Eastern Jin Dynasty: My powerful father

Chapter 161: Promotion to a higher position

Although Quan Yi left Liangzhou later than Huan Xi, he returned to Chang'an only three days later than Huan Xi by taking a carriage and changing post horses along the way.

At this time, Deng Qiang had brought back the state and county soldiers and dispersed them on the spot, and Wang Meng and Huan Xi also made a memorial to seek rewards for his generals.

Among them, Xie Ai, who made the greatest contribution to the Liang Dynasty, will be promoted from the founding uncle of Fulu County to the founding county marquis.

In the Jin Dynasty, the founding county princes and county princes were the first rank, the founding county marquis, uncle, son and son were the second rank, the county marquis without the founding prefix was the third rank, the township marquis was the fourth rank, the pavilion marquis was the fifth rank, the marquis with the name inside the pass was the sixth rank, and the marquis outside the pass was the seventh rank.

The one with the highest title under Huan Xi was Deng Xia, who was still the founding father of Yicheng County.

After the death of his father Deng Yue, Deng Xia assumed the title of the founding uncle of Yicheng County. He followed Huan Xi in his expeditions to the north and south for many years and made many meritorious deeds. In other dynasties, he would have been ranked as the founding Duke of the country.

However, since the founding of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the rewards of titles, especially those of county princes, have been more cautious.

During the reign of the founding monarch, Emperor Jin Yuan, he only conferred the titles of Murong Xin, Duke of Liaodong County, and Wang Dun, Duke of Wuchang County.

During the reign of Emperor Ming of Jin Dynasty, only Prince Dao of Shixing County was conferred.

When the Jin Dynasty became emperor, only Tao Kan, the Duke of Changsha, and Wen Qiao, the Duke of Shi'an, were ennobled.

At that time, the emperor had the most canonizations, including Huan Wen, Duke of Linhe County, Huan Xi, Duke of Jingzhao County, Fu Hong, Duke of Guangchuan County, and Yao Yizhong, Duke of Gaoling County.

It can be seen from this list that, except for Murong Xin, Fu Hong, and Yao Yizhong, who were motivated to win over the Hu people, the other few, Wang Dun, Huan Wen, and Huan Xi, were among the princes who were difficult to control by the imperial court. But seek comfort and restraint.

Tao Kan, the governor of Jingzhou, and Wen Qiao, the governor of Jiangzhou, put down the rebellion of Su Jun and Zu Yue and helped the country.

Needless to say, Director Wang made great contributions to the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It was only after the Wangdun Rebellion was put down that he became the Duke of Shixing County during the reign of the second monarch, Emperor Ming of Jin Dynasty.

As for the three brothers Yu Liang, Yu Bing, and Yu Yi who once had all the power, Yu Liang was the Tinghou, Yu Bing was the Xianghou, and Yu Yi had no title.

Of course, as the founder of the Yu family, after Yu Liang's death, Emperor Cheng of Jin Dynasty once presented a posthumous gift to his uncle to the founding father of Yongchang County, but his younger brothers Yu Bing and Yu Yi declined.

Yu Bing himself also declined the imperial court's reward from the county magistrate, and so did Yu Yi.

In summary, it can be seen that if you want to be a prince in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, apart from Wang Dao, being a prince is the most basic condition. Either you are so powerful that the court is afraid, or you have the ability to put down rebellions and help the country.

It couldn't be an ordinary rebellion, it had to be faced with a rebel like Su Jun who occupied Jiankang and controlled the imperial court.

Deng Xia was not satisfied with these points. Therefore, in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, he was able to reach the level of county magistrate despite the odds.

The other generals under Huan Xi also received titles and rewards. For example, Shen Jin was promoted from the sixth-rank Guannei Marquis after the Northern Expedition to the fifth-rank Tinghou because he repelled Yu's attack.

It's just that everyone doesn't care about the title given by the Eastern Jin Dynasty, but focuses on what kind of rewards Huan Xi can get.

After all, as long as Huan Xi continues to make progress, sooner or later everyone will be able to put aside the Eastern Jin Dynasty and obtain corresponding titles based on their merit and hard work under Huan Xi.

