I am a soldier in the border army

Chapter 413: Granting marriage! Granting land and kingdom!
The atmosphere in Ganquan Palace was somewhat stagnant.

Li Jin raised his head cautiously and looked at the gloomy figure on the throne.

Perhaps it was due to the good fortune from the Youbei grassland that Emperor Taikang looked much better than before he left.

The vast aura that was as deep as an abyss and as fierce as a prison was like oil boiling in a raging fire, so hot that it was impossible to look directly at it.

However, facing Emperor Taikang's almost heart-piercing question, Li Jin, whose emotions were aroused by Han Shaofeng's memorial, hesitated and struggled for a moment, but still gritted his teeth and said.

"Reply to His Majesty!"

"I am ignorant, but... at least in my opinion, the Champion Marquis is worthy of Your Majesty!"

This was the first time that Li Jin did not try to guess Emperor Taikang's intentions and directly stated his own views.

Emperor Taikang lowered his eyes and looked at Li Jin quietly for a while.

"He is indeed worthy of me."

But I am the king!
Just being 'guilty', is that enough?
Emperor Taikang felt helpless.

No one understood his complicated feelings towards that boy.

It was a kind of regret that was like looking at a treasure in the world right in front of you, but still being unable to truly possess it.

During this process, he also has to endure the torment of others coveting and even robbing him.

Gongsun of Liaodong, Zhao family of Jiangnan, and the looming Confucian Jixia Academy.

Especially that old bastard Shangguan Ding!
The thought of that old man stuffing a concubine's daughter into that boy's backyard just to disgust me made me feel a little embarrassed.

Emperor Taikang was filled with rage.

The anger was not only directed at Shangguan Ding, but also at that boy.

"If he gives it to you, you take it! Are you so short of women, you bastard!"

"If he really indulges in women, isn't my daughter Zhao'er beautiful enough? Can she not match those vulgar women?"

The more Emperor Taikang thought about it, the angrier he became.

But after being angry, he finally sighed.

"Is that kid really not at a disadvantage in front of that Dragon Clan Taiyi?"

Seeing that Emperor Taikang no longer continued the topic of "loyalty", Li Jin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he hurriedly said.

"My cultivation is low, and I can only observe the general situation of the fight between beings like them."

“But if it weren’t for the fact that Champion Marquis’ cultivation had already reached a profound level, given the pride and arrogance of the dragon race, they would not be willing to retreat like this…”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Taikang was silent for a moment and nodded slightly.

The dragon clan is proud and overbearing, and the branch from the North Sea is known for being insane and aggressive.

Therefore, before this, the vast, bitter and cold land in the northern border had always been regarded as a buffer zone between the two sides and had not been truly incorporated into the territory of successive dynasties.

But he never thought that the boy could snatch food from the tiger's mouth and actually succeeded in tearing a piece from the beast's mouth.

Looking at the geomancy map of the world placed in the corner of the hall, Emperor Taikang suddenly felt an impulse.

"If we swallow up the entire northern grassland..."

With the blessing and supplement of that huge luck, not only can the loss of luck caused by the chaos in the eight states be made up, but there can also be a surplus.

By then, with this tremendous force sweeping across the world, the Huang Tian Dao will surely be able to be easily wiped out.

Although the idea is good, it is somewhat naive and ridiculous.

Not to mention whether the evil beast in the North Sea will do something desperate.

Apart from that young boy who is not afraid of a tiger, who else in the states and counties of Bing, Jin, Yong and Liang can be so willing to work so hard for him, the Emperor of Great Yong?

Compared with those people, the boy suddenly shone brightly in the eyes of Emperor Taikang.

"Am I asking for too much?"

Thinking of this, Emperor Taikang couldn't help but laugh at himself.

"How serious is his injury? Is it serious?"

Just like the Void Divine Mind who witnessed the battle personally, Emperor Taikang also did not doubt whether Han Shao was really injured.

After all, the fact that Taiyi of the Ninth Realm, who was at the top of the human world, was at the Heaven Realm and was forced to retreat was beyond their imagination.

If the result was too easy, it would be too... unreasonable.

