Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 302 Rewarding the Meritorious Officials of the Northern Expedition

On the twelfth day of the seventh month of the fifth year of the Qiming era, before the afterglow of the triumphant banquet had faded, the court assembly in the Taiji Hall welcomed another grand ceremony—the conferment of titles and rewards to the meritorious officials of the Northern Expedition.

At the precise hour of Chen (7-9 AM), bells and drums resounded. Civil and military officials stood solemnly in the hall according to their rank, their faces grave, yet their eyes gleaming with anticipation. The great victory in the Northern Expedition, the pacification of the northern deserts—this was the greatest military achievement since the founding of the nation. Today's rewards were destined to be recorded in history.

Chen Xing sat upright on his throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials in the hall. Jia Wen, Chen Wei, Dian Xiong, Zhou Hu… those familiar faces, some composed, some excited, some trying their best to keep a straight face but unable to suppress the corners of their mouths turning up.

He took a soft breath and slowly began to speak:

"The success of the Northern Expedition is due to the blessings of Heaven and Earth, the good fortune of our ancestors, and the bravery of our soldiers and the hard work of all of you. Today, I shall reward you for your contributions."

Jia Wen stepped forward, unfurled the imperial edict in his hand, and read it aloud:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: In the Northern Expedition, the Snow Wolf Khan was vanquished, the tribes of the northern deserts were pacified, the borders were secured forever, and the people lived in peace. Therefore, in recognition of these achievements, titles and rewards are hereby bestowed and proclaimed throughout the world."

"Chen Wei!"

Chen Wei stepped forward and knelt on one knee: "Your subject is here!"

"Your command of the central army has been skillful in its deployment and the defense of Yunzhong has been a great achievement for the nation. You are hereby promoted to the title of **Duke Zhenguo**, and are granted a thousand catties of gold, a thousand bolts of silk, a mansion in Chang'an, and a thousand acres of fertile land in the capital region."

Chen Wei kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace!"

"Norio!"

Dian Xiong strode forward, the movement aggravating the wound on his back, causing his lips to twitch in pain, yet he remained ramrod straight: "Your subordinate is here!"

"You led a detachment deep behind enemy lines, were captured but remained unyielding, and your loyalty and bravery are commendable. You are hereby promoted to Duke of Yi, and granted a thousand catties of gold, a thousand bolts of silk, a mansion in Chang'an, and eight hundred hectares of fertile land in the capital region. In addition, you are granted ten jars of imperial wine and one hundred taels of gold to console your grief."

Dian Xiong's eyes were slightly red as he kowtowed heavily: "This humble general...this humble general thanks Your Majesty! Your Majesty saved this humble general's life. From now on, no matter the dangers, wherever Your Majesty commands, this humble general will go!"

A good-natured laugh rang out in the hall.

"Zhou Hu!"

Zhou Hu stepped forward, his face flushed with excitement: "Your subordinate is here!"

"You followed me in the raid on the royal court, displaying bravery on the battlefield and achieving remarkable military exploits. You are hereby promoted to the title of **Marquis Zhongwu**, and granted five hundred catties of gold, five hundred bolts of silk, and five hundred hectares of fertile land in the capital region."

Zhou Hu kowtowed heavily, his voice trembling, "This humble general...this humble general thanks Your Majesty! This humble general will...will definitely..."

He couldn't continue speaking, and just kept kowtowing.

Chen Xing smiled slightly: "Get up. Work hard from now on."

Zhou Hu stood up, stepped aside, and secretly wiped his eyes.

Next came the generals who had distinguished themselves in the battle, from lieutenant generals to captains, from scouts to physicians, each receiving a reward. Some were promoted, some were bestowed with gold and silver, some received land and houses, and some, though they only received a plaque personally inscribed by the emperor, were already trembling with excitement.

Lan Fenghuang sat behind the screen, watching everything through the gap. She didn't understand those official titles and ranks, but she could see into those people's eyes—the joy of being recognized and remembered couldn't be faked.

She suddenly remembered those golden thread gu. They couldn't speak, nor did they claim any reward, but they had still rendered meritorious service.

"Aro," she whispered to the maid beside her, "go back and give my little bugs a treat."

Aro was taken aback: "An extra meal?"

Blue Phoenix nodded earnestly: "They've done their part too. They deserve a reward."

A Luo was both amused and exasperated, but she still nodded in agreement.

The bestowal of rewards lasted for a full hour.

After the last captain received his reward and returned to his rank, the hall fell silent once more.

Jia Wen put away the imperial edict and stepped aside.

Chen Xing stood up, stepped down from the throne, and slowly walked into the hall.

His gaze swept over the faces of those who had just received their rewards, over the eyes that were still filled with excitement, and finally landed on the azure sky outside the palace.

"Gentlemen," he began slowly, "today's rewards are for past merits. But I have something else to say."

The hall was completely silent.

Chen Xing continued:

"We won the Battle of Mobei. But the one who won was not me, not Dian Xiong, not Zhou Hu, but the soldiers who died in battle."

