Chapter 961: The Last Rainy Season (II)

Chen Zhongtian, the previous inspector general of the Inspectorate, was famed for his thick face and shamelessness. Could it be... that Commander Li really did like this kind of person?

The South Peak director general cursed to himself as his thoughts ran wildly.

The tone is set at the top! When those above behave unworthily, so will those below do the same! That will spell doom for the nation sooner or later! What a pity that the Minster Zhao who trusted me is no longer of this world...

He sighed heavily. Power struggles of the upper echelon were harrowing and life-threatening. As a Skystar vassal, South Peak neither possessed the qualification nor the right to reign supreme. The director general was not of a mind to vie for authority.

Now that Zhao Huaimin was dead and had ensured the director general’s survival with his last breath... the director general could not disappoint the minister’s trust. Therefore... he would oversee South Peak well!

After He Yong left, the director general transmitted a few commands. A few startled yelps sounded from the group around him that’d just relaxed. A dozen people were taken into custody by their comrades!

The South Peak director general ignored their wails for mercy, feeling rather gratified that Li Hao saw clearly with his eyes. He’d wanted to eliminate these people a long time ago as they’d committed acts that were unfit to be mentioned. But the province’s internal struggles had been too fierce before and each person had their backers. They couldn’t be touched!

Today, Li Hao gave him a list of notorious evildoers. They were finally all removed in one fell swoop!

“Take them away and cripple them of their abilities. Escort them to Skystar City. Kill them if they try to escape!”

“Understood!” The soldiers of the director general office hastened to carry out their orders.

......

On this day, this scene repeated itself in many parts of the central region.

Li Hao knew that with the three great organizations learning of the truth, the current situation of the world was fully exposed. Thus, he immediately mobilized the Silver Moon martial masters and advanced on all of the provinces. Apart from the South Shore province that the Prince of Southern Conciliation was stationed at, and the West River province that the Prince of Western Conciliation was present at, heavyweights showed up at all of the other provinces in the central region.

They took command of what provinces they could and swiftly killed the leaders of the ones they couldn’t.

The central region was stable enough because Skystar City was situated in this region. It exerted enough authority over the four cardinal directions to ensure that the central region wasn’t as disorderly as the four continents. Those had outright slipped out of the dynasty’s control.

With two royal princes remaining at large and commanding armies of their own, Li Hao didn’t dare make further moves.

......

The second half of December.

The days were cold. It would be the year 1731 in a few more days. This new year, however, was a bit quiet and sparse within Skystar City. There were much fewer passersby on the streets.

The various projection screens in the city suddenly lit up one day and caught everyone’s attention. No matter if they were busy about their day or walking on the streets, all lifted their heads to look at the sky canopies.

They were the product of Yuming—the boy with the intermixed mental strength. The sky canopy system was complete within the capital city, but the boy continued to urge Li Hao to access the Lu Zhen Research Center. There were many things inside that he needed.

Li Hao had been too busy to pay attention to his request, but had agreed to visit the ruins after he was done with the matters at hand. At present, his figure appeared on all of the screens. He could finally address the entire city without having to yell his head off.

A young man dressed in armor smiled faintly from the screen. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Li Hao, commander of the Skystar Commander Office.

“This is a sky canopy. All matters will be announced through this in the future. The citizens of the city will receive firsthand knowledge of any public notices!

“Skystar City counts thirty million residents within its walls and is the most prosperous and populated city of the dynasty. Yet, such a royal city possesses very few people who can read. We have a census of the literacy rate in the dynasty—it is only 15%. This is the result of a concerted effort to raise it a few years ago. The rate is a bit higher in the capital at 20%.”

This meant that only one in five could recognize characters.

Many on the streets listened intently to the young man. Rumors had started circulating a few days ago that the king was dead, the ministers of the nine ministries were dead, and that this one was responsible for it all. Li Hao had apparently conquered Skystar City.

No one knew if these rumors were false or not, but since he was openly making announcements today... Perhaps they were true?

“In order for the dynasty and the people to have a better future, being able to read and write is a must!” Li Hao continued. “From today forth, Skystar City will be establishing three thousand schools. Two thousand of them will be dedicated to raising the literacy rate. All those who are illiterate between six and forty years of age must attend school...”

Many cursed to themselves. Was he crazy? Did they not need to work or eat? Attending school was the work of scholars, it had nothing to do with them!

They’d thought that the commander was different from the rest, that he was a good man. Now... It seemed that he was a simpleton! What went on in the mind of a northern savage!

