Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Chapter 1322 Meeting the Official, Level 3

What should we reward Shen Qing with?

The emperor was in a dilemma.

Gold and silver treasures?

Appreciation is acceptable, but it shouldn't be limited to just these things; that would be too one-sided and superficial.

Promotion?

That's possible, but it's still somewhat one-sided.

Mansion?

Shen Qing has it; it's the gift he gave her the time before last.

Farmland?

Shen Qing also has one; it was a gift he gave him the time before last.

this......

After a moment's thought, the emperor asked his officials for their opinions: "What do you all think I should do to reward Minister Shen this time?"

The officials looked at each other, not daring to answer.

To put it bluntly, I'm afraid of offending some official who doesn't like Lord Shen.

If we say it's a small matter, we might offend the emperor.

"Your Majesty, we will obey." The officials then tossed the sweet potato back into the emperor's hands.

The emperor's gaze fell on Yu Zhengqing, and suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him.

"Are you sure you'll listen to me?"

The officials were momentarily speechless.

The Emperor's words clearly indicated that he intended to reward Lord Shen handsomely, but was deliberately setting a trap for them.

But Lord Shen's achievements cannot be faked, and this time... even if His Majesty bestows a great reward, they will accept it.

"We have absolutely no objection!" the officials shouted in unison.

They speculated that Lord Shen was very likely to be promoted again, and as for his official rank, it would definitely be the third rank. There was a fixed position for the third rank, and there were no vacancies at the moment. The emperor couldn't just pull someone down temporarily and replace Lord Shen, could he?

Although they knew that the Emperor greatly appreciated Lord Shen, they also believed that the Emperor would not do such a "heartless and insane" thing.

Currently, there are only a few vacant honorary positions of the third rank in the imperial court—Grand Master of Ceremonies, Grand Master of the Palace, Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, and Grand Master of Works...

The officials whispered amongst themselves: "Grand Master of Ceremonies, perhaps? Sounds prestigious, and it's a respectable but leisurely position. Even if Lord Shen isn't in the capital, he could handle it..."

"A traditional Chinese medicine doctor would also work; all you need to do is interact with veterans and offer condolences during holidays..."

"The title 'Crown Prince's Assistant' sounds better, after all, the Crown Prince is the future..."

"...Nonsense! Look! The Crown Prince hasn't even been appointed yet, and the Crown Prince's Assistant has already been decided? That's against etiquette!"

"Hey, keep your voice down! Although His Majesty hasn't officially appointed a crown prince yet, isn't the selection a done deal...?"

"His Majesty has not yet issued a decree, so we must not object!"

"Hey, what are you saying? We're just discussing promoting Lord Shen, how is that objectionable!"

"It's clearly you..."

Inside the hall, the arguments among the officials grew louder and louder.

Just as Eunuch Hong was about to ask them to lower their voices, the Emperor suddenly spoke: "I wish..."

The discussion abruptly ceased, and all the officials turned to look at the emperor.

The Emperor laughed and said, "Minister Shen is already the number one female official in my Great Zhou Dynasty, and today, I want her to be number one again."

"To be first again?" The officials were puzzled. "Lady Shen is already the first female official. How can she be first again? We can't just resign from her post..."

The emperor lightly tapped the arm of his chair with his fingertip, then turned to ask Eunuch Hong, "In our Great Zhou, is there any precedent for granting a title to a woman?"

Hong Gonggong was suddenly stunned.

The officials gasped in astonishment: "A title?! Lady Shen is a woman, how could she possibly be granted a title?!"

"This is against etiquette! Neither our dynasty nor the previous one has ever granted a title to a woman!"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Please promote Lord Shen instead. This title... is really not a good idea!"

"Not good?!" Before the emperor could speak, Lu Botang couldn't help but retort loudly, "What's wrong with it? Just because your achievements are mediocre and you have no noble titles, you can't stand to see Lord Shen being granted a title?!"

"How could this be!" Several officials retorted in unison, "General Lu, His Majesty promoted Lord Shen, and we have no objection. But as for bestowing a title... how are we supposed to answer to the late Emperor after we've passed away?"

Upon hearing them invoke the late emperor, Lu Botang spat and said, "Who do you think you are? It's none of your business to answer questions about the late emperor! His Majesty will offer incense to the late emperor himself!"

"You, you...!" The men were so angry that their faces turned red.

A barbarian is a barbarian, utterly lacking in manners!

"Furthermore!" Lu Botang continued, "Lord Shen's efforts in eradicating the locusts not only protected several prefectures in the northeast of Yanzhou, but also safeguarded the hopes of our Great Zhou for next year. Such a great achievement can be called 'protecting the nation'! If the merit of protecting the nation is not worthy of being granted a title, then we would truly have no face to answer to the late Emperor!"

Lu Botang's words, "Learn from the barbarians' superior techniques to control them," earned the emperor's admiration.

Lu Botang, that brute, has suddenly become quite intelligent.

"Minister Lu's words are reasonable." The Emperor nodded in agreement: "On the day the women's imperial examination was opened, I told all of you that in our Great Zhou, regardless of gender, those who are capable can be promoted and given titles. Have you all forgotten?"

All the officials were speechless.

Of course they haven't forgotten!

But "being promoted" and "being granted a title" are two completely different things!

Who in this world doesn't know the principle that rank is more prestigious than official position?

Anyone with a noble title was considered to be of "the third rank" in the eyes of officials.

Even if His Majesty doesn't grant Lord Shen a higher rank this time, but only a higher title, from now on, all the court officials, including the ministers of the six ministries and even Prime Minister Cui, will have to bow to Lord Shen upon seeing him...

How could they possibly accept this?!

"Your Majesty..." Guo Bizheng stepped forward, forcing a smile, "This is indeed against etiquette. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider..."

"Not in accordance with etiquette?" The emperor waved his hand. "Go, fetch the law book and show it to me in front of me. I want to see which rule of etiquette this behavior violates."

Guo Bizheng was speechless. The emperor then said, "If there is indeed a rule in the rites and laws that states that women cannot be granted titles, then I, as the emperor, will change it!"

Guo Bizheng was suddenly startled.

Imperial majesty, imperial majesty...

He almost forgot that the person sitting high before him was the emperor, the ruler of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Changing the rules of etiquette and laws is something that seems impossible for ordinary people, but for emperors, it's just a matter of a single word...

"minister......"

Guo Bizheng had just opened his mouth when the emperor interrupted him without hesitation: "Alright, my mind is made up."

The officials had various expressions, with the majority expressing dissatisfaction. Only Yu Zhengqing, Lu Botang, General Lin, and Yue Zhenchuan had smiles on their faces.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Lu Botang bowed and asked curiously, "Your Majesty, what title would you like to bestow upon Lord Shen?"

Although titles of nobility are not official ranks, they still vary in rank.

The highest rank is "Super Duke," which is only after the royal princes. When attending court, they can stand at the very front of all officials and directly participate in core government affairs.

The second rank was "Marquis" and "Earl". These two ranks were not much different, and both were divided into super-rank, first-rank, second-rank, and third-rank. They were three ranks higher than the officials they met and had considerable influence in the court.

Next came the "Viscount" and "Baron," but compared to the previous three titles, their actual power was much less, and they were mostly honorary titles, commonly known as "hung titles."

The emperor already had the answer in his heart, but he still pretended to say, "In terms of official rank, a viscount, a baron, and the assistant minister of the six ministries are all of equal rank. I think it is not suitable for Minister Shen, and it would make my reward seem insincere."

The officials: "......"

If you want to be granted a marquisate or an earl, just say so.