When Qin Fang saw that Yang Haiyan was asking about him, he answered truthfully, “Lord Du wrote me a letter. He mentioned that I was just promoted in March, and even though the contributions from the sulfur and nitrate mines are significant, it’s still hard to get promoted quickly. I believe the Emperor doesn’t want me to rise too fast.”

Even though Yang Haiyan hadn’t worked in the officialdom, she understood some of these circumstances.

The workplace couldn’t compare to the court; if a boss could suppress his employees, how much more so could the Emperor?

“Then what about the merit? Isn’t there any reward?”

Qin Fang replied, “Not entirely; the Emperor conferred titles upon my grandmother and mother, granting them the rank of the seventh rank in the official.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Haiyan exclaimed, “According to our state laws, a man can petition for titles for his wife or mother when he becomes an official, usually for his wife.

When you were promoted to General of Martial Virtue, my title was conferred at that time, so my mother didn’t receive one then.

Now, exchanging the rewards from the sulfur and nitrate mines for my mother and grandmother’s titles is indeed a happy event.”

She felt a sense of longing for family ties, having been abandoned by her biological parents as a child and raised by her great-grandmother.

However, her great-grandmother was too old when she found her, which was why she was called great-grandmother.

So, when she was fifteen, her great-grandmother passed away.

For this reason, she yearned for familial affection.

Now, seeing how much Qin’s mother and grandmother cared for Qin Fang, she also felt warmth in their love for her.

If she had such a mother and grandmother, she would gladly exchange her titles for their recognition.

Therefore, she could see that Qin Fang was also pleased.

Moreover, Yang Haiyan thought, “This means that my mother and grandmother will have a monthly allowance of four taels of silver.”

The monthly stipend for a title is half of what an official receives, but four taels of silver is a significant sum for ordinary folks—after all, they wouldn’t spend that much in a year.

The Emperor may have conferred titles to Qin’s grandmother and mother, but he was not being overly generous.

Two seventh-rank titles would yield around one hundred taels of silver annually, enough to support them until they passed away.

But if they had received fifth-rank titles, it would be over a thousand taels a year—quite a difference.

Qin Fang hadn’t considered this.

His total allowances added up to about one hundred and twenty taels a month, which was sufficient for supporting his parents and grandparents.

Therefore, he hadn’t thought about the implications of the title’s income.

Now that Yang Haiyan mentioned it, he realized this was indeed wonderful news.

The couple chatted for a while longer before Yang Haiyan went to prepare dinner, as they were certainly hosting Wei Ting and Chief Eunuch Chi for a banquet.

However, what Yang Haiyan didn’t know was that although the contributions from the military land policy and the nitrate ice-making project were substantial, they hadn’t reached the level to warrant the Emperor conferring upon her the title of noble lady and bestowing a title.

Half of today’s honor was also due to Qin Fang’s contributions.

The true achievements came from the sulfur and nitrate mines.

But Qin Fang had no intention of telling her this.

In his heart, he believed that as long as she was happy, that was enough.

He would gladly make any sacrifice for her, just as she had never looked down on him.

Ba Li Village

Ba Li Village was currently hosting a celebratory banquet.

Although Qin Fang wasn’t present, the clan elders and the village head were well aware of such a grand event, and naturally, they had to organize a banquet.

Moreover, this banquet was quite lavish, thanks to Qin’s mother’s financial resources.

Last year, when the eldest couple returned from the frontier, they left behind one hundred taels of silver for building a house, and thirty taels remained.

Adding to that were ten taels of filial piety silver sent back at the end of last year, making Qin’s mother’s purse quite plump.

“Congratulations to you, Madam Qin! Your son was clever as a child; it was evident he was destined for greatness. Who would have thought he’d become a general now?”

“Indeed! As the saying goes, ‘You can tell a child’s future by the age of three.’ I always thought Qin Fang was capable.”

“The Qin family has turned a new leaf; they are officials now.”

“I heard this General Qin outranks even the county magistrate!”

“Will the county magistrate be coming today?”

“I don’t think the Qin family invited the county magistrate, did they?”

The Qin family indeed hadn’t invited the county magistrate.

The magistrate had no idea about the event, considering that Qin Fang didn’t rise through the military examinations; the court wouldn’t announce his promotion publicly, nor would they relay such news back home.

How could the magistrate possibly know?

Moreover, the Qin family wasn’t the type to seek publicity.

This banquet was mainly for the villagers and the Qin relatives.

However, the magistrate had learned of it because someone had come from the capital to announce the imperial decree.

At this moment, the people of Ba Li Village were enjoying their meal, chatting and having a lively time.

Just then, a group of people entered, led by officers from the county office.

The county officers, dressed in their official attire, stood out prominently.

As soon as they entered, they startled everyone inside; some were so shocked that they hadn’t even swallowed their food and stared dumbfounded at the newcomers.

People began to whisper among themselves: “Why are the officers here?”

“Is the Qin family in trouble?”

“But Qin Fang is a great general, a higher official than the county magistrate!”

“Then it must be that Qin Fang got into trouble!”

“Who knows?”

