It was nearing the end of the shen hour.
Within the resplendent Forbidden City, the senior ministers of the Central Court headed together toward the Court Deliberation Hall.
Besides the Grand Secretariat and the Directorate of Ceremonial, those attending included the heads of the five ministries, the Censorate, the Hanlin Academy, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Crown Prince's Household Office, as well as three grand preceptors and grand guardians.
And, of course, Jia Zheng.
His face glowed, wreathed in smiles.
Ordinarily, whenever he encountered senior ministers of the Central Court on the road, he had to bow and scrape.
Now, however, he strode forward with his head held high, shoulder to shoulder with the grand secretaries!
Jia Zheng's heart surged with excitement. Today, he experienced the greatest honor and glory of his entire life!
Just then, the Retired Emperor approached along the palace corridor with his attendants.
"Welcome, Your Majesty!"
The ministers clasped their hands and bowed.
The Retired Emperor looked full of vigor. His gaze settled on Jia Zheng, and he laughed heartily.
"A nineteen-year-old hero, wielding golden spears and riding armored steeds, with the spirit of a tiger devouring ten thousand miles! A single battle has immortalized his name in military history!"
"How dare those savage barbarian wretches imitate a civilized nation by issuing proclamations and declarations of war, turning around to challenge our mighty empire!"
"Their proclamation was nothing but boundless arrogance and self-praise. They claimed their hundred and sixty thousand elite cavalry could swallow up northern Great Qian. Yet they could not even overcome a single pass at Gourd Mouth, and instead Jia Huan battered them down, blow after blow!"
"Those petty barbarians are truly laughable!"
Hearing this, Jia Zheng's blood boiled with excitement.
The ministers offered their praises, every word heartfelt.
The sovereign