If it were only a city lord, newly arrived, trying to take control of a city—even with the cooperation of those below him—it would still be difficult to accomplish without several years.
Thus, whenever local officials took office, they would do less and observe more at first, slowly feeling things out. Only once they were confident would they begin to make their own moves.
But going back and forth like that required far too much time.
Once authority was divided into finer branches, however, as long as there were enough officials and standardized training, they could penetrate every aspect of a region in an instant.
Zhao Cheng's training system had already been implemented for eight or nine years. A training course generally required only half a year of classes before producing a batch of graduates. The most outstanding would continue their studies, while the slightly lesser ones would be sent to local posts in the New Nation to temper themselves for two or three years. Those who displayed ability would be promoted; those whose abilities fell a little short would be recalled for another half-year intensive course.
During this process, those who performed well would be specially recorded. Once war began, these experienced officials would march out with the army. Whenever a place was conquered, a group would be left behind to oversee its local affairs.
At the same time, every official was extremely eager to accompany the army.
The reason was naturally to earn merit. If they could produce results in newly conquered territory, it would undoubtedly add a bright stroke to their records.
There was even a saying within Great New's civil official system: without a record of accompanying the army, one would never have a chance of entering the central government in the future.
Though Great New's