The memorial landed in front of Yuan Wei.

He didn’t dare to look at Liu Hong’s expression at this moment, only reaching out to pick up the memorial.

Although Lu Zhi didn’t immediately record the dialogue between Qiao Yan and Zhang Jiao, in an environment where paper was still scarce despite the popularity of Cai Hou paper in the Han dynasty,

most scholars still preferred to use bamboo slips and silk books.

Therefore, recounting the debate and transcribing it into this memorial wasn’t difficult.

As Yuan Wei read through the records of the three debates, he became increasingly alarmed.

Indeed, this wasn’t a series of debates that could be explained away by chance.

Even in the face of Yuan Wei’s refusal to accept the enfeoffment of a woman, he had to admit that Liu Hong had a compelling reason to reward Qiao Yan.

Because Qiao Yan argued with facts that the abnormal celestial phenomena were not due to the emperor’s lack of virtue, but rather the natural cycles of the sun and moon.

While this argument might challenge the notion of the emperor’s divine mandate, in the current situation, choosing the lesser of two evils, Liu Hong and Yuan Wei both knew the importance.

For a Han dynasty plagued by frequent natural disasters…

it was a plea to save the state.

And her second debate positioned the healing effects of Taoist medicine as a remedy after the harm had been done, a potent antidote against the beliefs of the lowest of the populace, undermining the Yellow Turbans’ faith.

It had a deeper impact than just capturing Zhang Jiao.

As for this third argument, Zhang Jiao seemed resigned and didn’t say much, which wasn’t worth mentioning.

However, to conclude this whole debate with assertions rooted in Han dynasty soil, developed through astrology, medical principles, and Buddhist teachings, was truly a splendid promotion and advocacy for the greatness of Han.

Moreover, these words came from the mouth of a mere child.

To hear such wisdom from the mouth of a young girl undoubtedly had a far greater impact than if it were spoken by the likes of Zheng Xuan and Lu Zhi, who were also present.

“…I know I was wrong. Your Majesty indeed deserves to reward this marquis.”

Though Yuan Wei’s thoughts had indeed changed, these words of reversal still seemed to squeeze out reluctantly from between his teeth.

Whoever was used as an example by him and attacked with old grudges would likely find it hard to recover quickly.

Yuan Wei was not young anymore, and he couldn’t withstand such a blow.

With respect, he submitted the memorial to the eunuch who had come down to receive it, then adjusted his crown and returned to his original position.

Though he still maintained the dignity of a noble, standing tall, Yang Ci, who stood beside him, felt that his expression seemed to have aged several years.

Liu Hong indeed didn’t say anything further about Yuan Wei being unworthy of office, but his harsh judgment would surely leave a deep impression on Yuan Wei.

Even if Liu Hong immediately added that today’s events were strictly confidential and should not be spread outside, it probably wouldn’t change this impact.

Liu Hong continued, “Do any of you have objections to the enfeoffment of Qiao Yan?”

Obviously, no one dared to object to the enfeoffment.

Yuan Wei’s example of opposing it was right in front of them.

If anyone insisted on saying such things, who knew if Liu Hong had any other internal information targeting them.

Between losing face and witnessing Qiao Yan’s enfeoffment, they chose the latter.

However, someone spoke up at this moment.

Yang Ci stepped forward and said, “Miss Qiao is exceptionally talented and has a heart devoted to serving the country.

Your Majesty’s words are correct; she should be enfeoffed. But is it too much to directly bestow a county marquisate?”

Seeing that Liu Hong didn’t interrupt him, Yang Ci continued, “The Right Central General who quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Zhu Gongwei, was enfeoffed earlier only as the Marquis of Duting.

If Your Majesty wishes to follow the example of the female marquises of the early Han dynasty, a position like the Marquis of Mingchi would suffice.

Although Qiao Yan is talented, granting her a Marquisate of a county or Duting should be sufficient. Why bestow a county marquisate?”

Liu Hong remained unperturbed and simply asked, “Does the Grand Commandant have grandchildren?”

Yang Ci pondered for a moment.

He couldn’t recall any anecdotes about his grandchildren that could be brought up in this context, so he replied, “I indeed have a grandson, only nine years old, named Xiu.”

Liu Hong then asked, “So, a hundred years from now, would the Grand Commandant be willing to see the monarch of Great Han treat him generously because of you?”

Yang Ci felt he probably didn’t mishear.

Liu Hong’s tone in this sentence was much gentler compared to his earlier reprimand of Yuan Wei.

He speculated that His Majesty’s intention was probably to show some face to the literati since he had already rebuked Yuan Wei earlier; now, naturally, he wanted to give him a sweet reward.

It seemed… reasonable enough.

Moreover, his son, Yang Biao, had married the great-granddaughter of Yuan An, and the Yuan family was of the same generation as Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu.

Considering this marital connection, the Yangs and Yuans were somewhat related, with Yang Xiu being the descendant of their union.

So, if it came to this, by giving him face, His Majesty was also implying honor for Yang Xiu, which was equivalent to returning face to the Yuan family.

