Audrey recalled the words of her father and brother when they discussed the situation, and improvised:
"They think the current government structure is too chaotic. Every time an election finishes, as long as there is a change of party, a whole new batch of people are swapped in from top to bottom. This makes a mess of things and is extremely inefficient. Not only has it caused defeats in the war, but it also brings great inconvenience to the people."
Klein knew very well that without a reference, the Loen Kingdom had not yet developed a civil service examination system. The party governing form was still in its infancy. Therefore, after an electoral victory, many so-called administrative positions would also be given to party members and supporters as rewards. Hmm, Emperor Roselle actually didn't invent this system in Intis? It's totally unlike him... Could it be that he shifted his focus to other things in his later years?
"The Hanged Man" Alger chuckled and interjected upon hearing this:
"They think? Their perception is really slow. Maybe it takes them a whole year to feel an itch after being bitten by a black mosquito."
The black mosquito was a creature native to the south of the Loen Kingdom, known for its extremely strong venom that made people want to tear their skin off.
Audrey covered her mouth with her hand, ignored "The Hanged Man's" mockery, and threw out the core of the information she had just received:
"Unfortunately, they can't find a good way to replace this system for now."
Klein listened quietly, feeling the topic had entered a field he was good at. He smiled slightly and said:
"This is a simple problem."
The Great Glutton Empire and the Rotten Country that studies it had very successful and advanced experience.
"Simple?" Audrey asked, slightly surprised.
Although her tutoring courses didn't cover politics, she often listened in on discussions between her father, brother and others, giving her a decent understanding of similar matters.
Klein felt as if he had returned to his old forum days. He smiled calmly and said:
"Exams. Just like university entrance exams. Hold a public examination open to everyone. It can be divided into two rounds, or three, to select elites in the most objective way."
"But..." Audrey vaguely knew what kind of opposition this would provoke.
Without giving her a chance to organize her words, Klein continued:
"Afterwards, use these elites to fill the administrative positions in the cabinet, county governments, city governments, and towns. Mn, that is, the positions that do the actual work, like the Senior Secretary of the Cabinet."
"Depending on the different requirements of different positions, separate and differentiated assessments can be conducted in the second or third round. Professional matters should be left to professionals."
"As for political positions like Ministers, County Lords, and Mayors, they are left to the party that wins the election. This is the piece of cake they deserve."
Alger, who had lacked interest in this topic, unconsciously tilted his head and listened seriously. Audrey frowned slightly, lost in thought.
"Don't be in a hurry to replace everyone at once. The cabinet and governments at all levels will be paralyzed. Hold the exam once a year or once every three years, and replace people gradually. Afterwards, depending on the kingdom's expansion and the vacancies caused by resignations and retirements of government employees, plan the number of candidates systematically." Klein fully utilized his characteristics as a keyboard politician. Finally, he spread his hands and said, "This design can maximize the integration of the kingdom's insightful elites into the government. Regardless of which party comes to power, or who the ministers are, the administrative officials can maintain the basic and relatively effective operation of the kingdom."
Of course, the side effect was the birth of that undying demon—bureaucracy.
Audrey thought for a while and asked in confusion:
"Does that mean, even if those ministers become curly-haired baboons, it won't have much impact?"
"No." Alger interrupted actively. "I think a curly-haired baboon is a better choice than the current ministers."
He paused and added:
"After all, curly-haired baboons only need to eat, sleep, and mate. They won't come up with stupid ideas, and they won't insist on brainless plans."
*Mr. Hanged Man, it sounds like you have a not-so-good superior...* Klein sat at the head of the table, smiling and shaking his head.
Audrey savored Mr. Fool's description just now. After a long while, she said in amazement:
"It really sounds like it could work..."
"A very simple, yet very effective method!"
She looked at Klein and praised sincerely:
"Mr. Fool, you must be a man of rich life experience and outstanding wisdom!"
...Klein's mouth twitched. He looked at "The Hanged Man" and "Justice", was silent for a few seconds, and then said:
"Let's end today's gathering here."
*If Miss Justice can influence her relatives and push this matter forward, I will guide Benson in advance so he has the opportunity to become a 'civil servant'.* *Come to think of it, Benson is really quite suited for this line of work.* *However, 'Justice' probably won't take the initiative to do this. If she does, when the Hanged Man and I ask which noble suggested it, we would basically be able to guess her true identity.* *Of course, she can take a more roundabout, stealthier approach.*
"As you wish." Audrey and Alger stood up simultaneously.
Klein leaned back in his chair, cut off the connection, and watched the illusory figures of "Justice" and "The Hanged Man" quickly shatter and dissipate.
On the vast gray fog, in the majestic hall that resembled the dwelling of a god, he was suddenly left alone, quietly sitting at the head of the long bronze table.
Klein did not fall directly into the gray fog and leave this place like last time, because as a Beyonder now, he still had enough energy.
The reason he ended the "Tarot Club" meeting early was because he had learned the "Nighthawks'" true attitude towards the Antigonus family notebook. He decided he had to make a show of seriously searching for it, rather than just going to sleep, which would cause Dunn Smith and the others to suspect that he had already done something with it at home.