But even so, after hearing Li Jin give a positive answer, Emperor Taikang couldn't help but sigh.

"What a monster!"

In just one year, he has gone from an ordinary person to where he is today. To describe him as a monster is a bit too weak.

If I really have to use an accurate word to describe it, it would be unprecedented and unparalleled in history!
"As long as he is not injured, it is not a big deal. Go back and find some precious medicine from my inner storehouse and let him take care of himself."

Li Jin heard this and said carefully.

"Your Majesty, if you don't ask, when will the Champion Marquis be able to recover from his injuries?"

Emperor Taikang lowered his eyes and glanced at him.

"If he wants to come, he can come even if he is hanging on his breath."

A true immortal in the seventh realm can travel a thousand miles in one breath, let alone a celestial being in the eighth realm?
The capital is thousands of miles away from the northern border, a long way off.

But what is this distance in front of the Eight Realms Heavenly Beings?
Therefore, the excuse of being seriously injured and unable to walk is just an obvious excuse.

Li Jin was speechless when he heard this.

No wonder when he asked Han Shao this question, Han Shao just rolled his eyes and ignored him completely.

But Li Jin still couldn’t figure it out.

The capital of gods, the heart of Dayong.

For many years, countless geniuses and heroes have racked their brains to try to gain a foothold here.
But when it came to the boy named Han, he avoided him like the plague.

Even at the risk of disobeying the order, he was unwilling to accept it.

"He doesn't believe me..."

Emperor Taikang sighed with a melancholy look.

When the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked.

Over the years, too much blood has been shed by military strategists and warriors in the Divine Capital.

So many that they have begun to become alienated from his majesty and even from God.

That kid is now also from a military family. Under the influence of those old guys from the Gongsun clan, it is normal for him to be wary and resistant to this.

Emperor Taikang, who had already found an excuse for Han Shao, felt helpless.

Since he ascended the throne, he has thought about easing relations with the military strategists.

It’s a pity that once trust is broken, it’s not easy to rebuild it.
This not only requires him, the Emperor of Dayong, to lower his noble head and divide up enough benefits, but also requires a suitable opportunity.

As Emperor Taikang thought about it, he suddenly had an idea.

"What do you think of that boy asking me for permission to marry him?"

Ask for permission to marry?

when?
Li Jin was stunned when he heard this, and then subconsciously glanced over the memorial in his hand that he had not finished reading.

Only then did he realize that at the end of this earnest, loyal and righteous memorial, it clearly stated that if he could succeed this time, he would rather not have any reward, and only asked Your Majesty to grant him a marriage.

As expected, the person to whom he was granted marriage was the legitimate daughter of the Gongsun of Liaodong and the commoner girl of the Jiang family who grew up with him as a childhood sweetheart.

Li Jin, who had finally finished reading the memorial, felt inexplicably absurd and funny.

It wasn't a method of succession that the boy came up with out of desperation.

What really struck him as absurd and ridiculous was that... there were actually people in this world who were stupid enough to give up everything for the sake of love!
Who could expand the territory by one's own strength and establish the Yong Dynasty for more than 2,000 years?

Not to mention the huge fortune brought by the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven and offering sacrifices to heaven, and the impact it had on Dayong.

Such a great achievement, yet you just give it up?

Ridiculous! Absurd!
At this moment, Li Jin was so angry that he really wanted to fly thousands of miles away, grab the boy's clothes and scold him.

'Idiot! So stupid!'

'Do you know what you are doing?'

Looking at Li Jin's stiff face, Emperor Taikang found it a little funny.

"You also think that boy is being stupid?"

Li Jin nodded hesitantly, then couldn't help but say.

"That boy has been bewildered by women and has probably lost his mind. Do you want me to go and give him some advice?"

advise?
Why persuade?
Emperor Taikang waved his hand, his eyes somewhat deep.

Being young and frivolous and indulging in women is normal for a boy of that age.

If one is truly pure-hearted and impeccable, then it would be a real headache, even... chilling...

Therefore, Han Shao's request for the marriage actually made Emperor Taikang secretly relieved, and he did not feel angry.

What really made him feel embarrassed was that -

"Alas, I am afraid that my daughter Zhao'er will be wronged by this decree."

