Bai Xiaowen had originally considered approaching the Gongsun Clan peacefully and enlisting their help to track down clues about the Dragon-Patterned Gold Casket.
But he had rejected the idea. The Gongsun Clan would only get in his way. Their instinctive wariness of the Yuan Clan could easily hamper his plans.
He had learned that Gongsun Du's hold on Liaodong was still weak, so he had seized the opportunity presented by this Feast at Hong Gate to eliminate the clan's leader in one stroke. With the Yuan Clan's authority behind him, the Gongsun Clan, whose foundations were far from secure, would naturally fall apart.
Even as inspector of Youzhou, asking the Gongsun Clan to investigate clues for him would have been like trying to scratch an itch through a boot.
Now, by contrast, Bai Xiaowen's orders met no resistance in Xiangping City. He could mobilize the full resources of the government to investigate, which was far faster and more convenient.
Bai Xiaowen listened to Wang Lie's proposals and accepted them with an open mind. The old chief secretary, who had spent half his life without recognition, saw his Affection Level toward Bai Xiaowen soar. He now regarded him as a wise lord worthy of his loyalty.
Bai Xiaowen then instructed Wang Lie to draft a proclamation recruiting talent and send copies to be posted in every city across the Liaodong Four Commanderies.
Wang Lie personally recommended a renowned scholar as well. "Young master, I have a friend named Bing Yuan. He is from Beihai Commandery and is known throughout the land for his integrity. When the Yellow Turbans later threw the Central Plains into chaos, he moved his entire family to Liaodong to escape the turmoil. Why not invite him to serve?"
There were no imperial examinations in the Three Kingdoms