Xuanqing Guard-Chapter 44: Nine Turns

Just after returning from the execution ground, there was immediately an award ceremony.

The award ceremony was limited to the Black Banner Battalion; apart from Tang Qingyuan and the three from Fengri City, everyone else present was from the Black Banner Battalion.

"Ordinary soldiers are awarded twenty thousand taels, granted entry-level Cultivation Technique, and one turn of merit!"

"Warriors are awarded twenty thousand taels, one Small Nourishing Pill, and one turn of merit!"

"School Commanders are awarded thirty thousand taels, two Small Nourishing Pills, and two turns of merit!"

"Xiaoqi are awarded forty thousand taels, three Small Nourishing Pills, and three turns of merit!"

"General Flags are awarded fifty thousand taels, four Small Nourishing Pills, and four turns of merit!"

"All the above rewards are due to this case being the nation’s very first example, possessing strong publicity and exemplary effects, breaking numerous precedents since the establishment of the Xuanqing Guard in our dynasty. Therefore, the rewards have been specially increased as an exceptional case."

Sure enough, just as Shen Hao had predicted, as pigs running straight into the wind, neither Tang Qingyuan nor Jiang Cheng would let this round of awards fall short. After all, it’s the first of its kind for the Dynasty, clearly serving as an example, and the benefits go far beyond mere reputation.

The money and elixirs granted were secondary; Shen Hao still hadn’t taken the two Small Nourishing Pills from the last reward, and now received four more. It seemed that from now on, he’d be living in days where he would never run short of pills.

The main draw was still the four turns of merit given at the end!

His heart was so excited he could hardly contain it. Since Shen Hao already had five turns of merit stored up, adding these four made a perfect nine—in accordance with the rules of the Jingjiu Dynasty, once merit reached nine turns, one would be entitled to a noble rank. Did that mean that from now on, he was a noble of the Empire?

A First-Grade Viscount!

Tang Qingyuan laughed heartily and said, "Congratulations, Commander Shen! With these four turns of merit, you automatically earn the rank of First-Grade Viscount in the Dynasty. All the requisite paperwork can be completed with a trip to the government office. You must know, the Dynasty is most generous to its nobles."

In fact, Tang Qingyuan himself was a noble—a Viscount, though now at third grade.

There were many nobles within the Xuanqing Guard. Unless they’d always held idle posts, as long as one worked long enough, merit could slowly be accumulated.

However, people like Shen Hao, who managed to accrue nine turns of merit in just a few short years, had become quite rare in recent years. After all, during times of peace when the Dynasty was recuperating and not waging war abroad, it was very difficult to earn merit.

"Thank you, My Lord, for your favor. I will never forget your support and guidance."

Shen Hao hurriedly bowed in thanks. Tang Qingyuan truly had eyes to recognize talent, and even more had helped to promote him. Shen Hao understood that debt of gratitude clearly.

"But do not become complacent. A mere First-Grade Viscount is but a starting point for you. With your abilities, you’ll have plenty more chances to make achievements in the future—continue working diligently."

After a brief conversation, Tang Qingyuan had Shen Hao hand over the order slip for the awards to Xiaoqi Wang Jian, instructing Wang Jian to promptly take care of the follow-up processes. Then, he led Shen Hao back to the public office, where Jiang Cheng had already arrived ahead of them. It seemed there truly was something important that required speaking with Shen Hao?

...

"Greetings, Lord Thousand Households. Greetings, Lords Hundred Households."

Shen Hao had already seen the three men inside the public office earlier at the execution ground. The swarthy, rugged-faced man among them was Jiang Cheng, the Households Officer of Fengri City Thousand Households Station. It was said that this Commander Jiang had risen up from the ranks of the military, known for his tough and unyielding manner.

Sitting to Jiang Cheng’s left was a tall, thin middle-aged man named Wei Jun; on the right, a man named Chen Yiyun.

These two Shen Hao was unfamiliar with, having only heard their names today for the first time.

