Chapter 73 The Reward is Too Great

This time, Lawrence Lu and Fei Juren were numb again.

Not to mention the hereditary thousand households, one must know that there were very few real titles in the Ming Dynasty, and the number of dukes and marquises who were granted the title was only a few dozen people. All of these dozens of people fought in battles in the south and the north, and established countless outstanding contributions.

However, during the founding wars, many people made contributions and were rewarded. Because of this, in addition to dukes and marquises, the imperial court also had various hereditary positions.

For example, hereditary commanders, hereditary thousand households, etc., these are positions that can be inherited by descendants. Don't underestimate this thing. In fact, to a certain extent, they are a kind of title. Once granted, it is equivalent to stepping into the threshold of the meritorious group. Not only can future generations live without worries and always be guaranteed, but it is also a great honor for the person who is granted.

Of course, this hereditary thousand households is not the most terrifying thing for Lu Zhongheng and Fei Ju. After all, they are all marquises and may not look down on this hereditary thousand households.

What really moved him was this red seal and iron certificate.

Fei Ju couldn't help but mutter, "My family was only granted one of these red-lettered iron certificates. How could this kid deserve a pair?"

At this moment, the eyes of the two of them suddenly began to shine.

The red book of iron certificate means that you can be exempted from death. As long as you don't commit treason, you can be pardoned no matter what crime you have committed.

What a privilege!
Not to mention the two of them, even Li Shanchang and Xu Da only got one.

"This bastard..."

But Deng Qianqiu... was confused at first, and then... he became even more confused.

The hereditary thousand-householder title in front of him made him overjoyed. This was a good thing. It was a stable job. His descendants would not have to take civil service exams for generations. It would be a long-term meal ticket that would last for at least three hundred years.

But the red seal of honor...

At this time, the eunuch continued to sing: "Deng Qianqiu is so young, but he is so promising. The sons of the officials and officials in the world should be ashamed. I heard that he is on duty in Xianliang Temple, loyal to his duties, conscientious, and hardworking. He is loyal to his job and works hard regardless of the cold or the heat. If I don't promote him, how can I show that rewards and punishments are clear..."

When Deng Qianqiu heard that he was loyal and conscientious in his duties, he couldn't help but laugh.

This emperor is blind. He must have been fooled by the treacherous ministers around him. I, Deng Qianqiu, am living a prosperous life, but he actually thinks that I am loyal to my duty. How can I, a stinky gatekeeper, be loyal to my duty?
The eunuch's voice continued to ring out: "The emperor orders Deng Qianqiu to guard the main hall and assist the crown prince and the prince in their studies. I command you!"

After these words were spoken, Deng Qianqiu could no longer laugh.

However, Lu Zhongheng and Fei Ju were so shocked that they were unable to speak.

The so-called Grand Council had a much higher status than the Secretariat.

After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang attached great importance to the education of the crown prince and the princes. Therefore, he established the Dabentang in the palace, which was located in the east of the palace. Zhu Yuanzhang built the Dabentang mainly to invite famous scholars to teach the crown prince and the princes. Therefore, the Dabentang was first used as a place for the crown prince and the princes to study. In addition, Zhu Yuanzhang also "selected handsome people from the people and the legitimate sons of the ministers to accompany him in the hall."

Of course, there is more to it than that. Because it houses books from all over the world, it is also the place where Zhu Yuanzhang discusses state affairs with his ministers. He once summoned civil officials here and even held discussions all night long. He also discussed ancient and modern times with officials from the East Palace and commented on texts.

This was the place where Zhu Yuanzhang discussed state affairs, the crown prince and the kings read books, and where all the books in the world were collected and read. All the ministers and officials specially summoned to the main hall by Zhu Yuanzhang, even if they may not be in high positions and powerful now, definitely had a bright future.

Even the guards of the Yiluansi and Gongweisi stationed there were selected from the best of the best, and many of them were personally chosen by His Majesty with red approval.

And these are obviously not the most powerful things. The truly powerful thing is not Deng Qianqiu’s garrison duties, but the last word of the imperial edict: Assist the crown prince and prince in their studies.

The word "counselor" means "assistant". That is to say, although Deng Qianqiu was stationed in the main hall as a hereditary thousand-householder and a hundred-householder of the Yiluansi, he was also qualified to assist the crown prince and prince in their studies.

This... is an enormous fortune!
Even Lu Zhongheng and Fei Ju, dignified marquises, couldn't help but shed tears.

The eunuch had a smile on his face, as if bathed in the spring breeze. After reading the imperial edict, he took the red seal and iron certificate from the guard and handed it to Deng Qianqiu, saying, "Hide it well. Captain Deng is a man of great fortune."

Deng Qianqiu lowered his head and looked at the pair of red-lettered iron certificates. They were indeed made of iron, with the following words written on them in cinnabar: 'Deng Qianqiu, the hereditary officer of a thousand households, has made great contributions in pacifying the enemy and providing them with grain. I hereby grant you this certificate, pardoning you from nine deaths, and your descendants from three deaths. If you commit a common crime, the officials shall not impose additional penalties.'

Deng Qianqiu: “…”

If he remembered correctly, the Ming Dynasty issued iron certificates on a large scale, and basically, except for a few people, almost all the people who held the iron certificates were killed.

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chongzhen also granted a red-lettered iron certificate to Wei Zhongxian's nephew Wei Liangqing, but he was beheaded shortly afterwards.

