"I should have guessed it was him, I should have guessed it was him."

He wanted to think about this, but he didn't dare to think about it. He couldn't believe that an emperor could be so honest with him, nor could he believe that an emperor could play the flute quietly in the Acacia Palace alone.

Hearing the eunuch's shout, Xue Poye reacted immediately and hurriedly kowtowed: "I have lost my temper, please punish me."

Emperor Deqing waved his hand and said warmly: "That's all. If it's your first offense, I'll forgive you this time. Xue Shitou, you did a good job last night. It seems I should reward you."

Seeing Emperor Deqing's warm smiles and kind attitude towards Xue Poye, the ministers couldn't help but said: "The Holy One really likes this Xue Shitou. This boy seems to have a bright future."

Xue Poye immediately said: "This is all a minor matter, and I dare not take credit. As for the credit, it is the credit of the Yulin soldiers. If your Majesty wants to reward me, please give me a big favor and reward those soldiers who died in the battle.

Good luck with the pension."

Many people nodded slightly. This Xue Shitou spoke appropriately and was not greedy for merit. He was indeed a decent person.

Emperor Deqing chuckled and said slowly: "You speak very appropriately. If you do this, you will receive a generous pension for the soldiers who died in battle. As for you, I will also give you a good reward. I will let the civil and military officials of the court take a look. This

Above the court, there are still people who can do things, and there are people who are worthy of my reward."

Emperor Deqing's words certainly made the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty laugh a lot. Many ministers lowered their heads, but many looked at Xue Poye with jealousy and resentment.

Xue Poye had no choice but to say: "Thank you for your kindness."

Emperor Deqing pondered for a moment and said: "I have decreed that Xue Shitou will be granted the title of Viscount of Dachu, and a thousand acres of land will be given to him. He will be registered as a noble and the land will be allocated on the same day."

As soon as he finished speaking, the ministers were shocked, and a voice shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, this is not possible!"

Everyone looked at the sound and saw a thin old man standing out. He had a boyish face and a stooped body, but he had an aura of calmness and authority.

Everyone was surprised. Everyone knew that this old man was Cao Muyan, the current Prime Minister of Chu. He was the leader among thousands of people.

The Cao family can be said to be the fourth generation and the three nobles. It is a family that was very prosperous in the Chu Dynasty. Compared with the three royal families of the Chu Dynasty, it may not be as glorious as theirs at the beginning of the founding of the country, but in recent decades, it has completely surpassed them.

The three major royal families are in the limelight.

Cao Juyan, Cao Muyan's brother, served as a great minister for thirteen years during the reign of Emperor Xuanwen, the father of Emperor Deqing. After resigning, Cao Muyan took up the post of prime minister in the Deqing Dynasty, and the Cao family became one of the powerful families in the Chu Kingdom.

Cao Muyan was a man of great talent in governing the country. During his fourteen years in power, he was able to say that he worked hard and did many great things that benefited the country and the people. Presumably, he won the trust of Emperor Deqing.

In addition, Cao Muyan's daughter is His Majesty the current emperor's concubine Yi, who is also the mother-in-law of the second prince Liu Ziyin. In other words, Cao Muyan is the grandfather of Prince Yin.

In recent years, Cao Muyan has become older and weaker, and often recuperates at home. Many court affairs are handled by the Hanlin Academy and the Six Ministries. Emperor Deqing thought of his contribution to the Cao family and did not immediately suggest that Cao Muyan take care of himself in old age.

Although the phase is retained, as for the actual power, it is already quite empty.

However, the foundation of many years is still there. Cao Muyan suddenly came to court today and went out to oppose it. Everyone was still a little surprised. However, compared to His Majesty the Emperor's appointment of Xue Poye as Viscount, the ministers were still shocked by His Majesty's conferment.

In the Great Chu system, in addition to official positions at all levels, there were also titles and titles. Official positions were rewarded with silver, and titles were rewarded with land.

The highest title is naturally the royal title. Those who are granted the title of king naturally have a large title and a wide fiefdom. There are not many princes in the Great Chu Dynasty, there are only four princes. In addition to the three major royal families, there are also people who sit in the origin of the Great Chu.

The Mingyue King of Yongzhou is known as the Northwest King in the world.

The Northwest King holds the fiefdom of Yongzhou, and he has the largest fiefdom among the noble titles.