“You won't be attending school for the entire day,” Li Hao explained at a measured pace. “You simply need to free up two hours of your evenings. All learning materials are free. Rewards will be in order once you complete this basic education and its examination!

“One person studying will lead to riches for the entire family! Those who pass the examination will be awarded one hundred pieces of sacred grain...”

He took out a sparkling grain of golden rice. “One grain of rice like this will keep one full for three days. It will fortify the body and strengthen you against all illnesses! One hundred grains will feed you for a year. You will not know sickness or cold in that year. This is a legendary treasure mentioned only in myths and nurtured by powerhouses! Those who learn fast might complete their examination in one year...”

Jaws dropped and sharp gasps abounded through the city. They swallowed hard as they looked at the golden rice. One grain was sufficient for three days of hunger and prevented one from falling ill?

Really??

All that was required was two hours a day? This... was just giving them money!

“The basic core curriculum will span elementary school, middle school, and university. Those who complete elementary school will be rewarded one thousand grains. Middle school will be rewarded with ten thousand grains. All tuition is free, materials are free, and room and board are free!

“In addition, we hereby recruit teachers from the entire population. Compensation will be rich and we are in dire need of knowledgeable talent...” Li Hao advertised from the screen.

In the slums, an elderly man selling old books abruptly lifted his head and looked at the screen, some light in his eyes.

Five years!

It’d been five years since the Skystar Academy closed its doors, a portion of teachers and students killed, and another portion exiled. Today, the newly come Li Hao wanted to spontaneously establish thousands of schools.

Tears streamed down the old man’s face. Was a new era of civilization about to commence?

“In addition, all roads within the city are to be rebuilt starting from today. We are to enter a period of infrastructure development and supernaturals are to be involved. Those without current business at hand can sign up to build Skystar City together!

“Those with damaged houses can put in a request for repairs. There are enough supernaturals to attend to the task!

“All repairs will be made for free! Those who can put forth labor shall do so, those who can offer strategies can do so. We will develop Skystar City together and bring forth new prosperity! When the new year dawns, it will also herald a new age!

“The people of the world will be able to walk out of this world, even if they do not possess supernatural abilities. They will be able to explore the unknown and walk toward the future...” Li Hao’s speech rose with high emotion. “Additionally, the Skystar Martial Academy will open for classes on January 1. The first class of students will number ten thousand strong. We also welcome all learned applicants to enroll.

“Students will learn supernatural abilities, martial dao, trade and crafts, technology and civilization. It will not simply be a school for martial dao. Martial dao is not omnipotent and neither is the supernatural domain. We will tailor teaching for the occasion and make the best use of everything!”

Cheers erupted from the city at his last words, not just because the academy was about to open for business, but because there was hope in Li Hao’s words. The young man hadn’t said that much, but he spoke of education, food, income... A grain of rice would feed someone for three days!

There would be repairs to homes and roads. Their lives would be so much better!

None of it meant much to the rich, but it would make life so much better to those who were badly off! They stood a chance of surviving the winter!

They would not starve to death so long as they signed up and were willing to learn. Rewards were in store if they completed their schooling and there would be food to eat if they just took part...

These were lifesaving measures to many! It even demonstrated numerous different opportunities to the rich. Many, many opportunities!

Many of the rich were literate and Li Hao was in urgent need of talent. He proposed a high compensation and all sorts of benefits, as well as vast sums of cultivation resources. This was a chance to soar to the heavens with one step for them!

As the announcements were posted, some titled nobility and apprehensive officials lit up at what they read. There were quite a few empty posts in the central region. Those who were so inclined could sign up. Once they passed the examination, whether they were nobility or of the nine ministries, they could report to work so long as they did not have any crimes in their background. They could begin immediately!

What did Skystar City have in spades?

Officials!

This was a place that everyone tried to jockey for a spot in. Any position would do, even a watchman at the door for nobility.

There were many officials in the capital city—those learned, cultured, or trained to be sold to the royal family. With the dismantling of the nine ministries and royal family, Li Hao was the future king. The people simply wanted full bellies and warm clothes; serving as an official was too far away for them. But once they succeeded and bore merits and accomplishments to their name, they would serve under a dragon!

Those with sufficient foresight could tell that Li Hao wanted to gradually replace the old guard and train his own people to take their place. This was their chance! As of current, the northern lacked sufficient foundations and was in dire need of talent.