The purpose of this imperial examination was abundantly clear: it was to ensure that during Great Yi's expansion, there would be a sufficiently powerful reserve of talent ready to immediately stabilize newly acquired territories. These officials would need to manage governance with precision and order, leaving no room for error. Their job was to ensure that no occupied region fell into uncontrollable chaos.
If the aftermath of conquest was only disarray, then it would be better not to conquer at all.
Yi Tianxing's goal in expansion was to proceed steadily, with every step rooted firmly—securing efficiency without disturbing the livelihoods or fortune of Great Yi's people.
In the past, what Great Yi lacked was precisely this depth of human resources.
Now, however, a single round of imperial examinations had sufficiently built that foundation. It would fully support this phase of expansion.
"Your Majesty is truly wise. Granting three years in the virtual space for testing is, in essence, an experimental trial. It gave the examinees firsthand experience in regional governance. By appointing them based on merit, we can eliminate the risk of inexperienced officials taking charge of regions. Once deployed, they will be able to perform immediately—not paper-pushers, but true governors. This move benefits the realm and the people greatly."—Huang Chengyan spoke with undisguised admiration.
This admiration came from deep within.
This kind of examination allowed appointments based directly on exam performance, ensuring optimal placement. It wouldn't lead to absurdities like assigning a tofu maker to slaughter pigs. Utilizing talents effectively ensured Great Yi's continued strength.
"It's merely their own talents."Yi Tianxing replied calmly. Though he felt a hint of pride inwardly, he showed nothing on the surface.
In his heart, he was already planning: Great Yi must go to war.
The warning of natural calamities loomed vividly in his mind. He still remembered Jiang Ni's warning—"Yinghuo Guarding the Heart" was not a joke. It would happen.
But no one knew exactly when.
Ten years? That was too vague. Great Yi couldn't afford to wait idly for a decade. Even a single year could bring about earth-shattering changes in the Eternal Continent. Countless geniuses might rise or fall. Countless lives could be lost.
What's more, beyond Great Yi's borders, there were still untold numbers of human tribes.
Most of them were suffering in extreme misery.
Yi Tianxing never looked down on himself or Great Yi. In this region, no force provided a better environment for human survival, prosperity, and dignity than Great Yi.
The surrounding human tribes must be won over. The other races must be suppressed. The vicious beasts must be slaughtered.
As long as the natural disaster hadn't arrived yet, Great Yi's resolve to go to war would not waver.
The more territory they held, the stronger their national destiny would be. The more people they saved, the more humanity would retain its vital energy before the calamity struck.
Otherwise, when the cataclysm hit, even the powerful alien races would suffer great losses—let alone the inherently weaker humans. It would be a double disaster, a descent into a cruel hell.
"Before expanding, our biggest shortcoming was the lack of talent. Now that the exams are over, it's time for Great Yi to spread its wings. Still, there's no rush for war. First, Your Majesty must personally appoint the Zhuangyuan (Top Scholar), Bangyan (Second Place), and Tanhua (Third Place). We must officially publish the rankings and recruit talent from across the land."—Huang Chengyan had no objection to military expansion.
Having seen the army of tens of millions of elite troops, he had already been reassured. Great Yi was now truly powerful. If not now, then when?
But finalizing the examination was the true priority.
"Very well. Let me take a look."Yi Tianxing nodded and took the list, studying it carefully.
The list was neatly arranged from highest to lowest scores. Appointing the top scholars only required reviewing the top few names.
As expected, many familiar names appeared:
Zhuge Liang
Literature: 10
Education: 7
Agriculture: 6
Justice: 7
Commerce: 8
Military: 9
Engineering: 8
Medicine: 6
Administration: 9
Livelihood: 9
Total Score: 79
At first glance, Yi Tianxing saw Zhuge Liang's results.
A score of 79 might not seem extraordinary, but in reality, it was extremely high. No one is perfect. A "universal talent" merely means one is competent across disciplines. Scoring six or above in any field marked excellence. Most candidates inevitably had weak spots.
