readytorunbook Chapter 560: Generous Rewards
Chapter 560: Generous Rewards
This proclamation was written by Zhuge Liang himself, and it clearly outlined the functions of the Three Departments, Six Ministries, One Platform, Nine Temples, and Five Directorates in the most concise language.
More importantly, this official system is not much different from the official system currently in effect in the Han Dynasty. The so-called Six Ministries are just the Six Offices currently in effect, only with their functions made more explicit and formalized.
If the changes are minor, the officials will easily understand them, and if they understand them, they will easily accept them. Zhang Zhao, who had been invited by Zhuge Liang to participate in the discussion on the official system, immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I second this proposal. This system of official positions is more reasonable and the functions are more clearly defined. It can be implemented."
The other officials had no objections and readily agreed. To them, it was just a change in the title of an official position, nothing unacceptable.
Liu Bei nodded in satisfaction and said, "Since all my beloved ministers have no objections, let's proceed accordingly. Strategist, read out the edict of conferment and rewards."
"Yes..." Zhuge Liang stepped onto the high platform, took the imperial edict from Chen Dao's hands, and called out loudly, "General of Chariots and Cavalry, Guan Yu..."
He read a long, rambling monologue before finally revealing the information that everyone was most interested in.
"Guan Yu was enfeoffed as Duke of Chu and appointed as Grand General."
Upon hearing this, everyone instinctively looked at Guan Yu, their eyes filled with nothing but envy. This reward was well-deserved. After all, Guan Yu was a man who had been defeated at Maicheng, lost Jingzhou, and then fought back to reclaim Jiangdong and Jingzhou. If word of this got out, who wouldn't admire him? Who else but him should be made Duke of Chu and appointed Grand General?
Guan Yu himself was so excited he didn't know what to do. Being granted the title of Duke was fine, but being appointed as a Grand General...
It should be noted that the Grand General is the number one person in the Han army, with a status higher than the Prime Minister. He is second only to the Prime Minister and above all others. Who among those who can serve as Grand General is not a dragon among men? Leaving aside the sages like Han Xin, Wei Qing, and Huo Guang, let's just talk about the most recent one: Yuan Shao was the last Grand General.
Now that Guan Yu had become a great general, Guan Yu was somewhat dazed.
It seems unreal that a small vendor selling red dates and mung beans could become a general second only to the emperor.
Therefore, Guan Yu was stunned for a long time before stepping forward and bowing, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhuge Liang continued reading: "Sun Quan is hereby granted the title of Duke of Qi and appointed Minister of Works."
Given Sun Quan's status, it wouldn't be right not to grant him the title of Duke. Although he was granted the title of Duke and the title of Grand Minister of State, he wasn't given a specific official position and was allowed to continue to retire at home.
Sun Quan had anticipated this, and stepped forward to bow, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhuge Liang continued, "Zhang Fei is hereby granted the title of Duke of Lu and appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry. Ma Chao is hereby granted the title of Duke of Shu and will continue to serve as General of the Flying Cavalry."
After so many days, Fei Yi had returned from Liangzhou and reported the whereabouts of Ma Chao and Ma Su. Upon learning that Ma Chao had kidnapped Ma Su to attack the Western Regions, Liu Bei did not pursue the matter further, nor could he. After all, they had already left Yumen Pass, so where could he possibly investigate?
"Zhuge Liang was enfeoffed as Duke of Wu and appointed as Chancellor and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Mi Zhu was enfeoffed as Duke of Yue and Minister of Revenue. Jian Yong was enfeoffed as Duke of Yan and Minister of Rites. Sun Qian was enfeoffed as Duke of Liang and Zhao Yun as Duke of Zheng."
Liu Bei bestowed the title of Duke upon nine people in one go. Apart from Sun Quan and Ma Chao, two powerful warlords, and Zhuge Liang, the chief strategist who joined the party later but made great contributions, the rest were all old brothers who had followed him from the Central Plains and never abandoned him.
Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, and Sun Qian were all true early adopters, following Liu Bei faithfully when he was at his lowest point. Now that Liu Bei has ascended the throne, he naturally wants to take good care of these old brothers.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, there will likely be no new dukes for a long time to come. After all, Liu Bei has already established himself as emperor and no longer needs anyone to help him in his time of need. It is unlikely that he will be able to achieve any merit that would earn him a dukedom.
After reading out the investiture of the nine dukes, Zhuge Liang got too lazy to read it aloud and simply unfolded the edict for everyone to see for themselves.
As soon as the imperial edict was unfurled, nearby officials swarmed around it.
These shrewd old fellows didn't look at the titles; instead, they all focused their attention on the appointments of officials from the Three Provinces and Six Ministries.
