Jim Hain example
Spring in the capital always seems to come later than elsewhere.
Ning Lingyao followed the eunuch who led the way, her footsteps walking on the spotlessly clean bluestone palace road.
After being away for a few years, the palace where she grew up felt familiar yet unfamiliar. The death of her brother Ning Yanhe made the palace even more lonely.
She first went to pay a visit to her biological mother, Empress Dowager Ningtai.
The mother who used to be gentle and peaceful now seemed to have been drained of all her energy. She sat by the window, staring at the tree in the courtyard that had not yet bloomed. Her eyes were empty, as if her soul had left with her beloved son.
Seeing Lingyao coming back, she was very happy. She stood up and murmured, "Yao'er is back. Good, it's good that she's back..."
She stepped forward and hugged her only remaining child tightly, unwilling to let go. She really didn't want to lose even a little bit. She was scared. She stared at Ning Lingyao without blinking.
Ning Lingyao looked at the sudden increase in white hair on her mother's temples, her nose felt sore and she almost burst into tears. She wanted to say something comforting in her mother's arms, but she found that any words seemed so pale and powerless in the face of the pain of losing her son.
She could only stay with her like this, sitting quietly and using her body temperature to warm her mother's heart.
She stayed in her mother's palace for a long time, until the palace servants helped her mother take a tranquilizing medicine and fell asleep. Then Ning Lingyao quietly left and went to her sister Ning Lingyi.
Unlike the dead silence in my mother's palace, here the lights are on and officials are coming in and out continuously.
Ning Lingyi was hunched over her desk, reviewing a mountain of memorials. She was also dressed in plain clothes, with an expression of fatigue that was difficult to conceal on her face, and a faint blue shadow on her lower eyelids.
"Sister." Ning Lingyao walked closer and called softly.
Ning Lingyi raised her head and saw that it was her. Her stern features softened a little. She put down her pen and rubbed her brows: "Have you been to see your mother?"
"Yeah." Ning Lingyao nodded, looking at her sister's thin face, and said, "Sister, you should also take care of yourself and don't overwork yourself."
Ning Lingyi pulled the corner of her mouth slightly: "I'm fine, as for mother... you should take care of her and spend more time with her. You don't have to come to me all the time."
Her voice was calm, but Ning Lingyao could hear the pain and self-blame hidden beneath the calm.
The death of her brother was like an invisible thorn that pierced her sister's heart. She took all the responsibility on herself and could only numb herself with almost self-abuse government affairs to escape the heart-wrenching torment.
"Sister..." Ning Lingyao wanted to persuade her again.
Ning Lingyi had already picked up the pen again, her eyes falling back on the memorial: "Go, talk to mother, I'm really fine here."
Ning Lingyao knew her sister's personality. Seeing that she didn't want to talk more, she had to suppress her worries and quietly retreated.
Both my sister and mother need time to digest the pain of losing their loved ones.
I have come to an end with you, and from now on, we will go our separate ways in life and death.
How can you bear to look back in the underworld?
*
One day, Su Qingfan asked for a meeting.
She first presented several proposals regarding military reorganization, and after Ning Lingyi had read them, she spoke carefully, "Your Majesty, now that the Northern Expedition has been successfully completed, the Military Affairs Office was originally a temporary stopgap during wartime. Since there is no major war going on, should it be disbanded at the appropriate time to rectify the government?"
These words were the result of her deep thought.
She sincerely believes that now that we have returned to normal, we should follow the normal rules.
Ning Lingyi put down the red brush and did not answer directly. Instead, she looked up at her with a calm gaze: "Qingfan, how do you feel about your time in the Military Affairs Office over the years?"
Su Qingfan was slightly startled, then said frankly, "I am fortunate to have your Majesty's trust. Although I am trembling with fear, I have done my best and have not let you down."
"That's it."
Ning Lingyi nodded gently, "Do you know that you are the only woman in this court full of nobles? You didn't come from a formal imperial examination background, and the Military Affairs Office is your only foundation. If you lose this place, you will be placed somewhere else..."
"Have you ever thought about how those seemingly submissive ministers would criticize you?"
Su Qingfan's heart trembled. It was not that she did not understand the infighting in the officialdom, but she had never thought about it so deeply.
"I understand your concerns, Qingfan." Ning Lingyi stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sky outside the palace wall. "But you must know that I have only been regent for a few years. Before that, I was engaged in years of war. Now I have just returned to the capital. It seems that the overall situation has been settled, but in fact, the foundation is not stable. If I touch you now, I will be cutting off my own arm."