As for the three major royal families, although they each have their own fiefdoms, compared with the large fiefdoms in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, they have been gradually reduced by successive generations of emperors, and each family only has a land of ten thousand hectares.

The first-generation heads of the three major royal families still had the status of princes. From the second generation onwards, although they still retained the title of the royal family, the heads of the families had been downgraded to dukes.

In addition to the prince, there are five levels of titles including duke, marquis, earl and viscount.

Those who can be awarded a title, even the lowest viscount, need extraordinary achievements to be awarded. As for the title of king, in the past hundred years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, only six people and only thirteen dukes have been awarded. In Deqing,

In the current dynasty, only the heads of the three major royal families still have the title of duke.

As for Ruo Marquis, the Deqing Dynasty had granted more than a dozen titles, but most of them were relatives of the emperor and had made great achievements. Cao Muyan was also among them, as well as Duke and General Tianwei of the Great Chu State, who now guard

Beiguan is also among the dukes.

The title of earl is mainly concentrated in the army. As for viscount, it is the first level of the title.

In Da Chu's system, titles can be inherited, but not necessarily by rank. Maybe if I am a duke, my son may be an earl or viscount, but if I am a viscount, then my son can naturally only inherit the position of viscount.

A title is a symbol of glory and power. How many people have made countless contributions, but still cannot be awarded a title, which is a regret for the rest of their lives.

There are countless citizens in Dachu, but only a few people can be knighted, so it is something that can be met but cannot be requested. It depends entirely on the grace of the royal family. Although royal grace is the main thing, if the person who is knighted does nothing, he will naturally be dismissed.

The courtiers discussed and privately became unconvinced and even became hostile.

Xue Poye raised his head slightly and saw that it was an old man performing. He didn't recognize him for a moment, but seeing that he was among the ministers, he also guessed that this old man's official position was definitely not low.

Emperor Deqing frowned, glanced at Cao Muyan, and said calmly: "Why did the Prime Minister say no?"

Cao Muyan said tremblingly: "Your Majesty, Xue Shitou made meritorious service last night. This is true. However, it is only a small amount of merit. How can he be granted a title? The veteran heard that Xue Shitou was originally a commoner. He was favored by His Majesty and made an extraordinary promotion.

As the deputy chief guard of Yulin, this matter has been over for a while, and today I am going to be ennobled again. Wouldn't this system of dynasty promotion and succession be disrupted by this person? I, the Great Chu, will reward according to his merits and punish his crimes. His Majesty will reward him.

As a viscount, how can we talk about rewarding based on merit?"

Cao Muyan has been in the position for more than ten years. In addition to his own abilities, he has the courage to speak out and is not afraid of the emperor's power. For many years, Emperor Deqing has been giving in to this old man.

Cao Muyan's memorial actually spoke out what many people were thinking. Xue Poye was promoted too quickly, which aroused the jealousy of many courtiers.

A sneer appeared on the corner of Emperor Deqing's lips, he glanced at the ministers and said calmly: "Apart from the Prime Minister, who else has any objections?"

Cao Muyan is powerful in the court, and there are naturally countless officials attached to him. In the past, there would have been a large group of officials. But things are different now. Cao Muyan is getting old, and the power is gradually no longer in his hands. The most important thing is, who

Don't dare to get yourself into the mud because of this.

His Majesty the Emperor's recent murderous intentions are obvious to everyone, and the beginning of the assassination spree stemmed from the factional dispute between the two princes. This shows that His Majesty the Emperor really hates cliques for selfish ends.

If you agree with the Prime Minister at this time, it will naturally be suspected of forming a faction. His Majesty the Emperor will definitely feel very unhappy. The old Prime Minister has high moral character and prestige, and His Majesty the Emperor may not dare to touch him. However, His Majesty the Emperor will kill people who are attached to the Prime Minister.

.

Therefore, Cao Muyan had many disciples in the court, but no one dared to come forward at this time.

Emperor Deqing smiled coldly, turned to look at Cao Muyan, and said calmly: "In that case, I just need to explain clearly to the Prime Minister."

Cao Muyan was startled, but he still said calmly: "I don't dare, I just want to protect the country and the people of Chu. If the ancestral system is abolished, the country will be in turmoil." What he said was very taboo, and Emperor Deqing looked gloomy.

He went down and said coldly: "The ancestral system? The ancestral system that the Prime Minister mentioned is nothing more than the fact that Xue Poye's contribution is not great and I promoted him too quickly."

