Chapter 1037
Tibulus, thank you for the advice you gave me just now! I've learned a lot … "Publius then expressed his gratitude to Tibulus.
Tibulus hurriedly said humbly, "Sir Publius, you're welcome. I've only grown up in Turií since I was young. I've seen and heard a lot of things, so I know the kingdom better. But understanding is one thing. It's easy to talk about it, but it's hard to do it. People like us still have to be down-to-earth and develop step by step. But sir, you're very qualified. You've been a senator the moment you joined the kingdom. You just need to strengthen your foundation, and you'll be able to achieve greater things … "
Publius nodded and said with a solemn expression, "You're right. Rome is a thing of the past. I should pull myself together and develop better in a more powerful kingdom like Diónia!"
At this point, he paused and asked humbly, "Tibulus, you were the one who gave me the suggestion just now. Do you have any suggestions for my children?"
"I remember you said you have an 18-year-old son, a 10-year-old son … and a … a …"
"And a 6-year-old daughter."
"Uh …" Tibulus pondered for a moment and said, "Your eldest son is 18 years old. According to the laws of Diónia, he's already of age, but the kingdom has already assigned you a piece of land, so he won't be assigned a piece of land for the time being. If he doesn't want to help you take care of the farm at home until he inherits your property in the future, there are three paths for him to choose from: politics, business, or military service …"
Tibulus counted with his fingers and patiently analyzed for him, "I believe that with your family's power, your eldest son must have received a good education since he was young. But if he wants to become a civil servant, he must pass the kingdom's examination. In the first few years of the kingdom's establishment, the examination for civil servants was easy, but now it's difficult because there are more and more young people graduating from schools in various towns. The competition is getting more and more intense. Not only must he be literate, write, and calculate, he must also have a rough understanding of some laws of Diónia and Hades Canon.
After passing the examination, he must work as a civil servant intern in the town where his household registration is located for a year. After his performance is up to standard, he will be registered with the Kingdom's Officials Management Committee and become an official member. Then, the committee will assign him to a certain department in a certain town as the lowest-level civil servant … "
"What is this kingdom's official management committee?" Publius interrupted.
"Oh, the Kingdom Officials Management Committee was originally an organization under the Senate. It manages the appointment, promotion, reward, and punishment of all mid-level and low-level officials in the kingdom. Now, it is under the direct control of His Majesty. The main person in charge is composed of three elders, one principal and two deputies, and dozens of officials and clerks. The current person in charge is also the head of the five rotating presidents of the Senate, Lord Cornelus."
"Oh, then … which department is in charge of the high-ranking officials of the kingdom?" Publius immediately thought of another question.
Their appointments are recommended by the Senate, such as the chief executive of a town or the main officials of the various departments of the kingdom. In the end, it's up to His Majesty to make the final decision. It seems easier than us middle and low-level officials, but it's said that the debriefing in the Senate during one's term of office is a huge test, and it's not that easy to pass. Elders with poor performance are often humiliated, and it's difficult for them to take up another position in the future, such as … cough, cough … "Tiblues coughed twice and stopped talking in time.
"Anyway, it won't take long for you to know about this, so I won't say more. Let's talk about your child. Your eldest son has never received a royal school's education, so it's impossible for him to pass the examination and enter politics the moment he comes. If he's in a hurry to enter politics, he can first go to the Turín City Hall to apply to be a handyman — "
"Handyman?"
"It's a public servant with no rank at all, such as clerks, scribes, messengers, bookkeepers, administrators … They also have to go through an assessment and receive a salary, but generally, they won't be given a bigger share. There's also a part-time job. When the City Hall is busy and short of manpower, they will recruit volunteers to help out. When they're free, they'll be dismissed and sent home. Although the salary of a part-time job is low, it'll be recorded in their household registration file, which will be beneficial to their future development.
Your eldest son can first be a handyman or a part-time job to train his ability to handle things and become familiar with the various affairs of the kingdom. At the same time, he can take some time and spend some money to hire a teacher or attend the adult study class in the Turín school to learn knowledge. After two or three years, he can take the kingdom's public service examination. Because he has practical political experience, he'll have an advantage over those young citizens who have just graduated and take the examination. It'll be easier for him to pass … "
Tibulus paused. When he saw that Publius was listening carefully, he continued, "If your eldest son is willing to go into business, you can sponsor him with some money first. Let him go to the business department of the Turín City Hall to register and obtain the qualification and certificate to do business —"
"Why does one have to register with the business department to do business? Can't they do business freely?" Publius asked curiously. Although Rome's trade was not developed, the people could buy and sell freely.
