Chapter208

In the cold night breeze, the shadows of the two people clung closely together, as if they were keeping each other warm.

The man, who had been tilting his head slightly upward the whole time, finally lowered it after a long while and rested it against the girl in his arms. As he held her tighter, he gently rubbed his chin against her forehead and slowly closed his eyes.

Over the next half month, Elara slept in Mathias's palace once every three days and was dragged to Oswyn's place to lie down for a day every five days. At the same time, Uno began teaching her some basic internal training techniques. The entire Plumera City entered a full-blown phase of construction and restoration.

The remaining rebel forces across Plumera were cleared out within around ten days under the orders of General Qi from the military department.

Large groups of displaced people and prisoners of war were brought back to Plumera City to quickly fill up the city's population and labor force, making construction manpower more abundant. The refugee shelters also expanded significantly.

By the time half a month passed, Plumera City had almost completely transformed.

Elara's sixth mission, burning one million bricks, had already been completed ten days earlier.

By then, several major factories newly planned outside the new city zone had basically been finished.

Two paper mills, three foundries, and three brick kilns were built within the satellite city area Elara had designated.

The large number of war prisoners and refugees brought back to Plumera City either worked to atone for crimes or to earn food. They entered the factories as workers, and once operations began, the factories ran at full capacity.

With all these factories churning out various materials, Elara took the Complete Guide to Ancient Basic Construction and held two full days of "catch-up explanation" meetings for all branches of the construction department.

She only released them to start their work once she confirmed they had all learned the necessary skills.

More than ten days passed again, and with only three days left before Plumera's first national examination, Plumera City had been completely renewed.

Most of the public toilets on the streets had already been built, roads were widened, and most of the surfaces were paved with bricks.

Old buildings and commercial areas were either renovated or completely torn down and rebuilt.

Especially in the western and southern districts that were once refugee zones, where most of the old houses were abandoned and vacant, Elara ordered them to be demolished and rebuilt.

The newly rebuilt southwest districts connected to the northeast ones, extending the bustle and prosperity from the northeast into what used to be the cold and deserted southwest.

The refugees brought back by the military department found new safe housing in the southwest. The emergency kitchens run by Damon for the refugees were well-organized.

The refugees and prisoners of war received food and clothing. As long as they were willing to work, they could earn money and atone for their crimes. Naturally, they became more and more motivated, bringing the entire city's construction to life with great energy.

That day, after Elara finished her routine inspection of all the project progress, she remembered that the first national exam was just two days away. She planned to go in disguise to Linyi Pavilion to observe the scholars who had come to take the exam and also talk business with Linyi Pavilion for a few new deals.

Outside Linyi Pavilion,

Elara returned to her original disguise as the third young lady of the Bai family.

She stood at the entrance of Linyi Pavilion and watched and listened. Sure enough, most of the people entering and exiting were scholars from different parts of Plumera who had come for the exam.

However, because this new exam system was vastly different from the traditional imperial exams, and it was divided into three main categories, anyone who wasn't a criminal could participate. Even former slaves and beggars were allowed to take part, so the examinees coming and going at Linyi Pavilion wore very different clothing.

"My goodness, Plumera City has changed so much! A few years ago when I left with my uncle on business, the city was still under Lord Gregory's control. The entire northeast district was dominated by officials, and on the streets, you could often see horses hitting people or women being robbed into forced marriages. It was so violent that people were afraid to live here. But now... it's suddenly become so orderly and clean!"

Because the Ministry of Education had announced the national exam very early and required remaining officials in all regions to spread the word thoroughly, many different people had come to Plumera City over the past month to take the exam.

Linyi Pavilion, being a famous and long-established guesthouse that didn't judge by status, welcomed all types of students. Whether commoners or children of wealthy families, everyone liked staying there. Naturally, Linyi Pavilion became the main gathering place for the examinees.

At that moment, a few well-off students sitting in a private room on the first floor of Linyi Pavilion were sipping tea and marveling at the dramatic changes outside Plumera City.

