Chapter 260 The Emperor’s Banquet
The emperor was very satisfied with everyone's understanding. He waited until everyone had praised him enough before asking Eunuch Zhuo next to him to take out the imperial edict that had been prepared long ago.
The atmosphere at the scene became even more heated, and it was finally time to reward people based on their merits.
As soon as the imperial edict was read, everyone present today, except for the two young ones, received a reward. Zhao Lingmeng was granted the salary and privileges of a prince, and was granted the right to command 1,000 soldiers.
However, the reason why Zhao Lingmeng was conferred the title was for her contribution to educating the emperor's grandson, and she was not the only one. The reasons why these people at the scene were conferred the title were similar. In any case, it was not because of the heavy crossbow this time.
This is the Emperor's way of protecting everyone! If he were to reward me for inventing the heavy crossbow, I'm afraid only one in ten would still be standing here next year. There's a saying: "I'm not afraid of thieves stealing, I'm afraid of thieves thinking about it." There's also a saying: "What you can't get, you destroy."
When Zhao Houyang and Yang Chengchen heard the emperor's reward to Zhao Lingmeng, they looked at Zhao Lingmeng with shining eyes. At this moment, they felt that Zhao Lingmeng was the most powerful person in their minds, who could even create such a powerful weapon.
When Zhao Houyang looked at his mother who was so shining, and recalled the memory of his thin and early-dead mother, he hated Sun Tu's family even more.
The emperor had originally left the palace privately, so he couldn't stay outside the palace for long. After the imperial edict was read, he summoned Zhao Houyang and Yang Chengchen to his presence.
He took the jade pendants that had been prepared long ago from Eunuch Zhuo and put them on them personally. "This is my encouragement to you two. Princess Funing is a capable person. You two should learn from her and contribute to the Jing Kingdom in the future."
After the emperor finished speaking, he didn't wait for them to thank him. He just touched their heads respectively and left happily with his people.
Everyone immediately knelt down and saluted, "Farewell, Your Majesty."
After the emperor walked away, everyone stood up happily and congratulated each other.
Originally, everyone was preparing to disperse and go back to celebrate with their families, but at this moment, a group of waiters came up and set up the tables and benches neatly, and then another group of people came up with a lot of delicious food.
After a while, another eunuch came up and announced loudly: "The emperor has granted a banquet."
Then everyone heard a long list of dish names. No matter what others thought, Zhao Lingmeng was very happy. This reward made her happier than her position as a prince.
Fan Yong watched Princess Funing's eyes sparkle as she looked at the imperial banquet, like a greedy kitten, and he found it quite amusing. However, she maintained a serious expression, showing no sign of distraction.
After all the dishes were served, Zhao Lingmeng took the first seat and said, "Please sit down, everyone! We are all old acquaintances, so please don't be polite."
As soon as Zhao Lingmeng finished speaking, the seats on her left and right were occupied by Lord Jin and Lord Liu. They were so fast that she was stunned for a moment. Then she pointed to the seats farthest away from her, and said to Zhao Houyang and Yang Chengchen, "You two go sit there!"
Zhao Houyang and Yang Chengchen immediately ran to the farthest seat and sat down. They were both very tactful. These were people who had made great contributions to the Kingdom of Jing. If it weren't for their mother/aunt, they probably wouldn't even be worthy of carrying their shoes.
"Your Highness, the future of these two children is immeasurable!" Lord Jin has a particularly good impression of the two children, especially Yang Chengchen, who does not have any trace of a royal family member.
"Then Lord Jin, please give more advice in the future. After all, the future still belongs to the young, and we are all old!"
When Zhao Lingmeng said this, even General Liu beside him laughed out loud. "Your Highness, please forgive me. I really couldn't help it. It's mainly because Your Highness is in a good time now. If you are old, it's us old guys who are old."
"General Liu, perhaps there's a kind of oldness called an old mentality." Zhao Lingmeng chatted leisurely, her hands not idle, picking out her favorite dishes and eating them slowly. She was not in a hurry, as she could see that this meal would not be finished in a short time.
General Liu and the others also knew about Zhao Lingmeng's experience. He thought for a moment and then spoke carefully, "Your Highness, are you planning to find another consort? I know him."
Although Lord Jin didn't say anything, he was listening intently. If His Highness was willing to look for them, he would definitely go back and teach his grandsons a lesson. If His Highness didn't want to look for them, then forget it. Those idiots at home weren't worth his bother.
If the grandchildren of Lord Jin knew what their grandfather thought, they would probably burst into tears and then invite their friends out for a big meal.
"Why would I want to find a prince consort? I already have a child, status, money, and power. What a comfortable life!"
General Liu thought about His Highness's words and felt that they made a lot of sense. He nodded in agreement and said, "There is indeed no one in Jing State who is worthy of His Highness right now."
Zhao Lingmeng also nodded with amusement, agreeing with General Liu's statement. She didn't want a bunch of people worrying about whether she could find a prince consort.
Seeing that His Highness was thinking the same thing, General Liu immediately changed the subject and asked curiously, "Your Highness, have you ever thought about researching more powerful weapons?"
"Oh? Having a heavy crossbow is not enough?" Zhao Lingmeng was really curious. With hand crossbows, repeating crossbows and heavy crossbows, they can be used for close attack, long-range attack and strong attack. Add to that armor, and it should be enough in this era.
"It's enough, but who would complain about having too many good guys?" General Liu has been on the battlefield all year round. He understands the hardships of border soldiers very well. He always feels that the more powerful the weapons, the fewer soldiers will sacrifice.
"You can use it freely first! I can't come up with any other ideas for the time being, let's talk about it later!" Zhao Lingmeng gave General Liu such a seemingly plausible answer.
Who is General Liu? He is now an avid fan of the princess. When he heard His Highness say this, he felt that His Highness had some ideas, and immediately nodded happily, "I will listen to Your Highness."
"Your Highness, you have spoiled these people. They are not satisfied with such powerful weapons and want even more powerful ones." Lord Jin saw that Liu Guangtou was getting more and more demanding, and he couldn't help but speak up for His Highness.
"Your Highness is not like you. In the past, asking you to do some work was like asking your ancestors, and the result was still the same." General Liu was also very good at confronting others.
Lord Jin was not angry at all. He was used to General Liu's dog-like behavior. "He's crossing the river and destroying the bridge. Humph."
Seeing that Lord Jin had fallen silent, General Liu poured himself a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp. "Your Highness, it's not that I'm asking for too much, but the death rate at the border is too high. The closer to the border, the more empty the houses are. How can we continue like this?"
"Oh? Now weapons are more powerful, and the death rate is also high? Why?" Zhao Lingmeng was really puzzled. After all, she had never really been to the battlefield.
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