IDWBE -Chapter 489 Not Losing to Anyone

In recent years, the Daliang Kingdom had been plagued by disasters and human misfortunes. With so much left to rebuild, the government departments faced a huge personnel shortage. Moreover, people like He Jixiang and Chen Desheng had their own agendas—any existing officials, no matter how talented, couldn’t regain their posts without their approval.

Recruitment had never stopped.

National exams, provincial exams, and prefectural exams had been held more than twenty times.

Although cheating scandals persisted, at least the process and results were formally satisfactory.

Lin Yi had originally wanted to abolish the traditional eight-part essay-based imperial exams outright. But Chen Desheng and others persuaded him otherwise. To cancel them directly would have alienated the entire scholar class.

They reasoned with him using the physics knowledge he taught in class, appealing to both logic and emotion: every action has an equal reaction. The harsher you treated the scholars, the stronger the backlash. Everything must proceed gradually—no sudden moves.

Slowly boil the frog in warm water.

However, much to Lin Yi’s surprise, even before he added more pressure, the well-read scholars could no longer tolerate it.

The imperial exams still existed in Daliang, but even passing as a jinshi meant little. The stingy Lord He only granted honorary titles, not actual posts. According to the newly revised civil service roster, the top graduate would initially receive the title of Jiangshi Zuo Lang; even if they lived their entire life, they would only achieve the rank of First-Rank Guanglu Grand Master!

A life as a leisurely civil servant, with nothing but a monotonous routine? No self-respecting scholar could accept that!

After all their learning in literature and martial arts, how could it all serve the imperial household?

Now, the court no longer valued eight-part essays. Those willing to adapt began seriously studying scientific knowledge, learning pinyin, physics, arithmetic, and chemistry alongside schoolchildren—knowledge that often left them completely baffled.

Even if quadratic equations weren’t needed for grocery shopping, or understanding conduit principles wasn’t required for office work, they studied diligently.

They were a group of men sworn to become officials!

And their competitors included women raised in secluded households!

No matter what, they couldn’t lose to women.

“Three words and men scramble for me,” Lin Yi said with a hint of pride, “I’m very good at making men fight for me.”

“My lord,” Zixia pursed her lips in a smile: “What are those three words?”

She had slowly learned to play along.

She knew her lord liked women with the same “sense of humor.”

“The first: ‘I planted this tree, I cleared this road.’”

“Your lordship controls the Daliang court; thunder and rain alike are heavenly grace, and the people share in the blessings.”

For scholars throughout the kingdom, whether they received punishment or reward, everything depended on the single decision and mindset of their lord.

“The second: ‘Either rely on your father, or rely on yourself.’”

Lin Yi laughed: “Life is hard these days. Commoners go hungry while the rich waste food. Changing one’s fate is nearly impossible. But now, I give the poor a way to advance. If they can’t rely on connections, they can rely on effort.”

In any era, the saying “knowledge changes fate” holds true—but knowledge must be passed down in order, and learning costs money!

The poor had no way to pay for it.

But fortunately, poverty doesn’t last beyond three generations.

Daughters of poor families would rather serve as maids, attendants, or concubines than marry into poverty.

The proletariat was forced to live alone.

“Your lordship implements free compulsory education in Daliang. From now on, for these poor commoners, reading and writing are no longer a luxury—it is truly a blessing for all,” Zixia smiled, “More importantly, your lordship gives them hope, and they can sing of their newfound freedom.”

“What a song of liberation! You’ve really learned to speak well, girl—very good, very good.” Lin Yi hadn’t expected Zixia to say something so insightful.

“My lord, I’m just repeating what’s in your novels,” Zixia said modestly, though a trace of pride lingered at the corner of her mouth.

“That shows it stuck in your heart,” Lin Yi remarked, pleased. “This is progress, and I am very gratified.”

“Your praise makes me truly happy,” Zixia handed him a cup of tea, then asked cautiously, “My lord, may I boldly ask—what is the third phrase?”

“If you can act, then stop talking so much.” Lin Yi sipped his tea contentedly.

With just these three phrases, how could any scholar in Daliang dare oppose him?

“Your wisdom and valor are unmatched, my lord,” Zixia looked at Lin Yi with admiration. “My respect for you cannot be expressed in words.”

“You’re not bad yourself; don’t be too humble,” Lin Yi raised his head, shifting the topic: “Though you are officially my attendants, over the years you’ve understood that I actually treat you as students. You’ve learned so much in my presence. Claiming you can’t do something would be a slight on me.”

Zixia nodded in agreement: “You speak rightly, my lord. How dare I shame you.”

Outsiders might think she was just a pretty attendant who smiled for Lin Yi.

But beyond the gates of the Wangfu, no one dared underestimate her!

She was principal of Sanhe Girls’ School. Whether female officers in the military or female detectives in the city, most had come from her tutelage. Even Cao Xiaohuan, Jiang Zhen, and Chief Steward Hong’s favored disciple, Hong An, respectfully called her “sister.”

Moreover, she was a ninth-rank martial master!

She had taught many in Baiyun City’s square, just like Shen Chu.

The rough men in the military all trembled before her.

“That settles it,” Lin Yi thought for a moment: “After the spring exams, Chen Desheng will probably hold a civil service recruitment test. You’ll participate too—strive to become a competent female official and set an example for all women in the kingdom.”

“My lord.”

This time Zixia was truly shocked. She had thought he was joking, but he was serious!

With Lin Yi, there was never any warning—he always acted on impulse.

“You don’t want to?”

“My lord, what merit do I have to serve as a model for all women? I am content just serving you.”

“If Mingyue weren’t pregnant, she would go instead,” Lin Yi smiled. “But since she can’t move about easily, it will be you.”

“I obey, my lord.”

Zixia dared not speak further, quietly resolving in her heart: she would not lose to anyone—including Mingyue.

“Very well, then it’s decided,” Lin Yi wrapped his cloak around himself, yawning: “It’s late—sleep now.”

Resting his head on Zixia’s soft shoulder, he fell asleep for the night.