After traveling through time, I became Han Zhang’s grandson?

Chapter 170: Founding County Marquis

At the end of June in the seventh year of Jiayou in the Song Dynasty, the news of the peace agreement between Song and Xia spread throughout the world.

The people of the three kingdoms of Song, Liao and Xia all knew it clearly, especially the people of the Song Dynasty, who even got a glimpse of some information about the content of the peace talks in the official documents.

When the whole country learned that the Song Dynasty had recovered the northwestern cities that belonged to the Western Xia, it was filled with excitement.

Everywhere there were praises for the outstanding performance of Han Ming, the governor of Shaanxi, and his army, and of course there were also praises for Emperor Renzong.

In short, in everyone's eyes, this was the first time in a hundred years that the Song Dynasty had achieved such a glorious victory.

Defeating foreign races, recovering old territories, and expanding territory have been the dreams of all Song Dynasty soldiers and civilians since the reign of Emperor Taizong.

As a result, the Song Dynasty also launched one of the few national celebrations, and at the same time called on officials and people from all over the country to learn from Han Ming and the Western Army's fine style.

To this end, the Northern Army guarding the northern border rarely spared some troops and horses and organized a small surprise attack.

The Song cavalry fought a real battle with the Liao army, which was heading straight for the Song Dynasty. The result was unexpected. The Song cavalry actually suppressed the Liao cavalry.

This excited the whole country. Emperor Renzong also realized the potential of the Song Dynasty army and could not help but come up with a policy to promote military reform and restore the status of military generals across the country.

However, as soon as this idea emerged, it was dispelled by Emperor Renzong, who decided to postpone it for the time being.

On the other hand, Yelu Hongji and others who were slow to act were caught off guard by the sudden and resolute style of the Song Dynasty.

Not only did the Song Dynasty fail to implement perfect intervention in the Western Xia, but even the local small-scale conflicts between the Song and Liao dynasties were easily resolved by the Song Dynasty.

In just half a year, the situation changed dramatically. In the Song-Xia War, the Song Dynasty was inexplicably stunned while everyone was either confused or disdainful.

The people of the Song Dynasty were very happy after defeating unprecedented foreign enemies in two directions. Emperor Renzong, the ruler of the dynasty, was even more proud and in high spirits.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, several imperial edicts were sent to the front line, most of which were related to Han Ming.

"The imperial decree is passed on. The Shaanxi General Manager, Pacification, Transport and Recruiting Envoy, and the Commander of Yongxing Military Route, the Hanlin Academician and Acting Imperial Edict Drafter, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, the Zhongsan Doctor, Dingyuan General, and Senior Cavalry Commandant Han Ming."

"Loyal to the country, both civil and military; promote military reform, revive the military spirit; repel foreign powers, enhance national prestige; recover old territories, expand territory..."

"..."

"He is truly the Wei Huo of the Great Song Dynasty, a model for civil officials and the glory of military commanders—!"

"Hereby, Han Ming is promoted to the rank of Silver and Green Guanglu Doctor, Guide General, Guard, and Founding Marquis of Wei Commandery—!"

"Give me the name 'Anyang'—!"

“I hereby order—!”

Following the high-pitched voice of the eunuch, Han Ming and his entourage, who were on their way back and stationed in Yanzhou for rest, were all startled, and then their faces were filled with joy.

Can't believe it!

The entire army never expected that Han Ming, who was only 22 years old, would ascend to the title of marquis with his military achievements.

Unlike other civil officials in the Song Dynasty who were granted titles, Han Ming was granted a title for his military merits, so he was very likely to become a member of the class that could inherit the title.

In other words, as long as Emperor Renzong approves, Han Ming, a young man who was born as a civil official but has the path of a military general, will transform the Han family from a family of literati into a truly noble family.

At this moment, everyone looked at Han Ming with envy as he accepted the imperial edict issued by the court.

"Lord Han, this old servant is here to congratulate you."

The old eunuch saluted Han Ming with a smile on his face.

"Old angel, you are too polite. This is just a small military achievement, but you have to trouble the court to mobilize such a large army. I am unworthy of it."

Although Han Ming smiled modestly, his movements were unexpectedly quick and decisive. He took the imperial edict directly and looked at the official's praise for him over and over again.

The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict was stunned at first, and then looked at Han Ming with a helpless smile.

