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

Lu Yong has already delegated as much work as possible.

But government affairs continued to pour in like a tide, one wave after another.

Walking alone on the street, Lu Yong couldn't help but sigh, "There are still too few people available. If this continues, even if I put all my attribute points into physical fitness, I'll probably be exhausted to death."

Lu Yong pondered in his heart:

"At present, Lu Su is the only one who can truly help share the burden of government affairs."

Now that there is another Zhuge Jin, he still needs to be trained before he can stand on his own.

Sun Qian, Mi Zhu, and Jian Yong are barely usable.

Their greatest strength lies in interpersonal relationships; they can only handle simple administrative tasks…

With the population growing and the territory expanding, if we don't actively recruit more people, we'll really have to go back to the life of 007.

Moreover, there is a significant shortage of grassroots officials.

A talent recruitment plan must be put on the agenda!

As he pondered this, he turned into the governor's mansion.

Inside the hall, Liu Bei and Lu Su were receiving representatives of local gentry and powerful families from Danyang.

Lu Su spent a great deal of time, effort, and persuasion to finally get most of the local aristocratic families to express their opinions.

Lu Yong stood outside the door and glanced around. There were more than ten people sitting in the hall, the oldest being in their early fifties and the youngest in their thirties.

Sitting at the very front was an elderly man in his fifties, with a thin face, high cheekbones, and half-closed eyes, looking confident and composed.

Lu Yong stepped over the threshold, and Liu Bei's eyes lit up immediately. He beckoned and said, "I was just about to send someone to find the strategist. Please have a seat."

He pointed to the seat below him.

Lu Yong walked to Liu Bei's left and sat down next to Lu Su.

Lu Su leaned close to his ear and whispered, "They're all local gentry, here to ask for official positions."

Lu Yong nodded almost imperceptibly, then looked up at the crowd.

Seeing Lu Yong looking at him,

The lean old man was the first to stand up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I have long admired your esteemed name, Army Division Commander. Meeting you today, I realize that heroes emerge from among the young!"

The others also stood up and greeted them all at once.

"The strategist is well."

"I have met the Army Division."

"The strategist is young and promising!"

Their words sounded respectful, but there was a hint of unease in them, and a subtle suggestion that he was too young.

Lu Yong was not annoyed and stood up to return the greeting.

Then, the thin old man said:

"We have lived in Danyang for generations and are familiar with the local customs and culture."

Now that Your Excellency has just arrived, you are in dire need of capable people, and we are willing to share your burdens.

A fat man chimed in, "Indeed, I have over a hundred retainers at home, many of whom are literate and knowledgeable in government affairs. If they could be employed by the magistrate, I would certainly do my utmost."

Another man, who was very thin, said slowly, "My lord, according to the imperial system, prefectures and counties recruit local scholars. Although we are not talented, we are willing to serve you."

Liu Bei looked at Lu Yong, his eyes filled with a hint of helplessness.

Lu Yong didn't rush to speak. He scanned and sized up the people before finally saying:

"It is a good thing that you are willing to share our Lord's burdens."

However, while the number of official positions was limited, there were many talented individuals available.

There needs to be a method for selection.

The thin old man raised an eyebrow and asked, "May I ask, strategist, what is the method?"

Lu Yong held up three fingers and replied, "Policy test, observation of words, and testing of officials."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Lu Yong explained: "The policy test is the same as the written test."

Several questions will be presented, and candidates will answer them in writing on the spot.

Only those who are well-versed in classical texts, knowledgeable in government affairs, and familiar with current events are qualified to proceed to the next round.

"To observe words is to ask questions face to face."

Those in charge should inquire in person, observe their speech, examine their aspirations, and distinguish between truth and falsehood.

Only those who can answer fluently and with substantial content will be hired.

"The trial clerk is a newly recruited official who is first appointed as a deputy or assistant official and given a three-month trial period."

