After Wang Chengen brought the drafted imperial edict, Li Shimin reviewed it and stamped it with the imperial seal on Zhu Youjian's head.
Then, Li Shimin glared at Fang Er and asked, "Besides the officials previously taken for questioning, who else in this court deserves to die?"
Fang Er carefully recalled the records he had read in the book and replied,
"Commander of Shandong, Liu Zeqing!
Commander of Jizhou, Bai Guang'en!
Commander of Shanhai Pass, Ma Ke!
Commander of Ningyuan, Wu Sangui!
Wu Sangui's father, Wu Xiang!
Commander of Datong, Wang Pu!
Commander of Miyun, Tang Tong!
Supervisor of the Imperial Academy, Li Jiantai!
Eunuch Du Zhizhi!
Director of the Imperial Kitchen, Du Xun!
Former Vice Minister of Rites, Qian Qianyi!"
~~~~~~
One by one, the names were spoken by Fang Er. Before being reminded, Wang Chengen held his pen and paper, secretly recording them.
Indeed, after Fang Er stopped speaking, Li Shimin coldly stated, "Including Yang Sichang, all those just mentioned, send people to arrest them all and bring them back to the capital! Question them strictly and root out their cronies! Just as the dung beetle said, apply severe penalties in times of chaos! Take their heads to warn the world and bring justice to the wronged!"
Shi Kefai's face turned as black as charcoal. He, a respectable Vice Minister, was referred to as a dung beetle by Emperor Taizong. It seemed he would have to submit a memorial proposing a change in the title for Vice Ministers in the future. Otherwise, who among the Shi family would dare to take on the position of Vice Minister?
Li Shimin looked at Fang Er, "Is there anything else to arrange?"
Fang Er smiled, "Having removed so many high-ranking officials, don't the vacant positions need to be filled?"
Zhu Youjian was about to speak, but Li Shimin glared him into silence, "You, behave yourself! In front of all the officials, I am showing you some face. Don't make me hit you again!"
Zhu Youjian retreated speechlessly, inwardly crying injustice. For three days, his injuries had not ceased. "Clearly, you just got tired and didn't want to hit me anymore, what do you mean by showing me face?!"
Fang Er couldn't care less about his grievances. If it weren't for the fact that he was still diligent in his work, and that the emperors of the Southern Ming were even more incompetent, he might have considered replacing him.
Most of the Grand Secretaries of the Four Halls and Two Pavilions had been taken away. Only Fan Fucui remained. Zhu Youjian's stubborn and suspicious nature meant Fang Er could not let him act recklessly.
Therefore, he addressed the assembled officials, "From today onwards, the positions of Grand Secretaries of the Four Halls and Two Pavilions shall be permanently established at thirteen, as an eternal precedent! Hua Gai Hall, Jin Shen Hall, Wen Hua Hall, Wu Ying Hall, and Wen Yuan Pavilion shall each have two positions, and the East Pavilion shall have three. A total of thirteen Grand Secretaries shall jointly deliberate on state affairs! All Grand Secretaries shall hold equal status, with no distinction of precedence. In cases of indecision, matters shall be decided by vote! Their term shall be three years, and the succession of new members requires the joint deliberation and recommendation of the thirteen Grand Secretaries. Any decree approved by all Grand Secretaries cannot be vetoed by the Emperor alone! Do any of you have objections?"
Before the officials could speak, Zhu Youjian immediately became agitated. "Duke An Guo, I find this arrangement… unsuitable." According to Fang Er's plan, the thirteen Grand Secretaries could even potentially depose the emperor. He could not help but be anxious.
*Bang!*
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Shimin kicked him to the ground. "I find it very suitable! No one is perfect, who can avoid mistakes? Even I must listen to the opinions of all officials, who do you think you are? If you were truly wise, why would so many capable ministers and generals have suffered injustice!"
The number thirteen is quite remarkable. It is the thirteenth positive integer, the fourteenth natural number. It is the first pseudoprime and the first star number. In the East, it is considered the number of royalty, while in the West, it is deemed the most unlucky number. Thirteen people voting together greatly disperses the power of each Grand Secretary and, at the same time, significantly reduces the possibility of collusion. Any more would fail to highlight the status of the Grand Secretaries and would greatly prolong the voting process, hindering the timeliness of decrees.
Having been kicked, Zhu Youjian dared not utter another word.
"Taizong is wise!"
After carefully considering Fang Er's words, Fan Fucui stood up and bowed deeply to Li Shimin. The other officials also loudly echoed their approval.
"Taizong is wise!"
Li Shimin smiled at them, "Do not attribute everything to me. This idea was proposed by my son-in-law. After this, he said to Fang Er, 'Boy, since this matter is settled, why don't you accompany me to tour the city?'"
"It would be my pleasure!"
How could Fang Er refuse? Besides looking for someone, he also wanted to experience the customs of the late Ming Dynasty.
"Minister of Revenue, Yao Minggong, promoted to Grand Secretary of Hua Gai Hall!
Vice Minister of War, Wei Yunzhong, promoted to Grand Secretary of Hua Gai Hall!
Vice Minister of Revenue, Shi Kefai, promoted to Grand Secretary of Jin Shen Hall!
Vice Minister of Rites, Qiu Yu, promoted to Grand Secretary of Jin Shen Hall!
Vice Minister of Works, Liu Zongzhou, promoted to Grand Secretary of Wen Hua Hall!
Minister of War of Nanjing, Li Banghua, promoted to Grand Secretary of Wen Hua Hall!
Minister of Personnel of Nanjing, Wang Yongguang, promoted to Grand Secretary of Wu Ying Hall!
Former Governor of Baoding, Sun Chuanting, promoted to Grand Secretary of Wu Ying Hall!
Former Minister of War, Fu Zonglong, promoted to Grand Secretary of Wen Yuan Pavilion!
Former Grand Secretary of Wen Yuan Pavilion, Wang Yingxiong, reinstated!
Former Minister of War, Fan Jingwen, promoted to Grand Secretary of the East Pavilion!
Current Grand Secretary of the East Pavilion, Fan Fucui, remains unchanged!"
He appointed candidates for all thirteen Grand Secretary positions in one go. Apart from Fan Fucui, among those appointed, only Yao Minggong, Wei Yunzhong, Qiu Yu, and Liu Zongzhou were present in the hall. Upon hearing of their appointments, the four men quickly stepped forward, bowed to Fang Er, and then said to Zhu Youjian, "Your servant obeys your decree, thank you, Your Majesty, for your promotion!"
Zhu Youjian: ??? "I didn't want to promote you!" The thought of being constantly watched by thirteen Grand Secretaries from now on made him feel itchy all over.
Sun Chuanting and Fu Zonglong, having washed and changed into clean clothes, had just entered the hall when they were surrounded by officials offering congratulations.
"Congratulations, Grand Secretary Sun!"
"Congratulations, Grand Secretary Fu!"
This was the customary address for the Grand Secretaries of the Four Halls and Two Pavilions among the court officials. The two were bewildered. They had just been released from prison, taken a bath, changed their clothes, and suddenly became Grand Secretaries? What exactly had happened? Why were there so few officials in the hall? What was going on with those officials being interrogated in the side hall just now?
Hahahaha!
Li Shimin laughed heartily at their expressions and waved to Fang Er, "Boy, now that this matter is done, how about accompanying me for a tour of the city?"
"It would be my pleasure!"
How could Fang Er refuse? Apart from finding people, he also wanted to experience the atmosphere of the late Ming Dynasty.