Chapter 59: Sun Chengzone Enters the Cabinet, Cabinet By-Election

"Your veteran subject, Sun Chengzong, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

"Mr. Sun, I have finally yearned for your arrival. Rise and speak."

"Grand Attendant, grant him a seat and serve tea!"

Hearing the voice, the Chongzhen Emperor immediately stood up from behind the dragon desk.

Hearing the emperor address him as "Mr. Sun" caused the old man's eyes to turn moist.

Rising and looking at the youthful Chongzhen Emperor, Sun Chengzong was filled with deep emotion; this new sovereign bore such an uncanny resemblance to his late imperial brother. That single address almost made him feel as though he were looking directly at Zhu Youxiao.

Sun Chengzong gazed at Chongzhen, and Chongzhen gazed back at Sun Chengzong.

The elderly man before him was viewed with mixed verdicts throughout history.

Some called him a sinner of the Ming Dynasty, claiming that the Jin-Ning fortified defense line had dragged the Ming down and exhausted its resources.

Others argued that the Jin-Ning defense line had successfully repelled the iron cavalry of the Later Jin and prolonged the dynastic mandate of the Ming.

A few days ago, Fang Zhenghua had also spoken of the principle that prolonged defense inevitably leads to defeat.

Yet Chongzhen knew that every era has its own limitations. Lacking powerful cavalry and a field army capable of contending with the Jianzhou Jurchens, the Jin-Ning defense line seemed to have been the best available choice.

By this reckoning, Chongzhen ought to thank Sun Chengzong profoundly. Had it not been for the Jin-Ning defense line, the Jurchens might have long since breached the Shanhaiguan Pass—such an outcome was entirely probable.

Had the Jurchens breached the Shanhaiguan Pass, it would have been uncertain whether he could have ascended the throne at all, let alone sat comfortably here.

Setting aside the correctness of the Jin-Ning defense line, Sun Chengzong's personal capability undoubtedly ranked among the top five civilian officials of the late Ming period.

Furthermore, his entire household was a model of absolute loyalty. In November of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, when the Jurchens attacked Gaoyang, Sun Chengzong, living in retirement at home, led the city's garrison and populace in defense. When the city fell, he was captured and hanged himself.

His five sons, six grandsons, two nephews, and eight grand-nephews all died in battle, with over a hundred members of the Sun family perishing—what a tragic and heroic spectacle!

This man was utterly trustworthy.

After a moment of inner reflection, Chongzhen walked to the entrance of the East Warm Chamber and looked out across the palace grounds. Through the empty space, he seemed to envision the arrests sweeping across the entire capital.

"Mr. Sun, Wei Zhongxian has been executed, and the purge of the remaining eunuch faction members is currently underway. You must have heard about this!"

"This old subject heard the news upon entering the city. How wise of Your Majesty!"

Even with the buffer of the journey from the street to the imperial palace, hearing the news once more still caused Sun Chengzong's mind to shudder violently.

Wei Zhongxian's power had overawed the imperial court. His followers were entrenched everywhere—in the Grand Secretariat, the Six Ministries, the Nine Ministers, and among regional viceroys and governors—forming an intricate web of influence.

He found it truly hard to imagine how this young emperor had managed to sweep away the entire eunuch faction in one fell swoop.

"Wang Cheng'en, read the imperial edict!"

Wang Cheng'en immediately retrieved an imperial edict from the dragon desk and proclaimed in a loud voice, "Sun Chengzong, receive the decree!"

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that amidst the changing currents of the court... Sun Chengzong is summoned to return to office with his former rank, additionally appointed as Grand Academician of the Central Pole Hall, and is to take charge of the affairs of the Grand Secretariat with immediate effect. Respect this!"

"Your subject kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's boundless grace!"

After expressing his gratitude once more, Sun Chengzong struggled to his feet. His body then swayed and he nearly tumbled, but he was promptly supported by Wang Cheng'en standing beside him.

"What ails Mr. Sun?"

Faced with Chongzhen's perplexed query, Sun Chengzong offered a bitter smile. "Replying to Your Majesty, this subject received the decree to return to the capital yesterday morning and rushed toward Beijing without a moment's rest. My legs..."

Chongzhen and Wang Cheng'en suddenly understood.

Sun Chengzong had been living in retirement in Gaoyang, which was over three hundred li away from Beijing. Covering more than three hundred li in a single day and night, whether on horseback or in a carriage, posed an extreme challenge for a man over sixty years old.

Had it not been for his formidable willpower, he would likely have collapsed long ago.

"Mr. Sun has labored hard!"

Chongzhen offered a word of comfort before continuing, "Mr. Sun, Li Banghua and Li Guopu are currently purging the remaining elements. Your primary task is to preside over the Grand Secretariat, stabilize the Six Ministries, and maintain the normal operations of the imperial court.

"I have already appointed the Grand Seal-holding Eunuch and Drafting Eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonies. Shortly, you should pay a visit to the Directorate of Ceremonies to coordinate with them.

