After a round of commercial flattery and setting the stage, the time came for the bestowal of honors.
Zhu Youjian bowed respectfully to Fang Er, saying, "This matter, we still trouble Duke Fang to decide."
With Li Shimin and Fang Er remaining, he dared not make the decision himself, for fear of promoting the wrong people. Being beaten was a small matter, something he was accustomed to. The key was to avoid promoting those who would bring disaster upon the nation and its people. Since Fang Er was so knowledgeable about civil and military officials, it was best to let him make the decision, as the saying goes, "never ask a second time."
Fang Er nodded in agreement and unceremoniously took the victory report from Fan Fucui. It detailed the performance of various Grand Coordinators during the campaign. Those already slated for punishment would surely not receive any accolades, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard sent to apprehend them should have already reached Liaodong.
He beckoned to Wang Chengen, "Big Garlic, I'll speak, you record!"
"Yes!"
Wang Chengen quickly brought paper and brush, knelt by the table, and looked up at Fang Er, ready to record. This document was likely just an initial victory report, and other documents would surely follow. Since that was the case, it was best to bestow all honors at once. The final awards would be read aloud during the presentation of captives at the Meridian Gate.
After Fang Er briefly instructed Zhu Youjian, he began the process of awarding honors.
Liaodong Grand Coordinator Wang Tingchen, enfeoffed as General Jianwei, ranked first, promoted to Marquis Jidong, and concurrently overseeing the three garrisons of Lidong, Jizhou, and Xuánfǔ!
Eastern Cooperation Grand Coordinator Cao Bianjiao, enfeoffed as General Huwei, ranked first, promoted to Marquis Yanxi, and concurrently overseeing the three garrisons of Datong, Shanxi, and Yansui!
Xuánfǔ Grand Coordinator Yang Guozhu, enfeoffed as General Yangwei, ranked first, promoted to Marquis Xixia, and concurrently overseeing the three garrisons of Gansu, Ningxia, and Shaanxi!
Zu Dashou, recalled to the capital, appointed Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War!
Sun Chuanting was transferred north to serve as Governor-General of the Nine Garrisons!
Hong Chengchou, for his inadequate support of Liaodong, was to be recalled and assigned a minor position as prefect, effectively dismissed!
With Wu Sangui and others investigated, and Cao Bianjiao, Wang Tingchen, and Yang Guozhu promoted, the positions of Grand Coordinator were now vacant. He then named several other less prominent individuals.
Former Shanxi Grand Coordinator, Li Fuming.
Putian, Fujian, Zeng Ying.
Zunyi Deputy General, Wang Xiang.
Chuan Town Central Army Deputy General, Yang Zhan.
Zhang Gui Zhang, son of the Ministry of Justice Secretary, Zhang Huangyan.
Zheng Zhilong, son of the coastal defense Brigadier, Zheng Chenggong.
Gu Yuan Deputy Commissioner, Lu Daqi.
Bingke Censor-in-Chief, Chen Zilong.
These eight individuals were to be transferred to take up the positions of Grand Coordinator for the Nine Garrisons!
Regardless of who was promoted, Zhu Youjian dared not voice any opinion, as he had no knowledge of these individuals. However, judging by the talent displayed by the thirteen Grand Academicians since their appointments, these people should not be too bad.
However, eight people taking up the nine Grand Coordinator positions? He then asked, "Duke Fang, it seems one person is still missing?"
Fang Er smiled slightly and pointed towards the southeast, saying, "The remaining Grand Coordinator position will be reserved for Zhang Xianzhong's adopted son, Li Dingguo!"
A gasp went through the hall. The thirteen Grand Academicians looked at him in confusion.
Fan Fucui stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying, "Duke Fang, can the Great Ming not find anyone else? Why should we appoint a trusted follower of a rebel as a general?"
"Yes, please enlighten us, Duke Fang," Wang Yingxiong added in agreement.
