After a few sour greetings with Cao Xing, the Minister of Rites went to the place where the reward was awarded to prepare for the next reward ceremony.
It’s no wonder that the Minister of Rites knows these few sentences.
This time Cao Xing directly conferred the title of Bo, and if he returns to the court, he will at least be a Dharma minister.
Cao Xing followed the Legalist approach, and Marquis Dingguo certainly didn't care about the law.
Marquis Dingguo doesn't care, so the position of Dharma Prime Minister cannot be left vacant. Cao Xing is now undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.
Directly becoming the chancellor, coupled with the title of earl, Cao Xing immediately became one of the most powerful people in the court.
From now on, when he, the Minister of Rites, meets Cao Xing, he will respectfully address him as "Dharma Prime Minister".
When Cao Xing was in charge of Dali Temple before, the rank was the same as that of the Six Ministers, both of which were the third rank.
Now that Cao Xing has become a Zhengyipin, the Minister of Rites cannot be sour.
In comparison, the Minister of War, Zuo Shilang, didn't have that much thought.
He is now just a Zuo Shilang, temporarily in charge of the military department on behalf of Wang Lin.
Even if he is promoted next, he will at most become Minister of War, which is still far from the position of Cao Xing and others.
However, it is still necessary to establish a good relationship with Cao Xing, the future law minister, in advance.
After carefully inspecting the etiquette arrangements for the award, the Minister of Rites also invited Wu Xian to the stage.
As the eunuchs chanted that the auspicious time had come, Wu Xian also took out the imperial edict stamped with jade seals and read out various rewards from the court.
The person who received the highest reward besides Ning Chen was Zhao Tuo.
Zhao Tuo directly sealed a Pingyuan Marquis.
Zhao Tuo was the number one general under King Jing, so making him a marquis was not considered treason.
If this was a subordinate of Marquis Dingguo, such as Xu Muzhi, he would have no choice but to be granted the title of Uncle Dingyuan.
There is no way, who will let Marquis Dingguo still hold the position of Marquis now.
If Marquis Dingguo is now a duke, or directly becomes a king with a different surname, then Xu Muzhi may still obtain the position of a marquis.
But Marquis Dingguo doesn't want to continue to upgrade his title, and Xu Muzhi will only give you the title of earl.
In this case, Xu Muzhi would be on a par with Ning Chen in terms of title.
In addition to Zhao Tuo and Xu Muzhi, the generals of the Right Army also received the title of earl.
Then there is Cao Xing, the Ming Faber.
It can be seen from the name of this title that Cao Xing must be the best candidate for Dharma Prime Minister next.
In addition to the titles of these earls, several more viscounts were granted.
Then there are the baron titles of Wu Jinzhi and Wu Tuizhi.
General Wu burst into tears when he heard that his two sons had both received the title of baronet.
Old General Wu really didn't dare to dream like this.
He simply could not imagine that one day his two sons would receive titles of nobility.
General Wu knew quite well what kind of people his two sons were.
From General Wu's point of view, it would be great if his two sons could live the rest of their lives peacefully.
He doesn't even dare to think about being rich or wealthy.
But who would have thought that he would make a risky move and take his two sons directly to the north to find Ning Chen.
It turned out to be the right move.
With this title of baron, my two sons really don’t have to worry about it for the rest of their lives.
After announcing the baron.
Wu Xian took out another imperial edict.
This is the true decree.
The previous one was a list drawn up by the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites.
Then Sun Banpan, the eunuch who held the seal, took the jade seal and stamped it with an official seal.
This newly issued imperial edict is the true imperial edict.
The imperial edict personally inscribed by Wu Zhao.
The content of the imperial edict is the official announcement of the title of Duke Ningchen.
From this moment on, Ning Chen's title changed directly from Champion Marquis to Champion Duke.
The first-class Duke, Champion Duke, was the highest-ranking person in the Wu Dynasty, and there was no one among them.
"Champion!"
"Champion!"
After Wu Xianxuan finished reading, the whole audience burst into cheers like a mountain roar and a tsunami.
Ning Chen also enjoyed the cheers from the mountain.
