Chapter 981: Chapter 542: The Grand Court Assembly (Supplementary Update)
The disturbance caused by Chen Yuan in the Heavenly Patrol Bureau was indeed normal, after all, the aftermath of the Liang and Barbarian War had not completely dissipated, and Chen Yuan, who turned the tide, was still gaining fame.
At the same time, many people were already certain that the imperial court was planning to ennoble Chen Yuan as a marquis, which was no small matter. The Marquises of Great Jin were many, but most were hereditary.
There were actually very few who could be ennobled solely on their own merits.
And at Chen Yuan’s age, there was not a single one.
Now, the key point that many are speculating on is how many households Chen Yuan will be granted to govern, and whether the Emperor will ennoble him as an interior marquis or a border marquis.
An interior marquis has no fiefdom, no real power, only a nominal position.
Currently, the four Divine Envoys of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau are of this rank, to signify their years of service to the country, while a border marquis is at the top level just below the prince, at the rank of Great Governor Gu Tianqiong and Grand Marshal Li Kuangxiu.
They have fiefdoms, all located within the various states of the realm.
Although the territory is small, it has been granted to them, and they manage all taxes, of course, it is impossible to form a state within a state, and the local officials are the same as usual.
And this is undoubtedly an honor.
Many speculate that granting Chen Yuan an interior marquis would be sufficient, considering his young age, but there are also those who hold a differing opinion, thinking that with the unprecedented merits Chen Yuan has achieved,
even being ennobled as a border marquis would not be excessive.
This has even sparked debate.
As someone led the way ahead, Chen Yuan remained calm all the way, during which many noticed him, from Heavenly Core Grandmasters to ordinary Patrol Guards, all of whom greeted him with the courtesy of subordinates.
Their eyes shimmered with awe and yearning.
A true man should be like this!
And Chen Yuan did not ignore them; some he nodded to, and others he responded to with a word or two, yet even so, those officials of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau who received a response were inexplicably excited.
In other words, Chen Yuan had essentially become the ‘idol’ of the young officials in the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, and even the Jianghu martial artists held him in high regard.
Few still mentioned the four disparaging words ‘imperial dog’ anymore.
They referred to Chen Yuan either as Master Chen the Green Envoy or Lord Chen of Qingzhou, and there were few who called him by his full name. The prestige and status he established in that battle were evident.
Outside the Heavenly Patrol Hall.
Chen Yuan halted his steps, and someone went inside to report. Two people came out together, one of whom was the previous Patrol Envoy, and the other was the Heavenly Divine Envoy Xiao Jing.
He is expected to occupy the position of Great Governor of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, Heavenly Divine Envoy Xiao Jing.
“Master Chen, the Great Governor is summoning you to the hall.”
The Patrol Envoy glanced at Xiao Jing before speaking in haste.
Chen Yuan nodded slightly, then looked at Xiao Jing and cupped his fists:
“Master Xiao.”
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jing smiled and returned the gesture:
“Master Chen.”
“I don’t dare.”
Chen Yuan quickly declined, as the rewards from Jingtai had not yet arrived, he remained at the proper fourth rank as a Heavenly Patrol Golden Envoy, while Xiao Jing was a proper third rank Divine Envoy, a significant disparity in status.
The two had no grievances, and Chen Yuan naturally was not inclined to directly accept.
Xiao Jing smiled slightly and gave Chen Yuan a deep look:
“Envoy Chen need not be so courteous, it’s only a matter of time. The Great Governor is waiting in the main hall, it’s best to head in soon.”
With that, he turned to leave.
But Chen Yuan frowned, glancing back at Xiao Jing; he wondered if it was his illusion, but it seemed that Xiao Jing was looking at him differently.
It was different from his rising status, perhaps due to other reasons.
But besides his identity in the imperial court, what else could be of value to the other?
Very strange.
Chen Yuan took note of Xiao Jing’s gaze in his mind, but now was not the time to dwell on it, he quickly walked into the Heavenly Patrol Hall.
Sensing Chen Yuan’s gaze withdraw, Xiao Jing subconsciously glanced at Chen Yuan again, as if there was something special about him.
Lightly chuckling, he gradually walked away.
Within the Heavenly Patrol Hall.
Much the same as when Chen Yuan last left the Capital, Great Governor Gu Tianqiong was still sitting at the top, exuding a powerful aura, examining Chen Yuan with penetrating eyes.
Raising his head to glance at him, Chen Yuan calmed himself, bowed with cupped fists and said:
“Subordinate Chen Yuan, greets the Great Governor!”
“Chen Yuan…” Gu Tianqiong gently tapped his fingers on the table, letting out a light chuckle:
“This time in Liangzhou, you did a great deed, turning the tide, slaying the Barbarian God, saving millions in Liangzhou from suffering, I must admit, I underestimated you before.”
Although he praised Chen Yuan, these words sounded somewhat off, and Chen Yuan could only feign ignorance, continuing:
“The Northern Barbarians invaded the Central Plains, as a Heavenly Patrol Bureau official, it was my duty to set an example, but claiming to turn the tide would be inaccurate, the true savior of millions in Liangzhou was King of Beiliang Wei Jinfeng, the three hundred thousand Northern Beiliang Iron Cavalry, and the unity of the Jianghu comrades in Liangzhou.
My contribution was but a small effort.”
“Why, do you not accept my praise?”
“I dare not presume, I merely feel I am unworthy.”
Gu Tianqiong squinted slightly, letting out a light laugh:
“It seems this time in Liangzhou was quite the honing experience, not only do you dare to speak such words before me, but you also defy the Imperial Decree disrespectfully.”
“Chen Yuan, do you know that when His Majesty recalled you, it was for fear of your demise at the border, out of hope for your future, cultivating you as a true future cornerstone.”
His tone slightly elevated.
Chen Yuan, having already prepared in his mind, continued:
“Precisely because of this, I had no choice but to defy the Imperial Decree. I was personally appointed by His Majesty, dispatched by the Great Governor to take over as the Golden Envoy in Liangzhou, representing His Majesty, the court, and the Great Governor!”