Chapter 24: Peerless Under Heaven

Li Longji paid no attention to the commotion below the hall. Now that he held absolute power as the reigning Son of Heaven, why would he need to explain anything to his ministers?

Without delay, he continued to issue decrees of reward. Following Pei Min was Wang Maozhong. Originally the General of Longwu, Wang was promoted by one rank to Grand General of the Left Wuwei, and further bestowed the title of Duke of Huo. The remaining figures such as Ge Fushun, Li Xianfu, Xue Jungu, and Ma Xu were also rewarded accordingly, but only six men, including Pei Min and Wang Maozhong, were granted noble titles.

When the news reached the Ministry of War, even Pei Min himself was astonished that he could be elevated to the rank of a state duke. He could not help but sigh with emotion that the merit of supporting a sovereign to the throne indeed possessed an unfathomable and mighty power in ancient times. A soldier, striving with all his might and fighting step by step through bloody battles, might never earn the title of a state duke in his entire lifetime, yet the merit of the imperial ascension propelled him directly from a commoner to a duke in one stroke.

However, Pei Min was well aware that his title of state duke carried a great deal of water. In the Tang Dynasty, fiefs were divided into two concepts: nominal and substantial. The actual taxable households attached to his fief as the Duke of Liang were extremely few, making it largely an honorary title. Compared to dukes who genuinely earned their substantial fiefs step by step through solid achievements, there was still a certain gap. But regardless of that, a duke was still a duke—even a watery one was still a duke.

Upon hearing the news, Pei Min's surrounding colleagues burst into a wave of envy and congratulations, all intending to curry favor and build a good relationship with him.

"Palace Attendant Censor Pei!"

Just as Pei Min was politely deflecting the enthusiastic colleagues, Gao Lishi brought the summons from Li Longji.

Offering his apologies, Pei Min followed Gao Lishi into the palace.

Not only Pei Min, but as Li Longji's most trusted confidant, Gao Lishi's status had also skyrocketed. Originally a eunuch, he was exceptionally granted the official rank of Grand Master of Silver Light Luxuriance and appointed as an Imperial Attendant of Equal Rank. Not only was he responsible for attending to Li Longji's private life, but he was also tasked with handling external affairs.

For this foremost virtuous eunuch through the ages, Pei Min held a degree of admiration. Although historically he could hardly be considered a saint, he had committed no heinous crimes, and his loyalty to Li Longji was truly moving.

"Internal Attendant Gao, I wonder what the Emperor wants with me?" Pei Min was not particularly close to Li Longji. His achievement of supporting the imperial ascension was primarily due to Guo Yuanzhen's recommendation, and the two men had never had deep personal contact. Considering that the court session had just ended and he was being summoned immediately afterward, Pei Min felt genuinely unaccustomed to it.

Gao Lishi had a gentle disposition and said softly, "How could I possibly fathom the Emperor's thoughts? However, the Emperor holds the Palace Attendant Censor in extremely high regard, so it is undoubtedly something good."

Pei Min nodded and pressed no further. Historical records described him as having a "nature cautious and few in faults, skilled at observing the times and bowing or rising accordingly, never daring to be arrogant or tyrannical, hence the Son of Heaven trusted him to the end, and the scholar-officials bore him no malice." It was indeed true; even now, holding a third-rank senior official position in the capacity of an internal attendant, he remained unpretentious, calm, and prudent. This trait was truly worthy of emulation.

The two walked northward all the way into the Taiji Palace, and Pei Min unbuckled the Sword of the First Emperor of Qin and handed it over to Gao Lishi.

Gao Lishi smiled as he received it with both hands and called out to a passing eunuch, instructing him to store the treasured sword safely.

As they reached the corridor of the Taiji Palace, a eunuch was walking forward right ahead of them when suddenly a robust and burly man strode rapidly around the corner, nearly colliding with him.

Before the shock had settled, the burly man shouted angrily, "Blind eunuch! Do you have your eyeballs stuck on the top of your head?"

Gao Lishi's expression turned somewhat unsightly. Generally speaking, the physical incompleteness of eunuchs led to psychological incompleteness, resulting in extreme inferiority, distortion, deformity, and an inward-bound sinister viciousness. Gao Lishi was a rare eunuch of good temperament, but upon hearing the term "eunuch-slave," a trace of resentment inevitably stirred in the depths of his heart.

