The 40th Imperial Court (4)

  "...The Turkic barbarians do not respect the superior country, do not keep their alliance, cheat my country, insult my people, betray faith and morality, and both humans and gods are enraged! I followed the will of heaven, sent troops to suppress the bandits, all generals cooperated sincerely, soldiers fought bravely in blood, only then did we have such a brilliant victory as our great Tang Dynasty. In the Battle of Dingxiang, Yang Zhengdao, the fake king of Sui, was captured alive. In the Battle of Yingshan, his country was destroyed and several tens of thousands of his tribesmen were taken prisoner, including Jieli Khan. This is the greatest victory since the founding of our great Tang Dynasty! It made all the tribes on the grasslands tremble with fear at the mighty power of our great Tang Dynasty, and they did not dare to make any more trouble!"

  Since the founding of the Great Tang, great importance has been placed on military achievements, and even more emphasis is put on clear rewards and punishments. Those who have made contributions must be rewarded, and those who have committed wrongdoings must be punished. Clear rewards and punishments are the foundation of the Great Tang! Now that we have achieved such a great victory, I have ordered the Temple of Prayer to ring the bronze bell 999 times to show respect and honor, and to demonstrate to Heaven the majestic power of the Great Tang. Having announced this to the world, what remains is to heavily reward those ministers who have made contributions!

  Su Ning woke up relatively late and only heard the last two sentences. Li's voice echoed in the Taiji Hall, officially opening the climax of this grand court meeting - heavily rewarding those with great contributions.

  Everyone suddenly straightened up, especially those with military achievements, were extremely excited; because this victory was very great, so everyone knew that Li's mood was particularly good. As the saying goes, "When people encounter happy events, their spirits are refreshed." With a refreshing spirit, everyone's good days have arrived. Li will surely not be stingy with rewards, and the rewards obtained this time will definitely exceed any previous ones.

  Su Ning also regained his spirit, although he guessed that Li Er would give himself a baronial title, but the most important thing was still the official position. Having a noble title wasn't a big deal, it was just a matter of mixing and eating to death; the official position was the most important power base in the feudal dynasty. The so-called hereditary system was not the hereditary succession of official positions, but rather the hereditary succession of noble titles, which had nothing to do with official positions. Of course, those who could inherit noble titles generally would have a painless and harmless official position, allowing them to mix and eat to death for a lifetime.

  As Emperor Taizong of Tang said, among the officials, there are not many capable people, but many idle ones. These people cannot be greatly used, however, in order to demonstrate to the world that the Tang Dynasty's rewards and punishments are clear-cut, so that the people of the world can feel at ease dedicating their lives to the Tang Dynasty, the hereditary system must exist. Therefore, the reduction of noble ranks is also necessary. The reduction of noble ranks is specially prepared for the descendants of those meritorious officials who are incompetent. Anyway, the Tang Dynasty will let your descendants not starve to death within a certain period of time. After the expiration date, the Tang Dynasty has fulfilled its obligations to you, and if your own children and grandchildren are not promising, do not blame the Tang Dynasty.

  So Sui Ning was very concerned about what kind of official position Li Er would give himself, which is the symbol of whether Li Er really cares about himself. Sui Ning had made up his mind that he could not be a mediocre person in such a great era, so he must have a high-ranking official position. However, Sui Ning also understood that he was recommended by Li Jing to be an official, and Li Jing was not favored by Li Er, but he was considered to be of the same faction as Li Jing. How to eliminate the shadow of Li Jing and achieve his own success while ensuring Li Jing's safety is a must.

  For Li Jing, Su Ning initially only intended to use him as a guide, but after several sleepless nights, he discovered that every day at around midnight, Li Jing would come to his tent or room to check on him, sometimes even covering him with a blanket. On some mornings, it was also Li Jing who woke him up. At that time, Su Ning knew that Li Jing had already considered him as one of his own people.

  A drop of water in need, should be repaid with a gushing spring. If this life cannot guarantee the safety of Li Jing and his descendants, then Su Ning has lived in vain. At this time, Li Jing protects himself, as a shield for himself. When Li Jing grows older and can no longer protect himself, it will be his turn to protect Li Jing.

  To achieve this goal, Suning must have sufficient status and power.

