"Have you heard? Fengqi City is recruiting talented individuals!"
"Where is Fengqi City?"
"It's the former Hurricane City in our kingdom."
"Wasn't Hurricane City plagued by internal strife? I heard that after the old prince left, Hurricane City began to decline, its nobility scattered. I also heard that the lord of the branch city is quite covetous of Hurricane City."
Below the royal city, countless people gathered, chattering amongst themselves.
The rise of Fengqi City was not solely due to ample funds. Funds were merely an accelerant for a city's development; true stability relied on wisdom.
Only through the collision of wisdom and the nurturing of dedication from countless ambitious individuals could a city endure.
Without sufficient military strength, Chen Yu was hesitant in many of his actions, unable to implement drastic reforms. Now that Heilü had arrived in the city with his legions, Chen Yu could finally cast aside his worries and set Fengqi City on the right track.
The first step towards getting on track: recruiting talented individuals!
After discussing with the little devil, Chen Yu made the decision to release the news of recruitment. Furthermore, since he decided to do it, he would make it known throughout the entire nation.
Notices were posted throughout the city, disseminating the news to the populace.
Through word-of-mouth and their social circles, the information would spread outwards.
There was once a popular saying: one only needs seven people to know the president. Chen Yu had no interest in the president, nor did he have any interest in the ailing monarch of the Tatu Kingdom.
He only needed talent!
Surely it wouldn't be harder to find ambitious individuals in the underground world than to find a monarch?
The Tatu Kingdom was so deeply corrupted, with so many deeply entrenched noble and powerful clans controlling over ninety percent of the kingdom's resource flow.
There were bound to be countless individuals with unrecognized talent hidden within.
Chen Yu was willing to be that discerning judge, providing these exceptional individuals with a platform to showcase their skills and ambitions. Wouldn't they eagerly flock to his city?
Opportunity is fleeting!
If they didn't seize it, they would miss their chance.
Most importantly—
He had an ample supply of job vacancies. Fengqi City spanned over a thousand cities. Heilü had established control over a hundred cities along his routes, and over a thousand more were already within his grasp.
Chen Yu could offer thousands of positions for city lords.
Not to mention the various positions below that.
Chen Yu didn't necessarily require absolute top-tier talent. He only needed a few highly capable scholars like Kley, who possessed comprehensive knowledge and some management ability.
Other city lords would suffice with capabilities at the town or village level.
While Chen Yu indeed controlled many cities, the "cities" or "city-states" in the underground world were roughly equivalent to villages, towns were equivalent to towns, cities were equivalent to counties, large cities were equivalent to prefectures, and main cities were equivalent to provinces.
Chen Yu did not have that many main cities under his command; most were at the village or town level.
The lords of branch cities, though seemingly important, were essentially lords of large cities.
Furthermore, Chen Yu did not plan to manage the cities according to the underground kingdom's divisions in the future. He intended to reorganize the regions and establish several central cities as hubs to radiate management to other cities.
Word-of-mouth was merely the first step in Chen Yu's recruitment drive.
"Fengqi City is recruiting, but going there now is like seeking death!"
"Yes!"
"Fengqi City is offering substantial rewards. I heard that whoever comes out on top can directly enter the central government to work."
"The top performer gets a direct entry to the central government?"
Suddenly, a cheer erupted from among the scholars. The scholars found the person who spoke unfamiliar, but judging by his attire and demeanor, he was learned, so they all clasped their hands in greeting.
"That's what the notice says: the top performer gets a direct entry to the central government, along with a million gold coins and ten thousand mu of fertile land."
"That much?"
Many scholars were stunned by the figures, which were undeniably impressive to them.
The person who had inquired about the central government, however, remained unfazed.
"They are indeed offering a lot, but can we really get it?" another scholar scoffed. "With such generous rewards, scholars from all over the kingdom will flock there. We know each other; although we may possess the ability to govern a state, we might not have the talent for ruling a nation. We aren't among the very best."
At these words, the scholars nodded in agreement.
Years, even decades, of unrecognized talent had long since stripped them of their former arrogance; they were now more acutely aware of their own abilities.
"Money isn't important; what matters is having a place to utilize our talents!"
"Even if we don't win the top prize, I heard from my uncle that anyone selected by Fengqi City will receive one year's salary as a reward, and there's also something called 'five insurances and two funds.' I've never heard these new terms before, but the benefits sound quite good."
"And, they are genuinely looking for many people!"
Some still held the idea of going to Fengqi City.
"We don't know much about Fengqi City. If the old prince were still here, I'd pack my bags and go. But Fengqi City… who knows how long it will last."
"Hurricane City is located on the border, and the Batu Federation…"
The people gathered, judging by their attire and demeanor, were scholars. The worry etched on their faces also revealed their plight of unfulfilled potential.
When the Batu Federation was mentioned, everyone fell silent, as if by unspoken agreement.
Such talk was a forbidden word within the royal city.
"This is truly quite amusing," suddenly, a man leaning against the wall nearby, holding a wine pot, let out a snort as he gulped down his drink.
The discussing crowd turned their heads. Seeing the man reeking of alcohol by the wall, they instinctively took half a step back.
"You people," the man leaning against the wall said, propping himself up with one hand and tilting his head back for another drink, "do you know why you are perpetually unsuccessful and can only gather here to spew pretentious nonsense?" He continued, "You overthink and worry about everything, wanting to achieve greatness but being too timid to act. You say going to Fengqi City now is seeking death, but is staying in this lower city considered living? Living a life of meekness and mediocrity, are you satisfied with that?"
Humiliated by such words, the scholars' faces flushed with anger.
"Sir, you can't say it like that, can you?"
"Then how else do you expect me to speak? Should I say you are all exceptionally astute and thoughtful, so cautious you're like tiny insects in the bushes?" The man drinking wine grinned broadly. "What is the purpose of life? Some seek family happiness, some seek contentment, some seek immense power, some seek vast wealth. Think carefully, what is it that you truly seek?"
Without waiting for the scholars to respond, the drunkard sneered again.
"I believe, in truth, you are the latter. You desire power and wealth, but doesn't acquiring these things always come at the cost of your head? Do you think you will achieve your desires by simply chattering here and saying things that make people laugh?"
The scholars were rendered speechless.
Despite being learned individuals with broad knowledge, they were now silenced by a drunkard.