Tibulus explained, "The main purpose of registering with the business department is to facilitate the kingdom's collection of taxes and the management of the household registration department. As for merchants, with this business certificate issued by the kingdom, it would be easier for them to obtain more loans from Christonia's Bank. They could also use this to apply to join the Chamber of Commerce in various regions and obtain more help, more information, and more channels, which would be beneficial to their development.
But the kingdom doesn't prohibit others from buying and selling. For example, farmers in the towns of the kingdom don't need to apply to the business department. They can take their surplus produce to the designated area of the market in the town where they are to sell it, and they don't have to pay taxes. But the things they sell must be small, and they can't be sold in other towns. Otherwise, if they're found out, the consequences will be very serious.
Publius was just a little curious, but in fact, the people of Rome were not a race good at business. He was not interested in it. After understanding a little, he asked, "What if I choose to join the army?"
"Master Publius, first of all, you have to know that according to the Law of Diónia, male citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 are obliged to serve in the military and participate in regular military training, whether you are a farmer, a craftsman, a businessman, or a public official of the kingdom …"
"This is the same situation in Rome in the past."
Tibulus had worked in Rome for several months, so he had some understanding of the things in Rome in the past. He solemnly reminded Publius, "But unlike Rome, the citizens of Diónia are competing to go to the battlefield and win the land and spoils of war awarded by the kingdom. But it's not easy to go to the battlefield. Under normal circumstances, only the regular soldiers can go out to fight. Only when there are casualties will the reserve soldiers be incorporated and replenished.
The young citizens of Diónia receive military training from an early age. When they grow up, they are already familiar with the various basic military tactics of Diónia. But your son knows nothing about it. It'll be difficult for him to become a regular soldier in at least three or four years. If he wants to advance, the best way is to take the initiative to apply to serve as a garrison soldier in several fortresses in various territories. Although it's tough, he can become a regular soldier after one or two years. As long as he participates in a few more battles, it's very likely that he will become a squad leader.
But to become a squad leader, he has to perform well, and it's not easy. And becoming a squad leader means that he has entered the ranks of the kingdom's military officials, and will also become a target of attention from the Ministry of Military Affairs. As long as he doesn't suffer from major injuries and continues to make meritorious contributions, he may be promoted step by step … and even become a Legion Leader. And after becoming a Legion Leader, he may enter the Senate and become a respected elder …
Joining the army is a fast path. Not only can he get a lot of land rewards with his military achievements, but he can also hold a high position at a young age. For example, the current Commander of Sicily, Prosos, will become the new elder of the kingdom at the age of forty after this war! "
Tibulus said enviously, then sighed softly, "But these are all exchanged with their lives. One careless mistake and they may die on the battlefield, and the land and wealth they win can only be left to their wives and children. For example, the commanders of the naval fleet, Fralios and Miltias, have died in this war. So I'm not too envious of them. Although the promotion of an administrative officer is slow, it's safe!"
"Is the promotion in the army the same for all citizens?" Publius asked.
"What?" Tibulus was stunned, but he quickly understood what he meant. With a serious expression, he said, "Sir, you have to understand that Diónia is not like Rome in the past. The children of nobles can become platoon leaders as soon as they enter the army. This is not feasible in the Kingdom of Diónia! All citizens must start as ordinary soldiers. Even His Majesty's adopted son and son-in-law have slowly become platoon leaders and platoon leaders through their own efforts. If you want to take other shortcuts, it's best to give up on that idea.
According to the law, the army is under the direct control of His Majesty. All the promotion and appointment of officers must be approved by him, and the Senate cannot interfere. Anyone who wants to interfere in the affairs of the army will inevitably incur His Majesty's wrath. The Laodisian Incident more than ten years ago taught everyone a good lesson. "
"The Laodisian Incident?" Publius asked curiously.
"This matter is very complicated. I'll tell you in detail when I have time in the future." Tibulus said quickly, "In addition, your eldest son can also choose to become a farmer or a craftsman, but with your status, it shouldn't be an option, so I won't say more …"
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