The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 2359: Chapter 2334: Rewards

Manbao waved her hand dismissively, saying, "We are not military generals, there’s no need to remember such minor merits."

Lord Tang echoed with a laugh, "Oh my, after achieving battlefield success, you now look down on these small achievements?"

The three of them pulled uncomfortable faces, "Senior, don’t make fun of us. His Majesty is still mad at us, and we don’t know if the Censorate has noted our faults, waiting to punish us."

Tang He laughed and said, "Ah, so you do realize there’s a mistake."

He didn’t reprimand them harshly, just gently pointed it out. After thinking for a moment, he remarked, "I can’t say about others, but my father can’t be bothered to deal with such trivial matters. However, I think it depends on whether His Majesty wishes to pursue this minor fault."

Tang He smiled and said, "Even if pursued, it doesn’t matter much; at worst, you’ll end up offsetting merits with faults."

The three: ...

The ministers were also waiting to see whether the Emperor was more angry or appreciative, so when the court opened on the eighth day, none voluntarily brought up the mistakes of the envoy besides offering New Year greetings.

It was Manbao who proactively reported the results of this Western expedition, particularly the experiments on smallpox inoculation.

Director Xiao took the opportunity to propose continuing the inoculation trials at the Emperor’s estate on the outskirts, just like last year.

The Emperor agreed and instructed the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds to the Imperial Hospital.

This time, the Ministry of Revenue did not feign poverty. Already ninety-nine steps had been taken, spending so much money; the prescription was ready, now only the final step of the experiment was left. Naturally, they wouldn’t be miserly.

The Ministry readily agreed, making the atmosphere at the court a bit quiet, and everyone fell silent for a moment.

The Emperor lifted his eyelids to look at them, asking, "Why, no memorials to report? With the New Year, everyone is at peace."

The ministers lowered their heads a little, saying nothing.

Manbao looked around, cautiously stepped out, and bowed, "Your Majesty, I am guilty."

"Hmm, I see, I received your plea this morning. Why only you, where are the others?"

Manbao kneeled, prompting the guards to go out and bring the others in.

Although Bai Shan and the others squeezed themselves into the envoy privately, they were part of it and had signed the plea; naturally, they had to come to court together. If the Emperor wanted to hear their confessions in person, they could also come in to admit fault.

Unexpectedly, it happened so fast—they were called in within half an hour.

They exchanged glances and could only enter the hall.

Even Mr. Zhuang, who was at the end of the queue outside the grand court, stepped out, kneeling with Manbao to confess to the Emperor, expressing their guilt for delaying the return trip for so long, causing His Majesty and the court to wait.

The Emperor saw them all obediently kneeling to admit their faults, his heart felt slightly better. He then asked Wei Zhi, "Courtier Wei, what do you think their punishment should be?"

Wei Zhi thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, given that it was winter, the route from Shazhou to the capital is mostly desolate and cold. I imagine they didn’t deliberately linger, causing delays due to snowblocking paths or difficult journeys, which are quite normal."

He continued, "An envoy is not like the army—won’t march swiftly like General Ashina. Thus, slower travel is expected."

Usually, the further a diplomatic mission went, the less time was a concern. An envoy may be gone for a year, two, three years, or even seven or eight years before news returns, which is quite normal. As long as the envoy leader doesn’t betray, they are a qualified emissary.

Wei Zhi didn’t want the court to pursue this matter too harshly, otherwise, too stringent time requirements might hinder the freedom of future envoys.

So he said, "I believe they are at fault but not to the point of crime. Since they know their mistake, how about giving them a scolding?"

The implication was, just reprimand them; punishment is unnecessary. If future envoys become overly cautious due to this, what then?

The Emperor: ...

Lord Tang had similar thoughts, but he felt these young ones were too playful and carefree; if let off lightly now, they might repeat such playful ignorance of state affairs. Thus, strictness was warranted.

The Emperor then looked at the other officials.

Officials intending to impeach Manbao hesitated between opposing or keeping silent. Those quick-witted covertly glanced at the Emperor’s expression, then quietly put down their memorials, refraining from stepping out to impeach.

Those less perceptive wanted to step up, but they were used to following the crowd. Now, without strong leadership or even minor support, they didn’t dare step forward.

The Emperor inwardly scoffed, feeling none of the officials were straightforward.

Especially Wei Zhi, who would methodically point out faults, even contemplating over a single fallen hair. Yet he made excuses for Manbao’s group delaying their journey.

Fortunate it was an envoy mission; had it been military, such snail-paced travel would have gotten them executed.

Nevertheless, despite these thoughts, the Emperor’s face remained genial and nodded in agreement, "Courtier Wei speaks correctly. Since you know your mistake, don’t repeat it next time."

Manbao let out a deep breath and quickly bowed her head in agreement along with the others.

The Emperor lightly tapped the table, picking up another memorial, saying, "General Ashina reported your significant achievements on this Western Expedition, especially Manbao and Bai Shan, for capturing Kucha’s Wang City. Among you, you’ve earned the highest merit. Do you have any requests?"

The Emperor had asked this privately in his study, but now, publicly during the grand court, the significance was different.

Everyone then unanimously expressed their willingness to serve His Majesty and the court as their duty, not seeking any reward.

Manbao sweetly said, "I would do the same again if given the chance."

The Emperor silently grumbled—one time was enough to embarrass him. He prepared rewards early and waited while praising them for their triumphs, yet left waiting without sight of them.

Yet, he still felt some joy in his heart.

The Emperor turned serious, handed another prepared memorial to Gu Zhong, saying, "Although you delayed your return at fault, capturing the city deserved recognition. Manbao and Bai Shan shall be rewarded, Manbao promoted to Chongwen Pavilion as a rank four compiler, Bai Shan bestowed County Viscount..."

The Emperor hesitated to read further, signaling Gu Zhong, who then opened the memorial to read the rewards: Bai Shan, County Viscount, Bai Cheng, and Liu Huan as County Males; Yin Huo elevated to County Viscount, granted an estate, Zhuang Xun promoted as rank five compiler, all awarded twenty taels of silver, six bolts of cloth...

Manbao and the others were surprised, slightly lifting their heads, initially just expecting material rewards, not realizing they’d also receive titles.

Though the reward money was less than anticipated.

After Gu Zhong finished reading the memorial, the officials collectively sighed with relief, then looked sympathetically at the individuals kneeling in the center of the grand hall.