In the afternoon, after Tang Xiaoxi announced the name list and order of the seven marshals of the empire, Wei Chou, Situ Sen, and Nangong Lie looked a little strange, especially Wei Chou, who looked a little disappointed. Indeed, with his contributions, he was qualified to be one of the seven marshals. In terms of military merits, it should be his turn.
However, things in this world were not as simple as rewards based on contributions.
Lin Muyu could see that Wei Chou was unhappy, and she could also see the indignation of Situ Sen and Situ Xue.
After the meeting, Lin Muyu invited Wei Chou and the Situ siblings to have a drink together.
…
There was no one else, even Qin Yin, Tang Xiaoxi, and Si Kongyao were sent away by Lin Muyu. Although it was spring, it was still snowing heavily. The chefs in the mansion quickly stewed vegetables, while Situ Xue warmed the wine for everyone. In the huge meeting hall, there were only five people, Lin Muyu, Wei Chou, Situ Sen, Fengxi, and Situ Xue.
"The wine is warmed, Your Excellency." Situ Xue handed the wine to them.
Lin Muyu stood up and personally poured wine for Wei Chou and Situ Sen, then said, "Come, let's drink the first cup first."
"Yes!"
Everyone drank the wine in one gulp and swallowed the spicy fragrance.
Lin Muyu refilled the wine, took a deep look at everyone, and said, "I originally had five generals under my command. In addition to the four of you, there was also Cangnan Master Xu Jiantao, but he died for his country. In terms of qualifications, each of you has the opportunity to be one of the seven marshals, but Her Highness did not choose you. I think you all know why."
Wei Chou said, "Your Excellency, there is no need to say it. I understand."
"Although I understand, I still have to say it. This way, everyone will feel better." Lin Muyu cleared her throat and said, "Me, Feng Jixing, and QianFeng are definitely among the seven marshals. There is no doubt about this. As for the other four, Xiang Yu is an old general of the empire and has always had a reputation. After so many years of ruling Lingnan, his reputation is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. It can be said that with Xiang Yu around, the four provinces of Lingnan can be stabilized. Therefore, Xiang Yu must also be one of the seven marshals, followed by Ding Xi. We all know that Ding Xi is an old general of Yihe Country, but Ding Xi has always been a person who can distinguish right from wrong. During the chaos of Lanyan City, he spared me and saved Her Highness's life. It can be said that without Ding Xi, there would probably be no Great Qin today. Moreover, Ding Xi also made countless contributions in the battle against the Celestial Pole Continent, so it is understandable that he is one of the seven marshals."
Among the heads, Wei Chou said, "We have always respected Marshal Ding very much. We have no objection to him being one of the seven marshals."
"Mn, next is Tang Zhen." Lin Muyu gazed at the reflection in the wine cup and said, "Tang Zhen is a general of Seven Seas City, and is currently the greatest military commander in the Tang family apart from Xiao Xi. More importantly, Tang Zhen's wife is Linghu, the woman who controls the entire demonic race. Tang Zhen alone is related to the safety of the entire western border of the Empire. Therefore, Tang Zhen's ranking among the seven marshals is also in consideration of the stability of the western border. The last one is Zeng Yifan. We all know very well in our hearts that Zeng Yifan is an old subject of the former Emperor of the same generation as Su Muyun and Tang Lan. Although he once had disloyal intentions, now it seems that Zeng Yifan has turned over a new leaf. Zeng Yifan alone represents all the old subjects of the Qin and Jin era. Only by ranking him among the seven marshals can the old subjects be reassured. Otherwise, it will be troublesome if these old fellows take advantage of us fighting outside to overturn the rivers and seas in Lanyan City. "
Wei Chou was a bit lost in thought and said, "Milord, this subordinate understands what you mean. This subordinate also understands these principles. It doesn't matter. Isn't this subordinate still the head of the ten generals?"
"I've still wronged you."