Nobility titles are merely privileges; official positions are the fundamental interests. Whoever holds these powerful official positions will have the power to influence the court's decision-making. Therefore, the first thing to look at is the Three Provinces.
The three provinces are the Central Secretariat, which participates in the deliberation and decision-making of major court affairs and drafts imperial edicts, thus holding decision-making power.
The Secretariat was responsible for reviewing and rejecting the decision of the Chancellery.
The Ministry of Personnel (尚书省) oversees the Six Ministries and is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Secretariat (中书省).
The functions of the Six Ministries are clearly defined, and the imperial edict regarding the appointments of the Three Departments and the Six Ministries is as follows:
The Grand Secretary of the Secretariat: Zhang Zhao.
Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Secretariat: Shi Xie.
Minister of the Ministry of Personnel: Zhuge Liang.
In theory, Zhuge Liang, who was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, only had executive power and no decision-making power. However, since Liu Bei appointed Zhuge Liang as prime minister, he did have decision-making power. Therefore, Zhuge Liang actually controlled both the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Works, and his status and power were far above Zhang Zhao's.
As for Xu Jing, who was appointed as Minister of Works after Liu Bei ascended the throne, he was only granted the title of Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, which can be considered as marginalization.
To Liu Bei, Xu Jing was a guy with a reputation but no achievements, who only knew how to freeload. Historically, the reason why Xu Jing was appointed as Minister of Works was to take advantage of his reputation, but now Liu Bei didn't need it anymore. Shi Xie's reputation was much more useful than his, so the position of Minister of Works that originally belonged to Xu Jing was given to Shi Xie. Shi Xie served as Minister of Works and concurrently as Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Secretariat.
There was no objection to the appointment of the heads of the three provinces, so let's continue.
Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate: Sun Shao.
Minister of Personnel: Liu Ba
Minister of Revenue: Mi Zhu
Minister of War: Ma Liang
Minister of Justice: Bu Zhi
Minister of Rites: Jian Yong
Minister of Works: Zhuge Jin
Governor of Liangzhou: Huang Quan
Governor of Yizhou: Li Yan
Governor of Jingzhou: Lü Dai
Prefect of Yangzhou: Wang Fu
Governor of Jiaozhou: He Qi
All of the above-mentioned individuals were granted the title of Marquis, including people from both the Shu Han and Eastern Wu dynasties. The former subordinates of Eastern Wu had no objections to this.
Next came the bestowal of titles upon the military officers: Wei Yan was appointed General of the Vanguard, Lu Xun General of the Rear, and Zhao Yun General of the Left.
The four generals, front, back, left, and right, are second only to the Three Dukes General. Guan Yu, during his time guarding Jingzhou, only served as the Front General.
Below the Four Generals are the Four Garrison Generals: General Huang Quan, General Guan Ping, and General He Qi, who are in charge of the North, the West, and the South.
There were also a group of junior generals. Zhang Bao was appointed as Tiger Might General and Grand Master of the Crown Prince's Palace, Jiang Wei was appointed as General Who Subdues Rebels and Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, and Xia Tong was appointed as Iron Shield General and Central Shield of the Crown Prince. All of them were officials of the Eastern Palace under Crown Prince Liu Shan.
Everyone was on the list except for two people: Liu Feng and Guan Xing, which aroused everyone's curiosity.
These two men were exceptionally special. One was Liu Bei's adopted son, and the other was a young hero who turned the tide and whose achievements rivaled those of Huo Qubing. The rewards bestowed upon them would have been enough to exhaust Liu Bei's brain cells.
Zhuge Liang noticed everyone's curiosity, put away the imperial edict, took out a separate edict and read aloud: "My eldest son, Liu Feng, has made outstanding contributions in the battles I have fought for in all directions. He is hereby enfeoffed as the King of Zhao, with a rank equivalent to eight thousand shi (a unit of grain).
Upon hearing this, the officials all nodded and smiled. This was more in line with their opinion. Liu Feng was, after all, Liu Bei's eldest son. If he wasn't to be made crown prince, he should at least be made a king.
Zhuge Liang continued reading: "Liu Yong is hereby enfeoffed as the King of Zhongshan, and Liu Li is hereby enfeoffed as the King of Changshan."
Liu Yong and Liu Li were the sons of Liu Bei and Lady Wu, both of whom were minors.
Finally, Zhuge Liang took out another imperial edict and read it aloud in an unprecedentedly solemn tone: "My nephew Guan Xing turned the tide in the Battle of Maicheng and made outstanding contributions. He is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Shence, with a rank equivalent to five thousand shi, and appointed as General Who Guards the East and concurrently as Attendant to the Crown Prince."