Chapter 1826 - 167: The True Rise of All Close Kin

Everyone felt as if a flower bloomed before their eyes, as the black and white qi rose from around Jiang Ning, instantly transforming into a brilliant beam of black and white.

The beam pierced through the dome of Taiji Hall, shooting straight towards the sky, cutting a dazzling path through the morning skies, and roared off towards the northern horizon.

Inside Taiji Hall, the entirety of civil and military officials remained speechless for a long time.

After a while, Xiang Yuan gazed at the slowly fading black and white beam and mumbled to himself, "The art of transforming into a rainbow, instantaneously traversing thousands of miles! Such skill is truly a technique only found in legends of Immortals!"

Within Taiji Hall.

The numerous civil and military officials displayed various expressions.

Some were shocked by Jiang Ning’s method of transforming into a rainbow and vanishing.

Some secretly let out a sigh of relief, grateful not to have to undertake such a burdensome task.

Others were calculating in their minds, pondering the gains and losses behind this matter.

Furthermore, some were eager to quickly end the court assembly and send messages to the north.

Meanwhile.

Ji Minghao stood below the Nine-layered Platform, his gaze fixed in the direction where the black and white beam disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.

After a while, he slowly turned, ascended the Nine-layered Platform again, and sat upon the dragon throne.

His gaze swept over the ministers below, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Transmit my decree, King Luoshui Jiang Ning, is dispatched for the nation, resolving the crisis at the Heavenly Palace."

"Hence, I have decided that conferring rewards upon him personally is only fitting, yet rewarding him alone cannot fully express my sentiment."

He paused, his gaze sweeping around the hall, his voice gaining more weight:

"I have decided to bestow upon King Luoshui’s brother, Jiang Li, the title of Third Grade Loyal and Brave General, grant him a Golden Fish Bag, and allow him to wear a sword in the hall during imperial audience."

These words caused an uproar among the entire court.

Jiang Ning’s brother, Jiang Li.

Among the gathered officials, not one was unfamiliar with him.

In earlier years, this elder brother of King Luoshui held an ordinary constable position in the remote Luoshui County, just entering the ranks of the Ninth Grade officials.

Currently, even in the Royal Capital, he is merely attached to the City Gate Guard, serving as a patrolling officer, counted only as a Standard Ninth Grade military position.

This was still due to Jiang Ning’s early influence as Dongling Marquis.

Now, from the mouth of the new monarch, he is directly elevated to Third Grade Loyal and Brave General.

This position, while honorary and lacking real power, is a rank conferred personally by the new monarch, esteemed in status, and the ordinary sons of Prince Mansions may toil for decades without achieving such honor.

Yet Jiang Li, in a single leap, becomes a Third Grade General.

It’s simply the best illustration of one person gaining the way, and even chickens and dogs ascending to heaven.

But the array of civil and military officials, facing Ji Minghao’s generous reward, dared not voice opposition.

For they all understood that this decree was meant for King Luoshui.

They also knew King Luoshui Jiang Ning was naturally a person who valued sentiments.

If anyone were to voice opposition now, opposing the reward for his only brother, it would be openly defying King Luoshui Jiang Ning.

Having been entrenched in officialdom for so many years, none would be so thoughtless.

At this moment, Ji Minghao’s rewards did not cease but continued: "Moreover, I elevate Jiang Li’s wife, Lady Liu, to Third-rank imperial decree lady, grant her phoenix crown and rosy robe, to be tailored by the Internal Affairs Office, select an auspicious day for the decree."

"Jiang Li’s eldest son, Jiang Yiming, only fifteen years old, bestow upon him the title of Secondary Fifth Rank Enqi Captain, enter the Imperial College to study, receive imperial salary, taught personally by the Grand Tutor."

As his words conclude, the Grand Tutor bows in salute towards Ji Minghao upon the high platform.

"I comply with Your Majesty’s decrees!"

Seeing this, Ji Minghao nods slightly and then addresses the ministers below: "Jiang Ning’s elder brother Jiang Li also has a young daughter, right?"

"Yes, Holy Emperor!" The Grand Tutor bows and replies: "His young daughter is not yet seven years old, named Jiang Yuanyuan, with the childhood name of Little Dumpling!"

Ji Minghao nods slightly and declares aloud.

"Then, additionally bestow upon Jiang Li’s youngest daughter, King Luoshui Jiang Ning’s niece Jiang Yuanyuan, the title of Luoyang County Princess of Jingzhao County, grant a golden book, and an estate of a thousand households."

As his words settle, the entire Taiji Hall falls silent, as if one could hear a pin drop.

Conferring a six-year-old girl the title of County Princess with an estate of a thousand households is nearly a privilege enjoyed only by close kin of the Imperial Family.

