The sun never sets in America

Chapter 81: Knighthood and Investiture

"It took ten years to cross from China to America." Liu Yan said with emotion as he looked at the officials standing beside him, especially the brothers who shared the joys and sorrows.

"And if you include me, Liu Yan, who defected to the Red Flag Gang, it took me more than twenty years to go from an unknown little pirate to the current King of Han..." Liu Yan looked at these brothers and said with emotion again, this time Instead of calling him Gu, he changed his name to me, which shows how Liu Yan is feeling at this moment...

"Even the shortest among you is ten years now. The longest among you, Zhao Wei and Lan Yun, have been with me for 18 years..." Liu Yan seemed to have returned to the past at this moment, and he spoke tirelessly. What happened back then.

All the old people in Liujiabao present were deeply moved, and some even cried.

The cries contained excitement and memories, but more of a sigh, lamenting that it had been more than ten years since they had been pirates and sailed eastward to North America.

More than ten years are enough for a child to grow up and for a country to undergo earth-shaking changes.

As Liu Yan narrated, time seemed to have reversed at this moment, pulling the memories of everyone present back to that life-defining night ten years ago.

At that time, Liu Yan's speech was not as pretentious as it is now to maintain the dignity of the king. Basically, there were a few swear words in every three sentences... and the other people present were not much better.

Because of his background as a pirate, he intercepted ships, kidnapped and extorted money, molested women, and resold the goods on the ship. Those who knew it thought they were a group of founding fathers, and those who didn't knew thought they were a group of bandits! !
"At that time, I was still a guard at His Majesty's house..." Just when everyone was falling into memories because of Liu Yan's words just now, Lan Yun, who had served Liu Yan as the captain of the bodyguard, stood in the crowd. Zhongfa said, attracting everyone's attention.

"At that time, His Majesty asked me what I wanted to do in the future. I said at that time that my biggest wish in this life is to marry several wives, have a lot of children, and build a bigger and more luxurious house in my hometown than the king in the town... ..." Lan Yun said with an embarrassed smile on his face, "Then I will be happy in the house every day... thinking about nothing." After Lan Yun said this, he blushed and closed his mouth, but his face There are still some unfinished thoughts, which shows that Lan Yun still has a lot of things in his heart that he has not said out loud.

"Ha ha……"

"Ha ha……"

Everyone present, including Liu Yan, burst out laughing after hearing Lan Yun's words.

"I said Lan Rabbit..." Xu Zhi stood up and said to Lan Yun, calling Lan Yun the nickname he got because he was a rabbit and he could run fast.

"You only have so much potential as a kid." Xu Zhi pointed at Lan Yun and scolded with a smile, "Then let me ask you, have you fulfilled your original wish now, marry several wives and have a lot of children??" Xu Zhi asked knowingly. He asked Lan Yun, his tone full of ridicule to Lan Yun.

People around him, including Liu Yan, all focused on Lan Yun...

"The wife at home is very strict, there is only one..." Lan Yun replied to Xu Zhi a little embarrassed, and then lowered his head with a red face, as if he was really too embarrassed to see anyone.

"Ha ha……"

Everyone present laughed again, and the laughter was louder than what Lan Yun was teasing himself just now.

Lan Yun could only shy away from the crowd in embarrassment.

"Well, you Xu Datou, how can you bully Lan Yun? What good things can you do yourself..." Li Zhaowu couldn't stand Xu Zhi's behavior of mocking Lan Yun just now, so he stood up and retorted, "If I didn't remember Wrong, when you got married, you must have married a widow..." Li Zhaowu exposed Xu Zhi's shortcomings on the spot.

"Ha ha……"

The crowd burst into laughter again.

"Go, go, go..." Xu Zhi interrupted a few people who were still laughing around him unhappily, "What's wrong with the widow? Widows can give birth to babies. I've already given birth to five. Unlike some people, I have given birth to several babies in a row." I'm a bitch, I've married several wives, but all of them are without control!!" Xu Zhi countered on the spot that Li Zhaowu had given birth to several daughters in a row, but could not give birth to a son.

"You..." Li Zhaowu was speechless by Xu Zhi, and his face turned red.

"Ha ha……"

The people around them laughed from ear to ear when they saw Li Zhaowu and Xu Zhi exchanging dirty information.

