"Yang Ni, execute the nine clans!"
Xu Mujun was the first to speak, and following his lead, other officials also proposed:
"Your Majesty, I request the execution of the nine clans of Yang Ni!"
"Those close to Yang Ni, considering them as the same faction, execute the nine clans!"
"Your Majesty, among Yang Ni's supporters, there are those who simply attached themselves and did not participate in the rebellion. The Imperial Court urgently needs talent at the moment, so I ask Your Majesty for leniency..."
In truth, regarding the handling of Yang Xuansu and his associates, several ministers had already reached a consensus.
Today was merely a formality.
After a discussion, Zheng Yi issued the Holy Decree.
Yang Xuansu, execute the nine clans!
The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, etc., execute three clans!
For those below the fifth rank, according to their official positions and whether they were involved in the conspiracy, impose lighter punishments, demote three ranks, and retain to observe.
After all, without so many people, the Imperial Court's operations might be hindered.
After Zheng Yi announced the decision, he patted his back and returned to the palace.
However, the matter of the appointment and dismissal of officials captured the attention of many.
Regardless of connections, people thronged their heads in.
At the residences of the few remaining Senior Ministers of the Six Ministries and other ministers, every day, people delivered various gifts.
Especially at Xu Mujun's residence.
At all times, people came with visiting cards seeking audience, but unfortunately, Xu Mujun, being a military man, declined all visitors, his residence guarded by the Dragon-soaring Army.
He saw no court officials, only discussing the appointment and dismissal of officials with a few ministers.
Numerous officials returned with clipped wings, yet still waited outside, hoping for a miracle to occur.
Beneath the calm surface of the Capital City's waters, there was a surge beneath.
There was unrest at Xu Mujun's place, and things were not so stable at Zheng Yi's end either.
Several concubines, the Empress, and even the Empress Dowager often came to him.
The purpose was simple: they were seeking positions!
"Your Majesty!"
Liu Cheng'en walked in quickly: "Consort Shuu requests an audience."
Upon hearing this name, Zheng Yi felt a headache.
Ever since Yang Xuansu's downfall, Consort Shuu, his daughter, frequently requested to see him.
The reason was always to plead for her family.
Not wanting to encounter such situations, Zheng Yi could only refuse Consort Shuu with great restraint.
But now, with the situation settled, it was time to see her.
After considering for a while, he said, "Let Consort Shuu come in."
"Yes."
Soon, Consort Shuu entered, clad in a plain white dress, her face full of sorrow and anxiety.
Her eyes were red, having cried for a long time.
"Your Majesty~"
As soon as they met, Consort Shuu knelt on the ground: "I know my father committed a grave crime. I don't ask Your Majesty to spare his life, only to allow me to see my family one last time, for the sake of the child I carry, sob sob sob..."
Zheng Yi said with a peculiar expression: "You only request to see your family once?"
"Yes..."
Zheng Yi was silent, looking at the kneeling Consort Shuu.
Yang Xuansu must be executed.
After this, Consort Shuu would be left alone, without support from any major court officials, destined to remain an ordinary consort all her life.
Unless she gives birth to a Dragon Child... but that is impossible.
Yang Huan is very smart.
Knows when to advance and retreat, understands the bigger picture.
But even so, it's best we not meet in the future.
"Very well, I agree. You may see your family once."
Consort Shuu said in delight: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"You may leave~" Zheng Yi suddenly said, "There is one more thing, if you can accomplish it for me, I may be lenient and forgive one... or two people."
Yang Huan's eyes lit up with joy: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty! I will definitely accomplish it... I will."
Zheng Yi said: "Only for those under three years old, only for females."
Yang Huan was momentarily stunned but nodded vigorously: "I accept the command."
"Come closer."
Zheng Yi beckoned, signaling Yang Huan to come closer: "I am very interested in the Fire Spirit Priest your father recruited. If you can find out about the Fire Spirit's background and his Immortal Cultivation from your father..."
After Consort Shuu left, Zheng Yi rubbed his forehead.
If it weren't for the sake of survival and his future plans, he really wouldn't want to take over this mess of the Great Yu Dynasty.
Uncovering the cultivation secret from Yang Xuansu was one of his objectives.
Immortal cultivation!
With the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror, longevity is within reach.
What he lacked was... freedom!
Unfortunately, up to now, he had only met the Fire Spirit, this one cultivator.
Dongyun Feng doesn't count.
Over the past few months, he had searched through the royal family's texts, finding nothing about cultivation.
It's as if... it was deliberately destroyed.
As for why, he vaguely suspected something.
In every dynasty, it was taboo for the Emperor to practice cultivation.
Many emperors who pursued immortality lost their kingdoms.
Perhaps the Great Yu's successive emperors destroyed all records on cultivation to prevent descendants from pursuing it.
Whether this is true remains to be explored.
The only ones he knew of regarding cultivation were a mere few individuals.
Beyond the Fire Spirit and Dongyun Feng, there was also Xu Mujun.
He possessed the Fire Spirit's Flying Sword.
However, now was not the time to inquire about this.
After considering, he said: "Cheng'en, summon Xu Mujun to the audience."
"Yes... Your Majesty!"
Soon, Xu Mujun entered the palace.
With Jiaotai Hall destroyed, Zheng Yi could only receive him in Zhonghe Hall.
"Your Majesty."
"Xu Qing, I have an idea I'd like to discuss with you."
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"I wish to establish an institution above the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers, called the 'Cabinet'."
Zheng Yi said: "Select those who are virtuous and committed from the court to enter as assisting ministers, aiding me in managing state affairs. The head of the Cabinet will be the Chief Minister, chosen from five or seven individuals, and in major undecided matters, they may vote on it. How does that sound?"
"Policies discussed in the Cabinet will be presented for my review, or by those I appoint, before being implemented."
Xu Mujun quickly understood: "Your Majesty, are you splitting the Prime Minister's authority?"
"It can be viewed as such."
"In that case... it is excellent."
"The first Chief Minister can only be you."
Xu Mujun said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, I will certainly act with diligence and devotion!"
"But how should the Cabinet members be selected? Should Six Ministers be selected, or from other departments, or maybe from the Hanlin Academy?"
"My opinion is that the Ministers of the Six Ministries should not enter the Cabinet, otherwise it could become too busy, potentially leading to the opposite effect."
Zheng Yi said: "As for the selections, they should be from departments outside the Six Ministries."
"The Hanlin Academy, Ministry of Justice, or even the Astronomical Bureau can be considered."
"With Yang Xuansu's rebellion, the court lacks personnel. We can only wait to reassess and mobilize officials nationwide."
After a moment of silence, Xu Mujun replied: "I will follow the decree."
"Since you've come to the palace, see Luan'er before you go."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With Xu Mujun's departure, Zheng Yi summoned Liu Cheng'en again.
"Cheng'en, how is the formation of the Ritual Department I tasked you with going?"