Inside the Taiji Palace.
After Li Er finished explaining to Yan Lide, he looked at Li Zexuan with mixed feelings. He had originally planned to transfer Li Zexuan into the army and nurture him. He never expected Li Zexuan to be so talented in machinery. Could it be that Priest Spirit Void taught him all this?
The roller bearings were indeed very useful. Li Er also planned to reward Li Zexuan with some gold and silver as a reward. However, the significance of the curved plough was too great. It was not an exaggeration to say that its merits were in the present and its benefits were in the future. In a feudal society, the rulers attached great importance to agriculture. If he only rewarded some gold and silver for this merit, it would seem that Li Er was stingy.
Li Er pondered for a moment and said to Li Zexuan.
"I heard from Zhijie that you learned martial arts from Priest Spirit Void when you were a child. Recently, you even created a strange object like the roller bearings. This is one merit. Today, you presented the technique of making the curved plough, so that countless farmers would not miss out on the spring plowing. Your merits are in the country and its benefits are in the future. I am very grateful. This is the second merit.
In the imperial court, rewarding merits and punishing faults, making the best use of people's talents, this is the right that the heavens have bestowed upon me. It is also my life's ambition. Li Zexuan, tell me, what do you want? I will satisfy you. "
Damn, as long as one's IQ was not lacking, they would be able to tell that there was a trap in Li Er's words.
If you really want to reward me, why don't you just say it out loud? Why do you need me to say it myself? If I say too much, you'll definitely be unhappy. If I say too little, won't I suffer a huge loss? Li Zexuan thought for a moment and simply pushed the question to Li Er.
"Your Majesty, my livelihood is in the Tang Empire. I have already deeply fallen in love with this land. These small contributions are what I should do. I really do not dare to covet Your Majesty's reward."
When Cheng Yaojin heard this, he anxiously glared at Li Zexuan from the side. He secretly cursed that his brain was rusty. He actually did not want to reward such a good opportunity.
Li Er frowned and said, "How can I not reward a merit? If this were to spread out, how would the commoners view me? How about this, Li Zexuan, are you willing to work under Minister Yan at the Ministry of Works? "
Yan Lide's eyes lit up. He also had the same idea. With Li Zexuan's talent, it would be a pity if he didn't join the Ministry of Works.
Li Zexuan immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum. He didn't want to enter the imperial court and fight for power. Looking at the fate of Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, and the others who fought bravely in Zhen Guan's court, according to the records of later generations, these people committed suicide, had their properties confiscated, their families exterminated, and their corpses whipped.
These people were all god-like figures, and they couldn't avoid a tragic end. As a newbie in the bureaucracy, it was better for him to shrink his head and be an honest tortoise. Making a fortune in silence was the right thing to do. It would be best if he could get a position with a high rank, less responsibility, and no management.
If he went to the Ministry of Works, not only would he suffer, but if he offended someone, he would probably fall into a trap.
He was very envious of Cheng Yaojin's unscrupulous personality. He often made a scene in the imperial court, making everyone think that he was a simple-minded boor. As long as they didn't provoke him, he would be harmless to them. Therefore, he was able to be a free and unfettered duke during Zhen Guan's reign.
This was why he was so awesome. Great wisdom disguised as stupidity. He never showed his talents, but he lived for a hundred years. After his death, he was conferred the title of Longevity Lu Wang. He lived a rich life and survived four emperors. He could be said to be a weirdo in the bureaucracy.
Li Zexuan saw Li Er's glare and quickly considered his words before explaining,
"Your Majesty, I'm used to being lazy. I'm afraid that going to the Ministry of Works will delay Minister Yan's matters. Moreover, I've been away from home for eight years and finally returned home. I want to be filial to my parents. Your Majesty, please grant my wish. "
Well, the banner of filial piety was brought out. What else could Li Er say? Even if he was the emperor, he didn't dare to openly disobey filial piety.
