The question directly addresses current problems and is extremely sharp!

A murmur of gasps filled the room. This question was clearly not something that could be answered by rote memorization of scriptures; it required genuine insight, a profound understanding of reality, and practical strategies for governing the world!

Li Ru was startled, and then a strong sense of resonance surged within him! This question was practically tailor-made for him!

The Qiang and Hu troubles in Liangzhou, the corruption and incompetence of the government, the lawlessness of the local tyrants... vivid scenes of bloodshed and tears instantly flooded his mind. He felt an overwhelming pent-up emotion, and he had to speak out!

He focused his gaze for a moment, quickly sorting out and refining in his mind what he had seen and heard along the way, the suffering in Liangzhou, and his thoughts on the political situation.

When Li Ru opened his eyes again, his gaze was clear and sharp, without a trace of tension.

He picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote the first line of characters, powerful and penetrating, on the rough exam paper:

To secure the foundation of the nation, the people must be at peace; to ensure the people's peace, the government must be cleansed, the military strengthened, powerful clans suppressed, and virtuous officials employed. The current predicament of the Han Dynasty stems primarily from accumulated problems, not merely from border troubles…”

He quoted extensively from classical texts, but never engaged in empty talk.

Taking Liangzhou as an example, he bitterly denounced the corruption of the border troops, the embezzlement of officers, and the outdated equipment, stating that these were the root causes of the difficulty in quelling the Qiang rebellion.

He analyzed local officialdom, pointing directly to "selling official positions" as the root of all evil, leading to "greedy and cruel officials, like locusts and maggots, sucking the marrow from the people's bones," causing the people to live in misery and become displaced.

He pointed out even more sharply that "local tyrants annex land, raise private armies, collude with government officials, and prey on the local people," and that their harm is even greater than that of foreign invaders, making them a major threat to the heart of the country!

"The key to pacifying the borders lies in addressing the root causes!"

Li Ru then shifted his focus and proposed a strategy: to strengthen the army by replacing mediocre generals and severely punishing those who embezzle; to upgrade military equipment and ensure adequate food and pay; to select sons from good families as border soldiers and reward them with land and houses for their military achievements, thereby boosting morale.

Combating corruption: Strictly investigate the buying and selling of official positions, improve supervision, and severely punish officials; encourage the people to report corrupt officials, and reward those who verify the reports.

Suppress the powerful: Re-survey land ownership and strictly limit land annexation; crack down on powerful families and their private armies, and weaken their influence; select upright and incorruptible officials to govern local areas and severely punish the illegal activities of powerful families.

Seeking Talented Individuals: He highly praised the emperor's policy of "appointing only the talented," and called for breaking down barriers of social class to broaden the path for those from humble backgrounds to enter officialdom, ensuring that no talented individual is overlooked. "If the world's best talents are brought into my fold, then the administration can be cleansed, border troubles can be quelled, powerful clans can be suppressed, and the revival of the dynasty can be expected!"

Every word was forceful, every sentence as sharp as a knife!

There are no flowery words, only a stark and brutal revelation of reality and solutions that cut to the heart of the matter!

Li Ru poured all his hardships, the blood and tears of Liangzhou, his resentment, and his boundless hope for the future into his writing!

When he finished writing the last word and put down his pen, fine beads of sweat had appeared on his forehead, and his back was also damp with sweat.

Li Ru let out a long sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Looking around, many people were still deep in thought, scratching their heads or making revisions.

The examiner, Hu Guang, with his refined features and deep gaze, seemed to pause slightly as he passed by Li Ru's desk.

His gaze lingered for a moment on the still-wet answer sheet, his brow twitched almost imperceptibly, but he quickly regained his composure and continued walking forward.

Li Ru felt a chill run down his spine, but then regained his composure. He had done his best, presenting his thoughts and ideas on the exam paper without reservation.

The rest is up to fate, to that young emperor who will turn the tide.

The afternoon sun in Luoyang was a bit dazzling. Li Ru stood under the majestic gate tower, looking back at the solemn examination hall, his heart clear and calm.

Regardless of the outcome, Li Ru, a poor scholar from the border region of Liangzhou, has already made his voice heard in the heart of this empire!

This sound, though faint, carried the sandstorms of Liangzhou and an indomitable cry!