Volume 2 Clouds Chapter 31 Entering the Palace and Being Conferred
In preparation for the Privy Council’s reception, the Ministry of Rites has already arranged the specific procedures.
Han Lingkun and Luo Youdu just need to follow the process.
The two men went directly to the palace to accept the reward, while the accompanying imperial guards received the reward money on the spot.
Hearing the soldiers behind him shouting "Long live the army", I thought that they must have received a lot of rewards in this expedition.
"Meet Envoy Wei!"
"Meet Envoy Wei!"
Han Lingkun and Luo Youdu greeted Wei Renpu together.
Wei Renpu has some connection with Luo Youdu.
But the two people held different positions and had almost no interaction.
However, this time when he went to the battlefield with the army, he, as the chief eunuch, was directly deployed by the Privy Council.
The secret letters between the two have never ceased.
In order to impress Wang Jing and Han Lingkun, he also asked Wei Renpu of the Privy Council to help him act out a play in the letter.
It was also because of Wei Renpu's help that he was able to break the gap between Wang Jing and Han Lingkun in terms of civil and military affairs.
Compared to Han Lingkun's formal calling, Luo Youdu was obviously much more intimate.
Wei Renpu said: "The two of you will follow me into the palace to see the emperor. His Majesty will lead all the officials to the Purple Palace to wait for you two. This is the first time since the founding of the Great Zhou that we have received such an honor. Congratulations!"
Seeing that Han Lingkun ignored him, Luo Youdu smiled and said, "Without the efforts of Wei Shumishi, there would be no such victory."
The three of them entered the city together and headed towards the palace.
Upon entering Kaifeng City, Luo Youdu immediately felt that he had arrived in a completely new place, which was completely different from the Kaifeng in his memory.
Han Lingkun also looked around in surprise.
Wei Renpu said to Luo Youdu beside him: "The North City is crowded. After you went to war, His Majesty ordered the expansion of Kaifeng City. Not only did he make use of the South City, but he also replanned the neighborhoods and intended to expand outward. The South City no longer looks like it used to be."
Luo Youdu sighed: "The government is wise, and the world is already experiencing a prosperous era. I am lucky to be able to participate in it."
Wei Renpu was deeply touched by Luo Youdu's words. What a civil official like him wants all his life is to meet a wise ruler, realize his ambitions, leave his name in history, and help the world.
Guo Rong is undoubtedly this wise leader.
In history, Guo Rong died of illness and Zhao Kuangyin was crowned emperor.
Faced with the approaching army, Fan Zhi and Wang Pu bowed and obeyed orders.
Only this famous official, who was known in history as "a little bit of noble spirit, a thousand miles of refreshing wind", organized the court officials to resist.
It was a pity that he was alone and helpless to suppress the rebellion by Zhao Kuangyin, and he fell ill and died.
The most disgusting thing is that in order to show that he was the popular choice, Zhao Kuangyin forced him to accept the title from the Song Dynasty on his sickbed.
Then Wei Renpu, with the title of Song minister, recited the story of Guo Rong's death due to illness.
Wei Renpu said: "Sir, you have both good and fair talents. In the future, you and I will serve as ministers in the same palace and assist the wise master together."
Luo Youdu was not terrified this time, nor did he lower his posture. He just smiled and said, "That's what I wish for. It's a great honor to be able to serve as a minister in the same palace with Duke Wei."
This time of forcing Meng Shu to surrender brought his reputation to an unprecedented height.
Wei Renpu called him "sir", obviously intending to treat him as an equal.
If you lower your status in this situation, people will look down on you.
They didn't meet often, but it was obvious that Luo Youdu's request for his help brought the two closer together.
The officialdom is a place of personal connections.
It is the stupidest thing for a person to insist on doing it and think that he can handle everything .
It is not shameful to ask for help or owe favors to others.
The worst thing is to have no one to owe favors to and no one to ask for help.
You ask me for help and I ask you for help, we both benefit and our relationship becomes close.
Instead of doing everything by yourself.