"If you ask me, Old Tang is still the most powerful." Zhao Wei pointed at Tang Wuwei and said to everyone, "You can fight when you mount a horse, and you can raise horses when you dismount. What's the name of that position? Oh... It's called the director of the military horse farm, okay. Guy, isn't this what Sun Wukong was in Journey to the West?" Zhao Wei was talking about Tang Wuwei's other positions besides the Dragon Cavalry Brigade Commander, which was the part-time director of the Han Kingdom's military horse farm.

Specializing in cultivating and producing war horses that can supply troop cavalry, scouts, and even messengers, as well as draft horses that can pull carts, ammunition, and artillery. It can be said that it is very suitable for Tang Wuweiqian to give this position to Tang Wuweiqian.

"It's called Bi Mawen..." Xu Zhi agreed to Zhao Wei.

"Ha ha……"

There was another round of laughter among the people present.

"You Zhao Laojiu, what a good thing you are, you have married seven wives, and it is said that you are planning to marry another foreign woman." Tang Wuwei was a little annoyed because of Zhao Wei's sudden ridicule, and said to everyone that Zhao Wei had recently been Regarding the matter of marrying another white concubine, "Zhao Laojiu, is that thing of yours still useful?" Tang Wuwei then teased Zhao Wei in a teasing tone. While teasing, he looked at Zhao Wei's body and said: The sound of chattering.

"Ha ha……"

The laughter this time was louder than the previous ones, which made the Indian nobles who were still standing at the last moment and the white people who defected to the Han Kingdom a little bit incredulous. After all, how could such a good canonization be kept in a book and kept at every turn? Want to laugh? ?
And laughing so loudly.

This time it was Zhao Wei's turn to be teased and speechless. His face kept changing, which clearly showed his inner embarrassment at this moment.

"Okay, okay..." Liu Yan looked at the lively scene below. Although he instantly returned to the days when he was on the boat, drinking from big bowls, eating large pieces of meat, and dividing gold and silver on big scales, he felt infinite joy in his heart. Feelings, but now is the founding ceremony of the country, the founding heroes are here to expose each other's shortcomings, and then everyone laughs at each other, so what's going on... Although he himself was also one of the people who just laughed.

As soon as Liu Yan finished speaking, everyone present showed serious expressions. After all, although what they had just said was a bit arrogant and unscrupulous, it did not mean that these founding heroes were all fools.

After all, he could work as a pirate from China, then follow Liu Yan to North America, and finally establish himself in Liujiapu. After fighting with foreigners and surrounding Indian tribes for so many years, until the founding of the country, no one is a real fool, and everyone is a human spirit.

"Today is the great day for the founding of our country, and it is also the day for all of you to achieve success and fame." Liu Yan said slowly while looking at all the heroes present.

"Zhao Wei comes forward to listen to the seal..." Liu Yan shouted to Zhao Wei.

"I'm here..." Zhao Wei cupped his fists and bent down to Liu Yan with a respectful look on his face.

"Zhao Wei has been with Gu for many years, assisting him in handling affairs in the fort and even in the army for many years. Gu Jiafeng was granted the title of Marquis of Guangling... He is hereditary and will retire with the country!!" Liu Yan looked at Zhao Weizhuang Zhou's appointment in front of him and said, compared to Those Indian nobles who could only be inherited for five generations, Liu Yan had never been stingy with his brothers who conquered the world with him.

As for saying, when the birds are gone, the good bow is hidden, the cunning rabbit is dead, and the lackeys are cooked... He Liu Yan can't do it, nor is he willing to do it. He only wants the emperor and his ministers to work together for the same good, and work together to spread it through the ages! ! !
"Your Majesty, Zhao Wei, accepts the decree..." Zhao Wei knelt down with a plop and bowed to Liu Yan.

Liu Yan looked at Zhao Wei underground with satisfaction, and then said:

"Li Zhaowu stepped forward to listen to the seal..."

Liu Yan looked at Li Zhaowu, the commander of the Iron Guard Brigade in the crowd.

"I'm here..." Li Zhaowu, like Zhao Wei just now, cupped his fists and bent down towards Liu Yan.

"Li Zhaowu successively served in the Attaché, Iron Guard, Iron Guard Battalion, and Iron Guard Brigade. He performed his duties faithfully. For more than ten years, he made numerous military exploits in the Battle of Los Angeles, and was specially named Weiyuan Marquis... He was hereditary, and he fought with the country. Rest!!" Liu Yan looked at Li Zhaowu's appointment and said with a hint of appreciation in his eyes. After all, Li Zhaowu is less than 40 years old and is still young in the army. No matter how you put it, he can serve the Han Dynasty for at least 20 years. It cannot be emphasized enough.