Of course Pei Min recognized the burly man. Just yesterday, they had fought side by side in a battle: it was precisely General of Longwu Wang Maozhong, who was now Grand General of the Left Wuwei and the Duke of Huo, Wang Maozhong.

Compared to yesterday, Wang Maozhong's arrogance was much more palpable; his eyes were wide with fury, and he even looked as if he intended to resort to physical violence.

"Grand General Wang, who has angered you? I heard your shouting from afar..." Pei Min called out loudly in greeting.

Seeing that it was Pei Min, and mindful of Pei Min's present status, Wang Maozhong hurriedly piled a smile onto his face and said, "So it's Palace Attendant Censor Pei! Were you also summoned by the Emperor? I got here a little earlier than you..." His tone carried a hint of complacency, as though arriving a step ahead of Pei Min to receive Li Longji's summons was a supreme honor. With that, his expression shifted as he glared at the eunuch before him, snapping, "Scram quickly! Don't block the way!"

Frightened out of his wits, the little eunuch hurried to scurry around them.

Pei Min remarked, "You are now a grand general in your own right. Why bother bickering with a palace servant?"

Wang Maozhong curled his lip. "Eunuchs simply lack discipline... Let's not talk about this ill-omened business. The Emperor has assigned a task to me, and I have finest Zhongshan winter-brewed wine at my manor. Free up some time and come over for a drink!"

"Agreed!" Pei Min replied.

Wang Maozhong hurried away, not even bothering to cast a glance at Gao Lishi.

Pei Min shook his head. With Wang Maozhong's temperament and temper, he would sooner or later court disaster.

Gao Lishi observed, "Wang Maozhong is on duty within the palace as the General of Longwu, so it is natural that he arrived a bit sooner."

Pei Min smiled and said, "Does the Internal Attendant think I would bicker with him over who came first and who came last? That would be underestimating me too much."

The two exchanged no further words and walked all the way to the rear hall of the Taiji Palace.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" After receiving the summons, Pei Min stepped into the inner hall. Li Longji was bowed over his desk, perusing memorial documents. Hearing Pei Min's announcement, he finally raised his head: this Third Lord of the Li family had swollen eyelids and bloodshot eyes, yet his spirit was exceptionally exhilarated. Ever since he began contemplating the appointments of the meritorious officials of the ascension last night, right through to the conclusion of the morning court and the reviewing of memorials, he had not closed his eyes once. Having just grasped supreme power, he had tasted its intoxicating flavor and was so diligently devoted to governing that he neglected even to rest.

"Sit!" Li Longji gestured with his finger toward a mat on the side and said, "I originally wanted to find an elegant place where you and I, sovereign and subject, could sit knee-to-knee and chat at leisure. It's just that I have newly grasped supreme power, and many matters are not yet familiar; I truly cannot spare the time. We can only wait until everything settles down and look for another time. Jingyuan, do you know my intention in promoting you to Palace Attendant Censor?"

Pei Min shook his head. This was also what he found curious. Logically speaking, since he was serving in the Ministry of War, he could easily have been promoted to a post within that ministry. To specially elevate him to Palace Attendant Censor and assign him to the Censorate was genuinely baffling to him, leaving him no choice but to say, "Your subject is dull-witted and lacks Your Majesty's far-reaching vision; I cannot guess it."

Instead of giving a direct answer, Li Longji posed another question: "To commemorate my initial grasp of supreme power, I have decided to change the era name to 'Kaiyuan,' to be officially announced shortly. Do you know the significance of Kaiyuan?"

"Kaiyuan carries the meaning of beginning a new era, as well as the significance of a genesis and the founding of a state, bearing the aura of creation itself. By choosing Kaiyuan as the era name, Your Majesty undoubtedly harbors lofty ambitions and grand aspirations, intending to accomplish great deeds." Pei Min answered almost without a moment's hesitation. Endowed with both literary and martial talents, comprehending such vocabulary and meanings was effortless for him.

