dognovel Chapter 145 Rewards based on merit
Chapter 145 Rewards based on merit
The emperor slowly turned around and stepped onto the dragon steps step by step. He scanned the ministers with a majestic gaze, especially when he looked at the right prime minister, he showed a meaningful look.
"Xu Feng has made great contributions to our Dashun Empire. I am changing his title to Marquis Zhenyuan. I am granting him the lands of Linhai County and Wokou Country, and at the same time changing Wokou Country to Zhenyuan County."
The emperor paused and continued, "In addition, I have specially granted you a thousand acres of fertile land, ten thousand taels of gold, and a marquisate..."
As the rewards for Xu Feng continued to increase, the right prime minister's expression became increasingly ugly.
Emperor Shun looked down at the right prime minister and finally let out a sigh of relief.
"I thank the Lord for His great grace. Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!"
Xu Feng bowed respectfully to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I have another matter to ask of you."
"What is it? My dear Lord Xu, please feel free to tell me."
Xu Feng has made great contributions to the country, so the emperor will naturally try his best to meet his requests.
Xu Feng then immediately leaned down and prostrated himself at the emperor's feet, "I implore Your Majesty to restore the reputation of the Holy Fire Cult."
"Holy Fire Cult?"
Everyone in the court looked at Xu Feng in astonishment and disbelief.
Even the Jinyiwei commander Zhan Wudi was sweating profusely because he was worried about Xu Feng.
It was Xu Feng who took the initiative to propose the elimination of the evil forces in the martial arts world in the court, and he offended many court nobles for this.
But today Xu Feng acted contrary to his usual behavior and spoke for the Holy Fire Cult, fearing that this would be used by someone with ulterior motives to make a fuss.
"Tell me more about it."
The emperor frowned slightly and looked at Xu Feng with a puzzled look.
"The Holy Fire Cult made great contributions in the suppression of the Japanese pirates, but it is being slandered by some people in the martial arts world. This is truly unfair."
"Your Majesty, please do not discourage the meritorious officials and help them redress their reputation."
Xu Feng bowed down on the spot and kowtowed three times to the emperor with great respect, even his scalp was scratched and a trace of blood was drawn.
There was a hint of hesitation in the emperor's eyes. After all, there were only eight truly recognized famous factions in the Dashun Dynasty.
Now that he suddenly had to honor the Holy Fire Sect as a prestigious sect, he had to think more.
"Ha ha……"
The Right Prime Minister standing by couldn't help but sneer, "Master Xu is really interesting. It was you who first submitted a petition to ban the cult, and now it's you who wants to clear its name."
Then the right prime minister raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a contemptuous smile.
"Your Majesty, I know that when Lord Xu first came to the capital, I lived and ate with him at the Holy Fire Sect for several days..."
"On the way to the capital, my lord traveled together with Qi Huanhuan of the Holy Fire Cult."
"in addition……"
"enough!"
The emperor looked at the right prime minister with a gloomy face, "Slandering a meritorious official is a capital crime."
"Your Majesty, everything the Prime Minister said is true. However, I have intelligence to report."
Xu Feng naturally knew that the Right Prime Minister came prepared today, otherwise he would not have been able to investigate the past events so clearly.
If this matter cannot be explained clearly in public today, it will most likely arouse the emperor's suspicion.
Even if his merits today would not make the emperor wary of him, this might not be the case in the future.
Since ancient times, there have been many factions in the court, and party disputes have been endless.
However, the emperor can play both sides and balance the situation in the court by using the technique of checks and balances.
But if any of the ministers became too powerful, the emperor would certainly not tolerate it.
Although he has indeed made great military achievements by destroying the Japanese pirates, the higher the position he holds, the more dangerous it is.
As the saying goes, it’s lonely at the top.
Once the emperor becomes suspicious, if any hole is opened in the future, he will probably be doomed.
"Qi Huanhuan and I traveled together, but on the way, we jointly wiped out the bandits..."
"As for coming to the capital and the Holy Fire Sect..."
Xu Feng did not dare to hide anything and told everything in detail.
"Every word I say is true. Your Majesty, please verify it."
The emperor lowered his head slightly and thought for a moment, staring at Xu Feng with sharp eyes.
"Lord Xu, your devotion to the country is evident to all. I trust you."
After hearing this, Xu Feng breathed a sigh of relief.
"but……"
The emperor paused and continued, "We will discuss the restoration of the Holy Fire Cult later. I will adjourn the court..."
Then the emperor turned around and walked down the dragon steps.
Xu Feng opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but was stopped by the Jinyiwei commander Zhan Wudi beside him.
After the group walked out of the palace, Zhan Wudi took Xu Feng back to his own residence.
"Master Xu, you are too impatient today. Fortunately, the emperor trusts you, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous."
Zhan Wudi frowned slightly and looked at Xu Feng with a worried look on his face. "Now your status in the court has suddenly increased greatly, and you have also made military achievements."
"Do you know how many eyes are watching you right now? You absolutely cannot make any mistakes at this critical moment."
"Master Zhan..."
"First, you destroyed the evil faction in the Jianghu, and then you wiped out the Japanese pirates. Then you became the governor of Linhai County. These few things combined have already offended the Right Prime Minister's people. Now they are waiting to find something to hold against you. You must be extremely careful at this time."
"Thank you, Lord Zhan, for the reminder."
"The capital is a place of trouble. After the celebration banquet is over in a few days, I hope you will leave early."
"Yes."
Although Xu Feng and Zhan Wudi are now on equal footing in the official street, Zhan Wudi is his senior after all, and has lent a helping hand many times when Xu Feng was in trouble, so Xu Feng still respects him very much from the bottom of his heart.
"After you return, you must keep a low profile and never let the Prime Minister's faction get hold of us."
Zhan Wudi added earnestly, "Of course, I will also do my best to help you in the capital."
"Thank you, Lord Zhan, for always thinking of me."
"After all, he is also a member of my Jinyiwei. Since we are all in the same boat, we will naturally prosper together and suffer together."
That night, after Xu Feng had dinner at Zhan Wudi's mansion, he hurried back to the inn with Honglian.
"Sir, when shall we set out for our return journey?"
Honglian looked at Xu Feng with a worried look on her face, "The way back will probably be full of dangers..."
Although it was true that the Right Prime Minister hated Xu Feng to the core, he did not dare to act rashly in the capital.
Then the best place to take action must be on the way back to Linhai County. Xu Feng brought few guards with him when he returned to Beijing this time. If he really encountered danger, it would probably be a big trouble.
"What's there to worry about?"
Xu Feng raised the corners of his mouth slightly and gave Honglian a reassuring smile.
"Since the Right Prime Minister wants to take action, let him come forward."
The Right Prime Minister is most likely the instigator of all the incidents, but there is no conclusive evidence at the moment, so Xu Feng has not taken action against him for the time being.