Great Zhou Empire: Kill Zhao Kuangyin at the beginning

Chapter 385: Han Wu Zhonggong (Special thanks to book friend Xiaoyao~Shusheng for his 2 monthly tickets!)

After receiving the report, Chai Zongxun felt regretful and immediately ordered his carriage to go to the residence of "Marquis Baoguo".

When the imperial carriage arrived at the gate of the mansion, Han Hui, the "Marquis of Pingnan" and commander of the Longxiang Army, had been waiting with everyone in the mansion for a long time.

Lady Huarui also brought her son Han Jiyu to welcome them in the team.

After seeing the ceremony, Chai Zongxun said:

"Lord Han, please take me to visit the Marquis of Baoguo."

Han Hui immediately agreed and led the way into the mansion.

After walking for about a quarter of an hour, the group arrived at the side room of the main hall in the backyard. Han Tong was lying on the bed with his eyes closed, looking emaciated.

Han Hui was about to lean over to his father Han Tong's ear to wake him up, but Chai Zongxun waved his hand to stop him.

After Chai Zongxun sat down on the bedside chair that the Han family’s housekeeper had brought, he saw Han Tong was so old and weak, and his eyes became hot, and he exclaimed:

"My dear Han, I'm here to visit you!
Are you in good health?

Chai Zongxun only shouted once, but he saw Han Tong's face tremble, his eyelids twitched a few times, and then he opened his eyes.

After a few seconds, Han Tong recognized Chai Zongxun from his scattered and focused eyes, and struggled to stand up and pay his respects to Chai Zongxun.

Chai Zongxun's tears were about to flow out of his eyes. He immediately stretched out his right hand to hold Han Tong's skinny left hand and said:

“No need to be so polite, Mr. Han.

My dear minister, you are my greatest contributor! The greatest contributor to the Great Zhou!
I haven't seen you for several months. I didn't expect that you looked so haggard.

With your physique, you should still be strong, but you must have lost an arm while trying to eliminate Zhao Ni, which is why you are so weak!"

Chai Zongxun thought about when he first came to this time and space, he was in a desperate situation where the traitor Zhao was almost ready to usurp the throne. It was only because he persuaded his mother, the Queen Mother Fu, and had the full support of Han Tong, the only capable person among all the civil and military officials in the court, that he was able to take the risk and kill the traitor Zhao and his gang in one fell swoop.

If Han Tong had not been loyal to Chai Zongxun, no matter how many brilliant ideas and strategies he had, they would not be able to be implemented.

It is no exaggeration to say that Han Tong was the greatest meritorious official of Chai Zongxun and the Great Zhou.

Han Tong said in a weak voice:
"My family has been blessed by Your Majesty's grace and honor! How dare I, an old and feeble person, trouble Your Majesty to come and visit me?"

Chai Zongxun and Han Tong chatted for a while about the past decades, especially when they talked about the thrilling execution of Zhao Ni in the Xingwu Hall, their eyes were full of brilliance.

Chai Zongxun thought back to when he first took charge of government, he was worried that Han Tong's achievements would become too great a threat to the emperor, so even though he knew Han Tong was loyal to him, he still excluded him from the Longxiang Army.

Although Han Hui was appointed as the commander of the Longxiang Army, due to his mediocre military command ability, he was placed in the second line, in charge of recruiting and training soldiers.

But is it really true that Han Hui cannot be trained?

Perhaps deep down, Chai Zongxun was afraid that despite his great achievements, the Han family, as important officials, who controlled the military power of the Longxiang Army, would be too powerful and pose a threat to his throne.

Chai Zongxun sighed:
"My dear Han, please do not blame me. When I was young, I became the emperor and took charge of government affairs, so I had to be careful in everything I did.

With all the contributions you have made for me, you should be the number one in my Great Zhou army!
I have newly established the Longxiang Army, but I did not let you lead it to fight for me in all directions. This is truly a great regret."

Han Tong was very grateful and said:

"Your Majesty is the eternal sage of China. Everything you think, do and do is carefully considered. How dare I harbor even a shred of resentment?
Moreover, I am already old, and Your Majesty has appointed my son Han Hui as the commander of the Longxiang Army and granted my Han family two hereditary titles. For such an honor, my family will be grateful for generations to come!"

