Chapter 99

First was the written exam. There weren't many questions, since the test was something Elara and Scholar Fu had put together just last night. There were only three questions, testing the candidates on their understanding of the overall internal and external situation in Marigold County, the needs of the people, and their reasons for seeking office.

Second was the martial arts exam.

Elara needed to build an army, so she naturally needed someone to lead it. But right now, she didn't even have a single reliable general, so she had no choice but to select one temporarily.

Third was the craftsman exam.

Compared to the martial arts test, which at least had some historical basis, the craftsman exam seemed odd to everyone. In ancient times, craftsmen were considered even lower than farmers, and only a little higher than merchants.

Many of their inventions and creations were seen as mere fancy tricks by the powerful, and they were rarely valued.

But Elara chose to do the opposite. In the craftsman exam she designed, aside from the urgent need for talents in smelting, forging, and engraving, anyone with a skill or innovative idea could participate. There were no limits on content, status, or identity.

Because of that, the range of participants could be quite broad.

Even though the scope, content, and restrictions for the three exams were already set very low, and there was even a reward comparable to the top-tier citizenship contract, Elara and Scholar Fu still sat all morning in the building at the central registration point without seeing a single person come to sign up.

This didn't surprise Elara much. After all, the people of Marigold County had long been hurt by corrupt officials. They had suffered too many losses from the government. Now that she had just taken office and launched something like this on her first day, even if the conditions were attractive, it wasn't strange they didn't trust her. Once people's trust is broken, rebuilding it is hard.

Still, looking at the empty registration site, Elara, who had barely slept after preparing everything last night, couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

Scholar Fu remained calm as always. No matter what happened, his expression never changed.

He glanced sideways at Elara. Sitting across from him, she leaned against the tea table, completely lacking the poise expected of a royal princess. Wrapped in her complicated gown, her long figure was slumped against the railing, one arm supporting her chin as she quietly sighed while staring at the empty street below.

Scholar Fu picked up a small pot and poured her a cup of tea. In a calm voice, he said,

"Your Highness, Marigold County used to have good officials too, but many were pushed aside or falsely accused by people like Gao Qiong. Some were already killed before your arrival, but others are still locked in prison. Do you want to go see them?"

Elara paused, then immediately straightened up and looked at Scholar Fu. "Why didn't you remind me sooner? Let's go, right now!"

She blamed it on staying up too late. Her brain still felt foggy. She had almost forgotten that in this upside-down world, the ones locked in prison might actually be the good people.

But before she could stand up, the voice of General Qi came from outside the room.

"Your Highness."

"Come in."

Elara glanced out the window, then sat back down to wait. General Qi stepped in and bowed slightly.

"Your Highness, your announcement today about the open exams was posted in all four districts. The refugees you brought into Marigold County have also heard about it. They want to ask if they're allowed to take part too."

Just yesterday, Elara had told General Qi that once she released labor tasks, those refugees could participate. If they performed well, they could even be eligible to upgrade their status.

From that conversation, General Qi already understood that Elara was completely different from anyone else. So when the refugees asked him to inquire, he didn't refuse.

With another ruler, this kind of question wouldn't even need to be asked. It would be immediately rejected. But when he thought of the girl who had talked so passionately yesterday under the bright sun, saying she wanted to give the refugees a new home, General Qi felt she might give a different answer.

The refugees who followed her into Marigold County had gone from being distrustful and wary to now boldly asking about the exams. General Qi was a little surprised by that change.

It's easy to destroy people's trust. Rebuilding it takes time.

But in just half a month, these refugees who came with her had already started to trust her.

This was directly related to Elara never forcing them to do anything, and after arriving in Marigold County, she had also started fulfilling her promise to help them settle down and register their status.

The refugees who followed her to Marigold County had been well fed and clothed along the way. Because of that, their view of Elara had gradually changed for the better. Some of them even started to trust her a lot.

So when they heard this morning that someone outside was publicly announcing that Marigold County would soon start an examination, and that the person initiating it was the same girl who had saved them, they became excited. The exam wouldn't be restricted by background or social status. Those among the refugees who had talent and courage immediately became eager to take part, and asked General Qi to come and confirm it with her.

The citizens of Marigold County had only just met Elara two days ago. Yesterday, she had violently taken over the governor's mansion, which left them feeling shocked and afraid. So they didn't believe her or trust her.

But the refugees did.

It was Elara who gave them hope for a better life again. That's why they were willing to believe in her and in everything she promised them.

Even though the exam she planned to hold was something they had never heard of before, when they thought about it carefully, they realized it was actually very beneficial to them. It was even more open and generous than any of the exams the imperial court had held before.

Ever since they had been forced to become outlaws, they had given up on the idea of ever living as normal citizens again. If the court ever caught them, the best outcome would be being branded as slaves, spending the rest of their lives as something lower than livestock. Even if they were talented, their future would be ruined. Their lives would be like those of crushed ants.

But now, the girl who saved them had removed all concern about social status and placed this new opportunity in front of them. As long as they could participate, they would do everything they could to pass the exam.

They also believed that the noble girl who had given them this new hope would not deceive them.

After hearing General Qi's question, Elara raised her hand and patted her head, looking a bit annoyed with herself.

Staying up late was clearly a bad idea. It made her brain fuzzy.

Of course, the citizens of Marigold County didn't trust her yet. But these refugees she had rescued and brought here were definitely reliable.

When they had been registered, they were directly counted as part of her faction by System 92. Right now, talent was scarce, so why not pick people from this group?

The disappointment on Elara's face almost vanished. Her clear eyes lit up, and with a smile on her face, she said to General Qi,

"Of course they can! Go tell them now. Anyone who wants to take part in the exam can come downstairs and sign up right away. The exam's rules and rewards will be the same for everyone!"

"Yes."