Moreover, Li Zhaowu is also a founding hero, which is even more rare.

"Your Majesty Li Zhaowu accepts the order..." Li Zhaowu knelt down and accepted the order.

"Xu Zhi comes forward to listen to the seal..." Liu Yan then shouted to Xu Zhi.

"I'm here..." Xu Zhi also restrained his usual carelessness at this time, and respectfully agreed to Liu Yan, clasping his fists and bending down.

"Xu Zhi went through the bodyguards, the armed guards, the armed guards camp, and the armed guard brigade. He performed his duties faithfully and made great contributions to the development of the country. He was granted the title of Marquis of Shunyi...hereditary succession, and retired with the country..." Liu Yan looked at Xu Zhi said, compared to the other two, Liu Yan liked and annoyed him at the same time. He liked him because he could really fight, but he was annoyed because this guy was so capable of causing trouble, especially the one that couldn't block the door. His mouth can only make the interpersonal relationships in the military very bad.

"Your Majesty Xu Zhi accepts the decree..." Xu Zhi fell to the ground and thanked Liu Yan, with tears in his eyes.

I think Xu Zhi was just a butcher. Because he got into a lawsuit in his hometown, he defected to Liu Yan and became a pirate. From the beginning, he followed Liu Yan to rob families and houses, and finally followed Liu Yan to North America. After dozens of battles, it can be said that he is Xu Zhi. I gained my current status through military exploits...

Now, after all the hardships, he has been granted the title of Marquis, hereditary succession, and resting with the country. What an honor it is. If you tell him at this time that there is smoke coming from the ancestral graves in his hometown in Huizhou, he will believe it at this time...

Without him, there were only a few butchers who became marquises in history, and now he, Xu Zhi, could be considered a marquis.

"Lan Yun comes forward to accept the seal..." Liu Yan nodded to Xu Zhi who stood up, and then shouted to Lan Yun.

"I'm here..." Lan Yun, like the others before him, immediately stepped forward after Liu Yan called him, clasped his fists and bent down to agree.

"Lan Yun and Gu have known each other since they were young. When they were members of the Hongqi Gang, they served as Gu's bodyguard. Later, they assisted Gu Dong in crossing North America, protecting Gu's family all the way. When he finally established his foothold in North America, he also led his troops into battle many times. ...It can be said that his hard work is of great merit, and he was specially granted the title of Marquis Muyun, and his first son was granted the title of Baron... He is hereditary, and he will retire with the country..." Liu Yan appointed Lan Yun. Compared with others who only have one title, Liu Yan said Lan Yun directly gave two of them, and gave one more the position of baron, and asked Lan Yun to choose a second son to inherit the title in the future. Such treatment is only available to Lan Yun...

Or in the entire Han Kingdom, you can say that Zhao Wei has the highest qualifications and the longest years, you can also say that Li Zhaowu has the greatest military exploits, and Xu Zhi is brave and capable. But when you mention Lan Yun, it seems that you can’t think of anything... But everyone knows that Lan Yun has What does Liu Yan mean? It means that when the Shenzhou Red Flag Gang had just climbed to the middle level and had not yet established a firm foothold, there were countless open and covert attacks...

It was Lan Yun who formed the bodyguard, the earliest bodyguard, and helped Liu Yan avoid many attacks, as well as subsequent encirclement and suppression by the army, as well as backstabbing by his own people.

It can be said that the name Lan Yun can no longer be separated from Liu Yan. Even when it was originally decided, when I think of Liu Yan, I can think of Lan Yun, Lan Rabbit, who has been following him on horseback and running fast.

Even if Li Zhaowu, Xu Zhi and others rose later, Lan Yun's status could not be ignored.

And Lan Yun's status in Liu Yan's heart.

"Your Majesty...Lan Yun, accept the order!!!" Lan Yun knelt down on the ground and tremblingly bowed to Liu Yan. He did not expect that in addition to the Marquis, Liu Yan also gave him another one that he could allocate on his own. Baron, and he is still hereditary, he also understands what Liu Yan means.

Just like when Liu Yan first formed the bodyguard team, Liu Yan held his hand and said: "If you don't let me down, I will never let you down..."

He, Lan Yun, had not failed Liu Yan. The two sword wounds on his body were proof of this, and Liu Yan had not failed Lan Yun. The two titles were also proof.

"Tang Wuwei comes forward to accept the seal..." Liu Peng shouted to Tang Wuwei after finishing handling Lan Yun's matter.

