Chapter 339: How to Become a Marquis? (Part One)

ith gray hair, it's definitely much easier. A man can be a Mingjing at thirty and a Jinshi at fifty. Even if I try my hardest, it will probably take ten or eight years. My wife, can you wait""I was pl...No matter how many ideas he had, Xu Huaiyi was also unable to speak directly because of the presence of his child. Even after strolling through the yard and taking a car back to the village, he still didn't find an opportunity. It wasn't until they returned home, when A Li was tiredly asleep and their son eagerly went for extra lessons, that the two finally had some private space to communicate.

"How much did you buy this house for"

"Well, it's simply incredible. This is the dream house I always imagined. A fantasy from my past life, something I thought would only ever remain a fantasy throughout my entire existence. But here I am, after just six months, and my dreams have become reality."

Gu Huanxi sighed with emotion, even now, having already stepped into every corner of the courtyard, she still felt a sense of unreality.

Xu Huaiyi took out the deed of transfer and gave it to her to keep, “Wife, you can still fantasize even more unrealistically from now on.”

Gu Huanxi rubbed the thin paper, smiling. "How is it unrealistic Could it be that you're saying one can't become a marquis or prime minister"

Xu Huaiyi said with a flourish, "It's not impossible."

Gu Huanxi put away the contract and glared at him, "You're already fat, and you're panting Making money only requires brains, connections, and a backer. But becoming a marquis or prime minister, do you know what it takes"

Xu Huaiyi thought without hesitation, "Ability."

Gu Huanxi chuckled, "You've all been out in the world for so long, how can you still be so naive In court, those civil and military officials, which one doesn't have the ability If they weren't capable, they wouldn't even be able to stand in the main hall."

"Then it still needs opportunity"

"Well, opportunities are certainly needed, but they're so hard to come by. You're a general, you want to be ennobled, do you know how much merit it takes"

Xu Huaiyi's eyes flickered, "War."

Gu Huan looked at him with disdain, "Aren't you being naive Ordinary achievements would at most be rewarded with gold, silver, or a promotion. To be granted a title like Marquis, one has to have distinguished himself on the battlefield in a significant campaign or expand the territory of the empire, something worthy of recording in history. Otherwise, even the founding emperor wouldn't have only bestowed two titles of Duke and three titles of Marquis during the establishment of the dynasty. Those individuals had all fought alongside him through thick and thin, their contributions were undeniable. Besides, these titles are not hereditary. If descendants in later generations prove unworthy, the imperial court will revoke them."

Xu Huaiyi muttered, "The Taizu is quite stingy."

Gu Huan smiled and scolded, "A title isn't like cabbage, something you can just give away casually! Stop changing the subject. I won't agree to you going to the battlefield, no matter what. Even if you were given a dukedom or even a kingdom, I wouldn't care. The battlefield is dangerous with swords and arrows flying everywhere and backward medical technology. It's too risky, and I can't gamble with your life."

She said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Xu Huaiyi hurriedly assured her, "Rest assured, if you called me, I wouldn't go anyway. How could I leave you and the child behind Thousands of miles apart, everything would be delayed. We can't live together, even if we were granted titles and positions, it wouldn't matter! What was that poem about Suddenly, I saw willow trees on the roadside, making me regret that my husband sought a high official position. Do you think I would make you regret this You won't kick me out and find someone else, right"

Gu Huanxi let out a cold snort, "You know that well enough."

Xu Huaiyi grinned and held her for a while before saying, "Could the empress's family be granted a marquis title"

Gu Huanxi said sarcastically, "It's a mere Marquis bestowed with honor but no real power. He just wants to save face. Do you care"

Xu Huaiyi shook his head. "I'm just fond of her and wouldn't push Ai Li into the fire pit. The harem is a place where women can stay, isn't it"

“You're not stupid yet.” Speaking of which, nowadays in the capital city, there are only three Duke Cheng'en. It's quite a sight. Who would have thought that the current Empress, Dowager Empress, and Great Empress Dowager are all alive Their natal families naturally receive awards. The title will only be taken back when they pass away. However, it is said that these three are in good health. Besides them, most of the other concubines in the palace are also alive, which is a miracle in itself. It seems as if all the wives and concubines are harmonious and there is no conflict.

