Chapter 142 Violence for Violence: Whoever has the stronger military prevails. ...

Chapter 142 Violence for Violence

Standing before the Golden Palace once more, Feng Tan felt a mix of emotions.

"In your complaint, you wrote that 'Feng Youming's actions back then were only to ensure that women in the world had access to education, the opportunity to express their aspirations, and the right to be human, so that Emei could rise to the same level as men. How can you accuse him of the crime of shaking the fate of the Great Huang Dynasty?' You should know that since ancient times, women have lived in seclusion, and being a good wife and mother was the proper way. Feng Youming instigated them to be on par with men. Isn't that considered disrupting the court?"

"What Lord Feng says makes sense, but the way to establish a country is still for men to protect the country. Women have never been expected to show their faces in public since ancient times... Hmm... This is a tradition left by our ancestors, and it has always been so... Our Dahuang reveres Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism, how can we allow women to stand in the court?"

"Those who ascend to the heavens and receive the mandate of heaven are not capable of ruling the four seas... The mission and pressure borne by those in high positions are not something that a mere woman can handle. They are prone to acting on impulse and often fail to make the right decisions in court matters."

"You use the idea that men and women are equal to attack the entire court. Even if you win an argument against these mediocre officials, will the entire Dahuang accept it? You want to bring order to the world, but will the world accept you? Is the chaos in Dahuang the way you've attained enlightenment?"

...The memory of the last time in the Golden Palace was still vivid in her mind. The court officials attacked Feng Tan from many aspects, such as women's intelligence, personality, and physical strength. She refuted them one by one, but in the end, the case of the female scourge still failed to be overturned.

At that time, she did not understand that without power and influence, no matter how right you are, you are wrong.

The morning sunlight was dazzling as Feng Tan intently gazed upon the base of all government affairs of the Dahuang Dynasty.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony sits atop a towering white marble platform, which, resembling a coiled dragon, is solid and imposing, bearing the weight of the entire palace's majesty. Surrounding the platform are exquisite stone balustrades, adorned with lifelike dragons, phoenixes, and cloud patterns; every detail showcases the unparalleled skill of ancient artisans. The dragons and phoenixes, with their claws outstretched, seem poised to take flight; the swirling cloud patterns seem to whisper tales of the mysteries of the celestial realm.

The palace roof is covered with golden glazed tiles, which shimmer brilliantly in the sunlight, resembling a golden ocean. The glazed tiles are layered and staggered, and the eaves and brackets are like a roc spreading its wings, exuding a majestic aura. The mythical beasts on the roof ridge are arranged neatly, each with a different posture, including a majestic lion, a soaring xiezhi, and a gentle and adorable suanni.

The palace gates were tall and heavy, their bright vermilion lacquer dazzling, inlaid with neatly arranged golden door studs like stars in the night sky. The bronze rings on the gates were enormous, carved with exquisite patterns.

Feng Tan ascended the stone steps and slowly entered the hall. In the center of the hall, a royal path, adorned with a coiled golden dragon, led directly to the dragon throne. The path was paved with white marble, smooth as a mirror, and its sides were carved with exquisite cloud and dragon patterns. The dragons' bodies meandered and twisted, shrouded in mist, as if the golden dragons were weaving through the clouds. The dragon throne, placed on a high platform at the end of the path, was made of the finest rosewood, its entire surface carved with intricate dragon patterns. A bright yellow brocade cushion, embroidered with golden dragon motifs, covered the throne, showcasing the supreme nobility of the imperial family. Behind the throne was a massive landscape screen, the mountains and water complementing each other, creating a magnificent and imposing scene, symbolizing the eternal stability of the empire.

On both sides of the hall, the officials were already lined up. When Feng Tan left the capital, she had already been stripped of her official position, and there was no longer a place for her among the court officials.

There was still some time before the court session began, so the officials were still whispering among themselves. Today was the grand court assembly, and Feng Tan's former colleagues from the Six Ministries were also in court. However, fearing trouble, several of them kept their distance from her.

In the years since Feng Tan left, Zheng Qingru has maintained his official position and continues to serve in the Dali Temple. At a time when everyone is watching closely and anyone who speaks to Feng Tan will get into trouble, he walks up to Feng Tan without fear of the surprised looks of the officials, bows and says, "Yongle, how have you been?"

