King of Creation Chapter 1667: 1652: Bestowal of Rewards

“My ministers, behold! What sort of desolate place was North Sea County? Just three years back, its military funds drew support from Luoyi, yet today?

In under four years, North Sea County has risen to become a premier Upper County!”

Suddenly, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long rose from behind the imperial desk, gesturing grandly as he bellowed, “Outstanding feat!

This merits grand recognition!

I shall bestow lavish rewards upon Minister Ye!”

“For merits of this magnitude, withholding rewards would unsettle my spirit. Thus, I decree to advance Minister Ye’s title from third-class Earl of North Sea to the next level, second-class North Sea…”

At that instant, Chief Eunuch Yu Chao’en gave a subtle cough and murmured, “Your Majesty, per ancestral regulations, titles demand military exploits for granting or elevation.”

Though soft, Yu Chao’en’s words echoed clearly to every courtier in the hall.

Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long paused briefly, as did the assembled civil and military officials. Those from Qintian Temple, gearing up against Ming Tang, Ji Yuan, Baili Fei, and Ye Zhen’s allies, cursed silently within.

Intentional!

Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long was surely acting on purpose!

Even the lowliest baron title needs an edict; how could Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long overlook Great Zhou’s law barring title grants without battle achievements?

This was plainly a performance aimed at them.

Yet the galling truth was their powerlessness to intervene, bound by imperial authority.

“Er….” Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long appeared to reflect briefly, “Ah yes, a slip in my thoughts, neglecting ancestral rules. Still, such feats demand substantial honors. My officials, deliberate on fitting rewards for Minister Ye that won’t dismay our deserving contributors?”

Hearing this, courtiers seethed inwardly, holding their tongues lest they discourage the faithful, save for a handful of dynasty veterans.

Unseen by most, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s eyes flicked toward Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu.

Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu’s gaze shifted; then he advanced and declared, “Your Majesty, Minister Ye’s prior report covered but one duty.

Beyond third-class Earl of North Sea, he serves as West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy. Perhaps hear his full account in that capacity, assess his deeds, and determine rewards thereafter?” Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu proposed.

“Well said!”

Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long gestured and reclaimed his throne, “Minister Ye, proceed!”

“As decreed!”

This exchange left Ye Zhen inwardly astonished and deeply admiring.

He’d merely aimed to deliver his report, beginning with verifiable accomplishments.

Yet Great Zhou’s sovereign and officials synced flawlessly, as if scripted in advance.

The flow was impeccably precise; Ye Zhen could scarcely credit it wasn’t rehearsed—it was utterly masterful. From his entrance, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long had orchestrated every beat.

Indeed, ascending to Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s throne demanded far more than simple wits.

“To Your Majesty: Upon assuming West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy, I’ve toiled ceaselessly. Over nearly four years, I’ve slain three hundred ten Demon Clan spies and seized twenty-three Demon Clan scouts alive.

Five times, I’ve uncovered Demon Clan elite squads beforehand, furnishing the Heavenly Patrol Department with precise location intel.”

“Across four years, I’ve thwarted twelve Demon Clan raids on border folk, saving over forty thousand Great Zhou subjects….”

“In four years, I’ve captured Water Clan operatives….”

As Ye Zhen enumerated his feats, Prince Li Ji Yuan and companions marveled silently—this pattern recurred.

This masterful cadence proved irresistible!

The three Heavenly Temple Hall Masters—Baili Fei, Mu Xu, and Zhen Yan—wore grim expressions. They foresaw the fallout if this tempo persisted.

Yet halting it lay beyond their grasp. Swallowing bitterness and frustration, they endured the recital!

Following this, Ye Zhen presented the Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy’s report jade scroll routinely, whereupon Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long commanded its circulation among all officials, including Heavenly Temple members.

Yu Chao’en delivered it to them himself, patently aiming to irk!

Behold, my ministers, behold! Within merely four years, Minister Ye transformed the West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy from scratch into a thriving force of excellence, achieving remarkable accomplishments!

Event after event, one by one—witness it all yourselves!” Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long bellowed.

A twinge of discomfort stirred in Ye Zhen; the momentum had escalated far too grandly. Should it persist, resentment from every civil and military official would pile onto him.

“Your Majesty, these humble accomplishments of mine pale in comparison, owing solely to Your Majesty’s immense grace and the backing of Lord Patrol!” Ye Zhen responded.

In truth, Ye Zhen had truly advanced North Sea County’s progress, yet the Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy’s performance remained quite average.

What set it apart was Ye Zhen’s reporting style. Unlike others who skimmed details, Ye Zhen cataloged even the smallest incidents, lending an air of distinction.

Yet Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long insisted on upholding this fervor, casting a look toward West Patrol Xio Qiangu.

“Truly, Minister Ye excelled as Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy, bolstered by Minister Xio’s generous aid! Minister Xio merits recognition as well!

Proclaim the edict: Minister Xio is honored for guidance and reconstruction of the West Patrol Second Road, receiving a Purple Fish Bag, ten jars of Imperial Wine, a pair of Golden Pearl Ruyi, and a hundred piculs of Imperial Field Immortal Rice!”

With Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s commands echoing, West Patrol Xio Qiangu stood frozen in shock.

Damn, why did this momentum shift onto him now?

The true contributors remain unrewarded, yet they begin with an outsider like himself?

Providing aid to Ye Zhen?

Such a justification—no ghost would buy it. It’s fortunate he hasn’t sabotaged Ye Zhen already.

