Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace-Chapter 181 - 180 The Capital shook, rewards were granted

Bianliang.

Dong!

Dong!

The morning bell resounded through the thousand streets and hundred lanes of the Imperial City, as market smoke rose, and the people began their busy day. The civil and military officials, dressed in court attire, proceeded in majestic procession to the palace at the end of the white stone imperial path.

They knew that a battle report had been delivered to Taihe Palace last night, and some keen individuals had already discerned that this report must have been sent from Nanyang, related to Nanyang.

Some who already knew the details had even written their memorials, just waiting to submit them directly after the court meeting.

...

In the court hall, Zhao Ji sat high on the dragon throne. After the civil and military officials paid their respects, Zhao Ji raised his hand to let the nearby eunuch read aloud the battle report that had arrived in the capital last night.

"Nanyang’s battle is a great victory. Our army annihilated more than five hundred thousand of the rebel army’s main force, seized the stolen goods..."

The battle report was long, and the eunuch slowly read it for almost ten minutes before finishing.

Then, at Zhao Ji’s indication, the eunuch passed the battle report to Prime Minister Cai Si, and it was then passed down in sequence.

The more the civil and military officials read, the more shocked they became. Had it not been written by Huangfu Hao himself, with Wei Xian’s signature, it would have been hard to believe.

About the time of a stick of incense later.

Cai Si was the first to speak, beginning with congratulations to Zhao Ji, mentioning that with Nanyang’s great victory, His Majesty could be at ease, and then finally getting to the main point:

"Your Majesty, Chen Hong anticipated the enemy, intercepted the stolen goods, held down the main force of the rebel army, and killed the rebel leader Zhang Ping. In our Great Song, such a talent has emerged. This minister observes that he is also an Innate Martial Artist, possesses the talent of command, and has a heroic soul to serve the Great Song. I hope Your Majesty will employ and cherish him..."

"This one man alone killed more than seven thousand rebels. He is an Innate Martial Artist, and was able to kill the enemy leader among the rebels, truly a great talent," Gao Qiu exclaimed.

Then a group of ministers echoed in agreement.

On the contrary, Xiao Yunqi merely said lightly, "Congratulations to Your Majesty; though the Nanyang rebellion is quelled, the disaster has not yet been averted. According to my humble opinion..."

Xiao Yunqi spoke a lot of things unrelated to the battle report.

On the side, Gao Qiu inwardly cursed, calling him an old fox.

Extracting himself while letting us commend Chen Hong, and still speaking about stabilizing people’s livelihood, his handling is seamless.

Gao Qiu cursed in his heart but nonetheless said, "I second the motion," outwardly.

...

The great victory in Nanyang, unexpectedly, did not incite quarrels among the officials, yet this harmonious situation did not bring Zhao Ji any joy.

Upon receiving the battle report yesterday.

Zhao Ji also received a personal letter from Wei Xian.

This was delivered by spies from the Eastern Depot and did not need to pass through departmental reviews.

It detailed Chen Hong’s background clearly.

In the second year of Jingkang (the era name employed by Zhao Ji) entered the palace.

In the sixth year of Jingkang entered Weiyang Palace.

Eunuch.

Inserted into the Infantry Department by the Xiao Family.

Used Shenxiao Five Thunders Technique in battle against Zhang Ping.

Fake eunuch Chen Hong...

Upon learning this, Zhao Ji was immediately furious and further investigated Chen Hong’s background.

All relatives perished in a flood.

A flood took away members of nine clans.

This is simply too peculiar.

Zhao Ji thought, even with his backside, he knew Chen Hong was placed in the Imperial Palace by the Xiao Family.

This Xiao Yunqi is truly audacious.

Even had the nerve to insert spies into his own harem.

This also firmly resolved Zhao Ji’s determination to purge the Xiao Family.

Yet at this moment, he could not move against Chen Hong.

First, because Chen Hong is a person of the Xiao Family, to touch him is to touch the Xiao Family.

Now is not the time to act against the Xiao Family.

