Chapter 485: 241: Establishing Counties and Selecting Talents_2<div>


    Trantor:549690339


    In thisnd of a thousand miles, there were eighty prefectures and counties, with a total of over 1,300 government vacancies.


    These vacancies needed to be filled quickly.


    Previously, the king had ordered Lu Yuan to prepare for the imperial examination, but it had been dyed several times.


    Over ten thousand schrs in and outside of Changsha City were eager for the imperial examination to begin.


    Now, the king had returned triumphantly from battle and was getting married, a time of double happiness.<div>


    Perhaps adding a third celebration by opening the imperial examination would not only help recruit talented officials but also celebrate the king’s wedding – it would truly be a win-win situation.


    Earlier in the year, Lu Yuan had written a letter asking Cui Changqing and Sun Siwen to prepare for this year’s imperial examination.


    However, the Northern Expedition had many uncertainties. First, Xichuan was attacked, and then a major battle was fought in Hanzhong Prefecture against Zhou Country. As a result, Lu Yuan’s original n to return to the country early was interrupted.


    But without the king’s presence, was the imperial examination even valid?


    Therefore, without Lu Yuan returning, the preparations for the examination had been made, but the Hongdao 8th-year imperial examination had been dyed.


    As a result, schrs from the Three Nations of Southsea, Ninghai, and Changsha were trapped in Changsha City, uncertain whether to stay or leave.


    Over time, some impoverished schrs could no longer support themselves.


    Some schrs who had traveled from afar,cking enough silver taels for amodation, had to borrow money, or even give up the examination and return to their hometowns.


    Although this phenomenon was still a minority, it could not be ignored.


    Considering Lu Yuan’s reputation among schrs, Cui Changqing couldn’t help but remind him that the imperial examination had be imperative.


    After hearing these issues, Lu Yuan realized the seriousness of the situation.


    But holding the imperial examination now was indeed something he was reluctant to do.<div>


    The reason was simple.


    From Xichuan Prefecture and Hanzhong Prefecture, he had brought arge number of immigrants, totaling more than a million people. Among these migrants, schrs were naturally included.


    These schrs, who had been uprooted from their homes, were resentful of Lu Yuan and even harbored hatred. Some were anxious and uneasy.


    If they were not appeased in time, they might be the catalyst for local unrest and hidden dangers.


    Moreover, the newly arrived poption and talents could soon find a way to escape back to Zhou Country, rendering his efforts futile.


    In addition, the local people in Xiangyang Prefecture had just changed their identity from Zhou People to Changsha People. This major shift in identity was not easy to ept.


    To make them truly change their concept of being Zhou People and ept the fact that they were now Changsha People required considerable effort.


    Therefore, appeasing these Zhou People and Xichuan People was an urgent matter.


    Arge-scale imperial examination and massive recruitment of schrs would undoubtedly help win the hearts of local schrs.


    After all, everyone studied hard for the sole purpose of bing an official, right?


    As long as they could be officials, many schrs might not care whether they were officials of Zhou Country or Changsha Country.


    Furthermore, the identities of these schrs had already changed from Zhou People to Changsha People.<div>


    No matter if the change was forced or voluntary, it had be an unchangeable fact.


    Therefore, bing officials of Changsha Country would be an easier burden for them to bear.


    If they could be won over, their prestige in the local areas and among immigrants would help pacify andfort the people’s hearts. This would undoubtedly make it easier for Lu Yuan to absorb and assimte the forcibly relocated immigrants.


    With so many benefits, he was naturally unwilling to hold the imperial examination so soon.


    ‘At the very least, I should wait until the schrs in the newly acquired territories and among the immigrants receive the news ande to Changsha to participate in the examination.’


    Lu Yuan thought so in his heart.


    However, despite his good intentions, the issue raised by Cui Changqing was still a fact.


    The schrs from the Three Nations who had been waiting for half a year in Changsha could wait no longer.


    Without quickly addressing their expectations, Lu Yuan’s prestige among the schrs established by the previous two imperial examinations would likely plummet.


    “Prime Minister Cui is indeed right.”


    Lu Yuan sighed, then said, “Let’s do it this way. We will hold the examination in the city on the 15th day. But for now, let’s set the recruitment number at 500. First, we’ll select a batch of officials to fill the vacancies in the two prefectures, establishing the local government framework.


    Then, next March, we’ll hold another imperial examination and recruit 800 more officials to fully cover the local vacancies.”<div>


    After much consideration, Lu Yuan could only choose such apromise.


    Give some quotas first, so that some people could pass the examination.


    That way, everyone wouldpete for their sess in the examination based on their abilities, and those who failed would have nothing toin about.


    With this outlet, the grievances of the schrs who had been stranded in Changsha City for a long time could be alleviated.


    Moreover, knowing that there would be another examination next year might even make those who failed in this round grateful and excited.


    After all, an examination held three times in four years and the imperial examination held three times in a row demonstrated how much the government valued schrs. Who wouldn’t support and like such a diligent and upward government?