Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

"Bringing the Law to the Countryside" extends the authority of the government to the countryside, while "Opening the Imperial Examination in Hanyuan" is Xiao Chen's direct challenge to the old pattern of aristocratic families monopolizing official careers.

He knew that the rise of Hanyuan required not only a powerful army and a prosperous economy, but also a loyal, efficient, pragmatic, and entirely self-reliant talent pool.

In the past, the imperial examinations were controlled by powerful families. The examination content was rigid and detached from reality, and the candidates selected mostly pedantic scholars who could only talk the talk or representatives of powerful clans.

What Xiao Chen wanted were practical talents who could govern the country, lead the army, govern the people, and promote industrial development.

Therefore, Hanyuan's first imperial examination was destined to be completely different from those of previous dynasties.

I. Issue the "Order for Seeking Talented Individuals," without being bound by any particular criteria.

Before the imperial examinations began, Xiao Chen issued the "Cold Abyss Seeking Talented Individuals Edict," which was publicly announced throughout the entire territory and even disseminated to the Central Plains, Jiangnan, Northern Yan, and the grasslands via merchant caravans. The edict explicitly declared:

"Since ancient times, emperors have relied on virtuous and talented people to govern the world. Han Yuan established its base in the northern border, aiming to bring peace to the people and prosperity to the country, and to cleanse the world."

Today, the imperial examinations will be held to select officials regardless of their family background or social status, without being bound by any particular criteria; only those with talent will be chosen.

Whether you come from a distinguished family or a poor scholar, whether you are a scholar who has passed down the tradition of farming and studying or a craftsman who makes a living, whether you are a soldier or a displaced person, as long as you have real talent and a skill, you can take the exam.

The Cold Abyss awaits your arrival, ready to join us in this grand undertaking and create a prosperous era!

This decree caused a stir throughout the land.

In particular, the eight characters "regardless of background" and "appointing based solely on talent" were like a boulder thrown into a stagnant pool of scholars, stirring up huge waves.

Countless poor students who were suppressed by powerful families and whose talents went unrecognized, as well as countless skilled craftsmen, military officers, and even literate people among the refugees, were overjoyed and eager to make their mark.

II. Innovate subjects and apply them practically.

The civil service examinations in Hanyuan did not completely abolish traditional Confucian classics, but significantly reduced their weight and added a large number of practical subjects. The examinations were divided into two main categories: "literary examinations" and "skills examinations."

Written test (basic literacy):

The interpretation of Confucian classics focuses on their practical application in governance rather than rote memorization.

Policy Analysis: Offer insights and countermeasures on current political hotspots, such as resettlement of displaced people, border trade, military settlements along the border, and water conservancy construction.

Official documents: This assesses the ability to write official documents and handle paperwork.

Skills Test: Professional skills; candidates may choose one or more of the following:

Arithmetic: This assesses abilities in calculation, measurement, accounting, and project budgeting.

Gewu: Examining the understanding and simple design of principles of physics, mechanics, architecture, and manufacturing.

Agriculture and sericulture: This involves studying knowledge related to farming seasons, soil, water conservancy, crops, and animal husbandry.

Law: Examine the understanding and application of the "Hanyuan Law" and the "Village Covenant and Regulations".

Military Strategy: Examining military tactics, terrain, military system, logistics, and case studies.

Medicine: Examination covers pharmacology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, and knowledge of disease prevention.

Craftsmanship: This assesses practical skills in carpentry, blacksmithing, construction, etc.

This curriculum completely overturned the traditional concept that "all professions are inferior, only studying is superior," elevating craftsmen, soldiers, doctors, accountants, and other talents who were previously considered "lowly professions" to the same status as "scholars," and even making them more favored in recruitment due to their professional skills.

Third, maintain strict confidentiality and select candidates fairly.

To prevent cheating, Xiao Chen established an extremely strict examination system.

Anonymous transcription: All exam papers are sealed with the candidates' names and transcribed by a designated person. The examiners only read the transcribed copies to prevent handwriting recognition and requests for assistance.

The locked examination hall system: Once appointed, the chief examiners and examiners would reside in the examination hall, isolated from the outside world, until the results were announced.