It cannot alert the enemy yet.

Secondly, Chen Hong has also achieved a great merit.

If he were to be moved against, how would it be explained to the world, to the army?

"Prime Minister, Grand Commandant, given such significant merit, how do you think he should be rewarded to express my appreciation?"

Cai Si pondered for a moment, then said, "Without rewards commensurate with merit, soldiers have no incentive. According to my humble opinion, it should be a great reward. The reward should match the endless merits, proclaiming to the world the court’s intention to honor talents and solidifying in the hearts of the officers the resolve to serve the Great Song..."

Xiao Yunqi stepped forward and said, "Since ancient times, emperors have balanced generals with grace and might, rewards and punishment affect soldiers. According to my humble opinion, Your Majesty should confer rewards as per the regulations."

"I second the motion," Gao Qiu respectfully agreed.

The court hall fell silent.

The Great Song Imperial Dynasty places great importance on military rewards in defending the nation, hence very detailed reward regulations were formulated.

The first is achievements calculated by the number of heads taken.

Slaying an enemy warrants a Level One honor.

According to the fourth-grade merit, each person is awarded three bolt strings of silk and money.

Also included are capturing prisoners, extraordinary feats, wounds in battle, intelligence gathering, and so on.

And among these military awards, Chen Hong meets too many of the criteria.

If it is truly proposed based on this.

Chen Hong can immediately attain the position of Commander of the Infantry Division.

As always, the water in the court runs deep.

At this moment, the Minister of Rites stood up and said, "Your Majesty, although Chen Hong possesses military talent, as the battle report states, his age is not yet twenty, hence it would be prudent for him to gain further experience."

Thus, the old minister advises, if Your Majesty considers his merits, bestowing more wealth would suffice, and in terms of military ranks, he currently serves as a captain, a promotion to Camp Commander would be sufficient."

"Unacceptable, if only as a Camp Commander, it would surely dishearten the soldiers. My humble opinion is that he should be promoted to Section Leader..."

"Unacceptable..."

The court hall suddenly became noisy with arguments.

Zhao Ji furrowed his brow, feeling mentally fatigued, and said he would think it over, then dismissed the court.

Cai Si and Xiao Yunqi exchanged a look, as if they had anticipated Zhao Ji’s reaction long ago.

Next came the incessant submission of memorials.

...

Weiyang Palace.

The matters that transpired in the court naturally reached Xiao Yunxi’s ears.

After learning of this, the first thought that flashed in her mind was impossibility.

How long has he been cultivating?

How has he become an Innate Martial Artist so soon?

And to slay the main commander of the rebel army, achieving such a significant merit...

If Xiao Yunqi had not subsequently sent someone to tell her.

Xiao Yunxi wouldn’t have believed it at all.

At this moment, she was both thrilled and anxious.

The excitement was naturally for Chen Mo achieving such a great merit, and Xiao Yunxi was happy for him.

The anxiety stemmed from the fear that Chen Mo’s true identity would be discovered by the Emperor.

And also a slight sense of loss.

No matter what.

After returning to the capital, Chen Mo certainly could not live in the Imperial Palace any longer; he would have to establish a residence outside the palace.

...

Fengyang Pavilion.

Since realizing she misunderstood Chen Mo, and not resolving the misunderstanding before his expedition, Zhao Fujin had been out of sorts these past few days.

She appeared unwell throughout the day.

Zhao Jiangning, experienced in these matters, clearly understood that Fujin had fallen for Chen Hong.

Zhao Jiangning sighed inwardly.

Not knowing whether she was sighing for herself or for Fujin.

Falling for a eunuch would lead to no good outcome.

"Elder sister, considering the time, it should be soon. Should I knock you out?"

Zhao Fujin asked Zhao Jiangning.

As she could not bear the pain of falling ill.

Therefore, estimating when she was about to fall ill, Zhao Jiangning would let Zhao Fujin knock her out and then endure it.

Zhao Jiangning nodded.

Just then, the figure of the palace maid Ling’Er hastily walked in.