Military Reward Evaluation Process

Overview

Systematic procedure for evaluating military achievements and conferring appropriate titles, fiefs, and rewards.

Steps

1. Compile Achievement Reports

   • Number of enemy killed (斩首)
   • Number of enemy captured (捕虏)
   • Rank of captured enemies (kings, generals, nobles)
   • Territory secured
   • Resources captured (livestock, supplies)

2. Categorize Achievement Levels

   • Exceptional: Defeating kings, capturing large forces, securing territory
   • Significant: Successful campaigns with notable casualties inflicted
   • Moderate: Participation in successful operations
   • None/Failed: No achievement or losses

3. Determine Appropriate Rewards

   • New titles: Create noble titles (侯) with associated fiefs
   • Increased fiefs: Add households to existing fiefs
   • Promotions: Advance in official rank
   • Gold and gifts: Monetary rewards

4. Consider Mitigating Factors

   • Fighting against superior numbers
   • Losses due to circumstances beyond control
   • Previous service record

5. Handle Failures

   • Loss of troops: Death sentence, commutable by payment
   • Missing rendezvous: Death sentence, commutable by payment
   • No achievement: No reward but no punishment

6. Issue Imperial Decree

   • Document specific achievements
   • Announce rewards publicly
   • Record for posterity

Expected Outcome

Clear correlation between achievement and reward, motivating continued military excellence while maintaining accountability for failures.

Verification

• Confirm achievement reports include verified counts of enemy killed, captured, and their ranks
• Validate that reward tiers (exceptional, significant, moderate, none) are applied consistently based on documented criteria
• Check that failure cases (troop loss, missed rendezvous) have been adjudicated with appropriate sentencing or commutation