bayedsolid Chapter 981 The Third-Rank Female Scholar Goes to Pingzhou to Help Bai Lu with Business
Chapter 981 The Third-Rank Female Scholar Goes to Pingzhou to Help Bai Lu with Business
"My dear minister, you may rise and take a seat." The emperor turned around, a gentle smile on his face. "I knew you would come to see me alone."
After thanking the Emperor, the Duke of Anguo took his seat and got straight to the point, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. My son, Gu Liang, was fortunate to have the Emperor's trust in him during his trip to Pingzhou and did not fail in his mission. I have come here today to ask you for a favor."
The emperor returned to his desk and sat down, looking at him with interest: "Oh? My dear minister, please speak freely. Gu Liang has rendered such a great service to the country. As long as your request is not excessive, I will grant it."
Duke Anguo took a deep breath, rose from his seat, and bowed solemnly: "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you grant me permission to formally establish my son, Gu Liang, as the heir apparent of the Duke Anguo's mansion!"
Upon hearing this, the air in the imperial study seemed to freeze slightly.
The emperor looked at him, his gaze deepening: "Establishing a crown prince... My dear minister, I remember that Gu Liang is your only son, and the position of crown prince will be his sooner or later. Why did you not request the appointment earlier, or later, but only today?"
Duke Anguo raised his head, his expression earnest, his eyes reflecting the complex emotions of a father: "Your Majesty, it is precisely because Gu Liang is my only son that I am exceptionally strict with him."
He paused, then continued, “This child… has not grown up by my side since childhood, and has been wandering outside for many years. I wonder if he has picked up some rural habits… Moreover, I have been away fighting for many years and have neglected to discipline him. I always feel that he is unsettled and unable to shoulder great responsibilities.”
"Therefore, I have hesitated to submit a memorial requesting the appointment of the heir apparent, fearing that he is unworthy of the position and would disgrace the glory of our ancestors."
His tone then shifted to one of satisfaction and pride: "But through this incident in Pingzhou, I have witnessed his growth. He is no longer that mischievous young man."
"He is strategic, responsible, and has the courage to venture into the lion's den!"
"He proved himself, and did not disappoint my expectations, nor did he betray Your Majesty's trust!"
"In my opinion, he is now fully capable of shouldering this responsibility."
"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to bestow this title upon him upon his triumphant return."
"This is both a recognition of his achievements and a way to help him settle his mind, clarify his responsibilities, and better serve His Majesty and our Great Wu in the future!"
These words were spoken with true feelings.
The emperor listened quietly, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
He understood, of course, that Duke Anguo's actions today stemmed from the eagerness of an old father to give his son the greatest affirmation after seeing him finally succeed.
"Hahaha! Good! Excellent!" The Emperor laughed heartily, stood up, and personally helped the Duke of Anguo to his feet. "It is a great blessing for our Great Wu that you have raised such a prodigy! I fully understand your fatherly heart!"
He patted Duke Anguo's arm forcefully, his eyes full of admiration: "Don't worry! Gu Liang is not only your pride, but also the pride of our Great Wu!"
"When he returns, I will not only reward him handsomely for his merits in Pingzhou in front of all the civil and military officials, but I will also personally issue an edict to establish him as the heir apparent of the Duke of Anguo!"
"I want the whole world to see that the noble sons of my Great Wu are not just idle playboys who only know how to play with birdcages!"
"They can also infiltrate enemy territory and serve their country! Gu Liang is their role model!"
"I... thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"
The Duke of Anguo knelt on one knee, his voice choked with emotion. What he sought was not merely a title, but the emperor's highest form of recognition for his son. This promise from the monarch brought him, the old father, more comfort than any reward.
At this moment, the ruler and his subject reached an agreement.
Gu Liang, who was about to embark on his journey home, was unaware that in the capital, his father and the emperor had already paved a golden road for him.
---
With the agreement reached between the emperor and his subject, Duke Anguo left the imperial study satisfied.
The emperor watched the old general's slightly excited figure as he walked away, his smile gradually turning into deep contemplation.
He walked back to the huge map of mountains and rivers, but his gaze was no longer on the northern border. Instead, it fell on the vast territory of the Great Wu Dynasty.
The emergence of potato starch solved the fundamental problem of food supply.
The success of Shang's campaign opened up new avenues for counterbalancing foreign enemies.
Both of these earth-shattering events were accomplished by a woman named Bailu.
The emperor was filled with mixed emotions. The world has never lacked talented women; what it lacks is a stage for them to display their talents.
He recalled another matter. A national policy that also caused a great uproar in the court, even more controversial than the Shang Dynasty's controversies: the establishment of the imperial examination system for women.
