Chapter 28: The First Imperial Edict

The sound of galloping hooves echoed through the dawn-lit east, shattering the pre-dawn silence as a flurry of urgent hoofbeats rang out from the Vermilion Bird Avenue. The hurried clatter halted before the gates of the Celestial Strategy Manor.

"Imperial edict!"

A plump eunuch with a beaming face appeared at the entrance.

"The emperor's decree! Surely it's a reward from the court for the Marquis—after this northern campaign, our Celestial Strategy Manor will once more be honored!"

"The Marquis already stands among the highest of the realm's ministers; I wonder how His Majesty will reward him this time!"

"Indeed, in the Great Tang army, the title of Martial Marquis is the highest honor. Yet after the Marquis's great deeds on the northern frontier, could it be that His Majesty will elevate him to a prince?"

Within the council hall, the generals were preparing to discuss the aftermath of the northern campaign when the imperial edict arrived.

Everyone's faces broke into smiles. Though they did not yet know the specifics of the reward, it was beyond doubt that the imperial favor would be lavish.

"Come, let us all go to receive it!"

Watching the delighted faces around him, the Marquis of Martial Valor frowned slightly, as if troubled by some unspoken concern.

At the gates, the Marquis and his retinue met the imperial envoys—three in number, their expressions solemn. They stepped into the manor but showed no intention of venturing further inside.

"Lord Marquis of Martial Valor, I trust you have been well?" the lead official, rigid in demeanor, spoke before anyone from the manor could approach.

At the sound of his voice, a faint frown creased every brow; this was not the celebratory atmosphere they had expected. Still, no one dwelled on it for long.

"Prime Minister of the Left," the Marquis replied coldly, recognizing the speaker.

The Great Tang had two prime ministers: the renowned Prime Minister of the Right, Zhang Jiuling, whose storied life was marked by adversity and reform. He had weathered many storms, championed new policies, and led the empire into its most glorious era during the Kaiyuan reign. Two centuries earlier, during a palace coup that threatened the empire's survival, he alone had championed the current emperor, leading to the unprecedented strength of the present dynasty. His disciples and old friends were scattered throughout the realm, and he was revered by all scholars.

The other was the Prime Minister of the Right, Li Linfu.

Had the Marquis not learned the truth about Li Linfu by chance, he too might have been fooled by the man's reputation and amiable smile, just as the other ministers and generals were. But after a recent meeting with the head of the Imperial Clan Court, he realized that behind Li Linfu's genial facade lurked a man who would devour his rivals, leaving not even their bones.

Clad in a crimson official robe, Li Linfu stood before them, with a rotund eunuch at his side.

At the sight of the eunuch, the Marquis's heart gave a sudden jolt. Just then, Li Linfu spoke in his rich, mellow voice:

"Eunuch Gao, you may proceed—read the imperial decree!"

"Yes, Prime Minister."

A shrill, duck-like voice resounded, and the words "Eunuch Gao" made the hearts of three Celestial Strategy generals skip a beat. The court eunuchs' ranks were strictly regulated, and those who read imperial edicts were of special status, representing the emperor himself.

This Eunuch Gao had served the emperor for a century and was so favored that even the highest ministers dared not slight him, despite his low official rank.

In that instant, Xu Changhai and the Marquis exchanged a glance, both frowning slightly. But before they could communicate further, Eunuch Gao stepped forward, holding a horsetail whisk in one hand and the imperial edict in the other.

"All members of the Celestial Strategy Manor, approach and listen to the decree!"

His expression grave, eyes bright, Eunuch Gao called out.

Immediately, everyone in the vicinity knelt.

With a flourish, Eunuch Gao unfurled the imperial edict, raised it high, and began to read:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:

The Marquis of Martial Valor, Li Cheng'en, leading the Celestial Strategy Army, has driven out the Rong and Di tribes, secured the Anbei Protectorate, and rendered great service to the nation. At the Battle of Yongguan, he slew seventy thousand enemy troops and several of their generals, bringing glory to the Great Tang.

By imperial command, with consultation from the Six Ministries and the Three Excellencies, it is hereby decreed: The Marquis of Martial Valor is henceforth elevated to Prince Martial! He is granted a princely residence in the Eastern Capital, and this shall be proclaimed to all under heaven!"

A single stone cast into the water, stirring a thousand waves—at these words, the crowd erupted. Even the Marquis, though prepared for high honors, was moved. Xu Changhai, the General of Loyal Might, and Chu Tiannan, the General of Valiant Prestige, could not conceal their shock.

Prince Martial.

Of the four great martial marquises of the Tang, the original titles were Divine, Sacred, Loyal, and Brave, with Divine as the highest. In this generation, however, the title of Divine Martial Marquis had been changed to Marquis of Martial Valor. In court, the word "Emperor" was reserved for the sovereign alone; to bear it in a title was unprecedented.

When the Marquis was first granted such an exalted title, the entire court was shaken, and even some within the royal family had opposed it—despite the Marquis's imperial blood.

"Prince Martial!" Xu Changhai murmured, so stunned by the imperial favor that he was left speechless. To be made a prince was an entirely different matter from being a marquis; a prince was granted his own fief, with all its attendant revenues and privileges. The taxes from his lands would belong to him alone, not the court, and he could appoint his own officials without imperial approval.

No one had anticipated that His Majesty would be so generous as to create the Marquis a prince—this reward exceeded all expectations.

"A prince—he's actually made him a prince! The court has truly made the Marquis a prince!"

"Ha! Wonderful!"

The Marquis's followers lifted their heads, their eyes shining with excitement. To be named a prince, higher even than a duke—this was something beyond their wildest dreams. They had thought that, for all his achievements, the Marquis might at most be granted a dukedom. Never had they imagined the emperor would leap straight to a princely title.

The commanders kneeling around the Marquis were visibly moved, rejoicing in his honor.

For a century, the Marquis had led the army in campaigns, yet for much of that time, the emperor's wariness had kept him close to the capital. Had it not been for the emergency at the Anbei Protectorate and the inability of the Divine Strategy Army to deal with the barbarians, the Crown Prince would never have dispatched him to the front. Who could have foreseen that his victories would earn him a princely title? Could this mean the emperor intended to restore him to favor?

But at that moment, the only one who remained calm was the Marquis himself.

His gaze swept over Eunuch Gao, the smiling Li Linfu, and the Ministry of Rites official beside them—none looked as though they truly wished to offer congratulations.

Moreover, it seemed the imperial edict was not yet fully read.

Sure enough, Eunuch Gao's voice rang out again:

"Furthermore, His Majesty, recognizing Prince Martial's unrivaled command, hereby orders: Prince Martial is to assume leadership of the Ministry of War, to reform and strengthen the imperial armies, forging an invincible Great Tang force. Jiang Moyuan is appointed General Pacifier of the Rong, Li Fu is named Deputy Master of the Celestial Strategy Manor, and Xu Changhai is to temporarily command its four divisions..."

At these words, everyone was struck dumb. Xu Changhai, Chu Tiannan, Yang Ning, Jiang Moyuan, Li Fu—all wore expressions of utter shock.

"To lead the Ministry of War? Why the Ministry of War?"

"How can this be? What is happening?"

"A prince heading the Ministry of War—the ministry is but a minor post, does it require a prince to preside?"

In an instant, the entrance to the Celestial Strategy Manor was in an uproar.