Chapter 127: Lord Wei?

Time gradually passed, and the weather grew increasingly cold. It had reached the point where a coal stove was necessary inside the house.

Wei Renshi had just finished preparing the soup base for a hot pot. He placed it on the coal stove and brought out an array of ingredients, intending to enjoy a warm, cozy family reunion with the Old Mistress and Xi'er.

Just then, Jiao Haiqing arrived.

"Hehe, I guessed that Brother Renshi would be enjoying a delicious meal at this very moment," Jiao Haiqing said with a grin. "It seems I’ve come at the perfect time."

Wei Renshi had to admit it. He didn't come early, he didn't come late, but he chose today—and this exact moment. This fellow truly possessed a magical ability to appear right before Wei Renshi whenever he had personally prepared something delicious.

After following Wei Renshi inside, Jiao Haiqing immediately stepped forward and bowed, "This nephew pays his respects to you, Auntie!" After straightening up, he smiled at Xi'er, "Hello, Miss Xi'er."

"You are too kind, Master Jiao," the Old Mistress replied with a shake of her head. She then turned to Xi'er, "Xi'er, go fetch another set of bowls and chopsticks."

Xi'er stood up and scurried out, returning shortly with the utensils.

Jiao Haiqing laughed, "Many thanks, Auntie! I’ve been busy at the coal yard all morning, and I must admit, I am truly famished!"

Wei Renshi rolled his eyes at him—he had clearly timed his arrival to coincide with the meal!

Once seated, Jiao Haiqing showed no signs of reserve, eating heartily. Wei Renshi asked, "How are the coal stove sales going?"

"For our first year, and just as winter is setting in, we’ve already sold quite a few," Jiao Haiqing told him. "I placed several in my own home, and taking advantage of the cold weather, I gifted some to various uncles and elders in the hope that they would spread the word. I also had Manager Tian in Luoyang send them as winter gifts to business associates, which helped get the word out. Now, many people in Luoyang are coming to inquire about them. As the coal stoves sell, the honeycomb briquettes are naturally selling quite well too."

Wei Renshi nodded. He already knew the business acumen of Jiao Haiqing’s family. Entrusting the operation to them would certainly go smoothly.

He heard Jiao Haiqing continue, "However, the larger coal stoves used by professional chefs are not moving as quickly. For now, only a few restaurants and eateries are buying them."

"That was to be expected. The heating stoves and the honeycomb briquettes are the main priorities right now," Wei Renshi said. "As long as..."

"Is Master Wei at home?" a voice called out from outside the gate.

Wei Renshi sighed inwardly—all he wanted was to share a hot pot with his family!

He rose and went to the door, but he froze upon opening it. Standing outside was... the County Magistrate?

Wei Renshi glanced behind him and saw a few men following the Magistrate, one of whom was beaming at him. It was… Academician Zhang?!

Wei Renshi’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself, bowed, and said, "I am honored by the visit of Academician Zhang and the Honorable Magistrate. Please forgive my lack of a proper welcome!"

"Hahaha, Master Wei! I have long said that you are a talent of heaven-sent genius and would surely achieve great things sooner or later. Look, was I not right?" the Magistrate said with a hearty laugh. "The imperial rewards have arrived! Come, come, let me make the introductions!"

"Hehe, there is no need for introductions, Magistrate Dong. The young master and I are old acquaintances," Academician Zhang said, stepping forward and stroking his beard with a smile.

The Magistrate blinked, looked from the Academician to Wei Renshi, and stepped back.

"Hehe, congratulations, Master Wei, on achieving your wish," Academician Zhang said, stepping up to him. "I was idle in Chang'an and feeling rather restless, so I requested the honor of delivering this decree from His Majesty to take a trip out here."

A surge of joy filled Wei Renshi. Seeing the Magistrate and the Academician here, he already knew the outcome, but hearing it from the Academician made it feel truly real.

The other three in the house had emerged by now, but seeing the display, they stood back, not daring to approach.

"Many thanks, Academician Zhang," Wei Renshi bowed to him again.

Academician Zhang smiled, "We can chat later. Why don't you prepare to receive the decree?"

Wei Renshi dutifully clasped his hands and bowed deeply.

Academician Zhang also bent forward and reached out. One of the men behind him, who appeared to be an imperial attendant, drew a yellow silk scroll from his robes, unfurled it, and presented it with both hands to the Academician.

Academician Zhang took the yellow silk, bowed once toward the direction of the capital, and everyone else quickly followed suit.

Straightening up, the Academician cleared his throat and began to read: "The Emperor of the Great Tang decrees: There is a young man of good standing in Changgu named Wei Renshi, who has upheld virtue since childhood. He is young yet accomplished, overflowing with talent, and his name is known throughout the capital and Luoyang..."

Academician Zhang stood there reading for a full fifteen minutes. Wei Renshi had listened attentively at first, but soon lost the patience to keep up. His back began to ache from the deep bow, and he just wanted to stand up straight.

He couldn't help but complain inwardly—why write so much for such a simple matter?

In truth, the decree was filled with praise. After a long-winded speech, he finally heard the Academician say: "...bestowed the title of Baron of Weinan, specifically granted a mansion, one thousand strings of cash, eight hundred bolts of silk, and domestic servants to be provided by the relevant authorities. Hehe, Master Wei, step forward and receive the decree."

Wei Renshi stepped forward and accepted the imperial order.

Seeing Wei Renshi take the scroll, Academician Zhang smiled, bowed, and said, "Congratulations, Master Wei. To be ennobled as a baron at twelve is unprecedented in our dynasty. You will surely achieve great things and rise rapidly in the future!"

"Many thanks to you and General Wang for your patronage!" Wei Renshi bowed again. "Baron of Weinan..."

"Weinan is a fine place, so close to the capital. It is excellent," Academician Zhang said with a smile. "Furthermore, since Liu Mengde has moved to the Censorate, your appointment to Weinan suggests that His Majesty intends for you to personally oversee the land reclamation and the construction of silt-trapping dams in the region."

"This subordinate pays respects to Lord Baron!" the Magistrate stepped forward and bowed.

"You are too kind, Magistrate Dong," Wei Renshi replied with a shake of his head.

In the Tang Dynasty, there were nine ranks of nobility. Wei Renshi was now a Baron of the Founding of the State, the ninth rank, holding a fief in Weinan County. As the Baron of Weinan, his official rank was now higher than that of the Magistrate.

As for the Old Mistress, Xi'er, and Jiao Haiqing, they were standing there like statues, completely stunned.

Lord Baron... haha, that actually felt quite good!

Wei Renshi was immensely excited.

Wait, hold on!

Lord Baron, Lord Baron…

Why did it feel so awkward?