Chương 252: The Wedding, the Generals' Conferment of Titles

In the evening, the victory celebration banquet began in the main hall of the Prince of Yan's mansion.

Civil and military officials gathered together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Liu Ce, seated in the main seat, raised his wine cup and said:

"This first cup is to you all. During my absence, you have managed Youzhou very well. Thank you for your hard work."

"Respect to the King!" the crowd shouted in unison, and drank it all in one gulp.

"The second cup is a toast to the soldiers who died in the Northern Expedition. Their blood brought peace to the northern frontier."

"Respect the heroic spirit!"

"The third cup..." Liu Ce paused, "... to toast ourselves. From today onwards, our Youzhou has a king in charge. The road ahead will be wider and broader."

"Homage to the King! Homage to Youzhou!"

After three drinks, the atmosphere became lively.

The others stood up and toasted Liu Ce, saying:

"Your Majesty! Congratulations on your investiture as a king!"

"Your Majesty's achievements are unparalleled, and you truly deserve the title!"

"May Your Majesty reign for a thousand generations, forever guarding Youzhou!"

Liu Ce also stood up, raised his glass in return, and said, "Thank you all! I am where I am today entirely thanks to your assistance! This glass is for everyone!"

"Dry!"

Everyone drank it all in one gulp.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became even more lively.

Liu Ce, holding a wine glass, walked over to the table where Cai Yong and Zhen Yi were sitting.

"Father-in-law," he greeted with a smile.

Cai Yong and Zhen Yi quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty."

"Sit down, sit down," Liu Ce said, sitting down.

"We're family, don't be so polite. In private, just call me Bo Lue."

"Fathers-in-law, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

"What is it? Tell me."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Father-in-law, Youzhou is now at peace. I've also come of age. I'd like to choose an auspicious day to hold my wedding with Yan'er, Jiang'er, and Ning'er."

Cai Yong and Zhen Yi exchanged a glance, both showing delight.

"Excellent!" Cai Yong stroked his beard and said, "Bo Lue, it should have been done long ago! It should have been done two years ago! You always made excuses, saying it was too early, that you were too young, and that the external situation was unstable. Now it's all right, you've been enfeoffed as the Prince of Yan, Youzhou is stable, it's the perfect time!"

Zhen Yi also said, "Yes, Your Majesty is now the Prince of Yan, it's time for you to settle down and start a family. Jiang'er and the others have been waiting for a long time."

Liu Ce smiled and said, "Then please have my father-in-law calculate when will be an auspicious day?"

Cai Yong was a great Confucian scholar of his time, and he was also somewhat proficient in astronomy and calendrical calculations. He was also skilled in choosing auspicious days.

He closed his eyes and began to calculate, muttering incantations to himself.

Everyone quieted down and waited for the result.

After a while, Cai Yong opened his eyes and smiled, "The fifteenth of next month, the day of the full moon, is an auspicious day! It's suitable for weddings, betrothal ceremonies, and sacrifices. Let's choose that day, Bo Lue. What do you think?"

Liu Ce thought for a moment and realized that the fifteenth of next month, which is mid-December, would be enough time to prepare.

"Okay!" he nodded.

"We'll do as my father-in-law says, and hold the wedding on the fifteenth of next month!"

Cai Yong clapped his hands and said, "Excellent! I'll begin preparations right away!"

Zhen Yi also beamed and said, "The Zhen family is fully cooperating!"

"Thank you for your hard work, father-in-law."

"It's not hard work at all; I'm overjoyed!"

The three clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

The news spread, and the banquet became even more lively.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Double happiness!"

Guo Jia, holding a wine cup, leaned closer and said with a grin, "Your Majesty, could we have a few more drinks on the wedding day?"

Liu Ce glared at him and said, "Dream on! Three cups, no more!"

Guo Jia lamented, "Your Majesty, this is utterly unreasonable..."

The crowd laughed.

The celebration banquet lasted until late at night.

Liu Ce drank quite a bit, but he was happy.