This proposal was met with fierce opposition from the Ministry of Rites and a group of conservative ministers, who cited classical texts and denounced it as violating ancestral rules and undermining the foundation of the nation. Fortunately, the White Dew solar term arrived, and he used this opportunity to launch the imperial examinations for women.
However… now that some outstanding women have been selected through the imperial examinations, there is a problem with how to appoint them to positions. These officials simply do not want these young girls to serve.
However, at the moment when the resistance was greatest, Marquis Bai Lu of Anguo, who was far away, submitted a memorial.
In her memorial, Bai Lu did not engage in lengthy arguments against traditional ethical principles. Instead, using the Qingzhou plague as an example, she detailed the irreplaceable role played by female physicians and stewards in comforting women and children, organizing production, and restoring order. She used the most detailed data and cases to prove that women could not only manage their families but also govern affairs and even bring peace to the world.
Most importantly, she wrote at the end of her memorial: "Employing women is not to divide the power of men, but to increase the country's pool of talent. The talents of the world are like jade hidden in the mountains, inexhaustible, so why should they be divided by gender?"
It was this memorial from the legendary duchess, and her unparalleled popularity among the people, that provided the emperor with the strongest support.
Ultimately, despite immense pressure, the imperial examination system was implemented for women, and they were able to hold official positions.
Now, the first women's imperial examination has come to a successful conclusion, and three outstanding women are awaiting their appointments.
"Guards!" the emperor commanded in a deep voice.
The chief eunuch immediately bowed and stepped forward: "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"By imperial decree, summon the newly appointed top scholar Lin Wanzhi, second-place scholar Xie Yunshu, and third-place scholar Su Mingyue to the side hall for an audience."
"According to the order."
---
Not long after, in a side hall of the Golden Palace, three women dressed in brand-new official robes, with nervous yet excited hearts, knelt and bowed to the emperor.
They were the three top scholars who stood out from thousands of candidates in this women's imperial examination.
"Rise, all of you," the emperor said, his voice gentle yet authoritative.
The three men rose, bowed their heads, and awaited the emperor's judgment.
The emperor's gaze first fell on the woman at the front.
She was none other than Lin Wanzhi, the top scholar in the imperial examination. In her thirties, she exuded a calm and capable air. During the palace examination, her essay on county and township agriculture and water conservancy policies was so insightful that even the Minister of Revenue admitted his inferiority.
"Lin Wanzhi," the emperor said, "I hereby appoint you as the magistrate of Qingyang County in Jiangnan. Take up your post immediately."
"Boom!" Upon hearing this, Lin Wanzhi was struck dumb, as if by lightning.
She originally thought that women serving as officials would at most be writing books and compiling history in prestigious civil service institutions such as the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Academy, but she never expected that the emperor would directly grant her the real power of being the head of a county!
The emperor said gently, “What I value is your talent, not your gender.”
"Although Qingyang County is small, it has all the essential functions. Taxation, public security, and education are all challenges. I will give you three years to see a different Qingyang County!"
"Your subject... Lin Wanzhi, accepts the imperial decree and expresses my gratitude! I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's trust!" Lin Wanzhi bowed deeply, her eyes already brimming with tears.
She knew that she carried not only the future of a county, but also the hope of all educated women in the world.
Then, the emperor looked at Xie Yunshu, the second-place scholar.
She was the youngest, with delicate features and a strong scholarly air about her.
"Xie Yunshu," the emperor said, "you are learned and have outstanding literary talent. I hereby appoint you to the Hanlin Academy as a sixth-rank compiler to participate in the compilation of the 'Comprehensive History of the Great Wu Dynasty'."
This appointment was within Xie Yunshu's expectations. Although she wasn't as shocked as Lin Wanzhi, she was equally excited. The Hanlin Academy was the sacred place for scholars throughout the land, and to be admitted there was an unparalleled honor and prestige.
"Your subject, Xie Yunshu, accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."
Finally, the emperor's gaze settled on Su Mingyue, the third-ranked scholar.
Su Mingyue is beautiful and has a lively temperament, but unlike the other two, her policy essays do not focus on agricultural policy or literature and history. Instead, she has a high talent and unique insights into commerce, law and mathematics.
The emperor smiled slightly and said, "Su Mingyue, I have a special task for you."
Su Mingyue's heart tightened, and she quickly said, "Please give your orders, Your Majesty."
"You have a good understanding of commercial law and mathematics, which suits my purposes perfectly." The emperor stood up, walked to the map, and pointed to the location of Pingzhou. "Gu Liang, the heir of the Duke of Anguo, cooperated with Bailu in Pingzhou to carry out the strategy of attacking the Shang, and achieved great success."
