Passing the Initial Screening

"Gongsun Hong has left Chang'an City!"

Amid the rumble of carriages, Gongsun Hong's envoy procession slowly made its way out of Chang'an City.

Quite a few people in the procession were wailing and shouting. Only after the soldiers enforcing discipline in the envoy party gave them several vicious lashes did their wails turn to sobs.

As delighted as they had been half a month ago, they were just as dejected now.

They had become officials as they wished, but these envoy posts were not what they wanted. Still less did they want to be envoys traveling to Xiong State.

The first group recruited for their talents had gotten in through connections. The second group had undoubtedly been exceptionally quick-witted.

Given the choice between punishment and a diplomatic mission, even a fool knew to choose the latter.

The former would most likely leave them dead within three days; the latter would let them live at least three months.

There was something peculiar about the envoy party as well. Quite a few of its members had powerful backgrounds, yet in the end they had accepted their fate and followed the party without a word.

To the sound of turning wheels, the procession went farther and farther away.

Zhang Xuezhou watched the spectacle for a while, then looked at Xu Yuan and Rong Tianding, who were helping carry the loads.

"Enough watching. We still need to apply for office. Once we've submitted the slips, we'll find Xu Yuan a carriage. He might even be able to travel safely with the envoy party for part of the journey!"

Zhang Xuezhou pointed in the direction of the Office of the Jingzhao Intendant.

The new emperor's third search for talent had begun.

Having obtained fairly accurate information from Sang Hongyang, Zhang Xuezhou had been forced to