He paused, his voice turning deep:

"Eight thousand three hundred and twenty-one men. That's the number of casualties from the detachment that Nobuo led out. They didn't come back, didn't claim their rewards, and didn't live to see this day."

The hall was completely silent.

"I have already ordered Dian Xiong to erect a monument for them. The monument stands at the foot of Yanran Mountain, in those river valleys. But I feel it is not enough."

He raised his head, his gaze sharp and piercing:

"By imperial decree: From this day forward, every year during the Qingming Festival, all prefectures and counties shall hold commemorations for the fallen soldiers. Their families shall be supported by the court; their children shall be raised by the court; their names shall be engraved on monuments and recorded in history books, so that future generations may know—who gave their lives for today's peace."

Inside the hall, someone began to sob.

Nobuo knelt down, touching his forehead to the ground, his shoulders trembling violently.

Zhou Hu knelt down.

Chen Wei knelt down.

The entire hall was filled with kneeling officials, a sea of ​​black.

"Your Majesty is wise! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

The sound was like a tidal wave, echoing throughout the hall for a long time.

Chen Xing stood there, looking at the kneeling figures and the tearful faces, remaining silent for a long time.

Then, he waved his hand gently.

"Dismiss the court."

After the court session, Chen Xing did not return to the inner palace, but went to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Nobuo was changing his dressing there.

Lan Fenghuang squatted beside him, holding a small knife, cleaning the newly grown rotten flesh around the wound. Dian Xiong was sweating profusely from the pain, but he gritted his teeth and remained silent.

"If it hurts, just yell out," Lan Fenghuang said without looking up. "No one will laugh at you."

Dianxiong gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words:

"No...it doesn't hurt..."

Lan Fenghuang glanced at him, but her movements became a little lighter.

Chen Xing went in and stood aside watching.

When Dian Xiong saw him arrive, he struggled to stand up, but Lan Fenghuang pressed him down.

"Don't move! I won't care if the wound reopens!"

Dianxiong awkwardly lay back down, grinning as he said:

"Your Majesty... what brings you here?"

Chen Xing squatted down beside him, looking at the hideous scar on his back.

"Does it hurt?"

Dianxiong shook his head: "It doesn't hurt. It really doesn't hurt."

Chen Xing didn't speak. He just stared at the scar for a long time.

Then, he reached out and gently patted Norio's shoulder.

"Take good care of your injuries. Once you're fully recovered, I have other matters for you to attend to."

Nobuo's eyes lit up: "What is it?"

Chen Xing stood up and smiled slightly:

You'll find out then.

After leaving the Imperial Medical Bureau, Chen Xing went to the Wenhua Hall.

Jia Wen was waiting for him there.

"Your Majesty," Jia Wen presented a thick booklet, "this is the list of fallen soldiers reported by various prefectures and counties. I have already had it checked, and there are a total of 8,321 people, not a single one missing."

Chen Xing took it and flipped through the pages one by one.

Those names, densely packed, are written on paper and etched in my heart.

"Have their families been taken care of?"

Jia Wen nodded: "The Ministry of Revenue has allocated special funds in accordance with His Majesty's decree. The parents of the fallen soldiers will be supported by the court; their children will be educated by the court; and those with disabilities will be supported by the court for life."

Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"Not enough."

Jia Wen was taken aback: "Your Majesty?"

Chen Xing raised his head, his gaze deep:

"By imperial decree, from this day forward, the sons of fallen soldiers shall have priority in entering the Imperial Academy; those with outstanding academic performance shall be exempt from examinations for official positions. I want the world to know—to die for one's country is not a death but an honor, and to live is a future."

Jia Wen bowed deeply:

"Your Majesty is wise."

into the night.

Chen Xing stood alone by the window of Wenhua Hall, gazing at the deep night outside.

The moonlight, like water, spilled into the courtyard, onto the newly sprouting branches, and onto the distant palaces that were faintly visible.

I heard soft footsteps behind me.

He didn't turn around.

"Zitong, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Murong Mingyue walked to his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

"His Majesty didn't sleep either, did he?"

Chen Xing was silent for a moment, then said softly:

"I can't sleep."

Murong Mingyue looked at him without saying a word.

Chen Xing gazed at the night outside the window and slowly said:

"Today I have bestowed honors upon so many people, given them so many gifts, and said so many words. But in my heart, I have been thinking about one thing."

"What is it?"

Chen Xing paused, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible:

"I cannot remember the names of those 8,321 people."

Murong Mingyue remained silent for a moment, then gently took his hand.

"Your Majesty, you are the emperor. You don't need to remember every name. You only need to remember—they deserve to be remembered."

Chen Xing turned his head and looked at her.

In the moonlight, her face was both gentle and resolute.

He suddenly laughed.

That smile held relief, contentment, and a hint of indescribable gratitude.

"Zitong, you're right."

He grasped her hand tightly in return.

A night breeze blew by, rustling the leaves on the leaves outside the window.

In the distance, the lights of Taiji Palace were lit one by one.

Behind each of those lights, there is someone waiting, hoping, and living.

This is the empire he built.