"That's right!" Cao Muyan said calmly.

Xue Poye sighed secretly in his heart. In fact, he still didn't know exactly what the benefits of this title were. He was not as eager for this title as other ministers. He just thought it was a dispensable thing.

This Prime Minister Cao Muyan contradicted His Majesty the Emperor over this matter. Is it really for the sake of the stability of the country?

Xue Poye couldn't even figure out what relationship a title had to the peace and prosperity of the country, and why the Prime Minister had raised the issue to this level.

Emperor Deqing said calmly: "The prime minister talks about great merit, but I don't know what kind of great merit he refers to?"

Cao Muyan said without hesitation: "The veteran believes that even if he cannot help the country, he can still make a huge contribution to the country's policies. Like the veteran general, he can be powerful at the border and stop the barbarians from outside the border, or he can help like the veteran."

The Holy One governs the people in peace and happiness, and the country is at peace. Only in this way can it be regarded as a great achievement."

When he performed his meritorious deeds, he did not hesitate to speak out about himself and was very confident. When the ministers heard this, they nodded frequently, feeling that what the prime minister said was absolutely true.

Emperor Deqing chuckled and said: "What the Prime Minister said is naturally a great achievement, but I feel that there is another kind of merit that may seem small, but it is also a great achievement. Is the Prime Minister willing to listen to it?"

Cao Muyan said respectfully: "Please give me a lesson, please!"

Emperor Deqing stood up from the Dragon Throne, with great power and domineering power. He took two steps forward and said loudly: "My ministers, I feel that in the battle, although our side will be defeated,

, but the entire army did not dare to charge despite being ordered to do so, and there was only one person who was fearless and faced the enemy with overwhelming force. How can such a merit be said to be small?"

The ministers looked at each other in confusion, wondering what the Emperor meant by what he said.

Emperor Deqing suddenly pointed at Xue Poye and said to the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty: "Dear ministers and ministers, the bank of the household department has been stolen. You are helpless. Each one of you is like a headless fly. There is still no whereabouts of the large sum of official silver.

.However, this Xue Shitou led the crowd to stand firm in the cold night when the bank was empty and no guards were allowed to guard it. As a result, he killed three demons and learned their identity. With such merit, he was the only one who fought against that demon.

What's the difference between a charging soldier? You are dazed, but Xue Shitou is not confused." Afterwards, the sharp light in Emperor Deqing's eyes reappeared, his face was filled with murderous intent, and he shouted coldly: "Liu Ziyin,

Get out of here!"

The second prince, Liu Ziyin, had been standing in the courtroom tremblingly. He knew that his household had been stolen, and His Majesty the Emperor would find him sooner or later. However, a few days passed, and he was never summoned. His remarks about His Majesty's age and the relationship between father and son were vague.

, I really didn’t expect that he would suddenly be called to me at today’s meeting, and he broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, he was also someone who had experienced the incident. Although he was shocked in his heart, he immediately knelt down and said respectfully: “My son is here!

"

Emperor Deqing said coldly: "There was a theft in the Ministry of Revenue. You are the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. I heard that even Chen Shangting is afraid of you. Now that Chen Shangting committed suicide, you are the head of the Ministry of Revenue. I have been waiting for you, but you are

You pretend to be deaf and dumb, and today, you haven't even submitted a confession sheet, what do you want to do?"

Liu Ziyin was frightened and said in a trembling voice: "My son... my son has been... been investigating...!"

When Liu Ziyin saw this scene in the eyes of the fourth prince Liu Zifu, he was indescribably excited, and a cold smile flashed across his face.

Emperor Deqing asked: "Then what can you find out through investigation?"

"My son... I haven't shown up yet, but I will try my best to continue...!" Liu Ziyin said in fear.

Emperor Deqing shouted coldly: "Shut up. As the minister of Hubu, the bank of Hubu was stolen. You are guilty of an unforgivable crime." After a pause, he said: "There is a place in Yunzhou in the southwest. You have to clean it up in the past few days.

Come on, set off immediately and go over there."

All the ministers were shocked. The meaning of these words was to expel Prince Yin from Kyoto.

Liu Ziyin was startled at first, then suddenly realized the meaning, and hissed: "Father, father, I am wrong, please spare me...I am wrong...!" He knelt on the ground, with his knees on his knees.

Rub the cold marble floor and move towards the dragon altar.
To be continued...