"The subsequent complex matters such as sorting out trade routes, settling accounts, and establishing a chamber of commerce... will probably take a long time, but he still needs to return to the capital to inherit the position of heir apparent."
"Since he is about to return to the capital to receive his reward, I need a shrewd, capable, and trustworthy person to take over his follow-up work."
The emperor turned around and looked intently at Su Mingyue: "You are the one I have chosen."
"I hereby order you to depart immediately for Pingzhou. Your mission is to assist Bailu."
"Do you have confidence?"
Su Mingyue's heart pounded.
White Dew! She's the idol of every woman in the world!
What an opportunity and honor it would be to work by her side and assist her in completing that earth-shattering business plan!
Without the slightest hesitation, she answered in a clear and resounding voice, "Your Majesty! I am confident!"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to set off immediately for Pingzhou, and I will certainly not fail Your Majesty and Lady Bai's expectations!"
"Good!" The emperor nodded in satisfaction. "On your way to Pingzhou, you can discuss everything with Bailu."
"You have accomplished a great service!"
The three newly appointed female officials withdrew from the side hall.
Meanwhile, Bai Lu, far away in Pingzhou, is about to welcome a capable and outstanding assistant.
---
The next morning, the morning court session began.
Inside the Golden Palace, civil and military officials stood in order, the atmosphere solemn.
Overnight, a shocking piece of news had already spread throughout the mansions of high-ranking officials in the capital.
His Majesty has actually appointed the newly appointed female champion, Lin Wanzhi, as the magistrate of Qingyang County!
A woman, to be the head of a county, to control the people's livelihood, taxes, and criminal justice in a region!
To many well-read civil officials, this was utterly ridiculous and an absurd act that threatened the very foundation of the nation!
As expected, when the court session was in progress, Liu, an old minister of the Censorate known for his integrity and incorruptibility, stood up first, holding his official tablet.
"Your Majesty!" His voice boomed, his face filled with grief and indignation. "I have a memorial to present! I have heard that Your Majesty issued an edict yesterday, appointing the newly appointed female champion, Lin Wanzhi, as the magistrate of Qingyang County."
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty believes this is absolutely unacceptable!"
As soon as he finished speaking, several officials stepped forward to echo his words.
"I second that opinion! The county magistrate is the local official in charge of the people's livelihood; how can a woman hold that position?"
"When a hen crows at dawn, chaos is about to break out in the world!"
"Your Majesty, there has never been a precedent in ancestral laws for a woman to serve as an official in charge of official seals! This action violates the established moral principles and may incur criticism from scholars throughout the land!"
The Minister of Rites was overcome with emotion, tears streaming down his face. He knelt on the ground, banging his head against the earth, and cried out, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely forbidden! If this precedent is set, ethics will be reversed and moral order will be destroyed!"
"Our Great Wu Dynasty will become a laughingstock for posterity! I implore Your Majesty to reconsider and rescind your decree!"
For a moment, the civil officials in the hall, led by the Ministry of Rites and the Censorate, were indignant and voiced their opposition, as if they would fight to the death if the emperor did not rescind the decree.
On the dragon throne, the emperor's face was ashen as he coldly looked at the group of heartbroken ministers below, without uttering a word.
He had long anticipated this would happen.
Persuading these... officials to give women the opportunity to serve in the court does not mean they are willing to see these women wield real power.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Anguo, the Duke of Liang, General Murong, and others standing in the ranks of military officers kept their eyes down, their expressions calm, as if the storm before them had nothing to do with them.
They were all waiting, waiting for the emperor's attitude.
Once the clamor of opposition in the hall had subsided somewhat, the emperor slowly spoke, his voice cold and devoid of any emotion: "Have you finished speaking?"
Those three simple words carried an oppressive sense of impending doom, instantly silencing the officials who had just been speaking so passionately.
Imperial Censor Liu braced himself and kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, we are all thinking of the country and its people, and we have no selfish motives!"
"For the sake of the country and its people?" The emperor sneered, abruptly standing up from his dragon throne. His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept across the faces of everyone in the hall. "So, for the sake of the country and its people! Then I'd like to ask you all a few questions!"
"Years ago, during the chaos in Liangzhou, who used their own body as bait to rescue the soldiers of Dawu and stabilize our Dawu border defenses?!"
The emperor's voice echoed in the empty hall, resounding with authority.
No one dared to respond.
"It is Marquis Anguo, Bailu!" the emperor answered for them.
"Qingzhou was ravaged by plague, leaving nine out of ten houses empty and corpses strewn across the land. Even the imperial physicians sent by the court were helpless... Who was it that personally entered the plague zone, tried every medicine, risked their own life, and finally developed an antidote, saving millions of lives?!"
The hall remained deathly silent.
"It is Marquis Anguo, Bailu!"