Xu Huaiyi pondered for a moment, and with a hint of meaning in his words, he said, "There is another way to be enfeoffed as a marquis and become a prime minister, which is through meritorious service to the dragon."

Gu Huanxi raised an eyebrow. "So you're the one who came up with this idea"

Xu Huaiyi spread his hands, “Our family can’t just sit idly by. The eldest prince was able to seize the opportunity and ascend the throne, but what about Xiao Yu He doesn't have that kind of luck. He definitely has to fight for it. The eldest prince's principal wife has the backing of the Chang Le Hou Mansion, and the concubine relies on the Ping Yuan Bo Mansion. These two families are not easy to deal with. They calculated against Xiao Yu and chased him relentlessly. Why is that It’s all because they want the title of the legitimate eldest son. With that title, ascending to the throne would be his rightful place. As long as he doesn't commit any major mistakes, no one dares to surpass him and covet the position of Crown Prince.”

Gu Huanxi sighed helplessly, "I know, there's no escaping it sooner or later. Unless we can keep it a secret for our whole lives."

Xu Huaiyi said, "Even if we could hide this for a lifetime, Xiaoyu might not want to. He's working so hard now, do you really think he just loves to read He's desperately accumulating strength, plotting to have the power to fight back in the future."

Opportunities always favor those who are prepared. Otherwise, even if someone helps them to power, they wouldn't have the ability to rule the world.

Gu Huan smiled bitterly, "Then let's compete."

Xu Huaiyi stated resolutely, "It's imperative to fight. If he were a son born out of wedlock, it would be fine. But as the eldest legitimate son, if he can't ascend to power, there's only one path left: death."

Gu Huan rubbed his eyebrows, "How many more years do you think"

Xu Huaiyi pondered for a moment and said, "At the latest in ten years, at the very least, in the next two or three years, there should be some word."

"Emperor Jianxing is only in his forties, at the peak of his strength. Even if several princes were to compete, they would only be vying for the position of Crown Prince. Would they dare to kill their father and usurp the throne directly"

"Some princes wouldn't dare to usurp the throne and force a palace coup, they would be forever infamous for that. But what about the others"

Gu Huanxi furrowed her brow. "Are you saying the one who secretly accepts refugees and turns them into private soldiers"

Xu Huaiyi nodded, "I have a hunch that the other party has been planning for many years. It's definitely not a whim now. Ever since I learned about the disappearance of the Qingzhou refugees and heard from my master that the second prince sent people to investigate but gained no advantage, I started thinking about this matter and secretly inquired about others in the royal family who had motives. There are quite a few."

For example, King Chu, he was the youngest son of the founding emperor, and at the time, he was the eldest son. He just suffered from being younger. He didn't know much back then, but would his mother be willing to accept this Wouldn't she brainwash him to seize power His biological mother, the Empress Dowager, was a prominent family from the previous dynasty. Later, she stationed troops in the southwest with an army of 200,000. She definitely had the strength to aspire to the throne. Moreover, it is said that King Chu was quite capable and well-liked.

What else

"And there is King Qin, who is the biological brother of Emperor Jianxing. He is the eldest son of the late emperor, and according to tradition, the throne should have been his. Unfortunately, he was injured and disabled, which caused him to miss out on the throne. Back then, he was groomed as the crown prince and learned all the arts of a ruler. Could he be content being an idle king Even if he were content, could his descendants accept it peacefully Besides, I also heard that the Empress Dowager loved him very much, even more than Emperor Jianxing. At the time, she chose a noblewoman from the An Guogong's family as his wife - the eldest daughter."

"Duke An's residence Sounds familiar..."

"That sounds familiar. Master Sun's sister, Sun Tao, married Zhang Yuheng, the current eldest grandson of the Duke An Guo."ind-hearted. I think those orphans, raised from a young age, would be more loyal to our family. Then, based on their personalities and abilities, we can use them in different places. What do you think...