"Not only will the Military Affairs Office be retained, I will also give you additional responsibilities. In addition to being the Minister of Military Affairs, I will appoint you as the Minister of General Affairs of the Imperial Palace. All palace affairs and the deployment of the imperial guards will be under your supervision."
This is not only a great trust, but also ties her more closely to the imperial power.
"Your Majesty..." Su Qingfan was touched, but still had concerns. "But if you do this, there might be criticism in the court that Your Majesty favors your closest ministers, which violates the principle of checks and balances."
"Criticism?" Ning Lingyi raised her eyebrows slightly. "They can criticize you today, and tomorrow they can criticize other women serving as officials. We must not only establish a firm foothold, but also provide a path for those who come after us."
She walked up to Su Qingfan and entrusted her with an important task: "Retaining the Military Affairs Office to help you gain a firm foothold is only the first step. Next, I will gradually increase the number of women entering the government through various channels, such as favors, recommendations, and the establishment of a special women's department. This road is long, but someone has to go first. You are at the forefront, and you cannot retreat a single step."
Su Qingfan fully understood Ning Lingyi's intentions and bowed, "Your Majesty is far-sighted. I will fulfill my duties conscientiously and pave the way for those who come after me."
She observed Ning Lingyi's expression and turned the topic to another matter of concern to the court and the people. She spoke more slowly, "Your Majesty, the court is now gradually stabilizing, and the people are united. Everyone, both inside and outside the court, is eagerly awaiting Your Majesty's formal ascension to the throne, to put the people's hearts at ease."
The word "ascend the throne" made Ning Lingyi's expression slightly gloomy.
She was silent for a moment before she spoke: "No hurry."
Just two short words, but they carry a weight of a thousand pounds.
Su Qingfan sighed inwardly. She understood that Ning Yanhe's blood had not yet dried. The blood-stained robe and the discarded crown were like a nightmare, tightly entangling Ning Lingyi.
The throne is not glory, but shackles.
"Your Majesty..." Su Qingfan wanted to persuade him again.
Ning Lingyi waved her hand, interrupting her: "We can discuss this later. The most urgent task right now is to reward the heroes of the Northern Expedition, stabilize the morale of the army, provide compensation for the casualties, and restore people's livelihood."
Su Qingfan knew that it was useless to say more, so he could only respond: "Yes, I obey your order."
*
The next day, Wang Jingzhi was summoned to the palace to discuss the matter of rewards with Ning Lingyi.
The old Prime Minister was still in good spirits. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty has returned safely, and the Northern Expedition has been successfully completed. The soldiers fought bloody battles, expanding the territory of our Southern Dynasty by nearly half. This is an unprecedented achievement, and we should reward them generously to comfort the soldiers and inspire future generations. History's pen is as iron as iron, and it will also remember Your Majesty's achievements in civil and military affairs."
Ning Lingyi nodded and had no objection.
She spread out the draft she had already prepared, discussed it carefully with Wang Jingzhi, and finally decided on the reward.
Xue Cheng was calm in his military operations and had a comprehensive view of the overall situation, so he was granted the title of Marquis of Jingbei; Wang Mengzi was extremely brave and killed the King of Western Qiang in battle, so he was granted the title of Marquis of Wuyi; Pan Hao launched a surprise attack on Mobei and made many outstanding achievements, so he was granted the title of Earl of Anyuan; other generals such as Zhao Kun, Li Mao, Wang Dayong, Niu Zhuang, Ding Guinan, etc. were rewarded according to their military merits, and some were promoted, some were granted titles, and some were rewarded with gold, silver, and land, all of which were generous.
The decree was issued and the three armies rejoiced.
After dealing with the rewards for the generals, Ning Lingyi pondered for a moment and said, "Prime Minister Wang, the merits of the Northern Expedition are not limited to the soldiers on the front lines. The people of Shanshan City also stood up for us in times of crisis. I will never forget this kindness."
Wang Jingzhi said solemnly: "Your Majesty is benevolent and virtuous, and never forgets the contributions of the common people. This is truly a blessing for all people."
Then, another imperial edict was sent out by express horse, reaching the distant Shanshan City.
In the decree, Ning Lingyi praised the loyalty, bravery, integrity and righteousness of the entire military and civilian population of Shanshan City, and gave them a plaque written by himself with the words "Unparalleled Grace and Righteousness", and exempted them from taxes for ten years as a commendation.
There are also rewards for those who have made specific contributions.
Zhou Yingxue, the minister who made the greatest contribution, was granted the rank of seventh-rank observer and set off for Beijing today to take up his post under Su Qingfan. The other fifty women who had risked their lives as bait were all granted the rank of eighth-rank experience, regardless of their background, and went to Beijing together.
