Chapter 281 The Female Top Scholar

Tu Qing continued, “In my humble opinion, revising the laws alone is far from enough; we also need to revise the rites at the same time. We should re-annotate classics such as the Book of Rites and the Book of Etiquette, emphasizing the ideas of ‘husband and wife being of equal importance and harmony within the family leads to good governance,’ and criticizing the extreme interpretations of ‘the husband is the head of the wife’ in later generations. We should make it clear to the world that the sages never regarded women as appendages of men.”

"At the same time, when compiling new 'Instructions for Women' and 'Rules for Women,' the core of which was changed from 'obedience' to 'independence, talent, responsibility, and patriotism,' the achievements of women such as Nuwa, Fu Hao, and Emperor Shengwu Zhaolie were vigorously promoted, and they were established as new models of 'female virtue,' so that women would know that in addition to being good wives and mothers, they could also make contributions and serve the country."

“The old rules have been in place for a hundred years. Men are used to their inherent privileges, while women are confined to their boudoirs and unaware of the vastness of the outside world. A sudden change will inevitably cause some people to resist.”

"However, the 'abnormality' is not due to the law, but to the deep-rooted prejudice. If we can first educate people with rites and laws, so that they truly understand that equality is not about women 'seizing power,' but about men and women 'sharing prosperity.' Men will no longer have to bear the burden of supporting their families and governing the country alone, and women can also use their talents to contribute to the nation. Then the abuses of the new law can be turned into benefits, and the world can truly be at peace."

"Absurd!" Before Tu Qing could finish speaking, an old minister slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "How can the sacred teachings of ages be changed in a single day? You dare to advocate for the alteration of the classics; this is utterly treasonous!"

Tu Qing, however, remained neither humble nor arrogant: "Sir, have you ever read the 'Marriage' chapter of the Book of Rites? 'Husband and wife should be of equal status, of equal rank, and share sacrifices.' This is the original intention of the sages. Later generations' misinterpretation of the classics is the real violation of the sacred teachings!"

The old minister immediately blushed and didn't know how to refute.

Seeing this, another minister quickly stood up and retorted: "Women are inherently weak and need men's protection to live in peace. If women all go out into the world, how can they protect themselves, let alone safeguard the country?"

Tu Qing turned around and looked directly at the other person, "Sir, don't you have a mother?"

The minister was stunned for a moment, then blushed furiously: "What...what do you mean by this?!"

“According to what you say, women are inherently weak and need men to protect them,” Tu Qing said calmly. “Then wasn’t the one who gave birth to you, raised you, and protected you when you were little the ‘weak woman’ you’re talking about?”

The minister was speechless for a moment.

Tu Qing pressed his advantage, "Besides, if I remember correctly, it was the female warriors of the Imperial Guard who turned the tide and quelled the rebellion during this palace coup. Weren't these 'weak women' the ones who saved the Great Qi from disaster?"

"Does Your Excellency know that men defend the country on the front lines, while women farm, weave, and raise children in the rear? Without the hard work of these women, the soldiers guarding the passes would have starved to death long ago, let alone protect the country?"

"The benefit of the new law lies not in breaking down the old and establishing the new, but in adapting to the times." Tu Qing changed the subject and went straight to the core of the problem, "Since you need women to shoulder responsibilities and rely on women to maintain the foundation of the country, you can no longer treat them as 'vassals' and deprive them of their rights!"

Her voice suddenly rose, "How can the world make such a sense as to expect them to give and obey at the same time?"

These words were so powerful that they left those who opposed them speechless. Even the old ministers who had initially looked down on them lowered their heads and fell into deep thought.

Li Yuanzhao sat on the dragon throne, looking at the officials in the hall, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

"Well said."

Tu Qing, just as Liu Jinzhang had said, was indeed a capable and indispensable minister.

What she wanted was precisely such a thoroughly enjoyable debate.

This left these conservative ministers, no matter how dissatisfied they were, with no grounds for rebuttal.

Li Yuanzhao asked gently, "My dear ministers, is there anyone else who wishes to argue with her?"

The ministers looked at each other, but none of them dared to step forward.

Li Yuanzhao: "In that case, I hereby announce that the top scholar in this imperial examination is..."