Li Er pondered for a while and said, "If that's the case, then forget it. However, you have contributed to the country and can't not be rewarded. How about this, I'll confer you the title of Lantian County Baron and give you 200 households. How about that?"
Li Er had spent a lot of money. Everyone in the Imperial Court was shocked.
The imperial court's nobility was divided into five ranks: duke, marquis, count, viscount, and baron. Li Zexuan was conferred the title of baron this time. It was a leap from a commoner to a lord. Under the general trend of the country, the conferment of nobility was extremely cautious. The entire imperial court was thinking about how to reduce the number of nobles and reduce the rank of nobility. Li Zexuan was actually conferred the title of baron with a mere curved plough.
Cheng Yaojin hurriedly gave Li Zexuan a look, telling him to quickly agree. He was really afraid that Li Zexuan would be stupid and refuse again.
Li Zexuan didn't pay attention to Cheng Yaojin's message. However, when he heard Li Er's words, he was overjoyed. He thought to himself that he had leaped from a commoner to a noble. There was no reason for him to refuse. He hurriedly bowed and thanked the emperor.
"I thank Your Majesty for your kindness!"
Li Er nodded with satisfaction and said, "If there's nothing else, the imperial court is dismissed."
All the ministers bowed and saluted, "We respectfully send Your Majesty off!"
.....
"Haha, this old man really didn't misjudge you. You're promising!"
As soon as they left Taiji Palace, Cheng Yaojin excitedly patted Li Zexuan's shoulder and laughed.
After that, he looked at Qin Shubao and smiled proudly. "How is it, Brother Qin? I told you before that this kid isn't a fish in a pond, right? Haha, I, Old Cheng, have a good eye for people. "
Qin Shubao laughed and shook his head. He looked at Li Zexuan and said,
"This old man heard from Zhijie that your master is Spiritual Master Ling Xu. Your martial arts are excellent and not below Zhijie. However, I didn't expect you to be able to make such a thing that benefits the country and the people. His Majesty has granted you the title of Baron. Since you are greatly indebted to the country, you should serve the country well in the future. However, this old man has no chance to meet such an immortal like your master. It is a great regret in my life. "
When Li Zexuan heard Cheng Yaojin call the person in front of him as Brother Qin, he had already guessed the identity of this person. At this time, when he heard Qin Qiong instructing him in the tone of an elder, Li Zexuan knew that he was treating him as a nephew for the sake of Cheng Yaojin. He was moved and bowed respectfully to Qin Qiong.
"This must be Great General Qin. In the past, when I was in the mountains, I often heard my master say that General Qin seized three passes in the day and eight strongholds at night. Your martial arts are rare in the world and you are the first pillar of our Tang Empire. I will remember General Qin's teachings and will not forget His Majesty's kindness! "
Qin Shubao was somewhat delighted. "I didn't expect your master to know this old man. Haha, this old man will call you Xiao Xuan for the time being. Since Zhijie regards you as his nephew, you should also call this old man uncle to avoid estrangement."
Li Zexuan hurriedly went along with it and called out to Uncle Qin.
Cheng Yaojin looked at Qin Qiong's sallow face and sighed.
"Alas, Little Xuan, it would be good if your master was still here. In the past, everyone in Jianghu knew that Spiritual Master Ling Xu not only had great achievements, but also had great medical skills. He was not below Doctor Sun. If he was still here, he might be able to cure Brother Qin's illness."
When Li Zexuan heard this, he also looked at the unparalleled hero in front of him. Now, he was stooping and coughing from time to time. Thinking that according to the track of history, this old man probably only had less than ten years to live. He was really a hero past his prime. For a moment, Li Zexuan's eyes were also a little wet.
Qin Qiong waved his hand magnanimously and said with a faint smile, "Zhijie, you are thinking too much. Life and death are predestined. Riches and honor are in heaven. I have been in the military all my life and killed countless people. Perhaps this is the retribution that I, Qin Qiong, should suffer!"
.....
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