Military proctors: The examination room will be guarded by elite Han Yuan Army soldiers. It is strictly forbidden to bring in, pass around, or make noise. Violators will be banned from taking the exam for life, or even punished.

Second-round test and interview: Those who pass the written test must also participate in a second-round test and interview, which will be personally examined by Xiao Chen and the six chief officials to prevent "high scores but low abilities".

IV. An unprecedented grand occasion, with a gathering of outstanding talents.

On the day the examination began, the entire town of Zhenbei was deserted.

Thousands of candidates from all over Hanyuan, and even from the Central Plains, Jiangnan, and Beiyan, flocked to the examination hall.

Among them were elderly scholars with white hair, spirited young people, craftsmen with calloused hands, veterans who had been through countless battles, merchants skilled in accounting, and even a few students from the grasslands and Northern Yan who admired the Hanyuan culture.

Inside the examination room, there was complete silence, except for the scratching of pens on paper, the occasional clatter of abacuses, and the clanging of craftsmen hammering materials.

The candidates were either deep in thought, writing furiously, or focused on their tasks.

Every face was filled with longing for the future and the expectation of changing their destiny.

Fifth, those who pass the imperial examinations will be selected and employed according to their talents.

After rigorous examinations, re-examinations, and interviews, the first batch of 300 successful candidates from Hanyuan were selected.

Among them, 70% came from poor families, while 40% came from artisan, military, or medical backgrounds.

The top scholar was a young man from a displaced background who had worked as an apprentice in the Ministry of Works and was proficient in arithmetic and physics; the second-place scholar was a retired veteran who had served as a clerk in the border army and was proficient in law and military strategy; and the third-place scholar was a failed scholar from Jiangnan who was proficient in agriculture, sericulture and water conservancy.

On the day the results were announced, the town of Zhenbei was filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, and firecrackers.

Three hundred newly appointed scholars, adorned in red ribbons and colorful decorations, rode horses through the streets to receive cheers from the masses.

Countless children from impoverished families were moved to tears; they finally saw hope of changing their fate through genuine talent and learning.

Xiao Chen personally hosted the "Qionglin Banquet" at the Prince's Mansion to entertain the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).

During the meeting, he solemnly announced: "When selecting officials, Hanyuan does not consider background, but only ability."

You have passed the imperial examination today and will soon be going to all corners of the world.

They might serve as county magistrates, governing a region; or as craftsmen, constructing various works; or as military officers, advising on military matters; or as physicians, saving lives and healing the wounded.

I hope you will not forget your original aspirations, work diligently, and use your knowledge and skills to serve Hanyuan and benefit the people.

The future of Hanyuan is in your hands!

Subsequently, the three hundred successful candidates were quickly assigned to various urgently needed positions.

Those skilled in arithmetic and physics were assigned to the Department of Works and the Department of Revenue; those skilled in law were assigned to the Department of Criminal Justice and the Local Law Office; those skilled in agriculture and sericulture were assigned to military garrisons and the Department of Agricultural Promotion; those skilled in military strategy were assigned to the Military Academy and the General Staff Headquarters of various armies...

VI. Disrupting the old system and ushering in a new chapter.

The opening of the Hanyuan Imperial Examination was like a strong breeze, dispelling the gloom of aristocratic families monopolizing official careers and injecting a large amount of fresh blood and a pragmatic spirit into Hanyuan.

These newly appointed officials, unburdened by aristocratic backgrounds and free from the lethargy of old bureaucrats, are full of energy, pragmatic and hardworking. They quickly demonstrated remarkable abilities in their respective positions, greatly improving Hanyuan's administrative efficiency and governance.

More importantly, this move demonstrates Hanyuan's founding spirit of "appointing only the talented and being pragmatic and innovative," attracting more talents from all directions to Hanyuan.

A regime that is dynamic and uses talent in unconventional ways has unlimited potential for the future.

The opening of the Hanyuan Imperial Examination not only opens the door to officialdom, but also the door to talent for the prosperous Hanyuan era, and the cornerstone for the path to a strong nation.