Chapter 175: Distributing Rewards
Chapter 175: Distributing Rewards
At that moment, Emperor Hongzhi’s expression seemed uncertain and shifting.
His heart was filled with doubt. In the middle of his hesitation, he suddenly heard a eunuch announce from outside: “Your Majesty, Zhang Mao, the Duke of Ying, Mou Bin, Commander of the Imperial Guards, and Ma Wensheng, Minister of War, request an audience.”
“…”
Emperor Hongzhi’s body stiffened slightly, showing his surprise.
This morning was truly too lively.
“Let them in.”
These three men seemed to be rushing to report first and claim credit, so they pushed their way in all at once.
Mou Bin moved the fastest, charging ahead and probably blocking Zhang Mao with his body. Zhang Mao, being a large and burly man, bared his teeth irritably. Then he gave a forceful sweep with his big hand, causing Mou Bin to stumble and nearly fall. Mou Bin’s body hit the door frame, and he shot Zhang Mao an angry glare.
Zhang Mao, in turn, looked back at him with contempt.
Others might fear the Brocade Guard, but a hereditary duke like Zhang Mao did not fear them at all.
As for Ma Wensheng, who was last in line, he originally intended to push forward as well. But after seeing what happened, he slowed his steps, seeming to have a clear sense of his own position.
Finally, the three men entered the hall and saluted properly as required by etiquette.
Emperor Hongzhi kept a stern face, his eyes heavily scrutinizing them.
The three men spoke almost in unison: “Congratulations, Your Majesty! We celebrate with you! The great victory in Guizhou brings joy throughout the land!”
“…”
Emperor Hongzhi was completely stunned this time.
Soon, three memorials were placed in his hands.
From the Guizhou Regional Military Commander, the Guizhou Regional Military Commander, and the Brocade Guard Qianhu Officer.
These three offices were mostly independent of each other, yet their reports today were surprisingly consistent.
Emperor Hongzhi stood there, even feeling his legs go weak. Fortunately, Xiao Jing was sharp-eyed and quickly supported Emperor Hongzhi.
Immediately afterward, a wave of dizziness washed over him, and Emperor Hongzhi held his forehead.
Xiao Jing looked alarmed and said urgently, “Imperial Physician, Imperial Physician…”
“No need.” Emperor Hongzhi waved his hand. He felt both like laughing and crying. Though he had firmly believed earlier that this must be a false report for merit, now… he was completely shaken.
Falsely claiming merit was not new, but would everyone do it?
From a careful reading of the victory memorials, almost no one was taking undue credit. Since none were boasting about themselves, how could it be a false merit report?
Moreover, how could so many people dare risk execution by making up such a huge lie?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
The imperial court had assigned so many high officials to Guizhou precisely to maintain checks and balances. At least from what Emperor Hongzhi knew, the Provincial Governor and the Regional Military Commander did not get along. Last month, Wang Shi had secretly impeached the Regional Military Commander. As for the Regional Military Commander and the Regional Military Commander, it went without saying—one was the nominal military officer of Guizhou province, while the other was an official sent by the court specifically to manage military affairs there. If those two could get along harmoniously, that would be truly strange.
And then there was the Brocade Guard. The Brocade Guard Qianhu Officer would surely be eager to find faults with the Provincial Governor, as that would count as a major achievement. After all, if the official troops in Guizhou won a great victory, the Brocade Guard would have no share of the credit. But if the Brocade Guard uncovered evidence of false claims and submitted an impeachment, that would be solid merit. Why would they forgo such merit to cover up for Wang Shi?
Emperor Hongzhi drew a sharp breath.
Finally, a bold thought occurred to him.
Unless…
It was real.
Only a real great victory could lead to such a situation.
The Mountain Brigade of three thousand soldiers—established less than a few months ago—had actually accomplished such a miraculous feat…
Emperor Hongzhi’s dizziness faded. In that brief moment, he even felt his whole body lighten, as if all his fatigue had vanished.
His eyes shone with an unusual brilliance. Vigorously shaking off Xiao Jing’s support, he paced back and forth excitedly in the Warm Pavilion. He muttered to himself, “Good, this is a great achievement, a truly great achievement… With this Mountain Brigade, why worry about not quickly eliminating the rebel army in the Southwest? If this is the case… if so…”
He repeated the words over and over. Everyone’s gaze followed his moving figure, but he seemed completely unaware, absorbed in his own thoughts: “If that’s the case, why would the imperial court need to deploy so many troops in Guizhou, wasting provisions and funds? Establishing a few more Mountain Brigades would be enough to maintain control…”
The usually cautious and steady Emperor Hongzhi had momentarily lost his composure, unusually caught up in excitement.
No wonder he was so thrilled. The rebellion in the Southwest had lasted over a year, causing significant losses to the imperial court and weighing heavily on Emperor Hongzhi’s mind. Most importantly, this time the court hadn’t won a pyrrhic victory but achieved a classic triumph.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, as if remembering something. Then he turned sharply to Liu Jian: “Minister Liu, that kid Fang Jifan was right!”
Liu Jian was also deeply shocked.
He racked his brains but couldn’t imagine any reason why all the prominent figures in Guizhou would unite and speak with one voice like this. As the Emperor had said, perhaps… the great victory truly existed. This wasn’t a false report—it was the truth.
