Chương 504: Ministers of Various Departments

Several senior officials even took two steps forward, displaying an air of "willing to die on the spot for remonstrance."

Liu Ce gave them a cold glance, his gaze sharp as a blade, his voice not loud but carrying an undeniable authority:

"Ancestral rules? Can ancestral rules fill the national treasury? Can ancestral rules ensure that the people have enough to eat? Can ancestral rules enable the construction of roads, bridges, and mining?"

He stood up, walked to the edge of the steps, and looked down at the old ministers, who involuntarily lowered their heads.

"Let me tell you, Shen Wansan has made a fortune for the court over the years. Just from fine salt alone, he brings in billions of coins annually. The fact that Youzhou could support so many soldiers and conquer this empire is no less significant than any of your contributions. Without money, wars cannot be fought, soldiers cannot be fed, and grain cannot be purchased. How many of you who only know how to recite the classics could have earned that much money?"

"Whoever can conjure up money for me, I'll make him Minister right now. Whoever can increase the national treasury's revenue by 30% every year, I'll grant him a marquisate. Can't? Then shut up."

"Anyone who dares to invoke ancestral rules again can go home and abide by them, and forget about being an official here! My court needs capable people, not bookworms who can only recite ancestral rules! Here, I only look at ability, not family background. What's wrong with merchants? Merchants are people too, and they can also contribute to the country!"

Several senior officials were so frightened that they quickly shut their mouths and dared not utter another word, but they were thinking to themselves: "If a merchant becomes the Minister, the world is probably about to change."

Shen Wansan was stunned. He stood there for a long time, his mouth agape, until someone next to him nudged him and he finally came to his senses.

He never dreamed that he would one day become the Minister of Revenue.

Merchants controlling the nation's finances is something no one would even dare to dream of.

He was so excited that he trembled all over. He quickly stepped forward, knelt down with a thud, pressed his forehead tightly against the gold brick, and choked up:

"Your subject, Shen Wansan... thanks Your Majesty for your great favor! I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's trust in me and the heavy responsibility you have entrusted to me. I will certainly do my utmost to replenish the national treasury, and I would never dare to embezzle a single penny! If I harbor even the slightest selfish motive, may I be struck down by heaven and earth!"

When he looked up, his eyes were already red.

For Shen Wansan, a merchant, to stand in this grand hall, to be granted the title of county duke, and to become a minister was something he never dared to dream of.

...

Immediately afterwards, imperial edicts were issued one after another, each name eliciting both surprise and astonishment from the officials:

"On the day of Renshen in the first month of the first year of the reign of Emperor Shenwu, the Emperor said:" Consult Jia Sixie: You are a master of agricultural administration, author of "Essential Techniques for the Common People," and are proficient in agricultural production, water conservancy construction, and grain storage. You are down-to-earth, going deep into the countryside, and your feet are covered in more mud than the farmers in the fields.

I hereby appoint you as Minister of Agriculture, a second-rank official, to oversee all agricultural affairs nationwide. You must diligently perform your duties, solve the people's food problem, and stabilize the foundation of the nation. Strive to fulfill this duty.

So be it.

Jia Sixie knelt to express his gratitude, his voice simple yet firm: "Your subject Jia Sixie obeys the imperial decree! I have only one wish in my life: to ensure that all the people of the world have enough to eat! Your Majesty has given me this opportunity, and I will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life, to accomplish the tasks of the Ministry of Agriculture!"

He thought to himself, "Great! Now we can really focus on water conservancy, land reclamation, and agricultural technology extension across the country."

Having worked in Youzhou for so many years, he had long wanted to share his experience with the rest of the country.

Liu Ce nodded: "Good, I'll wait to see your results."

...

"On the day of Renshen in the first month of the first year of the reign of Emperor Shenwu, the Emperor said:" Consultation with Song Yingxing: You are a prodigy in engineering, author of "Tiangong Kaiwu" (The Exploitation of the Works of Nature), and are proficient in engineering construction, industrial manufacturing, and mineral development. You have strong hands-on skills, value practical application, and can build waterwheels, windmills, and iron smelting furnaces yourself.

I hereby appoint you as Minister of Works, a second-rank official, to oversee all engineering and industrial affairs nationwide. You are here to promote the advancement of science and technology and industry in the Han Dynasty. Strive to fulfill this duty.

So be it.

