. I hope that he will perform his duties conscientiously in Dezhou, comfort the people and keep the country safe, train troops to resist the enemy, so as to repay my trust and benefit the people of the area.
So decreed."
The Wan family hurriedly followed the etiquette taught by Xiao Tianzi, and immediately bowed and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the emperor!"
It was July, and Old Mrs. Wan was sweating all over, with beads of sweat on her forehead running down her cheeks.
After Wan Lao Er respectfully received the imperial edict, he heard the person above him say, "Congratulations, old lady, congratulations, Master Wan, please stand up quickly."
Only then did Wan Laoer get up from the ground and reached out to help Wan Laotai.
Old Mrs. Wan didn't understand anything she heard just now, but she knew that the imperial edict seemed to mention the name of her eldest grandson Wan Quan, so it was not a good idea for her to ask her son now.
"Thank you for your hard work, father-in-law. Please come in and have a cup of tea."
"No, I have to hurry back to Beijing to report to the emperor, so I can't stay for long."
Then Wan Quan saw two teams of maids coming in with trays and boxes. There were seventy or eighty people in total. The originally spacious courtyard of the Wan family now seemed a little crowded.
Old Mrs. Wan and Wan Quan were also dumbfounded, and they didn't know what to do for a moment.
"These are the gifts from the Emperor to the General of the Imperial Guard. He will be leaving for Dezhou soon and has asked us to bring these gifts to the old lady, saying that they are gifts from his filial piety to you."
Old Mrs. Wan looked at the rewards that came like flowing water and thought about her own dreams. She felt so sad that she almost cried.
"Sir, may I ask, how is my family Wanquan now?"
"Don't worry, old lady. The Lieutenant Colonel is fine. He was just injured once while on duty. After returning to the capital, the Emperor allowed the imperial physician to diagnose his pulse. He is now in good health. The Lieutenant Colonel asked us to tell the old lady that he is fine. You don't have to worry."
Old Mrs. Wan's attention was focused on the injury Wan Quan had suffered once, and she said that her dream was not without reason.
After the Wan family sent away the person who read the imperial edict, the villagers at the door were finally able to move freely. They immediately surrounded the Wan family's gate in three layers inside and outside.
Everyone was chattering about the news, and even the village chief asked, "Jin Zhu, what does the imperial edict say?"
The joy on Wan Lao Er's face never ceased, "My Wan Quan was appointed as the Lieutenant General of Dezhou by the Emperor. He has become a general and a high-ranking official."
"Oh my god, I didn't expect your Wanquan to be so capable. Your family will also be an official family in the future."
"Congratulations."
"Aunt, your grandson has become a high-ranking official, shouldn't you invite the whole village to a banquet?"
"Yes, yes, auntie, it's not right for you not to treat everyone to a meal."
Old Mrs. Wan was also happy, but she felt more distressed. Her grandson must have suffered a lot to be appointed as a high-ranking official, and this official position was obtained at the cost of her grandson's life.
But this is indeed a happy event, so she quickly raised her voice and said, "Please, please, starting from tomorrow, our family will hold a three-day banquet, and we would like to trouble everyone to come and help."
"Auntie, if there is anything we need to do, just tell us and the whole village will come to help."
Seeing that Old Lady Wan looked a little tired, Jinniu drove away the people who were watching outside.
"Okay, don't join in the fun. Come and help tomorrow. Bring your own stools, bowls, chopsticks, etc. Come early. We still need to go to the town to buy some things."
Taurus took the initiative to take charge of the buffet.
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