Looking at Wang Chengen, Little Zhu, though still speaking in a childish voice, shouted, "Play music!"
Wang Chengen turned around, his expression solemn. "Issue the Crown Prince's decree: Play the music!"
Playing specific pieces on appropriate occasions is very important and is part of ritual music.
Dust billowed in the distance, and the sound of horses' hooves grew clearer as they approached.
At this time, in addition to the emperor and his officials of the Ming Dynasty, there were also envoys from some vassal states. Their arrival was, to some extent, an occasion for the Ming emperor to show off his military might.
Little Zhu wasn't intimidated at all, even as the military flag drew closer and the well-armored army with its swords and spears drew ever closer.
With banners bearing the sun and moon waving, the army slowly came to a halt. The banners bearing the characters "Fu" and "Li" were particularly conspicuous. And, of course, there were also some prison carts.
The once arrogant and domineering Tartar nobles were now disheveled and trembling with fear. Yesterday, they had been washed and dressed in their best to present them as captives.
Fu Youde dismounted, gripped his sword, and galloped towards Xiao Zhu. He then knelt on one knee. "This humble general was ordered by His Majesty to punish the disobedient, and has now returned victorious! I present the enemy chieftain with four items, seventy thousand surrendered soldiers, and countless cattle and horses!"
After boasting about his achievements, Fu Youde, following the 'procedure,' loudly proclaimed, "May the Great Ming Dynasty triumph!"
Li Jinglong and others who came with Fu Youde immediately shouted "Wan Sheng!" (meaning "May you win ten thousand times"), and as Fu Youde returned to review his troops, the proud and fierce soldiers drew their swords and raised their guns, shouting "Wan Sheng!" three times as well.
Little Zhu was a little scared, mainly because Fu Youde was a stranger and his voice was a bit loud.
Fortunately, Little Zhu did not back down. With Zhu Yunwen's reminder, although his voice was a little soft, he still knew what to do: "Wang Chengen, issue the decree."
Wang Chengen immediately took two steps forward. Rewarding merit and punishing demerit was only right, especially since it was a great victory for the court.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Duke Fu Youde of Ying State is a man of outstanding talent and courage, fiercely capturing bears and tigers, commanding with awe... During the Ming Dynasty, numerous valiant generals followed, many more than those in the Yuntai and Lingyan Pavilions, among whom the Six Princes were the most renowned. Among them, none was more famous for his bravery than Chang Kaiping, followed by Fu Ying State..."
Kneeling to receive the imperial decree, Fu Youde was overwhelmed with emotion. As a 'surrendered general,' he had thought he had reached the pinnacle, but now he had gone even further. In the emperor's decree, he was 'ranked' alongside the Prince of Kaiping—an extraordinary honor indeed.
Although Fu Youde was only appointed as the Crown Prince's Third Tutor and received an additional thousand taels of salary, everyone knew that Fu Youde would definitely be posthumously granted the title of King!
Fu Youde was rewarded, and Xu Huizu and Lan Yu, as the main generals of the three armies, were also rewarded. These three generals formed the Three Tutors of the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty. They were all Grand Masters of the Palace and Pillar of the State, and their titles were hereditary.
Among the recipients of these honors, some individuals appear rather unique, not particularly conspicuous, but not entirely unexpected either.
Mei Yin, the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant, was granted the title of Duke of Rong, while Liu Zhi, who was also an Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant, was granted the title of Marquis of Chengyi.
Both of them are the husbands of the retired emperor's eldest daughter, and the husbands of Zhu Yunying's two aunts. They also have military merits this time, and they are both "second-generation officials" and even have titles.
Mei Yin's title of Duke was not hereditary; it was downgraded after three generations, as his military achievements were insufficient. Liu Zhi's title of Marquis, however, was hereditary, making it a permanent title for the Liu family.
As Zhu Yunying's younger brother-in-law, Feng Cheng "inherited" the title of Duke of Ying, a title originally posthumously conferred upon Feng Guoyong. Now, Feng Cheng can also "legitimately" inherit the title.
These people were either generals or descendants of nobles, so their starting point was naturally higher than others. Their promotions were not surprising, since they had now legitimately earned their military merits.
Zhang Yu, Qiu Fu, and others were very excited. They risked their lives on the battlefield, all for the sake of being ennobled and appointed as generals!
Zhang Yu was appointed Marquis of Dingwu, Qiu Fu was appointed Marquis of Tongan, and Zhu Neng was appointed Marquis of Anping...
The newly appointed dukes and marquises have emerged, and the Ming dynasty's nobility, after undergoing some purges, has been replenished with fresh blood.
As for the dejected Tartar nobles, they are now important tools, necessities for presenting captives, and proof of the Ming Dynasty's strength.
It's not enough to just show up when the Crown Prince welcomes the royal army; these "tools" are also needed when presenting captives before the emperor.
As for what the future holds for these people, and whether they will even be able to survive, that's hard to say.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
