As Liu Xiu began to speak,
everyone looked at Gu Xiao, their expressions also undergoing drastic changes.
Shock... followed by pure envy...
"In the past, General Huo Qubing swept through the Northern Desert, sealing Lang Juxu, his achievements crowned the army."
"Now Grand Commandant Gu Xiao follows me, his military feats unrivaled, yet undefeated, truly crowning the army as well."
"Gu Xiao, heed the edict!"
"I grant you the title of Champion Marquis, with a fief of ten thousand households, in the Hebei region."
The words, forceful and powerful, fell instantly, like thunder, exploding directly in everyone's ears.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Everyone fixed their eyes on the scene before them, unable to hide the envy in their eyes.
The first Marquis of Ten Thousand Households under the Great Han today!
Champion Marquis!
Either title was enough to make them envious.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment, but in the next instant, it quickly resumed.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty, congratulations to the Champion Marquis!"
Someone spoke out loudly, and immediately, cheers echoed in the hall.
Gu Yi also only just then fully reacted.
Champion Marquis?
Our family ancestor became the Champion Marquis?
It's not that Gu Yi was overly excited; if it were other rewards, he might not be so thrilled.
After all, a fief of ten thousand households was within his expectations.
But the title of Champion Marquis was different.
It's safe to say... in modern times, looking back at history, everyone has an unfulfilled longing in their hearts.
Everyone has different thoughts.
But among these unfulfilled longings, the name of Champion Marquis Huo Qubing must be present.
This defines the value of the Champion Marquis title!
Now their family ancestor had become the second Champion Marquis; how could Gu Yi not be excited?
This was a perfect start!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Taking a deep breath, Gu Yi immediately had Gu Xiao bow in gratitude to Liu Xiu.
And the atmosphere of the celebration feast reached its peak at this moment.
Liu Xiu didn't discuss state affairs with the others but instead reveled in celebrating the victory with them.
Until the feast ended and everyone departed.
Only then did he look at Gu Xiao with a serious expression and said, "Zhan Hong."
"Now most of the world is in the hands of our Great Han, but only Gongsun Shu in the Shu Region remains unyielding."
"As the saying goes, there cannot be two suns in the sky, nor two rulers in the country."
"I plan to, after the army has rested, immediately march on Shu. Do you have any strategies?"
Gu Yi had already anticipated that Liu Xiu would ask about this and responded without hesitation, "Your Majesty, the Shu Region is easy to defend and difficult to attack."
"Its terrain is far more treacherous than Long Mountain."
"And with Kui Xiao as a precedent, I believe we should not attempt a surprise attack again."
"Now that Your Majesty's force is unstoppable, the people of Shu likely already have a desire to join the Han."
"If Your Majesty can secure a few major victories, this Shu Region might surrender without a fight."
Hearing this, Liu Xiu nodded slightly, "If I were to appoint you as commander..."
Before Liu Xiu could finish,
Gu Xiao immediately knelt down and said urgently, "Your Majesty, it cannot be..."
"Your servant's ability is far inferior to Your Majesty's."
"Having achieved such feats is already thanks to Your Majesty's brilliance; how could I command the army?"
Gu Yi certainly wouldn't have Gu Xiao lead the army again.
Not to mention whether the Shu Region is easy to conquer.
From the moment Gu Xiao became Marquis of Ten Thousand Households, his military career effectively came to an end.
No matter if Liu Xiu's words were sincere or not, Gu Yi could not continue further.
The Gu family needed development now.
If anything were to happen to Gu Xiao, with his merits, the Gu family might still develop well, but certainly not as much as if Gu Xiao were alive.
Moreover, the principle of the full moon waning and the full water overflowing was something Gu Yi understood as well.
Now Gu Xiao was already Grand Commandant and Marquis of Ten Thousand Households.
If he achieved any further merit, how would he be rewarded?
Seeing this, Liu Xiu was momentarily stunned, then furrowed his brow slightly, "What is Grand Commandant saying? Could it be that now you've just become Champion Marquis, you no longer wish to achieve merit for me?"
"Your Majesty!"
Gu Xiao once again bowed to Liu Xiu, "Your servant has no such intention; everything I've said comes from my true heart."
"Your servant might excel in peculiar schemes."
"However, the key to the battle of the Shu Region is by no means peculiar schemes."
"I am not skilled in commanding the army."
As he spoke, Gu Xiao suddenly showed a rather simple and honest smile, "Moreover, your servant has been fighting battles all my life; it's time to enjoy life."
Looking at the somewhat simple-minded Gu Xiao before him, the once stern Liu Xiu was momentarily stunned.
Then he also showed a helpless smile, shaking his head, "Enough, enough, why am I even discussing this with you?"
"Seeing you like this, go ahead and enjoy yourself."
"Get up quickly."
Liu Xiu even gave Gu Xiao's arm a tug at the end, his expression extremely complex.
It seemed that Gu Xiao's simple smile was unexpected to him.
In his eyes, there was even an inexplicable hint of regret.
Gu Yi saw all of this clearly.
In fact, he could understand what Liu Xiu was trying to do; he merely wanted to test Gu Xiao again.
After all, now Gu Xiao was said to be the foremost hero.
The change in status was bound to lead to some personality change.
Having been an emperor for so long, balancing the interests of so many people in court. The current trend of unification was difficult to stop.
His feelings towards these heroes could be imagined.
Testing Gu Xiao, this foremost hero, was most in line with the Emperor's Heart Skill.
But Gu Xiao's political level was only at 43 points, meaning he could not see through the machinations and tests on this temple stage.
If not for Gu Yi's influence, with Gu Xiao's character, he would certainly achieve as many feats as possible, ultimately reaching a point where no more titles could be bestowed.