The Eldest Daughter Is Beautiful and Saucy
Chapter 966: Reciprocate with a high position
Chapter 966: Reward with a High Position
Seeing the army marching slowly like a long dragon, going farther and farther away, Shen Qingzhu stepped forward with the reins, and whispered to Bai Qing: “Miss, go back! We have to go to the Imperial College at 9 o’clock.”
Bai Qingyan nodded, grabbed the reins, and turned the horse’s head: “Go back!”
“Miss, I got the news… Last night some students from the Imperial College went to invite Mr. Guan Yongchong.” Shen Qingzhu followed Bai Qingyan on horseback and whispered to her.
Bai Qingyan lowered his eyes, pursed his lips and said nothing, his hands quietly gripping the reins.
She naturally knew why these students went to ask her mentor for help, but Bai Qingyan believed… her mentor could understand her intention of allowing women to enter school, take the imperial examinations and become officials.
Her mentor had defended her in front of so many students outside Wude Gate and called her the pride of his life, so she believed that her mentor would understand her intention of doing so.
After all, if women were allowed to study, take the imperial examinations, and serve as officials, then… the entire Zhou Dynasty would have half more talented people to choose from.
There is no distinction between superiority and inferiority based on gender, no distinction between high and low based on sex, everyone is equal… If everyone contributes to the country and the people with his or her own strengths, this country will become several times stronger.
“Nothing, go back and let Wei Zhong prepare to leave for the Imperial College.” Bai Qingyan said.
·
The chief academic officer and the dean of the Imperial College, along with all the people in the college, stood in front of the gate of the Imperial College early in the morning to welcome the empress.
The morning sun was just rising, and fine golden rays of light shone through the tall green trees onto the shoulders of the Imperial College students. The students were unaware of it, and stood behind the Imperial College’s chief academic officer and dean, whispering and discussing how they could argue with Bai Qingyan without fear of power.
On the green grass leaves on both sides of the high steps of the Imperial College, there were a few drops of dew that were about to fall off, each shining brightly, as if embedded in a small world, embracing the dazzling morning sun, the double-eaved houses of the Imperial College with dark blue tiles, and the neatly dressed and vigorous students.
Suddenly, someone came on a fast horse to report that the empress was coming on a fast horse and would soon arrive. The chief academic officer of the Imperial College hurriedly held the hand of the dean and took two steps down the stairs. From afar, he saw Bai Qingyan riding a horse coming from the morning light of Dasheng. He quickly lifted the hem of his gown and hurried down to greet her with all the teachers and students of the Imperial College.
The students thought that Bai Qingyan would come today dressed in a dragon robe and dressed as a man… After all, after the Queen of Xiliang ascended the throne, she would wear the Xiliang imperial robe and dress like an emperor to attend court.
They had pondered over the matter over and over again last night, and were preparing to bring it up today, but they did not expect that Bai Qingyan was riding on a horse, not wearing imperial attire, but a plain white outfit, with her raven-feather black hair combed into a high bun with green clouds, and no pearls or jade on her head, only a white jade goose hairpin. From a distance, she was clearly a stunningly beautiful woman, but that beauty and elegance carried with it an extremely heavy, steady and majestic feeling, which made people dare not feel disrespectful or blasphemous towards her because of her beauty.
Bai Qingjue, accompanied by heavily-armored cavalry for protection, came slowly all the way and stopped before a high-ranking official at the Imperial College.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” The elderly chief academician of the Imperial College knelt down first and saluted Bai Qingyan.
No one in the Imperial College dared to take action against Qiao, and they all knelt down and kowtowed.
Bai Qingyan dismounted, bent down and personally helped the elderly Imperial College Priest up: “You are all the future pillars of our Great Zhou, no need to be polite. I know that you have many questions to ask and many opinions to raise. Please go into the Imperial College and take a seat. Today, Bai Qingyan will hand over all government affairs to General Lu, and we will work together in this Imperial College to resolve our grievances. In the future… we will work together to support the Great Zhou.”
A woman in a tight, narrow-sleeved Hu costume bowed to the crowd, speaking in a calm and gentle voice. Standing among the Imperial College students who were wearing long robes and wide belts, with wide sleeves swaying in the wind and holding whisks in their hands, she looked particularly elegant and graceful.
Bai Qingyan did not sugarcoat the situation. She knew that the students of the Imperial College had a lot of resentment, but she did not put on airs or threaten them. She spoke frankly and was willing to spend one day of her life to help these students who had not yet entered officialdom work to vent their grievances. She then put aside their past grudges and work together to build the Great Zhou. Her magnanimity and broad-mindedness truly convinced the students.
Xue Renyi, who once beat the drum to speak up for students all over the country and exposed a cheating case in the imperial examination, became famous because of this incident and was allowed to enter the Imperial College as an exception. Today, he was among the students who wanted to argue with Bai Qingyan, and he once again followed the chief priest and teachers to pay their respects to Bai Qingyan with sincerity.
Bai Qingyan, surrounded by the students of the Imperial College, entered the lecture hall of Naxian Hall.
The chief academic officer of the Imperial College had already ordered people to make preparations. Seats were set up in the Naxian Hall, which was covered with lush trees and shaded by the years. The first and second floors of the usually quiet Naxian Hall were crowded with students of the Imperial College. The few students who had intended to die to advise Bai Qingyan knelt on the seats on the first floor. Even outside the Naxian Hall, there were crowds of people.
Bai Qingyan knelt in the middle of a clear spring, with the sound of gurgling water and the sound of bamboo sticks filled with water hitting stones in his ears. In this hot summer, the cool feeling came over him, as if it could soothe one’s anxious heart.
After sitting down, Bai Qingyan bowed and said, “If you have any dissatisfaction with the new policy, you can tell me today. If it can really benefit the people, Bai Qingyan will reward you with a high position.”
Yisheng Yuan said loudly to Bai Qing: “I dare to say that your majesty… allows women to take the imperial examinations and serve as officials. I am very confused. It is not because of old-fashioned people who look down on women, but since ancient times, men have been in charge of the outside world and women have been in charge of the inside world. If women can take the imperial examinations and serve as officials, who will take care of their husbands and children?”
Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded, then slowly began to speak: “From ancient times to the present… which law has ever stipulated that men should be responsible for the outside world and women should be responsible for the inside world? Which law has ever clearly stated that women should take care of their husbands and children? Women go to school, take the imperial examinations, and become officials… Why do all the students feel so indignant? Bai Qingyan roughly analyzes that there are several reasons…”
“First, as this student said, since ancient times, men have been in charge of the outside world and women have been in charge of the inside world. If women can take the imperial examination and become officials, there will be no one at home to serve the elders and teach the children. What’s worse, men will have to take care of the inside world, which will greatly lower the status of men. Second… the imperial examination is the only way for poor students to enter the officialdom. If women can take the imperial examination and become officials, they will definitely replace some students. After all, there are limited official positions, which will inevitably give scholars in the world more rivals! Third…” Bai Qingyan smiled lightly, “I’m afraid it’s because she is dissatisfied with Bai Qingyan’s ascension to the throne, right?”
“There are many women who brought disaster to a country in history! Daji, Baosi… Which one of them was not a seductress who brought disaster to the country and the people! How can a woman be capable of taking on such a big responsibility?!” When Xue Renyi heard Bai Qingyan mention the throne, he clenched his teeth and stood up with the determination to die.