It doesn't matter what the lord is.

Lid nodded:

"Yes. As I said before, science is a discipline that explores the principles of things and makes use of them. It has a set of methodologies for studying problems. This method can be used to make incendiary bombs, and naturally it can also be used to study how to release the largest fireball with the least consumption. People who study magic don't necessarily have to be able to perform powerful magic, they just need to understand the principles of magic."

After the journey north, Lid had a better understanding of the strength of the three tribes. Perhaps technology could be developed to the end to fight against them, but instead of creating a scene where technology and force fight against magic, why not bring the latter under his control and take it all?

In the past, Yuxi City was limited by insufficient production capacity. Although a magic club was established at the same time as the research institute, the research work of magic was still basically carried out by Fileta. There were two buildings. The research institute building was bright and splendid, and countless researchers went in and out of it every day. The other magic club building was basically only used by Fileta to clock in. Every time you saw it, it was inevitable that you would feel a sense of desolation.

Now that we have taken Yunyang, we can naturally do more things.

What the people of Yunyang need most now is a stable life, which Lide knows very well. But stability does not mean a monotonous cycle. Just like in RPG games, leveling up by killing monsters is naturally the safest approach, but occasionally setting up some reward levels can greatly mobilize the enthusiasm of players. Yunyang is initially settled, and the general direction announced by Yuxi City will not change in the short term, and sensitive policies involving taxes and land will not change either. However, people will not refuse things like creating job opportunities and adding new types of jobs, because this also gives them more hope in life.

"Researching magic is a good move. It is beneficial to us in both short-term and long-term benefits. In the short term, we can find more magicians and increase our defense power; in the long term, if we can master super ancient magic, we may be able to fight against higher races... such as the demons."

Lid still didn't tell He Yue about the three upper tribes. Anyway, the target of the demon tribe was clear enough.

He Yue nodded. Although the reconstruction work consumed a lot of manpower and material resources, resulting in insufficient liquidity in Yuxi City, He Yue would never hesitate on important matters like this. The military, people's livelihood, and scientific research are the three areas that he values ​​most at present, and He Yue is very clear about their importance:

"Don't worry. I will follow up on the Magic Club's affairs myself. Once Fileta has released the introductory textbook, I will arrange the rest."

Lid finished eating the pear in his hand, threw the core into the trash can, wiped his hands, and continued:

"Also, there is a method in magic that can quickly verify conjectures."

Reed lifted up his sleeves and patted the complex tattoos on his arms, and a ball of light slowly emerged.

The little ghost holding the sign blinked and looked at He Yue.

Lid smiled and said:

"I picked this up when I was heading north. It can create an illusion, allowing people to see the world of their own imagination. However, since this thing has never been exposed to technology before, its simulation of technology is not very good. Magic is different. If you want to do a simulation experiment involving magic research, you only need to let it create an illusion."

After listening carefully, the little ghost raised the sign without hesitation and bravely expressed his attitude:

"I'll take your order for a fee. Ten gold coins per order~[─=≡Σ(((つoωo)つ]"

4. Accelerated development period

Yuxi City’s talent recruitment plan is not limited to the field of magic research.

Long before Yunyang was conquered, Li De had mentioned a plan to He Yue, saying that he hoped to establish a complete system of imperial examinations to recruit talents from the public. Unlike the White Guards' hard work in searching among the public, this approach could bring talents from all over the world to the doorstep, and He Yue also brought up this matter with Li De again at this time:

"The imperial examination system we mentioned earlier is already in preparation. However, it is currently limited by many issues... First, it is very expensive to hold such a territory-level exam. In order to make the people trust us, we must at least cover half of their round-trip expenses. Secondly, we have not yet found enough examiners, and local talent selection is very difficult. Finally, and most importantly, other territories can follow our example and accumulate talents at a faster rate, which is actually disadvantageous to us."

Lid nodded:

"Spending money is inevitable. But there is no need to worry about other territories following suit. Each territory has different situations, and not many territories can copy our work. Currently, the nobles in most territories monopolize the right to education and promotion. This selection system has been in place in this country for hundreds of years. If we want to change it, it will be a major change that will hurt our bones. Not every territory has the courage to shed so much blood."