"My fellow soldiers, the war between our Wu Dynasty and the Western Regions is still going on, and there are still many opportunities for you to make contributions."
"Today the imperial court awarded us a reward in Moko City. I hope that in the future, we can reward the three armies again at Leiyin Temple."
"By that day, I hope that our Western Expeditionary Army will be the expeditionary force that has received the most rewards in all dynasties."
"All officers and men, follow me and kill!"
"kill!"
"kill!"
"kill!"
Ning Chen's few words directly ignited everyone's enthusiasm.
Everyone is full of fighting spirit, wishing they could take up weapons now, rush to Leiyin Temple, and chop down those Bodhisattvas and Arhats on the Buddhist altar.
Ning Chen did not stay in Moko City for too long.
The war is far from over yet.
There is still much that needs to be done.
Naturally, Ning Chen cannot stay here and delay the army for too long.
After saying goodbye to Zhao Tuo and Xu Muzhi who looked aggrieved.
Ning Chen took the Minister of Rites and others back to Baijia City before dark.
That night, Ning Chen personally accompanied the Minister of Etiquette and others to a dinner.
This definitely gives them a lot of face.
First-class merit, the champion.
Even the princes in the clan now need someone to support and chat with.
Being able to condescend to have a meal with them is really a huge honor.
After dinner, Ning Chen asked Cao Xing to hand over the battle achievements compiled over time to the left minister of the Ministry of War.
When he was asked to go back, he took it back and reported it to the Ministry of War.
Early the next morning, the reward team set off back to Beijing.
Normally, Ning Chen should prepare some local specialties from the Western Regions for everyone at this time.
But Ning Chen doesn't like this.
Ning Chen needs them to remember him, okay?
What Ning Chen needs is that they don't miss his own good.
Preparing souvenirs for them is not equivalent to buying them, right?
Ning Chen would never do such a loss-making business.
Therefore, the team that awarded the reward came empty-handed, and then returned empty-handed.
Ning Chen knew that they didn't say anything, but they must have complaints in their hearts.
But so what?
They could only watch, but they couldn't kill Ning Chen.
With Ning Chen's current status, it is really as stable as Mount Tai.
If they want to wait for Ning Chen to make a mistake and get into trouble, they really can't wait for this.
Moreover, even if Ning Chen made a mistake and was in trouble, they would not dare to retaliate against Ning Chen for an ordinary small mistake.
Unless Ning Chen wants to seek power and usurp the throne.
They can also rush forward with the crowd and step on them.
They still have to endure ordinary minor mistakes.
Don't forget that Ning Chen is not only a first-class master and a champion master, he is also the dean of hundreds of colleges.
He is also the master of the holy way.
Even with these identities, they are destined to have no chance to take revenge on Ning Chen.
After seeing off the team that was rewarded by the imperial court, it is time to study how to continue to capture the Buddhist Kingdom in the Western Regions.
Now this task can only be considered one-third completed.
Once all 108 Buddhist kingdoms are captured, it will only be half completed.
Just when Ning Chen was thinking about how to continue promoting the Buddhist Kingdom in the Western Regions.
The jade slip that he used to communicate with Marquis Dingguo and others started to vibrate.
Enter the chat group.
Only then did Ning Chen see that this conversation was actually initiated by Prince Jing.
It is really rare for Prince Jing to initiate a group chat.
"You are encountering some difficulty and need our help." Marquis Dingguo came up and showed no respect to Prince Jing.
Ning Chen originally thought about helping Prince Jing to protect him, but he didn't expect Prince Jing to be very direct.
"How long do you need Ningchen in the Western Region?" Prince Jing asked straight to the point.
Prince Jing suddenly got straight to the point, and Ning Chen was stunned for a moment.
"Did the prince mean to completely capture the Western Region, or do you mean to capture the 108 countries in the Western Region and then besiege the Western Region?"
Prince Jing said: "Completely capture the Western Region."
Ning Chen pondered for a moment and said, "If the prince wants to completely conquer the Western Region, I'm afraid it won't be a day's work.
The prince should already know about my plan.
