Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5310 The Debate on Merit Citation
Spring is still chilly, and the weather is unpredictable, with sudden warm spells followed by cold spells.

The drizzling rain fell from the clouds, and when it reached the ground, it froze and condensed in the cold wind. Sometimes it was rain, sometimes it was snow, and the ground was covered with a mixture of rain and snow. Even though the eunuchs kept cleaning with brooms and shovels, it was still difficult to clear it away.

Holding an umbrella in one hand and lifting the hem of his robe with the other, Liu Ji's official boots made a "plop plop" sound as he stepped on the muddy ground. After finally reaching the door of the Imperial Study, he handed the umbrella to the eunuch serving him, took off his official boots and changed into a pair of soft cloth shoes before entering the room.

It was a rainy day, and the Imperial Study was dimly lit. No candles were lit, and Liu Ji squinted as he looked around before his eyes gradually adjusted.

Seeing His Majesty sitting on a mat by the window, with Li Ji, Ma Zhou, Liu Xiangdao, and Pei Xingjian standing on either side, they quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty."

Li Chengqian seemed to be in a good mood, and waved his hand with a smile: "My dear minister, there's no need for such formalities. Please take a seat and have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up. Look, your clothes are all wet."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Liu Ji stepped forward and knelt down in the empty space between His Majesty and Ma Zhou on His Majesty's left.

Li Chengqian pointed to several official documents on the coffee table: "Minister Pei has just received a battle report from the Grand Commandant in Huating Town. Please take a look."

Liu Ji raised an eyebrow and, while reaching for the official document, asked with a smile, "This battle was planned by the Grand Commandant, and he has only used his trusted confidants. I imagine it will be a resounding victory."

Li Ji ignored him, Ma Zhou slowly sipped his tea, and Pei Xingjian glanced at him. Although he was dissatisfied with Ma Zhou's sharp words and malicious intentions, he did not retort.

Whether it's a struggle or a targeting, all the rhetoric is secondary; the most important thing is to consistently ensure results.

As long as victories are achieved on the front lines, any slanderous words will be powerless.

Liu Ji quickly read through the battle report, his face expressionless, but he sighed inwardly.

He knew he shouldn't fantasize about the navy's defeat, because it meant a crisis that would affect the entire empire. He also didn't believe that the great battle, which Fang Jun had orchestrated and Su Dingfang had commanded on the front lines, would fail. However, seeing the Lin Yi Kingdom surrender without any resistance, he couldn't help but feel somewhat frustrated.

Any victory by the military will put enormous pressure on the civilian government.

Looking at the battle report describing the surrender of Linyi and the three-pronged attack, as well as the words praising Jiang Ke, Li Jinxing, and Li Jingren, Liu Ji pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I think we can discuss the reward for Jiang Ke. As for Li Jinxing and Li Jingren... we can wait a bit and carefully verify their achievements before discussing their merits and rewards."

Pei Xingjian frowned and retorted, "Does the Grand Secretary's statement of 'carefully verifying' imply that Su Dingfang has exaggerated his military achievements? However, Li Jinxing and Li Jingren made a long-distance raid to capture Wuwenling, and then fought a series of fierce battles to defend the military camp, winning with fewer troops and ensuring that the strategic location was not lost. They are admired and respected by everyone in the army. Moreover, now that the navy has launched a large-scale offensive with tens of thousands of troops, it is precisely the time to reward those who have made contributions to boost morale."

His dissatisfaction was justified. The matter of awarding military merits had long been the responsibility of the Ministry of War. Once the Ministry of War verified the merits, it could issue rewards. For major military achievements, the reward conditions would be drafted and reported to His Majesty for his signature and issuance.

What does this have to do with you, the Grand Secretary?
Liu Ji smiled and said, "Minister Pei, there's no need to be angry. The soldiers at the front have fought valiantly and achieved great merit. How could I question their achievements? However, Li Jinxing and Li Jingren have indeed fought bravely and made meritorious contributions. We need to carefully consider how many enemies they killed and how important Wuwenling really is. If we underestimate them, it will discourage the soldiers at the front..."

