The Three Kingdoms of Farming and War began with the incorporation of the Baiyue

The fifth year of Kaiyuan.

Luoyang.

Great court meeting.

Emperor Jin Mao was making the final arrangements in the palace regarding the competition for the throne among the four princes.

"I intend to use Chang'an, Wancheng, Yecheng, and Xu County as the four places for assessment for a period of three years, and order four princes to govern them respectively."

"Ultimately, the criteria of political achievements, reputation, and public support will be used, and the best one will be chosen as the crown prince."

"Do you have any objections?"

Zhou Yu was the first to step forward and said, "Your Majesty is wise. This policy is both fair and meaningful. It can not only test the princes' ability to govern the country, but also allow the people to truly feel the future crown prince's virtue and talent. It is indeed a blessing for our country. I think that in order to ensure the fairness of the assessment, it is necessary to send fair, selfless and experienced old officials as military supervisors to accompany the princes and record their words, deeds and achievements to prevent bias and ensure the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the assessment."

"That makes sense." Jin Mao nodded and asked, "Do you have any other objections?"

Xi Zhicai stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, Governor Zhou is right. The selection of military supervisors is of vital importance. However, military supervisors alone are not enough. I suggest adding 'People's Sentiment Observers', who should be respected local people who are familiar with the people's sentiments. They can report directly to Your Majesty what they see and hear, ensuring that the assessment is not limited to the high court, but also reaches far into the rivers and lakes, truly reflecting the will of the people. In addition, during the assessment, the people should be encouraged to give feedback on the performance of the princes in the form of letters, ballads, etc., so that the assessment is closer to people's livelihood and demonstrates Your Majesty's people-oriented governance philosophy."

"Well, this proposal is very much to my liking." Jin Mao nodded in approval, and his eyes swept across the ministers, and he continued: "In this case, I have decided to adopt the plan of the two beloved ministers. The selection of military supervisors will be discussed by the Prime Minister and the Grand Marshal, and they must be loyal, reliable, and impartial. As for the public sentiment observers, they will be recommended by the provincial governors and county magistrates, and I will personally review them to ensure that the candidates are both representative and fair. The assessment is related to the future of our Han Dynasty, and it must be foolproof, fair and transparent."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere in the court was warm and solemn. Seeing this, Jin Mao was secretly pleased, knowing that this decision was not only a test for the prince, but also a vote of confidence in the court officials. If it could be implemented smoothly, it would greatly enhance the cohesion and centripetal force of the court and lay a solid foundation for the long-term stability of the Han Dynasty.

Jin Mao went on to say, "To ensure the fairness and comprehensiveness of the assessment, I have decided to set up a supervisory agency, led by the Censorate, in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple, to supervise the entire assessment process. Any acts of favoritism, fraud, and falsification will be severely punished once verified. At the same time, the people are encouraged to report false assessments. For those who provide effective clues, the court will give a generous reward to demonstrate my determination for fair assessments."

Upon hearing this, Si Tu Xi Zhicai stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is wise. This move can not only ensure the fairness of the assessment, but also inspire the enthusiasm of the people to participate in government affairs. It is really killing two birds with one stone. I suggest that an assessment feedback mechanism can also be established to give the assessed officials and the public the opportunity to provide feedback on the assessment process and results, so as to make timely adjustments and improvements to ensure that the assessment system is improved day by day."

Taiwei Zhou Yu also nodded in agreement and added: "In addition, Your Majesty, the loyal and reliable people selected can not only hold important positions, but also be trained as future candidates to participate in the decision-making of more national affairs. This will not only exercise their abilities, but also gradually build a more stable bureaucratic system and cultivate more pillars for our Han Dynasty."

The emperor was delighted after hearing this and nodded, saying, "Your Excellency is right. I will immediately issue an order to prepare for the assessment and make sure that this assessment becomes an important milestone in the history of the Han Dynasty. At the same time, I will personally supervise the assessment process to ensure that every step is in line with my expectations and the interests of the country."

In the court, all the ministers echoed in unison again, with high morale, as if they had foreseen that a more prosperous Han Dynasty would soon rise under their joint efforts. Looking at this scene, Jin Mao's heart was filled with infinite longing and firm belief for the future.

Sikong Xunyou added: "Your Majesty is wise. This assessment should not only select talented people, but also focus on the assessment of moral cultivation and governance philosophy. I suggest adding a 'strategy essay' section to allow candidates to put forward their opinions and countermeasures on the many problems currently facing the country, so as to evaluate their actual governance capabilities. In addition, famous people from all over the country can be invited as examiners to increase the fairness and comprehensiveness of the assessment, so that truly knowledgeable people can stand out and serve our Han Dynasty."

