Transmigrating to the Three Kingdoms as Lu Bu: I Have a Pseudo-Apocalypse System

The topic then shifted to the new talent selection law.

Lü Bu ordered his personal guards to carry over a wooden plaque inscribed with the "Provisional Regulations for the Imperial Examination System".

"From this day forward, the three prefectures of Sili, Bingzhou, and Liangzhou will implement the imperial examination system on a trial basis," Lü Bulang declared. "The imperial examination is divided into four levels: county examination, prefectural examination, state examination, and capital examination."

He explained in detail:

"Every April, the county examination is held. Those who pass are called scholars. They have no special privileges, but they are qualified for the prefectural examination."

"Those who pass the county examination in October will be called scholars and can be appointed as unranked officials and included in the imperial court's staff."

"In April of the following year, the prefectural examination was held. Those who passed were called scholars and could be directly appointed as officials of the ninth rank."

"The following October, the imperial examination was held in the capital. It was a nationwide examination, and the top three candidates were selected as Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examination), namely Zhuangyuan (top scholar), Bangyan (second-place scholar), and Tanhua (third-place scholar). Jinshi could be appointed as officials of the seventh or eighth rank, and the third-place candidates could be appointed as officials of the sixth rank."

The room erupted in uproar.

Zhou Huan said in a trembling voice, "Duke Jin, this is completely different from the current system of recommendation and recruitment! Moreover, the examination content only includes the classics, while arithmetic, law, and medicine are all included. Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?"

Lu Bu calmly said, "Dr. Zhou, let me ask you: Is it sufficient for an official to simply be well-versed in the classics to govern the people?"

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"A prefect must be good at arithmetic, otherwise how can he manage finances? A county magistrate must be knowledgeable in law, otherwise how can he adjudicate cases? Officials must be aware of current affairs, otherwise how can they deal with disasters and wars?" Lü Bu looked around at everyone. "The imperial examination selects talents for governing the country, not scholars who only know how to read and interpret texts."

Guo Jia added at the opportune moment: "Moreover, the interpretation of the classics remains an important subject, accounting for 30% of the score. It's just that the selection of officials is not solely based on the interpretation of the classics."

Jia Xu said, "The current recommendation system mostly relies on local powerful families and famous scholars recommending each other's family members. The so-called 'filial piety and incorruptibility' often become a stepping stone for the sons of aristocratic families to advance. Talented people from poor families, even if they have great learning, will die in the countryside without anyone recommending them. The imperial examination should not consider family background, but only talent and learning, which is fair."

Meng Cheng continued, "I once served as the magistrate of Lantian County and am well aware of the hardships faced by the local people. Many scholars from humble backgrounds have studied diligently for years, yet they are unable to secure appointments due to a lack of connections. Meanwhile, some scions of wealthy families, lacking both learning and skills, occupy official positions solely because of their family's influence. If this continues, how can the administration not deteriorate?"

There was much discussion in the hall.

Those who agreed, such as young officials and those from humble backgrounds, had their eyes shining – this was their chance!

There were opponents, such as representatives of aristocratic families and old-school Confucian scholars, whose faces were grim—this had threatened their interests!

After a brief pause in their discussion, Lü Bu slowly said, "The imperial examination system will be piloted in the various prefectures of Sili this October. This year, only the prefectural examinations will be held, and the content will be simple, equivalent to a literacy and arithmetic test. Those who pass will be awarded the title of Scholar, without an official position, but will be qualified to enter the civil service and will be eligible to participate in next year's provincial examinations."

He looked at Zhou Huan: "Dr. Zhou, all students of the Imperial Academy can take this as a reference. If you can't even pass the prefectural examination, there's no need to study at the Imperial Academy."

Zhou Huan smiled wryly: "This old man... obeys."

Lü Bu then addressed the crowd, saying, "I know this move will be met with criticism. But think about it: Why is the world in chaos, with heroes rising up everywhere? It's because the court is corrupt and the officials are incompetent. If we want to rebuild a prosperous era, reform is essential. The imperial examination system should be used to select talented individuals, so that the court can become strong."

He rose, his voice turning stern: "This matter is settled; there's no need for further discussion. The Sili Prefecture examination will be held in October; all prefectures and counties must ensure its successful completion. Anyone who obstructs the examination, engages in cheating, or falsifies documents—will be executed!"

The moment the word "kill" was uttered, the entire room fell silent.

On the fifth day of the seventh month, at the western camp of Chang'an City.

On the reviewing stand in the drill ground, Lü Bu stood fully armored, his hand on his sword.

