"What is taboo for military leaders?" Di Qing's face was uncertain.

  "Marshal, you are from a military background. In the official circles of the capital, however, there are only civil officials everywhere, where can your allies be?" Chen Ke spoke sincerely: "The lone army has penetrated deeply, with no support inside or out, this is what military strategists call a desperate situation!"

  Di Qing fell silent, for he knew that Chen Ke spoke the truth. But he had his own obsession - I speak with real achievements, why can't I become a prime minister? Is it just because I'm not a scholar?

  In a daze, he seemed to have returned to Bianjing City twenty-five years ago.

  That day, the imperial street was decorated with lanterns and streamers, it was the day when the new jinshi (successful candidates in the imperial examination) went on a parade to show off their official status. The top three winners, zhuangyuan, bangyan and tanhua, wore auspicious clothes, had red flowers on their heads, and rode high-headed horses from Donghua Gate. The citizens of the capital city came to watch, rubbing shoulders with each other, among whom was a group of newly released prisoners.

  With eyes full of envy, they gaze at their peers who are successful and proud, dressed in fine clothes and riding high horses, flaunting their wealth among people. These young people, branded with shame and living a dull and gloomy life, can't help but feel melancholy. Some of them lamented: "Look at others, they're high up in the clouds, while we're destined to be stuck in the mire for our whole lives."

  A group of soldiers all smiled wryly and said, "Why do you always tell such big truths?"

  But suddenly heard a clear voice: "It's not necessarily, it still depends on future efforts!"

  Everyone heard the words and looked away, only to see an eighteen-year-old handsome young man, holding his head high with a scarred face, staring intently at those newly appointed scholars passing by in front of him. His eyes were filled with unyielding determination!

  More than a decade has passed, and the scar-faced young man has already made a name for himself with his unparalleled bravery on the northwest battlefield. However, he is still discriminated against, humiliated, and even bullied by the civil officials. Even the courtesans sitting on the seats of the civil officials would use a frivolous tone to mock the golden seal on his face.

  One day, he could no longer bear it and ordered someone to severely beat the prostitute the next day.

  This is reasonable, how can he say that he has already been a deputy general of the army and a general with more than 100,000 soldiers under his command! Being humiliated by a prostitute, how can he swallow his anger?

  It seems reasonable, but it's a big mistake. In just a few days, an old subordinate named Jiao Yu came to visit him, and as soon as they sat down to drink, they were suddenly arrested by the literary official and framed with a crime, ready to be beheaded.

  Di Qing knew it in his heart, this was the superior's way of showing his attitude. He didn't dare to argue, could only plead: "Jiao Yong has military merits, he is a good man."

  Who would have thought that the superior official sneered and said: "The one who is famous for being a top scholar outside the East Flower Gate, he is a good young man. What kind of good young man is this?"

  Right in front of him, Jiao Yong was killed.

  That's right, the name of that superior official is Han Qi, who was also the one who saw the champion at the East Huamen Gate that year.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Who says that only bookworms are good men? Are heroes who fight for their country not good men? Who also says that only scholars can rule the world? Is this world yours, you bookworms?!

  Chen Ke couldn't understand that Di Qing had been harboring a grudge for many years, like the majestic Wangwu Mountain. After enduring so much hardship until today, just when everything was about to be resolved, how could he give up because of a playful remark made by a young man?

  "Besides, I'm unlikely to become the ruler anyway." Thinking of this, Di Qing let out a long sigh and said: "But if the imperial court really grants it, I also have confidence that I can do a good job."

  "Marshal..."

  "Sanlang's kindness is deeply appreciated, but you'd better change your request." Di Qing suddenly released a powerful aura, leaving no room for doubt.

  "That's it." Chen Ke was taken aback and suddenly became angry, saying: "Nothing else, the student is leaving!"

  "Hold on." Di Qing felt the other's indignation and apologetically said: "This time when reporting our achievements, I included all four of you brothers in the memorial to the throne. You can return to Beijing with any one of the routes, pay respects to your superiors, attend a celebratory banquet, and receive rewards."

  "We don't care about those nonsense things." Chen Ke said with a straight face: "As for the reward, please let General take it on our behalf."

  "Alright, let's not waste any more time. It's affecting your studies." Di Qing nodded and walked up to Chen Ke, saying: "Third Brother, you said last time that the biggest regret was not seeing General Mian Ye wearing a bronze mask, with disheveled hair, charging into battle."

  "Yes." Hearing him mention this, Chen Ke's expression relaxed and he said: "However, the great victory at Kunlun Pass, I was on the scene, this is enough to delight me for my whole life."

  "Can this make up for your regret?" Di Qing said, taking out a ferocious-looking copper mask from a wicker trunk and handing it to Chen Ke. "Although it's not worth much money, it has accompanied me through sixty battles big and small, and has some reputation."

  "Marshal..." Chen Ke's hands took over, fingertips touching the icy metal, yet clearly feeling the boiling hot blood and fierce killing intent.

  This is the true hero of China!

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Three days later, Chen Ke and several others left Yongzhou. Before leaving, Chen Xiliang finally relaxed his tone and said that when he returned to Bianjing to receive the reward this time, he would go to the family's house to apologize and see if he could cancel the marriage.