Song Yingxing knelt to express his gratitude, his eyes shining like stars, his mouth agape in a wide smile: "Your subject, Song Yingxing, obeys the imperial decree!"

...

"On the day of Renshen in the first month of the first year of the reign of Emperor Shenwu, the Emperor said:" Consult Cai Yong: You are a literary giant, a master calligrapher, and well-versed in etiquette, music, education, the imperial examination system, and diplomatic protocol. You are erudite and refined.

I hereby appoint you as Minister of Rites, a second-rank official, in charge of all national affairs related to etiquette, education, the imperial examinations, and diplomacy. You shall promote the culture of the Han Dynasty and demonstrate the grandeur of a great nation. Strive to fulfill this duty.

So be it.

Cai Yong knelt to express his gratitude, his voice filled with emotion: "Your subject Cai Yong obeys the imperial decree! I have spent my life studying, never imagining that one day I would be able to oversee the education of the realm. Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost to cultivate talent for the Han Dynasty!"

Cai Yong stroked his gray beard and thought: If we do these three things well—education, the imperial examination, and diplomacy—the culture of the Han Dynasty can spread throughout the world.

...

"On the day of Renshen in the first month of the first year of the reign of Emperor Shenwu, the Emperor said:" Consultant Cheng Yu: You are resolute and decisive, enforce the law strictly, are impartial and incorruptible, and are not afraid of powerful figures.

I hereby appoint you as Minister of Justice, a second-rank official, to oversee all judicial administration and prison affairs nationwide. You are to severely crack down on all kinds of criminal activities and maintain social order. Strive to fulfill this duty.

So be it.

Cheng Yu knelt expressionlessly to express his gratitude: "Your subject Cheng Yu obeys the imperial decree! I only recognize the law, not personal favors. Whoever breaks the law, no matter who they are, I will investigate to the end!"

These words were spoken with a menacing tone, and many officials shuddered.

This man was known for his ruthlessness in the past. Now that he's the Minister of Justice, if someone commits a crime and falls into his hands, they probably won't even have a chance to beg for mercy.

His face was a perfect match for the position of Minister of Justice.

The officials nearby were all thinking: The prisoner is in big trouble now. Cheng Yu's face is more terrifying than any torture device.

Cheng Yu thought to himself: Those corrupt officials, just wait and see, I'll send you all to prison!

...

"On the day of Renshen in the first month of the first year of the reign of Emperor Shenwu, the Emperor said:" Consult Li Jing: You are skilled in military administration, organization, logistics, and equipment management. You are calm, magnanimous, and fair in your rewards and punishments, which has earned you the support of your soldiers.

I hereby appoint you as Minister of War, a second-rank official, in charge of all military and political affairs of the nation. You are to oversee the military and forge an invincible army. Strive to achieve this.

So be it.

Li Jing stepped forward and knelt, his voice steady: "Your subject Li Jing obeys the decree! I will certainly build an elite army to protect our country and live up to Your Majesty's trust!"

He had long ago devised a plan to reorganize military affairs, and now he could finally get to work.

...

After the top leader was appointed, the next step was to appoint deputy heads and part-time positions in various departments, which took the principle of "making the best use of people" to the extreme, leaving officials dumbfounded, some happy and some worried.

"On the day of Renshen in the first month of the first year of the reign of Emperor Shenwu, the Emperor said:" Now, Zhen Yao is appointed as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, in charge of household registration, land surveying, and tax collection...

Zhen Yan was appointed as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, in charge of the national treasury, fiscal revenue and expenditure, social security...

Bai Tianchou was appointed Left Vice Minister of Agriculture, in charge of land reclamation, water conservancy construction, and local agricultural management...

Appoint Tian Yu as the Right Vice Minister of Agriculture, in charge of animal husbandry, fisheries, grain reserves, and disaster relief...

Li Ji was appointed as the Left Vice Minister of War, in charge of army organization, recruitment, and pay distribution...

Huangfu Song was appointed as the Right Vice Minister of War, in charge of military training and discipline management...

Ma Ridi was appointed Vice Minister of Rites, in charge of sacrificial ceremonies and religious affairs...

Appoint Tian Feng as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, in charge of law enforcement, judicial personnel assessment, and supervision of law enforcement...

Zhu Jun was appointed Vice Minister of Works, in charge of city defense construction, roads and bridges, military engineering...

All of the above-mentioned individuals are of the second rank. Each should diligently perform their duties, assist the Minister of their respective department, and jointly support the administration of the court.

So be it.