Chương 738: The Moment of Conferment

Zhang Fei secretly grimaced to himself, thinking: "My second brother is still the Duke of Jin, and I guess I'm stuck in the same place."

Just as he finished thinking, he heard Liu Chong recite:

"Zhang Fei, formerly Duke of Yan, retains the title of Duke of Yan, with an additional fief... and is granted the Three Bestowments!"

Zhang Fei quickly stepped forward and kowtowed, showing no displeasure whatsoever.

The title has reached its maximum, and with the addition of a fief, there will be more grain for brewing wine at home in the future. It's a good deal!

Next, one imperial edict after another was read out, and with each one read out, a person stepped forward to express their gratitude.

"Zhao Yun, formerly Duke of Dai, was later enfeoffed as Duke of Zhao, with an additional fief... and granted the Three Bestowments!"

"Dian Wei, formerly Duke of Chen, was retained the title of Duke of Chen, with an additional fief... and was granted the Three Bestowments!"

"Qin Qiong, originally Duke of Ji, was later enfeoffed as Duke of Qi, with an additional fief..."

"Cheng Yaojin, formerly Duke of Lu, was later enfeoffed as Duke of Lu, with an additional fief..."

Cheng Yaojin scratched his head after hearing this, thinking to himself: "Changing Duke of Lu to Duke of Lu doesn't sound as good as the original. But the increase in fiefdom is quite good; I won't have to worry about money for drinking anymore."

The civil officials were also appointed in turn:

"Xun Yu, formerly the Duke of Yingchuan, was promoted to Duke of Zheng, with an additional fief..."

"Fang Xuanling, originally the Duke of Qinghe, was promoted to Duke of Liang, with an additional fief..."

"Du Ruhui, formerly the Duke of Fufeng, was promoted to Duke of Lai, with an additional fief..."

Xun Yu was the foremost civil official, and his title of Duke of Jin was well-deserved.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui held the reins of power for many years, working tirelessly for the internal affairs of the Han Dynasty, and no one in the court dared to disobey them.

"Jia Xu, formerly the Duke of Wuwei, was promoted to Duke of Liang, with an additional fief..."

"Guo Jia, formerly Duke of Weiyang, was promoted to Duke of Han, with an additional fief..."

"Xi Zhicai, formerly the Duke of Changshe, was promoted to Duke of Ying, with an additional fief..."

Guo Jia's eyes lit up: He was promoted to Duke!

I'll have more confidence when I drink from now on; I'll have to throw a three-day banquet when I get back.

As the names in the military commanders' register were read aloud, the hall shone with brilliance:

"Xu Da, formerly the Duke of Jiujiang, was promoted to Duke of Wei, with an additional fief..."

"Xue Rengui, formerly the Duke of Hedong, was promoted to Duke of Liao, with an additional fief..."

"Zhang Liao, formerly the Duke of Yanmen, was promoted to Duke of Dai, with an additional fief..."

"Lü Bu, originally the Duke of Jiuyuan County, was promoted to Duke of Wen, with an additional fief..."

When Lü Bu heard the words "Duke of Wen," his body trembled slightly.

"Yuwen Chengdu, formerly the Duke of Yongshi County, was promoted to Duke of Yong, with an additional fief..."

"Yuchi Gong, originally the Duke of Shanwu County, was promoted to Duke of E State, with an additional fief..."

"Huang Zhong, originally the Duke of Wan County, was promoted to Duke of Yi State, with an additional fief..."

General Huang's beard had turned completely white, and he couldn't stop smiling.

"Zhang He, formerly Duke of Mo County, was promoted to Duke of Long State, with an additional fief..."

"Xun You, originally the Duke of Yingyin County, was later enfeoffed as the Duke of Cai, with an additional fief..."

"Cheng Yu, formerly the Duke of Dong'e County, was promoted to Duke of Pu, with an additional fief..."

"Xu Shu, originally the Duke of Yangdi County, was promoted to Duke of Jing, with an additional fief..."

"Chen Gong, formerly the Duke of Dongwuyang County, was promoted to Duke of Yan, with an additional fief..."

"Tian Feng, formerly the Duke of Julu County, was promoted to Duke of Qing, with an additional fief..."

"Ju Shou, originally the Duke of Guangping County, was promoted to Duke of Ye, with an additional fief..."

One after another, new dukes were appointed, each one having earned their titles through genuine merit, and no one dared to disagree.

