Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 473: Victory Reports Pour In

Although the officials in the court hadn’t met this person named Hu Shu, they had heard of the name. After all, he was a Fifth Grade Military General defending the frontier; when it was heard that he had defected to the enemy, Xu Guozhong, in the name of the Emperor, executed Hu Shu’s entire clan.

Although there was still the step of confirming identity to go through, the civil and military officials did not doubt that the head in the box was Sun Shu’s.

After all, Chen Mo had no reason to deceive them on such matters.

Even if they were not on the same path as Chen Mo, as members of the same clan, Chen Mo’s forces successfully fended off Jin Xia, claiming victory in the first battle, which was something worth celebrating.

Emperor Yong’an couldn’t help but say: "The Grand Commandant truly deserves to be the pillar of the nation, claiming victory in the first battle. It seems that driving out these Jin Xia Barbarians from the territory of the Great Song Dynasty is only a matter of time. I must reward the Grand Commandant handsomely..."

These words were sincerely spoken by Emperor Yong’an.

Chen Mo was raising the prestige of the Great Song Dynasty. Although he was a puppet emperor, he was still the Monarch of the Great Song, and future historical records might credit him as well.

However, when discussing rewarding Chen Mo, he subconsciously glanced at Lu Sheng.

He had neither power nor money, so even if a title were to be granted, it would require Lu Sheng’s approval.

"Your Majesty, wise and insightful. The Grand Commandant has embarked on a mission for the nation, triumphed in the first battle, defeated the Jin Xia Barbarians, upheld the prestige of the Great Song Dynasty and indeed deserves a generous reward. However, he is already appointed as Grand Commandant, granted the title of County Marquis. Above that is Duke, but while the Grand Commandant achieved victory in the first battle, he merely killed a defector of Jin Xia, insufficient for him to be titled Duke." Lu Sheng stated truthfully.

The titles of the Great Song Dynasty are divided into Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.

And Chen Mo’s title had reached the peak of Marquis, and above him in official rank, there was only the Prime Minister.

For a Duke title, these achievements were indeed not enough.

According to the requirements set by the Grand Ancestor Emperor, at the very least Chen Mo had to drive Jin Xia out of the Great Song’s territory.

As for the title of King, especially an Alien King, one must open up new territories to earn such a title.

Since the foundation of the Great Song, only during the Grand Ancestor’s era was there an Alien King, and in the four hundred years since, there hasn’t been another.

Even though times may have changed, such titles cannot be bestowed lightly.

Seeing the group discussing the matter of rewarding Chen Mo, below, the Divine Brave Guards lowered their heads and a soldier spoke: "Your Majesty, esteemed officials, this time coming to the Capital, aside from Marquis ordering us to present Hu Shu’s head to Your Majesty, he also ordered us to petition for merits for General Chang En.

This head was cut by Divine Brave Guard Chang En under the Marquis."

"What, Chang En?"

As the words fell, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War Hui Cheng couldn’t help but exclaim, realizing that this was in the Jinluan Hall, and his behavior was somewhat disrespectful, he fell silent again.

Lu Sheng was also quite surprised, as he realized that the Chang En spoken of was his junior disciple.

After all, Hu Shu was Fifth Grade; anyone who could cut down Hu Shu’s head clearly had to be stronger than Hu Shu.

Lu Sheng inquired tactfully, "May I know from where this General Chang En hails?"

The Divine Brave Guard soldier thought for a moment and replied, "He is from Dragon Return Mountain."

"Dragon Return Mountain..."

Lu Sheng and Hui Cheng were both shocked; indeed it was their junior/senior brother.

Unexpectedly, he had joined forces with Chen Mo.

Lu Sheng did not show any expression.

Cherishing moments of glory, while rewarding Chen Mo was tricky, rewarding Chang En was much easier.

And just as Emperor Yong’an was about to reward Chang En.

