Balance [First Update]

The Egyptian nobles' calls to expel Ye Ting ultimately failed to gain Nitocris's approval.

On the contrary, perhaps out of a rebellious streak, or perhaps to prove that no one could question Ye Ting's abilities, Nitocris simply abandoned the idea of making Ye Ting her queen consort and instead granted him a high official position.

In the past, Egypt's highest officials had been the Vishirs. As prime ministers, they each governed half of Egypt's territory, with one Vishir for Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.

But now, above the Vishirs, Nitocris had created the new office of Grand Sage Regent, ranking above all civil and military officials. Answerable only to the Pharaoh, he had the authority to supervise all officials, while his usual duty was merely to offer advice to the Pharaoh.

In short, it was a highly powerful post with very little responsibility, a cushy position that did not even require handling administrative affairs.

She then publicly announced a new joint resolution by herself and the "Grand Sage Regent"—a resolution to establish official examinations, found schools for officials, and promote related educational texts.

Thus, Egypt's version of the imperial examination system was born.

Most nobles were unwilling to accept this resolution. In the past, officials had mostly been chosen from among them. No matter how talented commoners were, at most they could become clerks. But now, not only could those of common birth serve alongside them at court, even they themselves had to take examinations to become officials.

How could they possibly tolerate that?

So they wanted to stir up opposition and rally everyone against the new resolution.

However, they could not do it.

After the Great Judgment and the Unification War, Egypt's central and local nobles had been weakened in turn. Their power had now fallen to its lowest