Above The Sky
Chapter 810 - 810 38 The First Civil Service Exam in Xiawei Territory_3

810: Chapter 38: The First Civil Service Exam in Xiawei Territory_3 810: Chapter 38: The First Civil Service Exam in Xiawei Territory_3 Roland felt that if he was rotten, then other people must be rotten as well—everyone was in the same boat.

The last part only had two questions.

But this might be the hardest part.

The first question: Currently, in the territory, there are two individuals eligible for subsidies, but the territory’s funds are limited, enough for only one person’s subsidy.

The first individual is a veteran from the northwestern desert campaign who, due to the war trauma from Fiery Flame Land, cannot adapt to normal life, work normally, or interact rationally with others.

For this reason, he has no family or friends and struggles to live a normal life.

The second individual is a Mountain People man who was critically injured while heroically saving three children from a fire.

Now he lies bedridden due to severe burns, without living parents or relatives and no income from work, he is unable to live a normal life.

What would you do?

—A trap!

Roland instantly felt as if a bolt of lightning had passed through his brain, and he immediately sensed the seductive aspect of this question.

It lists various conditions before telling you there’s only enough money for one person as if to have you judge who should receive it based on the conditions, thereby assessing the examinee’s moral leaning and making a choice…

but in fact.

It didn’t ask you to decide who to give it to, nor did it tell you that you’re the person making the decision.

It simply asked what you would do.

“Report to the Lord, I’m not qualified to decide on such matters.

If everyone’s being so politically correct, then why would an Ordinary Golden Folk like me be fit to judge?”

“That’s too presumptuous!”

Without a second thought, Roland wrote ‘Report to the Lord’s Mansion.’

Roland could evade the trap laid out in the question thanks to his innate sensitivity, but the last question truly posed a bit of trouble.

The second question: In the territory, a farming household failed to harvest enough due to crop failure, owing a total of twenty-four Talle for seed costs and taxes.

However, the family is poor and it’s almost impossible for them to repay the debt and taxes.

If you were a tax official, what would you do?

Very simple.

If it were the former lord, there’s no need to think about it—it would definitely be forced taxation.

Isn’t that what tax officials are for?

Is there justification for not having money due to crop failure?

Failing to yield a harvest while farming on the landlord’s land, whose fault is it now?

It’s already crystal clear.

Roland didn’t believe there was anything wrong with this idea.

Regardless of how intelligent he was, he couldn’t transcend the limitations of the era.

If he truly had to act, Roland would probably loan the household money to get through the year.

However, if they failed to grow anything next year, then there was nothing he could do—it would just be bad luck if the heavens willed this family to die.

But here lies the problem.

Should a tax official do this?

If Roland himself were to become a tax official, maybe he would do so…

but is that the kind of tax official the Lord wants?

Roland’s expression was uncertain as he truly wasn’t sure what choice he should make.

In this era, tax officials are supposed to be heartless tax-collecting machines.

Households with hardships abound, surely you can’t lend money to each one, can you?

Although Roland’s family used to be the steward for the former Baron, Steward Moda was not corrupt, his elder was very loyal, so the household was not very wealthy—they couldn’t save so many people.

After much deliberation, Roland had no idea how to respond.

He wanted to write ‘Enforce taxation and if money is not available, sell all their properties to repay the debt,’ which would be the standard Terra answer.

But his instincts told him that such a choice was too cruel.

Not cruel in terms of the examination’s answer, but too cruel as a person.

Writing down such an answer, if he succeeded in being chosen it would still be okay, as he could comfort himself, but if he failed…

He would definitely regret it.

After a long silence and much agonizing, Roland finally wrote down his answer.

He wrote ‘Postpone collection and wait to see next year,’ a hesitantly indecisive answer.

He even wrote down thoughts about potentially lending money, but if there were too many such farming households, he wouldn’t be able to lend much.

“Sigh.” Writing this, Roland suddenly realized that he might indeed not be suitable to be a tax official: “Isn’t the heart needed for this job too hard?

It’s true that there are specialties for every craft; I’d better stick to mechanical engineering…”

“I wonder if the Lord’s Mansion is recruiting scholars in mechanical engineering…”

With this thought, Roland promptly and decisively rang the bell to turn in his paper—no need for a review, he was certain that his answers were the best he could provide.

Once out, he was surprised to find that he was among the first few to submit.

Even, simply the second one.

Before him was only an old man.

And Roland knew this elder well, for he was none other than one of the most famous tax officials from Xiahui City, ‘Old Farl,’ who had served under three lords, including the present Ian.

“What’s the matter, young man, coming out so soon, you didn’t just submit a blank sheet, did you?”

Sitting in the examination rest area, smoking his pipe, the old man switched the position of his pipe in his mouth and, smiling, said to Roland who looked baffled: “I remember you, you’re the youngest son from the Moda Steward House who ran away from home—hmm, with your knowledge, you shouldn’t have submitted a blank sheet, and should have even been quicker than me in responding.”

The silver-haired elder with golden eyes smiled and nodded: “Let me guess, those last questions troubled you, didn’t they?”