Chapter 1 The Emperor's Favor

Noon, the rising sun shone brightly.

Jiang Chen, with Consort Shu by his side, stood at the highest point of the city gate, overlooking the imperial capital sprawling for miles.

Just now, at the Exotic Beast Garden, Feng Jin reported to him that Xu Changqing, leading the Southern Army, had reached the outskirts of the city and was about to return to the inner city!

Jiang Chen was immediately overjoyed and issued an imperial decree, summoning all his ministers to gather and welcome Xu Changqing.

Such importance, such honor, moved Consort Shu to tears. She was about to kneel to thank him for his grace.

Jiang Chen did not accept her kneeling. The moment Consort Shu bowed, he supported her, even breaking precedent by taking her out of the palace to join the officials in this grand ceremony.

Imperial concubines were not allowed to interfere in politics – a strict rule of the Great Wei Dynasty!

Therefore, only the Empress could attend such occasions, accompanying the Emperor and enjoying the admiration of the people!

And Jiang Chen, with such nonchalance, gave this honor to Consort Shu.

*Rumble!*

The sound of thundering hooves came from ahead as ten thousand Southern Army soldiers, in neat formation, marched into the city, heads held high and chests out.

This time, to aid Wei River, the Southern Army soldiers spared no effort, traveling day and night to disaster relief in various places, rebuilt river embankments for the local people, arrested bandits along the coast, so that hundreds of thousands of people in Longnan County returned to a stable life.

Although some of the victims have not been settled, but the overall situation has stabilized.

Jiang Chen knew how much effort this result required. He admired Xu Changqing's ability and was proud of the soldiers of the Southern Army. Therefore, he personally welcomed them at the city gate with his officials, and he prepared a banquet at Qianqing Palace to commend them in public!

Along the way, hundreds of thousands of people surged, shouting the honorific titles of Jiang Chen and Xu Changqing, expressing their love and gratitude!

Jiang Chen was moved by the sight, deeply aware of how heavy his burden was.

He summoned Xu Changqing to his side, asking him about his experiences on the road, focusing on the living conditions of the local people. The two chatted happily.

This scene of harmonious relationship between the monarch and his subject, however, stirred up waves in the eyes of the officials.

Has His Majesty's attitude towards Xu Changqing changed too much? If we didn't know the identities of these two, just looking at His Majesty's happy appearance, we might mistakenly think that Xu Changqing was his own brother!

First Consort Shu, and then Xu Changqing... the Xu family is about to rise! It seems that we have to be more polite to them in the future!

Mei Wenshi also thought of this. A sinister look flashed in his old eyes, and he occasionally glanced at Xu Changqing out of the corner of his eye, as if he was planning something.

Qianqing Palace.

The tables were laden with delicacies, and beautiful dancers danced in the center of the hall to the accompaniment of elegant music.

Jiang Chen sat at the head of the table, with Consort Shu, dressed in finery, by his side. He raised his hand and said, "General Xu!"

Xu Changqing immediately stepped out from behind the table and knelt in the hall: "Your Majesty, I am here!"

Jiang Chen said with a smile: "This time, you have made great contributions, not only settling the people, but also wiping out the bandits who have been entrenched in Longnan County for many years, and bringing back huge amounts of wealth to supplement the national treasury. It can be said that you have added merit to your achievements!"

"Therefore, I want to reward you handsomely, and I can't treat you, a great hero, unfairly!"

Xu Changqing said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I dare not!"

"Receiving a reward is not my intention, but I hope the world will be at peace! As a general of the Southern Army, it is Changqing's duty to bring peace and prosperity to the people. How dare I speak of merit?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Chengyou, Minister of Public Works, cupped his hands and said, "General Xu, you are wrong!"

"Rewarding meritorious service is the foundation of our Great Wei Dynasty. If you refuse to accept it, wouldn't it disrupt the rules?"

Xu Changqing couldn't help but look at Zhao Chengyou suspiciously when he heard this.

How could this fence-sitter suddenly stand up and speak for me? Could it be that something has changed in the court these past few days since I left?

Xu Changqing thought to himself, without answering. He was not sure whether Zhao Chengyou was a friend or foe, and was prepared to wait and see.

At this time, Shi Ping, Minister of Rites, also stood up and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, General Xu has made great contributions and can be a role model for the three armies! Why not promote General Xu to General Shenwu and let him lead the four battalions of the imperial capital!"

Knowing the hidden meaning in the music, the ministers in the hall knew that Shi Ping was the emperor's confidant.

Seeing him speak at this moment, they all stood up and agreed.

Only Mei Wenshi and a few others sat on their stools, their faces livid, without saying a word.

The four military camps in the imperial capital are the most powerful and highly equipped elite troops in the Great Wei Dynasty. The number of people added together is nearly 100,000, which can at least determine the outcome of a medium-sized war.

But what they fear most is that these four legions are stationed outside the city, only a few dozen miles away from their residences!

How can others be allowed to snore beside their beds? If these four legions are controlled by the emperor's people, they won't be able to sleep peacefully at night!

The more Mei Wenshi thought about it, the uglier his face became, and he could hardly sit still on the stool.

During this period, he had already suffered heavy losses. His disciples and followers were removed, and some of the spies he had placed in the palace were also lost, greatly reducing his power. If Xu Changqing were to rise to power... No, he would never allow this to happen!

Xu Changqing, the Xu family, must be eliminated!

"Good, since all of you love ministers have begged so earnestly, how can I not agree?"

Saying that, Jiang Chen waved his hand and said: "Feng Jin, draft an decree for me, Xu Changqing, commander of the Southern Army, has made contributions to disaster relief and resettlement of the people, he shall be named Grand Marshal Shenwu, in command of the four armies of the imperial capital, in addition, he shall be rewarded with a mansion in Kangle Ward of the imperial capital, one hundred taels of gold, one hundred bolts of tribute satin, and one hundred pieces of jade!"

"As for the rewards for other generals at all levels, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War will be responsible for them. They must be implemented in place, and the meritorious officials must not be treated unfairly! If anyone dares to disobey my will, don't blame the law for being merciless!"

Jiang Chen's expression was serious, and his tone carried a faint warning.

These officials usually take bribes and squeeze a lot of oil and water from those merchants. He used to turn a blind eye to it, after all, clear water has no fish.

But this time, it was to reward the soldiers who risked their lives to earn merit. If anyone who is blind dares to reach out, Jiang Chen will not be polite!

In Qianqing Palace, the officials looked solemn and nodded in agreement.

Some officials who had been playing tricks wiped the sweat from their foreheads and put away those little thoughts.

After a while, Jiang Chen issued an imperial decree.

Some officials who had friction with Xu Changqing on weekdays unanimously picked up their wine glasses and walked towards him, with various compliments and flattery, hoping to repair their relationship with each other.

This surprised Xu Changqing, who had been sitting on the bench in the court for a long time, and immediately looked at Jiang Chen at the head of the table, with a strong sense of gratitude in his eyes.

At this time, Consort Shu was so happy that she didn't know what to do. Her brother was promising, and His Majesty gave her unprecedented honor. Everything was as happy as a dream, so beautiful that she was terrified and afraid, and she felt that everything was unreal.

*Pa!*

Consort Shu slapped the back of her hand, and the force was so great that the skin quickly turned red.

Jiang Chen was also shocked. He put down his cup, held Consort Shu's slender hand and looked at it carefully, frowning: "Yun'er, what are you doing? Why did you suddenly hit yourself?"