In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 760 Conferring Titles and Appointing Ministers?

While the people were cheering, Lü Xiucai continued to read the contents of the announcement and read it aloud: "It also says that Commander Yang has executed many officials in Qingzhou, and now there are vacancies in Qingzhou's official positions, urgently requiring a large number of scholars to go to Qingzhou to serve as officials..."

At this point, Lü Xiucai could no longer continue reading.

Because he realized that this matter was closely related to him!

Lu Xiucai was called Xiucai because he held the title of Xiucai.

In the Xia state, scholars were considered part of the scholar class, possessing privileges such as exemption from corvée labor and taxes, and the right not to bow to officials, but they were not qualified to become officials.

This was also a great regret in Lü Xiucai's heart. No scholar didn't want to be an official, and Lü Xiucai wanted to be one too. It was just a pity that he failed to pass the imperial examination and become a Juren. Even if he had passed, it would have been useless, as he would never have been selected as an official by the court.

Over the years, Lü Xiucai has made a living by teaching.

Although teaching income was not low, Lü Xiucai never gave up his dream of becoming an official.

Therefore, Lü Xiucai was overwhelmed with excitement upon seeing the announcement about the selection of officials.

"Good riddance! These corrupt officials should all be beheaded."

"That's right, if it weren't for these corrupt officials, how could we ordinary people live such a miserable life?"

"It would be best to kill all the corrupt officials in Qingzhou."

"..."

The voices of the onlookers rose from time to time, but Lü Xiucai paid no attention to them; now, only the selection of officials remained on his mind.

After a brief moment of distraction, Lü Xiucai parted the crowd and hurried home.

"Brother Lü, what's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

Zhang Mingda, who shared a room with Lü Xiucai, looked at Lü Xiucai as he hurriedly returned and couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Great news, fantastic news!"

Lu Xiucai sat down opposite Zhang Mingda and said impatiently, "Commander Yang has already conquered Qingzhou and now controls two prefectures."

"This is indeed a good thing."

Zhang Mingda nodded. As a native of Liangzhou, he was well aware of the incompetence of the imperial court and the corruption of its officials. Coupled with his own repeated failures in the imperial examinations, Zhang Mingda was extremely disgusted with the court. Compared to the court, he preferred to support Yang Zheng, because Yang Zheng had indeed brought a better life to the people of this land.

"But this matter shouldn't be causing Brother Lü such anxiety, should it?"

Zhang Mingda knew Lü Xiucai well. He knew that Yang Zheng's capture of Qingzhou alone would not have been enough to excite Lü Xiucai so much.

"Of course, it's not just this one thing."

Lu Xiucai took a breath and continued, "Besides conquering Qingzhou, General Yang also plans to select officials! General Yang has executed a large number of officials in Qingzhou, and now there are vacancies in Qingzhou's official positions. There is an urgent need for a large number of scholars to go to Qingzhou to serve as officials."

At this point, Lü Xiucai couldn't help but reach out and grab Zhang Mingda's shoulder, saying, "Brother Zhang, I believe that my talent and ability are in no way inferior to those scions of noble families, but after so many years, I have not even been able to obtain an official position. Now that an opportunity to become an official is presented to me, how can I not be excited?"

Lu Xiucai gripped the handles tightly, but Zhang Mingda was completely unaware, because he was also excited!

Becoming an official was the dream of almost all scholars in the Xia Kingdom, and Zhang Mingda was no exception.

Why did his parents work so hard to send him to school? Wasn't it so that he could pass the imperial examinations, become an official, and achieve upward social mobility?

However, becoming an official is not so easy.

Zhang Mingda's humble origins destined him to be ineligible for official positions. Unless he could pass the imperial examination and catch the emperor's eye, he would never be granted an official post.

But Zhang Mingda couldn't even pass the provincial examination to become a Juren, let alone a Jinshi.

After passing the imperial examination at the age of 20 and obtaining the title of Xiucai, Zhang Mingda's path in the imperial examinations came to an end. He had complained about the incompetence of the court and criticized the unfairness of the examinations. However, after complaining, life still had to go on. He had to give up continuing to take the imperial examinations and find a job to make a living and support his elderly parents and family. However, the desire to become an official was still hidden deep in Zhang Mingda's heart.

Therefore, when Zhang Mingda heard Lü Xiucai mention the news of Yang Shuai's selection of officials, his excitement was no less than Lü Xiucai's.

"Brother Lü, are you telling the truth? Is Marshal Yang really going to select officials?"

Zhang Mingda seemed completely oblivious to the pain in his shoulder, staring intently into Lü Xiucai's eyes.

"real."

Facing Zhang Mingda's gaze, Lü Xiucai nodded emphatically: "A notice has been posted outside the government office. Any scholar who is interested in becoming an official can go to the government office to register. After that, they only need to pass the government office's examination to directly obtain an official position and go to Qingzhou to take up their post."

"Good! Great!"

Zhang Mingda stood up excitedly, “After many years of wasted time, we finally have a chance to become officials, but…”

The excitement on Zhang Mingda's face subsided slightly, and he hesitated before saying, "Brother Lü, if we serve Commander Yang, won't the court consider us traitors?"

"What's the harm?"

Lu Xiucai said dismissively, "The current emperor is incompetent and only knows how to hide in the harem for pleasure. The court is full of scheming and despicable people, which has led to chaos in the country. Such a court is not worth our loyalty."

"Brother Lü is right."

Lu Xiucai's words seemed to stir up Zhang Mingda's dissatisfaction, and he echoed, "The officials in this court are all parasites from aristocratic families who only care about their own interests. Even the imperial examination hall is full of injustice. I think this court is doomed sooner or later!"

"exactly."

Lu Xiucai nodded slightly: "The world is in chaos now, and a change of dynasty is just around the corner. Looking at the heroes of the world, the one with the best chance of establishing his rule is undoubtedly Commander Yang! Commander Yang now controls two provinces and has the qualifications to compete for the world. If we can join Commander Yang's ranks, we might even be able to be ennobled and appointed as prime ministers when he ascends the throne in the future!"

To be granted a title and appointed prime minister?!

Zhang Mingda's breathing suddenly became rapid, and his chest heaved violently.

To be ennobled and appointed prime minister, to have one's name recorded in history—this is the dream of countless scholars.

If I can realize this vision, then my life will not have been in vain, right?

"Brother Lü, let's not wait any longer! Let's go to the government office to register now."

"Walk."

Tempted by the prospect of being ennobled and appointed prime minister, Zhang Mingda instantly forgot about the threat from the imperial court. He grabbed Lü Xiucai and hurriedly left the house, heading straight for the government office.

Meanwhile, a large number of scholars, either feeling that their talents were not being recognized or unable to resist the temptation of becoming officials, set off to register at the government office after hearing the news.

But that wasn't all. As time went on, news of the selection of officials spread like wildfire from Liangzhou Prefecture to every corner of the prefecture.

Tempted by the prospect of becoming an official, countless scholars packed their bags and rushed to the prefectural city in search of such an opportunity.