CHAPTER 484: CHAPTER 478 CHANGING SKIES

Ji Yuan truly couldn’t grasp the intrigue within and said, "If the lady doesn’t like it, just drop his rank."

"No," Zhao Hanzhang placed the paper on the side of the acceptable ones, smiling, "Although his views are somewhat biased, some perceptions and strategies are not bad."

"For example?"

"Since he knows how to use beauty as a trap against me, he naturally knows how to use this strategy against others as well," Zhao Hanzhang said, "In the world, people seek nothing more than money, power, fame, and beauty. At least one of these can strike a chord in someone’s heart."

Ji Yuan asked Zhao Hanzhang, "And what does the lady seek?"

Zhao Hanzhang tilted her head to think for a moment, "I seek all four."

Thus, those with money, power, and fame can come to her; as long as there’s profit to be sought, she will mostly cooperate.

Ji Yuan asked, "And beauty..."

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and said, "Isn’t Ting Han beauty enough?"

Ji Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Mr. Fu’s reputation is not prominent right now because I intentionally suppressed it; both you and I know he greatly aids the lady’s grand enterprise, so I’d hope the lady and Mr. Fu have a deep, steadfast affection..."

"Alright, alright," Zhao Hanzhang interrupted him, "Sir, in your eyes, am I so emotionally fickle? I am clearly a person of loyalty."

Ji Yuan sighed and said, "I want to believe the lady, but..."

He looked her up and down, with an unspoken meaning.

Her demeanor truly doesn’t resemble that of a person of loyalty, and not only is she aware of his suppression of Fu Tinghan’s reputation, but she also stepped in to help erase many traces, making Fu Tinghan almost unheard of to outsiders, except for those within.

In today’s world where earning fame is a means of survival and career advancement, Zhao Hanzhang’s action is akin to suppressing Fu Tinghan.

Although Fu Tinghan seems to relish it, Ji Yuan still felt uneasy.

In this world, what scholars don’t wish for a rapid ascent to fame?

Zhao Hanzhang, unaware of Ji Yuan’s thoughts, insisted, "I am a person of loyalty, truly!"

Ji Yuan resignedly chose to believe, "Alright, whatever the lady says is right, as for this person..."

"Accepted," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Since he’s skilled in this way, maybe we can use him in the future."

Zhao Hanzhang removed the obscured name, revealing the three characters Tan Jize, and she smiled, setting the paper aside.

The paper review ended, and everyone removed the obscured names, recorded each person’s name and score, and chose the best candidates.

This matter was handled by Ji Yuan, and Zhao Hanzhang would meet them after the grades were announced, akin to an interview, so everyone could leave a general impression on each other.

The admin office had long reported the needed vacancies, just waiting for these selected people to be appointed.

Since it was the first time, everyone felt a bit nervous. On the day the results were announced, Zhao Hanzhang awoke early, changed her attire, and headed to find Ji Yuan to watch the excitement together.

Ji Yuan tiredly said, "The lady has business with Mr. Fu, I won’t go."

He had been busy for several months, and especially exhausted over these days for the recruitment exam, wanting to enjoy a rare night of rest, and truly didn’t want to move.

Zhao Hanzhang could only run to find Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan went with her, and the two stood at the street corner, watching the scholars jostling toward them, exchanging a smile.

Fu Tinghan said, "Congratulations."

Zhao Hanzhang’s smile reached her eyes, "This is the result of our joint effort."

This time, Yu State recruited quite a few people, including many aristocratic sons and ladies, but also students from humble origins. However, due to educational differences, the recruits were primarily aristocratic sons and ladies.

This time, only five women were recruited through the exam, which greatly pleased Zhao Hanzhang.

This indicated a silent change in atmosphere, acknowledging that women could also hold office, attributing their efforts to gain a career.

The list was posted, with forty-eight selected individuals—a seemingly small number, but for Yu State, even biennial official evaluations didn’t recruit so many talents.

Moreover, just being evaluated doesn’t guarantee an official position; even with an evaluation, one must spend time seeking office, unlike Yu State, where it seemed that passing the exam allowed for immediate office appointment.

Indeed, passing the exam allowed for immediate vacancies filling.

Once the list was posted, Zhao Hanzhang hosted a banquet at the Inspector Mansion and personally met them.

This time, without exams, Zhao Hanzhang discussed the necessary virtues required to work in her office, commonly known as professional ethics.

After talking about professional ethics, they spoke of life’s ideals.

She was powerless against the atmosphere of the Great Jin officialdom, but she felt capable of controlling Yu State’s official atmosphere.

With this batch of vacancies filled by the officials she selected, if they couldn’t turn the atmosphere around, she wouldn’t need to continue as the Inspector.

After the banquet ended, the scholars thanked Zhao Hanzhang and dispersed, but couldn’t resist gathering together, "Surprisingly, this time many people selected were from humble backgrounds. I recall quite a few Zhao Family descendants and their kin participated in the exam, yet many weren’t selected; what’s her intention here?"

"Does she not want to be controlled by the Zhao Family?"

"Isn’t it a bit late to say she doesn’t want to be controlled by the Zhao Family now?"

"Don’t change the topic. Without evaluations or family reputations, isn’t family status useless?"

Many were focused on Zhao Hanzhang’s emphasis on fulfilling duties while in office, leading someone to sigh, "The Great Jin is finally going to change."

"This isn’t just a change; it’s practically a shift in heaven."

Those who hadn’t participated in the recruitment exam but came to observe also saw some clues, and couldn’t help but say, "Zhao Hanzhang has quite the ambition."

"I only wonder who came up with this recruitment method for her."

"I’m more impressed by her determination to clear the officialdom."

"In conclusion, the heavens of Yu State are about to change. If this move succeeds, perhaps the entire Great Jin’s skies will change too."

They did not know that the fate of Great Jin was indeed changing.

While Zhao Hanzhang was engrossed in promoting agriculture and military training, the skies in Luoyang changed.

Due to Gou Xi’s relentless instigations, a conflict erupted between the Emperor and Prince East Sea, this time openly rather than secretly.

In the face of Emperor’s secret decree to Gou Xi to suppress him, the heartbroken Prince East Sea immediately roused his troops to leave.

He planned to return to East Sea County, taking twenty thousand soldiers with him, along with Wang Yan and countless subjects, totaling three hundred thousand. More than half of Luoyang City’s populace intended to follow him.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s face paled and was compelled to personally try to retain him, but Prince East Sea, deeply wounded, felt he was loyal to Great Jin, yet the Emperor failed to trust him, colluding with outsiders like Gou Xi to harm him.

Why should he stay in Luoyang?

Wasn’t the Emperor seeking to escape his control? Then let him see what the Emperor could accomplish after he left!

Seeing he couldn’t retain him, the Emperor couldn’t help but say, "Prince plans to leave, but shouldn’t you leave behind someone to guard Luoyang and the Imperial Palace?"

Prince East Sea mocked, "Why would you need my men? Doesn’t Your Majesty have twenty thousand soldiers at hand?"

The Emperor’s face turned pale.