Han Hui, who was standing by, also expressed his gratitude profusely.

The title system of the Zhou Dynasty inherited the Tang system, and Chai Zongxun improved it based on the historical experience of the previous life. Except for the emperor's son, who was granted the title of king, the titles of duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron were usually not hereditary. Except for a few hereditary titles granted by the emperor, the other titles were downgraded by one generation.

If the descendants do not make any more meritorious deeds to be awarded more titles, most of the titles will become commoners after a few generations.

Chai Zongxun bestowed two hereditary titles on Han Tong's family, which shows how great his favor was, no less than that of the Wei Wang family.

When Chai Zongxun thought about Madam Huarui, he couldn't help but feel even more guilty towards the Han family.

He also recalled that among the twelve mobile corps of the Longxiang Army, the commanders-in-chief of the first eight corps had been conferred the title of duke, while the commanders-in-chief of the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth corps were only conferred the title of marquis because they were established not long ago and had not participated in many battles.

Han Tong's title was only "Marquis", and Han Hui's title of "Earl" had not changed since the rebellion of Han Lingkun was suppressed in Yangzhou.

However, over the years, Han Tong's family has been loyal, respectful, diligent in their duties, and has trained elite new Longxiang troops, so their contributions are invaluable.

Most of the commanders-in-chief of the Longxiang Army had been granted the title of duke, but Han Hui, the commander-in-chief, was only an earl. At this moment, Chai Zongxun felt that he was too petty in guarding against the Han family.

Chai Zongxun hesitated for a moment and said:
"Han Aiqing's family are all loyal to the emperor and the country. For decades, they have followed my orders and no one has ever made a mistake. Their contributions are enormous!

I confer the title of "Duke Baoguo" on Han Aiqing, with a fief of 10,000 households; and "Marquis Pingnan" on Han Hui, with a fief of 6,000 households, both of which are hereditary!"

Han Tong and his son were both moved to tears, and Han Hui even performed a great ceremony to express his gratitude.

After the three of them chatted for a while, Han Tong said:

"Your Majesty, I am afraid that I can no longer serve you like a dog or a horse!
If there are things that my family has done that have not been to your Majesty's liking over the years, please forgive me."

Chai Zongxun knew that Han Tong was worried about Madam Huarui, which made him feel uncomfortable, so he immediately said:

"Lord Han is loyal to the core, and I fully understand that.

With your merits, I will make the Han family prominent in my Great Zhou!"

The last bit of worry in Han Tong's heart disappeared. He tried his best to get up and bow to Chai Zongxun to express his gratitude, but in the end he was unable to support his body.

Tears finally rolled down Han Tong's eyes and he said:

"It is my great honor to meet such a holy ruler as Your Majesty!
When I go to the underworld and see the late emperor, I can boast to him about your majesty's achievements for three days and three nights without stopping!"

Chai Zongxun had a long talk with Han Tong and his son for a long time, and only returned to the palace after having dinner at Han's house.

Two days later, on September 988, , the th year of Kaixi, Han Tong died of illness in the "Baoguogong" mansion at the age of eighty.

Chai Zongxun was deeply saddened after receiving the report from Han Hui entering the palace.

Empress Dowager Fu, Empress Fu, the Fifth Empress and others all knew that Chai Zongxun usually admired Han Tong, and they were all quite regretful.

Chai Zongxun issued an edict to bestow upon Han Tong the titles of Prince Taibao and Shang Zhuguo, and buried him with rites for a king in the suburbs of Bianjing, with his tablet enshrined in the Temple of Meritorious Officials of his father, Emperor Taizong.

After consultation with civil and military officials at court, Han Tong was posthumously named "Wu Zhong", the highest posthumous title for a military general.

A public memorial service was held in the residence of "Duke Baoguo" for one month, and the subjects of the Great Zhou were allowed to go there to pay homage.

Han Hui inherited the title of "Duke of Baoguo", and his second son Han Che inherited the title of "Marquis of Pingnan", and his eldest son Han Liang will inherit the title of "Duke of Baoguo" in the future.

After receiving the imperial edict, Han Hui proposed to Chai Zongxun that Han Jiyu should inherit the title of "Duke of Baoguo". However, Chai Zongxun had his own plans and did not agree.

(End of this chapter)