Just when everyone thought the controversy surrounding the palace examination was about to be settled, the old minister surnamed Wei suddenly stood up from the court and abruptly interrupted Li Yuanzhao: "Your Majesty! I have something to say!"

"If a woman were to win first place in the examination in her first year, what would the millions of male scholars across the land think? They would surely feel that Your Majesty is showing favoritism because she is a woman! If this were to cause a rebellion and shake the foundations of the nation, who would bear the consequences? I urge Your Majesty to think this over carefully!"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at him.

This statement is utterly absurd and carries a blatant threat. It uses the threat of a "male student mutiny" to pressure His Majesty into changing the results of the imperial examination, all for the sake of men's "face."

Even Su Qingci was so angry that her face turned pale and she clenched her fists.

The smile on Li Yuanzhao's face froze instantly.

She had just ascended the throne and was still young, so the ministers in the court always wanted to test her limits from time to time.

But they forgot that Li Yuanzhao was neither the easily swayed Li Yuanyou, nor the one who rose to power through the help of others.

She killed countless people and climbed to this position through two bloody palace coups.

It's time to teach these arrogant people a lesson.

She glanced at Du Cong.

Du Cong has been promoted by her to the position of Imperial Censor, in charge of supervising all officials, and he holds considerable leverage over many ministers.

Even without a handle, one can create a perfectly suitable one.

Du Cong immediately understood and stepped forward, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

He took out a stack of files from his sleeve and held them high. "Your Majesty, I have already investigated and found that Lord Wei had been in close contact with Zheng Wenkai, who was plotting a rebellion. He not only met with Zheng Wenkai in private on several occasions, but also passed on messages from the palace to him! I have letters between Lord Wei and Zheng Wenkai as evidence. I fear that he is suspected of colluding with the enemy. I beg Your Majesty not to tolerate this!"

"What?!" Lord Wei's expression changed drastically. "Your Majesty, please investigate! I am innocent! Lord Du is slandering me!"

"Whether he's innocent or not, an investigation will tell." Li Yuanzhao's voice was icy. "Guards! Remove Wei Mingda from his post and take him to the imperial prison to await trial!"

As the imperial guards drew near, Wei Mingda finally broke down, repeatedly kowtowing: "Your Majesty! I know I was wrong! I shouldn't have spoken out about state affairs! I beg Your Majesty for mercy!"

However, it was too late.

The imperial guards grabbed him from both sides and dragged him out of the hall without any mercy.

The ministers in the hall trembled with fear, and none of them dared to voice any further objections.

They then realized that His Majesty's apparent tolerance was merely a prelude to waiting for an opportunity to establish his authority.

Her choice to act at the crucial moment of the imperial examination results announcement was clearly intended to use Wei Mingda's blood to send a warning to all of them.

Many people secretly rejoiced that they hadn't stood up to openly oppose it.

Li Yuanzhao surveyed the assembled officials and ministers, "In the selection of officials in the Great Qi Dynasty, only talent and virtue are considered, regardless of gender! If anyone dares to question my decisions on this basis in the future, then Lord Wei will suffer the same fate!"

"Your Majesty, we obey!" All the officials knelt down.

Li Yuanzhao turned his gaze back to Tu Qing below the steps, "Tu Qing, the top scholar of this imperial examination, is hereby granted the title of Jinshi and appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, to be in charge of revising rites and laws from this day forward. The other candidates will be appointed to official positions according to their scores!"

The crowd kowtowed again and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise!"

The first imperial examination of the new dynasty produced eighty Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), more than thirty of whom were women. Nearly half of them remained in the capital region and were assigned to the Six Ministries.

This is the first time in thousands of years that a woman has stood on equal footing with a man in the imperial court.

For a time, undercurrents were swirling in the imperial court.

The old rivalry between civil and military officials has not yet been resolved, and now there is a new rivalry between male and female officials.

Male officials often looked down on female officials and were unwilling to cooperate with them when things happened.

The female officials, on the other hand, were eager to prove themselves and competed to be the first in everything, leading to constant friction between the two sides.

Li Yuanzhao, however, remained aloof and allowed the old and new forces to check and balance each other in the court.