Ji Yan’s feelings for that boy were too obvious.

Emperor Taikang was happy to see this happen before.

Every time Ji Yan asked Li Jin about the news in Youzhou, he turned a blind eye.

Now I feel like I'm shooting myself in the foot.

"If I had known this, I wouldn't have done this..."

Emperor Taikang felt a little regretful.

But no matter how much regret one feels, these romantic matters seem too insignificant when compared to the major issues of family and country.

'If I go back and give her some advice, I'm sure Zhao'er will understand my difficulties. 'Even if she doesn't understand, you have to understand.

This is the fate of the children of heaven.

Isn’t the woman from Gongsun clan still engaged to Lao Jiu?
Didn’t Lao Jiu say anything?
With a firm mind, Emperor Taikang made a decisive statement.

"Li Jin."

"Your Majesty, the old slave is here."

"Draw up the decree."

Li Jin, who had already realized the result, had mixed feelings in his heart, but he could only obey the order solemnly.

"Here."

A letter of marriage proposal, written in a fluent and lavish manner, has just been published.

Emperor Taikang seemed to have just remembered the relationship between the Gongsun girl and Lao Jiu.

"Let's go to Zongzheng Temple first and ask the Grand Master to destroy the marriage contract between Laojiu and that Gongsunnvniang."

"Try to keep things secret and leave no trace."

The key is not to let word get out.

Otherwise, it would be embarrassing for Lao Jiu, the Heavenly Family, and even him as the Emperor.

What else could Li Jin say about this? He could only nod in agreement.

Just as he was about to accept the order and leave, Emperor Taikang frowned.

"It's not over yet, why are you in such a hurry?"

"Continue drafting the decree."

besides?

Seeing Li Jin's stunned look, Emperor Taikang snorted coldly.

"Thunder, rain, and dew are all your grace."

"Whether to reward or not, how can a young boy like him decide?"

That kid has made such a great contribution this time. If he doesn't reward him, wouldn't it seem that he, the emperor, is mean and ungrateful?

So not only should we reward, but we should reward generously!
He wanted everyone to see that as long as they were willing to work hard for him, the emperor, they would be able to make contributions.

Everything you need!
In short, he wanted to take this opportunity to... buy horse bones for a fortune!

So after saying this, Emperor Taikang waved his imperial robe and showed some rare heroism.

"Throughout history, those who expand territory can be crowned kings."

"This time, the Champion Marquis and General Dingbei Shao wiped out the northern barbarians and expanded the territory by thousands of miles! Their contribution is invaluable!"

"It is a pity that according to the ancestral system of our dynasty, those who are not from the Ji clan cannot be kings!"

"I am not a mean and ungrateful person, but I cannot easily shake the ancestral system."

"So, reduce the rank of king by one level and change it to duke."

Confer the title of [Duke]!
Hearing this ancient and unfamiliar name, Li Jin was shocked and his eyes widened.

During the Yong Dynasty, if there was anyone other than the Ji clan, Marquis Che would be at the top.

And this word "gong", if Li Jin remembered correctly, seemed to exist only in the ancient era of conflict among nations.

The current dynasty does not have it, and neither did the previous dynasty that ended the conflicts among nations.

Li Jin was shocked, and then felt a little scared.

"Your Majesty, is this...is this too much?"

Li Jin spoke cautiously and used very tactful words.

In fact, what he really wanted to say was, "Your Majesty, aren't you afraid of a repeat of the chaos of the past when nations were fighting and conquering each other?"

After all, Marquis Che’s fiefdom was just a fiefdom.

In name it could be called a marquisate, but it was not truly a state.

But if we follow the ancient rituals, the Duke will really be granted land and kingdoms.

"Once this precedent is set, I'm afraid it will cause far-reaching harm!"

A hint of panic flashed across Li Jin's eyes, but he didn't know how to persuade His Majesty to reconsider.

But if even a eunuch like him could see it, how could Emperor Taikang not see it?

He just doesn't care anymore.