At this point, he turned to His Majesty: "...and Jiang Ke's mission to Linyi, his single-handed entry into the enemy capital, and his efforts to secure the signing of the Linyi surrender treaty have brought great benefits to the empire...all of these are clear and unambiguous, making it easier to measure his achievements."

Li Chengqian understood Liu Ji's intentions.

Firstly, because Li Jingren was involved, he wanted to restore the Jiangxia Prince's title through military merit. However, the merit of the bloody battle at Wuwenling was not enough to cover up Li Daozong's crime of rebellion. If Li Jingren could make new contributions and merge them into one, there might be room for discussion.

Furthermore, there was the suppression of the navy.

It was not to suppress meritorious officials, but to curb the arrogance of the navy. Otherwise, if their great achievements were publicized and rewarded throughout the country as soon as the war started, it would only make the arrogance of the navy even higher.

As for Jiang Ke's achievements... they perfectly align with the interests of civil officials—while killing generals and vanquishing enemies is certainly a great achievement, subduing the enemy without fighting, as Jiang Ke did, is truly magnificent and dignified!

Rather than slaughtering countless people and conquering entire nations, why not be courageous and compassionate, so that the enemy chieftains may be moved by the strength of the Tang Dynasty and thus willingly submit to our rule?
This combination of suppression and promotion serves the interests of civil officials.

Of course, this also aligns with his interests as the emperor.

A powerful army is the foundation of imperial power, but an army that is too powerful to be controlled is a hidden danger to imperial power...

Li Chengqian had already agreed with Liu Ji's words, but he looked at Li Ji and asked gently, "What advice does Duke Ying have on this matter?"

Li Ji pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "The Grand Secretary's words are well-considered, fair and just. I agree with them."

He and Fang Jun did indeed form an alliance to jointly safeguard the interests of the military.

However, they represent the interests of different factions. This war between China and South Korea was entirely dominated by Fang Jun's faction. He paid a heavy price to barely send some sons of the Zhenguan nobles to Da Nang. Now, how could he be willing to watch Fang Jun's faction seize merit and gain momentum?
Meritorious service cannot be buried; it is the foundation of an empire.

However, the relative importance and priority of the main points can be discussed...

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Ma Zhou: "What does the Attendant-in-Ordinary think?"

Ma Zhou was neither interested in nor willing to get involved in these power struggles: "Your Majesty's wisdom shines across the land; you can make all the decisions on your own."

Li Chengqian readily agreed, saying, "Then let's follow the Grand Secretary's advice and first discuss how to reward Jiang Ke. We'll discuss the merits of Li Jinxing and Li Jingren later. So, Minister Pei, how do you think Jiang Ke should be rewarded for his contributions?"

He could heed Liu Ji's advice and forcefully determine the order of importance and priority, but the Ministry of War should still be responsible for deciding on the recognition and rewards of meritorious officials.

If the Ministry of War is stripped of its authority now, that idiot will surely come looking for trouble after he returns to the capital.

I can't take it anymore...

Pei Xingjian had clearly prepared for this. When His Majesty inquired, he calmly replied, "The Ministry of War has decided to grant him the title of Baron of the Founding County, transfer his merit to Senior Cavalry Commandant, grant him the honorary title of General of Dingyuan, and appoint him as the Navy Commander."

Liu Ji frowned.

The official system of the Tang Dynasty was actually quite complex.

For example, the ranks of Senior Cavalry Captain and General Dingyuan were honorary titles and had nothing to do with actual official positions. The rank determined the treatment, and the final rank of Naval Commander was the real official position—usually called Deputy Commander.