Feng Tan looked at Zheng Qingru, who still maintained his reserved and aloof demeanor, and teased, "Being so close to me at this time is not a good thing."

“It’s alright…” Zheng Qingru naturally understood this as well. The light made his face half-lit and half-shadowed, and he lowered his voice very low. “I heard… you are pregnant with his child.”

Feng Tan raised an eyebrow. They were all genuinely concerned about the nonexistent posthumous child in her womb. Just as she was about to reply, Sheng Honghai's voice boomed over, "His Majesty has arrived!"

Today's court assembly is grand. Emperor Chongming is dressed in his imperial robes, displaying his majesty. He wears a crown with twelve tassels hanging down from the front and back of the crown, each tassel adorned with twelve colorful jade beads. With the emperor's slightest movement, the jade beads collide with each other, producing a crisp sound.

All the officials knelt down in response, but Feng Tan remained upright and unmoved, his posture as straight as bamboo.

Emperor Chongming sat on the dragon throne, his gaze landing precisely on Feng Tan. Compared to their first meeting eight years later, she had lost a lot of weight. A pang of sorrow gripped Emperor Chongming's heart, and his gaze gradually shifted to her lower abdomen, his eyes growing increasingly dark.

The atmosphere in the imperial court was so heavy it seemed as if water could drip from it. Emperor Chongming withdrew his gaze from Feng Tan and said in a low voice, "Feng Tan, our Great Huang is a land of propriety. Since the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Jianming, we have established a rule that women are not allowed to interfere in politics. This is the law of our ancestors, how can you arbitrarily change it?"

The same rebuttal rang out again, and the curve of Feng Tan's lips was sarcastic.

Since Emperor Chongming had spoken, the court officials naturally did not want to be left behind.

A series of sounds, like thunderclaps, resounded throughout the hall.

Minister of Rites Gong Yibin spoke first: "It is a great treason for women to participate in politics! Our Great Huang takes Confucianism as the foundation of governance, and men and women are distinct, each with their own duties. Women should be virtuous in their chastity and gentle in their obedience, and stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children. This is their proper role. If women are allowed to participate in politics, it will disrupt the order of the world and corrupt human ethics."

One voice after another echoed in the court: "If women hold power, they will surely mislead the country and its people due to their emotions. They will be swayed by family ties and love, and will be unable to handle state affairs impartially and selflessly. At that time, nepotism will run rampant in the court, corruption will flourish, and our Great Huang's country will surely be destroyed!"

Hang Yuanting, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of War, had a past conflict with Feng Tan and spoke very bluntly, "Yes, yes, Lord Feng... Feng Tan, it is a great act of treason for a woman to hold power. As a member of the Dahuang royal family, you should uphold the foundation of the Dahuang Dynasty that has stood for hundreds of years. Do not give advice in the court; you should return to the inner palace!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a powerful gaze descend upon him. He looked up and met the gaze of Emperor Chongming.

Hang Yuanting broke out in a cold sweat. Had he said something wrong?

The officials stepped forward one after another to refute her, but Feng Tan did not refute them as she had done in the Golden Hall last time. Their opposition to women in power remained unchanged, and she no longer bothered to refute them.

When the officials fell silent, Feng Tan remained unmoved. Today she was dressed in a light blue casual dress, which reminded them of when she first entered the capital and struck the Dengwen Drum. The young official was tall and upright, like a bamboo shoot breaking through the soil and pointing straight to the sky.

Feng Tan remained silent, so an official asked, "In conclusion, no one agrees to reform the imperial examination system or the legal system... Hey, what are you laughing at?"

Feng Tan's expression remained unchanged, but his voice rose, clear and resonant, "I'm defying this world!"

She glanced around at the court officials, then raised her eyes to meet Emperor Chongming's gaze. "On the 21st day of the third month of the eighth year of Chongming, Gao Yu was ordered to interrogate the hundreds of women arrested in the Women's Calamity Case. Among them, 521 confessed that Feng Youming's claim of women's rights was a pretense, and his true intention was to seize the throne. However, the confession submitted by Gao Yu was a fabrication. The claim that Feng Youming plotted to usurp the throne is unfounded. Furthermore, 521 women suffered cruel torture at the hands of corrupt officials and died unjustly. Moreover, Feng Youming's actions back then were only to ensure that women throughout the land had access to education, the right to express their aspirations, and the right to be human, so that Emei could rise above their circumstances. How can he be accused of threatening the fate of the Great Huang Dynasty? The dead cannot clear their names, and the living cannot litigate their case. Are both heavenly justice and national law still upheld? When the Great Huang Dynasty's heavenly way is lost and humanity is destroyed, great chaos will ensue."

