Chapter 16: Reduction of Rewards

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Shi Wushuang felt proud inside but showed a very concerned demeanor.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, please calm your anger. Don’t let such a trivial matter affect the bond between brothers.”
“Hmph, you don’t need to speak on his behalf! After committing so many disgraceful acts that bring shame to the royal family, as the Crown Prince, I cannot ignore it.”
“His Majesty has arrived!” a eunuch shouted sharply.
The Crown Prince had no time to continue his anger.
He hurriedly composed himself and stood properly to the side.
Li Xuantian’s imperial carriage came to a stop ahead.
His gaze was like a sword, sweeping across everyone present.
All bowed respectfully, heads lowered, not daring to meet the emperor’s eyes.
Together they called out, “Welcome His Majesty!”
“Rise, ministers,” the emperor commanded.
Only then did everyone stand straight, focusing intently on the emperor’s words.
Li Xuantian said, “This time, the decisive victory over the barbarian tribes and the relief of the border crisis could not have been achieved without the bloodshed and valor of our Great Yuan soldiers.
Especially Qin Qingxue, though a woman, she was not at all inferior to men.
She is hereby granted the title of General Changying, a fourth-rank military official! Additionally, she is awarded ten thousand taels of silver.”
“Shi Wushuang, as the lead disciple of Yunlu Pavilion, assisted the army in battle.
He is granted the rank of fourth-rank councilor! Also rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver.
Other military officers and soldiers will all be promoted one rank and rewarded according to their merits.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
The soldiers were ecstatic, their voices roaring like thunder, piercing the sky.
Qin Qingxue frowned, deeply dissatisfied with the emperor’s reward.
It fell far short of her expectations.
Given her contributions, she should have been promoted to at least a third-rank official, and the silver reward was much less than expected.
She had anticipated at least thirty thousand taels of silver, perhaps even permission to establish a personal office and receive a residence as a gift.
The reward given was far too meager.
Yet, Qin Qingxue did not dare to openly question the emperor; she could only brood silently.
“Could it be that His Majesty resents me for abandoning the Sixth Prince, deliberately suppressing me this way?”
“Damn it. I had thought His Majesty would reward and punish fairly, but it turns out he is just as protective of his favorites.”
Li Xuantian’s gaze remained fixed on Qin Qingxue.
He clearly noticed the changes in her expression.
Li Xuantian spoke, “General Changying, are you dissatisfied with my reward?”
“I dare not!” Qin Qingxue’s heart jolted; she hurriedly replied.
The emperor’s aura was overwhelmingly powerful.

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Qin Qingxue felt as if she had been completely seen through.
Li Xuantian said, “You did well to repel the barbarians, but the number of enemy casualties was too low.
The barbarian forces have not suffered significant damage.
Therefore, I confer upon you only a fourth-rank official post, not a noble title.
Next time you lead troops and annihilate the barbarian army, I will surely grant you double the reward.”
Li Xuantian’s words were reasoned and direct.
He pointed out the flaws in this victory.
What use is it to defeat the enemy if they soon regroup and return?
It only brings temporary peace.
This was a clever excuse to cover up the fact that most of the rewards had been withdrawn.
Though Qin Qingxue and Shi Wushuang were somewhat displeased in their hearts, they could only accept it.
“Your servant thanks Your Majesty. Next time I lead the army, I will surely annihilate the barbarian forces.”
Qin Qingxue saluted with determination and declared firmly.
Li Xuantian said calmly, “It is best you think that way! The barbarians pose too great a threat to our Great Yuan Dynasty.
They must be completely eradicated.
You will not be assigned any tasks in the coming days.
Use this time to review the lessons from the last battle and find ways to defeat the enemy.”
“Your servant obeys!”
Qin Qingxue thought she would surely lead troops again next time and that the emperor had great expectations of her.
Her displeasure melted away.
But some ministers began to sense something was amiss.
First, the rewards were far less than anticipated.
If the emperor truly intended to rely on Qin Qingxue, he would surely have her continue leading the troops and training them diligently every day.
How could he simply let her idle at home, pondering strategies?
Yet most officials did not discern Li Xuantian’s true intentions.
The more astute ones noticed that the Sixth Prince, Li Ye, did not seem as neglected by the emperor as outsiders thought.
His son suffered losses, his woman was taken by another.
This had enraged the emperor greatly.
This indicated that Li Ye’s standing in the emperor’s heart was not low.
Even the victorious general who had just returned was being suppressed.
The highest-ranking disciple of Yunlu Pavilion was not given any consideration.
These officials resolved to curry favor with Li Ye henceforth.
Perhaps this was a secret line the emperor had planted.
After all, the mind of the ruler is hard to fathom; those seemingly favored on the surface may never ascend the throne.
Those like Li Ye, who seemed invisible, might instead be key protégés.
This was merely for better protection.

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After rewarding the army, Li Xuantian made no mention of Li Ye, as if forgetting him entirely.
Once the ceremony ended, Li Xuantian immediately departed.
The Crown Prince Li Zheng showed an expression of righteous indignation, very dissatisfied with the rewards.
“Father’s rewards this time are too unfair to you all! We clearly won a great victory, so logically the rewards should be more generous.
It truly surprises me.
Qin General and Young Master Wushuang have been wronged.”
Shi Wushuang was also puzzled but did not show it.
He maintained his usual composure and grace, smiling as usual and said, “I believe His Majesty’s words are very reasonable.
This is also to motivate us to work harder.
We cannot let a single victory cloud our judgment.
I trust that the next time we lead troops and utterly destroy the barbarian army, His Majesty will reward us doubly.”
The Crown Prince Li Zheng was very pleased with Shi Wushuang’s attitude.
“Rest assured! If Father’s rewards are too scant next time, I will certainly petition on your behalf to seek justice.”
“Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince! Wushuang is deeply grateful!” Shi Wushuang cupped his fist and bowed.
“Hahaha, we are no longer strangers, why so formal?
Since you stand with me, naturally I will look out for you more.”
Li Ye did not linger and left immediately with his men.
After these days of rigorous training, Li Ye had mastered a secret technique.
He was still somewhat unpracticed and needed more training.
Li Xuantian returned to the imperial study, listening to the chief eunuch’s report.
His face grew even darker.
“The Crown Prince is making every effort to win over Shi Wushuang, and it seems very successful.
Both Shi Wushuang and Qin Qingxue have already aligned with the Crown Prince.
They are getting along very well...”
“Hmph, that fool!”
Li Xuantian slammed the table.
The chief eunuch bowed deeply, not daring to utter a word.
“The Crown Prince of the great Great Yuan Dynasty actually goes to curry favor with disciples of Yunlu Pavilion.
He even suppresses his own brothers to please them.
Have all my teachings been wasted on him like water on a dog?”
“What is Yunlu Pavilion? It is but a folk sect.
No matter how renowned they are, they have no right to touch imperial authority.”
“This is truly disappointing! Li Ye’s conduct is commendable; he never panders to Yunlu Pavilion disciples.”