121

[The host has been awarded the title of "Duke", affecting the next plot trend and gaining 40 plot points.]

[The prestige of the Linlang Empire has increased significantly, affecting the next plot, gaining 20 plot points.]

Hearing the prompt in his ear, Su Shi then reacted.

"I really have been made a Duke by the Empire?"

He raised his head to look at Feng Chaoge, as if he wanted to see what this woman really thought.

Behind the pearl curtain, Feng Chaoge's eyes were bland, "Su Shi, are you satisfied with this reward?"

Before Su Shi could say anything, the ministers burst out loudly.

"Your Majesty, please rethink!"

"Although Su Shi has made meritorious achievements, he is a member of the Demonic path after all, how can he be directly given the title of Duke?"

"I beg Your Majesty to retract the edict!"

"Isn't this tantamount to handing over our Linlang territory to the rebels?"

At this point, the crowd dared to speak up and give advice.

Duke.

This title is too big!

A moment ago, Su Shi didn't have a title, but once this decree was announced, he was instantly above the ministers and became a first-class ruler ruling over millions of people.

Although the Southwest Region was the lowest of the Nine Regions in terms of wealth and area, using a state as a reward was unprecedented! Not to mention that it had been bestowed to Shengzi from the Demonic path!

Chu Yin couldn't even help himself, "Your Majesty, if it's a spiritual treasure immortal pill, it's fine, but the Duke's position is very important, it must not be taken lightly!"

Although he intends to be friends with Su Shi, this has affected everyone's interests!

Feng Chaoge said coldly, "Do you think I treat state affairs as child's play?"

Chu Yin's voice twitched and he bowed, "I dare not."

Feng Chaoge's eyes were deep and her voice was cold, "I never change the decisions I have made, so whether you can understand or not, I don't want to hear any more complaints."

The ministers looked at each other, not daring to say anything more.

It is obvious that Her Majesty has made up her mind!

Feng Chaoge said indifferently, "The Duke of Southwest Region has no residence in Weiyang Capital, so he will have to stay in the Palace of Gods for now."

The expressions of the civil and military officials changed.

No minister could live there yet, but Her Majesty had even given Su Shi the Palace of Gods to live in!

Her demeanor already spoke for itself!

The faces of those who had jumped out earlier, were all rather ugly at this moment.

It seemed that Her Majesty's mind was made up, so hadn't they offended a Supreme Ruler?

Feng Chaoge looked at Su Shi, "Do you have anything to say?"

The group of ministers also cast their gazes.

Su Shi cleared his throat and asked, "This ... can I not accept it?"

The courtiers were almost thrown back.

Being titled as a Duke, a lord of the realm. This is a huge reward, and he is unwilling to accept it?

Feng Chaoge seemed to have anticipated it long ago, shook her head and said: "No, no matter who it is, if I say you have to do it, you have to do it."

Seeing Su Shi's silence, Feng Chaoge said, "Sect affairs have nothing to do with the Empire. So you can continue to be Shengzi, but for the Linlang Empire, you are the Duke of Southwest Region."

This decision was inviolable.

One could not even find a reason to refuse.

Seeing Su Shi's helpless gaze, the corners of Feng Chaoge's mouth curled up slightly, "Are there any more questions?"

"Yes."

Su Shi asked again, "What is the annual salary?"

The group of ministers was already numb.

How could this person's question be more outrageous than the previous question?

Feng Chaoge replied seriously, "One year, you can earn twenty gold marrows, three thousand high-grade spirit stones, thirty spirit materials, and seven thousand taels of silver."

Su Shi frowned slightly, "So little?"

This was not as much as what he would get as a Shengzi of Demonic path.

"These are Imperial regulations, they cannot be changed at will."

"But the tax and silver income of your fief, in addition to 30% going to the state treasury, the rest is yours."

Feng Chaoge said with a smile, "Duke Su, if you want to make more money, it's better to run the Southwest Region properly."

Looking at the bright phoenix eyes behind the beaded curtain, Su Shi felt as if he had been arranged ...

After disbanding from the palace, the group of ministers did not immediately leave the hall, but swarmed around Su Shi.

"Shengzi Su, I really heard a lot about you!"

"What Shengzi Su, right now he is Duke Su!"

"Duke Shu is truly a talented man!"

"And that poem, what a stroke of genius!"

"I heard that Duke Su has comprehended Hao Ran Sword Intent, but when I saw you today, you really have a great spirit!"

Words of praise were incessantly spoken.

The Minister of Rites and other people were also among them.

Currently, this was a favored person by Her Majesty's side, and even if they didn't want to be friends, no one wanted to offend him.

"Sir Duke."

At this moment, a majestic voice sounded.

The originally bustling crowd immediately dispersed, only to see a sturdy man wearing a dark yellow coiled dragon robe come over.

Su Shi raised his eyebrows slightly.

This person seemed to look somewhat familiar.

Chu Yin said with a smile: "My son and Duke Su are already destined to be related. I heard he met you when you created that legendary masterpiece in Fengchun House yesterday"

Just now, he questioned Su Shi in the palace hall, but now his smile was very friendly and natural.

Su Shi suddenly understood.

So he was Chu Qi's father.

"Is something wrong?"

Facing his cold attitude, Chu Yin did not take offense and enthusiastically said, "Although I am a rude person, I am quite fond of poetry and poems, especially Duke Su's poems, which still make me remember it."

"I happen to have a few bottles of immortal wine, so why don't you come to my house and have a drink and discuss poetry?"

Su Shi shook his head, "No, I don't like drinking."

If he didn't like drinking, how could he still go to Fengchun House?

Knowing that it was the other party's excuse, Chu Yin's smile did not change, "No problem, then it's fine to drink tea instead, tasting tea and discussing poetry is also a great pleasure."

Su Shi frowned slightly.

Why was this person so adamant?

At this moment, a man with slightly white hair walked over quickly, "Water rolling on the Yangtze River, what a poem! Manlou said it came from the hands of a young man, I don't really believe it."

Su Shi froze for a moment, "You are ... Hua Manlou's…."

Hua Jinguan said, "I am his father."

Su Shi arched his hand, "So it's Uncle Hua."

"That's right. Let's go to my place for a drink, it just so happens that Manlou is also there, you can show your ability again so that the kid can learn well."

Hua Jinguan directly pulled Su Shi's arm.

Su Shi said with a smile, "If I didn't have good wine, I wouldn't be able to write poetry."

Hua Jinguan rubbed his chin, "I'm afraid it's all my treasure, but I'll let you drink it freely today!"

The two of them hooked themselves together and walked out of the hall.

Chu Yin's smile froze on his face.

Faced with the strange gazes of the crowd, his face was a little unbearable, and with a cold snort he brushed off his sleeve.

When Feng Chaoge saw this scene, the corners of her mouth curled up in a silent smile.

"Tell Hua Jinguan not to be too much, lest Su Shi get drunk."

"Also, remember to send that man back to me."

"Yes."

The female official retreated in response.

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