Chapter 654 - 656: Duke Zhongyong

Chapter 654: Chapter 656: Duke Zhongyong

Seeing Cao Xiangqian’s unyielding expression, the crowd scoffed once and stopped paying him any mind. Instead, they turned to several other officials who looked just as baffled to ask for news.

Zhou Shixiong clasped his hands and greeted Cao Xiangqian from a distance.

Just as everyone was asking each other for information, Le San’s shrill voice rang out, "The Holy Emperor is holding court— Kneel—"

Hua Shunming sat high on the Dragon Throne, seemingly oblivious to the officials’ expressions. He bid them rise, then said lightly, "Present your memorials if you have them, or the court is dismissed."

All eyes turned to Cao Xiangqian. ’Surely he’ll step forward now,’ they thought. But to their surprise, he didn’t move a muscle.

A glint of amusement flashed in Hua Shunming’s eyes as he gestured to Le San, who stood at his side.

Le San took a step forward, about to announce the dismissal of the court, when Xu Zhiwen stepped out. "Your servant has a memorial to present."

Hua Shunming said, "You may proceed."

"Reporting to the Holy Emperor, I heard today that Your Majesty issued a decree appointing Marquis Zhou as the new Minister of War. However, no decree was issued clarifying Mr. Cao’s new post. It is against protocol for the Ministry of War to have two Chiefs of Staff at the same time."

"Oh, so that is what Xu Aiqing is referring to," Hua Shunming said, as if just remembering. "This was indeed an oversight on Our part. However, the Holy Decree has already been issued and cannot be changed.

All of you, tell Us, how should this matter be handled?"

The officials were speechless. ’How could such an error even occur?’

’How does the Hanlin Academy, which drafts the Holy Decrees, even operate? How could they not have foreseen such a simple problem?’

The two Grand Scholars exchanged a look, then continued to stand quietly to the side.

"Cao Aiqing, We know you have been wronged in this matter. But the decree has been issued. We will certainly arrange a better position for you.

We will now listen to the thoughts of all Our beloved ministers."

The ministers remained silent. ’...’ ’He’s pulling this trick again. How do we get out of this one? The Emperor has probably already made a decision.’

’He always asks for our thoughts, but how many times has he actually listened?’

No one spoke. To speak up now would be to invite trouble.

But they knew that evasion was not a solution. And just as they expected, the one on the throne began calling on people by name. "Since Xu Aiqing was the one to raise this issue, why don’t you tell Us how to handle it?"

Xu Zhiwen said, "...Your servant does not know."

Hua Shunming continued, "Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Aiqing, you speak."

There were now two officials in the court with the surname Zhou, so Hua Shunming had added a title to specify which one he was addressing.

Zhou Shicong replied, "...Your servant does not know."

Hua Shunming called on several more people, but received the same four words from each.

’He hadn’t expected these old foxes to actually mount a silent protest.’

He wasn’t bothered by it. He looked directly at Cao Xiangqian. "This was Our mistake, and Cao Aiqing has been wronged.

Unfortunately, among all the civil and military officials of this court, not a single one could help Us think of a proper solution.

We feel quite guilty for having let down a loyal minister. Cao Aiqing, step forward to receive Our decree."

Cao Xiangqian respectfully took a few steps forward and performed the ceremonial bow of a subject to his sovereign. "Your servant is ready to receive the decree."

Hua Shunming didn’t even need anyone to draft it; he directly announced his arrangements for Cao Xiangqian in front of all the court officials.

After a string of praises, he directly bestowed upon Cao Xiangqian the title of Duke Zhongyong, to be hereditary for three generations.

An uproar immediately swept through the court. One must understand that the current Holy Emperor had never before bestowed a noble title. One could only imagine that even if it was only hereditary for three generations, this rank was enough to make everyone green with envy.

Cao Xiangqian immediately accepted the decree and expressed his gratitude. At a moment like this, anyone who wasn’t a fool would know what choice to make.

