The Commander-in-Chief's Office forwarded a document to the Senate, recommending that the Senate reward the recently retired military governor-general Ding Kui for his merits.Ω
The document had just been sent to the Senate. The third elder Jiang Li and the seventh elder Long Dang jointly proposed to grant Ding Kui the title of third-class earl, and selected ten cities for Ding Kui to choose a territory.
Granting a title of nobility requires a joint decision by the ten elders, unless, of course, the king specifically approves it.
Generally, for nobles of the earl level, the ten elders will reach a series of exchanges of interests in private. Proposals like this one that have not been discussed in advance rarely occur. However, Jiang Li and Long Dang joined forces, and the person who was awarded the title was the consort Martin Kui.
The merits assessed by the Commander-in-Chief's Office were sufficient, and no elder immediately raised objections.
Yang Zhao is cunning and will not express his opinions until others object;
Xuanyuan Xiong, Bao Lan, Yao Ai and Fan Yu are all based in the West Sea War Zone. After the West Sea War, there will definitely be requests for knighthood. They do not want to confront the Jiang Long family now;
Kong Ci cooperated with Ding Kui, so he would definitely not raise objections;
There is no enmity between the Xun Ruo and Jiang Long families, and the nephews and Ding Kui have a fragile alliance. As long as they are given some benefits, they will vote in favor, and objections will not be considered;
After all, the one who was most reluctant was Gongsunda. He had a direct conflict with Ding Kui last year. If someone took the lead in opposing, he would definitely oppose it, but it would definitely not work if he took the lead.
"Since there is no objection, there is no need to vote on this proposal. I will submit the knighthood plan to the king, and let the king officially canonize Ding Kui." Jiang Li struck while the iron was hot to finalize the matter of Ding Kui's knighthood.
He calculated that no one would take the lead in opposition. Seeing that the noble meeting was about to be held, the three families of Jiang, Long, and Ding would be afraid of any faction if they joined forces. Who could guarantee that the help of these three families would not be needed during the noble meeting?
"Ahem, everyone is aware of this proposal. Who is against it?" the great elder asked the other elders as usual.
Gongsunda's eyes wandered around the other elders, Xun Ruo stared at Jiang Li and Long Dang, Kong Ci simply closed his eyes to rest, Xuanyuan Xiong concentrated on combing his beard, Bao Lan, Yao Ai and Fan Yu pretended to review the proposal documents, Jiang Li and Long faced each other.
He glanced at everyone expressionlessly.
There is no one who is willing to break out and take the lead in opposing!
According to the rules of the Elders' Meeting, any proposal without objection shall be passed without the need for a vote by ten elders.
"Okay, let's take a look at the next proposal." Long Dang waved his hand and asked his staff to distribute the new proposal document. He wanted to promote the meeting and did not want other elders to have too long to consider.
Gongsunda wanted to speak several times, but two pairs of stern eyes immediately focused on him. The third elder and the seventh elder were sitting on both sides of him, the fifth elder.
"Well, let's look at the next one." Yang Zhao was very reluctant in his heart, but he could only accept this result.
?
"The Taiwei is here!" A rare visitor came to the Houguo Mansion.
Young Dianhuang visited the house in person on the pretext of discussing wedding arrangements. It was rare for a Taiwei to visit the Ding family in the past hundred years.
He asked Ding Kui to retreat, and when he saw no one was around, he said, "Does your consort still remember the ancestral precepts of the Ding family?"
Ding Kui naturally knew the reason why the Taiwei came to him. He rolled his eyes and replied: "The Ding family has many ancestral sayings. Unfortunately, the disaster that year caused the loss of many ancestral items. I dare not say that I remember them all."
"I heard that the Senate requested that you be canonized as an earl. In the future, if you inherit the title of Lord Protector, the title of earl can only be passed on to your children. It does not mean much to you. It is better to exchange it for other rewards." Shao Dianhuang simply made it clearer.
.
"If the official has only one child, having one more earl does not mean much, but the official thinks that he can make a bet. In the future, the official will have at least two or more children. In terms of the Ding family's bloodline, one earl can be maintained for two or three generations.
There should be no problem, other rewards may not be as good." Ding Kui just didn't mention the ancestral precepts.
"The bloodline of the Ding family will definitely be the pillars of the country. They will serve in the commander-in-chief's office in the future. One more title will bring more worries. Even if you change the dilemma of being a single person for several generations, the additional military merits will bring greater demands to your children.
pressure."
Shao Dianhuang wanted to persuade Ding Kui to give up the idea of becoming an earl this time. Behind this was the king's intention, and he even offered conditions for Ding Kui's descendants to regain control of the general staff.
"Mr. Taiwei is making me laugh. Xiaguan grew up under pressure. How can his children and grandchildren live an easier life than Xiaguan? We can't just wait for rewards, we must fight for them on our own." Ding Kui answered forcefully.
The king sent people to negotiate with him, with the purpose of getting him to give up his title and territory. At this time, his dissatisfaction was blameless. Every credit on the battlefield was not obtained by others taking care of him. It was all based on his own ability.
If he fights his way back, no one has any reason to object to his being granted the title.
As for the ancestral precepts of the Ding family, they do not want to fief the land but only want to protect the royal family. There are historical reasons. There is a certain reason why Ding Kui does not abide by the ancestral precepts now. This is also one of the reasons why the king asked Shaodian Huang to talk privately.
"Well, the king will summon you to the palace tomorrow morning. At that time, you still have a chance to exchange for a reward. Before that, you'd better think clearly. The king hopes that you can use your talents in some aspects." Shao Dianhuang couldn't put it into perspective.