But Zhuge Liang? No subject scored below six—his reputation as a polymath was no exaggeration. Multiple eights and nines marked him clearly as a prime minister-level genius.
Li Kui
Literature: 9
Education: 7
Agriculture: 8
Justice: 10
Commerce: 6
Military: 6
Engineering: 7
Medicine: 3
Administration: 8
Livelihood: 6
Total Score: 74
As a pillar of the Legalist school, Li Kui's skills were also exceptional.
The Qin Dynasty ruled using Legalist principles. Legalists emphasized law and order—sometimes harsh, but undeniably effective. Li Kui's authorship of legal codes boosted his overall score. His total of 74 was only slightly behind Zhuge Liang.
Bao Zheng – Total Score: 67
Su Shi – Total Score: 69
Fang Zhongyong – Total Score: 53...
Yi Tianxing nodded to himself as he read.
This examination would serve as a permanent credential for these candidates. Their placement and duties would reflect their strengths. Skilled in engineering? Go to the Ministry of Works. Good in law? Serve in the Ministry of Justice. Gifted in medicine? Join the Heavenly Medical Hall. Strong in administration? Then govern a region.
Talent-based appointments—that was the mark of a true ruler.
Yi Tianxing was especially pleased with the number of talents strong in administration. Only such people could help Great Yi stabilize frontier territories and pin down immortal cities like nails in the wilderness.
Without such talent, chaos was inevitable.
"Since Kongming scored the highest, he shall be appointed the first Zhuangyuan of Great Yi's imperial examination—also our dynasty's first ever top scholar.Li Kui will be Bangyan, Su Shi the Tanhua.As for the rest, any who are listed may be promoted."—Yi Tianxing made his decision after a moment's thought.
Despite their historical fame, exams were exams. The results were facts, cold and undeniable. The imperial examination sought comprehensive talent—the elite of the elite.
Zhuge Liang fit the role perfectly.
No one could object to his title as Zhuangyuan.
"Understood!"—Huang Chengyan readily agreed, smiling.
Yi Tianxing continued:
"Once the rankings are confirmed, post the Golden Roll tomorrow. Put the minds of scholars at ease.Also, I promised before: whoever takes the top spot, I shall make them famous across the world. That promise will not go unfulfilled."—Yi Tianxing smiled mysteriously.
Huang Chengyan seemed thoughtful but didn't ask further.
He left soon after—his own tasks had just begun. Once the names were finalized, they had to be written on the Golden Roll.
This was no ordinary list—it was a heavenly treasure. Inscribing a name upon it granted a share of Great Yi's national fortune.
Though not the Investiture of the Gods, the Golden Roll held deep mysteries.
Each name must be inscribed using the Golden Brush, character by character.
It would take time, and there could be no delay.
Three days passed since the exams concluded.
That morning, the entire Xuanhuang City buzzed with excitement. Countless citizens put aside their work, gazing toward the Examination Academy in anticipation.
The examinees, too, stepped out of their quarters. Most wore expressions of anxiety, their eyes locked on Qingyun Tower, where the rankings would appear.
As the final results drew near, hearts pounded wildly. Many had given up leisure the day before, choosing to meditate or sit restlessly in their rooms.
Now the moment of truth had arrived—and the tension was suffocating.
Silence blanketed the crowd.
Whoosh!!
As the sun rose, a flash of golden light burst forth from Qingyun Tower.
A large scroll appeared, unfurled before the building—radiating golden brilliance. The source of this brilliance? The golden names on the list.
"Jia Zhu, ranked sixty-six thousand six hundred sixty-sixth. Achieved 'Juren' status—name listed on the Golden Roll."—A voice echoed across the courtyard, cold but authoritative.
"I passed! I really passed! Sixty-six thousand six hundred sixty-sixth—I made it!!"—A plain-looking youth trembled, then burst into joyful tears.
This was it. The Golden Roll was speaking.
The names of the worthy were being sung aloud.