Li Dingguo, the adopted son of the 'Eight Great King' Zhang Xianzhong. Although a rebel, he harbored loyalty to the Central Plains. After Zhang Xianzhong's death, he surrendered to the Southern Ming court. This man was brave in battle, cared for his subordinates, and possessed considerable generalship. Moreover, under the unfavorable circumstances of the Southern Ming, he achieved remarkable results, forcing Kong Youde to his death and personally slaying the Manchu Prince Ni Kan. In the history of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, he was one of the few formidable generals!
However, Fang Er could not explicitly state these reasons. He could only say, "Li Dingguo is indeed brave. Although he is currently Zhang Xianzhong's adopted son, he is, after all, only adopted. The rebellion of the displaced peasants is merely due to a lack of food and clothing, coupled with excessive taxation, which has made their survival impossible. Furthermore, coupled with the corruption of lower-ranking officials, they have been forced to rebel. Now that the national treasury is ample, and relief efforts are increased, coupled with strict investigation of officials, leading to peace and order, the displaced peasants will naturally disperse. In addition, recruiting Li Dingguo would also be a heavy blow to Zhang Xianzhong. Regardless of whether Li Dingguo agrees, it will sow discord in his relationship with Zhang Xianzhong."
Sun Chuanting's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he clapped his hands, saying, "Well said! I have indeed clashed with Li Dingguo before. He can fight battles competently even with a band of rebels; he is truly a talented individual. Furthermore, if we recruit him with the position of Grand Coordinator, it's hard to say he won't be tempted. If it succeeds, it's naturally good. Even if it fails, it will make Zhang Xianzhong harbor suspicions towards him! This is a win-win situation, brilliant, truly brilliant!"
Among the thirteen Grand Academicians, only he and Fu Zonglong understood military affairs. Now that Fu Zonglong remained silent, the others also ceased to voice their opinions.
With the matter of honors settled, they now awaited the end of the Liaodong campaign to read the awards during the presentation of captives at the Meridian Gate. Following some court matters, which Li Shimin found interesting, Fang Er, feeling rather uninspired, left the imperial palace with Ge Luoyang and headed straight for the Ministry of Works. Here, he would find the people he was looking for.
With Qianhu Chonglou now his follower, and possessing the status of an Embroidered Uniform Guard, passing through the Ministry of Works was a simple matter. Soon, a group of people he had named were summoned to the hall of the Ministry of Works.
Jiao Xu, Director at the Ministry of Works.
Li Tianjing, Director at the Bureau of Records.
Fang Yizhi, Observer at the Ministry of Works.
Sun Yunqiu, Observer at the Ministry of Works.
These four were all genius-level figures, and in the Great Ming, their talents were absolutely buried. Fang Er felt no psychological burden in "digging up walls" to recruit them.
"Greetings, Duke Fang!"
After the four entered, they all bowed to Fang Er.
"Hahaha, everyone, no need for formalities. Sit, please sit!"
After they were seated, Fang Er took out an item from his bosom, a 'Great Tang' brand hand grenade. He smiled at Jiao Xu and said, "Director Jiao, I hear you have a talent for gunpowder. I have an item here that uses a different kind of gunpowder than that of the current Great Ming, and I wish to broaden your horizons."
Jiao Xu was most fond of gunpowder and had authored the book "Zeke Lu," which contained the sections "Essentials of Fire Attacks" and "Secrets of Fire Attacks." Upon hearing Fang Er's words, he immediately became interested: "Please enlighten us, Duke Fang."
Fang Er smiled and handed the hand grenade to Chonglou: "Do you know how to use this thing?"
Chonglou took it excitedly and then nodded heavily, "Your subordinate knows, General Ge has taught me!"
"Go, go and demonstrate it for Director Jiao outside the hall!"
"Yes!"
Chonglou took the hand grenade and walked outside the hall. After having the accompanying subordinate clear an area of fifty meters, he pulled the fuse, threw it onto the open ground, and sprinted away. With a "boom," the hand grenade exploded. The violent blast caused Jiao Xu to jump up and walk outside. He had only heard about the tank shelling the city gates but had not witnessed it firsthand. Now, even this small hand grenade made him restless.