He said it too clearly and could only hint at Ding Kui.
If Ding Kui refuses to be ennobled, the king will replace it with other rewards. If the military is done with it, it can be mixed up with other departments. The Government Affairs Council, the Clan Office and the Senate all have vacancies to arrange for Ding Kui.
"Thank you for your kindness. I will consider it seriously." Ding Kui asked Shaodianhuang to step down.
If he doesn't accept the king's terms of exchange, he can't refuse the prince in person. This is basic etiquette.
After sending Shaodian Huang away, Ding Kui went straight to Anguo Duke's Mansion.
After listening to Ding Kui's story, Jiang Li asked seriously: "Have you thought clearly? Giant Sheep City is so far away, and there may be no chance to develop in the capital in the future."
"Well, Kui'er has thought it through! It's not a matter of a word from the king as to what kind of official I will be, and it will be the same if I am dismissed. But it is not so easy to deprive me of my title and territory." Ding Kui considered this issue for two or three years.
, I have already thought about it clearly.
"Okay, no matter you or your son adopt the Jiang family, there will always be a time when you return to Zhenjing City in the future. An extra territory is definitely not a bad thing, but you have to work more on Long Yan and the eldest princess to inherit the Jiang family.
The important responsibility for the Ding family and the Ding family rests on you." Jiang Li finally supported Ding Kui.
Heirloom nobles attach great importance to territory, which is the foundation of a family. Although the earl given to Ding Kui is not a heirloom title, with the combined strength of the Ding family and the Jiang family, it is not much different from a heirloom title.
Ding Qi should be on his way back to the capital city. Ding Kui reported to his father about his plan to capture Juyang City, but Ding Qi has not replied yet to prove that he has no objection.
The next day, after the king concluded the discussion, he summoned Ding Kui to the palace. In front of all the courtiers, he conferred the title of Third-Class Loyal and Brave Earl on Ding Kui, and asked Ding Kui to choose a city as his territory.
"Giant Sheep City." Ding Kui circled a dot on the map.
Shao Diandan's eyelids twitched and he thought: This guy is pretty good at picking such a remote small city, but overall he is still short-sighted. Sooner or later, his influence in the military will disappear. From now on, Juyang City will always be under the influence of the border.
Army constraints.
"Okay, from today onward, Count Ding Kui will be the Lord of Juyang City." The king stamped his seal on the canonization document.
When Ding Kui was retreating from the court, he was stopped by someone. After a closer look, he found that he was an acquaintance.
"Director Zhou, long time no see, but your Majesty wants to see me?" Ding Kui recognized the person who stopped him as Zhou Ying.
Zhou Ying said with a smile: "Haha, if I go back to the Prince Consort, I am now the director of the Department of Internal Affairs. It is indeed the king who invited me."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it turns out that Director Zhou has been promoted to a higher position and he comes to my house to sit down when he has time." Ding Kui remembered that Zhou Ying sent Gong Xiu to the Protector's Mansion, and the two of them were friends.
"Back then, I could see that the Prince Consort was deeply loved by the King. How could an ordinary person get a palace show? I haven't seen the Prince Consort in the past few years. Now I finally have the opportunity. In a few days, I will take a rest. Please treat me with a meal.
A meal." Zhou Ying never missed the opportunity to curry favor with Ding Kui.
"Easy to say, easy to say, you can call Director Shang Yin." Ding Kui stretched out his hand to pull Zhou Ying, slipped a bag of gold coins from his sleeve and stuffed it into Zhou Ying's hand.
He did not dare to underestimate Zhou Ying. It was not easy to climb to the position of director of the Department of Internal Affairs in a few years. He had a certain amount of influence in the palace, and it would not hurt to be friendly with him.
When he came to the imperial study, there was no one else, so the king summoned Ding Kui alone.
"You didn't plan to ask Luan'er to accompany you to that remote country, right? The climate there is hot and humid, and it's not suitable for members of the royal family to live there for a long time." Shao Diandan said to Ding Kuiming.
"I dare not hide it from my father. There are still many people in Juyang City who need my care. I want to give my followers a stable home, so I have to spend some time running it. There is a princess courtyard in the Protector's Mansion, and the Ding family elders
The house has also been renovated, and I dare not force the eldest princess, she can go wherever she wants." Ding Kui expressed his position hurriedly.
"No, Luan'er must follow you. After the wedding, you will naturally know that if you want to run Juyang City, you need to consider this. It is best not to leave Zhenjing City."
"Actually, Juyang City is very different from the past. Although it will never be as wealthy as the capital city, the conditions there are not too bad. Moreover, I have several capable people under my command, so the safety of the eldest princess will not be a problem. However, I really can't.
Just try to shorten your time there." Ding Kui bargained hard with the king.
"It's not that I don't want to give you territory, but I can't give you extra preferential treatment based on merit. For example, there will be opposition to the position of Prince Xi Ma, and it's still too late for you to change your mind." Shaodian Dan was still putting pressure on Ding Kui.
.
He hoped that Ding Kui would stay where he could see him at any time, but he could not reveal the secrets of the royal family to Ding Kui.
"My father will have many princes in the future. The Ding family is most afraid of getting involved in the royal family affairs. My son thinks that going to Juyang City is the best choice." Ding Kui had no choice but to resort to a trick.
Sure enough, Shaodiandan hesitated. Ding Kui's reason made him think deeply and inevitably think of the past of the Ding family.
"If you insist, I won't stop you, but you have to agree to one of Gu's conditions."