Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 129: Chapter 98: Mrs. Zhao: I Never Thought I’d See This Again! Fusu, Having You Is Truly His Blessing!

”In addition to General Zhao’s annual salary and fine farmlands, I have come by royal command to proclaim the Royal Edict!”

Yan Bing then produced the Royal Edict from Xianyang and unfolded it.

”This humble commoner awaits the Royal Edict.”

Upon hearing the words ”Royal Edict,” a flicker of emotion crossed Mrs. Zhao’s eyes, but she composed herself instantly, immediately kneeling in reverence. Her daughter, Zhao Ying, immediately did the same. The surrounding villagers without titles knelt down, as did all the Soldiers.

To receive a Royal Edict was to stand in the presence of the King himself. To defy it was tantamount to defying the King.

”An Edict from the King of Qin.”

”Deputy General Zhao Feng has rendered meritorious service to the state. As his mother is without care in her hometown, We hereby bestow upon her a mansion to be built by craftsmen, fifty servants, one hundred pieces of gold, ten thousand coins, and one fifty-year-old Ginseng.”

”Furthermore, the one thousand mu of fine farmland belonging to General Zhao Feng shall be exempt from agricultural taxes for two years.”

Yan Bing read aloud with a strong voice. The edict’s contents were not long, but they clearly demonstrated the great favor bestowed upon Zhao Feng.

”This humble commoner accepts the edict on my son’s behalf,” Mrs. Zhao replied at once.

Yan Bing promptly stepped forward, helped Mrs. Zhao to her feet, and placed the Royal Edict in her hands.

”Bring forth the Great King’s gifts!” Yan Bing called out, turning his head to those behind him.

At his command, fifty servants were brought forward from behind the group of Prefecture Soldiers. Perhaps out of consideration that Zhao Feng only had his mother and sister at home, all the servants were women; there were no men among them. Judging by their appearance, all were well-trained, held registered servant status, and would not dare to defy their master’s command.

In addition to these servants, the Prefecture Soldiers also carried in many chests containing one hundred pieces of gold, ten thousand coins, and a fifty-year-old Ginseng.

”Mrs. Zhao,” Yan Bing said with a stern tone, his words directed at the servants, ”the servants granted by the Great King, as well as the gold and silver, are all here. The servitude registries are in these chests, just like land deeds. Their servitude contracts have been transferred to Shaqiu Prefecture. If any of these servants dare to flee or disobey your command, they may be executed at any time.” This was a clear warning, intended to quash any thoughts of disobedience.

”Thank you for the reminder, Prefectural Governor,” Mrs. Zhao said gratefully.

Afterward, Mrs. Zhao naturally invited Yan Bing and his accompanying officials into her home for a while. They, in turn, accepted with a round of calculated pleasantries. After a considerable amount of time, Yan Bing and his subordinate officials departed.

”Mother, I’m truly in awe,” Zhao Ying said, looking at her mother with admiration. ”You managed to talk with the Prefectural Governor for so long. I was just standing there, completely lost for words.”

”It was all just false pleasantries. That Prefectural Governor is simply trying to curry favor now that he sees your brother is young and has potential,” Mrs. Zhao stated calmly. ”If your brother hadn’t achieved great merit and shown such promise, let alone the Prefectural Governor, even a county magistrate wouldn’t have come to visit. If the day ever comes that your brother truly falls from grace, all of this so-called honor will become a laughingstock.”

Hearing this, Zhao Ying nodded with a flicker of understanding. She then looked at the fifty Maids standing motionless in the courtyard. ”Mother, what are we going to do with all these people?”

Seeing the Maids before her, an expression of helplessness appeared on Mrs. Zhao’s face. ”It’s certainly not easy to arrange for so many people,” she said with a sigh.

At that moment, an elderly craftsman approached and said respectfully to Mrs. Zhao, ”Madam, we are craftsmen from the Prefectural City. By order of the Prefectural Governor, we have come to construct a mansion for you.”

Mrs. Zhao glanced at the Maids before turning to the craftsman. ”May I ask how long the construction will take?”

”Please rest assured, Madam,” the chief craftsman replied immediately. ”The mansion will be completed within a month.”