  "This great victory has demonstrated the mighty power of our Great Tang, and has shown forth the brilliant heavenly prestige of our Great Tang. My heart is deeply gratified. Therefore, regarding this expedition's meritorious officers and soldiers, I have already decreed that officials carefully record the names and merits of those who have achieved merit, and reward them according to their achievements, without any omissions. In fact, if it were possible, I would personally like to reward the three armies, but due to the multitude of state affairs, I can only bestow rewards on ministers who have achieved great merit at this grand court assembly, as a token of my heartfelt intentions. Come, read out the imperial edict!"

  The Emperor Li II waved his hand, and the eunuch took out a yellow scroll, slowly unrolled it, cleared his throat, and began to read: "Imperial Decree of the Great Tang Emperor: The mighty power of the Great Tang is awe-inspiring, with great military achievements, greatly defeating the enemy at Yin Mountain... Now, Li Jing, Minister of War and Commander-in-Chief of the Dingxiang Campaign, is appointed as Right Vice-Director of the Department of State Affairs, granted the title of Duke of Dai, and awarded an additional 200 households, adding to his previous fief of 700 households. Let it be known!"

  After a bunch of nonsense, Su Ning finally got to the point, feeling somewhat depressed. Why did these ancient people like to say a lot of grandiose words to show off their literary talent before getting to the real purpose? Isn't that just farting with your pants down? However, it was clear that everyone was very used to it. For example, Li Jing, who showed no joy or sorrow, had a normal expression, stood up and walked into the grand hall, bowed to Emperor Li Er: "Minister Li Jing, thanks to Heaven's grace!"

  Shangshu You Pushe, that is the position of Prime Minister. Li Jing was originally the Minister of War, and this sudden promotion to Shangshu You Pushe is already the highest reward with real power. Any further promotion would be a nominal position without real power. The position of Shangshu Ling is extremely prestigious and has real power, but because Emperor Taizong of Tang had held this position before, it became an extremely important position that would not be easily granted without great merit. Later, only Guo Ziyi held the position of Shangshu Ling.

  Su Ning understood that Li Jing would not make any further progress, this was the peak of Li Jing's political and military career, afterwards without unexpected events, Li Jing would not have any other promotions, still having to be extremely cautious to avoid making mistakes, at this time Li Jing could be considered a high-ranking official, already becoming the next target for those officials to take action against, didn't you see a hint of worry in Li Jing's calm eyes?

  "Jin Cao Guo Gong, Tong Han Dao Xing Jun Zong Guan Li Shi Ji as Guang Lu Da Fu, acting as the Long History of Ping Zhou Da Du Hu Fu, adding 100 households to his fief, and previously granted 1,000 households. Obey this!" The eunuch continued.

  Li Shimin was only thirty-six years old, and he was the youngest among the founding ministers of the Great Tang Dynasty. However, his ability was absolutely exceptional, which is why he received such merits and rewards. Looking at Li Shimin's calm face, it can be inferred that there was nothing unusual about him, just the governor of Pingzhou and the chief historian of the Grand General's Mansion. What's going on? I have to go back and check.

  Behind that was a corresponding reward for the generals, Su Ning didn't pay much attention to it. Cheng Yaojin and others did not make any great achievements, so they were only granted the reward of adding food to their fiefdoms. Cheng Yaojin was originally just the Count of Luguo County, which is considered one of the higher-ranking titles among the ministers. It's said that Emperor Li II has already planned to marry his daughter to Cheng Yaojin's son, Cheng Chulang. According to Su Ning's speculation, this old fox Cheng Yaojin should have already sensed a hint of danger.

  Wei Zhong is just a wooden brain, a die-hard loyalist of Li Er, and Li Er would never suspect that this guy with extremely low IQ would do anything bad, so the reward for Wei Zhong's promotion was very generous, and no one thought it was inappropriate; what's worth noting is that after Li Jing was promoted and retreated, Li Er gave the position of Minister of War to Hou Junji, a future rebel leader. Su Ning understood that this was a disguised deprivation of Li Jing's military power, reducing his influence in the military, and cultivating a new generation of military leaders.