Still, the Emperor’s sacred decree and commanding proclamation, tied directly to his responsibilities, left no escape.

West Patrol Envoy Xio Qiangu had no choice but to grudgingly accept the prizes, no matter how trivial they seemed to him.

Resigned, he advanced, cried out Long Live, and voiced thanks for the honors.

Even more infuriating and disheartening for Xio Qiangu was how this compelled reward now bound him as Ye Zhen’s overseer.

In key scenarios, their fates would entwine as one.

For example, should Ye Zhen be deemed guilty of exceeding bounds, the Emperor could target Xio Qiangu initially prior to addressing Ye Zhen.

Dividing culpability across two figures lightens the load considerably.

Furthermore, should Xio Qiangu later claim Ye Zhen never fell under his authority, disbelief would greet him, considering Ye Zhen’s feats and the bestowed rewards.

Frankly, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s award—flashy yet lacking depth—grated on Xio Qiangu, who wanted no part of it.

However, with the decree proclaimed and the Emperor’s word final, how could he utter a single protest?

Put simply, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long had effortlessly woven a trap, positioning Xio Qiangu as Ye Zhen’s fall guy.

“Proclaim my edict: Ye Zhen, Earl of North Sea and West Patrol Second Road Wind Patrol Envoy, for safeguarding realm and subjects, is uniquely awarded a Purple Fish Bag, appointed Sea Suppression Commander with direct petition privileges, granted a pair of Purple Jade Ruyi, one hundred jars of Imperial Wine, and one hundred bushels of Imperial Field Immortal Rice!” Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s voice boomed anew.

The moment this honor decree rang out, West Patrol Envoy Xio Qiangu’s expression turned grim.

Though Ye Zhen’s accolades appeared akin to his own, their consequences diverged vastly.

To start, the Purple Fish Bag serves mainly as a emblem of prestige, like nobility elevated among peers.

Ordinarily, upon an official’s offense, the Heavenly Patrol Department’s Secret Overseer or Ministry of Justice could seize and interrogate them outright, reporting only post-judgment.

But possessing a Purple Fish Bag alters that. Any move against such an official or noble—from Heavenly Patrol Department, Secret Overseer, or Ministry of Justice—demands prior imperial approval.

Such is the Purple Fish Bag’s function; the issue lies in Xio Qiangu’s long tenure among Great Zhou’s elite military ranks, rendering it mere ornamentation for him.

Conversely, for a figure like Ye Zhen of moderate to lesser nobility, it proves invaluable.

This signifies that anyone seeking to target Ye Zhen—including superior Xio Qiangu—must seek higher sanction first, even with irrefutable proof of misconduct.

Essentially, the Purple Fish Bag emerges as Ye Zhen’s fresh protective talisman.

Even though the Purple Fish Bag holds its importance, the command title granted by Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long stands as the reward that infuriates and chokes Xio Qiangu the deepest.

Until now, despite serving as West Patrol Envoy, Xio Qiangu has yet to secure a command title.

Great Zhou's military structure proves highly complex, where command titles go beyond mere honors and ranks to embody real authority over forces.

Back then, during the Blue-scaled Dragon King's massive assault on North Sea County with millions from the Water Clan, Ye Zhen sent Liuu Feng and Gu Tieqi bearing his seal to the Border Army Camp near North Sea County for aid.

Back then, they were genuinely begging.

They leaned on connections, riches, and battle merits to seek support.

Still, they barely regarded Ye Zhen; only after his victory over the North Sea Water Clan did they panic and hurry to the scene.

However, armed with Ye Zhen's command title, all military forces around North Sea County ranked below his command title level must obey any order from a Jade Scroll stamped with his seal.

This isn't a plea or aid request—it's an absolute command!

Typically, this command title's rank just exceeds the troops near North Sea County in Ye Zhen's domain, granting a broad scope of power.

Put simply, this title makes Ye Zhen the virtual commander of millions of soldiers around North Sea County, empowering him to launch regional conflicts.

Naturally, the command title provides authority over control but can't be used freely by Ye Zhen.

Each time authority is invoked, a full report of events must reach Great Zhou's Military Headquarters.

This command title leaves Xio Qiangu green with envy; after centuries of pursuit without success, Ye Zhen claims it with ease.

By comparison, the usually vital direct petition right seems trivial now.

Not just West Patrol Envoy Xio Qiangu, but Ming Tang, Princess Ji Yuan, plus Heavenly Temple's Baili Fei, Mu Xu, and Zhen Yan—all showed growing frowns on their faces.

My heavens, this move by Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long wraps Ye Zhen in at least two shields of protection before their assault even begins.

Even more bluntly, it publicly validates Ye Zhen's achievements in the grand hall, severely hampering their next steps.

A national savior who aids the masses, just honored by the Emperor—attacking him right away becomes incredibly tough.

The Heavenly Temple's three masters stay somewhat composed, yet Princess Ji Yuan and Tianming Marquis Heir Ming Tang feel utterly trapped.

The scenario mirrors a young man who just aided an old woman crossing the road, only for Princess Ji Yuan to now go kick him fatally; the awkwardness defies words.

Still, they have no choice—the arrow is nocked, it must loose.

As Ye Zhen thanks for the reward, prodded by stares from the Heavenly Temple trio and Princess Ji Yuan, Ming Tang steels himself and advances.

“Your Majesty, I wish to present a petition!”

The moment that voice rang out, Ye Zhen sensed deep down: it's here!