The incense table was set out, and everyone knelt in worship.
Eunuch Zhang carried the imperial edict to the incense table and read aloud, "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Yang Zhengshan, Garrison Commander of Anyuan City, possesses both virtue and talent, courage and strategy. On the battlefield, he plans within the command tent and presses forward without fear..."
The long string of formulaic phrases at the beginning was all praise for Yang Zhengshan, and Yang Zhengshan listened until he felt a little dazed.
Although after coming to this world he had read many books, and his level in classical Chinese had improved by at least three steps, listening to this imperial edict still left him muddled.
"His talent and strategy are keen as a rhinoceros horn; his virtue and bearing are clear as jade."
"Having within his breast the fullness of armored soldiers..."
"He may truly be called one who understands war."
These words made Yang Zhengshan's head swell as he listened; they were somewhat difficult to understand.
Fortunately, he knew it was praising him, and knowing This Point was enough.
Very soon, Eunuch Zhang reached the end, and Yang Zhengshan finally heard the part he wanted to hear.
Yang Zhengshan, Garrison Commander of Anyuan City, was promoted to Guard Commander of Tenglong Guard, and additionally granted the titles General of Dingguo and Meritorious Protector.
Yang Zhengshan had originally thought the imperial edict would end there, and was about to kowtow and thank the emperor for his grace, only for Eunuch Zhang to take a great breath and continue reading, "The decree says: Great ministers have the rites of serving the public, borrowing inner virtue to cultivate both sides; the court has the grace of conferring ranks, regarding husband and wife as sharing honor, so that virtuous