Overdevelop in Obscurity, Don't Get Reckless!

Whether it was the Talent Recruitment Order or Only Talent is Promoted, neither was Wang Xuan's original creation. Both had historical precedents.

The earliest example was the first Talent Recruitment Order, issued in 361 BC after Duke Xiao of Qin ascended the throne. That famous order drew the eternal prodigy Shang Yang, a native of Wei. It was only after Shang Yang carried out his reforms that Qin set out on the path to becoming a powerful state.

After that came King Zhao of Yan. King Zhao of Yan had built his state atop a field of ruins and desperately needed talented people to assist him. Minister Guo Wei told him the story of spending a thousand pieces of gold to buy a horse. King Zhao of Yan was deeply inspired, so he built the Golden Terrace to recruit the greatest talents under heaven.

Therefore, Wang Xuan's Talent Recruitment Order was not an original creation. Strictly speaking, Tian Feng should not have been surprised. But in reality, things were not that simple.

Whether it was Duke Xiao of Qin or King Zhao of Yan, their Talent Recruitment Orders attracted people with high office, generous salaries, status, and position. Wang Xuan's was different. He had added one sentence: "Only Talent is Promoted!"

That was practically kicking a hornet's nest.

What did Only Talent is Promoted mean? Put simply, it meant not looking at one's birth, virtue, or past. As long as one had ability, everything was fine!

The Han Dynasty governed through filial piety. Whether one was becoming an official or doing anything else, moral conduct came first. Just look at the selection system's name, "Recommendation of Filial and Incorrupt Officials," and it was obvious: filial piety came first, and incorruptibility second. Filial piety was certainly good, and incorruptibility even better.