"It's rare that at such a young age, you know how to care about the country and the people, which is deeply in my heart! Well, okay, I will make you a Young Marquis, how about that?" Bai Zhenshan waved his hand and looked at Wan Dong with a smile.
"Young Marquis!?" As soon as Bai Zhenshan finished speaking, even Xu Wenchuan was shocked.
Compared with promoting Xu Tianlong to the title of King of Ningbei and the title of Marquis of Wandong, it is even more surprising. There is no other reason but one, and that is Wandong's age.
He Zhen finally couldn't sit still. If even Xu Yaoting could be granted the title of marquis, how could he fight with the Xu family in the future? The Xu family has three generations of ancestors, two kings and one marquis. Just thinking about such power is enough to make people tremble with fear, let alone confronting it.
"Your Majesty, Prince Xu's contribution this time is indeed outstanding. However, a twenty-year-old young prince is too eye-catching. I am afraid that the officials and the people will not accept it." He Zhen said.
"Don't accept it? What's the reason to be dissatisfied! If anyone can reach the state of Dzogchen at the age of twenty, I can also make him a marquis! I never look at age when I hire people. I only look at my two sons and whether they are capable. Are you loyal to me? Yao Ting is satisfied with these two things, why should I not reward him? Stop talking and stand down."
Hearing what the emperor said, even if He Zhen was still unconvinced, he could only endure it and stepped aside angrily.
"Silly boy, what are you doing standing there, why don't you quickly thank me?" Xu Wenchuan originally had doubts, but He Zhen stood in his way, which made Xu Wenchuan feel at ease. What a big butt to sit on, what a big stool! My grandson has such ability, no matter how jealous you are, you can only stare!
Wan Dong frowned and suddenly said to Bai Zhenshan, "Your Majesty, you want to make me a Young Marquis. I can accept it, but... But I have a condition."
"How presumptuous! The emperor has promoted you to the rank of Young Marquis, which is a great gift to you. You actually want to talk to the emperor about the conditions?" He Zhen became angry again and immediately pointed at Wandong and shouted sharply.
Bai Zhenshan's brows suddenly furrowed, his face full of displeasure, and he went straight to He Zhen and said, "As a first-class minister, why are you so uncontrollable? When Yao Ting says the conditions, you can yell at the court again!" "
"Ah!? Damn it, Wei Chen! Wei Chen was so angry just now that he lost his composure. Please, Your Majesty..."
"Okay, okay, step aside! You are not allowed to speak again without my instructions!"
Bai Zhenshan was happy to see He Zhen fighting against the Xu family, but he couldn't stand He Zhen's impatience and shallowness. Especially his naked jealousy, which is simply ridiculous.
"Yao Ting, if you have any conditions, just tell me!" Bai Zhenshan said to Wandong kindly.
Wan Dong scratched his head and said with a bit of embarrassment, "Your Majesty, can I just be a young prince and not participate in politics?"
"Not participating in politics?" Unexpectedly, Wandong would put forward such a condition. All civil and military officials in the court were shocked, and Bai Zhenshan was no exception.
Wan Dongshan laughed a few times and said with a bit of embarrassment, "Your Majesty, I am only... only twenty years old this year. You ask me to follow you to the morning court every day to discuss military and state affairs with all the adults. It is really... Actually, I Haven’t had enough fun yet?”
Bai Zhenshan and all the civil and military officials thought that Wan Dong had some incredible reason to give up the opportunity to participate in politics that most men dream of. They never expected that what Wan Dong said would be such a completely unworthy person, and even It's a bit of a childish reason. For a time, all the civil and military officials shook their heads and smiled bitterly, secretly discussing Wandong as a 'young prince'. Bai Zhenshan really did not seal him wrong, he was really just a child.
He Zhen's face quickly showed a look of contempt. He was originally worried that Bai Zhenshan's designation of Wan Dong as the Young Queen would make the Xu family's power grow to the extreme and add pressure to it. But now it seems that he was overly worried. Xu Yaoting was simply a child who couldn't stand up to the publicity, was too busy, and was only interested in having fun and not making progress. Not to mention being named a Young Marquis, even if you are named a Young King, what's the use
While He Zhen and most of the civil and military officials were secretly laughing at Wan Dong, a handful of ministers looked solemnly and looked at Wan Dong. With a bit of admiration and shock.
Although Bai Zhenshan smiled brightly and rewarded three generations of the Xu family one by one, even Xu Tianlong, who was thousands of miles away and had no contribution in suppressing the rebellion, was all benefited from it and completed the journey from marquis to king in one fell swoop. However, if you pay close attention, it is not difficult to find that Bai Zhenshan's smile does not come from his heart.
If you think about it, you will understand that Bai Zhenshan has just experienced the Qiu Wanli Rebellion. How could he sincerely support the Xu family, which is more powerful than Qiu Wanli? Of course Bai Zhenshan didn't want to, but he had to do it. After all, the achievements of the Xu family are there, and he cannot turn a blind eye. If he gets a reputation for being unfair because of this, it will definitely have a huge negative impact on his prestige. And prestige is exactly what Bai Zhenshan, who has just recovered from illness, needs most right now.
In addition, for the Xu family, entering its heyday early may not be a good thing. It must be understood that things must be reversed when they reach their extremes, and they must rise to their peak and then decline!