Those who perform their duties effectively within three months will be formally appointed to official positions.

Those who hold positions without performing their duties shall be sent back to their place of origin.

Inside the hall, the local gentry and nobles of Danyang County began to discuss among themselves.

It took them a good while to calm down before they finally quieted down.

The thin old man cupped his hands and smiled, "Strategist, this method is excellent! It includes written tests, face-to-face interviews, and examinations by officials—fair and just!"

The lean man nodded and said, "Officials selected in this way must have real talent and ability. We are convinced of their merits."

The others also cupped their hands in greeting, saying, "The strategist's plans are thorough; we admire them!"

They agreed readily.

Because in their hearts

In today's world, those who are literate and knowledgeable in government affairs are mostly from aristocratic and wealthy families.

It is possible for fierce generals and strategists to emerge from humble backgrounds.

However, there were almost none who were proficient in the art of governing a country.

As for ordinary people, they didn't even consider it.

The so-called "strategic testing and observation of opinions"

It's just about letting their family members become officials through a seemingly fairer selection process.

As for the "trial official" position, isn't that even simpler...?

But that's exactly the effect Lu Yong wanted.

He needs to keep these people calm and make them think they've gotten a good deal.

Once Liu Bei has consolidated his power, he will build the school.

By then, talents from poor families and ordinary people will be cultivated.

The situation is quite different now.

Liu Bei's foundation is not yet very stable, so he needs to be a little more lenient in his methods.

Boiling a frog slowly is the best long-term solution; overheating it will only drive them to desperation.

Looking at the smug expressions on their faces, Lu Su couldn't help but want to laugh.

He thought to himself, "By the time you find out what Lu Huai'an's true intentions are, it will be too late for you to cry."

Seeing that no one had any objections, Liu Bei immediately made the decision: "We shall do as the strategist says."

He then looked at Lu Yong and asked, "When can we begin?"

"Ten days later, an examination hall for policy-making can be set up at the governor's mansion."

"Anyone of good character and literate, regardless of social status, may apply," Lu Yong replied.

"Regardless of social status, anyone can register?" The thin old man keenly sensed something amiss with the last sentence.

But after thinking about it...

The others didn't seem to pose much of a threat to them, so they didn't pay much attention to them.

Everyone agreed in unison and left satisfied.

The hall quickly emptied out.

Liu Bei picked up his teacup, took a sip, sighed as he put it down, and said to Lu Yong:

"Huai'an, your three measures are indeed excellent."

But as you know, knowledge was mostly controlled by the aristocratic and powerful gentry.

Ultimately, it's still those people who will pass the exam.

If this continues, won't all the official positions in Danyang be controlled by these people...?

Lu Yong looked at Liu Bei and asked with some doubt, "My lord, has Zijing mentioned to you my plan to establish a school in Danyang?"

Liu Bei was taken aback upon hearing this, turned to look at Lu Su, and shook his head, saying, "Zijing never mentioned it."

"Zijing, are you so tight-lipped?" Lu Yong looked at Lu Su in surprise.

Lu Su cupped his hands towards Liu Bei and said, "The strategist did indeed discuss the establishment of schools with me, and he especially emphasized the harm caused by powerful clans, as well as how to curb their power and break their monopoly..."

"Huh?!" Liu Bei was immediately dumbfounded.

You two have been communicating so deeply, and I'm the only one kept in the dark?

Lu Yong nodded his chin at Lu Su and said, "Zijing, you can explain in detail."

Lu Su did not refuse and immediately began to explain in detail.

"The strategist plans to establish an official school in each county and a university in the prefecture capital."

Official schools admit school-age children, regardless of their wealth, and provide free education.

The university admits the best students from the county schools, who, after further study, can then take an examination and be admitted based on their abilities.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's head began to throb again: "But if we're going to run schools for free, where will the money come from?"

He glanced at Lu Yong and sighed inwardly:

The strategist is great in every way, but he just spends way too much money!