In the naval hierarchy, there are five ranks from top to bottom: Admiral, Commander-in-Chief, Vice Admiral, Lieutenant, and Captain. Among them, the Vice Admiral, also known as the Langjiang, is a high-ranking military officer with the authority to command troops in battle independently.

Liu Ji didn't care much about the rest. Since he wanted to promote Jiang Ke as a role model to highlight the "nobility" of "going to Linyi and persuading the country" and belittle the "vulgarity" of fighting in battle, he had to give him something beyond the norm.

However, granting a title is not something that can be done lightly, even the lowest rank of "five ranks" is "baron"!
"Jiang Ke has indeed made a great contribution this time, but how can a title be lightly bestowed? If this continues, it will add too much burden to the empire and cause endless troubles."

Upon hearing Liu Ji's objection, Li Chengqian neither agreed nor disagreed, but simply nodded and said, "It should be treated with caution."

"Nobility" is the foundation of the nation, and "it cannot be granted without military merit." However, even with military merit, it cannot be granted lightly, because nobility can be inherited from father to son, and from son to grandson. All generations of descendants will receive the state's salary. The ancestors fought bloody battles and made great contributions, and no reward was too much. However, after several generations, the descendants become spoiled brats who still leech off the state, adding nothing but burden to the country and bringing no benefit whatsoever.

History has long served as a warning: the meritorious groups that made great contributions at the founding of a country would soon become corrupt, decadent, and degenerate, gradually becoming an unbearable burden on the nation.

Given Jiang Ke's contributions, he would undoubtedly have been granted a noble title at the founding of the dynasty, but that would be debatable in today's context.

Pei Xingjian argued forcefully, "Your Majesty has always been benevolent and kind, governing the country with filial piety and brotherly love, and clearly distinguishing between rewards and punishments, and treating everyone equally, both inside and outside the country. Now, whether it is Jiang Ke, Li Jinxing, or Li Jingren, they have all made great contributions. How can we not reward them for adding to the burden of the country? The contributions of Li Jinxing and Li Jingren may be considered carefully before a decision is made, but Jiang Ke's contributions are already on the imperial desk. If he is not granted a title, it will surely discourage the soldiers on the front lines. Once the military merit system is shaken, the very foundation upon which the Tang Dynasty is built will no longer exist. How can we then be awe-inspiring and invincible?"

After a moment's thought, Li Chengqian finally said, "Let's follow your advice and reward Jiang Ke."

Although he had never been on the battlefield, he came from the chaotic world at the end of the Sui Dynasty and witnessed firsthand how his father and grandfather swept across the land and unified the six kingdoms in the midst of chaos. He was very familiar with warfare.

People die in wars. Without the rewards of honors and titles, who would risk their lives for you?
Since the Qin and Han dynasties, it was precisely because of the rewards of military merit and the granting of titles that military achievements were made, and the myth of "one Han general being worth five Hu tribes" arose.

If those who have rendered meritorious service do not receive commensurate rewards, the entire military merit system will be shaken.

This is a sign of national ruin.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Pei Xingjian breathed a slight sigh of relief.

What appears to be a discussion about rewarding Jiang Ke, Li Jinxing, Li Jingren, and others for their military achievements is in reality a power struggle between the army, civil officials, and even the imperial power.

The Ministry of War cannot back down even a step.

Seeing the somewhat heavy atmosphere, Li Chengqian suddenly smiled and said, "Since the birth of my son, everything has gone smoothly and auspicious snow has fallen one after another, which shows that he is blessed with good fortune and extraordinary talent. It just so happens that the navy has won a great victory, and the heavens are blessing the Tang Dynasty. In the next few days, I will hold a banquet in the palace to invite the great scholars of our time to name my son. All of you ministers are here to help me and give me your advice."

These words only made the atmosphere in the Imperial Study grow more somber.

Whether it's "good fortune and prosperity" or "a gifted talent," are these words appropriate to describe a prince born out of wedlock?
Such words, however, place the Crown Prince in such a position.