"Thank you for your hard work, old angel. I will have someone prepare a place for you to rest. Please!"

Han Ming's switching of self-proclaimed names is quite skillful, which makes people smile.

"Lord Han, you are too polite. I have to return to the capital to report, so I won't delay any longer."

"Also, here are the rewards for the various armies in Shaanxi Province. The emperor has ordered this old servant to deliver them to Marquis Han. Upon your return to the capital, you will have all the necessary arrangements made before returning to the capital."

The old eunuch looked at Han Ming with a smile, took out several appointment edicts from the tray behind him, and handed them over to Han Ming to handle.

Seeing this situation, Han Ming's eyes flashed with a strange look, and he couldn't help but pretend to be "very nervous" and took the imperial edict.

After bidding farewell to the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict, all the generals came forward to congratulate Han Ming.

"Sir, you are now a marquis, you must treat us to a meal!"

Zhong Yan was older than Han Ming, and was a disciple of Duke Yingguo and Duke Di Wuxiang. He and Han Ming were fellow disciples, so naturally there were no such things as to why they just came up and had a meal.

"Yes, sir, and regarding the rewards for our military achievements, you can't be partial to some and forget about us!"

Yao Si, one of the commanders of the Western Army, was just like Zhong Yan, a disrespectful person.

In addition, these Western Army generals have been with Han Ming since the beginning of the military reform, so they naturally know Han Ming's temperament.

Their relationship is no worse than that of the little guys in the Central Imperial Guard.

"Yes, General, we brothers are waiting for this military reward and are going to show off at home. You can't leave us out!"

Zhe Jishi expressed his inner thoughts in a casual manner.

This made the brothers Zhe Kerou and Zhe Kexing look at their fourth uncle, not knowing what to say, with an expression of "I don't know him".

"The kids are here, can't you be subtle?"

Zhe Jizu scolded Zhe Jishi helplessly, saying that this was obviously making a fool of himself for the younger generation.

"Well, our family doesn't follow any other rules. Now that Second Brother is in charge, we'll just compete for military merits. Whoever is more capable will be the winner!"

Zhe Jishi felt that his third brother's thoughts were somewhat like those of the literati, who were always fussing about this and that.

"you--!"

Zhe Jizu was extremely angry and was about to reach out to teach his fourth brother a lesson, but Zhe Kerou and Zhe Kexing beside him immediately reached out to grab him.

"Third Uncle! Third Uncle! Don't be angry. Fourth Uncle is just like that. There's no need to get angry at yourself."

Zhe Kerou was confused, while Han Ming was watching them as if he was watching a show.

"As for the succession of generations, I think there is nothing wrong with it. What the Song army lacks now is this kind of atmosphere. Competition and fighting with each other can promote a good atmosphere."

"I think it would be a good idea to let Jishi go forward and command the army in the four newly acquired states. This would also allow him to show off his power!"

Han Ming put his hands behind his back and looked at everyone with a chuckle.

Hearing Han Ming's joke, everyone laughed and put the matter behind them.

However, Zhe Jishi was unyielding and asked with a flattering face, "Jinglüe, is what you said true or false?"

Han Ming actually likes this kind of straightforward and rough soldier with personality.

"Really? I'll tell you the details when we return to Jingzhao Prefecture and hold the highest military meeting."

Han Ming put his hands behind his back, whistled, and entered the government office in front of everyone's astonished faces. He didn't feel at all how bad his image was.

"It seems that the strategy of being a marquis is the same as that of ordinary people."

Yao Si spoke his mind without any hesitation.

"Yeah, that's normal. This guy used to be like this, but after years of working in official circles, he's learned to play the 'smiling tiger' game."

Zhong Yan complained without any politeness, but Zhong Gu pulled him by the collar and walked out of the government office.

"It seems that Erlang still needs to understand his father's words carefully."

Everyone watched as Zhong Yan, who was already in his thirties, was carried away by Zhong Gu like a little chicken. They couldn't help but touch the back of their necks and shuddered, feeling that an older brother in a distant family seemed to be in the same situation.

"Everyone, farewell!"

Zhe Jizu immediately pulled Zhe Jishi away, because his elder brother was as ruthless as his father.

Seeing that everyone had left, Yao Si also retreated with his two sons, Yao Xiong and Yao Gu.

In the end, only four young generals, Yan Da, Wang En, Jing Yu and Yan Ming, were left looking at each other.