"Yes, yes! I haven't been to Plumera City in years either. When I entered the city a few days ago, I was so shocked by the changes I almost thought I had walked into the wrong place. I've traveled with my family's caravan to many places, but I've never seen a government send so many people to rebuild an entire city! Plumera City is becoming a grand and unfamiliar new city!"

"Indeed, Brother Jiang! Honestly, I was also amazed! The roads in Plumera City are now at least twice as wide! Not only that, but the roads are all paved with those... those bricks I've rarely seen before. The surface is so smooth and solid! There are barely any puddles!"

"To be honest with you all, I've also traveled with my family's business, but even in some third-tier or mid-sized countries abroad, very few places have roads this wide and fully paved!"

"Ha! That's nothing. Have you noticed where we are right now? This is already part of old Plumera City. Outside the city walls, the government has sent large teams to mark lines and lay foundations. They say Plumera City is expanding! And the size of the new city will be more than five times larger than it is now!"

"Already this grand, and they're still expanding? Then the future Plumera New City will be incredibly vast and magnificent! Her Majesty the Empress truly is remarkable! She just ascended the throne and has already accomplished such a great feat! It must be recorded in the history books!"

"Yes, yes! It must be recorded in the history books!"

When they spoke of Her Majesty the Empress, who had suddenly taken the throne a month ago with iron-handed tactics and unstoppable speed, they all raised their hands and bowed respectfully toward the palace.

Although this extremely young empress, said to have just reached adulthood, used to be the crown princess, they had also heard plenty of rumors about her.

But after all, they had never stayed long in Plumera Capital in the past, and had never suffered directly under the Plumera royal family. Now that the person had already proclaimed herself empress, they naturally knew what should and shouldn't be said. They were all clever people.

At the nearby tables, there were also students seated. It was obvious they were from merchant families with substantial wealth, who had traveled south and north with their families during Plumera's chaos, avoiding many disasters.

Everyone was discussing and sharing the information they had gathered, and all felt that it was very worthwhile to come to the capital for the examination.

But in truth, Plumera Capital had just gone through a transfer of power. Even though those they hated and feared, like Lord Gregory and others, had already been removed, the families behind these scholars had only barely made it through the chaotic period. Every family had endured many ups and downs and understood just how deep the waters ran.

So originally, these families who still had some assets did not want to send their talented children to the capital for the exam, afraid that one misstep would lead to trouble.

But they hadn't expected that this time, government officials would personally go to every town and county, promoting and seeking qualified young talents door to door.

Although these merchant families had traveled all over, their roots were still in Plumera. When court officials came knocking, they didn't dare offend them. That's why they sent their children with large groups of guards to the capital for the exam.

Besides the merchant family scholars, many other examinees of different backgrounds had also gathered in Lianyi House.

For example, right above this private room, there was a group with even higher status, descendants of various minor noble families who had gone into hiding during Plumera's chaos. Most of them sat on the second floor, dressed more elegantly than those on the first floor, and were also eagerly discussing the changes in Plumera Capital.

"Brother Mu! Plumera Capital really has changed a lot. Since Her Majesty the Empress took the throne, she has implemented new reforms, abolished the cruel laws of the past, and issued many innovative policies beneficial to the country and the people. Not to mention anything else, just that new tax system alone is the most favorable I've ever seen anywhere. Plumera's future will surely be prosperous!"

A young scholar with a righteous air and handsome features waved his fan while speaking to the youth opposite him.

"Brother Mu, why don't we just go buy a house in the eastern district? I heard that our Empress ordered a massive renovation of Plumera Capital, not only rebuilding many places but also expanding the entire city! From now on, every house in the capital will have floors paved with those stone bricks from outside!"

"I'm curious about those bricks too. The ground is incredibly flat with them! Let's go buy a house now. If we pass the exam, we'll already have a place to stay in the city."

The scholars on both sides of him agreed, saying, "That's right! And Lian brother, actually we don't even need to only look in the eastern district anymore. Judging by the current pace of construction, officials have announced that the four districts of the capital—east, west, south, and north—will all be treated equally, except for the north where the Empress and major government offices are located."