He was granted the title of king, returned to seclusion, and a wedding date was set...

Good things are happening all at once.

...

The next morning, in the main hall of the Prince of Yan's residence.

Liu Ce sat in the main seat, with civil and military officials lined up on both sides below.

"Xu Da, Xue Rengui, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Lü Bu, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, Luo Cheng, Yuwen Chengdu, Huang Zhong, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Taishi Ci... step forward!"

Liu Ce read out a long list of names.

The generals whose names were called stepped forward and stood in a row.

Liu Ce took out the imperial edict he had brought back from Luoyang—this was Liu Hong's decree to reward the generals of Youzhou. It had been written long ago and was just waiting for Liu Ce to return and read it aloud.

He unfurled the imperial edict, cleared his throat, and began to read:

"In the tenth month of the third year of the Zhongping era, the emperor issued an edict: 'The generals of Youzhou, who followed the Prince of Yan in the northern expedition against the Xianbei and the eastern pacification of Goguryeo, have made outstanding contributions and are hereby specially rewarded...'"

"Xu Da was enfeoffed as a Marquis of a Township, with a fief of five hundred households."

"Xue Rengui was enfeoffed as... Marquis of a Township, with a fief of five hundred households."

"Guan Yu is hereby granted the title of Marquis of a Township, with a fief of five hundred households."

The title of Township Marquis is the second rank of Marquis, second only to County Marquis. The fief is five hundred households, not much, but a prestigious honor.

Xu Da, Xue Rengui, and Guan Yu stepped forward and knelt on one knee:

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Liu Ce continued reading:

"Zhang Fei is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Ting, with a fief of three hundred households."

"Zhao Yun is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Ting, with a fief of three hundred households."

"Dian Wei was enfeoffed as... Marquis of Ting, with a fief of three hundred households."

"Xu Chu was enfeoffed as... Marquis of Ting, with a fief of three hundred households."

"Lü Bu is hereby enfeoffed as... Marquis of Ting, with a fief of three hundred households."

......

Liu Ce read them aloud one by one.

Besides Xu Da, Xue Rengui, and Guan Yu, who were granted the title of Marquis of a Township, all other generals such as Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Lü Bu, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, Luo Cheng, Yuwen Chengdu, Huang Zhong, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Taishi Ci, Gan Ning, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Zhang He, Yu Jin, Qu Yi, Gongsun Zan, etc., were all granted the title of Marquis of a Pavilion.

The title of Marquis of Ting is the third rank of Marquis, but it is a real title that can be passed down to one's descendants.

One by one, the generals stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and spoke with fervor:

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Even the strategists were not spared:

"Jia Xu was enfeoffed as Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of one hundred households."

"Guo Jia was enfeoffed as Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of one hundred households."

"Xi Zhicai was granted the title of Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of one hundred households."

"Fang Xuanling was granted the title of Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of one hundred households."

"Du Ruhui was granted the title of Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of one hundred households."

"Xun Yu was enfeoffed as Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of one hundred households."

......

The Marquis of Guannei had no official title, but he received a small fiefdom; it was an honorary title.

The strategists stepped forward and bowed in respect:

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Liu Ce finished reading the imperial edict, he put it away and smiled:

"Although these are all honorary titles, they come with fiefs and fiefs—this is an honor bestowed upon you by the imperial court. From now on, when you go out, you may refer to yourself as 'this Marquis.'"

Everyone laughed.

Xu Da clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this title was earned for us by you. Without you, we would not be where we are today."

Xue Rengui nodded and said, "That's right. The credit for the northern expedition belongs primarily to Your Majesty."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "Brother... no, the King treats us like brothers. This title is an honor for us brothers."

Liu Ce waved his hand and said, "Alright, stop getting sentimental. Those who deserve rewards should receive them, and those who deserve to express their gratitude should express their gratitude. There are imperial edicts, golden seals, and ribbons coming up later; come and collect them one by one."

The steward stepped forward with a tray and began distributing the items.