Even the usually steady Liu Jian found his heart… unsettled at this moment.
When Emperor Hongzhi spoke to him, Liu Jian felt both like laughing and crying: “Indeed, Your Majesty, Fang Jifan… was right.”
Many people were baffled.
Because Emperor Hongzhi had never spoken of this matter to anyone except those involved at the time.
The reason he hadn’t mentioned it was that he felt too embarrassed. Fang Jifan occasionally talked nonsense and spouted wild ideas. Yet the esteemed Emperor had actually issued an edict based on that fool’s suggestion, telling Guizhou to try Fang Jifan’s method. If word got out, wouldn’t it become a joke?
Therefore, this matter had remained only in Emperor Hongzhi’s heart, which was why he had conveyed the order through an imperial edict.
But now…
After receiving Liu Jian’s confirmation, Emperor Hongzhi suddenly… burst into laughter: “Who would have thought? Where did that guy learn all this? I always knew he would make me see him in a new light. That kid… that kid…”
“Send the order immediately!” Emperor Hongzhi said seriously. “Summon Fang Jifan for an audience. I want him to come before me properly. I’m very curious to know what other abilities that fellow has…”
“Your Majesty…” Li Dongyang stopped Emperor Hongzhi: “Your Majesty, you must not. The results haven’t been announced yet.”
Emperor Hongzhi was beaming with joy. A great victory—this was a true triumph!
But… what did Minister Li mean? What did this have to do with posting the results?
Emperor Hongzhi was so overjoyed that he seemed momentarily confused.
He glanced at Li Dongyang, paused, and then realized something.
Then he hurried to the Imperial Desk and looked at the scattered examination papers on it. The topmost one was Wang Shouren’s essay.
Emperor Hongzhi suddenly understood.
Yes, the Palace Examination…
Wang Shouren’s policy essay was excellent and deeply resonated with him.
However… at this moment, he set aside Wang Shouren’s essay and leaned over the Imperial Desk, carefully searching through the papers. After some effort, he found the exam papers of Ouyang Zhi and the others.
He took a deep breath.
The problem now was that the Palace Examination results were no longer something he could decide arbitrarily.
The facts were clear before his eyes—the policy essays of Ouyang Zhi and the others could truly be considered exemplary.
At present, there was only one standard answer for the Palace Examination. Among all these exam papers, only a handful of candidates—just four—had written their answers according to this standard.
He took another deep breath, and his mind… was made up.
He looked up, scanning the faces of everyone present, then said: “Prepare to distribute rewards. For such a great achievement, I will not be stingy with awards.”
His decisive tone made everyone feel a flicker of anticipation.
That Wang Shi, the Regional Military Commander, and even the Eunuch Official Yang Xiong and others were likely to rise in status this time.
Then Ma Wensheng, the Minister of War, stepped forward and said: “Your Majesty, please rest assured. The Ministry of War here…”
“What does the Ministry of War have to do with this?” Emperor Hongzhi stared at Ma Wensheng. He was in a good mood now and showed less of his usual caution and restraint, speaking rather bluntly.
Ma Wensheng felt awkward.
When had distributing rewards after a victorious battle not been the responsibility of the Ministry of War?
Emperor Hongzhi put on a stern face and said seriously: “For this great victory, naturally all officers and soldiers in Guizhou shall receive rewards, but there is no need to rush their awards. First, reward the one with the greatest merit… Minister Liu, don’t you agree?”
Many people were even more confused.
The one with the greatest merit—Wang Shi?
Yes, most likely Wang Shi. After all, Wang Shi was the Provincial Governor, overseeing the overall situation in Guizhou.
Liu Jian smiled faintly. He too was filled with joy. With this great victory, he could finally breathe a long sigh of relief.
He nodded and said: “Your Majesty is absolutely right.”
“Then, how should we reward the one with the greatest merit?” Emperor Hongzhi looked at Liu Jian.
Liu Jian pondered and said: “Your Majesty, there is no need to rush the distribution of rewards. Right now, the Palace Examination is more urgent. Countless people are eagerly awaiting the posting of the Imperial Examination Rank List.”
In truth, he wasn’t sure either. The merit was too great, and like the Emperor, he believed that at least the foremost credit had absolutely nothing to do with those in Guizhou.
Without Fang Jifan, there would be no Mountain Brigade. Without the Mountain Brigade, where would this great victory come from?
The others had simply ridden along, benefiting from Fang Jifan’s efforts.
This Fang Jifan… was truly remarkable.
If even someone considered foolish could achieve this, it made sensible people like himself… feel utterly ashamed.
Therefore, if rewards were to be given, they must be generous. But how to reward him required careful consideration.
By this point, Emperor Hongzhi had calmed down a little, though he couldn’t hide the joy on his face. A slight smile touched his lips as he said: “In that case, let the results be posted tomorrow. There really is no need for further verification now. After the results are posted tomorrow, summon Fang Jifan to the palace for an audience. Yes, and his father as well.”
“I… obey your command.”
Zhang Mao and the others were still completely baffled, unable to understand what this had to do with Fang Jifan or the Palace Examination.
But clearly, no one else dared to ask further questions. They could only listen quietly to the Emperor’s instructions.