  After a series of awards and rewards, Suning still didn't hear about his own reward or that of Su Dingfang and Changsun Chong. However, Suning wasn't worried as the main event would definitely be at the end. Moreover, even if it was just for the sake of Changsun Wuji's face, Emperor Li wouldn't neglect Changsun Chong, so he wouldn't neglect himself either. Thus, Suning felt very reassured.

  As expected, after a series of famous generals were rewarded and divided, they finally reached the highest point. The three greatest achievements in this battle were awarded, Suning secretly took a look at Zhangsun Wuji's fat face, seeing that he had a dark and satisfied expression, Suning knew that Li's reward would not be light.

  "Sun Chong, the chief military advisor of Dingxiang Road, was young and brave, with a good character. In the battle of Yingshan, he fought bravely and captured the wife of the Turkic Khan Ashina Helu, the former Princess Yicheng. His achievement was unparalleled; however, as he was the eldest son, it was not convenient to grant him another noble title. To honor his achievement, he was promoted to Left Guard Commander-in-Chief, and the Princess Changle was betrothed to him, with the marriage to be completed after she came of age! The Minister of Works, Duke of Julu, Sun Wuji, taught his son well, increased his fief by 100 households, rewarded him with 10,000 bolts of silk, and commended him thus!"

  Good fellow, with one stroke, he rewarded both father and son, and from then on, the Changsun family's position in the court became even more elevated. Changsun Wuji led Changsun Chong to smile brightly as they thanked Emperor Li for his grace, while Changsun Chong smiled like a flower, becoming a delicate and lovely flower bud of the Tang Dynasty, who would receive careful care from the Tang emperor and his ministers, growing strong and healthy.

  Historical records show that Changsun Wuji was a very ordinary person, honest and never did anything wrong. He died because after the death of his father Changsun Wuji, he became depressed and spoke out of turn, which annoyed Empress Wu Zetian and led to his exile...

  But at this time, with his own, with a different Li Jing breaking the Turkic, with a different Changsun, what is the future of this different Changsun? Suning can't predict...

  Actually, when Suning entered this space-time at the beginning, it was destined that this space-time would produce changes that even Suning could not anticipate. Just like throwing a small stone into a calm lake surface, no matter how small the stone is, it will always produce ripples. From the moment the ripples appear, this world has already deviated from its original orbit and headed towards an unknown future...

  "Kuang Dao Fu Zhe Chong, Tong Han Dao Xing Jun Fu Jiang Su Lie, with great courage and meticulous heart, exceptionally brave and unparalleled, in the battle of Yin Mountain, he fought valiantly and captured the former Sui dynasty's Xiao Tai Hou, recovered the Imperial Seal, his merit is unmatched. I am deeply pleased, specially granting Su Lie the title of Wu Yi County Bo, with a real fief of 300 households, bestowing 2000 mu of good land, 5000 bolts of silk, granting a mansion in Chang'an Prefecture, ordering people to repair his ancestral temple, and promoting him to Left Wu Wei Middle Lang Jiang. Let it be known!"

  Suning's heart moved, the title of Wu County Bo was not what Suning cared about, those lands and wealth were not as good as Suning's eyes, this was certain. The idea that Emperor Li II decided to honor the Su family was something Suning had already guessed. Two brothers from one family making achievements together would become a beautiful story, and Emperor Li II was happy to go along with it, doing a favor for someone in need; however, there were few people who would send charcoal in snowy weather, but many who would add flowers to brocade. But the position of Left Wuwei Zhonglang General, Suning wasn't quite clear what this job entailed, however looking at Su Ding's delighted expression and some envious glances from the surrounding people, Suning knew that this must be an important position.

  Su Ning is not worried, with the divine machine in hand, I have everything under control. The existence of the divine machine makes Su Ning no longer worry about these incomprehensible official positions and terms, you know! The divine machine is awesome!

  Su Dingfang stood up straight, smiled at Su Ning, then strode to the center of the hall and knelt down before Li Er: "Your subject Su Lie, thanks Your Majesty for your heavenly grace! Your Majesty, I have a presumptuous request, please grant it!" Su Ning knew what Su Dingfang was going to say, this matter made sense both emotionally and logically, so Li Er would definitely agree, but following that, Su Ning could also imagine...