Lin Muyu nodded and said, "If Cangnan Master were still alive, he and you would both be qualified to be ranked among the seven marshals. Your contributions are even above Xiang Yu and Tang Zhen's. I will remember all of this in my heart."
Wei Chou smiled and said, "If Milord hadn't selected this subordinate from the Eagle Nest Camp, I'm afraid Wei Chou would still be an ignorant guard. How could I possibly command this magnificent army? Wei Chou will never forget Milord's grace of rebirth."
Situ Sen also cupped his fists and said, "If not for Milord, this subordinate would still be the King of Mercenaries in Lanyan City!"
Fengxi smiled.
Lin Muyu also smiled and said, "It's really not easy for us to reach where we are today. Although it's inevitable that there will be some bias when it comes to rewards, it's also unavoidable. Just take it as giving me face. There will be plenty of opportunities to make contributions in the future. Besides … no one knows what the world will be like in the future. Once the Mahayana Heavenly Axiom descends, we may also bid farewell to this world. That's true. What's the point of being a king? If any of you want to continue to stay in Shattered Cauldron Realm and become king, I will grant your wish. I will be more at ease leaving one of our Longdan Army Camp's men to guard this dimension. "
Wei Chou said in a low voice, "Milord, what are you saying? Wei Chou is willing to follow Milord forever. It doesn't matter where you go or what you do."
"Alright."
Lin Muyu said, "If we go to the Immortal Realm, we will be at ease together in Xiaoyao. If we go to my hometown, I guarantee you that you won't have to worry about food and clothing."
"What about me? What about me?" Situ Xue asked.
"I can't do without you." Lin Muyu smiled and said, "As long as you and General Sen are willing, we will still be working together in the future."
"Alright, Ah Xue will work hard in her cultivation."
"Mm."
At this time, there was still one person who had been silent all along. It was Fengxi.
"General Fengxi, why aren't you saying anything?" Lin Muyu asked.
Fengxi said respectfully, "I … I am just an ordinary person. My cultivation cannot be compared to the other three generals. I have followed Lin General for many years, all for the sake of making contributions, bringing glory to my family, and not bringing shame to my ancestors. Therefore, if Lin General decides to leave this dimension in the future, Fengxi is willing to be a guard and continue to protect my Great Qin Nation."
"Mm." Lin Muyu looked at him with admiration and said, "I remember what you said back then. Don't worry, after the world is settled, there will definitely be a place for you to stand."
"Many thanks, Lin General!"
"Come, let's drink. Let's not talk about these unhappy things."
"Yes!"
…
Three days later, the Zhang Family Fortress was crowded with people. Today was the conferring ceremony of the seven marshals of the empire.
The small Zhang Family Fortress had undergone a complete transformation. Turrets and arrow towers were built around the fortress, and even the walls were reinforced. The sound of workers digging could be heard from underground. It was the sound of excavators closing the hole. According to the progress of the work, it would be completed in about three days.
The ceremony was held on the empty space outside the fortress. On a hastily built platform, seven imperial guards held seven swords in their hands. These swords were mostly sacred weapons. At this time, they were renamed Yuanrong Swords. Only marshals were worthy of these swords. Although they were not sacred weapons, they were symbols of power.
However, there were only a few marshals present today. In fact, only Lin Muyu was present. The rest were appointed on behalf of other marshals.
After the high priest finished reading the eulogy, Qin Yin, who was wearing the empress's robe, slowly walked up to the platform and began the conferring ceremony.
Lin Muyu stood at the front, followed by Wei Chou. He accepted the conferring ceremony on behalf of Feng Jixing, while Situ Sen, Fengxi, and the others accepted the conferring ceremony on behalf of QianFeng and the others.
Qin Yin looked at Lin Muyu with watery eyes and said with grace, "I hereby confer Lin Muyu as the first marshal of the empire. She will be conferred the title of Heaven Suppressing Marshal and be conferred the title of King of Qin. Please accept the Heaven Suppressing Yuanrong Sword!"