The emperor nodded in approval, his eyes sparkling with wisdom. "What Sikong said is exactly what I want. When selecting talents, it is best to select people with both ability and moral integrity. I agree to add policy discussions and invite famous scholars to participate. I must make this assessment a real talent show. At the same time, I also hope to take this opportunity to inspire scholars all over the world and let them know that as long as they care about the country and have real talent and knowledge, the court of the Han Dynasty will always be open to them."

After hearing this, the court officials were all excited and expressed their full support for the preparation and implementation of this assessment, and jointly contributed to the future of the Han Dynasty. Looking at the enthusiasm and determination of the court, Jin Mao was more convinced that the future of the Han Dynasty would be more brilliant because of today's decision. He secretly made up his mind to play his best role in this talent selection and contribute to the prosperity and stability of the country.

The news of the examination spread quickly to every corner of the empire, arousing the ambitions of countless scholars. Some of them studied hard in the hope of standing out in the literary examination, while others practiced martial arts diligently, dreaming of showing their prowess in the martial arts examination. In teahouses and bookshops, people were no longer discussing trivial matters in the market, but their expectations and longings for this grand event. The whole Han Dynasty seemed to be enveloped in a positive atmosphere.

Schools and academies across the country responded positively, organizing mock tests and selecting outstanding students to go to Beijing to participate in the final competition. Under the careful guidance of their teachers, these future pillars of society not only improved their studies, but also developed deep feelings for the country and the people. They knew that this test was not only a test of their personal abilities, but also an excellent opportunity to serve the country and realize their ambitions.

At the same time, in order to ensure the fairness of the examination, the court specially set up a supervision team composed of respected old officials and knowledgeable scholars. From setting questions to marking papers, every link was rigorous and meticulous, and efforts were made to select talents who could truly take on important tasks. This move undoubtedly further strengthened the confidence of the scholars and won wide praise from the people.

Jinmao is well aware that the discovery and cultivation of talents is the foundation of a country's long-term stability. Therefore, in addition to preparing for the assessment, he also began to plan a series of follow-up talent training plans, including setting up special funds to support academic research and strengthening on-the-job training for officials, aiming to build an all-round, multi-level talent training system to provide inexhaustible power for the continued prosperity of the Han Dynasty.

As the day of the assessment approaches, the entire capital is immersed in joy and anticipation. Standing on the city wall, Jin Mao looks at the prosperous scene, his heart filled with infinite hope for the future. He knows that this talent show is not only an important decision for the Han Dynasty, but also the key to opening a new chapter for the country. And he will work hand in hand with all the ministers and scholars to write a new glorious chapter for the Han Dynasty.

The next day.

The grand court meeting will announce the outcome to the world.

The four princes went to court together.

The eldest prince Jin Lin is determined to take Wancheng City, while the second prince Jin Bing is very confident about Chang'an City.

The third prince, Jin Dou, has no intention of becoming an official.

The fourth prince Jin Lin watched the situation quietly.

Emperor Jin Mao sat in the hall, looked at his four sons and asked, "Do you have any objections?"

The third prince, Jin Dou, was the first to step out and said, "Father, I have no intention of competing for the position of Crown Prince. Can you give up your choice?"

Jin Mao stared at Jin Dou, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, and he said slowly: "Dou'er, you are interested in learning and don't want to get involved in court disputes. This is commendable. But as a prince, you also have the responsibility to share the country's worries. Although you don't fight for the position of crown prince, you still need to choose a city to display your talents and do your part for me and the Han Dynasty."

The eldest prince Jin Lin stepped forward and said, "Father, I am confident that we can win Wancheng. We will definitely use this place as a base to expand the territory of the Han Dynasty and demonstrate the majesty of our royal family."

The second prince Jin Bing was unwilling to be outdone and said in a deep voice: "Father, Chang'an is the heart of the ancient capital with a profound culture. I am willing to use this place as a stage to implement new policies and let the Han Dynasty regain its prosperity."

The fourth prince, Jin Lin, seemed more calm. He said softly, "Father, although I have not expressed my opinion, I have already made up my mind. I believe that no matter which city, the key is to implement benevolent policies. He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. I am willing to follow your wishes, choose a city to rule, and prove my ability with practical actions."

