Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

"Your Majesty, the conferring of titles on civil officials is not in accordance with the etiquette of our Ming Dynasty. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider this!"

Liu Yuliang couldn't bear it any longer and said loudly in front of everyone.

As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers around him frowned. Although most people knew that these old men who came from the capital were high-ranking officials of the court, Liu Yuliang's words still made them extremely dissatisfied.

As we all know, titles are not included in the official system of the Ming Dynasty, which means that the award of titles is not through the Ministry of Personnel or even the Ministry of Rites.

In other words, as long as the emperor wants, even the cabinet has no right to interfere.

The soldiers certainly had reason to be dissatisfied. They were of humble origins and could not afford to be associated with these important cabinet officials. But why should they be blamed for the military achievements they had earned through hard work?

In the military camp, there is no one who does not worry about his military achievements being erased, but after all, few people have seen or heard it with their own eyes or ears.

But now they have seen it.

However, Emperor Chongzhen still waved his hand. His expression was exceptionally calm, and he did not become furious because of the opposition from cabinet ministers.

"I know you have something to say, but please wait until I finish reading out my order."

This change in mentality is probably closely related to his new reliance.

Yes, with these fearless soldiers around, who would care about the buzzing of flies?

Liu Yuliang frowned and could only bear it for the time being.

"Sun Weifan, Marquis of Huaining."

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at the military merit book and continued.

Sun Weifan walked out from behind Zhang Shikang. Even though the war was over, he still wore his heavy armor. The armor leaves rustled as he walked. He lifted the hem of his armor and knelt on the ground.

"Chen is here!"

"Promoted to Guardian and Grand Protector, I hope you will live up to my trust and make more contributions for the Duke of Champion, for me, and for the Ming Dynasty."

Taibao was among the Three Dukes, and was mostly conferred on civil officials with outstanding merits, and he rarely held the position while the official was still alive.

Emperor Chongzhen conferred the title of Grand Tutor on Marquis Huaining, which was enough to express his recognition of Marquis Huaining's merits.

"I thank you for your grace!"

Sun Weifan said excitedly, he had never been so excited even during the bloody battle. What made him happy was not the title of Taibao, but the recognition and trust of the emperor in him.

All the ministers present frowned. Does the emperor know what he is doing by bestowing rewards like this?

Liu Yuliang wanted to object again, but was pulled back by Zheng Sanjun.

"Niu Gang, the deputy general of the Beijing camp, stepped forward to receive the title."

"I confer upon you the title of Earl of Anping, and the title of Commandant of the Light Cavalry."

"Wen Bangguo, the deputy commander of the Beijing camp, was given the title of Wuqiang Bo and the title of Senior Light Cavalry Commandant."

"Commander-in-Chief Qi Dazhu was conferred the title of Earl of Ningjin and promoted to Commandant of Light Cavalry."

"Commander-in-Chief Wei Shuangyong was granted the title of Anzhou Earl, the title of Qingche Duwei, and the title of Dou Niufu."

"Sun Chuanting, the governor of Shaanxi, was given the title of Lincheng Earl and the title of Qingche Duwei."

"Hong Chengchou, the governor of the three frontiers, was promoted to the rank of light chariot commander and given a bullfighting uniform."

……

"Yang Guozhu, the general of Xuanfu, was given the title of Weiyuan Earl and the title of Qingche Duwei."

"Wang Pu, the general of Datong, was given the title of Earl of Dingyuan and the title of Commander of Light Cavalry."

"Hu Dawei, the general of Shanxi, was given the title of Marquis of Jingyuan and the title of Commander of Light Cavalry."

……

"Jinglu Bosun won a great victory, promoted to the position of Light Cavalry Commander, Prince Taibao, and granted Feiyufu."

"Xu Wenyuan, the commander of the Beijing camp, was granted the title of Earl of Bazhou, promoted to Commandant of the Light Chariots, and given the Feiyu Clothes."

"Wang Jingduo was granted the title of Nanpi Bo, promoted to the rank of Qingche Duwei, and given the Feiyu clothing."

"Zheng Chong was granted the title of Marquis of Wuyi, promoted to Commandant of the Light Chariots, and granted the Flying Fish Clothes."

……

Emperor Chongzhen held the military merit book in his hand, his face calm and his tone firm as he conferred titles on sixteen earls in one breath.

The atmosphere in the military camp seemed to be stagnant, and many people dared not breathe.

Everyone thought that the emperor would confer titles on those who had made outstanding contributions in this war, but no one expected that the emperor would confer titles on so many people in one go.