As if time had turned back once again, Feng Tan once again overturned the case of the female culprit, but unlike the last time, her tone was calm and resolute this time.

Emperor Chongming's eyes narrowed, and then he heard Feng Tan say in a firm and powerful voice: "Your Majesty, I have three requests: First, Feng is innocent and all those involved in the female calamity case are innocent. Please give them justice. Second, reform the imperial examination system so that women can also enter the court as officials. Third, I want to enter the Ministry of Rites as a Left Vice Minister."

Looking at Feng Tan standing in the light, and listening to her three demands, King Jing found everything he had expected. Her initial purpose in coming to the capital was to rescue Feng Youming and overturn the verdict in the case of the woman who caused the disaster. Now that she had returned with the three armies, overturning the verdict was a foregone conclusion. As for the second point, it went without saying.

However, the official position she sought after joining the Ministry of Rites was quite interesting. The position of Minister would oversee all departments within the Ministry of Rites, responsible for formulating and implementing national ritual systems, such as major ritual activities like sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, ancestral temples, and the altars of the land and grain; managing the imperial examinations to ensure the fairness and standardization of talent selection; and managing diplomatic affairs, receiving foreign envoys, and formulating diplomatic etiquette... The tasks involved were too numerous, lacking specificity and refinement.

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a third-rank official, was responsible for assisting the Minister of Rites in handling the affairs of the Ministry of Rites. His focus was on rituals, sacrifices, schools, and the imperial examinations, which aligned with Feng Tan's purpose.

The first hurdle in allowing women to serve as officials in the court was ensuring their names were on the list of successful candidates. If they couldn't even pass the exams, wouldn't everything end before it even began?

Her request caused an uproar in the imperial palace.

"How can an official position be given to you so easily?!"

"You keep claiming to be seeking justice, but is it fair for you to arbitrarily demand an official position?"

"The position of Left Vice Minister is a third-rank official. How could one reach this position without decades of experience!"

"......"

"......"

Golden threads pierced through the windows, and Feng Tan stood in the golden light. His straight, bamboo-like figure moved slightly, and as he raised his arm, the muzzle of his pistol pointed upwards, piercing the roof of the Golden Palace with a loud "bang."

Glazed tiles fell from the roof beams along with debris. After the gunshot, the entire court was silent; you could hear a pin drop.

The officials were horrified. This man had gone to Dahua, but his ambition had not diminished in the slightest. He was still as arrogant as ever!

A strange noise came from inside the hall. Wei Shengxian led a team of Imperial Guards into the hall. Their black boots clattered, causing the marble floor to tremble slightly. They drew their embroidered spring knives and stared at Feng Tan menacingly.

Wei Shengxian and Emperor Chongming's eyes met in mid-air. He understood and led his men to slowly retreat to the side.

Feng Tan met the angry gazes of the court officials and said in a calm and deep voice, "I have said that I am not here to discuss anything with you today, but to give you an announcement."

As for the basis of this argument, whoever has the stronger military power is the one who holds the truth.

Since the founding of the Great Huang Dynasty, nothing so outrageous has ever happened in the Golden Palace. If she succeeds, the history books will surely make people laugh their heads off.

They've become such a pathetic coward; all talk of being remembered in history and achieving lasting fame will be utter bullshit!

But is there any way to resist? No.

The gun in her hand is the ultimate weapon! Faced with such mechanical equipment, all rebuttals are powerless and pale.

The courtiers fell silent. Emperor Chongming rose from his dragon throne and slowly walked toward Feng Tan.

When Emperor Chongming descended from the high platform, the dragon patterns embroidered in gold thread on his dragon robe appeared even more lifelike under the light, as if they were alive. The coiled dragon was perched on his chest, its head held high, its eyes wide open, and its whiskers flowing, as if it were about to soar into the sky at any moment. The dragon moved through his sleeves, its body agile and its claws sharp, as if it were frolicking and tumbling in a sea of ​​clouds, demonstrating imperial power and strength.

Feng Tan's gaze shifted from the dragon robe to Emperor Chongming's face. Only when she got closer did she realize that he had aged considerably in recent years, with many fine lines around his eyes and a few strands of white hair at his temples, but his majesty remained unchanged.

