Three Kingdoms: Daily settlement helps Liu Bei revive the Shu Han dynasty.

[System Log: The host has successfully persuaded Yuan Shu to reach a deal. Today's achievement +1.]

[Current Achievements Pending Settlement: 1 item.]

When Lu Yong and Sun Qian walked out of the prefectural government office.

Sun Qian then realized that his back was soaked with sweat.

Lu Yong wasn't much better off. As soon as he saw Xu Sheng, he called him over to support him, lest he give himself away because his legs went weak.

Although Lu Yong was already in his fifties in both his past and present lives, this was the first time he had ever encountered such a scene.

Debating with a group of scholars is really not that easy.

A single wrong word could lead to complete failure.

In particular, it seems that Zhuge Liang truly deserves the title of "brilliant".

Xu Sheng subtly helped Lu Yong up and whispered, "Strategist, everything is packed, we can set off at any time."

"Let's set off now." After saying this, Lu Yong shakily boarded the carriage.

Sun Qian was taken aback and asked, "Strategist, is it in such a hurry?"

"Yuan Shu is a capricious man. Even if he agrees to something, there's no guarantee that someone won't whisper in his ear for a couple of days and then he'll go back on his word."

We should leave quickly before he changes his mind.

Once they crossed the Huai River and the dust settled, it would be too late for him to back out.

Upon hearing this, Sun Qian boarded the carriage without saying a word.

The three, accompanied by guards, rode swiftly out of Shouchun City.

Heading south out of the city,

After walking for about two hours, we arrived at the Huai River ferry.

By this time, it was getting dark.

Lu Yong ordered Sun Qian to lead a portion of the troops, who then crossed the Huai River under Yuan Shu's banner overnight.

The ferry swayed and rocked in the night as it headed towards the other side.

Sun Qian stood at the bow of the boat, looking back at the receding city walls of Shouchun, and let out a long sigh of relief:

"This trip has finally come to an end."

"But I wonder what kind of abilities the strategist is looking for..."

Sun Qian led a team of guards northward overnight.

Lu Yong, along with Xu Sheng and the rest of his men, changed to two small boats at the ferry and continued eastward along a tributary of the Huai River.

Today's settlement,

Lu Yong received the [Strongest King] enhancement reward.

The effect changed from "increasing the success rate of verbal battles by 80%" to "increasing the success rate of verbal battles by 82%".

Two days later, Lu Yong's troops entered the territory of Linhuai East City.

Lu Su was very famous in the area, and his old house was found with a little inquiry.

This is a rather large estate, situated on a gentle slope.

The manor is surrounded by farmland, where the rice has already been harvested, leaving only stubble.

The manor gates were wide open, and seven or eight oxcarts were parked at the entrance, with dozens of servants loading things onto them.

"Luckily I made it in time, otherwise they would have left..." Lu Yong thought with relief.

Lu Yong and Xu Sheng, accompanied by guards, headed towards the gate.

A man who appeared to be in charge stepped forward, glanced at them, and then respectfully asked, "May I ask who you two are?"

"My name is Lu Yong from Langya. I have business with Lu Zijing. Please inform him of my presence."

The steward glanced at the dozens of soldiers behind them, hesitated for a moment, and then turned around and went inside to report.

A short while later, a young man strode out.

This man was over eight feet tall, with a robust physique, a square face, a wide mouth, and a pair of exceptionally bright eyes beneath thick eyebrows.

Although he was dressed in a scholar's robe, he could not hide his chivalrous spirit.

Lu Su is not the weak and easily bullied figure portrayed in TV dramas.

He was actually a strong and imposing man who could draw a strong bow and shoot through pursuing cavalry!

Lu Su walked to the door, his gaze lingering on Lu Yong for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "I am Lu Su, courtesy name Zijing. May I ask who you two are?"

"My name is Lu Yong, courtesy name Huai'an, and I am currently a military advisor under Liu Bei."

"This is Xu Sheng, courtesy name Wenxiang, currently a captain in Liu Bei's new army." Lu Yong returned the greeting.

Lu Su's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Liu Bei's strategist?" Lu Su asked with some doubt, "Why aren't you helping Liu Bei defend Xuzhou? What are you doing in this remote and impoverished place?"

"I've come specifically to ask for your help!"

Lu Su paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Strategist, you jest! I, Lu Su, am merely a small landowner, making a living off a few acres of meager land. What ability do I have to assist General Liu?"

Seeing that Lu Su refused, Lu Yong was not discouraged, but calmly asked:

"If Brother Zijing was content to live a meager life on a few acres of land, why did he sell his family property and move the entire clan south?"

Lu Su's laughter stopped abruptly.

He looked at Lu Yong again, his gaze now more serious than before.

Seeing that Lu Su remained silent, Lu Yong continued, "Zijing, you moved south to avoid Yuan Shu's recruitment, didn't you?"

Lu Su was silent for a moment, then stepped aside to make way for the doorway, gesturing for him to come in, and said, "Division Chief Lu, please come in."

Lu Yong had Xu Sheng wait outside with his soldiers, while he followed Lu Su into the manor.