When the imperial edict arrived in Shanshan City, this border town was in an uproar.
The people of the whole city knelt to receive the imperial edict and expressed their gratitude to His Majesty for his grace.
But when the reward reached the ears of those women, an unexpected situation occurred.
Zhou Yingxue gladly accepted the order and prepared to go to the capital. However, the fifty or so women, especially those who were mostly singers, looked at each other in dismay, more fear than joy.
Become an official? An eighth-rank official? What was that? They couldn't even read a few words. How could they possibly become officials in the capital? In charge of paperwork? Handling government affairs? This was even more terrifying than having them face the Northern Shuo cavalry again.
They gathered together to discuss for a long time, and finally nominated Zhou Yingxue as their representative, and begged her to plead with the emperor. Zhou Yingxue understood their difficulties, and after going to the capital to meet the emperor, she reported the situation in detail.
After listening to this, Ning Lingyi was silent for a long time.
She remembered the words of the Ama women and the helplessness of those women who risked their lives to fight for freedom. She did not want to force them, but just hoped to give them a better way out.
Since they are afraid of leaving their hometown and are not used to officialdom, let's try another way.
She issued a new decree.
The decree clearly stated: they did not have to leave their hometowns and go to Beijing, but were all appointed as "Shanshan City Officials", with the same rank as the eighth grade, and had the right to discuss the city's political affairs, and could also vote and evaluate the performance of the city's officials.
What is even more eye-catching is another grace: these fifty people can jointly recommend a woman from Shanshan City every year to come to Beijing to serve as an eighth-rank official, and the position will be appointed by the court based on her ability.
As soon as this decree was issued, Shanshan City was in an uproar.
This means that in the next fifty years, Shanshan City will produce a female official every year.
Don't underestimate the rank of only eighth. You must know that after ten years of hard study, even if you pass the imperial examination, your starting rank is only seventh. This annual favor that allows you to go directly to the central government is nothing short of a shortcut to success.
For a time, all the families with daughters in the city regarded these fifty girls as treasures, and treated them with great respect and courtesy.
Their loyalty and bravery in the past not only brought them stability and honor, but also inadvertently paved a path to success for those who came after them.
This is exactly Ning Lingyi's deepest care for them. Even if they are singers, no one will look down on them. Everyone will greet them with a smile, praise them, and recognize them.
From now on until fifty years later, they will be happy in their lives.
*
Everyone was rewarded except the Ama.
That bright and fiery woman who died for her and at the last moment was still thinking about "giving women who cannot choose their own destiny the opportunity to live happily in the future."
Ning Lingyi sat alone in the hall, facing the blank imperial edict, unable to put pen to paper for a long time.
What should she give her?
Posthumous honors? Posthumous titles? What meaning do these posthumous honors hold for a soul that lived so vibrantly and freely?
She could not forget the brilliant smile on the face of the mermaid as she looked back before she rode her horse towards the cliff, nor could she forget the light in her eyes when she said "have a great time".
This reward is too great, yet too light.
It is so important that it concerns the future of millions of women, but so insignificant that it cannot make up for the debt and pain in her heart.
She hesitated for too long, until one night, she suddenly dreamed of the Ama.
In the dream, she was still wearing that rich Hu skirt, with her gold jewelry jingling, running in the endless sea of flowers. She turned around and smiled at her, shouting, "Lingyi, I'm very happy! I'm very happy!"
That smile was pure and satisfied, without a trace of gloom, just like the person in her heart.
Ning Lingyi woke up suddenly, and found her pillow was wet and cold.
Outside the window, the sky is slightly bright.
She finally picked up the pen and wrote the edict.
Ji Hai Nv was posthumously named Lady Ji Hai and buried next to her future imperial mausoleum according to the regulations of the empress, and she was personally present to pay tribute to her every year.
At the same time, the emperor ordered all prefectures and cities to set up "Jihainufang" with funding from the central government to take in homeless girls. Regardless of their background, they would be taught various skills such as weaving, embroidery, cooking, accounting, literacy, etc., so that they could become independent. Any slave girl who was willing to redeem herself should be facilitated by the government and not be made difficult.
This policy was based on the dying wish of the female seawoman Ji Hai, and was named "Ji Hai Enli".
The imperial edict was issued throughout the country, and everyone who heard it was moved.
Thanks to this edict, countless women in difficult situations saw a glimmer of hope to break free from their shackles and take control of their own destiny.
The beautiful woman who streaked across the night sky like a meteor was remembered by everyone.
Ning Lingyi thought, you will be happy, right?
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