"So does that mean we have no way to deal with them?"
After hearing Alaric explain the drawbacks of punishing the nobles, Nitocris pouted unwillingly.
"They said such things about you…"
"No, actually, there is still a way," Alaric revealed a mischievous smile. "It's just that this method will cost a bit of money."
"That's fine," Nitocris waved her hand boldly.
"We haven't even finished using the wealth confiscated from those nobles before, and after reclaiming the land, we seized so many rebel assets as well. Money isn't a problem at all."
"Looks like Nito has become a little rich lady now," Alaric teased, before continuing, "In fact, dealing with these nobles is simple, just strike at what they care about most."
"What they care about most?" Nitocris bit her lip thoughtfully, looking particularly alluring. "Money? Territory?
No… it's official positions and power. You want to find people to take their posts?"
"Smart!" Alaric praised her, patting her hand lightly.
"If we promote more commoners to share their official positions, wouldn't that make them frustrated and powerless?"
"Of course it would!"
Nitocris smiled happily, but soon her expression turned puzzled.
"But when it comes to governance and handling affairs, how can commoners compare to those who have held high positions for generations?
When we punished most of the officials in Memphis before, among the newly promoted ones, weren't the ones who performed best mostly of noble birth?
The common-born officials often ran into all kinds of problems, you know that."
"Yes, of course I remember," Alaric nodded, then asked, "But do you remember how we solved that problem back then?"
"Of course, you personally taught them how to be officials,"
At the mention of this, Nitocris looked particularly proud.
"Even now, many officials still call you 'teacher.' You really should let those nobles know that, let's see what excuses they'll have to criticize you then."
"Yes, yes," Alaric smiled slightly. "If we do the same thing again, won't they have the chance to see it for themselves?"
"You mean, you're going to personally train another group of common-born officials?"
Nitocris felt both expectant and a little concerned.
"Aren't you already teaching those magic apprentices? And you also spend time translating magical runes… wouldn't that make you too busy?"
She didn't want Alaric to overwork himself for her sake.
Feeling her concern, Alaric felt a warmth in his heart and reassured her, "It's not that troublesome.
In fact, we can write a dedicated textbook to teach them how to govern, and let them study it on their own."
"That's a great idea," Nitocris's eyes lit up. "This way, we'll never have to worry about a shortage of talent again."
"Exactly," Alaric nodded with a smile. "From now on, everyone, including those of noble birth, must pass a special examination if they want to become officials.
Only those who perform well will be selected. Those who do poorly, no matter how prestigious their background, won't be allowed to bring harm to the government."
"Mm, mm!"
After that, the situation became rather unusual.
As Alaric spoke, Nitocris listened attentively, nodding seriously while even taking notes.
With her intelligence, she could easily tell that what Alaric was describing, a complete system involving textbooks, official examinations, and the establishment of schools to recruit commoner students, was a fully developed framework.
With such a system, she would no longer have to worry about a lack of capable people.
Moreover, aside from the theological portions, most of the content in Alaric's proposed curriculum consisted of highly practical knowledge.
Even those who failed to become officials could still make use of subjects like mathematics, geography, and organizational management in commerce or the military.
As for the theological components, Nitocris understood their importance as well. That was the key to ensuring that officials remained loyal and devoted to the Pharaoh.
Alaric had even suggested that this portion should require strict memorization, once someone deeply understood and memorized such doctrines, they would naturally develop reverence toward the Pharaoh as a descendant of the gods.
At this thought, the way Nitocris looked at Alaric became filled with affection.
After all, devising such a practical and unprecedented system must have required long periods of thought and planning.
Which meant that, even if she hadn't come to complain to him, this man had already been thinking about solutions for her.
When she encountered the problem and came to him for help, he immediately provided an answer.
Having someone like him by her side, it felt as though any difficulty could be overcome. It was such a wonderful feeling.
After Alaric finished explaining the entire system of education and talent selection, he suddenly noticed that the girl in front of him was looking at him with eyes so tender they seemed to melt.
Though he didn't quite understand why, he still happily followed the hint in her gaze and gave her a thorough "comforting."
Afterward, upon hearing her reasoning, Alaric could not help but smile wryly.
All that talk about "long-term planning" and "thinking ahead for her" was simply Nitocris's misunderstanding.
Now, by suggesting this system to Nitocris, Alaric aimed to dismantle the traditional Egyptian system, which resembled a hybrid of a governor-based administration and feudal rule.
The result of feudalism in Europe was a patchwork of small states. Even when united, they remained internally chaotic, riddled with infighting.
As for the governor system, the Roman Empire had used it, but Rome had expanded from a city-state republic into a massive empire dominating the Mediterranean.
Its system, by nature, retained a certain narrowness, with insufficient central authority and excessive power concentrated in provincial governors. The inevitable result was rebellion.
Since Alaric had chosen to assist Nitocris, he naturally hoped that the Pharaoh he supported would become a ruler remembered for eternity.
And to achieve that… it was only natural to bring out the most powerful tools passed down from his ancestors.