They arrived at the Kaifeng Imperial Palace, dismounted and walked to the Purple Palace.
The Purple Palace was the front hall where the emperor held court. Only court meetings on the first and fifteenth days of each month and suburban temple ceremonies were held here.
Guo Rong praised their achievements in the Purple Palace, which showed how grand the event was.
The moment he stepped into the Purple Palace, Luo Youdu immediately felt all kinds of gazes from civil and military officials.
Han Lingkun, the commander-in-chief of the imperial guards, ignored him.
Fortunately, Han Lingkun has relaxed his mind and muttered to himself, "It's not surprising that Brother Luo has stolen the limelight. No one can handle it."
This kind of comfort makes me feel at peace.
Luo Youdu was calm and composed, without any fear.
Ever since Meng Chang sent this great gift to Fengzhou, he had made all the preparations.
He was no longer a small official in Kaifeng Prefecture, but a famous scholar praised by thousands of people. Zhuge Liang of the Great Zhou Dynasty had to obey orders no matter how arrogant Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were or how high their status was.
Watching Luo Youdu enter calmly, Guo Rong, who was sitting high up, felt deeply moved. God was very kind to him, sending this person to him when he needed him the most.
Great undertakings can be accomplished and great trends can be established.
"Your Majesty!"
Han Lingkun and Luo Youdu bowed.
"My two beloved ministers, please stand up!"
Guo Rong's words were filled with joy: "During this Western Expedition, the two of you traveled across mountains and rivers, captured cities and defeated enemies, and even forced the entire Shu Kingdom to submit with a small force. Your contributions are outstanding. I have always been clear about rewards and punishments. Today, in front of all the ministers, I will reward you."
As soon as he finished speaking, a eunuch who was summoning the general stepped , opened the imperial edict that had been prepared long ago, and said loudly: "Han Lingkun, the commander of the imperial guards and cavalry, and the governor of Wuding Army, is calm and steady, and has made plans to defeat the enemy. He conquered Qinzhou, surrendered Fengzhou, and captured Chengzhou. He was invincible in battle and was both brave and resourceful. Now he is appointed as the governor of Zhen'an Army. I grant him a robe, a gold belt, silver utensils, silk, and a saddle horse as a reward!"
In this era, military generals had a high status. Titles like Inspector Taifu and Inspector Situ looked impressive but were actually empty titles. They were just granted a first-rank title and received an additional salary of a first-rank official.
However, compared with Li Jixun, Shi Shouxin and Wang Shenqi, Han Lingkun is obviously several levels ahead.
Then the eunuch who summoned him said, "Kaifeng Prefecture Judge, Duanming Palace Scholar, and Military Supervisor Luo Youdu, has great vision and brilliance. He annihilated the enemy in Fengzhou, causing the whole country of Shu to be terrified. He also won the battle thousands of miles away, with extraordinary and long-term strategies, and made Shu submit without spending a single soldier. The good generals and counselors in ancient times were no more than this. He can be said to be both civil and military. Now he is promoted to Left Palace Attendant, Grand Secretary of Duanming Palace, and Commander of the Imperial Camp. A separate Imperial Camp Division is set up under the command of the Council of State to protect the safety of the Front Palace."
Luo Youdu was delighted and said loudly: "I accept your order and thank you!"
As he accepted the order, he secretly said, "Great."
He had been thinking about how Guo Rong would reward him and how he should be commended for his military achievements.
Should he give himself a nominal title of general, or go directly to the Palace Front Department or the Imperial Guard Department to share a share with the military officers?
Unexpectedly, Guo Rongru created the Imperial Camp Division just like he created the Palace Front Division.
It did not touch the hearts of the generals, but also achieved a certain purpose.
In this way, in addition to the Palace Front Division and the Imperial Guard Division ruled by military officers, the imperial city also had an Imperial Camp Division managed by the prime minister.
The Imperial Camp Division was used to check and balance the Palace Front Division and the Imperial Guard Division.
To avoid the dominance of military officers.