Lidd paused and continued:

"The scientific expedition itself is not limited to our land. Anyone who wants to join us can sign up, no matter where they come from or what race they are. There are many foreigners who were sold as slaves. If they are really capable, we can also take them in. Of course, once you come here, you must abide by the rules. This is our bottom line."

He Yue rubbed his eyebrows:

"I always feel that there will be a lot of conflicts in the future. For example, a slave from the Huaiwang territory secretly ran away to join us, and later became a senior official in our Yuxi City, but his indenture contract still remained with the Huaiwang. The other party came to ask for the person, and we couldn't let him go. Just thinking about it makes me feel a headache."

Reed shrugged.

"Then let's fight. In this kind of trivial matter, whoever has the bigger fist is right. If we are strong enough, not only will the other party not dare to come and ask for our release, but they will also have to chop off the heads of all the guys who bullied them and send them to us."

He Yue finished the tea in his hand and began to think about how to make the people accept these new systems.

Li De always came up with many ideas that were ahead of their time. These ideas were reasonable in themselves, and He Yue was even a little amazed when she heard them for the first time. However, how to implement these ideas was not an easy task.

For example, there are precedents of great talents emerging from rural areas, and Wu Mi is a typical example; but the probability of such things happening is actually limited by the level of education of the people. He Yue has not counted the literacy rate in Yunyang, but the number of people who have received orthodox education is definitely no more than 5%.

He Yue was able to find a way to make those illiterate people understand the new policy. This was He Yue's ability. Perhaps it was also related to his experience as a performer in a brothel. He had mastered the skills of how to make people understand his point of view and how to make them act in accordance with his point of view.

So even though these ideas were proposed by Li De, at least 70% of the credit for their implementation goes to He Yue.

"A new era has arrived..."

He Yue sighed softly and put down the teacup.

From now on, there will no longer be an insurmountable chasm between the nobles and the common people. The capable will be promoted, and the incapable will be demoted. Just thinking about it, He Yue's heart is filled with longing:

"Later, I will set the tone with the Propaganda Department of Shao Yu Camp. In the past, many talented people would habitually portray themselves as madmen or hermits in order to become famous, and retreat from the world to give lectures, essentially to build up their reputation. After the new system came out, although they accepted it in their hearts, they would not sign up immediately due to face. Once they missed the best period, they would feel sour and start to criticize our system. If we want to hold scientific examinations, we must first raise the nature of the examinations to a high level and give them a chance to step up."

After He Yue finished speaking, he also added a sentence to Li De:

"These people may not have likable personalities, but they are still talented. It takes ten years to grow a tree and a hundred years to train a person. The talents we have trained ourselves are still a minority after all. If we want to fill such a large Yunyang, we still need their help."

Lid smiled and said:

"I don't care. As long as those old pedants don't come to my door and make comments, I don't care whether their personalities are likable or not. In other words, you should deal with the unlikable ones, and I just need to chat with you. I like you."

He Yue also laughed and said:

"I'm used to dealing with people like that, so I don't feel particularly miserable. If I had a different boss, I probably wouldn't be so tired, but I wouldn't be so valued either. So, I like you, too."

The two looked at each other for a moment, and the atmosphere was slightly different from before.

Then Lid threw a pear to He Yue and said:

"Although you probably already know what's going on, I still want to tell you. Some of the ideas I've proposed are urgent, while others are not. You don't have to do them all at once. Right now, the most important investment is military construction. In a time when war could break out at any time, being able to defeat others is the most important thing. When recruiting talent, you can recruit more people related to the military. If that's not possible, report my name and ask the rebels for people."

He Yue nodded and said:

"I'll discuss this with Fang Shisan, don't worry. Fang Shisan has estimated the combat effectiveness of our army. At present, except for Yunhai, there is no territory around that can threaten our territory. But when you said you wanted to ask the rebels for people, I remembered one thing. How familiar are you with the rebels? Now that you are not the city lord but the lord, can your relationship with the rebels still be used?"