Like Tang Qingyuan, both held the rank of Hundred Households Officer, but unlike him, they did not oversee any particular region. Instead, they managed coordination duties within Fengri City and were referred to as "Internal Affairs Officers." By contrast, Tang Qingyuan was known as an "Out-of-Town Official."

Internal and external—though the positions were titled the same, the actual authority they wielded was vastly different.

Of course, to Shen Hao it was all the same. All were Hundred Households Officers, none he could afford to slight.

Jiang Cheng was sipping tea. Seeing Shen Hao salute, he set down his cup and, smiling, pointed to a small stool beside him, saying, "Sit, let’s have a chat right here on Lord Tang’s turf."

As Shen Hao took his seat, Jiang Cheng continued, "Lord Tang tells me you started out as an ordinary soldier in the garrison?"

"Yes, sir."

"Heh, not an easy path! It’s been, what, over ten years since I last saw someone like you—a General Flag without backing or connections? Maybe even more than that."

No one knew why Jiang Cheng suddenly brought this up, and none dared to take up the thread.

"Actually, I am much like you—one of those with no foundation or support. Only I started in the ranks, following the army on campaign. Through diligent merit in battle, I was noticed by a Xiaoqi from the Xuanqing Guard who was serving with the army, and was recruited into the garrison. When the fighting was over, that Xiaoqi died, but I survived, and eventually made it all the way to become a Households Officer."

So, I’ve always believed that merely having ability is not enough—one must also be fortunate; to achieve great things, you need both, you can’t lack either.

You, Shen Hao, are a man of both talent and luck. Very good."

This round of praise caught Shen Hao completely off guard. Did he have to be so direct?

However, after so many years in the Xuanqing Guard, Shen Hao had seen all sorts of people and specters, and had endured even stranger situations. Without blushing or skipping a beat, he replied modestly, "I have only done what little I was able, all thanks to Lord Tang’s favor, and what small achievements I now have are truly not worthy of your lordships’ praise."

"Praise? Heh, I, Jiang Cheng, never flatter the wrong person." Suddenly, Jiang Cheng changed the topic and asked, "Earlier, Lord Tang sent me a private message mentioning some of your opinions about the Black Banner Battalion. I found them rather original. Now that you’ve just handled the first major Xuanqing Guard internal investigation under the Dynasty, you must have more insight, no? Why not share your thoughts?"

My views?

Was this a policy inquiry?

Shen Hao first glanced unobtrusively at Tang Qingyuan, who was sitting nearby with a slight smile; seeing Tang give a faint nod, Shen Hao felt somewhat more at ease.

As long as this Commander Jiang wasn’t here to trip him up, Shen Hao could absolutely speak freely regarding his views on the Black Banner Battalion.

"Then I shall speak a few humble words, and beg your guidance, My Lords."

"Go ahead."

Shen Hao paused and gathered his thoughts, then said, "Since taking over as Black Banner Camp Commander of the Li City Xuanqing Guard, I have constantly pondered the court’s purpose in establishing an internal investigation force like the Black Banner Battalion. It was only after handling the previous ’Li Family Conspiracy in Li City’ case that I truly realized the court’s foresight and vision...

The Black Banner Battalion’s use is both internal and external.

Internally, the Black Banner Battalion should boldly and decisively cut away and treat the entrenched issues, excising cancerous growths. At the same time, to uphold the authority of law, the Black Banner Battalion ought to have a set of effective regulations for preventing corruption and decline from the outset, gradually influencing and changing unhealthy tendencies through daily work...

Externally, the Black Banner Battalion should play the role of a sharp dagger; whether in terms of investigation ability or military competence, it should surpass units of the same level. In this way, it can provide the most solid support in the Xuanqing Guard’s routine duties...

All of these are merely some immature thoughts of mine, and are what I intend to pursue step by step going forward. Should there be any inappropriateness, I am grateful for your lordships’ correction."