And yet, the daughter of a county arrest officer has now soared to extraordinary heights, entering the ranks of the royal female kin.

Even if only a nominal title such as "Luoyang County Princess," its symbolic significance is enough to shake the hearts of all civil and military officials.

But they also understand.

Todays Jiang Ning merits such actions by Ji Minghao.

He is the one in over eight hundred years of Great Xia most likely to follow that one’s path, to rival that one’s existence.

Such a figure, no one wishes to be at odds with him.

Moreover, today’s Jiang Ning, just yesterday went to resolve the crisis at the Five Mountains Prefecture, and now goes north to address the Beiman army’s crisis at the gates.

Such merits and hardship deserving any honor.

They also knew that Jiang Ning had already reached the pinnacle of power among ministers, reaching a point where no further rewards or honors could be bestowed.

Before the dust had settled, the Holy Emperor chose to bestow honors upon his family, playing a brilliant move.

They had no reason to oppose it.

At this moment.

Prime Minister Li was the first to bow and say, "The Holy Emperor’s grace is truly unprecedented! King Luoshui has devoted himself loyally to the nation, and it is only natural that his relatives receive such honors. I support this motion."

"We concur!"

"We concur!"

With Prime Minister Li taking the lead, the civil and military officials all bowed and supported the motion.

The voices in the hall rose wave after wave, finally merging into a chorus of agreement.

Ji Minghao sat upright on the dragon throne, looking at the ministers bowing below, and the weight in his heart finally eased considerably.

He had been worried that this round of rewards would provoke opposition from many ministers.

Because, in his view, such rewards were of exceptional honor.

In the previous generations of emperors, there had never been such rewards, which extended from one individual to all relatives.

His actions now could be said to set a precedent.

But reaching this point, he was deeply troubled.

He didn’t know how to reward Jiang Ning.

The prince’s rewards had already reached their limit.

All honors and privileges, as well as fiefdoms, were essentially at their maximum.

Beyond that, no further rewards could be given.

It wouldn’t be possible to say he would stand up and give the Imperial Throne to Jiang Ning?

Thinking and pondering, he could only think to reward Jiang Ning’s relatives.

And such precedent-setting matters, to him, naturally faced opposition.

But unexpectedly, the outcome was far beyond his expectations.

Looking at the ministers below echoing in agreement, he felt a sense of ease and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

A moment later.

His expression involuntarily changed a little.

In his heart, he felt something inexplicably off.

"No opposition!" he murmured in his heart.

Yet his heart inexplicably became a bit heavier.

He looked toward the sky outside.

The black and white rainbow light had long dissipated.

He looked toward the distant north, his eyes deep.

After a long time.

He slowly withdrew his gaze, composed his expression, and suppressed the turbulent thoughts in his heart.

"Issue the decree!"

"Draft the edict immediately, and later send it to King Luoshui’s residence. Also instruct the Ministry of Rites to choose an auspicious day to announce it to the world without delay."

"I obey the decree!" The Minister of Rites immediately stepped forward, bowed, and answered.

A moment later.

The court assembly dispersed.

The ministers walked out of the Taiji Hall, in groups of two or three, their steps slower than usual, each with their own thoughts.

Some looked back at the Taiji Hall, some whispered, their words full of amazement and emotion.

In the line of civil officials, a few elderly ministers walked side by side, with the Assistant Minister of Rites at the head, stroking his beard and sighing, "His brother is appointed as a Third Grade General, bestowed with a Golden Fish Bag."

"His sister-in-law is granted the third-rank imperial decree, given a phoenix coronet and a red robe."

"His nephew is made an Enqi Captain, admitted to the Imperial College, and personally taught by the Grand Tutor."

"Even a six-year-old girl is given the title of County Princess, with a fief of a thousand households!!"

"Such favor, in over eight hundred years since the founding of Great Xia, has never been seen!"

"Indeed?" a Hanlin Scholar next to him interjected, "Although the Holy Emperor’s act is unprecedented, it’s also justifiable. King Luoshui single-handedly averted the crisis of the Five Mountains Prefecture yesterday and is heading to Celestial Palace City to fend off the Beiman today. Such achievements cannot be matched by ordinary rewards. The Holy Emperor is showing the world! Those who have done great service will surely be richly rewarded."

"Although this is the case," another elderly minister lowered his voice, "the Holy Emperor has not long ascended the throne, and to reward the entire kin of King Luoshui in such an unprecedented way, isn’t he afraid that there will truly be no more rewards to give in the future? This King Luoshui, from the looks of it, is not following the same style as the other, nor is he like that one in his youth, solitary and without kin around!"

"Hush—, silence!!" a colleague beside him quickly tugged at his sleeve, signaling him not to speak further.