The Qin family was also anxious, exchanging glances with one another.

Finally, Grandpa Qin stepped forward to inquire when, at that moment, the officers stopped and did not speak.

However, more people entered through the courtyard gate, dressed in official robes, clearly high-ranking officials.

“County Magistrate…” The village chief exclaimed.

Others didn’t recognize the magistrate, but the village chief did.

He hurriedly stepped out from the crowd and approached the magistrate, saying, “Common folk greet the County Magistrate.”

Upon hearing the village chief address this person as the county magistrate, everyone prepared to kneel, seeing the village chief bowing down.

The county magistrate hurriedly said, “Everyone, no need for formalities; please listen to me first.”

Immediately, those who were about to kneel halted.

The villagers were quite respectful toward the county magistrate.

The county magistrate looked around: “May I ask if this is the home of General Qin Fang?”

Hearing this, the crowd parted, looking toward the Qin family.

From the magistrate’s words, they understood that Qin Fang didn’t seem to be in trouble; it seemed the magistrate had come to celebrate!

Grandpa Qin stepped forward respectfully and said, “I am Qin Fang’s grandfather, greetings to the County Magistrate.”

The county magistrate stepped forward, quickly supporting him and preventing him from bowing.

He said, “Old Qin, no need for formalities. General Qin has made great contributions to the state, and the Emperor has conferred titles upon Mrs. Qin and Grandma Qin. The official here to proclaim the imperial decree is waiting outside, and I will go invite him in.”

In the Qi Kingdom, an official refers to eunuchs, who are also called palace officials.

Many common people didn’t understand what the titles meant, but in Baili Village, many villagers understood.

Because there were scholars and educated individuals in the village, discussions often arose about literati, degree holders, and officials.

Thus, they knew that if a son became successful and became an official, he could petition for titles for his mother.

However, it was quite rare for titles to be conferred to a grandmother.

Grandpa Qin had some understanding of this.

After his grandson returned to the military camp last year and learned that his grandson had become a Seventh-Rank Thousand-Man Commander, Grandpa Qin often sought advice from the local scholars about official matters.

Although the scholars didn’t know much, they knew more than Grandpa Qin.

“This…” Grandpa Qin was stunned.

His eldest grandson managed to get titles for his mother and grandmother?

Two titles?

What kind of official was that?

Grandpa Qin struggled to process this and looked toward Huang Huzai.

Huang Huzai stepped forward to support Grandpa Qin: “Don’t worry; the general has indeed achieved great merit this time. Let’s invite the official in first.”

Hearing that his grandson had indeed made great contributions, Grandpa Qin breathed a sigh of relief and said to the county magistrate, “Thank you for informing us, please invite the official in.”

The county magistrate glanced at Huang Huzai and said to everyone, “The official comes with an imperial decree; everyone please step back.”

Then a eunuch entered holding the imperial decree: “The decree has arrived, Qin Fang’s birth mother, Lady Qin, please receive it.”

“Long live our Emperor!”

What the eunuch recited next was unintelligible to everyone, including Lady Qin.

After finishing reciting the titles for both Qin Mother and Grandma Qin, he looked at them and said, “Ladies, please accept the decree.”

Lady Qin hurriedly said, “This common woman accepts the decree, thank you, Your Majesty, long live our Emperor!”

Seeing this, Grandma Qin also said, “This common woman accepts the decree, thank you, Your Majesty, long live our Emperor!”

The eunuch did not criticize their lack of proper etiquette, understanding that they were uneducated women, and he wouldn’t be overly picky.

He handed the decrees to them and said a few formal words: “General Qin’s future looks bright; both ladies will surely have increasing fortune ahead. On behalf of my household, I’d like to extend congratulations to the Qin family in advance.”

Grandma Qin quickly said, “You are too polite. Today… today, our family is hosting a banquet to celebrate Ah Fang becoming a general and to express our gratitude to the court for valuing Ah Fang. You’ve come from far away, please, take a seat.”

The eunuch replied, “Thank you, madam, but His Majesty is still waiting for our reply, so we shall not take up more of your time.”

Grandpa Qin hastily said, “The official has traveled a long way; it would be impolite of us not to offer you even a cup of tea. Please come in and have some tea before you leave.”

The eunuch smiled: “Then I will graciously accept your offer.”

Grandpa Qin led the eunuch into the inner hall, and Grandma Qin hurried to pour a cup of sweet water.

The eunuch took a symbolic sip: “I’ve had my tea; we truly must take our leave. If we have the chance in the future, perhaps we can meet again in the capital.”

Grandpa Qin quickly presented a red envelope: “Today, our family is hosting a banquet, and it is our custom that guests receive a congratulatory gift to share in the joy of our family. Please do not refuse.”

Grandpa Qin’s words were quite grand; let alone the eunuch would not refuse, even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t have a good reason to do so.

However, these were all just formalities, and everyone knew that.

The eunuch accepted the red envelope and tucked it into his sleeve: “Then we shall take our leave.”

Having received the envelope, he felt it was light, indicating that there were surely silver bills inside.

He knew the amount wouldn’t be small, so the eunuch was in a good mood.