Chương 763: End of the Visit

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

This arrangement is well-organized, separating civil and military affairs, ensuring both distinction and minimal interference between them, demonstrating thorough consideration.

Furthermore, a memorial hall was set up for those who died for their country, so as not to forget the dead, which won the hearts of the people.

Following His Majesty in conquering the world, one enjoys wealth and honor while alive, and can still receive offerings after death. It's all worth it.

Walking up the wooden stairs, the steps were steady and smooth, without a single creak.

It's clear that it's made entirely of high-quality Phoebe zhennan wood, with ample material and a very solid feel when you step on it.

The second floor was indeed more refined, with bright and clean windows and excellent lighting. Sunlight streamed in through the carved windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor, making it bright and airy.

The walls have been treated with three layers of moisture-proofing and have been painted with insect-repellent paint. Next to each reserved portrait position, there is a groove for embedding a stone tablet, in which the meritorious person's life and achievements will be engraved in the future.

The portrait is hung up, with an inscription next to it, so that anyone who comes can clearly see the person's life achievements.

Several civil officials gathered around, pointing and whispering about whose portrait should be placed in front.

Fang Xuanling smiled and said to Du Ruhui, "Brother Wenruo is sure to be the top civil official, while the two of us will probably have to be ranked lower."

Du Ruhui laughed and said, "Being able to enter the cabinet is a great honor, why bother about who comes first? As long as it can be hung on the wall, it doesn't matter where it is."

Besides, merits are judged by the people, and ranking them first or last does not affect how future generations will evaluate them.

Xun Yu stood by the window, looking at the square outside, his expression calm.

He was actually quite emotional... He never imagined that he would live to see such a prosperous era, be able to enter the Hall of Meritorious Officials, and have his name go down in history.

This life is worth it.

Once you reach the military officers' area on the third floor, the style immediately becomes more rugged.

The pillars are no longer carved with cloud patterns and auspicious beasts, but with patterns of mountains, rivers, and military formations. Even the windows are larger and brighter, exuding the spirit of a battlefield.

Standing by the window and looking down, you can see the entire southern district of the imperial city, and even the flags of the Imperial Guard camp in the distance are clearly visible; the view is superb.

The military officers were immediately excited, as if they had been let loose, and they all crowded around the window, pointing and gesturing.

Zhang Fei, clinging to the window, pointed towards the distant military camp and shouted loudly, his voice audible throughout the entire floor:

"Hey! Look over there! Isn't that the Imperial Guard's drill ground? You can see the soldiers training even from here! The view is amazing!"

"If I hang my portrait here in the future, I can watch the military training every day. How wonderful!"

Xu Da didn't join in the fun. He walked to the wall, gently tapped on the surface, touched the wall, and then turned to the Minister of Works, saying:

"Minister Song, the wall's moisture-proofing is excellent; the materials used are very sophisticated. This portrait should last for over a hundred years, shouldn't it?"

Song Yingxing smiled and said, "Tiande, don't worry! The walls have been treated with three layers of moisture-proofing, and the paint also contains insect-repelling herbs, all from a prescription made by Mr. Zhang Zhongjing, to prevent insects and moths."

Unless it is intentionally damaged or destroyed by fire or water, it can be preserved for over a hundred years without any problem.

Even if the paint fades hundreds of years later, future generations can repaint it, and the achievement will last forever.

Upon hearing this, everyone felt even more relieved.

If it can be preserved for hundreds of years, it will truly be remembered for generations to come.

It is better than any amount of gold and silver jewelry to have one's descendants see one's portrait and achievements.

The group strolled leisurely down from the third floor and returned to the lobby on the first floor, their faces filled with admiration.

No one expected that Zhaoji Pavilion was not only magnificent on the outside, but also exquisite in every aspect inside. From the materials used to the layout, from the lighting to the moisture protection, everything was of the highest standard.

It is much more elaborate and grand than the Qilin Pavilion and Yuntai Pavilion recorded in historical books.

This is what a unified empire should look like.

Liu Ce walked to the center of the hall, turned around and looked at the civil and military officials in the hall.

Seeing this, everyone stopped joking and standing in formation, all looking at the emperor and waiting for him to speak.

The hall fell silent instantly, with only the occasional clear and melodious sound of copper bells coming from outside the window.

"I've finished watching it all. What do you think?" Liu Ce asked with a smile, his tone relaxed.

The voices below echoed in unison, "Your Majesty is wise! The Zhaoji Pavilion is magnificent and a truly glorious event for our dynasty!"

The voice was loud and echoed throughout the hall.

"Stop with the pleasantries," Liu Ce waved his hand and said with a smile.

"The purpose of building this pavilion is not to show off or save face, but to give an account to the meritorious officials who followed me in conquering and governing the country."

In this short span of a few decades, what is the point of making achievements and establishing a career? Isn't it just to leave a mark on history and be remembered by future generations?

"I built this pavilion to tell future generations: the Han Dynasty's achievements today are not due to my efforts alone, but to the hard work of countless meritorious officials."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his tone becoming more serious, each word firm and resolute:

"I'm making this clear today. Every meritorious official who enters the Zhaoji Pavilion will have their portrait painted by the best painter of the time, capturing both their likeness and spirit, and bringing them to life."

I will personally write the inscription on the monument next to his portrait, detailing his achievements, abilities, character, and personality.

No exaggeration, no embellishment, just the facts, so that future generations will know that our dynasty once had such a person.

Upon hearing this, a low murmur instantly rose in the hall, like water being poured into boiling oil.

The emperor himself wrote the article!

This is an immense honor!

In the Hall of Meritorious Officials of all dynasties, the eulogies next to the portraits were either drafted by the Hanlin Academy or written by the prime minister. Those whose life achievements were personally written by the emperor were extremely rare, and could be counted on one's fingers.

This treatment is simply the pinnacle for a subject!

The eyes of the crowd below lit up instantly, sparkling like tiny light bulbs.

Entering the cabinet was already a historic achievement, but now, with the emperor personally writing a biography, this honor is something that even the best of luck couldn't buy.

The military officers' breathing became heavier, their fists clenched so tightly their knuckles turned white, and they had only one thought in their minds: I'll risk my life to get into this Zhaoji Pavilion! Even if it costs me my old life, I'll still grab a spot on the wall!

In the future, when you brag to your descendants, you can proudly say: "Your grandfather/great-grandfather's portrait is in the Zhaoji Pavilion, and the inscription was written by the emperor himself!"

How prestigious!

The civil officials were also moved.

What do scholars seek in this life? Isn't it to establish virtue, merit, and words—the three immortal achievements?

To be able to enter the Zhaoji Pavilion and have one's life story written by the emperor himself—that's practically achieving all three immortalities! This life is truly worthwhile!

Seeing the gleam in the eyes of the crowd below, Liu Ce chuckled inwardly and added, "Let's give them another push."

"Of course, not just anyone can get in. There's only one standard: genuine merit."

No matter if you are a member of the royal family or a member of a noble family, without real merit, no amount of praise will help.

No matter if you come from a poor family or started as a lowly soldier, as long as you have enough merit, you can be featured on the wall.

Civil officials are judged by their governance achievements, military generals by their military exploits, censors by their integrity, and artisans by their practical results; all are treated equally, without any favoritism.

"I am already considering the first batch of cabinet members, and will officially announce them at the next court session."

Don't be discouraged if you weren't selected. There's such a big wall in Zhaoji Pavilion that's empty! There will be a second batch, a third batch, and even a tenth or twentieth batch. As long as you work hard, there will be plenty of opportunities.

In the future, generations to come, anyone who performs great service can enter the cabinet. This cabinet will remain full forever.