Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 46: Imperial Civil Service Exam

Chapter 46: Imperial Civil Service Exam

"I see. Your Majesty had experience there. It really helped a lot. But His Majesty would be furious if I overwork Your Majesty. You don’t have to assist me anymore. Take some rest and focus on your other tasks. Starting next month, I will have your own work sent to your office," Raymond said a piece of truly good news.

[I am glad to have the Empress share with the workload. Thank goodness Her Majesty would no longer ask for a divorce. I knew it was just because she was irritated. She wouldn’t have asked me about her tasks if she wasn’t thinking of staying here much longer. Alwin could have also been sentenced to death or something even much worse if a divorce happened.]

Arabella realized Ferdinand had informed them about what they talked about before he returned to the borders.

"Thank you for your guidance. I will do my best to meet your expectations," Arabella was elated to finally work in her own office.

It was rather quite a great achievement for her to have worked in Raymond’s office where there were eleven people’s thought’s going into her mind.

However, she learned that once she focused on what she was doing, the thoughts she could hear were no longer as loud. They fade out and seem like a background sound.

Once she was truly into something she was doing, she wouldn’t even be able to hear them unless she gets distracted and her concentration drops.

She was still trying to learn if she could control when it should be active and not.

Still, she was doing quite well now. And hearing people’s thoughts helped her understand them. It was better even if it was difficult since she wouldn’t misunderstand their words and actions.

It was also a good cheat when there was something she needed to know about the work they were doing.

"The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty."

[I’m amazed at Lobelius’ education. Their princess is good with paperwork. Her decision-making is sound as well. She quickly spots documents that should not be signed yet or were still lacking something. I can rest assured and let the Empress work on her own since she already knows what to do. She would do well on her own. Still, she should also find her own assistants.]

Raymond and the assistants had a good opinion of Arabella now. It would be good if they were her allies now.

It would take more time for them to truly trust her but at least they had a good impression of her now.

"By the way, Your Majesty would need some assistants so you wouldn’t be overwhelmed with the work. I’ll have the profile of individuals who performed well in the Imperial Civil Service Exam sent to your office later. You can choose based on their qualifications and schedule to meet them later."

The Imperial Civil Service Exam was a yearly exam held for those who want to be government officials in Valeria.

Nobles and commoners alike can take it and only those who pass can apply for government positions.

In Riva, the capital of Valeria, and the duchies and kingdoms which had been part of the Empire for a long time, the rules are different from the rest of the semi-independent territories which were just conquered.

When Valeria was newly formed, the First Emperor implemented meritocracy so it was effective in all the territories which were part of the Empire for a while. As such, meritocracy was practiced up to the present.

Those with more ability would be welcomed with open arms. And only those who pass the exam and do well in their fields can work in the government.

However, newly conquered territories, those which had been part of the Empire for less than two decades, were given the freedom to rule their own kingdom, duchy, or fiefs the way they please as long as they adhere to the general rules (e.g. no slavery) and pay their taxes properly.

The rulers of the said territories were given the chance to slowly adapt to all Valeria policies and practices if they wanted to, or just choose a few that are effective for them.

However, in the case of failure to rule the territory properly, the Emperor can delegate a government official to govern the said territory temporarily.

"Oh my, thank you. How many people can I pick?" Arabella asked excitedly. She could finally get her own people.

"A maximum of ten people. But a lesser number is easier to manage. Your Majesty should probably start with five and increase later if you see the need," Raymond advised.

"I see. I will do that then. But how would I know they would be able to perform well? They could have just been good with the exam but cannot perform once the real work is assigned to them."

After all, even though meritocracy was preferred and truly applied by most, there are still people who act differently behind the scenes.

In her previous life, Arabella knew some government officials who topped the exams and got hired; but they did not do their own work and passed it to others instead of doing it themselves.

They lorded the result of the exams and their family’s status over those who had lower results and family background and made them do all the work.

Arabella didn’t really care much about it in the past, but she had to be careful now since she wanted Valeria to be in good condition. Especially Riva which would be her and Fermin’s home for the rest of their lives (if Ferdinand would not bring them to Estrella).

The Imperial Civil Service Exam was supposedly created to let those with excellent abilities and knowledge, no matter their family background, contribute to the Empire.

It was made to acquire talents, not bullies who lazed around.

"Ah, if you are worried about that, from the profiles I will send, choose people who you think have potential. Then we can take a practical test for everyone so Your Majesty can choose from them by looking at the quality of their work and their efficiency. This way, everyone also gets a chance to show off what they can do."

The following day, a thick pile of profiles was sent to Arabella’s office. There was a lot for her to choose from.

’Isn’t this a bit too much?’

She stared at the pile of paper. It would take a while to choose from this much. And yet, Raymond said he would only send those with good results.

"There are these many unemployed talents? Aren’t their knowledge and skills going to waste?"

The Imperial Civil Service Exam was held once every year and the topnotchers were usually absorbed to work somewhere immediately.

However, there was still a bias. Those who had more powerful families may get hired much more easily compared to those who do not.

After all, frankly speaking, commoners who could join the exam would only be hired in a good position if they were among the highest passers.

Or, if they were confident enough to apply for positions that nobles with better family backgrounds had already applied for. In such a case, they had to brace themselves for some kind of bullying.

Those who do not dare, remain in starter positions for a while before getting promoted.

Arabella already had an idea of someone she could get by her side though. And he is a commoner.

One of her assistants in her past life was Ivan, a commoner who ranked first when he took the exam but was never promoted to a higher position because he was a commoner.

Ivan’s superior was insecure about him and never recommended him to be promoted.

Despite working hard for years, Ivan did not get promoted as he deserved until one day, he had a fight with his superior.

His superior tore the papers he had worked hard on, so Ivan was furious and beat him up.

Ivan ended up getting fired for the violence he committed against his superior.

He was banned from getting hired again because of repeated acts of violence toward his superior.

But in fact, his superior just made false testimonies against Ivan. It only happened once even when his superior had repeatedly rejected his work no matter the quality.

Ivan only lost it and became violent when his superior even tore the result of his hard work to shreds.

Arabella happened to see Ivan trying to beat up his former superior a second time due to fury because he got banned due to his superior’s lies.

Ivan wanted vengeance since he would never be able to work in the government again.

Arabella was entertained by him for daring to go against someone much more powerful than he was, so she decided to get Ivan under her wing.

She made him his assistant planning to make her an accomplice in her crimes.

However, Ivan proved to be a quick and efficient worker. He also had an excellent memory and superb mathematical ability so she let him remain her assistant in the office.

Ivan was exactly the kind of person she needed. If she hired him now, his abilities would be put to good use early on.

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