Shennong Dao Master-Chapter 1159 - 11: Emperor Wu’s Rewards, Maxed Out?! (Da Zhang)
During the Emperor Wu Period, it was only a tide of primordial Qi and not a true resurgence of spiritual energy.
This could not have been accomplished by Emperor Wu without his operation.
Of course, Zhao Xing couldn’t say this directly; he also had to consider various aspects, just as he advised Emperor Wu, he couldn’t act too hastily.
He might have to reveal the truth in the future, but that would have to be when he is absolutely invincible, and there’s no chance the emperor could kill him.
Otherwise, if he were to tell Emperor Wu everything, what if Emperor Wu panicked? Without absolute certainty, Zhao Xing couldn’t disclose everything.
Currently, Ji Che is ambitious and still young, but when he’s nearing the end of his life span or realizes there’s no hope of ascending, who knows what the emperor might do.
At this stage, it’s best to go with the flow; it’s not yet time to go against the heavens.
...
For several consecutive months, Zhao Xing stayed within the Imperial Palace, having long and intimate discussions with Emperor Wu about not only ascending but also the world’s situation and views on politics.
Such intimate and special treatment gradually aroused dissatisfaction among the Ritual Officers.
"The way His Majesty and Duke Divine Might address each other is quite inappropriate."
"You are already the emperor, no longer young, how can you still call Duke Divine Might ’elder brother’? It is against propriety."
"His Majesty and Duke Divine Might meet in private too often, even neglecting state affairs. Nowadays, selections for the various chief officials should be settled, otherwise, appointments of officials below cannot proceed..."
Ji Che watched the nagging of Right Minister ’Fan Aolin’ and the advice of Ritual Officer Ji Wen Chang and couldn’t help but laugh.
"Fan Qing is right, he’s just a duke; if I continue to call him brother, it indeed does not conform to the rituals,"
Seeing Ji Che heed advice, Fan Aolin was about to commend His Majesty’s wisdom when Ji Che suddenly changed his tone.
"In that case, let him be promoted to Standard Second Rank Junior Minister of Agriculture, ennobled to prince rank, in charge of three of the ten Grotto Heavens of the Military Realm, as the ninth Governor King in the Military Realm, and per the late emperor’s edict, wed a princess."
"This way, calling him Brother Wang would be justified."
"What?!" Fan Aolin was instantly stunned.
Ennobling as a prince? And a Governor King? This was too excessive!
"Your Majesty, no!" Fan Aolin knelt down abruptly, "A Standard Second Rank Junior Minister of Agriculture is acceptable, but a prince title... must be earned through military achievements! Especially a Governor King?"
The Great Master Ji Wen Chang couldn’t help but kneel too: "Your Majesty, when the late emperor was in power, he tried various ways to weaken the vassals; you cannot break the late emperor’s policies just as you ascend."
"Moreover, Duke Divine Might is under your command, promotion is already a favor, without any achievements, how can he be ennobled? Even if we take a step back, if you ennoble Duke Divine Might as a Governor King now, what else could you give in the future?"
How could Ji Che not understand this principle?
That’s precisely why he said it that way.
When Ji Che was eight, he learned a simple truth from Zhao Xing.
If you want someone to open a window, it’s best to suggest tearing off the roof first.
Seeing the two so shocked, he said calmly, "Then just ennoble him as a Commandery Prince, Standard Second Rank Junior Agricultural Order, manage two Grotto Heavens, and betroth a princess, how about that?"
The Great Master shook his head: "No, a prince title cannot be granted without military achievements, this is a rule set by our ancestors."
Fan Aolin also said, "Two Grotto Heavens? Shouldn’t we first see how Duke Divine Might performs elsewhere? How can we marry off another princess before the elder princess is married?"
Ji Che said in a low voice, "Then appoint him Standard Second Rank Junior Agricultural Order, and promote him to First Rank Duke..."
Before Ji Che could finish, Fan Aolin interrupted with a bitter face, "Your Majesty, even a First Rank Duke is not permissible..."
Ji Che’s voice carried a trace of anger, "This is not permissible, that is not permissible, why don’t you become the emperor?"
"I dare not, please calm down, Your Majesty." Hearing this, Fan Aolin had no choice but to kowtow heavily to the ground, speechless.
Great Master Ji Wen Chang kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I suggest promoting Duke Divine Might to Third Rank Duke Junyi, grant him a commandery, which could display Your Majesty’s favor, while also preventing criticism of Duke Divine Might being overly favored, then choose a place, and reward him upon meritorious service."
Seeing that Ji Wen Chang finally hit the mark and the time was about right, Ji Che snorted and said, "Fine, I’m not an unenlightened emperor who won’t listen to advice, just do as the Great Master suggests."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
The two bowed again.
What is a Duke Junyi? This was entirely Ji Wen Chang’s impromptu response, derived from the ’Six Harmonies’ in the Book of Rites: Junyi, minister’s conduct, parental kindness, filial piety, brotherly love, and fraternal respect.
So-called Junyi, it is the virtue of a monarch.
Ji Che insisted on calling Zhao Xing brother, Ji Wen Chang had to find a historical reference to satisfy his desire.
A Third Rank Commandery Duke’s ennoblement did not seem exaggerated, as for the title...
Good heavens, after this maneuver, Ji Che could call him brother not only privately but also in public!
After Ji Che left, Fan and Ji exchanged glances, unable to help but smile bitterly and shake their heads.
Not only did their advices go unheard, but they also validated this address.
"Fan Xiang, you..." The Great Master opened his mouth, "Forget it."
What else is there to say, they all knew the emperor was not truly angry.
"His Majesty shows quite the demeanor of the late emperor." Fan Aolin sighed.
...
In the late Emperor Jing Period, many positions were vacant, with only acting roles and no formal appointments.
Now that Emperor Wu has ascended, he has begun formally conferring titles and rewards.
In the First Year of Yuan Shou, he conferred a large number of official titles.
Without new achievements and merits, Emperor Wu promoted ministers beyond normal limits, raised their ranks, noble titles, and dispersal positions, which was a demonstration of imperial grace, a manifestation of cause and effect.
First Year of Yuan Shou, autumn.
Liu Tianning was appointed as the Grand Minister of Agriculture.
Wang Tianzhi was reappointed as Standard Second Rank Junior Agricultural Officer, Ling Tianchen, who was already a Standard Second Rank Junior Agricultural Officer, was ennobled as Duke Ling, Qiu Yuanshan was promoted to Standard Second Rank Junior Agricultural Officer, Meng Kun, Ji Youtang were appointed as Secondary Second Rank Junior Agricultural Officers.
