Chapter 484 - Changing Skies
In this chapter, Ji Yuan truly couldnât grasp the intrigue within and said, "If the lady doesnât like... Continue reading Chapter 484 of "After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times" for the full story!
Ji Yuan truly couldnât grasp the intrigue within and said, "If the lady doesnât like it, just drop his rank.""No," Zhao Hanzhang placed the paper on the side of the acceptable ones, smiling, "Although his views are somewhat biased, some perceptions and strategies are not bad."
"For example?"
"Since he knows how to use beauty as a trap against me, he naturally knows how to use this strategy against others as well," Zhao Hanzhang said, "In the world, people seek nothing more than money, power, fame, and beauty. At least one of these can strike a chord in someoneâs heart."
Ji Yuan asked Zhao Hanzhang, "And what does the lady seek?"
Zhao Hanzhang tilted her head to think for a moment, "I seek all four."
Thus, those with money, power, and fame can come to her; as long as thereâs profit to be sought, she will mostly cooperate.
Ji Yuan asked, "And beauty..."
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and said, "Isnât Ting Han beauty enough?"
Ji Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Mr. Fuâs reputation is not prominent right now because I intentionally suppressed it; both you and I know he greatly aids the ladyâs grand enterprise, so Iâd hope the lady and Mr. Fu have a deep, steadfast affection..."
"Alright, alright," Zhao Hanzhang interrupted him, "Sir, in your eyes, am I so emotionally fickle? I am clearly a person of loyalty."
Ji Yuan sighed and said, "I want to believe the lady, but..."
He looked her up and down, with an unspoken meaning.
Her demeanor truly doesnât resemble that of a person of loyalty, and not only is she aware of his suppression of Fu Tinghanâs reputation, but she also stepped in to help erase many traces, making Fu Tinghan almost unheard of to outsiders, except for those within.
In todayâs world where earning fame is a means of survival and career advancement, Zhao Hanzhangâs action is akin to suppressing Fu Tinghan.
Although Fu Tinghan seems to relish it, Ji Yuan still felt uneasy.
In this world, what scholars donât wish for a rapid ascent to fame? Thá´ link to the origÉŞn of this information rá´sts ÉŞn novelhall.com
Zhao Hanzhang, unaware of Ji Yuanâs thoughts, insisted, "I am a person of loyalty, truly!"
Ji Yuan resignedly chose to believe, "Alright, whatever the lady says is right, as for this person..."
"Accepted," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Since heâs skilled in this way, maybe we can use him in the future."
Zhao Hanzhang removed the obscured name, revealing the three characters Tan Jize, and she smiled, setting the paper aside.
The paper review ended, and everyone removed the obscured names, recorded each personâs name and score, and chose the best candidates.
This matter was handled by Ji Yuan, and Zhao Hanzhang would meet them after the grades were announced, akin to an interview, so everyone could leave a general impression on each other.
The admin office had long reported the needed vacancies, just waiting for these selected people to be appointed.
Since it was the first time, everyone felt a bit nervous. On the day the results were announced, Zhao Hanzhang awoke early, changed her attire, and headed to find Ji Yuan to watch the excitement together.
Ji Yuan tiredly said, "The lady has business with Mr. Fu, I wonât go."
He had been busy for several months, and especially exhausted over these days for the recruitment exam, wanting to enjoy a rare night of rest, and truly didnât want to move.
Zhao Hanzhang could only run to find Fu Tinghan.
Fu Tinghan went with her, and the two stood at the street corner, watching the scholars jostling toward them, exchanging a smile.
Fu Tinghan said, "Congratulations."
Zhao Hanzhangâs smile reached her eyes, "This is the result of our joint effort."
This time, Yu State recruited quite a few people, including many aristocratic sons and ladies, but also students from humble origins. However, due to educational differences, the recruits were primarily aristocratic sons and ladies.
This time, only five women were recruited through the exam, which greatly pleased Zhao Hanzhang.
This indicated a silent change in atmosphere, acknowledging that women could also hold office, attributing their efforts to gain a career.
The list was posted, with forty-eight selected individualsâa seemingly small number, but for Yu State, even biennial official evaluations didnât recruit so many talents.
Moreover, just being evaluated doesnât guarantee an official position; even with an evaluation, one must spend time seeking office, unlike Yu State, where it seemed that passing the exam allowed for immediate office appointment.
Indeed, passing the exam allowed for immediate vacancies filling.
Once the list was posted, Zhao Hanzhang hosted a banquet at the Inspector Mansion and personally met them.
This time, without exams, Zhao Hanzhang discussed the necessary virtues required to work in her office, commonly known as professional ethics.
After talking about professional ethics, they spoke of lifeâs ideals.
She was powerless against the atmosphere of the Great Jin officialdom, but she felt capable of controlling Yu Stateâs official atmosphere.
With this batch of vacancies filled by the officials she selected, if they couldnât turn the atmosphere around, she wouldnât need to continue as the Inspector.
After the banquet ended, the scholars thanked Zhao Hanzhang and dispersed, but couldnât resist gathering together, "Surprisingly, this time many people selected were from humble backgrounds. I recall quite a few Zhao Family descendants and their kin participated in the exam, yet many werenât selected; whatâs her intention here?"
"Does she not want to be controlled by the Zhao Family?"
"Isnât it a bit late to say she doesnât want to be controlled by the Zhao Family now?"
"Donât change the topic. Without evaluations or family reputations, isnât family status useless?"
Many were focused on Zhao Hanzhangâs emphasis on fulfilling duties while in office, leading someone to sigh, "The Great Jin is finally going to change."
"This isnât just a change; itâs practically a shift in heaven."
Those who hadnât participated in the recruitment exam but came to observe also saw some clues, and couldnât help but say, "Zhao Hanzhang has quite the ambition."
"I only wonder who came up with this recruitment method for her."
"Iâm more impressed by her determination to clear the officialdom."
"In conclusion, the heavens of Yu State are about to change. If this move succeeds, perhaps the entire Great Jinâs skies will change too."
They did not know that the fate of Great Jin was indeed changing.
While Zhao Hanzhang was engrossed in promoting agriculture and military training, the skies in Luoyang changed.
Due to Gou Xiâs relentless instigations, a conflict erupted between the Emperor and Prince East Sea, this time openly rather than secretly.
In the face of Emperorâs secret decree to Gou Xi to suppress him, the heartbroken Prince East Sea immediately roused his troops to leave.
He planned to return to East Sea County, taking twenty thousand soldiers with him, along with Wang Yan and countless subjects, totaling three hundred thousand. More than half of Luoyang Cityâs populace intended to follow him.
Upon hearing this, the Emperorâs face paled and was compelled to personally try to retain him, but Prince East Sea, deeply wounded, felt he was loyal to Great Jin, yet the Emperor failed to trust him, colluding with outsiders like Gou Xi to harm him.
Why should he stay in Luoyang?
Wasnât the Emperor seeking to escape his control? Then let him see what the Emperor could accomplish after he left!
Seeing he couldnât retain him, the Emperor couldnât help but say, "Prince plans to leave, but shouldnât you leave behind someone to guard Luoyang and the Imperial Palace?"
Prince East Sea mocked, "Why would you need my men? Doesnât Your Majesty have twenty thousand soldiers at hand?"
The Emperorâs face turned pale.