"Correct!" Li Longji clenched his fist with excitement, stood up, and said, "Ever since the reign of Emperor Taizong, our Great Tang has cultivated civil governance internally and expanded territories externally, especially during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, when the breadth of our Tang's territory far surpassed the Qin and Han dynasties, outmatching all previous states by far. It is a pity that it all proved as fleeting as lightning and morning dew. I am determined to recapture the style of our ancestors and recreate the majestic vigor of Taizong and Gaozong."

A trace of emotion stirred in Pei Min's gaze. This was precisely the reason he had chosen Li Longji: Li Longji's perspective reached further, placing him among the aggressive hawks, whereas Princess Taiping placed importance on the stabilization of her own power, making her part of the conservative doves.

"With Your Majesty harboring such grand ambitions, Pei Min is willing to emulate the worthies of old to expand the territories for Your Majesty." Pei Min's gaze was resolute. He entered officialdom first to fulfill his mother's wish and bring glory to his ancestors, and second to carve out a future for himself, refusing to waste his life in mediocrity. If, within the scope of his capabilities, he could enable the Great Tang to march further into the future and prevent the later ravages of the Khitan, Jurchen, and Mongols across the realm, that would be the most perfect ideal in his heart.

Li Longji looked at Pei Min with burning eyes and nodded in agreement. "I can understand the ambition in your heart! I could tell from your imperial examination essays!" He picked up a manuscript from the desk and said, "This is your examination paper. Every single word in this paper is saturated with reform and innovation, which shows that you, just like me, are utterly dissatisfied with this corrupt system and filled with anxiety about the future of the Great Tang. Only through change and innovation can a new atmosphere be forged. Such a monumental undertaking cannot be accomplished by me alone; I need your assistance."

Thinking of his own official position, Pei Min gained a vague understanding of Li Longji's intentions.

Li Longji stated, "Too many people in our Great Tang currently hold sinecures and draw salaries for doing nothing. I have decided to streamline the institutions, cut down redundant officials, and completely dismiss the numerous useless officials dating back to Empress Wu's era—especially that batch who bought and sold official posts under Empress Wei and Princess Anle. We will retain only useful and talented individuals. Doing so will temper the abilities of the officials while saving state expenditures, and the funds thus saved can be redirected toward military affairs and the horse-breeding administration."

Pei Min smiled and added, "We can also establish a strict official evaluation system and strengthen the management of local officials to prevent corrupt officials from emerging. On one hand, this avoids increasing the burden on the common people; on the other hand, it can enhance the state's tax revenues."

Li Longji nodded approvingly. "Precisely the logic. Is there anything else you would like to add?"

After pondering for a moment, Pei Min said, "Raise the difficulty of the imperial examinations, reduce the number of successful candidates in the jinshi category, prevent the emergence of redundant officials, and elevate the scholarly quality and caliber of the officials."

Li Longji praised, "Acceptable. I also feel that selecting officials through examinations is far more appropriate than recommendation. Especially after you proposed the anonymous system, it has enhanced the fairness of the examinations, allowing us to select truly talented individuals to serve the country."

"So Your Majesty intends for me to exercise the authority of a censor to monitor the hundred officials and root out the worms that plague the country?" Pei Min understood Li Longji's purpose.

Li Longji nodded. "Precisely. After a few days, I will gradually strengthen the authority of the Censorate and allocate sufficient funds to expand your forces. You originally possess the power to monitor the hundred officials, and I will further bestow upon you the power to conduct unannounced inspections throughout the realm. I do not expect you to catch every single corrupt official under heaven, but at least eradicate one for every one discovered, and return political clarity to my Great Tang. This position carries a certain degree of danger, but given your martial arts and swordsmanship, such perils should not be able to harm you."

Pei Min smiled. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. What I detest most are corrupt officials who trample upon human lives; I shall capture every single one I discover."

Li Longji nodded in satisfaction. "My accession to absolute power owes an unmeasurable debt to Jingyuan's swordsmanship! I have personally written a piece of calligraphy to present to you!" With that, he retrieved a scroll of calligraphy from the desk and handed it to Gao Lishi standing nearby.

Gao Lishi received it with both hands and passed the scroll to Pei Min.

Pei Min unrolled the scroll and looked at it. Four characters met his eyes:

"Matchless Under Heaven"!