At the Grand Court Assembly, the Liang Family of Liu Province and the Ma Family of Bing Province were together promoted from third-rank aristocratic clans to second-rank aristocratic clans.
The Liang Family had earned its promotion to second-rank status through the merits and military achievements it had won during the pioneering of the three new provinces—Vine Province, Kui Province, and Flame Province. As for the Ma Family of Bing Province, it was evident from the earlier report by the Ma Family True Lord, Provincial Governor of Bing Province, as well as the subsequent determination of merits and awards by the Three Ministries, that the Ma Family had risen to second-rank status through the merits and military achievements it had earned in the great war between the Immortal Dynasty, the demonic path, and the barbarian tribes over the past ten years.
The great war between the Immortal Dynasty and the demonic path and barbarian tribes over the past decade had ultimately ended in a "neither victory nor defeat" outcome. Instead, the aristocratic clans of the northern provinces had suffered many casualties and sacrifices in the war.
Whether to compensate the northern provincial and commandery aristocratic clans for their losses and steady the hearts of the people, or to reward their merits and achievements in the war against the demonic path and barbarian tribes, the Immortal Dynasty's central court, imperial house, and Human Emperor had to make some gesture.
After all, the northern barbarian lands were harsh in environment and poor in resources. After ten years of war, apart from recovering Ping Province, there had been scarcely any gains in resources or benefits.
If not for the merits and destiny bestowed by the Immortal Dynasty's central court and imperial house, the aristocratic clans of the northern provinces would have had little motivation