"Residential areas are being built in all four directions. If we want to serve as officials in the future, why not buy one or two houses in advance to have a place to stay later on?"

They raised their cups and laughed.

Although many of them were sent to the capital just to save face for the government, after personally seeing the great changes in Plumera Capital, the young talents from noble families who initially only wanted to go through the motions were now unknowingly changing their mindset.

If the capital could truly flourish, it wouldn't be bad to take the exam seriously and get an official position.

In that case, buying one or two houses early really did seem necessary.

The scholars from wealthy families were already considering buying property.

The others were also chatting about the surprising and novel things they'd seen.

Apart from them, the main tea room on the first floor of Lianyi House was filled with scholars of all kinds.

Because the main hall was crowded with people of different status levels, the students who looked similar grouped together. Some held thick scrolls of bamboo slips, some held teacups, watching the intense construction outside while discussing the major changes in the city with amazement in their eyes.

"Did you all see those ten or so newly built, massive and uniquely shaped row houses outside the city? I heard those strange big buildings are called 'factories,' personally named by Her Majesty the Empress. They're meant to produce all the necessary materials for rebuilding and construction in Plumera Capital!"

"I know this too. Even that new type of flat stone pavement Brother Yu mentioned earlier came from those factories!"

In the main tea hall, at a dozen tables, young scholars were also fanning themselves and sipping tea while they chatted.

"Hey! Do you know how those factories operate?"

A young man with delicate features held his teacup and smiled after seeing everyone look over. He seemed both impressed and curious.

"I came from the western frontier. Our area was suffering from severe famine and overrun by rebels. Except for a few families like mine, no one could even afford food. Thankfully, ten months ago, General Q sent troops to clear the area, distributed relief grain, and took away many refugees and rebel captives."

As he spoke, he clasped his hands in the direction of the Q family residence, admiration and gratitude shining in his eyes.

"Among the refugees General Q took were many of my old neighbors. After being brought back to Plumera Capital, most of them started working in those factories. They not only earned food but even got paid!"

As soon as he finished, another scholar chimed in,

"I heard about that too. At first, I didn't believe it. I've lived this long and never heard of anyone in our country getting paid for labor. Normally the government forces people into labor until they die."

"But this time, it's not just the factories. All the recruitment points in the city run by the government let people choose their own work type and location. Once you're employed, they give food, clothing, and wages too!"

After he spoke, the room filled with laughter and cheerful voices. Some even clapped joyfully as the discussion grew more excited.

"Plumera has hope! Real hope!"

"I also heard that in these workplaces, innocent people can earn money, and criminals can work to reduce their sentences!"

"No wonder! The government promised wages and sentence reduction, no wonder those refugees and war captives are all working so hard!"

"Exactly! And have you noticed? There used to be beggars everywhere in the capital, but since the government announced paid work and provisions, it's only been a month, and now there's not a single beggar in sight!"

"I noticed that too! It's hard to even find a beggar in Plumera Capital now!"

The students all gasped in amazement again.

"A few years ago, I had the chance to visit a second-tier kingdom's capital. Even there, you'd still see beggars on the street. But our Plumera Capital, in just under a month, has nearly no beggars left! Even on the road here, we barely saw any refugees!"

One scholar who knew some inside news added, "That's not just because the city is being rebuilt. The real reason is that our Empress personally ordered Lord Damon of the Commerce Department to build camps to house the refugees, open the granaries, and provide shelter!"

"Those factories are actually one of the methods to resolve the refugee and slave crisis. They hire refugees and slaves in large numbers and pay them on time. It's an incredible act of grace from our newly crowned Empress!"

"What a shame the big exam is just around the corner. Otherwise, I'd roll up my sleeves and go work a few days in those factories outside the city too. I want to see how they run and maybe earn a bit of pocket money."

Laughter echoed through the tea room again. Most of these students came from ordinary families and had no problem with doing physical labor to earn money.