Then Liu Hong continued, “Your grandfather was a Grand Commandant, your father was also a Grand Commandant, and now you’re the third Grand Commandant, with the title of Marquis of Linjin.

With your children and grandchildren growing up, surely they will be talented.

There may even be hope for a fourth Grand Commandant. However, all of Qiao Gong’s sons and daughters have perished, leaving only Qiao Yan. What harm is there in granting her a county marquisate?”

Yang Ci’s heart stirred.

Liu Hong’s words were clearly meant to reassure the hearts of these old ministers.

Further, recalling Liu Hong’s earlier statement about how he ranked Qiao Yan behind Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi when rewarding merits, under this evaluation, since Qiao Yan was to be granted a county marquisate out of the ordinary, it meant that Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi would likely also be county marquises.

Leaving Huangfu Song aside, Lu Zhi was a pillar among the literati.

This wasn’t too bad for them.

He promptly replied, “Your Majesty’s wisdom and kindness surpass what this minister can express.”

So, the enfeoffment was settled.

Yuan Wei was rendered speechless by Liu Hong’s words, and Yang Ci tacitly acknowledged Liu Hong’s enfeoffment without issue.

In this situation, there was no one else who would dare to voice any objections.

General of Chariots and Cavalry, He Miao, glanced around and felt something was amiss.

His elder brother, He Jin, was asked by His Majesty whom he would promote to quell the chaos in Jingzhou to show favor, but he didn’t really have the opportunity to speak up.

As for the Grand Commandant, Yang Ci, His Majesty hinted at showing favor to his descendants, but it seemed he didn’t really gain any substantial benefits.

He Miao thought that maybe he was overthinking it when his elder brother called himself dull.

He often found it difficult to follow conversations among the officials in his brother’s general’s mansion, but perhaps he was just reading too much into it.

Suppressing his instinctual thoughts, he followed the other two thousand stone officials out of the hall at a brisk pace.

However, before the one among them who was walking the fastest could step out of the hall, Liu Hong, who had already risen and was leaving, suddenly turned back and said, “I almost forgot one thing, Minister Yuan!”

Yuan Wei hadn’t yet emerged from the shadow of being questioned by Liu Hong earlier.

He wished he could just disappear at this moment, never to be seen again.

How could he have expected to be singled out by Liu Hong again?

His legs went weak subconsciously, but he was supported by someone and managed to stand up straight.

“Here.”

“I remember that although the honorable lady is advanced in years, she is still in good health and is praised for her intelligence both at home and outside. Tomorrow, I appoint her to succeed as the Minister of Astronomy.”

Liu Hong casually dropped another bombshell, without giving Yuan Wei a chance to refuse.

Having said that, he left.

Minister of Astronomy?

Yuan Wei’s vision went dark for a moment.

What was the Minister of Astronomy? That was the position in the court responsible for astronomy and calendrical calculations.

Although it only carried a salary of six hundred stone, it was not a position that just anyone could hold.

But Yuan Wei couldn’t refuse Liu Hong’s command!

Because if he said he didn’t want his wife to take up office, he would lose the debate to his wife, and then he would have no chance of holding any official position at all.

But why did His Majesty suddenly have such an idea? After already granting Qiao Yan a county marquisate, now… he wanted his wife to take up the position of Minister of Astronomy!

“Could it be that Your Majesty has some protective intentions towards the Ma family?” Zhao Zhong asked as they walked towards the Hall of Jade.

Liu Hong glanced at him. “Why think so much? I simply see that the disciples of Ma Rong are both proficient in astronomy. With his daughter intervening, perhaps I can use Zheng Xuan for my purposes.”

Zhao Zhong wanted to ask further, but he saw that the emperor, who had just exhibited considerable wisdom, now appeared lazy and decadent.

The eunuch attendant had already brought Liu Hong’s carriage.

There shouldn’t have been any carriages within the inner palace, but Liu Hong didn’t care about that.

The carriage before him was adorned with all sorts of jewels and precious stones, but instead of horses, it was pulled by four white donkeys.

Liu Hong got into the carriage and unabashedly flicked the whip.

The carriage, pulled by the white donkeys, raced through the garden, trampling over the scattered plants.

Zhao Zhong hurried to catch up.

As for the scattered flowers and plants, they would surely be properly tended to by tomorrow when Liu Hong passed through this place again.

Taking a look at the scene in the palace, and you can still see that beyond the eight gates of the capital, the lingering effects of famine and the chaos of the Yellow Turban Rebellion continue.

The tragic sight of refugees resorting to eating their own children is probably not something that can be alleviated just because the rebellion has been quelled.

Take, for example, Jizhou.

Compared to leaders like Bu Ji and Bo Cai, Zhang Jiao is considerably more adept at managing his subordinates.

After all, the position of great sage and teacher he held among the Yellow Turbans was nearly divine.

Moreover, Julu was the hometown of the Zhang brothers, so naturally they wouldn’t want to damage the livelihoods of the people there to consolidate their power.

Yet, despite this, while waiting for the court’s response, the advance of clearing out the Yellow Turbans also brought to light the hardships faced by the people of Jizhou.