The manor has been mostly tidied up, but some things in the reception hall are still left open for the time being.

Lu Su invited Lu Yong to sit down and had a servant serve tea.

He then cut to the chase, asking bluntly, "How did you know that I moved my entire family south to avoid being recruited by Yuan Shu?"

Lu Yong took a sip of tea before smiling and replying, "Yuan Shu is ambitious but incompetent, fond of grand achievements, and full of ambition. He is certainly not the person you, Zijing, have in mind."

Lu Su did not refute.

Seeing this, Lu Yong continued, "Our lord Liu Xuande has always prioritized benevolence and righteousness."

Cao Cao slaughtered the people of Xuzhou, and all the other warlords stood by and watched, but only my lord resolutely sent troops to rescue Xuzhou.

Lu Su also picked up his teacup, took a sip,

"I have indeed heard of Liu Bei's benevolence and righteousness. But in this chaotic world, what use is mere empty fame of benevolence and righteousness?"

"Benevolence and righteousness are not merely about prolonging life."

Lu Yong looked directly into Lu Su's eyes and said,

"Swords and spears can breach city walls, but they cannot break the hearts of men; iron cavalry can win battles, but they cannot overcome the prevailing trend!"

"Cao Cao twice massacred Xuzhou, killing hundreds of thousands of men and women, and the Si River stopped flowing because of it."

Even if he could gain control of Xuzhou, he would lose the hearts of most of the people of Xuzhou.

My lord had no more than two thousand soldiers and no more than Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, yet he was able to save hundreds of thousands of lives in Xuzhou from Cao Cao's iron hooves.

The people of Xuzhou are now deeply grateful to our Lord.

Aren't these people the source of soldiers? Aren't they the source of grain and taxes? Aren't they the foundation of the nation?

Lu Yong paused for a moment, then continued:

"Our lord's benevolence and righteousness are to secure a path to survival for the people of the Han Dynasty, and to give everyone the hope of entering the court and fighting for their rights!"

"Everyone wants to enter the imperial court? But this world belongs to the emperor and the scholar-officials..."

"How can powerful families form a monopoly? It's simply because they monopolize knowledge, and the imperial court doesn't provide ordinary people and those from humble backgrounds with a path to advancement."

"Does the strategist's words suggest a solution?"

"Promote education! Implement the imperial examination system!!"

Lu Su put down his teacup, stared at Lu Yong, and asked, "I know about promoting education, but what is the imperial examination system?"

Lu Yong looked into Lu Su's eyes and replied:

"Nowadays, the selection of officials in the country relies on recommending filial and incorruptible individuals, summoning and recruiting them."

Ultimately, it all comes down to background, connections, and personal recommendations.

This road was firmly controlled by powerful and influential families.

Even if a child from a poor family possesses extraordinary talent, without an introduction, they will only grow old and die in the countryside.

"How is your imperial examination any different from this?" Lu Su looked directly into Lu Yong's eyes, waiting for his explanation.

After organizing his thoughts, Lu Yong said solemnly:

"Firstly, we should open up avenues for registration and break down barriers of social class and privilege."

"Those from respectable families within the territory of the Han Dynasty, with a clean record and no criminal record, regardless of their humble origins or commoner background, may register at the prefecture or county to take the examination."

"Secondly, the subjects of the examinations should be determined, emphasizing the practical application of knowledge."

The exam is divided into two sessions: the first session tests knowledge of classical texts and policy essays, drawing on the main principles of the Book of Poetry, the Book of Documents, the Book of Rites, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, and requiring candidates to answer questions about contemporary affairs based on these texts.

The second examination covered miscellaneous studies, including laws and regulations, mathematics, military strategy, geography, and finances.

In times of chaos, the key to employing capable people is to achieve immediate results.

Those who can adjudicate cases will be appointed as county assistants; those who can procure grain will be appointed as granary officials; and those who can govern the people will be appointed as county magistrates.

What is tested is what is used, and what is used is what one excels at.

Thirdly, strictly enforce the laws on taking and taking, and eliminate private requests and favors.

After the exam papers were collected, they were copied anonymously, with the candidates' names hidden. Then, a scribe was sent to rewrite them. The examiners only saw the ink on the paper and not the handwriting.

Admissions are based solely on rankings; beyond the exam papers, there are no personal connections to rely on.

Lu Yong said sternly, "When people talk about benevolence and righteousness, they often stop at providing porridge and rice, and not harming surrendered soldiers. This is mere petty benevolence and righteousness!"

True benevolence and righteousness are something even the children of farmers in the fields know.

There are not only those destined to starve with their heads down, but also those who can walk upwards with their heads held high!

It was to convince them that in the Han Dynasty's court, besides aristocratic families, there would also be a place for commoners and those from humble backgrounds!

It's about ensuring that every hardworking person still holds onto a glimmer of hope, knowing that their children and grandchildren can change their destiny through education!

Lu Su stared at Lu Yong with shock in his eyes and trembling hands.

After a long while, he finally murmured:

"Such a system"

This effectively uprooted the power of selecting officials from the hands of powerful families...

"You're making an enemy of all the powerful and influential families in the land!"