She looked at Emperor Chongming, and Emperor Chongming looked at her.

Emperor Chongming looked at his daughter, who already understood that only by grasping power could she have a voice in the officialdom. His expression remained cold and stern as he said, "Steel that has been tempered too hard is easily broken, and rice that has been brewed for too long is easily spoiled. The crooked will become whole, and the bent will become straight... Yongle, you want too much."

His daughter has a sharp, steely personality. She never knew before that being too rigid could lead to breaking, and she still doesn't know now.

"Breaking the gong while performing an old play..." Feng Tan raised her eyelashes to look at him, retorting sarcastically, "I'm tired of hearing the same old clichés. I just want to ask Your Majesty one question: should you agree or not?"

Ji Guang, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, rebuked him, "How dare you! Are you forcing your sovereign father?!"

Feng Tan's gaze remained unwavering as she met Emperor Chongming's eyes. It was less a gaze and more a standoff.

After a long while, Emperor Chongming turned to face the sunlight streaming through the window and said, "As you say."

As Feng Tan watched him ascend the throne once more, he added, "Finally, I want to join the cabinet."

Yang Yichuan, a cabinet member and vice minister of the Ministry of Rites, shouted, "Don't push your luck!"

The cabinet's functions resembled a sophisticated power network, playing a crucial role in central decision-making, administrative affairs, and checks and balances. It provided strong support to the emperor, while also restraining imperial power to a certain extent, and collaborated with other administrative bodies to ensure the smooth operation of Ming Dynasty politics.

The selection of cabinet members has always been extremely cautious. Feng Tan understood that many decisions in the future would require the approval of the cabinet, so having no one in the cabinet would be very detrimental to the situation. Since there was no suitable person available, it would be better to let her enter the central government.

Feng Tan calmly said, "I'm going to push my luck."

Grand Secretary Zheng Guanhe watched as Feng Tan manipulated the political winds of the court, as if he could see the image of Grand Tutor Feng resoundingly offering advice in court back then. His teacher had no sons, but his daughters and grandsons all became great figures.

"Grand Secretary!"

"Your Excellency, you're confused!"

The majority of voices in the court disagreed, but Zheng Guanhe remained unmoved. He bowed deeply to Emperor Chongming and said, "I believe that Lord Feng has a rich official career and is a rare talent. He should be promoted to the cabinet at the discretion of the court!"

Zheng Qingru looked at his grandfather's back, his mind racing. Was his grandfather saying this because of Feng Tan's abilities or because she was the only bloodline left in the world by Grand Tutor Feng?

After a long silence, Emperor Chongming looked at Zheng Guanhe and said, "Granted."

......

After the court session ended, the officials emerged from the palace in twos and threes. Still afraid of being associated with Feng Tan, they kept their distance from her.

Suddenly, someone patted Feng Tan on the shoulder like a good buddy. She turned her head and looked at him, saying, "Jin An."

Jin An exclaimed sincerely, "So handsome, Brother Tan!"

For the first time since the founding of the Great Huang Dynasty, all the civil and military officials have been bullied by a woman!

As they walked out of the Meridian Gate and onto the official road ahead, they saw Zheng Qingru standing in front of them, looking back. When he spoke, his voice was clean and cold, as refreshing as mint, "Yongle, congratulations."

Under the sunlight, the young official's robe was clean, with a crane embroidered in gold thread on it poised to take flight. He stood straight in the palace path, his black hair tied up with a jade crown, a few strands falling beside his neck, adding to his aloof and proud demeanor.

Feng Tan looked at Zheng Qingru. His current appearance was exactly the same as the light and shadow outlined by the azure light presented in the system. In the system's preset, Feng Bingzhu, Yu Ruxi, Yulongying, Zheng Qingru, Jin An... they were all women's rights fighters.

And then there's... Xiao Yinshi, who has already been untied.

She didn't agree with the system's decision to include Xiao Yinshi in this camp at the time, but now it seems that the system was like destiny, and Xiao Yinshi's army did Feng Tan a great favor.

"We will never be separated again."

Thinking of that man's last words before he died, Feng Tan suddenly shivered.

Zheng Qingru stopped in front of Feng Tan and saw her looking at him as he suddenly fell into thought. He gently pulled her back to reality, "Yongle."