"I'm here..." Tang Wuwei respectfully bowed down and clasped his fists in front of Liu Yan.

"Tang Wuwei organized cavalry, worked hard, and led the army many times to defeat the enemy. He was so relieved that he was granted the title of Marquis of Yunfeng...hereditary but not replaced...and retired with the country..." Liu Yan said to Tang Wuwei's appointment, if Speaking of what Liu Yan likes most in the army, that is cavalry. Liu Yan, who was born as a pirate, understands the advantage of speed better than anyone else. Many wars throughout the ages have been won by the advantage of speed... and even if the cavalry is in In this era of firearms, they are currently playing an irreplaceable role.

"Your Majesty Tang Wuwei obeys the decree..." Tang Wuwei prostrated himself on the ground and promised Liu Yan, with gratitude on his face.

"Jiang Yucheng comes forward to accept the seal..." Liu Yan glanced at Tang Wuwei for the last time, and then ordered Jiang Yucheng, Minister of the Navy.

"I'm here..." Jiang Yucheng cupped his fists and bowed to Liu Yan.

"Jiang Yucheng came from the Americas and was in charge of foreign affairs. He imported Western machinery into the fort, sold the goods in the fort in exchange for funds, and later served as the Minister of the Navy. He was a creditor for his hard work... He was specially granted the title of Marquis of Haixi, hereditary, and retired with the country... …" Liu Yan appointed Jiang Yucheng with a pleased expression on his face. After all, without Jiang Yucheng outside, helping Liujiabao obtain Western machines and attracting mathematical talents, Liujiabao would not necessarily have developed into the founding state it is today. Degree.

It is never too much to say that hard work pays off.

"Your Majesty, Jiang Yucheng, accept the order..." Jiang Yucheng knelt down and thanked Liu Yan.

"Du Wen comes forward to accept the seal..." Liu Yan ordered Du Wen, the former logistics minister and now the mayor of Nanmen City.

"I'm here..." Du Wen respectfully bowed to Liu Yan with clasped fists.

"Du Wen has been working diligently over the years to clean up the logistics of the fort. When the army was conquering, he also organized manpower to help the army win. He was granted the title of Uncle Wen Yuan...heired, and retired with the country..." Liu Yan said to Du Wen appointed that the title granted this time was not the Marquis of those people just now, but the lower-level earl, which shows the difference in status.

"Your Majesty, Du Wen, accepts the decree..." Du Wen knelt down and thanked Liu Yan. In fact, he had no dissatisfaction with the title. After all, he himself knew that he and those in front of him, whether in terms of merit or qualifications, were the same. There is a huge gap. In his opinion, being able to get an earl is excellent. How can he dare to ask for anything more.

"Song Yusheng came forward to listen to the seal..." Liu Yan shouted again.

"I'm here..." Song Yusheng cupped his fists and bowed to Liu Yan.

"When Song Yusheng served as the former envoy of the fortress, he worked conscientiously and worked hard without complaining. He was specially granted the title of Shanwen Bo... He is hereditary and will retire with the country..." Liu Yan appointed Song Yusheng. Speaking of this Song Yusheng, in fact, this person His position was a transparent role both in Han Dynasty now and in Liujiapu back then. However, he could not hold the position for others. He worked for ten years and was still the most tiring and had the least results. Looking at the gate of the fortress during the Liujiabao period...

Moreover, he was one of them. While everyone else was trying to find ways to negotiate and transfer people away, Song Yusheng was the only one who did the job of guarding day after day, year after year, without slacking off.

This seems silly to many people, but in Liu Yan's view, what is this? This is loyalty, this is persistence, this is the courage to do something even though you know you cannot do it. In Liu Yan's heart, if all the officials of the Han Dynasty were Song If Hanyu is like this, then he can sit back and relax.

"Your Majesty Song Yusheng accepts the decree..." Song Yusheng fell to the ground and thanked Liu Yan. When he stood up, he looked very ordinary and honest. He was inconspicuous in the crowd.

But such an inconspicuous person has been working in the extremely boring position of guarding the door for ten years. What is ability, this is ability, what is persistence, this is persistence...

At least for Liu Yan, that's the case.

"Yan Jun came forward to listen to the appointment..." After Liu Yan appointed the old ministers, there were rising stars like Yan Jun.

"I'm here..." Yan Jun promised Liu Yan, clasping his fists and bending down, with a respectful expression on his face, not daring to slack off at all.

