Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 480 - 54: Bestow Rewards, Exchange Lands, Promote Officials, Fortune Golden Dragon! (6K)_2

Chapter 480: Chapter 54: Bestow Rewards, Exchange Lands, Promote Officials, Fortune Golden Dragon! (6K)_2

As for someone named ’Zhang Ping’, his marquisate title was named after the feudal land, and that county was in the ’Baglarlu’ county of the Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion.

Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion had not yet renamed this county, so this person was titled ’Baglarlu Marquis’.

Nobody laughed at him because most people’s marquis titles were similar; not only this time, but many of the Great Zhou’s marquisate titles were strange.

When encountering such difficult-to-pronounce or very long titles, they were not directly named, but called with the surname prefixed with ’Marquis’ or simply shortened.

For example, Zhang Ping would be called Zhang Marquis or Ba Marquis, and subordinates would simply call him Marquis.

Idle marquises of Great Zhou were everywhere, but only First- and Second-class Marquises carried significant weight. Because marquises with military power were basically real-power generals, being titled with such meant they would inevitably hold great power and surpass the threshold of the Fifth-rank, with First-class Marquises usually of the Fourth-rank.

As for non-royal titles of princes, they were rare, achievable only by those of the top three ranks.

There were many Commandery Princes among royal relatives, but Princes were also similarly rare.

During the period of Great Zhou’s decline, titles became rampant everywhere, but by then, princely titles had lost much-added privilege, becoming more of a burden with little qi fortune feedback.

"Divine Might Army, Zhao Xing."

When Zhao Xing’s name was called, it was already the morning of February 27th.

"Subject is present."

Zhao Xing stepped forward, kneeled according to procedure, without needing to bow at that time; bowing would only be required after the awarding, meaning his head would touch the ground.

Mr. Zhao had no psychological burden, only hoping that Emperor Jing would not bestow any strange title.

"On June 25th, in the seventeenth year of Jingxin, you killed the Sha Clan leader Parti and saved the Zhenhai Army’s supply city from peril."

"In July of the seventeenth year of Jingxin, you accomplished thirty-four advanced tasks, growing Blood Essence Fruit and Heart Worm Grass, meeting the needs of the eastern war zone..."

"On August 27th, in the seventeenth year of Jingxin, you infiltrated the Fire Dragon Pass and successfully brought back the rare spirit plant ’Earth Fire Lotus’..."

"In September of the seventeenth year of Jingxin, you cultivated the Fifth Order Earth Fire Lotus, providing the army with Fire Protection Robe materials."

"In September, you crossed Flame Mountain with the army and destroyed ’Round Moon City’ within the Fire Dragon Pass..."

"In December of the seventeenth year of Jingxin, you broke the Enchanting Array, providing military supplies for 140,000 troops..."

"Divine Might Army’s Zhao Xing, for your outstanding military achievements, you are promoted three ranks and conferred the marquisate title ’Marquis Yuan Rang’!"

"Granted 165,000 acres of land, and a feudal land with 1,650 households."

"Given a ’Guard Commander’ scepter, two Green-eyed Dragon Lions, one Qilin Flying Boat, and a pair of Jade Ruyi..."

"Promoted to County Councilor with additional merits of the Sixth-rank, to honor your accomplishments!"

After Emperor Jing finished speaking, Zhao Xing immediately kowtowed, loudly proclaiming: "Subject Zhao Xing, prostrates in gratitude for the Emperor’s benevolence, may our sovereign live long and never age!"

...

On February 28th, after Zhao Xing emerged from Tianxin Hall, the long awarding ceremony finally concluded.

This was merely the ceremony for publicly praising merits and awarding titles, loose ranks, and scattered official positions.

The actual official appointments would take place afterward, to be determined by the Military Realm, the Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion’s military department, and the Divine Might Army’s main general, followed by another visit to the devine temple for the enhancement of national qi fortune.

There were many specific details to consider, such as the fact that Zhao Xing now had 165,000 acres of land, which couldn’t all be low-grade fields.

Additionally, the ’Guard Commander’ scepter bestowed by Emperor Jing, the two Green-eyed Dragon Lions, one Qilin Flying Boat, and a pair of Jade Ruyi were all extra rewards.

As a Sixth-Rank official, his formal vestment robe, tassels, and all other equipment needed to be reallocated.

For officials of the middle three ranks, the procedures were much more complicated.

However, in any case, a small goal had finally been completed.

"What a Marquis Yuan Rang, congratulations, congratulations." After Zhao Xing descended, many came to congratulate him.

Among them were old friends from the Geography Institute, Zhuang Ziqing, Cao Shuang, and others like Han Bing, Wang Ji, and Che Shihai.

"Rang means bountiful harvest, thriving and prosperous, quite fitting with your style, Boss," Che Shihai praised.

"Green-eyed Dragon Lions are exotic beasts from cave heavens; riding them is extremely impressive!" Cao Shuang admired, "I’ve only seen them twice."

"The Qilin Flying Boat is also not for sale, symbolizing status and honor. With his official stature, when he visits small counties, their chief officials must kneel to greet him."

"Damn, treat us, treat us," Zhuang Ziqing said, "Hurry and treat the brothers to a hearty feast."

"Among the Minister of Agriculture Reserves in the sixteenth year of Ten Suns Cave Heaven, only Zhao Xing did the best, now being a Sixth-Rank official and a marquis."

This was indeed worth celebrating grandly; in the entire reserve, only Xia Jing and Zhao Xing accrued over a million military merits to become marquises.

Even geniuses like Shi Yong and Fu Ying didn’t reach Zhao Xing’s level.

"Of course," Zhao Xing smiled, "Once I’m done with these few days, I’ll host a banquet at the Eighteen locust and willow courtyard, and you all have to come!"

...

After the awarding, Zhao Xing still had more work to do, primarily the issue of feudal land.

Zhao Xing found Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Xia Jing for a discussion.

Old Chen held the title of Marquis Yuan Zhen, while Long Xiao held the title of Marquis Yunxiao.

Chen Shijie’s rank reached Secondary Sixth-Rank, the same as Long Xiao.

Because these two had previously held the rank of Secondary Seventh-Rank, now both had been promoted three ranks.

Xia Jing’s starting point was the same as Zhao Xing’s; having completed tasks, they were initially Secondary Seventh-Rank and now promoted three ranks, thereby becoming Secondary Sixth-Rank upper.

The former temporary positions had been appointed by the main generals of their respective armies and vested only with the authority, not with a promotion in rank.

"The feudal land is jointly proposed by Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion and the military department of Pinghai State, reviewed by the 33 feudal princes of the military realm. Once reported up, as long as it doesn’t violate regulations, it usually isn’t rejected."