This time the Huang Tian bandit rebellion affected eight states. If it weren't for the old supervisor of the Imperial Observatory who sacrificed himself to make up for the loss, and the kid Han Shao who risked his life to win back thousands of miles of territory from the North Sea Dragon Clan, they would have made up for some of the country's luck.

Emperor Taikang no longer dared to imagine what the future situation of Dayong would look like.

However, this also made him wake up completely and realize that it was no longer possible to maintain the situation by blindly following the old ways.

In times of chaos, severe punishments must be used.

In this extraordinary situation, we have no choice but to use more drastic measures.

"Pass on my words!"

"If anyone disagrees with my order, go and carve out a vast territory for me!"

"I will not be stingy with such a position as a duke or marquis!"

At this moment, Emperor Taikang looked like a gambler who had lost all his money.

As long as he can win, he doesn't mind pawning his future.

But in fact, he was very calm and thought things through clearly!

Instead of letting those ambitious people keep their eyes on Dayong, it is better to divert their attention to those places outside that were once regarded as wild lands.

Can achieve the best.

Confer some titles of dukes and marquises in exchange for great fortune.

At that time, he will be able to use this luck to increase his strength and eliminate internal troubles.

Even if it fails, it can distract those bastards' energy and consume their strength.

He didn't even worry about wars breaking out on the borders, which would draw the anger and attacks of the surrounding monsters and barbarians.

Because by then it will be a conflict between the entire human race and those monsters and barbarians.

By then, he might truly be worthy of the title of Human Emperor!

This method kills three birds with one stone and stirs up the situation in the whole world. Why not do it?
As for whether those ambitious people would become more powerful and difficult to control once this precedent was set, Emperor Taikang did not care about that.

Anyway, the world is already so rotten, how much worse can it get?
……

The end of November in the sixtieth year of the Taikang reign of the Yong Dynasty.

The tragic battle in Youbei had already vaguely reached the capital of gods.

When the people of Shendu first heard that hundreds of thousands of Wuhuan barbarians had once again invaded Youzhou from the south, they were all furious.

The magnificent Dayong suppressed the world for more than two thousand years.

How could they allow a mere barbarian slave to bully them again and again?

Many people have called on the court to send the central imperial army to the north to fight the rebels.

As for the Zhenliao Army guarding Youzhou and the garrison troops in Youzhou prefectures and counties, they no longer had any hope.

After all, the news of the disastrous defeat of the Zhen Liao army in last year's battle had already spread throughout the world. Apart from making Guanjun Hou famous, it was a complete disgrace to the whole army.

Only a small number of rational people looked at the excited people around them and sighed in their hearts.

Central Guards?

Is it true that today's imperial guards are the same imperial guards that swept across the world in the early years?
With the strength of the military being taken away, the imperial guards are now just a facade.

Otherwise, how could the imperial court have waited so long without any major action when the Huang Tian rebellion had caused such a great disturbance in those eight states?
Looking at the capital city which was still flourishing as always, he recalled all the tragic things he had heard during this period of time.

Someone said to himself with a sad face.

"How did the world become like this?"

However, just as some people were secretly lamenting, shouts of surprise suddenly came from the street.

"Extra! Extra! Youbei won! Youbei won!"

"Our dynasty's Champion Marquis killed all nine barbarian immortals in one battle, and became a celestial being in one fell swoop!"

"Then, with this great momentum, we killed the barbarian Khan in battle! Hundreds of thousands of barbarian troops were completely annihilated!"

The little guys running around the streets, holding papers called newspapers and shouting to sell them.

It is said that it was a means for a restaurant to attract customers, and originally it only recorded some rumors and legendary stories.

Later, somehow, news began to come from hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Over time, many people gradually developed the habit of buying and reading these newspapers.

Upon hearing this shocking news, some people stood up suddenly.

"Here! Give me one!"

After paying the money, he took a newspaper from the boy's smiling face.

The man went straight to the front page, which took up a large amount of content, and read it carefully.

After a long while, in this teahouse in Shendu, he suddenly slammed the table and stood up, his face flushed.

"How magnificent! I am the Great Yong Champion Marquis!"

"How magnificent! I stand tall and majestic to suppress Liao!"

"How magnificent! My magnificent Great Yong!"

……

(End of this chapter)