Shen Tang, Liu Xiangling, the iron-blooded traitor in the Southern Song Dynasty Chapter 432: Conversation between ruler and minister, how to award rewards
Chapter 432: Conversation between ruler and minister, how to award rewards
Chapter 432: Dialogue between monarch and minister, how to award rewards
"The defeat of the Jin soldiers in Sizhou is all due to the power of our Song Dynasty soldiers! And with such a large army on the side, of course everything will be disadvantageous for me!"
"Thirdly, it's because there are also hidden crises within the Jin Kingdom and the northwest border!"
"It is precisely for these reasons that I, on behalf of Your Majesty, have earned the treatment and honor that we, the Song Dynasty, deserve.
Therefore, I dare not take credit!"
Shen Tang said respectfully.
"Hahaha……"
Shen Tang's words made Zhao Shen laugh loudly, "Zhang Qing, look at it, you are worthy of being the number one scholar of our Song Dynasty. He is really eloquent.
I can almost imagine the scene where our champion is fighting with the heroes in the Northern Kingdom."
Zhang Jun also had a smile on his face. Shen Tang's words were a bit flattering, but they really touched Zhao Shen's heart.
Shen Tang's contribution cannot be erased, and no one can replace it, so there is no point in expressing merit for oneself at this time.
But now, Shen Tang not only failed to express his merits, but also pushed out all his own merits, even falling on His Majesty.
In this way, even if the Holy One knew that Shen Tang was being sycophantic, he would naturally feel extremely happy in his heart.
Sure enough, Zhao Shen said, "Shen Tang, I know your contribution well.
What you said may make some sense.
However, do we, the Song Dynasty, still have few envoys to the Northern Kingdom?
Why couldn't they just happen to meet each other once?
So, you don’t need to be afraid of me thinking too much.
Credit is credit and cannot be erased! You have made great contributions to our Song Dynasty. This is a fact.
Okay, tell me quickly, I'm very curious about your line of work."
Shen Tang nodded and slowly gave a brief summary of his journey to the north.
Of course, all matters involving private transactions must be avoided, and things in Zhongdu are also quite lawful.
After finishing the narration, Zhao Shen nodded, "Yes, before this, the biggest problem was that almost every envoy had fear of the Jin Kingdom in their hearts before they even sent out envoys.
But Shen Tang, you are different! In your opinion, although the Kingdom of Jin is powerful, it is not invincible.
Precisely because of this intention, during the journey north, you can argue with Jin Guo on grounds of reason, instead of being submissive and only listening to Jin Guo’s wishes.”
"Zhang Qing, how are you?
The man I selected as the number one scholar has literary talent, courage, and loyalty!"
Zhao Shen said proudly.
Zhang Jun smiled and nodded, "This is like a thousand-mile horse meeting Bole. It is Shen Tang's good fortune, and it is also your Majesty's good fortune!"
"Hahaha..." Zhao Shen laughed and nodded, "Not bad!"
"However, Tang Shen, what you said is not true. As far as I know, there are still some things you have not told."
Zhao Shen asked with a bit of teasing.
Shen Tang was stunned and didn't know how to speak.
Zhao Shen continued, "Tell me, how did you capture Princess Yongqing?
You don't know, because Princess Yongqing and Wanyan Yong personally wrote to me and complained about you once.
Hahaha, if I say it, this Wanyanyong is the emperor of a country after all, and he has a good temper.
If it were me, I would definitely tie you up directly and cut off your head to vent your anger."
Shen Tang was speechless. He thought he had omitted something, but he didn't expect that what Zhao Shen was talking about was what happened between him and Wanyan Yue.
Indeed, in his previous narration, he basically brushed off what happened between the two of him.
After all, it is a bit unsightly to talk about one's romantic history in front of His Majesty...
"Your Majesty, forgive me!"
Shen Tang smiled bitterly and cupped his hands, "The encounter between me and Princess Yongqing was an accident.
However, some things that happened later made the envoy and Princess Yongqing unable to control their feelings. Fortunately, nothing was delayed, otherwise I really would not know..."
"Okay!"
Zhao Shen waved his hand to stop Shen Tang's words, "I have never blamed you. Moreover, if you can make the princess of the Jin Kingdom fall in love with you, it can be regarded as another way to show the prestige of the Song Dynasty."
Zhao Shen chuckled.
"Okay, if you don't want to say it, don't say it. Let's talk about another thing! This time, you went to the Northern Kingdom as an envoy and made great contributions to me.
Tell me what rewards you want!"
Hearing this, Shen Tang said without hesitation: "I am your Majesty's minister. It is your duty to go on missions. It is with your Majesty's support that you perform meritorious deeds.
Therefore, I dare not ask for credit!"
"That won't work!"
Zhao Shen said, "In our Song Dynasty, those who have merit must be rewarded, and those who have made mistakes must be punished! If you are not rewarded for your merits, how can I explain to the people in the world?
Furthermore, even Wanyan Yong has made you a general of Fengguo. If I don't express my opinion, won't I make Wanyan Yong laugh at me?"
Shen Tang was stunned for a moment, and could only say, "His Majesty has the final say! Shen Tang has no objection!"
Seeing this, Zhao Shen could only shake his head helplessly, and then he turned to look at Zhang Jun beside him, "Zhang Qing, tell me, how should I reward Shen Tang?
To be honest, I have thought about this matter for a long time, but I really don’t have a suitable solution yet.”
This is not because Zhao Shen is evading, but this matter does give him a bit of a headache.
First of all, the level of the reward is difficult to control!
If the reward is too low, it will definitely seem inappropriate for Shen Tang to have made such a great contribution and to have Wanyan Yong be canonized before him.
However, if the reward is too high, there will be some problems! The Song Dynasty has always been a place that pays attention to rules.
If the reward was based on Shen Tang's merits and Wan Yanyong's canonization, then it would have to be at least a third-grade position or above.
But the problem is that Shen Tang now is just entering the court for the first time.
Even though Shen Tang is currently holding the fifth-grade official position, he was conferred the title at will just for the purpose of going on a diplomatic mission.
Otherwise, even the number one scholar would be at most a sixth-rank official.
If he were to be directly canonized above the third level, it would undoubtedly mean that Shen Tang would reach the sky in one step.
However, this will definitely arouse dissatisfaction and hostility from the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty.
After all, everyone is working hard for the Song Dynasty. Why can you get the rank so easily that we have never achieved after climbing all our lives?
As for the credit, everyone is messing around in the court, who doesn’t deserve some credit?
Even if your contribution is greater, you can't be arrogant.
Therefore, the current Shen Tang seems to be unable to achieve anything high or low.
Zhang Jun frowned and thought for a moment, and then asked, "So, according to Your Majesty's wishes, should you be granted a civil or military title?"
If things go by normal circumstances, Shen Tang will naturally take the path of becoming a prime minister. Moreover, with Shen Tang's start as a tyrant, there is indeed a high possibility of becoming a prime minister in the future.
However, in Zhang Jun's opinion, if this is the case, then there is no doubt that Shen Tang will only be able to wander above Lin'an and Chaotang for a long time, which is undoubtedly the biggest waste for Shen Tang.