This thing... in the eyes of most people nowadays, it may have the function of saving people from death. But Deng Qianqiu knows better than anyone that basically anyone who holds this thing will die, with an accuracy rate of 98.53462%.

The question is... is this emperor out of his mind? Why did he give me two pieces?

Does he have a grudge against me?
Deng Qianqiu lowered his head, playing with the two iron certificates with an indescribable look.

Lu Zhongheng and Fei Ju couldn't see the depression in Deng Qianqiu's eyes. At this moment, their eyes were wide open with stars in them.

Deng Qianqiu finally couldn't help but ask, "Speaking of which, my two brothers, what does His Majesty mean by giving me two of these? You are more knowledgeable, can you explain this to me?"

Lawrence Lu: “…”

Deng Qianqiu said: "Brother Lu, your family should have some too, right?"

Lawrence Lu was a little unsure: "Yes... yes there is one." Deng Qianqiu said: "You are familiar with His Majesty, can you help me figure out what His Majesty's profound intention is?"

Lawrence Lu and Fei Ju looked at each other. Fei Ju was straightforward and couldn’t help but said, “You are fooling me. His Majesty should be more familiar with you.”

Deng Qianqiu: “…”

Deng Qianqiu blinked and said, "I think I understand."

Lawrence Lu asked, “What did you figure out?”

Deng Qianqiu said: "Actually, it's not bad to be sent to a guard post outside. I am now a hereditary captain. Brother Lu, can you help me with the operation? I prefer the south. The climate in the south is more humid. It would be best to find a place with water. I..."

Lawrence Lu laughed: "Brother Deng, are you trying to tease me? That's enough, why are you so good after getting such an advantage?"

Deng Qianqiu: “…”

Lawrence Lu took a greedy look at the pair of red-lettered certificates, and couldn't help but said sourly: "Your future... is really unimaginable, tut tut... Well, we should say goodbye. Goodbye, Brother Deng."

Lu Zhongheng just wanted to escape, he didn't want to stay here. Comparing with others will make you feel nauseous. I got the title of marquis after hundreds of battles, big and small. How could this kid be so worthy of this title? How come he is like a bamboo, taller than the other section at such a young age?

Coming out of Deng Qianqiu's house in a panic, Fei Ju hung his head and couldn't help but say, "Brother Lu, I feel sad. Where did Deng Qianqiu come from? Why do I feel more and more that there is something fishy going on here?"

Lawrence Lu took a deep breath and only responded: “Hmm…Hmm…”

Fei Ju said: "I suddenly feel a little uncomfortable. You see, we have been running back and forth, going through mountains of swords and seas of fire, and all we have got is one iron certificate..."

“Hahahaha…” Lawrence Lu suddenly laughed.

Fei Ju was stunned and asked in confusion: "Brother Lu, why are you still laughing?"

However, Lu Zhongheng answered the question irrelevantly: "Let's go and see Mr. Hu."

Fei Ju scratched his head. He was confused and bewildered, but he followed Lu Zhongheng obediently.

…………

late at night.

Under the starlight, the Hu family was surprisingly quiet today.

At this time, the two marquises were welcomed into the small hall. They were already familiar with this place.

After he sat down, he saw Hu Weiyong, dressed in plain clothes, walking in with his hands behind his back.

The two of them stood up and saluted.

Hu Weiyong pressed his hands and said with a smile: "We are family, no need to be polite, this place is just like home."

Lu Zhongheng and Fei Ju sat down.

Hu Weiyong smiled and said, "I had a dream yesterday. I dreamed that there were crows calling in front of the courtyard. I don't know what this dream means. It seems to be a bad omen."

Fei Ju was unable to respond for a moment.

Lu Zhongheng said, "What kind of person is Mr. Hu? Even a bad omen can be turned into a good omen by Mr. Hu's presence."

Hu Weiyong smiled and said, "These words are too heavy, but I really don't believe in this. Li Shangyin once wrote a poem: It's a pity that the seat in front of me is empty in the middle of the night, and I don't ask about the common people but ghosts and gods. It can be seen that the study of ghosts and gods is mostly alarmist, but many people are flocking to it. Hu, I don't believe in ghosts and gods, but I believe in friends and brothers. As long as there are many friends and brothers, people can sleep soundly."

Lawrence Lu smiled and said, “Yes, yes.”

Hu Weiyong picked up a teacup and took a sip of tea, then raised his eyes and said casually, "I also heard today that there was an imperial decree from the palace..."

"Mr. Hu, you want to talk about Deng Qianqiu, that bastard... Hey, Mr. Hu, I won't visit him again in the future. This guy..." Lu Zhongheng became angry and looked murderous.

Hu Weiyong still smiled and said, "Brother Lu, calm down. What's wrong?"

Lawrence Lu snorted coldly and said, “This fellow…he said right away that he had no money to use in the capital, and he actually asked for seven thousand taels of silver…I really can’t stand this man. This man is greedy and insatiable, so despicable and shameless!”

Fei Ju sat aside, his body trembling slightly, and glanced at Lawrence Lu with a weird look, and couldn't help muttering in his heart: Didn't we discuss it before? He asked for three thousand taels, turned around, and sent Deng Qianqiu away with one or two hundred taels. Why... in the blink of an eye, the price has increased?

But Lu Zhongheng's face did not turn red, his heart did not beat, and he looked dignified and majestic.

Hu Weiyong smiled and drank his tea, not making any comment.

(End of this chapter)