"Secondly, confer with court officials to nominate and recommend capable individuals to fill the vacancies within the Six Ministries and the Nine Ministers."

"This subject obeys the decree!"

"Ah, right, there is also the matter of disaster relief in Shaanxi; you must handle that well too."

Chongzhen continued, "Your old friend Yuan Keli is currently the Viceroy of the Three Borders and serves as the imperial commissioner in charge of disaster relief. Once matters in Shaanxi are settled, he will also enter the Grand Secretariat to participate in state affairs, allowing you all to accomplish even more."

"How wise of Your Majesty!"

Mention of Yuan Keli brought a measure of joy to Sun Chengzong. The two had cooperated for many years as the architects of the strategic defense of Liaodong.

With such a veteran partner by his side, handling affairs would undoubtedly be far more efficient.

"Mr. Sun, the Senior Grand Academician Huang Liji was sent to the imperial prison due to the severe disaster and civil uprisings in Shaanxi.

"Shi Fenglai fawned upon Wei Zhongxian, and while Zhang Ritu is somewhat better, he can no longer be heavily employed. Aside from yourself and Li Guopu in the Grand Secretariat, there is also Yuan Keli far away in Shaanxi.

"Once the remnant members of the eunuch faction are cleared out, I will have far too many matters to attend to. The three of you alone might find the Grand Secretariat overwhelmed. I intend to add two more members; what is your opinion?"

"I await Your Majesty's wise decision!"

Sun Chengzong had originally intended to suggest going through court deliberation, but the words died on his lips.

Having drifted and vied in officialdom for decades, his mind was exceptionally sharp. The new emperor appeared to be seeking his counsel, but in truth, he had already settled upon candidates in his heart.

He was also quite curious as to which two officials the emperor intended to employ.

Chongzhen pondered for a moment before speaking, "I have two candidates in mind: Han Kuang and Li Biao. What does Mr. Sun think?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Chengzong wore a thoughtful expression.

"Your Majesty, Li Biao became a Jinshi in the thirty-fifth year of the Wanli reign and has served as a Hanlin Bureau Checker, an official in the Crown Prince's household, Junior Right Supervisor of the Right Chunfang, Junior Assistant Administrator of the Court of the Imperial Stud, and Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

"He is upright in governance and steadfast in character. Both his background and personal integrity make him fully qualified to enter the Grand Secretariat."

"As for Han Kuang, he already served as Senior Grand Academician in the fourth year of the Tianqi reign. Later, the rebellious faction member Li Lusheng, acting under Wei Zhongxian's instructions, impeached Han Kuang, stripped him of his office and official registry. He handles affairs with fairness and unyielding integrity, making him entirely fit to enter the Grand Secretariat."

After finishing, Sun Chengzong addressed Chongzhen once more, "Your Majesty's discerning eyes are truly like torches; this is a blessing for our Great Ming."

Chongzhen smiled slightly. Having come from a later era, he naturally knew which capable and loyal officials existed in the late Ming.

During the seventeen-year reign of Chongzhen, there were as many as eighteen Senior Grand Academicians (including acting ones) and fifty Grand Academicians in total.

Yet throughout the first two hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, the total number of Grand Academicians had only been one hundred and sixty-four. This demonstrated how casually and frequently Chongzhen replaced his senior ministers and advisors; under such frequent turnover, it would have been a marvel if the Grand Secretariat could run smoothly.

What was most speech-obstructing was that upon his ascension, when Chongzhen appointed Grand Academicians for the first time, in order not to offend either the eunuch faction or the Donglin faction, he actually resorted to drawing lots—a ceremony known as the divination lot ritual.

Among those fifty Grand Academicians, however, Han Kuang and Li Biao easily ranked in the top five.

Li Biao was steadfast in character, respectful of great propriety, mindful of the overall situation, clear in distinguishing right from wrong, and daring in offering remonstrance to the sovereign.

Han Kuang had served as chief minister successive times, demonstrating maturity and prudence, promoting upright men and suppressing wicked cliques, earning universal praise throughout the realm for his virtue.

Direct remonstrance and mature prudence were precisely the qualities Chongzhen urgently needed at present.

"Since Mr. Sun also agrees, let this matter be entrusted to you. Summon the two of them to the capital post-haste. With the five of you in the Grand Secretariat, I believe the Great Ming will only grow better day by day.

"Go and rest for now. Once the remnant faction of Wei Zhongxian is cleared away, we monarch and subjects will share a few drinks together."

Chongzhen waved his hand dismissively.

Sun Chengzong rose, kowtowed once more, and slowly backed toward the exit of the East Warm Chamber, only to pause after a few steps as if remembering something.

After a brief hesitation, he said, "Your Majesty, this subject has another matter to report."

Chongzhen, who had just seated himself, paused in surprise before saying, "Please speak, Mr. Sun!"