Suddenly, a thunderous cheer came from outside, seeming to be the cheers of the people of Luonan City. Shortly after, the triumphant music sounded again, immediately sparking curiosity among the ministers in the hall.

Was there another victory report?

Meanwhile, on the streets of Luonan City, Su Wu, riding a chestnut horse, trotted over. Seeing him in armor just like the previous person, the pedestrians on the street couldn’t help but widen their eyes, and the next moment they heard Su Wu shout: "Victory report, great victory at Yao’er City! Great victory in the Northern Land!"

These words immediately attracted the attention of all the people on both sides of the street.

"Why is there another victory report?"

"He seems to be saying there was a great victory, not just an ordinary victory report?"

"And what is Yao’er City?"

"Haven’t heard of it, but hearing it’s a great victory in the Northern Land, it’s obviously another win on Marquis of Pingting County’s side."

"What? Wasn’t there a victory report just now?"

While surprised, the people also felt a bit confused.

How come two victory reports from the Northern Land in one day?

Isn’t this repetitive...

What they didn’t know was that these two reports represented two victorious battles.

The messenger delivering Hu Shu’s head to the Capital was an ordinary soldier among the Divine Brave Guards.

But Su Wu had been with Chen Mo for a long time, and was a Grade-Entering Martial Artist.

Yao’er City was captured the day following Hu Shu’s decapitation.

Thus, with Su Wu’s speed, even setting off a day slower, arriving on the same day was perfectly normal.

Inside the Imperial Palace, in the Jinluan Hall, the monarch and ministers were full of curiosity. Lu Sheng, pausing slightly, glanced at the gradually restless ministers behind him, saying to Emperor Yong’an: "Your Majesty, perhaps dispatch someone to see what’s happening?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yong’an quickly sent the nearby eunuch to take a look.

As soon as the eunuch exited the hall and arrived at the outside gallery, he saw several eunuchs and Imperial Guard soldiers leading an armored warrior up the stairs, panting heavily.

The eunuch hurriedly asked the armored warrior: "What is the victory report?"

Su Wu bowed and clasped his hands: "Esteemed eunuch, great victory at Yao’er City, great victory in Gaozhou, the Marquis has crushed the Jin Xia army and personally shot dead Tie Mutie, the nephew of the Jin Xia Eastern Route Army chief, as well as Kuimu, a major general under his command. The Marquis specially ordered me to present the heads of both to the Capital as a tribute to Your Majesty. This is the victory report."

Su Wu took out a red booklet from his bosom.

The victory report detailed the events.

Upon hearing the words from outside the hall, the puzzled ministers inside were all suddenly surprised, their eyes opening wide.

They hadn’t heard of Yao’er City as a small city.

But Gaozhou, they were well aware of, and knew Gaozhou had been occupied by Jin Xia.

This victory in Gaozhou, could it mean Gaozhou had been regained?

And the eunuch led Su Wu into the great hall, meeting the piercing gazes of the crowd of court officials, and handed the booklet to Lu Sheng.

Lu Sheng opened and read it; first he frowned, then was greatly astonished, quickly closed the booklet, handing it to the eunuch, who then presented it to Emperor Yong’an.

Emperor Yong’an frowned slightly, but dared not comment.

While Emperor Yong’an read, Lu Sheng spoke: "Your Majesty, the Grand Commandant was ordered to retreat the Jin Xia Barbarians from the Guan Mountain Plain to Yao’er City. Perversely, they drove the city’s civilians ahead to defend against the Grand Commandant.

Fortunately, the Grand Commandant lived up to Your Majesty’s trust, not only quashing the cunning plot of the Barbarians but also utterly crushing the Jin Xia Barbarians’ infantry, severely weakening their cavalry, and shooting dead the chief’s nephew along with a major general, furthermore regaining Yao’er City, marking great victory in Gaozhou."

With Lu Sheng’s words, the entire court fell silent.

The previous victory report only represented defeating the vanguard army composed of defectors and had not touched the Jin Xia army.

But this time, it directly shook the core of the enemy.