Therefore, the prince should know that if this plan is to be implemented successfully.
It will take at least a year or two to be possible.”
Prince Jing directly denied Ning Chen's time: "I can't give you such a long time."
Prince Jing was suddenly so forthright, which made Ning Chen realize something.
Marquis Dingguo asked very simply: "Is there any movement among the barbarians in the south?"
King Jing said truthfully: "The barbarians have assembled a large army and are preparing to launch a general attack on Jingzhou's defense line.
I need manpower support now, Ning Chen, I need to transfer 50,000 of your army to Jingzhou."
Prince Jing has said this, which shows that the situation must be very critical.
Otherwise, with Prince Jing's pride, he would definitely not ask Ning Chen for someone.
"Okay, I'll ask Zhao Tuo to allocate manpower to Jingzhou now." Ning Chen didn't hesitate and agreed directly.
Marquis Dingguo no longer joked with King Jing at this time, but asked very seriously: "Why did the barbarians suddenly attack you?"
Prince Jing said: "I don't know this yet."
Ning Chen pondered for a moment and then interrupted: "Could it be related to my attack on the Western Regions?
Seeing that I am about to attack the entire Western Region, the barbarians are worried that they will not be restrained by the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom and the Western Region.
I, Wu Chao, will focus all my attention on them.
So they took the option of launching an early attack."
Prince Jing replied: "There is such a possibility."
Marquis Dingguo also added: "I think this possibility is not small.
Although there is also an antagonistic relationship between the Buddhist kingdoms and the barbarians in the Western Regions.
But the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
And I’ve found out some interesting things recently.”
At this point, Marquis Dingguo deliberately gave it a pass until Ning Chen asked again: What was found.
Marquis Dingguo then spoke and continued: "I investigated the matter of the magic spring and found a rather interesting time point.
The time when the Buddha sneaked into the sealed land was very close to the time when he returned from the barbarians."
Ning Chen understood what Marquis Dingguo wanted to say, but just approaching at this point in time did not mean anything.
Marquis Dingguo continued to explain to Ning Chen: "You may not know, even Prince Jing and I don't know how to open the magic spring.
I believe that at that time, there were not many people who knew this method.
But we don't know it clearly, but the barbarians know this method very well.
And the Buddha secretly sneaked into the sealed place not long after he left the barbarians."
If this is the case, then what the Buddha went through when he entered the barbarian tribe becomes very suspicious.
At the same time, the relationship between the Western Regions and the barbarians also became very suspicious.
If there is really ambiguity between the two parties, then this coincidence can have a reasonable explanation.
"If there are really so many connections between the Western Regions and the barbarians, wouldn't the Western Regions be like inviting a wolf into the house? If a wolf enters the house, it will not thank the person who opened the door for him," Ning Chen said.
Marquis Dingguo said: "Perhaps the person who opened the door thought that after he let the wolf in, he was capable enough to kill the wolf in the room.
And letting the wolf in like this will prevent it from escaping, right?"
Ning Chen sneered and said: "Then if he can't kill the wolf, then he will become a prey that can't escape in the room.
And not only that, he will also harm other people in the house."
After finishing speaking, Ning Chen asked: "Master Hou, can you provide any conclusive evidence for what you said?"
Marquis Dingguo shook his head and said: "This is just a coincidental time. What evidence will there be?
More than 8,000 years have passed since this happened, even if there is indeed evidence.
I'm afraid it has long since disappeared over time.
It is simply impossible to explain this kind of thing clearly."
Ning Chen said fiercely: "If this is the case, then it really must be destroyed."
Marquis Dingguo said: "My Red Flame Army in the Western Region can be temporarily handed over to you to command, so that they can fill the vacancy that you are missing by 50,000 people."
Marquis Dingguo sent a Red Flame Army to Hezhou very early to monitor the movements of the Western Regions.
In order to prevent any movement in the Western Region, we can respond quickly.
Later, after Ning Chen arrived, this Red Flame Army was still not summoned by Marquis Dingguo to come back to him.
He stayed in Hezhou in case of emergency.
