Ruling the World.

Summary

In the palace city, Han Gang reports daily to Liu Nei Quan, a government office near the Central Secretariat. Familiar with the route, he navigates through various gates to reach the Central Hub. The Que Pavilion displays numerous unfilled official vacancies, highlighting the competitive nature of the bureaucracy. Han Gang, backed by influential figures, is confident about his assignment, though he remains cautious. He attends a selection process where two officials, Liu Yi and Liu Ling Cheng, confirm his identity. The conversation reveals underlying tension, as Han Gang senses hidden worries. The selection involves evaluations of appearance, speech, writing, and judgment, reflecting the evolving standards of the Song Dynasty's civil service.

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