Lidd replied:

"I can only say that they are quite familiar with each other. However, they are not considered as our forces, just allies."

Reed didn't finish his words, but He Yue already understood what he meant.

You can cooperate, but you need to exchange equal value, you can't just ask for things. This is Li De's principle. Although Huang Yan once said that the two of them are brothers, brothers still have to settle accounts clearly. It's embarrassing to always ask for things from others.

We can't give them firearms, but we can give them some carefully forged steel. The weapons and equipment of the rebels have always been relatively backward, and they rely on their numerical advantage and bravery to fight. If they can be equipped with some sophisticated weapons and armor, their combat effectiveness will be improved to a higher level.

After talking with Lid about the future direction, He Yue locked himself in the Government Affairs Office and was busy for several days.

About half a month later, the introductory magic textbooks were printed and the examination system was officially announced to the public.

After the war, the Yunyang territory under Lid's control was the first to enter a period of accelerated development.

5. The Fool Who Only Knows How to Count

A notice seeking talents was posted all over the streets and alleys of Yunyang.

Countless people came to watch from the streets, including a young man named Griffa.

Griffa is 22 years old and lives in the slums in the northeast of Xiyuan City. He is unmarried. He works as an apprentice at the Qinglong Inn and has to work overtime until 11 o'clock every night before he can go home. He does not smoke and only drinks a little. He goes to bed at o'clock in the middle of the night and has to get up before dawn. He can't even get six hours of sleep every day. He doesn't drink anything before going to bed, and he is often hungry. When he goes to bed, he will recall the accounts he has settled today and fall asleep with fatigue and stress. Doctors say he is not very healthy.

But even such a young man with an irregular schedule and busy in the inn every day has a very active mind.

Although his family background was not very good, he was very talented in mathematics since he was young. He could calculate all the bills of Qinglong Inn with an abacus. However, due to his family background, he might never be able to become a shopkeeper in his life and would always be just an accountant.

When Griffa first saw the call for talents, he actually didn't feel anything. He felt that these things were far away from him, so he was sometimes silent and sometimes shook his head when he followed the others. The shopkeeper of the Qinglong Inn found him in the crowd, took off his sweat towel and hit him on the head accurately, cursing:

"What are you looking at? Why are you still out shopping? Go back and settle your bill!"

Griffa covered his head and squeezed out of the crowd obediently.

The innkeeper put his hands in his pockets and said slowly:

"Really? Everyone dreams of getting rich. In this world, it's good enough to have something to eat."

Griffa crossed the long street and returned to the Qinglong Inn to continue his accounting. The account book had been used for many years, and there were many messy accounts on it. Griffa had actually calculated everything clearly. But he still pretended to be working hard every day, because he was an ordinary apprentice with a lot of things to do, and accounting was the easiest job for him. If the shopkeeper knew that he had sorted out the previous accounts a long time ago, Griffa would most likely be transferred to do more hard work.

Griffa is not a lazy person, but he doesn't want to do useless work.

While pretending to do arithmetic, Griffa began to think about other things. Only at this time could he get some free time, writing and drawing on the draft paper with a pen, while thinking about the business model of the Qinglong Inn. Because he was responsible for the task of accounting, the flow of funds in the store could not escape his eyes. He could clearly see the store's revenue and losses, but these had nothing to do with him.

"Hey, idiot, are you settling accounts today too?"

A clear girl's voice was heard, and Griffa looked up, only to see a head slowly popping out from the other side of the counter.

The girl in front of him looked about fifteen or sixteen years old. Her name was Wandouzi. She was from the same village as Griffa. Most girls were married at this time, but Wandouzi was plain-looking and short. Her mother arranged a marriage for her. The man was a butcher whom Wandouzi had never seen before. Unfortunately, he died in the war.

After the chaos, some people said that it was Wan Douzi who killed her husband whom she had never met, so Wan Douzi was unable to get married. She now does ordinary cleaning work at the Qinglong Inn, earning little money, just providing food and accommodation, and no one is willing to play with her. Only Griffa occasionally tells her something she doesn't understand.

Griffa looked around to see if there was anyone around, then put down the pen in his hand and said with a smile:

"I'm still settling accounts, but I'm almost done. Why do I only see you today? Where are the others?"

