Da Zao Marquis!

"Call."

"Comfortable!"

Liang Qu was panting heavily, his pores were open, and sweat poured out.

An unprecedented sense of exhilaration.

Just now, the Unseen he unleashed the Ape Fist, it seemed as if he had merged with heaven and earth, and his Blood Qi surged continuously from his body.

I don't know if it's because the weather is getting warmer and people are less likely to stay indoors in winter, or if practicing martial arts can really subtly change a person.

Liang Qu became much more self-disciplined than in the beginning, and he never slacked off in practicing boxing every day.

But I've never felt this way before.

After taking a deep breath, I found my body brimming with Qi and Blood, to the point where I could refine my Viscera Gate! "Have I Sudden Enlightenment?"

Liang Qu stretched out his hand and looked at his palm in disbelief.

Without any dietary supplements, a huge amount of Blood Qi was transferred, yet there was no feeling of deficiency. The only explanation is Sudden Enlightenment.

Sudden Enlightenment is Bridge of Heaven and Earth.

A mysterious place that can only be encountered by chance.

The pursuit of countless people throughout history.

Even if Liang Qu were to perform another set of the "New Ape Fist" from his mind, he would no longer feel the inexhaustible flow of Qi and Blood throughout his body.

He closed his eyes and recalled carefully, and a completely different style of Ape Fist appeared in his mind, which was similar to but not quite the same as the one Hu Qi had taught him.

"That's the fist technique I've mastered?"

"Congratulations, Benefactor."

Liang Qu looked up.

"Master? Is that Sudden Enlightenment?"

The Old Monk nodded. "Good."

Liang Qu was overjoyed.

A single moment of sudden Sudden Enlightenment saved him months of effort, allowing him to go straight to the Viscera Gate.

I wish I could come more often.

Bang bang.

Someone knocked on the door knocker.

Liang Qu stepped forward and lifted the door bolt. Standing outside was a guard in official robes who vaguely looked familiar to him, as if he had just seen him before.

"Sir, what brings you here?"

The guard peeked at the Old Monk, then quickly looked away and bowed respectfully.

"Lord Liang, I am Qi Zhiping, Cloud Hawk Embroidered Uniform Guard. I have come here with two matters. First, to announce that Marquis Weining Enlightenment and Sainthood, and to celebrate this momentous occasion with the Grand Feast for the World for five days."

Liang Qu suddenly realized that the other person looked familiar; it turned out they had met once last night.

"Secondly, I brought you a letter of investiture. It was too late yesterday, and it would have been inconvenient to visit you, so I delayed until today."

Investiture?

Liang Qu was taken aback.

Qi Zhiping took out a scroll of gold-embossed documents and a square seal carved with a small tortoise from his bosom and respectfully presented them.

"Due to the commission of the Ministry of Personnel, Lord Liang has rendered meritorious service in presenting the Pinyin Method. He is hereby awarded the Da Zao Marquis, and is granted three hundred taels of silver, fifty bolts of silk, ten jade artifacts, and a number of corresponding utensils."

Da Zao Marquis!

Liang Qu reached out and took the investiture document and seal, his heart pounding.

He never expected that the so-called investiture was based on the old Pinyin Method, and that it was Da Zao Marquis!

The person who read the Imperial Decree earlier said that his Pinyin Method had not yet been widely adopted and still needed time to be confirmed. Once confirmed, the subsequent rewards would be generous.

Liang Qu had waited for months, and now he had finally received his due! Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, Baron.

Regardless of the rank, it was extremely difficult to obtain in the Da Shun; obtaining a title through military merit was almost the only accepted way.

However, in order to better reward and govern, the current emperor has established three additional ranks of nobility below them.

The three grades, Shang Zao, Gong Shi, correspond to the seventh, eighth, and ninth ranks, respectively.

The third-rank nobility was not hereditary and did not include a fief, but it did provide a stipend commensurate with the rank, serving as a symbol of honor and status.

The invention award could potentially lead to a noble title, and Liang Qu had a slight hope for it, but he never expected to receive the highest-ranking Da Zao Marquis!

A noble title is different from an official position; if one resigns from an official post, there is no salary to be received.

They could have a noble title, and their salary would last until they died! And it wouldn't conflict with their official position!

In other words, from now on, Liang Qu will be able to receive both the salary of Subordinate Eighth Rank River Earl and the salary of a seventh-rank Da Zao Marquis Palace!