Not only was this unprecedented during the reign of Chongzhen, even if we counted the titles of Tianqi, Longqing, and Wanli combined, they were not as many as those produced in this battle.

Even though they were all non-hereditary titles, they were still shocking.

Liu Yuliang and other cabinet ministers were all numb, and Zheng Sanjun's forehead was also covered with sweat.

But on the contrary, the soldiers in the military camp were secretly excited. They believed that the emperor had not deceived them. Not only that, the emperor's rewards were far beyond their expectations.

Even those who were not granted titles were promoted above their ranks for their military merits. This made all the soldiers realize that the era of their military career might be coming.

Even if the emperor shouted a thousand times in the court that he wanted to make use of military officials, it would not be as practical as rewarding them on the spot.

"Your Majesty...how can Your Majesty be so generous with the title of your ancestors..." Liu Yuliang complained in a low voice.

However, Emperor Chongzhen pretended not to hear it, but many soldiers glared at Liu Yuliang.

In the eyes of the soldiers, although these cabinet ministers were powerful, they were really meddling in other people's business.

“These are all rewards for those who have made outstanding contributions. The military merit book is too long, so I will not read it out one by one. The Imperial Household Department Wang Chengen will inform the officers and soldiers later.

Of course, all the specific rewards will be announced in the military camp and even in the nine important towns on the border. "Emperor Chongzhen said to the soldiers with a smile.

"Long live our emperor! Our emperor is mighty!"

All the soldiers knelt down on the ground and shouted loudly at the same time. At this moment, it seemed that all the injustices they had suffered before had disappeared.

How could I not die for such an emperor?

Emperor Chongzhen raised his hands, motioning the soldiers to stand up, and then said:

"Next, I will read out the reward for the first meritorious service in the Battle of Jingshui."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at the champion Zhang Shikang at the same time.

Including Sun Weifan, Lu Xiangsheng, Niu Gang, Hu Dawei, as well as Sun Dasheng, Xu Wenyuan and Wang Jingduo.

Everyone understood that the reason the emperor came to the military camp was because of Zhang Shikang.

The reason why the emperor showed great favor to the generals was because of Zhang Shikang.

On the surface, the Battle of Jingshui was won because of the emperor, but in fact, everyone knew that it was because of Zhang Shikang.

Whether it was high-ranking military generals such as Lu Xiangsheng and Sun Weifan, or ordinary soldiers at the bottom, there was no doubt about this.

Compared with Lu Xiangsheng's deep affirmation, in the eyes of ordinary soldiers, Zhang Shikang, as the supreme commander, not only never bullied others, but also often chatted and laughed with them.

Those who have made contributions are rewarded, and those who have made mistakes are punished. This alone is enough to win the love of ordinary soldiers.

However, as the instigator of everything, Champion Uncle Zhang Shikang was a little lazy.

"Brother, that's enough."

For Zhang Shikang, it was nothing more than adding some useful or useless titles. Just now, my brother conferred so many titles in one breath. I think those old guys must feel very upset.

Now he wants to reward himself again. According to his understanding of this brother, he thinks the reward must be exaggerated. Even if Liu Yuliang and his people didn't care about him before, they will probably find a way to deal with him in the future.

This is really not worth it.

But Emperor Chongzhen was extremely stubborn. In his eyes, the rewards given to other people were just for his own good will, and Zhang Shikang was the only one he wanted to reward the most.

He didn't care what Zhang Shikang thought. This kid had made such a great contribution, so there was no reason not to reward him.

"Champion Bo Tingfeng."

Seeing that Brother Chongzhen was determined to do so, Zhang Shikang had no choice but to bow and pretend to be listening attentively.

"Zhang Shikang, the champion, defeated the Jianlu in the battle of Jiazhuang, and taught the barbarians that China has its own people.

In the Battle of Jingshui, we were neither arrogant nor impetuous, and had great ambitions. All the generals bowed to us, and the Jiannu surrendered. After this battle, the barbarians will certainly not dare to easily invade our Great Ming.

I have the Champion Earl, which is like a long drought meeting with a downpour of rain. The Ming Dynasty has the Champion Earl, which is like a pillar in the face of raging waves. It is the grace of our ancestors.

Zhang Shikang of the Jin Dynasty was named Marquis of Guanjun, and the title was inherited by his descendants.

He was promoted to Grand Tutor and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and given the title of Pillar of the State, and given a dragon robe and jade belt, and the whole world was informed of it.

……