Lin Muyu took a few steps forward, knelt on one knee, and raised both hands to receive the sword.
Qin Yin accepted the sword and said with a smile, "Rise, King of Qin."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Lin Muyu stood at the side with the sword in his hand. From now on, he was restored to the title of King of Qin. Originally, the title of King of Qin had been abandoned by the nation, but times had changed. Now that they were at war, they had to rely on the title of King to motivate the army. It was imperative to restore the title of King of Qin. As for the voices of opposition from the nation in Lanyan City, they couldn't care less. Anyway, they didn't have any military power, so no matter how fiercely they protested, it was useless.
The conferring ceremony lasted for an entire afternoon. After the conferring of the seven marshals, it was followed by the conferring of the ten generals. Each of them was given a small fief. As for Lin Muyu, his fief was Wugu City. That's right, the entire Wugu City was now Lin Muyu's fief. In addition to this fief, there were also countless rewards of brocades and jewels, although Lin Muyu didn't care about these things at all.
…
Half a day later, two Dragon Knights brought the rewards to Xiping Prefecture. Someone secretly brought the rewards to a secret underground chamber in the imperial garden.
"The rewards have arrived!"
One of the Dragon Knights carried the treasures into the secret chamber, while the other opened the imperial edict and read out the list of conferring titles.
Feng Jixing, QianFeng, Ding Xi, Xiang Yu, and Tang Zhen knelt respectfully in a row to receive the conferring titles.
"Take this, State Marshal."
The Dragon Knight handed a Yuanrong Sword to Feng Jixing and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Your Highness Prince Xin. Your title of King of Qin has been restored. At the same time, His Highness has also given you two prefectures in Dubhe Province as your fief!"
Feng Jixing smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
After that, QianFeng, Ding Xi, Xiang Yu, and Tang Zhen also received their rewards. Each of them received a marshal's cloak. The craftsmanship of these cloaks wasn't considered to be too exquisite, and they couldn't make it in time due to the rush. However, they would definitely be sewn again after returning to Lanyan City, so there was no need to worry.
Xiang Yu held the Yuanrong Sword and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Your Highnesses Prince Xin and Prince Dong. Not only are you ranked among the Seven Commanders, but you've also received the title of King!"
There was a hint of sarcasm in his words. Clearly, Xiang Yu was destined to be unconvinced. To think that even a surrendered general like QianFeng had been conferred the title of King, while he, who had gone through hundreds of battles, was only a mere Duke.
However, Feng Jixing smiled faintly. "Hasn't General Xiang Yu been restored to his title of Duke as well?"
The meaning behind his words was even simpler. 'Back then, you were inferior to me, and now, you're still inferior to me. This is an extremely normal thing.'
In the end, Xiang Yu almost choked on his words and fell silent. He also knew that in terms of military contributions, he couldn't be compared to Feng Jixing and QianFeng. In the battle of Huoxi County, Feng Jixing's stratagem had defeated the Kingdom of Shang's 200,000 soldiers. In the battle of Longyuan, QianFeng had fought a bloody battle with the Kingdom of Shang's 500,000 soldiers. This was something that Xiang Yu couldn't be compared to. At the end of the day, he was just a deputy general and had never really commanded a battle before. Even if he was the one in command, would he be a match for Chen Yu and Xun Xi?
Not necessarily. Xiang Yu was also well aware of this.
Over the past 20 years, the Qin Empire had produced so many talents. Putting aside the Four Heroes of Lanyan, Wei Chou, Xu Jiantao, and Situ Sen were all geniuses of the present age. Xiang Yu was born at the wrong time. If it was another era, perhaps he would be one of the few famous generals. But in the end, he was born in this era, and his brilliance was naturally overshadowed by other heroes.
This kind of feeling wasn't like Jiang Gan, but Zhuge Liang, Guo Jia, Sima Yi, Xun Yu, Xu Shu, Jia Xu, Lu Su, and so on.
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