If Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, the two brothers, had received this military merit, they would have at least been ennobled as marquises and generals.
If I couldn't even get a Thousand-Stone Sima Xu, my heart would be utterly cold, and I would have to consider finding another way out.
Liu Jin shook his head, not thinking too much about this matter; since he was here, he would make the best of it.
Anyway, the Little Yellow Gate had already arrived, and after the commandery's awards were completed, if there were any rewards, he would definitely come to the army camp outside the city.
If there were no signs of activity, his official position would probably be gone.
He looked at Zhao Ergou beside him and ordered!
"Prepare one hundred thousand coins for me."
Zhao Ergou was stunned when he heard this and couldn't help but ask in confusion!
"Big Brother, what are you preparing money for?"
Liu Jin patiently explained!
"The Little Yellow Gate has come all this way. If we don't prepare some benefits, and he returns to the imperial palace and speaks ill of me to those eunuchs, I'll be in deep trouble."
"So, the necessary benefits must be prepared to avoid causing trouble for myself."
"Additionally, it can also show favor to these eunuchs, so that I won't be targeted in the court in the future, and they might even speak a few good words for me."
Zhao Ergou nodded in understanding when he heard this.
His Big Brother was good at handling social relations, always paving the way with money, so he had excellent connections in the commandery and received praise from many people.
He quickly went down and prepared several large boxes to pack one hundred thousand copper coins.
Liu Jin then led Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Han Dang, and others, waiting at the entrance of the army camp.
A moment later, several carriages were slowly approaching this place.
Zhang Fei immediately shouted!
"Big Brother, those eunuchs are here!"
When everyone heard this, their eyes looked forward, and they saw the imperial carriage slowly approaching, swaying.
Liu Jin's face broke into a smile, and his worried feelings completely disappeared. As long as the Little Yellow Gate arrived, his official position would definitely be promoted.
However, the carriage wheels left deep imprints on the dirt road, appearing very heavy.
It seemed that many people in the commandery knew how to adapt to circumstances and understood that when the Little Yellow Gate arrived, they had to give some benefits.
Soon, the carriage stopped outside the army camp, and two guards lifted the curtain.
The Little Yellow Gate, sitting inside the carriage, slowly stepped down, his face thin, his eyes arrogant. He scanned everyone, and his sharp, thin voice slowly came.
"Liu Jin, Liu Wenyi, where is he?"
Liu Jin heard the harsh words, which made him feel a bit flustered, but he immediately stepped forward, his face showing respect, and cupped his hands!
"This humble one, Liu Jin, greets the Imperial Emissary."
The Little Yellow Gate nodded, his tone still cold, and his sharp, piercing voice continued!
"This Heavenly Emissary has come to bestow awards by imperial decree of His Majesty."
"Liu Wenyi, step forward to receive the imperial decree."
Liu Jin immediately knelt on one knee, his head bowed low, and his hands raised above his head.
Behind him, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Han Dang, and others all followed suit, kneeling on one knee, cupping their hands, showing respect.
After all, it was an imperial decree, and seeing the decree was like seeing the Son of Heaven, so they naturally dared not be rebellious.
The Little Yellow Gate unfolded the imperial decree in his hand, looked at the writing on it, and his mumbling words came!
"Liu Jin, for your meritorious service in pacifying the Yellow Turban in Zhuo Commandery, you are hereby appointed as Biebu Sima, with an official rank of a thousand stones."
"After several days of organizing your army, you shall lead your troops to Jizhou, following the orders of the Zhonglang General, to continue the campaign against the Yellow Turban and slay the rebels for the country."
Liu Jin's face lit up when he heard this; it was much higher than he had expected in his heart. He was not a Military Sima but a Biebu Sima.
Moreover, he was to lead his troops to Jizhou, following the call of the Zhonglang General.
He didn't even need to think; this person must be Lu Zhi, which suited his intentions perfectly.
He slowly took the imperial decree with both hands, and his respectful voice came!
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness."
"Your subject will definitely do his utmost to slay the enemies and relieve His Majesty's worries."
In addition to the imperial decree, there was also a rewarded copper seal and black ribbon, which only officials above the thousand-stone rank could wear, representing a symbol of status and authority.
Liu Jin slowly stood up and winked at Zhao Ergou behind him.
Zhao Ergou immediately understood and walked to the back. Soon, a carriage was led over.
Liu Jin looked at the Little Yellow Gate in front of him, a smile on his face, and whispered to the side!
"Heavenly Emissary, this small local specialty is a token of my respect; please accept it."
The Little Yellow Gate who delivered the decree heard this, scanned the carriage in front of him again, nodded slightly, and a hint of a smile appeared on his arrogant face.
His tone also improved significantly, and he said softly!
"Liu Sima, as a member of the Han Dynasty imperial clan, you have performed well this time, and His Majesty is very pleased."
"After this, you must bravely fight the enemy. As long as news of your merits comes, His Majesty will definitely promote you one or two ranks."
Liu Jin was overjoyed when he heard this, not expecting to catch His Majesty's eye. It seemed to be a pleasant surprise.
He didn't even need to think; it must be because of his status as an imperial clansman. If he were an ordinary person, His Majesty probably wouldn't even glance at him.
His fawning smile grew even stronger, and he whispered!
"Thank you, Heavenly Emissary, for your guidance. Your subject will definitely not fail His Majesty's trust."
The Little Yellow Gate nodded slightly and had no intention of staying here. Instead, he ordered several guards behind him to lead the carriage into the convoy.
Soon, they left this place, coming and going in a hurry.
After Liu Jin watched them leave, his fawning smile disappeared, and he returned to his calm demeanor.
Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Han Dang, Zhao Ergou, and others beside him all had excited expressions and quickly congratulated him!
"Congratulations, Big Brother, on becoming a Sima!"
Liu Jin laughed heartily when he heard this, his heart filled with excitement. After all, he was a thousand-stone official in the court, barely entering the bureaucratic system.
He looked at the people around him and said softly!
"This is all thanks to my brothers, who bravely fought the enemy on the battlefield, which allowed me to earn this military merit."
"I, Liu Jin, thank all my brothers here."
After saying this, he cupped his hands in a salute.
Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Zhao Ergou heard this and quickly waved their hands to stop him, saying seriously!
"Hey, Big Brother!"
"We are brothers. Fighting on the battlefield for you is a brother's duty. How can you be so polite?"
Han Dang and Wu Xing also said with serious faces!
"Yes, Ming Gong!"
"Since we follow you, we naturally must serve you and never betray you, even if we die on the spot, we will have no regrets."
Liu Jin was quite moved by their words and said with a smile!
"Hahaha!"
"This just makes me seem overly sentimental."
"Come on, Big Brother is happy today. We will drink to our hearts' content with all my brothers and not stop until we are drunk!"
After saying this, he immediately took everyone's hands, preparing to return to the army camp and hold a grand banquet.
Just then, a swift horse galloped towards them.
The group, who were about to leave, heard the sound and turned to look behind them.
They saw the mounted soldier quickly shout!
"Liu Sima, my Marquis invites you to a banquet at his residence. Please bring your generals with you."