Holding two golden rice bowls, the monthly salary alone is several dozen taels! Qi Zhiping congratulated, "Congratulations, Lord Liang! From now on, you will be Da Zao Marquis. I am fast on horseback and I will inform you of the good news first. Others should be bringing rewards this afternoon."

Liang Qu stepped out of the room and bowed respectfully to heaven and earth to express his gratitude to the heavens.

The last imperial decree was written by the emperor himself, and the main recipient of the reward was Yang Dongxiong. The Imperial Decree on Liang Qu was just a side event. Naturally, there were envoys leading a group of people who came one after another to read the Imperial Decree, to inform them in advance, and then to welcome them. There were a lot of ceremonies.

This time was different. The Ministry of Personnel drafted the document, the emperor reviewed and confirmed it, and it was done with a checkmark. Then someone was sent to announce it. It wasn't as serious or formal. All that was needed was to thank the emperor for the reward and accept the title and seal.

"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Qi. Please come inside and rest."

"You're too kind, Lord Liang."

Qi Zhiping glanced at the Old Monk in the courtyard who was playing with prayer beads and repeatedly refused.

We can't afford to offend them, we really can't afford to offend them.

Liang Qu took Qi Zhiping's invitation as mere politeness and refused it three times.

Helpless, he could only give some silver as a "running fee," and then he didn't go anywhere, but stayed at home to wait for his reward.

In the afternoon, a small convoy of six people creaked and groaned as it drove over the bluestone slabs and stopped in front of the Liang Residence.

There were three large horse-drawn carriages. The leader jumped off the carriage to confirm Liang Qu's identity, and the others got off one after another, carrying the goods box by box into the courtyard.

Liang Qu opened the box and examined each item.

Fabrics, jade, silver, and the rest were household items, including but not limited to tea sets, Ink Treasure, plates, wooden boxes, screens, and porcelain...

Giving a noble title is completely different from giving an official position.

Once you obtain an official position, aside from the extra rewards, you won't have so many "miscellaneous" things.

But if you're given a title, you also have to be given corresponding "respect," and many common items have to be provided for you.

Liang Qu has truly upgraded his furniture arsenal. He had bought a lot of furniture before, but it was always "cheap stuff". Now, the overall quality is much more "high-end".

It's true that people are in high spirits when they have good news.

Martial arts and career both flourish.

Liang Qu strolled happily in the courtyard.

Da Zao Marquis.

Ha ha.

Another golden opportunity.

The neighbors passing by were puzzled.

Hearing the commotion, A Di poked her head out from next door. "A Shui, what's going on? Are we moving?"

"I'm not moving." Liang Qu puffed out his chest. "Sister A Di, I did a good deed and got a Da Zao Marquis!"

"The Da Zao Marquis?"

In the eyes of those in official positions, the third-rank noble title should not be taken too seriously.

However, in the eyes of ordinary people, a noble title of the same rank is better than an official position!

While A Di was still in a daze, Liang Qu picked out a few horses from the fifty and carried them to the next room.

"Sister A Di, take some cloth back and make some summer clothes for Xiao Shunzi and the others!"

A Di repeatedly declined, saying, "No, no, this is a gift for you, how can we use it?"

The villagers were shocked and amazed.

"Incredible! Incredible! I could tell from the start that Master Liang is a man of great ability and skill! That's a noble title!"

"Master Liang is a very prominent figure in our Yi Xing Town! Look, Master Liang is in Yi Xing Town now, he used to be Master Yang from Ping Yang Town!"

Someone shouted at the top of their lungs, "Will Master Liang be the Chief Priest at this year's River God Sacrifice? We're all hoping Master Liang will bring us good luck!"

"It's uncertain whether the River God Sacrifice can even be held."

"How can we not do it? That would be a great disrespect!"

Liang Qu's mind raced, and he shouted, "Yes! I must! I am willing to accept the honor bestowed upon me by my fellow villagers."

I know there are many people in Yi Xing Town now, and not everyone reveres the River God, but we can't forget our roots. At worst, we'll hold the ceremony ourselves! Don't worry about the expenses, folks; I'll cover the bulk of the costs!"

Liang Qu's status and power became increasingly extraordinary.

Those around him should think twice before saying what he says.

Even...

To please him, I have to pretend I want to do it, even if I don't want to.