Now it seems that this unexpected need has really been met by Ning Chen.
"Master Marquis, the Red Flame Army is your own army, so my command is not very good." Ning Chen was heartbroken and politely refused.
What kind of combat power is the Red Flame Army?
They were one of the two most powerful armies in the entire Wu Dynasty.
Being able to command such a powerful army is definitely a dream for a commander.
However, the Red Flame Army is the personal army of Marquis Dingguo.
Except for the orders of Marquis Dingguo, they would not obey anyone else's orders.
Even if they disobey orders, no one will do anything to them, because Marquis Dingguo is very protective of his Red Flame Army.
After discussing the matter here, Ning Chen also told Zhao Tuo and asked Zhao Tuo to immediately mobilize 50,000 powerful troops and rush to Jingzhou.
Zhao Tuo was originally a subordinate of Prince Jing, and now he is at the request of Prince Jing.
The arrangement was naturally very quick.
Although there is a shortage of 50,000 Huwei troops, the Red Flame Army of Marquis Dingguo has been added, and the overall strength has not dropped at all.
Just when Ning Chen was planning to meet the Red Flame Army.
There was another message from Marquis Dingguo.
Something strange happened on the Great Wall of Righteousness.
All the Red Flame Army in Hezhou must return to the Great Wall of Righteousness to garrison.
When Ning Chen heard the news given by Marquis Dingguo, he also felt that this matter had become very difficult.
It's not because he lacks the help of the Red Flame Army that it becomes difficult.
Mainly because Ning Chen really didn't expect that the Western Region would have such a huge amount of energy.
Can affect both barbarians and the Great Wall of Righteousness.
To say that these things are coincidences is absolutely impossible.
There are no coincidences in this world.
But such a coincidence is completely impossible.
Not only Ning Chen didn't believe it, but Prince Jing and Marquis Dingguo also didn't believe it was a coincidence that these two things happened at the same time.
"Is the energy in the Western Region too great?" Ning Chen said in the group.
Marquis Dingguo and Prince Jing obviously did not expect that the energy of the Western Regions, or the importance of the Western Regions, would reach such a high level.
It was actually possible for both the Great Wall of Righteousness and the barbarians to launch an attack to protect the Western Region at the same time.
Fortunately for the barbarians, they have been fighting endlessly against the humans.
But what is blocked behind the Great Wall of Righteousness are the gods and demons who once ruled the world forever.
This is a god who does not put humans and barbarians in his eyes at all.
But at this moment, they actually took the initiative to expose some of their energy for the sake of the Western Region.
This is not a good thing for them.
This shows that the status of the Western Regions in their eyes is really very important.
But they couldn't imagine why the Western Region was so important to them.
If you just want to have the Western Region, help contain the fighting forces of the Wu Dynasty.
This doesn't seem to make sense.
You must know that the strength of the barbarians was not weaker than that of the Wu Dynasty.
As for those beings sealed behind the Great Wall of Righteousness, the human race has no way to deal with them.
If there was a way, they would have been dealt with long ago.
Those gods relied entirely on the Great Wall of Righteousness left by the Confucian sages to stop them.
Let us have no choice but to step over.
Just like this, the two most powerful forces took action at the same time to help the Western Region tide over the difficulties.
Ning Chen and the other three really can't understand what's inside.
"The strength in your hands is now reduced by half. I suggest you retreat to Baijia City. After our side is pacified, we can unite our forces and destroy the Western Regions in one fell swoop." Marquis Dingguo suggested to Ning Chen.
From the advice given by Marquis Dingguo, we can see that Marquis Dingguo is really determined to kill the Buddhist Kingdom in the Western Regions this time.
Previously, the Marquis of Dingguo preferred to surround them.
But now, Marquis Dingguo is determined to destroy the Buddhist kingdom in the Western Regions.
Leaving behind such an unknown Buddhist country in the Western Region is not a safe thing for the Wu Dynasty or the entire human world.
"I also suggest that you retreat temporarily." Prince Jing also made the same suggestion to Ning Chen.
Of course, Prince Jing was also determined to kill the Western Region this time.