"Yan Jun traveled to North America with Gudong ten years ago. He served as a minor official for many years and worked hard without complaint. He was later transferred to the Xijing Port and the mayor of Xijing City. He expanded Kyoto and developed the economy. He carried out many benevolent policies and can be called a benevolent minister... Granted the title of baron...Fifth generation of inheritance..." Liu Yan appointed Yan Jun. Compared with the hereditary replacement of the previous veterans, who retired with the country, Yan Jun and the others have now become the fifth generation of inheritance, which shows how huge the difference.

And this gap is actually the qualifications.

In any country, qualifications are very important. Without qualifications, no matter how great you are, when people evaluate you, they will often use contemptuous terms such as rookie, upstart, or even nouveau riche.

Compared with people like Zhao Wei and Lan Yun, rising stars like Yan Jun not only lack merit, but also lack qualifications, especially the qualifications to conquer the world with Liu Yan. Moreover, when conquering the world, they must be at the forefront, otherwise the Liu family will There are so many people in the castle, but there are only so many veterans.

It can be seen that there is a gap between the heroes and the heroes, and it is still very big! !

"Your Majesty Yan Jun accepts the decree..." Yan Jun prostrated himself on the ground and replied to Liu Yan respectfully.

"Yeah!!" Liu Yan looked at Yan Jun on the ground, forehead with satisfaction, and then continued: "Tao Wang comes forward to listen to the order..." Liu Yan shouted to the crowd on the general's side.

"I'm here..." Tao Wang cupped his fists and bowed to Liu Yan.

"Tao Wang successively served in the Military Guard Camp, the Weiwu Camp, and the Mixed Regiment. He took the lead and set an example for our army. He was specially awarded the title of Baron... and has been followed for five generations..." Liu Yan said to Tao Wang's appointment. To be honest, Liu Yan actually initially paid attention to Tao Wang had no impression of him. It wasn't until he investigated the Weiwu Camp that he discovered that one of the Weiwu Battalions had a better record than some of the main battalions. This attracted Liu Yan's attention.

Following subsequent investigations, it was discovered that the commander of this mighty battalion was a captain of the original Wuwei camp. During his time in the Wuwei camp, he had outstanding military exploits and was brave and good at fighting. It can be said that since then, Tao Wang has been linked to Liu Yan. If you get the number, you won't be able to become the leader of the mixed regiment, which is second only to the main brigade.

"Your Majesty, Tao Wang, obeys the order..." Tao Wang knelt down and thanked Liu Yan. Although his expression was very calm, in fact, he was very excited in his heart.

"Where is Zhou Zheng..." Liu Yan then continued to confer.

"I'm here..." Zhou Zheng stood up and greeted Liu Yan.

"Zhou Zheng has served as deputy for many years and served as a soldier for many years. He is now the leader of the mixed regiment. He is responsible for protecting the country and the people, conferring the title of baron, and inheriting the army for five generations..." Liu Peng appointed Zhou Zheng.

"I obey the decree..." Zhou Zheng fell to the ground and thanked him.

"The rest will be granted the title of Duke..." Liu Peng said to the remaining people. The so-called Duke is similar to a knight in the West. He will be allocated a piece of land, but it will not be too big. The main rights are also the most important. The most important thing is to participate in political power. With the title of public servant, even if you retire, you can supervise local government and enjoy certain privileges.

"Thank you, Your Majesty..." Soon there was another sound of kneeling and thanking him.

Liu Yan nodded and looked at Liu Peng. Liu Peng understood and took out the memorial and shouted:
"According to the military rank law of the Han Dynasty, there are four levels: general, colonel, lieutenant, and sergeant."

"Lieutenant General Zhao Weifeng, Deputy Minister of the Army."

"Xu Zhi, commander of the Wuwei Brigade, is brigadier general."

"Li Zhaowu, the commander of the Iron Guard Brigade, is brigadier general."

"Tang Wuwei, the commander of the Dragon Cavalry Brigade, is brigadier general."

"Lan Yun, commander of Yingyang Brigade, is brigadier general."

"Tao Wang, the leader of the [-] mixed regiment, is a colonel."

"Colonel Zhou Zhengwei, the leader of the [-]st Mixed Regiment."

"The leader of the regiment under the main brigade is always a lieutenant colonel, the battalion commander is a major, the team leader is a captain, and the team deputy lieutenant."

"Military ranks include marshal, general, lieutenant general, major general, brigadier general, colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, second lieutenant, sergeant major, staff sergeant, corporal..."

Liu Peng slowly introduced the military ranks and the people who appointed them.

(End of this chapter)