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Chapter 485: 241: Establishing Counties and Selecting Talents_2

These vacancies needed to be filled quickly.

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

Over ten thousand scholars 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.

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 plan 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 delayed.

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

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

Some scholars who had traveled from afar, lacking enough silver taels for accommodation, 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 scholars, Cui Changqing couldn’t help but remind him that the imperial examination had become 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.

The reason was simple.

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

These scholars, 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 become the catalyst for local unrest and hidden dangers.

Moreover, the newly arrived population 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 accept.

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

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

A large-scale imperial examination and massive recruitment of scholars would undoubtedly help win the hearts of local scholars.

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

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

Furthermore, the identities of these scholars had already changed from Zhou People to Changsha People.

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

Therefore, becoming 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 and comfort the people’s hearts. This would undoubtedly make it easier for Lu Yuan to absorb and assimilate 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 scholars in the newly acquired territories and among the immigrants receive the news and come 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 scholars 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 scholars 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.”

After much consideration, Lu Yuan could only choose such a compromise.

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

That way, everyone would compete for their success in the examination based on their abilities, and those who failed would have nothing to complain about.

With this outlet, the grievances of the scholars 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 scholars. Who wouldn’t support and like such a diligent and upward government?