Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 142 Chen Qun's "Nine-Rank System"

Cao Hong's favorability rating jumped to 91%, but unfortunately, he didn't have any gold-level attributes.

Cao Yan copied Cao Hong's [Fortify (Purple)], which then triggered his affix replacement quest.

[You have selected to replace the term "Greedy and Stingy (Gray)" to unlock the quest: Business Prodigy]

[Task Completion Conditions: 1. Cao Hong is feeling lost about the future after losing his position as Cao Cao's personal bodyguard. You need to help him regain his confidence and find his own path (Completed).]

2. Cao Hong's business acumen has been successfully awakened, but he still needs to win a business battle to prove his abilities (if he loses the battle, the mission fails).

[Task completion reward: 1 blue attribute (random), 1 blueprint (random)]

[Mission failed: The entry is fixed to "cannot be replaced".]

When Cao Yan saw Cao Hong's task to replace the entry, he found that the first one had already been completed automatically.

The second point was not difficult for Cao Yan, who possessed modern knowledge.

However, before launching a business war, one must first build up one's capital.

Just as Cao Yan was checking Cao Hong's task, Cao Hong had already slumped over the stone table and fallen fast asleep.

Just then, Zhuge Liang strolled over, carrying a lantern, and said, "Brother-in-law, I've finished all the homework you assigned me. When would you like to take me to visit Master Shui Jing?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Yan was slightly taken aback and subconsciously asked, "You want to become Mr. Shui Jing's disciple?"

Zhuge Liang nodded and said, "Master Shui Jing is extremely learned and knowledgeable. It would be abnormal for someone not to want to become his disciple."

Cao Yan knew that Sima Hui was Cao Yan's teacher in history, and that Zhuge Liang's Qimen Bagua techniques were probably learned from Sima Hui.

He immediately replied, "I don't know where Mr. Shui Jing has gone with Bian Wenli recently... I will introduce you when he returns."

Zhuge Liang's face instantly lit up with a smile. He cupped his hands in a salute and said earnestly, "In that case, thank you very much, brother-in-law!"

Cao Yan glanced at Cao Hong, who was sleeping like a log beside him, and instructed Zhuge Liang, "Go and find two people to carry him to the side room to rest."

"Alright," Zhuge Liang replied, then hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Brother-in-law, you just said that the business world is like a battlefield, is that true?"

"You little rascal, you've been hiding over there eavesdropping on our conversation?" Cao Yan asked with a half-smile.

Zhuge Liang curled his lip slightly and said, "Brother, I arrived here before you, but you just didn't notice me."

Cao Yan didn't intend to delve into the matter further, and patiently explained to Zhuge Liang: "The cruelty of commercial warfare can plunge a country into abject poverty overnight, cause countless people to lose their fortunes instantly, and even burden them with debts they can never repay in their lifetime. Its bloodshed is in no way inferior to that of real war."

Zhuge Liang's eyes widened, gleaming with excitement; he was clearly very interested in this.

Cao Yan, observing this, couldn't help but ask, "You're not necessarily interested in this business war, are you?"

“That sounds interesting, brother-in-law. Please tell me more about it.” Zhuge Liang nodded eagerly, looking on with anticipation.

"Your sister is still waiting for me. I'll tell you the details another day." Without thinking, Cao Yan immediately got up and hurriedly left as if his feet were greased.

He knew very well that if he were to really explain the little he knew to Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Liang would surely find out everything he had to say.

Zhuge Liang glanced at Cao Yan, who was fleeing in a sorry state, then turned back to stare at Cao Hong, who was slumped over the table, and stroked his smooth chin.

His eyes darted around, and it was unclear what mischievous idea he was plotting.

……

the next morning,

When Cao Yan arrived at the gate of the prefect's mansion, someone rushed over to report that Bian Rang, Sima Hui, and Chen Qun had been waiting in the main hall for a long time.

Cao Yan dared not delay and hurriedly ran into the main hall.

"Zian, you're still as lazy as ever. What time is it? Why are you only now coming to handle official business?" Bian Rang immediately put on a stern face and began to scold Cao Yan as soon as he saw him appear.

This old fellow had a bit of a personal grudge involved. But Cao Yan knew he was in the wrong, so he could only smile broadly and bow and apologize profusely.

"Mr. Wenli, spare my life!" Cao Yan begged for mercy as he quickly stepped forward and bowed to the side.