Wandong took the initiative to request not to participate in politics, which immediately relieved a lot of the knots in Bai Zhenshan's heart. If you were careful enough, you would be able to spot the hint of joy flashing from the corner of Bai Zhenshan's eyes.
"This... King Dingshan, what do you think?" Bai Zhenshan looked hesitant and turned to look at Xu Wenchuan.
Xu Wenchuan smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "My grandson has been spoiled by me and is very playful! Since he insists on making such a request, Your Majesty, please be merciful and allow him."
After hearing what Xu Wenchuan said, Bai Zhenshan stopped being pretentious and nodded, "Okay! Yaoting, I will let you play for another year. After one year, you can participate in political affairs again."
"Ah? Just one year?" Wandong looked reluctant.
Xu Wenchuan glared and scolded, "One year is too short. Do you want to play for the rest of your life?"
"That's good..." Wandong muttered softly, making Xu Wenchuan's eyes widen even more.
Seeing the grandparents and grandchildren, Bai Zhenshan felt much better and said with a smile, "Yao Ting, a man must not just think about having fun, he should care about the world and make contributions. This is what a man does!"
"Okay! Then... then Yaoting will listen to the emperor."
Bai Zhenshan was very satisfied. This year, whether it was long or short, was enough for Bai Zhenshan to reorganize the court and reshape the imperial power. By then, he would have enough leverage to check and balance the Xu family, and it would not make much sense whether Wan Dong would participate in politics or not.
"But Your Majesty, I have one more thing I want to start."
Bai Zhenshan was in a good mood. He waved his hand and said, "What's the matter? Tell me!"
Wan Dong said, "That's right. This time, there is one person who takes the greatest credit for putting down Qiu Wanli's rebellion."
"Oh? Who is it?"
"The general manager of Juntian Pawnshop—Qu Sanping!"
Bai Zhenshan had been ill for several years and had no idea who Qu Sanping was, but the civil and military ministers present knew all about it. Especially those who tried their best to curry favor with Qiu Wanli in the past often used Qu Sanping's back door. Therefore, as soon as Wandong said these words, the entire court was in an uproar.
"Qu Sanping is Qiu Wanli's best friend, and no one in the world knows it. How could he take the greatest credit in eradicating Qiu Wanli?" He Zhen said anxiously.
"Qu Sanping is Qiu Wanli's confidant?" Bai Zhenshan was slightly stunned, his face full of confusion.
"Yes! Your Majesty, this Qu Sanping has been running Juntian Pawnshop for Bai Zhenshan for many years. I don't know how much treasures and wealth he has amassed for him. Qiu Wanli can be as powerful as he is today. This Qu Sanping has helped a lot. Minister. I am about to tell the emperor to kill this person quickly, otherwise the people will not be angry. "
Wandong couldn't help but sneered. Why was he so eager to execute Qu Sanping? Needless to say, he must have been worried that Qu Sanping would reveal the many scandals about how he currying favor with Qiu Wanli in the past, thereby revealing what he told Bai Zhenshan. Lies are prepared to kill people and silence them.
Bai Zhenshan frowned, looked at Wandong, and said, "Yao Ting, what's going on?"
Wandong said, "Your Majesty, Qu Sanping is indeed Qiu Wanli's man, but his heart has turned away from Qiu Wanli a long time ago. This time, it was Qu Sanping who leaked Qiu Wanli's conspiracy to usurp the throne to me. Only then can we calmly arrange and defeat Qiu Wanli’s conspiracy in one fell swoop! That’s why I say that Qu Sanping deserves the most credit!”
As soon as Wandong finished speaking, all the civil and military officials were in an uproar. Only now did they understand why Qiu Wanli lost so miserably. Guess he had been betrayed a long time ago.
"If that's the case, then Qu Sanping really deserves a lot of credit." Bai Zhenshan nodded slightly and said.
Wan Dong immediately said, "So, when your Majesty discusses merits and rewards, you must not miss him."
"It can't be missed! So from your perspective, how should I reward Qu Sanping?"
Wan Dong was not polite and immediately said, "Qu Sanping likes to be a businessman, but he doesn't like to be an official. Instead of giving him an official title, it would be better to give him Juntian Pawnshop."
"How can that be done? This Juntian Pawnshop has hidden countless treasures in the world, worth hundreds of millions. How can it be easily rewarded to others?" He Zhen immediately objected.
Wandong sneered and said, "Juntian Pawnshop is indeed worth a lot of money, but no matter how much money it is, how can it be compared with Jiangshan Sheji?"
"You...you are using strong words to make excuses!" He Zhen yelled angrily.
Wan Dong snorted coldly and curled his lips with disdain.
Bai Zhenshan pondered for a moment and said, "Qu Sanping's contribution cannot be ignored. Yaoting, as you said, I will give Juntian Pawnshop to Qu Sanping, but he must pay taxes in full and on time. Otherwise, I will give Jun Tianpawn Shop to Qu Sanping at any time." The pawn shop took it back."
"Haha... This is natural! I will definitely tell him the emperor's warning!"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for the death penalty!" As soon as Wandong finished speaking, He Zhen suddenly walked forward quickly, shouted loudly, and knelt down in front of Bai Zhenshan.
Bai Zhenshan frowned and asked, "He Zhen, what are you doing?" (To be continued)