Chương 487: The early stages were incredibly popular and the rankings were completely pulled up.

"That's right, that's right," He Lian nodded with a smile.

"I've been in the palace for so many years, I'm very good at judging people. I can tell at a glance who is truly good to His Majesty and who is just coasting along. Back then... I remember all the two-faced faces of those ministers."

Da Qiao added, "Although I am young, I know who is most loyal to her husband."

Xiao Qiao raised her hand: "I also want to say! I think General Dian Wei is the most loyal! Every time he sees my husband, he smiles like a big dog."

Liu Ce was both amused and exasperated: "Big dog... if Dian Wei heard you say that, he'd definitely cry."

This caused quite a stir in the side hall.

The ladies crowded around the wall, pointing at the names and chattering away, making a racket even louder than the civil and military officials in the imperial court. They even forgot to eat the roasted sweet potatoes when they got cold.

Some say this general was brave in battle, some say that the civil official was good at governing, and some say that although this person's achievements were not great, he was honest and kind...

Liu Ce sat in a chair, legs crossed, eating roasted sweet potatoes and drinking rice wine, listening with a smile, occasionally jotting down notes in his notebook.

After a while, Liu Ce took out a sheet of paper with the names of the founding heroes written on it and began to paste it on the wall with the ranking of titles.

The inscription reads: Prince, Duke, Duke of the State, Duke of the County, Marquis of the County, Marquis of the Township, Marquis of the Pavilion, Earl, Viscount, Baron, Marquis within the Pass.

As Liu Ce took out a sheet of paper with names of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Dian Wei written on it and pasted it on the row of the Dukes' desks, he said:

"Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, and the Duke!"

Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Du Xiuniang, Zou Yu, Zhen Jiang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong, Zhen Mi, Mi Zhen, Gan Mei, He Lian, Yin Ying, Feng Yu, Cai Wan, Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, and Cai Zhenji all nodded in agreement.

"Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Dian Wei are my husband's sworn brothers, and they were also the core members of his team when he was still the governor of Zhuojun. They followed my husband to quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion, successively destroyed the Wuhuan and Goguryeo, and defeated the Xianbei... They made great contributions and should be enfeoffed as dukes."

Zhang Ning added, "Especially Yide, although he has a loud voice that can give people headaches, he is really fierce in battle."

Liu Ce nodded in agreement.

Then, Liu Ce took out a piece of paper with Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin written on it, first pasting it between the Duke of the State and the Duke of the County, and then hesitated for a moment.

Qin Qiong, who had followed him for many years, had achieved numerous military exploits... When destroying the Wuhuan, Qin Qiong was at the forefront, beheading the enemy general... When defeating the Xianbei, he led the Xuanjia Iron Cavalry in a charge, slaughtering the enemy until not a single one remained...

Such a person is rightfully entitled to be a duke.

Liu Ce moved the paper with Qin Qiong's name on it to the row of Dukes' papers and pasted it next to Guan Yu.

"Qin Qiong, Duke!"

The ladies all nodded in agreement.

"General Qin is indeed brave. When I was in Youzhou, I saw him training cavalry. His horsemanship was so good, it was as if he was born to ride horses," Zhen Jiang praised.

Zhang Ning added, "Moreover, General Qin is an upright man who never resorts to underhanded tactics; he is a man of unwavering integrity."

Liu Ce stared at the paper with Cheng Yaojin's name on it and fell into deep thought.

Cheng Yaojin followed him for many years and achieved numerous military exploits.

He quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion, destroyed the Wuhuan, defeated the Xianbei, and recovered Yuzhou... He did many things and made many contributions.

However, Cheng Yaojin was a carefree and boastful man who could befriend anyone...

I feel like I'm missing the point of being granted the title of Duke.

If I don't ban him, I feel like I'm letting him down.

Feng Yu, with her sharp eyes, immediately spoke up and said many good things about Cheng Yaojin.

She knew Cheng Yaojin before she moved into the Prince of Yan's mansion. It was Cheng Yaojin who "picked up" her on the road and sent her back to Luoyang. She always remembered this kindness.

Liu Ce was hesitating when he suddenly heard Feng Yu speak.

Her voice was soft, but clear and articulate: "My lord, I have a few words to say on behalf of General Cheng Yaojin."

Liu Ce looked up at her: "Oh? Go ahead."

Feng Yu took a deep breath and said earnestly, "Although General Cheng seems carefree, his loyalty to his husband is as clear as day. He may not be as imposing as General Guan Yu, nor as dashing as General Zhao Yun, but he..."

She paused, then continued, "Moreover, I've heard that General Cheng enjoys high prestige in the army, and the soldiers are all willing to follow him. He never mistreats his subordinates, always sharing credit with his brothers first and thinking of others first when there are rewards. If such a person isn't granted the title of Duke, it would chill the hearts of the soldiers."

She added, "Furthermore, if General Cheng hadn't met me on the road and sent me back to Luoyang, I would have been lost somewhere long ago. I've always remembered this kindness. Of course, that's not important; what's important is that General Cheng truly deserves credit."

The other ladies also seemed to be deep in thought upon hearing this.

Zhang Ning chimed in, "That's true. Although Yao Jin seems unreliable, he's actually quite meticulous despite his rough exterior. He's never hesitant in battle, and he's more eager to charge into the fray than anyone else."

Zhen Jiang nodded: "Sister Feng Yu is right. I have also heard that although General Cheng is a chatterbox, he has a kind heart. Last time, when an old soldier was sick, he personally went to visit him, bringing money and medicine."

Liu Ce looked at them, then at Cheng Yaojin's name on the paper. He thought of how Cheng Yaojin had followed him through thick and thin over the years, fighting from Youzhou to Luoyang, and from Luoyang to Yuzhou, always with a smile on his face and never uttering a word of complaint about being tired.

"Alright." Liu Ce moved the paper with Cheng Yaojin's name on it to the row of papers next to the Duke's, and pasted it next to Qin Qiong.

"Cheng Yaojin, Duke!"

Feng Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

This time, they finally got a chance to speak up for Lao Cheng.

Then, Liu Ce took a sheet of paper with the names of Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xu Da, Xue Rengui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Jia Xu, and Zhang Liao written on it and pasted it on the row of names of the Dukes, saying:

"Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xu Da, Xue Rengui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Jia Xu, Zhang Liao, and the Duke!"

Upon hearing this, Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, Zhen Jiang, and the others thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

Cai Yan said, "Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Xun Yu manage the government affairs and keep the country in good order. Without them, my husband would not be able to fight with peace of mind. Strategists such as Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and Jia Xu are even more adept at devising plans and winning battles from afar. Generals such as Xu Da, Xue Rengui, and Zhang Liao are all capable commanders who can stand alone. It is only reasonable for them to be granted the title of Duke."

Zhang Ning added, "Especially Guo Jia, although he loves to drink, he's really smart. Last time when we attacked Yangzhou, his strategy of encircling from three sides directly forced Chen Wen into a corner."

He Lian nodded and said, "Although Jia Xu doesn't talk much, every time he speaks, it's crucial. When he pacified the Wuhuan, he..."