Chapter 235: The Imperial Examination Released

Inside the palace.

Everyone looked at one another.

The old Emperor said coldly, "Prince Qin, continue."

Prince Qin laughed and said, "Emperor, since ancient times, the rule of Longyan over the Western Regions has relied on stationing troops. But for various reasons, the reach often falls short."

"The barbarians of the Western Regions frequently rise in rebellion. With such repetition, Longyan is exhausted from dealing with it, and the Western Regions are also militaristic, leaving the people in misery."

"If this continues, it is a burden to our Longyan."

Hearing this, the crowd nodded one after another.

Regarding the various states of the Western Regions, every dynasty has actually found them quite troublesome. If treated as vassal states, Longyan loses money. If ignored, the dignity of a great power is lost.

In any case, it can be summed up in one word.

Losing money!

Prince Qin continued, "But Prefect Liu, by carrying out such drastic reforms—though it sounds unorthodox—is actually of great benefit to Longyan! Emperor, this is a barren and desolate land; why should the vast Longyan care?"

"If it can be governed, then govern it; if it cannot, it becomes a place of exile."

"Your subject believes that this is exactly what Prefect Liu is thinking."

"As for what he said, about some pure land, some freedom..."

Prince Qin laughed heartily, "Everyone, you are all capable people and pillars of the nation. Who, after tasting the flavor of power, can remain calm and composed? Therefore, your subject believes this is merely a tactic of Prefect Liu! Moreover, Emperor, it was you who allowed the Western Regions Protectorate to act at its own discretion in the Imperial Edict!"

The entire palace was deathly silent.

That is true.

Power, fame, and wealth are things everyone has pursued since ancient times, even at the cost of their lives.

This Prefect Liu, Liu Dahao, is currently the most sought-after and powerful figure in Longyan. Why would they go against the grain?

Zhu Zhen was speechless for a moment.

"Prince Qin is absolutely right!"

"Prince Qin sees through things as clearly as fire!"

"To use Prefect Liu's own words, this must be his unique method of colonization! May the Emperor be discerning!"

The old Emperor, Xie Tianyao, nodded slowly, noncommittal.

That pair of gloomy eyes swept across the room before he stood up and turned to leave.

"Dismiss the court!"

Grand Eunuch Zhou announced in a loud voice.

Leaving this group of civil and military officials looking at one another.

What does the Emperor mean by this?

Liu Zheng is very busy.

Or rather, all of Yanqi is very busy.

Dreams are beautiful, but reality is very complicated.

After Liu Zheng's "I Have a Dream" was released, it immediately caused an uproar throughout Yanqi.

The Western Regions Construction Corps.

Regarding this, the Protectorate issued detailed policies.

Now, soldiers belonging to the Yinzhou Army, if they are willing to stay in the Western Regions to build this place, are rewarded with 1,000 points. What is the concept of these 1,000 points?

They can be exchanged for 1,000 Yinzhou Coins!

Or, one can become a Thousand-Man Commander in the current Construction Corps, which is a management position.

With this, it instantly attracted many soldiers to sign up to stay.

As for the craftsmen who came from all over Longyan by reputation, they were likewise assigned positions and point rewards based on the level of their skills.

Prisoners from Longyan start slightly lower, as they are, after all, serving a sentence; after half a year, they regain their status as free citizens, and then the calculation of points begins.

These slaves in the Western Regions have the lowest starting point, but for them, this is already the greatest blessing—after three years, they are removed from slave status, their children automatically become free citizens, and within those three years, they still receive point rewards, though on a different standard; after three years, the point accumulation system will be the same as everyone else's!

Of course.

No system is immutable; those who perform significant meritorious service will naturally receive different rewards.

Since the release of Liu Zheng's "I Have a Dream," for three consecutive days, people of all statuses in Yanqi City have shown high enthusiasm.

At this time.

In a residence in Yanqi.

"Master, Master, they have all gone to sign up. What about us?"

An old man dressed in brocade sat in the room. A servant-like person ran over to ask.

The old man had white hair and a white beard, and he laughed, "What is the rush? Hmph, my Cui Family is a Powerful Clan of this age. Since the founding of Longyan, we have been meritorious officials of the dynasty! With a thousand-year heritage, even though we have been punished by the Emperor, we are still not something that a mere yellow-mouthed child can fool."

Others listened with puzzled expressions.

"Cui Lao, what does this mean?"

"Could it be that this Young Master Liu is playing with us?"

"Is he painting a pie in the sky for us to eat?"

The old man stroked his beard with one hand and laughed, "Everyone, do not be deceived by such impassioned hypocrisy. Ask yourself, in this world, who does not love power? Is that Prefect Liu truly willing to hand over power to you?"

"I fear that when this so-called corps is built, the ones in charge will still be his own people!"

The crowd was startled and began to discuss it in a hubbub.

Isn't that so?

Good!

So this Prefect Liu was just fooling this group of people.

Someone said angrily, "This is outrageous, I'm done!"

"Exactly!"

"It's already been three days; given Cui Lao's qualifications and reputation, the Protectorate should have come to fetch him in an eight-bearer sedan chair. And yet? It seems they are truly insulting us!"

They were filled with righteous indignation.

