Sheng Fu

Wang Boye and others took the lead in implementing the new policies, especially Xu Hua, who even lost his life.

Yuwen Jun truly did not want to betray this sincere heart.

Secondly, if Wang Boye and his group were simply given some gold and silver treasures to settle their affairs, these half-baked scholars might not necessarily be happy.

They also have their own aspirations.

Personally, Yuwen Jun also genuinely wanted to see Wang Boye put on his official robes and return to Qingshui Village in high spirits to bring glory to his ancestors.

As for cultivation resources, Yuwen Jun would naturally not forget Wang Boye and his ilk.

We're just too busy with the new policies right now to settle these people.

Upon hearing this, Li Hongshan did not deliberately accuse Yuwen Jun, but simply said, "The new policies are fair and transparent. Your Highness's actions inevitably raise suspicions of favoritism."

"They set a bad example."

"But the scholars in the mountains of Zhengxiong have indeed made a unique contribution to the implementation of the new policies."

"What did Prime Minister Bai Xiaowei say about this matter?"

After a moment's thought, Li Hongshan realized that Yuwen Jun had discussed this matter with Bai Xiaowei, and he also knew that the position of prefect of Qiushui County was deliberately assigned to Meng Huai by Bai Xiaowei.

Of course, Meng Huai's achievements in Qiushui County were enough to qualify him for the position of prefect.

Yuwen Jun said with embarrassment, "Bai Xiaowei did not agree to this matter. Firstly, he felt that these scholars had illegitimate backgrounds and were all from humble backgrounds, so he was afraid they would not be able to take on important responsibilities. Secondly, it would be unfair to the other learned scholars."

"Thirdly, people have certain prejudices against Zhengxiong Mountain. If we rashly promote Wang Boye and others to higher positions, it will be difficult to silence public opinion."

"However, their achievements are undeniable, and I have to acknowledge them."

Li Hongshan took a deep breath and pondered for a moment, then said, "If that's the case, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Their achievements are respectable."

"But to gain official rank, one must indeed follow certain procedures."

"How about this, order Gu Qinghao to gather the scholars in Zhengxiong Mountain for a simple exam, but the content of the exam must be decided by the Minister of Personnel."

"The Ministry of Personnel was instructed to print and distribute the examination papers to the Northern Prince's residence."

"The examinations were personally supervised and reviewed by the great scholars of the Northern Prince's Mansion, and the Northern Prince himself arranged the career paths of those scholars. It just so happens that the Northern Prince is currently in need of talent, and there are many vacant official positions under his command."

"Once the Northern King's Seal is affixed, everything will be settled."

"As for whether the exam content is easy or difficult, His Highness Prince Ping can simply give a word to the Minister of Personnel."

"The scholars in Zhengxiong Mountain are indeed considered inferior, but they are still scholars after all, and we cannot let them down."

"The process just wasn't very pleasant."

"What is Your Highness's opinion?"

Yuwen Jun suddenly felt enlightened, and toasted Li Hongshan again, smiling gently as he said, "The Grand Preceptor is indeed quick-witted and a role model for us all."

If Wang Boye and the others in Zhengxiong Mountain knew that Yuwen Jun had humbled himself to toast Li Hongshan for the sake of their future as scholars, they would surely be quite moved.

Li Hongshan laughed heartily and said, "Your Highness is concerned about old friends, but those old friends are indeed quite courageous. I also drank this cup of wine with great relish."

"However, Your Highness must personally return to the capital to inform Prince Ping of this matter."

"After all, if His Highness personally intervenes in this matter, the future and fate of those scholars in Zhengxiong Mountain will have many different possibilities."

"Of course, I also hope that some great talents will emerge from Zhengxiong Mountain."

"The rise of ordinary people is the true flame of civilization that never dies." Yuwen Jun exclaimed in admiration, "Grand Preceptor, your vision is truly magnanimous and your spirit is magnificent!"

Li Hongshan chuckled and said, "Your Highness need not say more of such hypocritical words; they don't sound genuine at all."

Yuwen Jun feigned sincerity and said, "Everything I said comes from the bottom of my heart."

Li Hongshan changed the subject, saying, "The six hundred officials can be confirmed, but with the North-South talks imminent, some minor families are trying to curry favor with the Southern King and the Northern King these days. Xingluo still needs to keep an eye on them."

"Whether those minor families are merely opportunistic and feigning allegiance or genuinely pledge their allegiance needs to be carefully ascertained. The Northern King and the Southern King have their own rules, and so do we, Xingluo."

"Judging from the timeline, the Southern King and the Northern King will have to come to meet with Your Highness tonight or early tomorrow morning to explain the truth."

"In this process, some powerful families may be treated leniently, while others may be wiped out without exception."

"The balance is to be determined by His Highness."

Yuwen Jun's expression hardened. The new policy was supposed to be fair and transparent. If Xie Yiming and Fu Cheng really had to be lenient with some aristocratic families in order to ease the situation or for long-term considerations, then Yuwen Jun would have to step in and play the villain.

Of course, if the families that are treated leniently are not guilty of serious crimes, then they can also be treated leniently.

Li Hongshan is right.

Neither the Northern King nor the Southern King held absolute power in the northern and southern regions. Many powerful figures still disliked them and opposed them.

Yuwen Jun opposed the powerful families of the North and South from the very beginning, and had no business dealings with them except for conflicts of interest. This matter was decided by Yuwen Jun alone.

"Thank you for the reminder, Grand Preceptor," Yuwen Jun replied solemnly.

Li Hongshan took a sip of wine and said with a serious expression, "Actually, I know that Prime Minister Qiu Qing has another list, but he has not yet expressed his opinion on this matter. I think there must be a reason for this. In my opinion, Your Highness does not need to seek the Prime Minister for answers these days. When the Prime Minister is willing to speak, he will naturally tell Your Highness everything."

"However, this time, I think the Prime Minister will not tell everything to His Highness, but to His Majesty."

Mentioning Qiu Qing, Yuwen Jun felt melancholy.

Qiu Qing was determined to die to implement the new policies. Although he did not show any action on the surface, Yuwen Jun knew that Qiu Qing had already given advance notice to some officials.

I wonder what kind of scene it will be when the new policies are discussed in the Golden Palace.

Will Lord Qiuqing still be alive by then...?

"How much longer can the Grand Preceptor stay within the human realm?" Yuwen Jun suddenly asked.

"At most ten days later," Li Hongshan replied without hesitation.

The war after autumn has cast a shadow over everyone's hearts. If they can win, that would be the best outcome. But if they lose, the new policies are already precarious and subject to change. Moreover, the Spirit Clan may not be able to stop the Demon Wolf Riders from advancing south, even though the Iron Mang City's defenses have been enhanced by the Holy Spirit Stone.

But in the vast Demon Realm, is there no innate treasure that can counter the Holy Spirit Stone?
Moreover, once the battle begins after autumn, it is difficult to stop it in a short period of time.

As Yuwen Jun said, the strategic buffer space that Gu Yong and Empress Fuyao had fought for was really running out.

In essence, the alliance between humans and spirits is far inferior to the alliance between gods and demons.

As for the Demon Realm, it was already in a state of chaos, so Li Hongshan completely ignored the role of the Demon Realm Queen.

"Shall we have hot pot for dinner?" Yuwen Jun suddenly asked.

“But I don’t like hot pot, I really don’t!” Li Hongshan said firmly.

Yuwen Jun said enthusiastically, "Whatever the Imperial Preceptor likes to eat tonight, that will be served in Hengchang Palace!" (End of Chapter)