For example, Wang Meng has been sitting in Chang'an, with no chance of military exploits and no chance of being promoted to a noble title.

Just because he followed Huan Xi and made great contributions to seizing Guanzhong, he was granted the title of Marquis of Guan Nei.

But once the Huan clan established the country, there was no doubt that Wang Meng would become the founding Duke of Guan Nei from Guan Nei Hou. After all, no one could ignore his contribution to the governance of Guan Long.

Therefore, when Wang Meng and Quan Yi came forward to contact everyone and ask for a title for Huan Xi, the generals and assistants were very active.

In the tenth year of Yonghe (AD 354), February th, Chang'an.

Quan Yi and Wang Meng led the military generals to petition outside Weiyang Palace.

Huan Xi was shocked when he heard the training. He hurried out of the palace and asked:

"You are not on duty at the military mansion, so why are you gathering here?"

Wang Mengjin said:

"In the past, Duke Linhe conquered Shu, and the Lord and Xiangxi Jian Bo (Yuan Qiao) were the first to succeed. After that, the Lord went out to suppress Hanzhong, strengthened his troops and horses, conquered Guanlong, and now he has raised a Yi division to capture Liangzhou.

"We all think that without being promoted to an official position, we will not be able to reward our lord for his merits!"

Huan Xi was furious when he heard this and raised his fist again after many years.

There was a bang, and Quan Yi was punched in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Everyone was shocked when they saw Huan Xi pointing at Quan Yi and angrily yelling:

"Don't think that I don't know, you must be instigating all this!

"With His Majesty's favor, I have been given the same rank as my father. Now, of all my virtues and abilities, I dare to expect to be promoted to a higher rank. Are you trying to trap me into disloyalty and unfilial piety?"

Quan Yi was mentally prepared for this. Even if Wang Meng took the lead to speak, Huan Xi would not be willing to beat him. In the end, he would not have to bear it all by himself.

Fortunately, one punch of two thousand pieces of cloth was not in vain.

Quan Yi bowed down and remonstrated:

"My lord! This is not Quan Yi's idea alone, but the common wish of the northern people! Why do you still refuse, lord!"

"Reward for meritorious deeds and punishment for delinquency. The Lord is fair and cool. He has made such great achievements and yet he refuses to ask for a reward from the court. How can the officers and men in the army expect to receive the rewards they deserve?"

"Unfair rewards and punishments will sooner or later lead to betrayal and alienation!

"If my lord insists on refusing today, Quan Yi would rather die in front of Weiyang Palace than live to see that scene."

With that said, Quan Yi climbed up from the ground and made a gesture to hit the palace wall.

Huan Xi was shocked, hugged Quan Yi and said anxiously:

"Ziliang! Why is it like this! Why is it like this!"

The other generals all knelt down and petitioned, hoping that Huan Xi would not refuse anymore, and even if the court did not allow it, he should follow Liu Bei's story of claiming to be the King of Hanzhong. Aman held his sister Luoniang in hand and watched the drama with great interest inside the palace gate.

Huan Xi was in a dilemma and said helplessly:

"It's not that Huan doesn't want to, it's just that my title is higher than that of my father."

In ancient times, the etiquette system must be followed between monarchs, ministers, and fathers and sons. It was rare for a son to be subordinate to his father in official rank.

Especially father-son officials like Huan Wen and Huan Xi should pay more attention.

If Huan Xi's rank is higher than that of Huan Wen, when father and son meet, it will be Huan Wen who salutes his superior Huan Xi first, or Huan Xi who salutes his father Huan Wen first.

It is impossible for Huan Xi to wear official clothes and Huan Wen to salute him. Huan Xi took off his official uniform and then went to salute Huan Wen.

Wang Pu, the Prime Minister of the Later Zhou Dynasty and Northern Song Dynasty, had a higher official rank than his father Wang Zuo, so the relationship between father and son was very tense.

Of course, if the son's official title is much higher than that of his father, there will be no such taboo.

In this regard, Wang Meng came up with a solution. He said:

"My lord An is the leader of Liangzhou, so how can I say that Duke Linhe has no merit? If it weren't for Duke Linhe's upbringing, my lord An would be able to achieve this feat.