  For the trouble caused to Lao Die, Chen Ke was very apologetic. He patted his chest and said: "No matter who your good friend is in Beijing, whether it's a mother night demon or a black widow, I will be as filial as if she were my own mother!"

  "Get out of my sight, you little scamp!" Chen Xiliang was taken aback and said, "Have you got an itch again?" He scared Sanlang away and went to Wu Lang's side. Looking up at his son's overly mature face, he sighed and asked, "Do you have someone in mind, or does someone have you in mind?"

  "No." Gorō shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Women are all afraid of me."

  "Hey, poor kid..." Chen Xiliang sighed inwardly and said in a warm tone: "Then you can rest assured to study and practice martial arts, leave the marriage to your father, don't learn from your third brother, that's too worrisome!"

  "I understand." Gorō nodded and fell silent.

  "Alright, let's go! We'll meet again in Beijing!" Chen Ke and the other three mounted their horses and galloped away along the official road.

  As a reward for capturing the Kunlun Pass, Di Qing gave each of them a war horse. Each horse had an identity document, stating how it was obtained, and bearing the official seal of the government and military... In later words, that is to say, all certificates were complete, and they were allowed to go on their way!

  Looking at the four riders turning into small black dots, disappearing from view, Chen Xiliang burst out laughing and said: "Youngsters, you are indeed fierce and mighty!" Then he turned his horse's head around and galloped back to the main camp.

  In early August, the army set out to return north. On the way, Di Qing and Chen Xiliang learned that this time the court really did heavily punish those who were guilty... The Privy Councilor Han Qi, who was responsible for the defeat of the two Guang armies, was demoted and sent out of the capital to serve as the prefect of Cai Prefecture; the pacification commissioners, transportation commissioners, judicial commissioners, and other officials in Hunan and the two Guang provinces, down to the county officials, except for those who had made contributions in the war and were lucky enough to be spared, were all severely dealt with...

  Officials have the responsibility of defending their territory, and it is said that as long as the city exists, the people exist; when the city falls, the people perish. However, in Guangnan's two routes, apart from a few cities where civil and military officials died for their country, everyone else ran as fast and as far as they could. Now, after the autumn settlement, the government is showing no mercy, dealing with them severely. The lightest punishment was demotion to civilian status, while the heaviest was exile to Shamen Island... In the Great Song Dynasty, not killing scholars and officials is already the severest punishment.

  At this time, if you take stock, you will be shocked to find that the civil and military officials of Guangnan Road before the war have been killed or demoted, almost uprooted... Many are lamenting the cruelty of war, but only a handful of top figures know that behind this is still the anger of the emperor.

  However, at this time, people paid little attention to the so-called 'heavy punishment', because the imperial court rewarded those who had made contributions, and the number of people who received rewards was large, and the weight of the rewards they received had not been heard of since Taizu.

  All meritorious civil and military officials were promoted in office and noble rank. Those of lower status were promoted three ranks, while those of higher status were promoted one or two ranks... Even Chen Xiliang, a non-combat personnel, was promoted from the 8th rank of Dianzhong Cheng, Zhi County Shi, to the 7th rank of Left Censor-in-Chief.

  Although this official position is not great, it is in charge of remonstrance and advice, discussing the court's mistakes, major events, and minor events. It can't be said that the position is high-ranking or powerful, but it has a surprisingly strong impact and is crucial... Of course, it also depends on who holds this position, as Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi both rose to prominence from here...

  Of course, no one paid attention to this small role of being promoted to a mid-level official, and everyone's attention was focused on the rewards for Di Qing.

  It was just the imperial court, which had yet to make an announcement.

  It was inevitable that Di Qing would become the chief executive, as he was already Deputy Chief Secretary before the expedition, and a further promotion could only remove the "deputy" from his title, making him the Chief Secretary of the Western Bureau - or, in common parlance, 'the Regent'.

  Although the Privy Council is in charge of military affairs, it is an institution controlled by civil officials. Military generals can only serve as deputy envoys of the Privy Council and cannot go further to become the ruler, with a huge gap in between that is difficult to bridge.

  As expected, the ministers raised all sorts of reasons and strongly opposed it. Even Pang Ji, who had originally strongly recommended him and guaranteed his appointment with his own life, firmly opposed granting him the position of "executing government".

  Another chancellor, Chen Zhi Zhong, also strongly opposed it. The imperial court finally agreed - not to enter the Secretariat, but to promote him to the Upper State and Harmony Military Governor, inspecting the Grand Preceptor, and his four sons were all promoted several ranks, plus countless rewards, making everyone happy.

  However, just as Di Qing was about to return to Bianjing, the imperial court suddenly summoned the ministers of the two departments and issued a rare direct edict - promoting Di Qing to Zhongshu. No discussion is allowed, execute immediately!

  Di Qing brought back the achievements of his predecessors, and the officials of the two ministries were originally very passive. Now that they see the imperial court being so resolute, they can only stop opposing...

  As soon as the news spread, the whole country was boiling over with excitement. People were more thrilled than when they heard that Guangnan had been pacified. For they had witnessed with their own eyes the birth of a miracle: from a criminal to a general, and from a general to a ruler!

  The country has finally distinguished rewards and punishments!

  Based on this, everyone believes that as long as we ordinary people work hard and strive for excellence, we also have the possibility of standing out!

  Winning people's hearts is actually just clear rewards and punishments...

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