Chapter 1125: Fief

Now that more than 20 days had passed, Qi Xiuyuan had long planned to reward the meritorious officials, be it official titles, gold, silver, or jewelry. However, this had to be delayed until now because of Qi Haoran.

Long before the expedition, the ministers had a premonition that Qi Haoran would probably be conferred the title of King after this battle. And once the army returned to the imperial court, Qi Xiuyuan had indeed revealed his intention to confer Qi Haoran the title of King. When the time came, he would also be conferred his fief.

As he would be the first King to be conferred by Great Qi, it was of significant importance. Thus, it had to wait until he returned to the capital.

Before this, Qi Xiuyuan had never asked Qi Haoran what kind of fief he wanted because in his understanding, his younger brother would naturally go to a border town to live up to his status as a famous general.

Those who could discuss politics in the Imperial Study were all officials above the third-grade. They knew that Prince Rong’s conferral was only the beginning. As the princes grew up, there would be many more such conferrals in the future. As the conferrals of different dynasties were different, Prince Rong’s conferral would serve as a benchmark. In the future, the conferral of the dukes and princes of Great Qi would be based on this.

Therefore, the important ministers in the Imperial Study highly regarded this matter. Before Qi Haoran could speak, Rong Xuan, speaking on behalf of the officials, raised a question regarding the rights granted to vassal kings in their fiefdoms.

Qi Xiuyuan had always discussed the issue of fiefdom with Rong Xuan and Fan Zijin. Knowing that Rong Xuan was acting as a bridge before the Emperor and ministers, he told them about the rights and obligations of a vassal king.

In short, the role of a vassal king was to “serve as a named guardian of the region and control key strategic points to secure the realm,” ensuring that the tragic fate of the previous dynasty, which was invaded by foreign forces, would not be repeated.

To prevent the princes and kings from seizing power and fragmenting the empire, they were granted “titles without governance, fiefs without land.” This meant they held noble ranks and military authority but had no jurisdiction over the officials or commoners within their territories.

The ministers discussed animatedly. Half of them agreed, while the other half hesitated. The latter felt that the Emperor was giving Prince Rong too much power. Now that two-thirds of Great Qi’s military power was in Prince Rong’s hands, if they conferred Taiyuan to Prince Rong, it would probably be disadvantageous to the Great Qi Dynasty in the future.

Though Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran were close brothers, could their children and grandchildren also have such close ties?

Therefore, one-third of the ministers present tactfully advised the Emperor to either change Prince Rong’s fief or take back a portion of his military power. It would be even better if the Emperor could do both.

Considering that Qi Haoran was present, no one dared to be too explicit lest they be accused of sowing discord between the royal brothers.

Qi Xiuyuan and Fan Zijin both understood their intentions, and their expressions were a little gloomy. Only Qi Haoran didn’t understand. He even rubbed his chin seriously and thought about it, then said to Qi Xiuyuan, “Royal Brother, why don’t you confer my fief in the coastal area? This way, I’ll be closer to you; furthermore, I’m familiar with the sea.” The key was that Ah Ling liked the sea very much, so it would be more convenient for everyone to visit in the future.

Qi Xiuyuan and Fan Zijin: “…”

The ministers who had objected before carefully sized up Prince Rong and realized that he was serious about this. They all heaved a sigh of relief in their hearts and raised their heads righteously. ‘Your Majesty, it’s not that we’re trying to sow discord, but Prince Rong thinks so, too.’

Rong Xuan felt a headache coming on. Didn’t the Emperor talk to Prince Rong before the meeting?

Qi Xiuyuan really didn’t communicate with Qi Haoran because he wanted to give him a surprise. It seemed like the surprise failed, and instead he himself got a shock.

Qi Xiuyuan waved his hand and let the ministers leave first, leaving only Qi Haoran and Fan Zijin behind. “Connecting West Xia to the west and Great Yuan to the north, Taiyuan has always been a battleground for military strategists. Be it you or Little Bear, your ability to lead troops is top-notch. I wanted Taiyuan to be your fief because I wanted you to guard Taiyuan for generations.”

Qi Xiuyuan looked at his brother and said with a headache, “Moreover, Taiyuan is vast and considered prosperous. It’s much better than the coastal area. Why do you want to go to the coastal area?”

Qi Haoran scratched his head and said, “Little Bear used to clamor about conquering the sea. Since my position will be passed down to him sooner or later, naturally, I have to take his opinion into consideration. Besides,” Qi Haoran carefully glanced at his big brother and whispered, “Ah Ling also likes the sea. She said that she wants to go out to the sea to play in the future…”

Fan Zijin was furious. “Why are you even asking? Just confer him Taiyuan. Coastal area? No way.”

Qi Haoran was furious. “Why are you like this?”

Fan Zijin glared at him. “You really don’t know how to appreciate kindness. You’ve wasted Eldest Cousin and my efforts in choosing such a fief for you.”

Seeing that the two of them were about to fight, Qi Xiuyuan said angrily, “Alright, both of you shut up.” Qi Xiuyuan turned to glare at Qi Haoran. “I suppose you have to go back and ask your wife about this? In that case, forget about the palace banquet tonight. Go home and discuss this matter with your wife first. Tell me when you’ve made up your mind.”

Then, he chased the two of them out.

Fan Zijin was so angry that he couldn’t help but kick Qi Haoran. Qi Haoran jumped away, avoiding it, and Fan Zijin could only glare at him.

Qi Haoran scratched his head and smiled ingratiatingly at him. “I know you’re doing this for my own good. Taiyuan is in the north, and I do like the culture there. It’s also prosperous there. I’m afraid even the Emperor’s sons might not have the honor of being conferred such a good place.”

Fan Zijin snorted and said, “So you’re not entirely unaware of what’s good for you.”

“But I’ve already promised Ah Ling that when the children are older, I’ll travel around Great Qi with her. Besides, I can’t bear to part with you and my royal brother. In the future, when I’m old, I’ll most likely return to live in the capital. In that case, I naturally have to choose a place that Little Bear likes and is close to the capital.”

Fan Zijin’s expression softened.

Qi Haoran continued, “Little Bear has never been to the north before, but he has stayed in Lingnan and the coastal area for a long time. In the past, when he was in Guangzhou, he often clamored to conquer the sea and so on. Taiyuan is so far from the sea. If his fief is in Taiyuan, he would be so disappointed.”

Fan Zijin exhaled and snorted. “Since you’ve already made up your mind, I won’t persuade you anymore. Those ministers in the court will be so happy to see you choose the coastal area.”

Qi Haoran chuckled. “Since everyone is happy, it’s settled then.”

“Sure, everyone is happy. But I’m not happy!” Fan Zijin flicked his sleeves and left tsunderely.

Qi Haoran could only follow behind obediently. He stayed in the Fan Residence until the sky turned dark before running back to the Prince’s Residence to eat.

Mu Yangling had just fetched the four children from the palace. When she saw Qi Haoran coming back eagerly, she couldn’t help but glare. “Where did you go this afternoon? Why did you leave the four children in the palace?”

Looking at the four children dumbfoundedly, it was then that he recalled that he had left the children in the palace.

Mu Yangling understood immediately when she saw his expression. She couldn’t help but glare at him fiercely.

Qi Haoran immediately shouted, “I went to discuss important matters with Zijin. Seeing that the skies had turned dark, I assumed you must have gone to fetch the children back. That was why I headed straight back to the Prince’s Residence.”

“What’s so important that you forgot about the children?”

“My royal brother wants to give me a fief, and I had such a headache choosing where. That’s why I went to discuss the matter with Zijin,” Qi Haoran replied sheepishly.

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