’He had thought that by submitting his memorial of resignation, he could retire peacefully from the court and live out his days as a wealthy man.’

’He never expected such a surprise today. With this, the Cao Family would have a firm foothold in Shangjing for decades to come.’

’He felt even more grateful toward the Emperor. His years of unwavering loyalty had finally been rewarded.’

Hua Shunming looked at the varied expressions on the officials’ faces and sneered inwardly.

’He was perfectly aware of the gossip circulating among these officials below.’

’They were all saying he was petty, unwilling to promote these old ministers or grant them noble titles.’

’But they never stopped to think about what contributions they had made over the years.’

’Among these officials, Cao Xiangqian was the best of a mediocre bunch—in fact, he far surpassed the rest of them.’

’This Cao Xiangqian knew how to read the situation. The moment I merely hinted that I wanted Zhou Shixiong to take his position, he submitted his resignation without a second thought.’

’How could I possibly disappoint such a general, one who is loyal to his sovereign and does not cling to power?’

’Especially today, sitting here in the court and seeing their expressions change so dramatically once again, his mood was exceptionally good.’

’Even if it meant giving up a noble title, it was a move that killed two birds with one stone.’

As soon as the Emperor left the court, the once-quiet hall immediately erupted in noise.

Zhou Shixiong walked up to Cao Xiangqian. "Congratulations, Marquis Cao."

"And to you, and to you." Cao Xiangqian was still so excited that his voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

"Congratulations, Marquis Cao," a few other voices chimed in from the side, though they sounded far less sincere than Zhou Shixiong.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Cao Xiangqian didn’t care what they were thinking. In any case, he was the one who had profited, so it was only right to let them feel a little sour.

At this thought, the smile on Cao Xiangqian’s face became even more genuine, and his replies were delivered with extra relish.

Seeing his demeanor, a group of civil servants felt their teeth ache with jealousy.

Now, all they felt for these military generals was envy.

Although they usually looked down on the way these men handled things, from the founding of the dynasty to the present day, the only ones who had been ennobled as marquis were officials who came from the ranks of military generals. In their hearts, they once again felt the Emperor was being unfair.

Lying in bed, Marquis Wu’an, Bai Yugang, listened with a pale face as his subordinate recounted the day’s major events.

The moment he heard that Cao Xiangqian had been ennobled with the rank of Marquis, his breathing grew heavy.

"How can that be? Is the news reliable?"

Deep down, he knew his subordinate wouldn’t deceive him with such matters, but he still wanted to confirm.

"Marquis, the Holy Decree has already been delivered to the Cao Mansion." The loyal subordinate added, "However, the Holy Emperor did not bestow a new residence, merely had someone change the plaque on the gate of the Cao Mansion."

He said this to imply that even though Cao Xiangqian had been made a Marquis, he wasn’t held in particularly high regard.

"How can a mere residence compare to the rank of a marquis?" Bai Yugang said, a bitter taste in his mouth.

Their Marquis Wu’an Mansion was already in gradual decline. Now, with the addition of a Duke Zhongyong, they would seem even more insignificant.

"Has the Princely Heir not returned yet?" Bai Yugang couldn’t help but grit his teeth at the mention of his eldest son.

"The Young Master should have received the Marquis’s letter by now. Even if he rides back at top speed, it will still take some time."

But Bai Yugang didn’t think so. He snorted. "That brat thinks his wings have grown. He doesn’t take my words seriously anymore.

How long ago was that letter sent? No matter how far away he was, he should have rushed back by now.

He is an unfilial son! I will strip him of his title as Princely Heir."

This time, no one dared to agree with him. They all knew that if the Marquis had a way to do it, he wouldn’t just be talking about it. He would have replaced him long ago.

Everyone in Shangjing knew that Prince Bai was working for the Emperor. As long as the Emperor intervened, the title of Princely Heir could not be changed.