Li Shimin merely nodded in response to Zhu Youjian's thanks.
The Jurchen cavalry were nothing to him.
Had it been the Great Tang, even without firearms, it would have been a simple matter to utterly defeat them.
Zhu Youjian turned to face the civil and military officials in the hall.
"I know you have doubts about His Majesty the Taizong's identity.
But this great victory was achieved by the Duke Anguo under Emperor Taizong's command.
From this day forward, Emperor Taizong's words are imperial edicts!
All that Duke Anguo has done is with my will!"
Having spoken, he returned to his seat on the brocade stool without regard for the officials' reactions.
Fang Er felt a surge of surprise. The last two sentences were not what they had agreed upon yesterday.
Originally, he had planned for their group to stay in the Great Ming for only two months. It would be better to cast aside all scruples and play the villain, kicking away the stumbling blocks for Chongzhen to revitalize the Great Ming.
In this way, even if the officials harbored resentment, it would be useless, as the matter would not be attributed to Zhu Youjian. However, he hadn't expected this fellow to suddenly display such resolve due to a victory report.
Li Shimin smiled slightly at Zhu Youjian, a gesture of approval.
Seeing this, Zhu Youjian became instantly excited.
Last night, he had been accused of every fault, yet now he received the affirmation of Emperor Taizong.
Qin Shi Huang, Han Wudi, Tang Taizong, Song Taizu!
These were legendary figures. To gain Li Shimin's approval made Zhu Youjian's breathing quicken.
The officials in the hall had just begun to murmur noisily when Li Tai fired two more shots into the ceiling.
The hall immediately fell silent.
Fang Er walked to the middle of the imperial steps and addressed Luo Yangxing.
"Commander Luo, if you would be so kind as to report the results of yesterday's investigation!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Yangxing quickly stepped forward, took out a ledger from his person, and began to read aloud to the assembled officials.
"Grand Tutor of the Eastern Pavilion, Zhang Sizhi!
Envious of talent and jealous of virtue, he occupied his position without accomplishing anything, and suppressed capable officials to the utmost!
When he served as the Libationer of the Imperial Academy, he was habitual in corruption and extortion!
In June of Chongzhen's eleventh year, he bribed Xue Guoguan with twenty thousand taels of silver!
Upon searching his residence today, we found forty-six thousand taels of silver, twelve thousand taels of gold.
Two residences in Yicheng, seventy-nine houses of various sizes, four estates, and land deeds totaling over eight thousand mu!
Altogether, this is equivalent to over two hundred and thirty thousand taels of silver!"
After reading these details, Luo Yangxing consciously stepped aside.
Fang Er looked at Zhang Sizhi, who was now prostrate on the ground, and smiled. "Elder Zhang, could you tell us, who were the individuals who bribed you for this wealth and land?
With the Tartars outside and rebels within, and the people's hearts unsettled, severe punishment is necessary.
In my opinion, flaying you would not be excessive.
How about this, three thousand six hundred cuts of the lingchi. For each person you confess, I will spare you a hundred cuts of flesh and skin. What do you say?"
Zhang Sizhi painfully pushed himself up from the ground, scanning the faces in the hall, hoping someone would stand up and put in a good word for him.
"Your Majesty, I believe this action is inappropriate!"
"If Zhang Ge— Zhang Sizhi deliberately frames others, won't everyone become fearful?"
Indeed, someone among the officials stood up.
However, their words were not to plead for Zhang Sizhi, but rather out of fear of being implicated themselves.
Fang Er smiled and beckoned to the man.
"Come, come, tell me, what is your name, and what is your position?"
The man straightened his chest and said with a righteous air, "This official is Xie Qing, Minister of Personnel!"
Upon hearing his name, Fang Er's smile widened.
"Hahahaha, who did I think it was? It's Minister Xie!"
After these words, Fang Er's smile vanished, and he stared coldly at Xie Qing.
"In the tenth year of Chongzhen, you presided over the imperial examinations, openly selling official posts for good evaluations. A 'superior' rating cost a thousand taels of silver, treating the examinations as a means of personal enrichment!
In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, eighty-nine officials were dismissed from the six ministries in Nanjing; half of them were personally selected by you!"
Xie Qing, upon hearing this, cried out in terror to Zhu Youjian.
"Your—Your Majesty, he is slandering me! I have never done these things!"
But Zhu Youjian looked at him as if he were watching a clown.
He was very clear about his stance today: to be a mere spectator.
This time, Luo Yangxing did not wait for Fang Er's reminder and dispatched a squadron leader.
Watching the squadron leader depart, Xie Qing collapsed onto the ground as if his bones had been removed.
With Xie Qing dealt with, Fang Er returned to Zhang Sizhi's side and smiled at him. "Well, Elder Zhang, have you made a decision?"
Zhang Sizhi's face was ashen. He could already foresee his fate.
However, those who lack principles in their actions often lack principles in their character as well.
Hearing Fang Er's urging, he merely paused for a moment before quickly adopting a repentant posture towards Zhu Youjian, prostrating himself on the ground. After three kowtows, he said with tears streaming down his face.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant has failed your trust.
Your humble servant is willing to confess everything, not for a reduced sentence, but as the last thing this humble servant can do for Your Majesty!"
Zhu Youjian did not respond, but merely waved his hand at Luo Yangxing.
Several锦衣卫 (Jinyiwei guards) stepped forward, dragged him away, and took him towards the back hall.
After Zhang Sizhi, it was Xue Guoguan's turn. Luo Yangxing once again produced the ledger.
"Grand Tutor of the Eastern Pavilion, Xue Guoguan!
During his tenure, he accepted bribes and sold official positions!
Last night, at Xue's residence, we confiscated a total of one hundred and eighty-three thousand taels of silver, six thousand taels of gold, and ten measures of pearls and jade.
Land deeds for over thirty thousand mu, four house deeds, and one hundred and fifty-seven rooms.
Altogether, this is equivalent to approximately thirty-five thousand taels of silver!"
*Pfft~~~*
After hearing Luo Yangxing's words, Xue Guoguan instantly vomited a mouthful of blood.
Fang Er stared at him mockingly. "Well, Elder Xue, are these figures inaccurate?
Did you think that by building your cellar beneath the privy, I wouldn't find it?"
Saying this, he picked up an object from beside his chair and continued.
"Come, come, let me introduce you to this item.
This is called a metal detector.
With this, a sweep around your house will reveal any gold or silver you have buried, no matter how deep!"
Seeing Xue Guoguan's complexion grow paler, Fang Er laughed.
"Hahahaha, how about that? Surprised? Unexpected?"
*Pfft~~~*
Xue Guoguan spat out another mouthful of blood.
He never imagined that such a thing as a metal detector existed in this world.
This time, more than half of the civil and military officials turned pale.
Burying things underground was supposed to be a safe method. As long as they didn't speak, no one would find them.
After all, even the emperor couldn't easily order people to dig up the officials' homes.
But now, to be able to detect them without digging up the ground struck directly at their most vulnerable spot.
The officials were confined within the Hall of Supreme Harmony, unable to leave. When the Jinyiwei, carrying these never-before-seen metal detectors, went to their homes, what would be the outcome?
One could figure it out with their toes!