The meaning of this imperial edict was that the Tang ruler had actually granted Donghai County to himself as a fiefdom.

Just like during the Han, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, a county duke who established his own office would from now on be the ruler of the Donghai State.

After establishing his office, according to regulations, he could appoint a prime minister, a seventh-rank official, as well as an eighth-rank minister called Director of the Palace, one person, two assistant ministers, and so on. In short, though small, the structure was complete, with more than a dozen officials of ninth rank and above.

Such a fiefdom, except for not having the right to mint coins or conduct foreign affairs, followed all other regulations as if he were truly the ruler, including taxation, military affairs, and so on.

And his title of County Duke was of the second rank; his mother, by virtue of her son's status, was also granted the title of Lady of the County, also of the second rank.

In this way, Mr. Bennett, who was upper fifth rank, and David Johnson, who was lower fifth rank, would naturally have to show him great respect. However, since they were not his direct subordinates, they remained somewhat reserved and referred to themselves as “某,” but later, David Johnson eventually softened and began to refer to himself as “this official.”

He shot Richard Grant and ended up as the ruler of a fiefdom?

Nathaniel Brooks was both amused and exasperated—what kind of situation was this?

The wheels of history had been thrown into chaos by his interference.

However, the Liu family’s property was confiscated and left to him, and Mrs. Foster and the other family members were given to him as slaves. The maid Lily, only half-understanding, probably hadn’t fully grasped the news.

Even after hearing the imperial edict, he himself was still confused.

As Nathaniel Brooks was lost in thought, David Johnson was explaining things to Nathaniel Brooks, but in his own heart, waves of shock surged. Since the founding of the Great Tang, fiefdoms had become taboo. Of course, although this dynasty claimed to inherit the Tang orthodoxy, like the other states, not everything followed Tang precedent.

The Crown Prince, Prince of Yan, and others all had fiefdoms, but they were all members of the royal family.

Moreover, the merits this youth had achieved justified such a reward. As had been said before, his achievements truly deserved the reward of a fiefdom.

Although, judging by his sickly appearance, it seemed he had just gotten extremely lucky...

Standing on the other side, the somewhat reserved Mr. Bennett was pondering that the Holy Emperor had granted Nathaniel Brooks the title of ruler of Donghai not only because he thought him too frail to enter the central government and thus rewarded him with great wealth.

On a deeper level, wasn’t it also in hopes that he could defend the territory?

Donghai County and the northern Huairen County bordered the Zhou State. If Zhou troops marched south, they would surely target key cities like Shouzhou, but Donghai was like a protruding wedge. The Holy Emperor probably hoped that this sickly youth might create another miracle in times of crisis.

Although, that hope was slim.

Looking at Nathaniel Brooks, who was pulling his clothes tighter and shivering from the cold.

Mr. Bennett couldn’t help but shake his head. Among the various gold, silver, and jewels bestowed upon the Duke of Donghai, the Emperor had especially granted a fox-fur coat. At first, he had found it odd, but now he understood.

Mr. Bennett could only smile wryly.

“All right, I understand now. Thank you, Mr. Johnson!” Nathaniel Brooks interrupted David Johnson’s rambling explanation with a smile.

David Johnson replied with a smile, “Your Excellency, in addition, the confiscated property and household slaves of the Liu family are being inventoried by the judicial adjutant Peter King sent by the prefecture. Please assign someone to supervise!”

As David Johnson spoke, he couldn’t help but feel envious. He’d heard that the Liu magistrate’s new young wife was extremely beautiful, and he had two stunning concubines as well. The whole city of Haizhou knew that the three beauties the Liu magistrate had found in the past two years were no less lovely than those in the imperial palace. Now, they would all fall into the hands of this former little farmer, now a minor ruler.

……

Mr. Bennett announced the decree, and The Johnson Family and Mrs. Clark, hiding in the side room, heard everything clearly. The Johnson Family almost thought she was dreaming and was speechless for a long time. She simply couldn’t understand how her sickly son had managed to earn military merit and be granted an official title. Besides, he was still so young, only sixteen—how had he become such a high official?

It seemed she herself had been granted a noble title as well.

The trays held by the attendants behind them seemed to be filled with all sorts of rewards—headgear, clothing, and so on.

How could this be explained?

As for what official position her son had actually received, she hadn’t quite understood.

Mrs. Clark, on the other hand, was completely bewildered. Her hearing was sharp, so she had heard David Johnson’s explanation to Nathaniel Brooks very clearly.

James Brooks? Granted a fiefdom? That seemed like something only the ancients had. From now on, would this place be Donghai State?

Would we common folk all become subjects of James Brooks?

James Brooks, our ruler?

She was nearly about to cough up blood.

Let alone a ruler—even the county clerks before, she wouldn’t have dared provoke, not in a hundred lifetimes!

Mrs. Clark’s son also worked at the county office. Usually, those clerks and officials would beat and scold her son, and she herself had once been slapped hard by Arthur Clark. But now, let alone someone like Arthur Clark, even someone a hundred ranks higher wouldn’t be worthy to carry James Brooks’s shoes!

The Johnson Family, by virtue of her son’s status, had become a second-rank titled lady?

Suddenly, she grinned and let out a dry chuckle, but kept her voice very low, so as not to disturb the officials conversing in the courtyard.