"I strongly think that Duke Linhe should be rewarded together."

Everyone agreed, and Huan Xi said that he had to think about it and asked everyone to go back to the military mansion for the time being.

Before leaving, he specifically told Quan Yi not to despise life in the future.

That night, two thousand pieces of cloth were secretly delivered to Quan Yi's house.

Quan Yi was greatly encouraged and became more active in promoting this matter.

The next day, the once heavily guarded Imperial City of the Western Han Dynasty was now wide open. People from Chang'an, led by Quan Yi and others, poured in, knelt in front of Weiyang Palace, and begged Huan Xi to comply with public opinion.

Seeing the turbulent sentiment, Huan Xi had no choice but to agree.

When everyone saw this, they all raised their hands and cheered.

Huan Xi discussed with Wang Meng and Quan Yi overnight how to apply for titles for himself and his father Huan Wen.

In the end, it was decided that Huan Wen would be promoted to Grand Sima and he would be promoted to General.

Since the Han and Wei dynasties, sometimes the status of the Great Sima is higher than that of the General, and sometimes the status of the General is higher than that of the Great Sima, but what is certain is that both of them hold the official position of the highest military commander, holding military power, and are located in the third division, namely Above Sikong, Situ, and Sima.

Normally, not at the same time.

However, the situation of Huan Wen and Huan Xi's father and son is rather special. It would be reasonable to make an exception.

As for the title, it is not the time to call the king yet. After all, since Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Sun Quan, Sima Zhao, and Sima Yan, the signal sent by calling the king with a different surname is still too obvious. Jiankang has not yet been controlled, and the court should not be forced It's too urgent, so it's better to declare yourself public first.

The duke here is not a county duke, a county duke, or a national duke after the Northern Zhou Dynasty.

But they were princes with feudal states, such as Duke Cao Cao of Wei and Ma Zhao of Jin Dynasty.

There is no need to think too much about Huan Wen's title. He is based in Jingzhou, and there is no title more suitable for Huan Wen than Chu Gong.

Only Huan Xi's title gave Wang Meng and Quan Yi different opinions.

Quan Yi thought that since Huan Xi now occupied Guanlong, he should use Qin as the title of his feudal state and be called Duke of Qin.

Of course, Quan Yi himself was from Qinzhou, and he wanted Huan Xi to be called Duke of Qin, which was somewhat selfish.

However, Wang Meng believed that the Qin Dynasty's harsh regime was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and its reputation was too bad. It would be better to use Liang as the title of the feudal state and call him Liang Gong.

Wang Meng had two reasons. First, Liang was originally a vassal state in Guanzhong during the Spring and Autumn Period.

During the reign of King Zhou Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the king of Qin led troops and served the king and made great contributions. King Xuan of Zhou sealed the youngest son of the king of Qin who had no inheritance rights in Hexi. This is the origin of the Liang Kingdom.

This Hexi is not the current Hexi Corridor, but the land adjacent to Hedong. During the Warring States Period, the Hexi area was repeatedly fought over by Qin and Wei.

The second reason is Liangzhou. Although Huanxi's current ruling center is in Chang'an, he truly became a prince because he became the governor of Liangzhou.

It was only after leaving Liangzhou that Huan Xi was able to break away from the control of his father Huan Wen and create a business on his own.

Huan Wen's land of Longxing was naturally Jingzhou, but Huan Xi was in Liangzhou.

Therefore, in Wang Meng's opinion, Liang Gong is a more suitable title than Qin Gong.

Huan Xi pondered for a long time and finally leaned towards Wang Meng's suggestion.

After all, in the future, the Huan family will usurp the throne and proclaim themselves emperor. Whether it is naming the country Chu or Liang, it will be better than naming the country Qin.

Since ancient times, there has been no such thing as a unified dynasty with the same name.

If the country is named Qin, later generations will definitely call Huan Qin the Later Qin, and then the winning Qin will be called the Former Qin.

Huan Xi did not want to be called Later Qin. Generally speaking, Chu and Liang were more suitable.

　Next chapter by 7 p.m.

　　

　

(End of this chapter)