Chapter 654: Loyal and Brave Marquis
Seeing Cao Xiangqian's stubborn look, everyone hissed and ignored him, and instead asked for information from several other adults who were also confused.
At this time, Zhou Shixiong bowed to Cao Xiangqian and greeted him from a distance.
Just as everyone was asking each other about this, Le San's shrill voice rang out, "Your Majesty, please kneel before the emperor."
Hua Shunming sat high on the dragon throne, as if he didn't notice everyone's expressions. He asked everyone to stand up, and then said lightly, "If you have something to report, please report it. If you don't, please leave the court."
Everyone looked at Cao Xiangqian, thinking that he should stand up at this moment, but he didn't move at all.
A smile flashed in Hua Shunming's eyes and he gestured to Le San beside him.
Le San took a step forward and was about to announce his departure from the court. At this moment, Xu Zhiwen stepped forward and said, "I have something to say."
Hua Shunming, "Approved."
"Your Majesty, today I heard that Your Majesty issued an edict to let Lord Zhou take over as the Minister of War, but did not issue an edict to specify the whereabouts of Lord Cao. It is unreasonable to have two ministers in the Ministry of War at the same time."
"Oh, so this is what Lord Xu was talking about," Hua Shunming seemed to have just remembered, "I am not complete about this matter, but the imperial edict has been issued and cannot be changed.
My Lords, please tell me how to deal with this matter?"
Everyone was speechless. How could such a mistake happen?
How did the Imperial Academy, which wrote the imperial edict, handle things? How come they didn't even think of this?
The two university scholars looked at each other and stood aside quietly.
"Lord Cao, I know I have wronged you this time, but the order has been issued, and I will definitely help you arrange a better place.
I would like to hear what you think, my dear ministers. "
The ministers, "..." They started to use this trick again. How to break this situation? Maybe the emperor has already made a decision.
Every time we said we would see their ideas, but in the end we adopted them a few times.
No one said anything. Anyone who spoke out at this moment would be in trouble.
But they knew that avoiding it was not a solution. So the person above started to name names, "Since this problem was raised by Lord Xu, then you tell me how to deal with it?"
Xu Zhiwen, "…I don't know."
Hua Shunming, "Minister Zhou Aiqing, please tell me."
Nowadays, there are two people with the surname Zhou in the court, and Hua Shunming added an extra title to name them.
Zhou Shicong: "…I don't know."
Hua Shunming pointed to a few more people, and they all got the same four words.
He didn't expect that these old foxes would resist silently.
He didn't care and looked directly at Cao Xiangqian, "This time it's my fault, Lord Cao has been wronged.
What a pity that no one in the court, whether civil or military, can help me come up with a proper solution.
I feel bad for my loyal ministers. Lord Cao, please come forward and listen to my orders."
Cao Xiangqian took a few steps forward respectfully, performing the etiquette between the emperor and his subjects, and said, "I will obey your orders."
Hua Shunming didn't even need anyone to write it. He just read out his arrangements for Cao Xiangqian in front of all the officials in the court.
With a lot of praise, Cao Xiangqian was directly rewarded with the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, a title that was hereditary for three generations.
This caused an uproar in the court. You know, the current emperor has never conferred a title. It is conceivable that even if it is only hereditary for three generations, this title is enough to make everyone jealous.
Cao Xiangqian immediately accepted the order and thanked the emperor. At this time, anyone who was not stupid would know what choice to make.
He thought that after submitting his retirement petition, he could safely leave the court and become a wealthy man.
I didn't expect such a surprise today. In this way, the Cao family will have a place in Shangjing in the next few decades.
He was even more grateful to the emperor. His loyalty over the years was finally rewarded.
Hua Shunming looked at the people with different expressions and sneered in his heart.
He knew exactly what the officials below were talking about.
They all said that he was stingy and was reluctant to promote these old ministers.
Don’t they think about what contributions they have made over the years?
Among all these officials, Cao Xiangqian was considered the tallest among the short ones, even much taller than them all.
Cao Xiangqian was a man who knew the current affairs. He had just revealed that he wanted to give his position to Zhou Shixiong, and without saying a word, he submitted a letter of resignation.
How could such a general who is not obsessed with power and is loyal to the emperor be let down by others?
Especially today, sitting in the court, he was particularly happy to see these people change their faces again.
Even if I give up a title this time, it would be killing two birds with one stone.
When the emperor left the court, the originally quiet hall immediately became noisy.
Zhou Shixiong walked up to Cao Xiangqian and said, "Congratulations, Lord Cao."
"Congratulations, congratulations." Cao Xiangqian was still excited, and his voice was trembling.
"Congratulations, Lord Cao," several voices also sounded at the side, but none of them sounded as sincere as Zhou Shixiong's.
"Thank you! Thank you!" Cao Xiangqian didn't care what they thought. Anyway, he was the one who benefited now, so it was reasonable for these people to be jealous.
Thinking of this, the smile on Cao Xiangqian's face became more sincere, and his response was particularly cheerful.
The civil officials felt very upset when they saw his behavior.
Now, they can only envy these generals.
Although they usually looked down upon the way these people behaved, from the founding of the country to the present, only officials who were born as military generals could be granted titles of nobility. They once again felt that the emperor was unfair.
Bai Yugang, Marquis of Wu'an, who was lying on the bed, had a pale face as he listened to his subordinates reading about the important events of the day.
When he heard that Cao Xiangqian was conferred the title of Marquis, his breathing became heavy.
"How could this be? Is the news true?"
He actually had a rough idea in his mind and knew that his subordinates would not use these things to deceive him, but he still wanted to confirm it.
"My Lord, the imperial edict has been sent to Cao's mansion." The loyal subordinate added, "But the emperor did not grant the mansion, he just had someone replace the plaque on the door of Cao's mansion."
From this point of view, even though Cao Xiangqian was conferred the title of marquis, he was not highly regarded.
"How can a mansion be compared with a marquisate?" Bai Yugang said bitterly.
Their Wu'an Marquis Mansion had been gradually declining, and now with the addition of a Loyal and Brave Marquis, it seemed even more insignificant.
"The prince hasn't come back yet?" Bai Yugang couldn't help gritting his teeth when he mentioned his eldest son.
"Your Highness should have received the Marquis's letter by now. Even if he returns at top speed, it will take him some time."
Bai Yugang didn't think so, and snorted, "That kid thought he had grown wings, and now he doesn't even take my words seriously.
How long has it been since the letter was sent? Even if it is far away, it will be returned in time.
That is an unfilial son, and I will take away his position as the crown prince."
This time no one dared to agree with him, because they all knew that if the Marquis had a solution, he would not just talk about it here, and would have changed it long ago.
Now everyone in Shangjing knows that Prince Bai is working for the Emperor. As long as the Emperor orders it, the position of Prince cannot be changed.
(End of this chapter)
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