Then, he turned to Sima Hui and respectfully said, "Greetings, Mr. Shui Jing!"

Then, Cao Yan warmly shook Chen Qun's hand and said, "Brother Changwen, you've finally arrived! It's a pity that Wenruo was busy with official duties and returned to Juancheng a few days ago."

Chen Qun was slightly taken aback, then cupped his hands in return and said, "Since Lord Cao has invited me, how could I dare not come?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Cao Yan cut to the chase without further ado, saying, "Brother Changwen, I intend to appoint you as the Prefect of Chenliu County, in charge of all government affairs. What do you think?"

Chen Qun pondered for a moment: "I am of limited talent and learning, and I am afraid I am not up to the task."

Cao Yan smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Brother Changwen, there's no need to be so modest. How could someone whom even Wenruo praises highly be considered lacking in talent and learning?"

Sima Hui, standing to the side, gently waved his feather fan and said with a smile, "Cao Mengde and Cao Zi'an have always been unconventional in their use of people."

"Changwen, you can accept the position of Prefect of Chenliu with peace of mind."

Seeing that Sima Hui also said so, Chen Qun no longer declined, stood up and bowed solemnly, saying, "I, Chen, will do my best to live up to your trust."

After Chen Qun sat down, Cao Yan chatted with Sima Hui and Bian Rang.

“Mr. Shui Jing, I have a brother-in-law who has been clamoring to become your disciple…” Cao Yan said with a smile, “You don’t have to agree now. You can meet him first and then make a decision.”

Sima Hui stroked his beard, smiled slightly, and asked, "Are you referring to Zhuge Liang?"

Cao Yan was taken aback and asked, "You also know about Kongming?"

"Such a magnificent appearance, rarely seen in the world! Wenli has mentioned it to me several times," Sima Hui explained with a smile.

Cao Yan looked at Bian Rang in surprise, but Bian Rang snorted and said, "Having Zhuge Kongming by your side is simply misleading the younger generation!"

"..." Cao Yan was both amused and exasperated. He had already realized that Bian Rang was a typical example of someone with a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

"Thank you for speaking so kindly of Kongming, Mr. Wenli!" Cao Yan stood up and bowed solemnly to express his gratitude.

"Kongming is exceptionally intelligent. If he puts his mind to it, he will surely achieve great things in the future," Sima Hui said. "After Wenli and I return from our spring outing, we will take Kongming as our disciple."

"In that case, I am truly grateful!" Cao Yan bowed to Sima Hui again to express his gratitude.

After seeing Sima Hui and Bian Rang off, Cao Yan noticed Chen Qun's thoughtful expression and took the initiative to ask, "Brother Changwen, if you have any doubts, please feel free to ask. I will answer them to the best of my knowledge."

Chen Qun nodded, and then got straight to the point: "There is something I don't understand, and I hope that Your Excellency will enlighten me."

"Brother Changwen, please speak," Cao Yan said, gesturing for Chen Qun to sit down.

"I have recently been studying your new policies in depth." Chen Qun pondered for a moment and continued, "I have found that although our starting points are different, our ultimate goal is the same: to value the selection and training of talent. It's just that the target groups are different."

I advocate cultivating and selecting talent from aristocratic families and those from humble backgrounds.

As for Lord Cao, you have included ordinary people in your group as well.

It must be said that Chen was narrow-minded on this point.

Cao Yan, however, sensed the doubt and a hint of resentment in Chen Qun's words, so he asked, "Changwen, you must already have a set of ideas about talent cultivation and selection. Why don't you share them with us?"

Chen Qun straightened his back and said, "In my opinion, we can set up officials in prefectures and counties to serve as judges, who are virtuous and capable in their respective prefectures and counties, or who are officials in the central government."

The officials in charge of the Imperial Censorate would classify the scholars in the prefectures and counties under their jurisdiction into nine grades: upper-upper, upper-middle, upper-lower, middle-upper, middle-middle, middle-lower, lower-upper, lower-middle, and lower-lower, and would attach comments to these grades before reporting them to the imperial court.

A person's ranking is not static; it can be adjusted based on the quality of their words and actions.

In this way, the Ministry of Personnel could assign official positions according to these assessments and ranks.

This was the prototype of the famous "Nine-Rank System"!
(End of this chapter)