Pea held the broom and said with a smile:

"They're going out. I heard that a high-ranking official named Feilin is coming to inspect. He just celebrated his twentieth birthday a few days ago and doesn't have a family yet. They probably want to try their luck out there."

Griffa sorted out the rough papers on the table and said with a smile:

"Feilin... It is said that he has made outstanding contributions to the governance of Huanghua Village and was promoted to the power center of Lingyun City. Why was he sent out for inspection? I don't think so. Yunyang is short of people at the moment, and talents like him should not be easily sent back to their hometowns."

Pea didn't quite understand what he heard. He put the broom against his chin and said with a smile:

"You know a lot. I thought you only knew how to do the math."

Griffa cast his gaze on the countertop, with a momentary look of self-pity in his eyes, but he concealed it well and quickly returned to his normal state:

"Our inn has a lot of information, if nothing else. It's no secret if you want to hear it. It's said that Feilin graduated from Yuxi Academy. He's very radical and an out-and-out reformer. He suppressed many resistance forces in Huanghua Village and implemented new policies. I heard that once the landlord hired the village bullies to block his house, and Feilin opened the door directly, put his head on their knives, and asked with a sneer if they dared to kill him."

Pea was startled and first covered his mouth, then stuck out his tongue.

Griffa took a deep breath and changed the subject:

"What about you? Don't you want to try your luck?"

Pea scratched his head and said with a silly smile:

"No. I'm not a very lucky person. It would be bad if I messed up someone's luck."

Griffa tapped her on the head with a pen and said:

"Aren't you afraid of dragging me down?"

Pea covered his head which was hurt by the blow and said:

"I'm afraid. So every time I finish talking to you, I have to observe you for a few days. Only when I'm sure you're okay will I dare to continue talking to you. And I have to be careful to control myself. A conversation cannot last more than ten minutes... Oops, it's almost time."

Pea clenched the broom in his hand and ran away in a hurry.

Griffa smiled, picked up the pen, and pretended to be doing the accounts. After a while, the maids who had run out in fancy clothes came back, all with sad faces. When one of the maids passed by Griffa, Griffa raised his head and asked casually:

"I heard that a high-ranking official has come to Lingyun City. Why don't you go and take a look?"

The maid immediately found someone to complain to, and leaned against the counter and complained:

"I thought I could see him! I even put on some makeup, but there were so many people that I didn't see anyone. I heard from others that Master Filin was here for serious business and he wouldn't stay any longer on the way."

Griffa asked casually:

"Business?"

The maid nodded and said:

"Didn't the Lord just post a call for talents? It is said that Lord Feilin is an inspector sent from outside Lingyun City to be in charge of the examination! Alas, people like us can't read a single word, how can we take on such a task? I heard from others that it is probably because the Lord has just taken over Yunyang and wants to appease the hearts of the old nobles. This call for talents is actually just a formality, and the real ones who can get the position are still those old masters..."

6. Denounce the Madman in Shilin

Griffa continued to slowly calculate his accounts, as if everything in the outside world had nothing to do with him.

Until this evening, a tall and thin young man stepped into the Qinglong Inn. At that time, Griffa was wiping the table, the shopkeeper was sitting behind the counter with his head lazily propped up, and the other maids had basically rested.

The young man entered the inn, walked to the counter, and asked expressionlessly:

"How much is the accommodation per night?"

The shopkeeper took a look at him and saw that he had nothing valuable on him, so he yawned and said in a dull tone:

"Ordinary guest room, twenty copper coins a night."

The young man reached into his bosom and pulled out a cloth bag. He opened it and carefully counted out twenty copper coins and put them on the counter. The shopkeeper took a quick look, put them all in the drawer, threw out a key, and said:

"It's the one at the back of the second floor, turn left. Also, tell me your name. You need to register when staying at the inn now."

The young man took the key and sparingly uttered two words:

"Film."

The shopkeeper nodded and yawned again. This time, halfway through the yawn, he suddenly woke up and stood up from his chair.

His voice trembled slightly, and he asked tentatively: