"Emperor's decree—"

"Since ancient times, women have mostly stayed at home, managing domestic affairs, and engaging in sexual intercourse with men to procreate. Now that Daqing is developing rapidly, I believe that the power of women should not be underestimated."

"If General Bai can fight and kill enemies with his own body as a woman, then there are countless women in Daqing who can do the same."

"After careful consideration, Your Majesty and I have decided to establish a girls' school in Daqing. The girls' school will be included in the local government's list of schools. In addition, families that send their daughters of school age to school will be exempt from a 10% tax."

Jiang Yu's imperial edict quickly spread throughout Daqing. The people were not yet enlightened, and many families despised sending their daughters to school. However, when faced with a 10% tax reduction, they couldn't help but be tempted.

In the imperial court.

“Your Majesty, the establishment of a girls’ school is unprecedented in history, and it may cause displeasure among scholars…” an old minister said earnestly. “If a girls’ school is established today, then women will have to take the imperial examination in the future, which is going against the will of the people.”

"Min Qing!"

Gu Qingyan's tone suddenly became more serious. Ever since the truth about his father being harmed by Gu Heng was exposed, and he personally cleared his father's name, his father's husband had been heartbroken for a period of time.

However, after that period of time, Minfu's status as the father's teacher led to him being promoted by the old officials, and there was even a subtle trend of them using him to suppress him.

Thinking of this, a sharp glint flashed in Gu Qingyan's eyes.

He knew that an emperor needed to know the art of balance, and that new and old ministers were indispensable, but when it really came down to it, he was also filled with resentment.

"I'll just ask you one question: Don't your daughters go to school?"

Gu Qingyan's words made Min Fu tremble. Since ancient times, where has there been a daughter of a noble family who did not read and write?

"I ask you again, you raised your daughter to be proficient in all the arts, yet you sent her to the inner quarters. Minister Min, how could you bear it?"

“Your Majesty, this is how etiquette should be…” Min Fu insisted on his point of view, even though Gu Qingyan’s expression had turned extremely bad.

“Mr. Min, things are different now than they used to be.”

As soon as Wei Ruo spoke, Min Fu's expression immediately became more serious. As the head of the new ministers, Wei Ruo had clashed with him no less than ten times.

"Your Majesty, as a top scholar who passed the imperial examinations, I believe that allowing women to study and even participate in the imperial examinations is a great thing that benefits the country and its people!"

Some members of the old ministers' camp were prepared to refute Kui Ruo after he finished speaking, but they fell silent when they heard the words "top scholar".

The top scholar... The first top scholar after the emperor ascended the throne.

“If the scholars who take the imperial examinations are unhappy, then I believe it is because they are afraid—afraid that educated women will outperform them in the examinations.” Wei Ruo straightened her back. “Would Your Majesty dare to appoint such scholars to important positions?”

"I ask my colleagues, do you dare to trust them?"

"Well said!" Gu Qingyan slapped the table. "Now that I have just ascended the throne, I am eager to find talented people. Regardless of gender, I will urge Heaven to cast a spell and send down all kinds of talents to me without being bound by convention!"

Some of Min Fu's former officials wanted to say something, but Min Fu stopped them with a look, indicating that the emperor's mind was made up.

"By imperial decree, all girls who have studied in girls' schools for five years or more are eligible to take the imperial examinations."

Later historical records state that Emperor Yuan, who unified the country, issued an edict during his reign as Emperor Daqing, allowing women to take the imperial examinations, which benefited the present and will last for generations.

......

"Old Master Min, His Majesty is increasingly trusting Kui Ruo and his group of new ministers."

After the court session, several former officials voluntarily followed Min Fu to his residence. Min Fu, being quite old, sat down as soon as he entered the house.

"The Emperor's decisiveness is both a good thing and a bad thing for us."

Min Fu took a sip of tea, and then a servant came to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

“If those people were personally selected by the Emperor, while we are the subjects left behind by the late Emperor, everyone should know in their hearts who is closer and who is less close.”

"But you are the teacher of the late King Xiang."

Someone couldn't help but speak up, "Even if the Prince of Xiang were still alive, he would still have to show you some respect, but the Emperor bypassed you and addressed Na Kui Ruo as 'Master'."

Upon hearing this, Min Fu sighed heavily and shifted his gaze to Zhong Wuyi, who was pretending to be deaf and dumb in the corner. "Lord Zhong, what do you think? This Wei Ruo is your adopted son."

Zhong Wuyi's right eyelid trembled incessantly when his name was called. His adopted son was the leader of the new ministers' faction, but he was an old minister. Now he was caught in the middle, and he was truly helpless.

But Ruo'er told him that as long as he didn't do anything outrageous, the Emperor would always have the Zhong family in his heart.

Thinking of this, Zhong Wu also showed a helpless expression.

"To be honest, Elder Min, I am also in a dilemma. I don't even dare to speak in the court now."

Zhong Wuyi's sincere appearance caused a slight shift in the eyes of everyone present. "Ruo'er is a very determined child. I've tried to persuade her several times to no avail. This... I really can't do anything about it..."

Faced with Zhong Wuyi's situation, the others present were speechless and could only sigh, letting Gu Qingyan's new policy continue.

Lingzhou.

"What did you say?"

Bai Qian practically burst out of the house, "Women can take the imperial examinations too?"

Bai Qian's eyes instantly turned red, and Jiang He, who had followed closely behind, couldn't help but confirm, "This news really did come from the capital."

"It's absolutely true. The Marquis, the Madam, and the Empress Dowager personally issued an imperial decree to establish a girls' school, and the Emperor followed suit with another decree allowing women to take the imperial examinations."

Upon hearing this, Bai Qian couldn't help but grab Jiang He's sleeve, "Jiang He, the Empress did it, and so did the Emperor, they did it."

A glint of tears seemed to flash in Jiang He's eyes. Who could understand that this imperial edict and decree were A Yu's way of saving herself?

Ayu was raised by her parents to be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and martial arts, but she was imprisoned in the palace by an imperial edict, wasting ten years of her life.

He didn't even dare to imagine how much hatred Ayu felt in her heart.

Now, Ayu's wish has finally come true. In the future, women in Daqing will not have to follow the path Ayu took, and they will have more choices.

"Yes, they did it."

"Jiang He, I need to go back to the capital." Bai Qian said excitedly, "At this time, Her Majesty needs me. With me, the female general, in charge, let's see who dares to say that girls should stay in the inner quarters."

Bai Qian moved extremely quickly, packing everything up in almost an hour.

But when Bai Qian saw Jiang He also leap onto his horse, she couldn't help but widen her eyes.

"You...you want to come back to the capital with me?"

This person...didn't he say he wanted to stay in Lingzhou forever?

Jiang He raised an eyebrow and said, "Let's go to the capital to propose marriage."