Chapter 198.1
Your Majesty, isnt it because under your wise leadership, Great Xia has become a super Dynasty that commands respect far and wide?
Cao Cao offered a flattering remark, Because we have built the nest to attract the phoenix, warriors from all over are flocking to us, hoping to serve Great Xia! Over the past month, the doorstep of your humble servant has been nearly trampled flat by these people!
We have channels for joining the army; they can enlist, and after earning military achievements, they will naturally be promoted!
Your Majesty!
Cao Cao bowed respectfully and said, While this method is not bad, it has significant flaws! First and foremost, to earn achievements, one must fight in wars, but wars do not happen all the time! Without wars, there are no opportunities to earn achievements and, naturally, no way to get promoted to general!
Moreover, theres another point. Most talented individuals are proud and unyielding! Do you think they would start as low-ranking soldiers, earning meager pay, and take orders from those they deem inferior who could bear that?
Lin Beifan nodded, The Ministers words are very true!
Capable people tend to be proud and arrogant!
You ask them to accept a paltry salary and compete on the same starting line with those less capable, even taking orders from themwho would tolerate such an insult?
Boss Ma once said that there are essentially only two reasons why employees leave. (TLN: Jack Ma?)
Its either because they are not paid enough or because they feel wronged!
And to ask those talented and capable individuals to start as low-ranking soldiers is to subject them to both!
Therefore, holding a martial examination is imperative!
Only the martial examination can remedy this flaw! It provides a platform for these ambitious individuals to showcase themselves, selecting and employing them based on their abilities! By doing so, they will surely be grateful for the imperial grace and serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly! Cao Cao implored.
Minister, your reasoning is sound!
Lin Beifan declared with a grand gesture, Then let us in Great Xia hold a martial examination! Not just outsiders but soldiers and officers from our own military may also participate, competing together! As long as they are capable, I will certainly make good use of them! You shall be responsible for this matter and must select outstanding talents for our nation!
Your humble servant obeys the decree! Cao Cao responded.
After receiving the imperial command, Cao Cao went down and immediately set about making vigorous preparations.
While the imperial examination was still a hot topic, the martial examination followed closely behind!
The imperial examination hasnt even started yet, and the martial examination is already being prepared?
I heard that many martial artists have come to Great Xia, but without connections, they cant become officials, so they hope the Emperor will hold a martial examination to give them a chance to prove themselves! I heard that Minister Caos doorstep has nearly been trampled flat!
So thats the case. What does this tell us? It shows that our Great Xia is getting better and better, attracting talents from all over!
Isnt that the truth? Our Great Xia is changing every day!
I may not be cut out for the imperial examination, but I can participate in the martial examination. Maybe Ill have a chance to become an official!
The martial examination? With your abilities?
Dont underestimate me; Ive got plenty of strength!
Having strength is useless; you also need to be literate and, most importantly, understand military strategy. Can you do that?
The public was abuzz with excitement.
The imperial examination and the martial examination being held one after another were incredibly good news for many ambitious individuals.
If you excel in the literary arts, then you can participate in the imperial examination.
If you excel in martial arts, then you can participate in the martial examination.
Opportunities had become plentiful, and thus, more and more talented individuals eagerly made their way to Great Xia to showcase their skills.
At the Duke of Shis residence.
Great Shi Emperor, who was having a meal, noticed his youngest son eating listlessly and couldnt help but express his concern, Jiner, whats been troubling you these past few days? You seem downcast. Have you encountered something upsetting?
Under the gaze of Emperor Dashi, the young man put down his chopsticks, lifted his head, and declared loudly, Father, I wish to take part in the military examination!
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Great Shi Emperors face immediately darkened. He stood up abruptly, slamming the table as he shouted, You foolish! Do you realize what youre saying? Participating in the military examination? Do you want to drag us all into the abyss? Im telling you, dont even think about it!
Jiner, what did you just say? Apologize to your father at once! the elderly lady urged in panic.
The young man, with a defiant expression, replied, Father, I know I shouldnt have spoken such foolish dreams! But do you want to watch me waste my life away? Im only 16 years old. I want to go to battle, I want to achieve great things, I dont want to live a hopeless life with no end in sight!
Great Shi Emperor was furious, For your insignificant dream, would you have us all die with you? Youre not young anymore; you cant be so selfish!
The young man looked at his family members filling the room and opened his mouth but ultimately couldnt utter a single word.
He just clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, showing his inner unwillingness.
Great Shi Emperor, seeing his youngest son like this, felt a sense of guilt and sighed deeply.
This youngest son had always been his pride, skilled in both literature and martial arts.
He harbored great ambitions and had always longed to gallop across the battlefield and expand the territory.
If Great Shi had not fallen, then with his support, his son might have already become a general.
He might even have had the chance to ascend to the throne!
But now, he was a monarch of a fallen nation, living at the mercy of others, powerless to do anything.
It would have been fine if he had stayed quiet, but once he got involved with power, it would arouse suspicion from those above, making life difficult.
For the greater good, he absolutely could not support his sons participation in the military examination.
However, as a father, he didnt want his son to waste his life away in mediocrity.
After some thought, his heart softened, Alright, Ill speak to His Majesty about it tomorrow! If he agrees, then naturally you can participate. If not, then give up on this idea and stay at home obediently!
The young mans eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, Thank you, Father!
The next day, Great Shi Emperor went to the palace to seek an audience and explained the situation.
Lin Beifan fell into deep thought.
He had accepted these royal family members in the past because of their financial contributions.
They accepted Lin Beifans protection and were expected to behave, not covet power, and certainly not harbor any improper fantasies, lest they threaten his regime and rule.
This had been an unspoken agreement between them.
But now, he was the Emperor of a super dynasty, a Great Grandmaster who kept his powers hidden. These people posed no threat to him whatsoever.
With that in mind, why continue to guard against them?
Why not make use of them?
If they were willing to serve the country, then give them the opportunity!
After all, it costs a lot of money to support this group of people.
Many of them had received a decent education and were talented; it would be a waste not to utilize them.
With these thoughts, under the anxious gaze of Great Shi Emperor, Lin Beifan nodded, He may participate, but everything must be done according to the rules, with no special treatment!
Great Shi Emperor was overjoyed, Thank you, Your Majesty!
Let the other dukes know about this. If their children also wish to serve the country, they too may participate!
Yes, Your Majesty! Your humble servant takes his leave!
Excited, the great Great Shi Emperor quickly spread the news throughout the various noble houses of the great kingdoms.
***
TLN: Another tips from Danny N, Thank you!
133/259 > 133/265
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