Finally, Li Xuan said:
“News of the great victory just arrived. Jia Hu has struck at the heart of the enemy, capturing a bunch of Jianzhou Jurchen nobles.”
“Whether the Jianzhou Jurchen are seeking revenge or negotiating with conditions, they are very likely to carry out the White Lotus Sect's conspiracy.”
“As for the direct report, I’m afraid there are White Lotus Sect spies among the higher ranks of the Jin Yi Wei.”
You're not happy, neither am I.
Such a big thing happened in Yan Zhou, and the Jin Yi Wei's communication has been cut off for quite a while. You, the head honcho of the Jin Yi Wei, still don't know.
Do you even have the face to be happy?
Therefore, he didn’t even address him by his official title, but directly called him Prince.
The Duke of Loyalty, of course, understood the meaning behind Li Xuan's words.
But he only glared at him, giving no further punishment.
This is the benefit of establishing a "thick-headed" persona.
Everyone knows that Li Xuan is a tough guy, not good at social skills. So, others won't hold him accountable for minor matters.
They also won't use social skills to make things difficult for him.
Even if they find out later that Li Xuan is faking his persona, it's fine as long as he keeps pretending and doesn't let the persona collapse, others won't have any objections.
They might just think to themselves, "Little fox, you found such a good path. You're not even human."
After all, pretending is a skill too.
“This King knows,” Wang Ye used the self-proclaimed title of the Jin Yi Wei, “Go back and rest.”
“Once the news is verified, the rewards will be given accordingly.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Li Xuan bowed once more.
Then he took his leave.
On the way back to the Rong Guofu, he saw a young soldier riding a horse coming from the north.
At the same time, he heard the soldier's excited shouts.
“Great Victory! General Jia Gui led three thousand Iron Armored Cavalry, charging head-on against the 100,000 strong army of the Wala, slaying 30,000 and capturing 20,000, a great victory!”
“Great Victory! General Jia Gui led three thousand Iron Armored Cavalry, charging head-on against the 100,000 strong army of the Wala, slaying 30,000 and capturing 20,000, a great victory!”
“Great Victory! General Jia Gui led three thousand Iron Armored Cavalry, charging head-on against the 100,000 strong army of the Wala, slaying over 50,000 and capturing over 20,000, a great victory!”
Li Xuan: (⊙o⊙)…
First Jia Hu, now Jia Gui, is there going to be news of Jia Gong’s victory next?
One Earl, another Earl, and another one, don’t we know already?
Not envious, I’m not jealous at all...
Other novel protagonists all get enfeoffed. Why do I have to climb up step by step?
White Lotus Sect, you guys should speed up your actions. Come with a million strong army to besiege the capital, so I can have a seven in, seven out. That would be good.
…
After submitting his task to the Northern Garrison, Li Xuan went home, took a bath, and went to sleep. He felt like he hadn't slept for long when he was woken up by the commotion outside.
He rubbed his face and shouted, "Qing Wen, what's going on outside? Why is it so noisy?"
“Sir, an imperial envoy has arrived from the palace, delivering an edict to our manor. They say several of the young masters from our manor have earned great merits!”
“Sir, should we go take a look?”
Qing Wen's crisp little voice was trembling, and excitement filled her voice.
She had never seen such a spectacle, she was so curious!
“If you want to see the excitement, then hurry up and get me some water to wash my face. Xiang Ling, bring me my clothes.”
In the past, Li Xuan would have done all this himself.
But Qing Wen had served him so well in the past six months that Li Xuan had grown accustomed to being waited on.
Even Xiang Ling, the simple-minded maid, had become more diligent under Qing Wen's influence, even though Qing Wen had only been around for almost a year.
He washed his face to clear his head.
He changed into the flying fish uniform that he hadn't worn in almost a day, and picked up the embroidered spring blade he had brought back from the Duke’s mansion.
Li Xuan was back to his spirited Jin Yi Wei appearance.
He had just taken two steps, accompanied by the excited Qing Wen, when he turned to look at Xiang Ling.
He saw that Xiang Ling, who was usually quiet and calm, was also blinking her big eyes at him, wanting to see the excitement, but too shy to say so.
He waved his hand and said, “Come with us, Xiang Ling, follow!”
“Yes, sir!”
The three of them walked forward, not entering the central Rong Xi Tang, but watching the announcement of the edict from a distance.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:”
“We, the Emperor, know that a peaceful world is ruled through literature, while troubled times are quelled through martial prowess. And the military commanders and generals are truly the pillars of the court and the defenders of the nation. They are able to combine literature and martial prowess, working hard to serve the country. How could their achievements be forgotten and not be rewarded with honor and noble titles?”
“You, General Jia Gui, are filial, respectful, loyal, frugal, and possess both literary and martial abilities. You have been granted a martial post and have advanced in your career through meritorious service. This is truly fitting. Unexpectedly, we have heard of matters on the frontier, with the Jianzhou Jurchen troubling our northern borders…”
“…In one battle you achieved victory, repelling the enemy at the border, inspiring awe among the barbarians…”
“We hereby bestow upon you the title of Second-Class Baron of Bravery, with a stipend of 1200 shi, and promote you to the fifth rank martial post of General of Military Strategy… To reward your merit, be it so.”
Jia Lian was stunned.
My wife-to-be, who will be marrying me in a few days, was rejected by this man, who is now an Earl?
My younger half-brother is an Earl? The insignificant one? The skinny monkey who yelled, "Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west, don't bully the young and poor"?
It seems like I really need to put my plan to win him over into action…
Wang too was dumbfounded.
Second brother didn’t even kill him, let alone how he became more powerful?
If I knew Jia Gui was so powerful, I wouldn’t have let Feng’er break off the engagement. If our family had a newly minted Earl to help us, wouldn't the Wang family rise even faster?
Why would I match Feng’er with Jia Lian, this useless good-for-nothing?
With me in the Second Branch, the Rong Guogong’s mansion is mine, the Wang family’s, there’s no need for Feng’er to control the First Branch.
No, I have to write a letter to Second brother right away, to salvage the marriage!
Jia She’s brain wasn’t working either.
Jia Gui?
My useless, skinny, insignificant son?
Earl?
I’ve been a good boy for ten years, and now my son has become successful on his own. As expected, our bloodline is good!
It’s just a pity for Lian’er.
I let him play the role of a playboy with me, and now he might really become a playboy…
Jia Mu wasn’t stunned, instead, she was secretly pleased.
Good! Good!! The Rong Guogong has a successor!!!
Even if I were to go to the netherworld, I would have the face to meet the Old Duke and the Rong Guogong.
It seems like my strategy to secure the rank of Military Officer for the three children was the right move…
Jia Zheng felt a mixture of disdain for the five brothers, as a scholar would, but also envy.
In short, he was a mixture of emotions.
Jia Baoyu: Humph!
Thinking about how thin and small Jia Gui was, with not a hint of spirit on his face, as a face-obsessed person, he couldn’t stand him.
Now that he heard about the reward, he disliked him even more.
Isn’t he just a greedy traitor and a barbaric brute?
Not at all fresh and refined!
Then he thought of Li Xuan, who was full of spirit.
Fourth brother Xuan is still the best. Even though he reluctantly took up the post, he’s doing the work of catching these traitors and greedy officials.
Ying Chun: What are we all doing here?
Tan Chun: Gui brother is so awesome, I wish I could go to battle too!
Xi Chun: How much good stuff can Gui brother get with these rewards?
Hmm, Little Xi Chun is not yet cold-hearted, maybe a bit lonely, but she’s just a greedy little girl.
Lin Dai Yu: I wish I could go to the battlefield, sigh…
Xing…