Chapter 108

As he spoke, he glanced at Su Xuan.

There was some anticipation in his eyes.

From some of his daily words and concepts, Xi Zhicai could faintly feel that his Lord had many ideas different from the current era; selecting talents for office regardless of background, in his Lord's hands, might not be impossible.

Xun You did not have a particular feeling about this.

He came from the Xun clan and could not resonate with Xi Zhicai and Cheng Yu on this matter.

But he was exceptionally intelligent and could understand part of it.

Su Xuan smiled lightly upon hearing the reflections of Xi Zhicai and Cheng Yu: "Then let us look forward to it!"

"Who can say for sure about the future?"

"Perhaps, by following the needs of the era, that day might arrive sooner than expected;"

"Before that, we just need to be prepared!"

When the time was ripe for the imperial examination system in the future, it would not be impossible to introduce it.

But at least the conditions were not yet ripe.

He was prepared to vigorously promote education in Nan Commandery, establishing academies and primary schools.

Recruiting and cultivating high-end talents and grassroots talents respectively.

At the same time, after the death of Emperor Ling, when Dong Zhuo disrupted the government and the warlords began to compete for supremacy,

he would comprehensively promote paper, printed books, and so on.

He would thoroughly lower the cost of reading and cultivate a large number of basic talents who could read and write.

He would find ways to popularize education step by step.

By then, it would be the time for the imperial examination system to truly be realized.

Su Xuan paused and continued: "Additionally, no matter how the method of selecting talents for office changes, it will inevitably be influenced by personal identity and background;"

"It is just a matter of the degree of influence."

"The current system of 'Filial and Incorrupt' was, once upon a time, actually a very excellent system;"

"It is just that, as time passed and the world changed, no matter how good a system is, under human manipulation and selfishness, it will gradually become a hotbed of corruption, affecting social progress."

Xi Zhicai and Cheng Yu fell into deep thought.

Xun You nodded in agreement: "The Lord sees things clearly! There has never been a perfect system;"

"The final effect still depends on the people executing the system;"

"Moreover, every reshuffling of policies and systems is accompanied by countless bloodshed and power struggles, a reshuffling of the vested interest class;"

"In this process, one slight mistake could lead to total ruin;"

"Therefore, if the Lord truly wants to push for reform and change in the future, you must not be too hasty;"

"It is best to proceed slowly, using the 'boiling a frog in warm water' approach; that is the best choice;"

"Of course, in a true era of chaos, in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures can be taken;"

"It is just that the degree must be well-grasped;"

"Otherwise, it will become a disaster; I hope the Lord is aware of this."

How could Xun You not understand what talents like Xi Zhicai and Cheng Yu, who rose from the bottom, wanted to change?

As a vested interest in the current system, he should have blocked and opposed the emergence of such signs.

But he was not a short-sighted person.

He knew very well that the corruption of the Great Han was accompanied by the corruption of classes and systems.

In the future, if Su Xuan wanted to change the world, the reshuffling of systems and classes would also be inevitable.

Not only Su Xuan, but anyone who wanted to change the world would need to experience this.

Otherwise, they would not be able to truly change the current corrupt status quo of the Great Han.

In the end, it would just be another cycle of the Former Han and the Current Han.

Rather than being accompanied by the complete decay of the old system and old class, it would be better to embrace the new system and become the new class.

Trading short-term interest losses for a more glorious family future.

Xun You knew very well how to choose.

Of course, it was still too early to consider these things; the final choice would depend on Su Xuan's thoughts.

In short, everything should be based on Su Xuan's ideas to change oneself.

"I understand! Thank you for the reminder, Gongda!"

Su Xuan nodded seriously.

How could he not know the difficulty and danger of reform?

Historically, how many reformers have had a good ending?

From the past, Li Li, Shen Buhai, Shang Yang, and even Wang Mang;

To the future, Wang Anshi, Zhang Juzheng, and so on.

None of them had a good ending.

Even Shang Yang, who succeeded in reform, was eventually torn apart by five chariots.

The danger is self-evident.

Fortunately, he, Su Xuan, was a cheater and had absolute certainty about future reforms, so he didn't need to worry about not being able to handle it.

"I have learned much!"

Xi Zhicai and Cheng Yu also couldn't help but cup their hands toward Xun You.

Previously, they had indeed been extreme.

Reform is not a fantasy; there is still much preparation work they need to learn and do.

Otherwise, they would only harm others and themselves, and harm the Lord.

This was something they could not allow.

At dusk,

Su Xuan and his party finally arrived at Chenggao and rendezvoused with Huang Zhong and the others.

"Huang Hansheng, thank you all for your hard work during this time!"

Su Xuan patted Huang Zhong on the shoulder.

Huang Zhong shook his head with a smile: "Not at all! I was almost getting sick from being idle; now, these days are finally coming to an end;"

"Next, are we returning to Dengxian?"

"Correct!"

Su Xuan nodded affirmatively: "The matters here in Luoyang have temporarily come to an end;"

"Afterward, we will first return to Dengxian for a few days, and then it will be time to move to Nan Commandery;"

"By then, we will be busy!"

"Whether it is training troops or clearing out the bandits and barbarians within Nan Commandery, I will need your efforts, Huang Hansheng."

In fact, not only Nan Commandery, but Su Xuan was also prepared to gradually extend the reach of his influence to the four commanderies of Jingnan.

"Haha! That would be great!"

Huang Zhong was not worried but happy upon hearing this.

Having been used to fighting, he was not used to suddenly being idle.

He preferred military life even more.

Afterward, Su Xuan rested for a night in the Chenggao manor with the Bian family.

The next morning, after morning exercises and breakfast, Su Xuan and his party set off again, heading south.

Moreover, the Xuanjia Army had once again donned their armor, weapons, and warhorses, fully armed, without any concealment.

After all, Su Xuan was now the General Who Pacifies the South and had the authority to command 20,000 troops, so there was no need to worry about being criticized.

Another day passed.

They finally arrived at Yingyin City.

It wasn't that they couldn't be faster; it was mainly because they needed to take care of Bian Yu'er's health.

She was, after all, a weak woman who did not practice martial arts, and her body was relatively delicate, so it was not suitable for rapid travel.

Otherwise, with the speed of Su Xuan and the Xuanjia Army, half a day would have been enough.

— Author's Notes —

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