Below the stage, generals such as Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Cheng Lian, Zhang Xiu, Ma Chao, Zhao Yun, and Huang Zhong, along with more than 500 officers of the rank of Sima and Duwei from various battalions, stood in neat rows.

Today, Lü Bu summoned all his generals, including Zhang Liao and Gao Shun from the border of Bingzhou, to announce military reforms.

"Gentlemen," Lü Bu's voice boomed, echoing across the training ground, "from this day forward, the imperial court will implement a new military rank system, separate from official positions."

He ordered his personal guards to unfurl a large diagram depicting the shoulder and collar insignia of the new military ranks, along with their corresponding grades.

Military ranks are divided into six levels: private, non-commissioned officer, junior officer, field officer, general, and marshal.

Detailed explanation of Lü Bu:

"There are three ranks of soldiers: recruits, privates, and elite soldiers. Recruits have no rank, privates have one horizontal bar, and elite soldiers have two horizontal bars."

"There are three ranks of non-commissioned officers: Corporal, Sergeant, and Staff Sergeant. A Corporal has one bar, a Sergeant has two bar, and a Staff Sergeant has three bar."

"The three ranks of junior officers are: second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain. The shoulder insignia are vertical swords: one sword for a second lieutenant, two swords for a first lieutenant, and three swords for a captain."

"The four ranks of field officers are: major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, and senior colonel. Their shoulder insignia are shield patterns, distinguished by the number of insignia."

"The five ranks of general officers are: Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, General, and Grand General. Their shoulder insignia are five-pointed stars: one star for Brigadier General, two stars for Major General, three stars for Lieutenant General, four stars for General, and five stars for Grand General."

"Marshal, your shoulder insignia feature a golden dragon design."

He then pointed to another diagram: "The organization has also been changed. A squad has 5 men, a platoon has 10 men, a team has 50 men, a company has 100-200 men, a battalion has 400-500 men, a regiment has 1000-2000 men, a division has 3000-5000 men, an army has 1-2 men, an army group has 3-5 men, and a front army has 10-20 men."

"The squad leader is a corporal or junior officer; the platoon leader is a junior officer or sergeant; the company commander is a sergeant or senior sergeant; the company commander is a second lieutenant or first lieutenant; the battalion commander is a first lieutenant or captain; the regimental commander is a major or lieutenant colonel; the division commander is a colonel or senior colonel; the corps commander is a brigadier general or major general; the army group commander is a lieutenant general or general; and the field army commander-in-chief is a general or general."

The generals watched carefully and discussed it animatedly.

Zhang Liao was the first to ask, "My lord, what does it mean that military rank and official position are separated?"

Lü Bu explained: "For example, Wen Yuan, you are currently the General Who Destroys Bandits, leading the Light Cavalry Battalion. According to the new system, you can be awarded the rank of Major General and appointed as the commander of an army, leading 20,000 light cavalry. However, if you are transferred to the north to serve as the commander of the border defense army, you will still be a Major General; your position will change, but your rank will remain the same."

Gao Shun understood: "In other words, military rank represents seniority and merit, while position represents actual authority. A major general may serve as a corps commander, a military advisor, or even an instructor."

"Exactly." Lü Bu nodded. "Promotion in military rank requires meeting three conditions: years of service, merits, and performance evaluations. As for job transfers, the court will arrange them as needed. This can prevent generals from becoming too powerful—today you are a division commander, but tomorrow you may be transferred to another position. Soldiers will not know their generals, and generals will find it difficult to control their troops."

The generals suddenly realized that this was a brilliant way to prevent the raising of private armies and the separatist rule of warlords! However, this would require the imperial court to provide all the soldiers' food, weapons, and armor, and the generals would no longer be willing to use their own money to raise food and soldiers.

Ma Chao asked, "My lord, how should the ranks be assigned to the existing generals?"

Lü Bu said, "The evaluation will be based on a comprehensive assessment of military merits, seniority, and ability. An evaluation committee will be formed, consisting of Zhang Liao, Cheng Lian, Wei Xu, Hao Meng, Song Xian, Hou Cheng, Cao Xing, Gao Shun, Xu Huang, Ma Chao, Zhang Xiu, Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, Jia Xu, Guo Jia, and others, to draft the list, which I will then approve."

He paused for a moment: "The first batch of ranks awarded were up to lieutenant general."

Zhao Yun asked, "When will the shoulder insignia and collar insignia be issued?"

Lü Bu: "I have ordered the Imperial Household Department to oversee the production, and the epaulets will be distributed first to officers of the rank of lieutenant and above. The soldiers' shoulder insignia will be completed before the end of the year."