Poverty Alleviation in Qin: A Sky-High Review of "I Am the Female Prime Minister of All Time&qu

The third day after the results were released.

The top three finishers in this imperial examination were summoned to the palace to meet the emperor.

Lu Shaoqing, Shen Zhibai, and Shao Jingyu had been waiting outside the palace gates since early morning.

Today's court assembly was different from usual. The civil and military officials in the hall were lined up on both sides, their eyes all fixed on the hall entrance.

On the steps of the imperial palace, a man in a black crown with tassels hanging down quietly awaited the arrival of the newly appointed scholars.

"Announcement of the top three scholars in the imperial examinations!"

The next moment, the three men entered the hall and knelt before the steps: "This humble subject pays homage to Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, and may the Great Qin Dynasty prosper forever!"

"Rise."

Ying Zheng slightly raised his hand and loudly announced the official investiture: "Today, I personally bestow upon the top three ranks!"

"The newly appointed top scholar was granted the title of Doctor Assistant and placed under the jurisdiction of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices."

"The newly appointed second-place scholar was appointed as the Prefectural Censor, to supervise the administration of the prefecture and county."

"The newly appointed third-ranking scholar was appointed as the Minister of Justice, and followed Li Si in overseeing criminal cases and assisting in the handling of all litigation cases in the country."

The laws of the Qin Dynasty were harsh, and the criminal justice system was complex.

The position of Tingwei Pingyi carries extremely heavy responsibilities. Emperor Qinshihuang's exceptional appointment of a woman to this position is clearly paving the way for women to enter the court and serve as officials in the future.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your trust!"

Ying Zheng nodded slightly and solemnly instructed, "Those of you who enter officialdom through the imperial examinations must serve with impartiality and integrity, and live up to my expectations. If you are found to be corrupt, negligent, or derelict in your duties, the laws of Qin will be strictly enforced and you will not be spared."

"We will heed Your Majesty's instructions!" the three replied in unison.

After the investiture ceremony was completed, the officials dispersed from court.

Song Ye walked up to the three men and offered his congratulations: "I wish to work together with you all to ensure the peace and stability of the Qin Dynasty."

Shen Zhibai: "Thank you for your kind words, Prefect Song."

Shao Jingyu: "I will definitely not let Lord Song down!!"

Lu Shaoqing: "Then, sir... will I still be able to live in the manor from now on? QAQ"

"Stop, stop, Yunyun and the others are waiting for you to start class."

After the first scientific expedition concluded, the Qin Dynasty court was greeted by an unprecedented fresh atmosphere.

Apart from the top three, the other successful candidates were also assigned to various prefectures and counties.

Some were assigned to teach at the Imperial Academy, some were sent to local areas to assist in managing finances and grain, and some were assigned to the Imperial Household Department to participate in engineering planning.

The "Six Arts" examination standards established by the Song Dynasty are now showing their value: these people can not only recite texts, but also do accounting, plan road construction, cite laws, and write documents.

If you put them in a local job, they'd be really good at it.

In the past, entering officialdom relied on recommendations and family background. Now, the imperial court has opened up the path of the imperial examination, giving children from poor families a way to rise in society.

Although it's still small in scale, everyone can see that this is just the beginning.

Today, dozens of people can get in; next year, hundreds will be.

If this continues, the monopoly of powerful families over officialdom will inevitably be broken.

-

Meanwhile, in the military camp in northern Xinjiang.

In the past two months, Han Xin and his entourage have devoted almost all their energy to military affairs, and the initial unfamiliarity they felt when they first arrived in the northern frontier has long since dissipated.

The afternoon sun was a bit dazzling, and the wind blew sand and gravel from one end of the training ground, stinging people's faces slightly.

Han Xin sat cross-legged on a wooden stake, holding a blade of grass in his mouth, chatting idly with a young soldier in his early twenties opposite him.

This soldier's name is Zhao Gan, a native of Beidi County, and he has been stationed in the army for three or four years.

When he first came to northern Xinjiang, he was just a young lad. Now, his face bears the marks of time, his skin is dark red, and he smiles, revealing a set of white teeth.

"I'm talking to Brother Xin."

Zhao Gan tilted his head and looked at him. "I've been thinking about that thing you told the general the other day about luring the enemy deep into our territory for days, but I still don't quite understand it. Why would the Xiongnu walk into our trap? They're not stupid."

Han Xin rolled his eyes: "You think fighting a war is about brute force?"

"That's why I asked you!" Zhao Gan chuckled. "Besides, I saw you practicing your formation on the training ground the other day. That formation was spinning like a top; it made me dizzy. Do you think the Xiongnu could understand it?"

"Whether they understand it or not is not important. What's important is that once they rush in, they can't get out."

Zhao Gan scratched his head: "...What you're saying is making me even more confused."

Just as Han Xin was about to say something sarcastic, a commotion suddenly arose in the distance.

They both turned their heads at the same time.

At the entrance to the military camp, a convoy was slowly driving in.

Dozens of oxcarts were involved, each covered with a thick tarpaulin and tied up tightly.

The leading officer, mounted on horseback, shouted from afar towards the drill ground: "From Xianyang!! Sent by Lord Song!!"

Zhao Gan suddenly stood up: "What?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Han Xin almost instinctively stood up, his eyes fixed on the convoy.

Finally...it's here!

Soon, upon hearing the news, Meng Tian rushed out of the command tent, followed by Zhou Bo, Lü Ze, and Fusu.

The convoy stopped in the center of the training ground.

Without saying a word, Meng Tian jumped onto the first oxcart and personally lifted the tarpaulin.

The next second, a flash of cold light!

The man gripped the hilt and drew a ring-pommel sword. The blade gleamed with a cold, bluish light in the sunlight. The edge was thin and sharp, and although it was three-tenths lighter than an old-fashioned iron sword, it felt heavier and more substantial in his hand.

Subconsciously, Meng Yi lightly sliced ​​the edge of the armor plates on his body with the blade.

"laugh--"

A crisp sound.

The old iron plate was cut open with a neat slit like tofu, without any resistance whatsoever.

Meng Tian froze, looking down at the knife in his hand, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"this......"

Han Xin also came over, his gaze gradually changing from calm to burning.

"These are the weapons produced by blast furnace iron smelting...?"

After a long while, Meng Tian finally came to his senses, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "Excellent, excellent!" He turned abruptly and strode towards the chest behind him, where halberds, iron swords, spearheads, and arrows lay...

"Come here, everyone! Come and see!"

Then, the soldiers in the camp swarmed around him.

"My goodness!"

"It's more than twice as hard as our old knives, isn't it?!"

"If this were used to cut through the leather armor of the Xiongnu..."

"Good heavens!!"

Lu Ze tried out the feel of an iron sword, his eyes shining with an alarming light: "If this were on the battlefield..."

"What are the Huns?!" a veteran nearby couldn't help but shout.

Soon, the training ground erupted in chaos.

"With these guys, I can chop them up like slicing melons!"

"What are we afraid of, the Xiongnu cavalry?! Just charge!"

"Oh my, long live His Majesty! Long live Lord Song!"

Shouts rose and fell, one wave higher than the next.

At this moment, everyone's face was filled with ecstasy.

With these weapons, the Qin people's confidence in dealing with the Xiongnu increased from 60% to 90%.

Thinking of this, Han Xin raised his eyes and looked towards the distant horizon.

The north wind howled, and rolling yellow sand swept across the sky and earth.

"Next... it's time to let the Xiongnu know who the true overlord of the Central Plains is!"