This Cui Lao was the Clan Head of the Cui Family of Longyan. He had been convicted for his words and fallen to this state. But everyone knew that the Cui Family was a Powerful Clan in Longyan that had continued for a thousand years. Although he was convicted, his nine generations were not implicated, and many of his descendants still held high official positions in various fields in Longyan. Therefore, even though he was exiled, this Cui Lao was treated as an honored guest.

This time, the Cui Family had also taken advantage of the craze of migrating to the Western Regions to help him shed his criminal status.

Who would have thought...

As a dignified bigwig of the Cui Family, Cui Gong, he had condescended to come to these Western Regions; it would have been one thing if the Protectorate didn't come to pay their respects to him. But to have him locked up together with this bunch of common prisoners?

Furthermore, for three days, the Protectorate had been selecting talent to ensure everyone performed their duties and made the best use of their abilities.

Cui Gong believed that, given his reputation, he should at least be given the position of Protectorate Sima!

But what about now?

It had already been three days!

For three days, they hadn't come to invite him.

Outrageous!

In this day and age, rising from a White-clothed status to an official position relied on reputation and recommendations. He believed that among this group of prisoners, there should be no one with a higher reputation than himself.

Therefore.

He concluded that this Prefect Liu was simply fooling these people!

The people in the city, in fact, also slowly began to have this suspicion.

It had already been three days.

These people, regardless of gender or age, were dragged off every day to do some kind of military training, yet there was absolutely no mention of appointments.

Could it be that this Prefect Liu was truly just a show-off?

Xie Chan, who was hiding among these prisoners, also had a flash of killing intent in her eyes: "This Prefect Liu is truly a hypocritical person!"

"Tomorrow, we shall move to assassinate him!"

"Yes, Miss."

The Protectorate.

Liu Zheng and Qingyang Shuo had not slept for nearly three days.

Because of two people.

They were pondering how to set the test questions!

Yes.

Setting questions.

After Qingyang Shuo, Qin Zhangfeng, Liu Dahao, and some candidates suggested by the Prince of Yong who was still lingering in Yanqi, Liu Zheng's head was spinning. Especially with the Prince of Yong's various explicit and implicit hints—that so-and-so was a relative of such-and-such and needed special care... that so-and-so was a man of the Prince of Wei, or a man of the Prince of Qin, and that they were all "his own people."

Prefect Liu.

The Prince of Wei and the Prince of Qin sent you quite a few gifts when your Protectorate was being rebuilt.

What's wrong with taking care of them a little?

Arranging a Counselor or an Executive position would be no problem at all.

This left Liu Zheng unable to laugh or cry.

Sure enough, in every era, such things exist.

However...

He did not intend to give these people any face.

Thus.

He proposed a Method.

For these people currently in Yanqi City who wanted to obtain the positions they desired.

It was very simple.

An examination!

In other words, the Imperial Examination!

This proposal gave the group of people a shock.

Since ancient times, the selection of talent had always been through the recommendation of the filial and incorrupt. No one had ever conducted an "Imperial Examination"! Because official positions were all controlled by those Powerful Clans, once an "Imperial Examination" was opened, the interests involved would be too great.

Wouldn't that mean...

Those lowly commoners could all become officials?

The Prince of Yong first expressed firm opposition. He felt that one dream was already rebellious enough, even treasonous. And today, you want to add an Imperial Examination?

You are courting death!

You are challenging the majesty of the Longyan Dynasty!

Liu Dahao and the others also expressed their worries about this matter.

This was not the Yinzhou of the past...

This was the Western Regions.

Now, the whole world was watching every move made here.

But.

Qingyang Shuo, however, expressed his support.

He only said one sentence.

"Young Master, this action of yours will benefit the present age and leave a legacy for a thousand autumns."

"We believe, in the vast Longyan Dynasty, is there not even a shred of tolerance for reform?"

At the time, he chuckled at these people: "Gentlemen, the Emperor is watching."

The others said nothing more.

For three days in a row...

Three days without day or night.

Liu Zheng finally produced this first batch of Imperial Examination questions.

He let out a long sigh and looked at Qingyang Shuo with a smile.

"Sir, can our actions be considered dancing on the edge of a cliff?"

Qingyang Shuo was stunned, then immediately burst into laughter with Liu Zheng.

Isn't that exactly what it is?

The Longyan imperial court is watching, Xie Tianyao is watching, and the people of the world are all watching.

From the moment of its establishment, the Western Regions Protectorate has slowly deviated from the trajectory of the Longyan feudal rule.

Will Xie Tianyao tolerate it?

If he were truly an emperor like Yao, Shun, Yu, or Tang, he would discover that, in fact, this is a gift Liu Zheng is giving him.

A grand gift.

A grand gift that could allow the already decaying Longyan Dynasty to regain its vitality.

Liu Zheng is giving it to him sincerely.

This counts as the final effort he is making for the Longyan Dynasty.

As for the future...

Whether he will be a capable minister of a peaceful age or a hero of a chaotic one.

It depends on how this old Emperor chooses.

The next day.

A government decree was issued.

Universal Imperial Examination!

The entire Yanqi City erupted in an uproar.

【Author's Note】

Thanks to brother Meng Yichang for the "Wishing You Prosperity" tip; it's the New Year, wishing everyone wealth and prosperity.