After listening, Jin Mao nodded slightly and thought to himself. He knew that each of the four princes had their own strengths. The choice was not only related to their personal future, but also involved the future direction of the Han Dynasty. So, he slowly said: "What you said makes sense, but you must choose carefully. I will give you three days to consider again. After three days, I want to hear your final decision. Remember, the future of the Han Dynasty is in your hands."

After saying this, Jin Mao waved his sleeves and announced the end of the court session. The four princes left the hall with their own thoughts, and under the Han Dynasty sky, a silent contest was quietly beginning.

After returning to their respective residences, the four princes immediately took action, mobilized their respective intelligence networks, and made in-depth analyses of the geography, economy, and humanities of each city, as well as possible external threats. The eldest prince focused on military strategy and tended to choose important border towns in order to become the first line of defense for the Han Dynasty when foreign enemies invaded, demonstrating his extraordinary leadership skills. The second prince preferred economically prosperous places, intending to win the hearts of the people by developing people's livelihood and strengthening national strength, demonstrating his wisdom in governing the country.

The third prince has a special liking for ancient cities with profound cultural heritage. He believes that by reviving culture and education, the foundation of the Han Dynasty can be fundamentally consolidated, demonstrating its profound cultural heritage and long-term vision. The fourth prince secretly visited several strategically located and underdeveloped areas. He plans to use these areas as a starting point to implement a series of reforms and innovations, striving to achieve local breakthroughs in a short period of time, drive the rise of the entire Han Dynasty, and demonstrate his determination to reform and innovate.

The three-day deadline is approaching, and the four princes gather in the hall again, with determination and expectation in everyone's eyes. They state their choices and reasons one by one, with sincere words and rigorous logic, showing their deep understanding and unique insights into the future of the Han Dynasty. Jin Mao sits on the dragon throne, listening quietly, secretly evaluating the growth and transformation of each prince in his heart. This silent contest not only tests their wisdom and courage, but will also become a key step in determining the future destiny of the Han Dynasty.

After the four princes finished their statements, the hall fell into a brief silence, and the air seemed to be filled with a subtle sense of tension. Jin Mao slowly stood up, his eyes like torches, and scanned the people below. His voice was steady and powerful, breaking the silence: "What I see today is not the child of the past, but the pillar of our Han Dynasty. The strategies you proposed have their own merits. They are both well-thought-out and steady, and also innovative and enterprising. It is a blessing for our Han Dynasty."

He slowly stepped down from the dragon chair, walked around the magnificent throne, and walked towards the four princes. Each step seemed to carry expectations and trust for the future. "The road to reform is never smooth. It requires the courage to burn the boats and the tenacity to persevere. Today, I have decided to recruit talents regardless of their background. The four princes will each receive orders and go to different places to implement the proposed reform plan. Within a year, those who achieve significant results will have the opportunity to go further and work together to achieve the great cause of the Han Dynasty."

As soon as these words came out, the hall was boiling with excitement. The eyes of the four princes flashed with surprise and determination. They knew that this was not only a test of their personal abilities, but also a great opportunity to contribute to the future of the Han Dynasty. Jin Mao's decision undoubtedly set off an unprecedented storm of change in the court of the Han Dynasty, heralding the arrival of a new era.

Afterwards, Jin Mao personally bestowed tokens and secret decrees on the four princes, each of which carried his deep expectations and trust for the future of the Han Dynasty. After receiving the order, the four princes knelt down to thank the emperor for his grace and vowed to repay their father's trust with practical actions and do their best for the prosperity and strength of the Han Dynasty.

Outside the palace, the sun was shining brightly, and the four princes embarked on their own journeys with their own missions and dreams. The court of the Han Dynasty also began to change quietly due to this series of reforms and innovations, and a new era was slowly opening.

In the end, the third prince Jin Dou did not participate in it. Seeing this, Emperor Jin Mao did not force him. Instead, he rewarded Jin Dou generously and made him the first king of the New Han Dynasty without a fiefdom.

Upon seeing this, the second prince was moved and he mobilized his connections to consult knowledgeable people.

This time, Zhou Yu, as the uncle of Jin Bing, did not stand idly by, but pointed out a clear way for Jin Bing: give up the fight for the throne.

The Jin soldiers did as they were told and were rewarded handsomely by the emperor. As long as they did not rebel for the rest of their lives, they would enjoy endless wealth and glory.

The eldest prince Jin Lin went to Wancheng to develop as he wished.

Jin Zhe had no choice but to go to Chang'an.

The battle for the crown prince has entered its final stage. (End of this chapter)