What surprised everyone the most were the following names:

"Shen Wansan, formerly the Duke of Wucheng County, was promoted to Duke of Wu, with an additional fief..."

Shen Wansan was stunned for two seconds before he reacted and quickly stepped forward to express his gratitude.

"Lu Bing, formerly the Duke of Haiyan County, was promoted to Duke of Yue, with an additional fief..."

Lu Bing stepped forward to express his gratitude without any expression.

He was in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and he did all the work behind the scenes, rarely showing his face.

It is enough that His Majesty remembers his contributions.

"Qi Jiguang, originally a county marquis, was promoted to Duke of Ji, with an additional fief..."

"Su Lie, formerly a county marquis, was promoted to Duke of Xing, with an additional fief..."

"Yue Fei, originally a county marquis, was promoted to Duke of Xiangguo, with an additional fief..."

"Li Jing, originally a county marquis, was promoted to Duke of Wei, with an additional fief..."

"Li Ji, originally a county marquis, was promoted to Duke of Ying, with an additional fief..."

Although these individuals joined relatively late, their contributions were by no means insignificant.

Li Jing conquered the grasslands in the north and pacified the Western Regions in the west, earning him the reputation of a military genius throughout the land; Yue Fei led his northern and southern expeditions with unparalleled victories; Qi Jiguang quelled the Japanese pirates and guarded the coastal borders; Su Lie expanded the territory and was invincible. In the subsequent western expedition, each of them displayed their extraordinary prowess. He was granted the title of Duke, a title that was widely expected.

But what truly moved the entire hall were these last four:

"Song Yingxing, formerly the Marquis of Yuan County, was promoted to Duke of Gong, with an additional fief..."

"Jia Sixie, originally a county marquis, was promoted to Duke of Nong, with an additional fief..."

"Zhang Zhongjing, originally a county marquis, was promoted to Duke of Deng, with an additional fief..."

"Hua Tuo, originally a county marquis, was promoted to Duke of Jiao, with an additional fief..."

Song Yingxing was stunned. He stood there for a while before hurriedly stepping out of the line to kneel and pay his respects, his face flushed.

He spent his life in technological inventions and felt content with having a title and a workshop to work in, so he was directly granted the title of Duke.

Jia Sixie was so excited that his hands were shaking.

He dedicated his life to agricultural research, hoping to ensure that ordinary people could have enough to eat.

Your Majesty's high regard for agriculture and sericulture is a blessing for all the people.

Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and burning passion in each other's eyes.

Physicians have traditionally held a low social status, yet His Majesty has bestowed upon them the title of Duke.

This is not only an affirmation of the two individuals, but also a message to the world: crafts, agriculture, and medicine are all vital instruments of the nation.

The officials below were stunned for a moment, then they all understood.

Yes, conquering the world relies on military generals and strategists, while governing the world relies on agriculture, industry, and medicine.

Song Yingxing's new steelmaking methods and new agricultural tools made the Han army's weapons more effective and the people's grain production higher; Jia Sixie's improved grain varieties doubled grain production and eliminated large-scale famines; Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo saved countless soldiers and civilians by treating the sick and wounded.

Their contributions are no less than those of those who fought on the battlefield.

He deserves to be granted the title of Duke.

Liu Chong paused for a moment, then read out the rewards for the prefecture-level officials:

"Yu Jin, formerly the Duke of Juping County, was promoted to Duke of a Commandery and granted an additional fief..."

"Gongsun Zan, originally the Duke of Lingzhi County, was promoted to Duke of a Commandery and granted an additional fief..."

"Xu Chu, Gao Shun, Qu Yi, Xu Huang, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Luo Cheng, Taishi Ci, Gan Ning, Cao Cao, Zhou Yu, Chang Yuchun, and Li Wenzhong: originally county marquises, all promoted to dukes of commanderies, each with an increased fief..."

"Gao Lan, Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Tian Chou, Tian Yu, Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao, and Zhang Yan: formerly county marquises, all promoted to county dukes, each with an increased fief..."

The number of those at the county magistrate level and below is countless.

This large group of fierce generals, each with outstanding military achievements, were all greatly favored.

Zhou Cang scratched the back of his head, smiling with a simple and honest expression.

Pei Yuanshao almost shouted it out on the spot, but Zhang Yan next to him held him down, signaling him to be mindful of the occasion.

Pei Yuanshao quickly covered his mouth, his face turning bright red, but he was secretly overjoyed.

After all the investitures had been read aloud, Liu Chong closed the scroll and announced loudly:

"Everyone expressed their gratitude!"