Chương 765: Release End

Everyone was taken aback at first, then several people couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Even the usually serious Xu Da's lips curled up slightly and his shoulders twitched.

Zhang Fei couldn't help but laugh out loud, then quickly suppressed it, his face turning red.

Yuchi Gong also realized what was happening, and his old face turned red, a deep blush.

He quickly stepped forward out of the ranks, but his steps were too big, and he almost tripped over the hem of his court robe. He stumbled a bit before regaining his balance.

He hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting, his voice slightly unsteady:

"Your subject, Yuchi Gong, thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"

Even Liu Ce was amused, pointing at him and shaking his head:

"Look how anxious you are. Stand still. Nobody's going to take it from you."

"With your voice any louder, you could shake the bronze bells off Zhaoji Pavilion."

The tense atmosphere in the hall was instantly eased by him, and everyone was holding back their laughter, their shoulders twitching.

Yuchi Gong was even more embarrassed. He scratched his head and chuckled as he returned to the line of people who had stepped out of the queue. He finally felt relieved and was very happy.

Liu Ce shook his head and continued reading, his voice still carrying a hint of amusement:

"Huang Zhong, Zhang He, Xun You, Cheng Yu, Xu Shu, Chen Gong, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Shen Wansan, Lu Bing, Qi Jiguang, Su Lie, Yue Fei, Li Jing, Li Ji, Song Yingxing, Jia Sixie, Zhang Zhongjing, Hua Tuo, Yu Jin, Gongsun Zan, Xu Chu, Gao Shun, Qu Yi, Xu Huang, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Luo Cheng, Taishi Ci, Gan Ning, Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong, Cao Cao."

As names were read out one by one, the line grew longer and longer.

There were military generals with outstanding military achievements, civil officials with strategic planning skills, capable officials who enriched the country and strengthened the people, and meritorious individuals in the fields of technology, agriculture, and medicine.

It boasts talents in both civil and military affairs, and has truly achieved a spirit of eclecticism.

When Song Yingxing, Jia Sixie, Zhang Zhongjing, and Hua Tuo stepped forward, many technical officials were envious.

They used to think they were "unorthodox" and could not enter the core of the court.

Unexpectedly, His Majesty actually included them among the founding heroes, and they were even among the first to be admitted to the Zhaoji Pavilion.

This recognition is more important than anything else.

Cao Cao stood in the ranks, his expression calm, but his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Back then, he was also a regional warlord, an opponent of Liu Ce. He thought that if he lost, he would lose everything, and even his life would be in danger.

Unexpectedly, Liu Ce not only spared his life but also gave him an important position, allowing him to lead troops and achieve many merits.

Today, he is still able to enter the Zhaoji Pavilion and be remembered in history.

Life's encounters are truly unpredictable.

He bowed slightly, his voice low and deep: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

In total, fifty-one people were read aloud.

After reading the last one, Liu Ce closed the scroll and looked at the following:

"The first batch of meritorious officials to be admitted to the cabinet consists of fifty-one people. The list will be posted later. The portraits and inscriptions will be painted starting next month and will all be hung up by the end of the year."

The Ministry of Rites will issue a document later regarding the regulations and benefits for those entering the cabinet.

The hall was silent for a few seconds, then all fifty-one meritorious officials bowed and shouted in unison:

"Your Majesty, we are deeply grateful for your great kindness! We will certainly devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the cause and live up to the expectations of the nation!"

His voice was strong and clear, full of excitement and solemnity.

Fifty-one people, each with bright eyes, chests held high, their faces brimming with undisguised pride and excitement.

Those who were not selected reacted in various ways.

Several senior employees, who felt confident in their future prospects, couldn't hide their disappointment, their heads bowed, looking rather dejected.

But no one was dissatisfied; those on the list had indeed contributed more than they had, so there was nothing to complain about.

I can only blame myself for not working hard enough and not having achieved enough.

Many more young officials, though not on the list, had shining eyes as they looked at the fifty-one meritorious officials ahead of them, their faces full of admiration and longing.

They all harbored a strong desire: that one day they too would stand there, and that their portraits would be hung in the Zhaoji Pavilion, so that future generations would know their names.

There are role models right in front of us; just follow their example!

Looking at the expressions of the crowd below, Liu Ce nodded in satisfaction.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

Zhaoji Pavilion is not only a place to commemorate meritorious individuals, but also a target, a goal, and a spiritual symbol.

We should ensure that all officials have something to strive for, and that they are motivated to work hard and make real contributions, rather than spending their days scheming against each other and forming cliques for personal gain.

This was his true purpose in building the Zhaoji Pavilion.

"These are the first batch of names," Liu Ce announced, his voice resonating throughout the hall, deep and powerful.

Those who were not selected should not be discouraged, nor should they belittle themselves.

The walls of Zhaoji Pavilion are still mostly empty, and there will be a second, third, and even tenth and twentieth batches behind them.

As long as you serve the country and its people and make real contributions, one day your portrait will be displayed there.

"I keep my word."

"I hope that a hundred years from now, the Zhaoji Pavilion will be filled with portraits of meritorious officials, each one telling a story of their service to the country and its people."

It's not just that we, the fifty-one founding ministers, have no successors.

Can you do that? Can you ensure that the Han Dynasty has outstanding talents and meritorious officials in every generation?

The assembled officials bowed in unison, shouting loudly, their voices shaking the roof tiles:

"We, your humble servants, will certainly devote ourselves wholeheartedly to Your Majesty and to the nation!"

The sound resounded throughout the Liangyi Hall and lingered for a long time.

Each person's voice carried enthusiasm, hope, and aspirations for the future.

After the court session ended, the fifty-one meritorious officials who had been listed were surrounded by their colleagues who came forward to congratulate them, and the sounds of congratulations were endless.

"Congratulations, General Guan! You are truly deserving of being among the first to join the cabinet!"

"Congratulations, Lord Xun! You truly deserve to be called the foremost civil official!"

"Minister Song is amazing! Those of us in the tech field now have something to look forward to!"

Zhang Fei was surrounded by a group of generals, grinning from ear to ear, thumping his chest loudly, and his booming voice echoing down the corridor:

"I'm having a feast at my place tonight! We're drinking until we drop! Everyone come! Anyone who doesn't is disrespecting Old Zhang!"

Cheng Yaojin chimed in, "We have to go! Let's drink until we're completely drunk! To celebrate that we've all made it onto the wall!"

A group of military officers were making a ruckus, as if it were Chinese New Year.

Those who didn't make the list weren't discouraged. They gathered in twos and threes, chatting about their plans for the future and figuring out how to make a contribution and try to be selected in the second batch.

Some planned to go to the frontier to gain experience and accumulate military merits; others wanted to go to the local areas to govern the people and achieve political success.

Some young craftsmen and scholars plan to bury themselves in research, make inventions and creations, and enter the cabinet through their technical skills.

Everyone was full of energy, like they were on steroids.

Sunlight streamed through the palace doors, bathing everyone in a golden glow.

Everyone's face was filled with hope and an upward spirit.

The entire court was brimming with vitality.

Not far away, Zhaoji Pavilion stands quietly under the summer sun, the copper bells on the eaves ringing softly in the wind.

It's as if they're waiting to welcome one after another, the heroes of this magnificent era.

It's as if we are witnessing this great empire moving step by step towards an even more glorious future.

..................