Zhao Ying suppressed her anger and said, "Captain Qi, you are also a woman. Why do you look down on women? Why do you make things difficult for women?"
Qi Dongqiang was a little surprised. "Princess, what do you mean? I'm telling the truth. Why would you say it's difficult for a woman?"
Qi Dongqiang stood straight, his voice clear and his eyes sparkling. "If Your Highness thinks what I said is wrong, then you believe that women are no less capable than men. Then, may I ask, Your Highness, why are all the warriors on the battlefield men? Those who sit high in the government are also men. From ancient times to the present, those who have left their mark in history books are also men. Doesn't this prove that men are more capable and more intelligent than women?"
"Even if we don't talk about that, it is..." Qi Dongqiang smiled complacently, "The current emperor is also a man!"
As soon as the words were spoken, Zhao Ying's expression changed and his sharp eyes trembled slightly.
She could have argued back on her words, but in the end, she actually mentioned her father...
Zhao Ying's face was cold, as if covered with a layer of frost.
The other women present also looked unhappy. After all, they were dragged down and humiliated in public. Their resentment was mixed with helplessness and forbearance.
Many women sighed secretly in their hearts. This is a patriarchal society. Women have talents but cannot display them. They are still suppressed by the male chauvinism. This has been a common practice since ancient times. Perhaps the ancestors fought against it at the beginning, but lost. As a result, it has become a rhetoric against women without any basis and has become a weapon to attack women!
How ridiculous!
Most men agreed with this view and did not think that Qi Dongqiang's words were inappropriate...
Only a few disagreed.
"Captain Qi seems to have not read much, so his words are extremely biased and laughable!" Shangguan Shu said, and he really laughed. When he laughed, how could the officials under him who were under his command dare not laugh?
The officials smiled in agreement.
"Everyone is born into this world, regardless of gender, and everyone has their own duties and responsibilities. Men, being strong and healthy, fight on the battlefield, risking their lives. Women, on the other hand, guard the home front, bear children, or provide for the family. What is considered a big deal, and what is considered a small matter? With such a narrow mind, how can one discuss the affairs of the world?"
"Little do people know that the greatness of the generals, the heights of the government, and the theories in history books were all accomplished by men. If women have always been respected, written history, and discussed events, then what is truly great is bearing children, and wearing flowers in one's hair and dressing up..."
Shangguan Shu's tone was always calm, and there was a hint of disdain for Qi Dongqiang.
Shangguan Shu was chosen as the top scholar before he even wore the imperial crown. Originally, with his appearance, he should have been the third place scholar, but on the day of the palace examination, the other two were far below his level, so Emperor Jianxi had to choose him as the top scholar.
As Shangguan Shu spoke, he even felt that with Qi Dongqiang's talent, how could he be qualified to debate with him?
After he finished speaking, the whole audience fell into an eerie silence.
Until... Zhao Ying raised her hand and slowly clapped her hands.
Then, sparse applause broke out.
The women present stared at Shangguan Shu with eyes that seemed confused, as if they had suddenly realized something...but each of them had bright and shining eyes.
It’s not that they can’t think of such words, but... they dare not even think about it.
An invisible prison and shackles have deeply locked their minds, even someone as noble as Zhao Ying...
Zhao Ying's heart was like a bell or drum being struck, echoing continuously.
At the same time, deep in my heart, an inexplicable fear arose.
She is Zhao Ying...
Zhao Ying, who has been confident and strong since childhood...
She never thought that one day, there would be something that she would not even dare to think about.
She suddenly remembered what her mother had told her.
"In a society where men are superior to women, the so-called fairness and respect are just charity given by men for their own reputation and to gain greater benefits for themselves."
"They tacitly exclude women from the right to speak out and firmly grasp the greatest resources and opportunities."
"If women want true fairness, they must stand at the same high ground as men and have the final say!"
Zhao Ying suddenly understood that the officials under her respected her not because of her as a person, but because of her father, the emperor, who was behind her.
It was the same as when they smiled at Shangguan Shu's expression just now.
The right to speak is something that men have since birth.
The applause gradually died down, among which Shangguan Wuzi clapped the most vigorously.
Shangguan Qingwan's hands were almost red from clapping. She looked at her father with admiration and pride. That's right, as human beings, everyone has their own division of labor. There is nothing wrong with her liking Lu Ban's skills. There is no distinction between high and low, and no distinction between men and women!
Shangguan Qingyue: [Oh shit, my dad is so smart... Wow, my mom is so smart too. I have such smart parents, no wonder I'm so smart...]
Shangguan Qiyou felt a little bit of anticipation, looking at Shangguan Shu's shining eyes. He wanted to be like his daddy when he grew up!
"Shangguan Chengjing"'s eyes were slightly red. Most people in this world look down on women, but wasn't her father's official position donated by her mother's money?
Who is the uneducated and lowly person? If the world treats women the same as men, how can her mother support others? Why not buy an official position herself?
Shangguan Bailin thought for a while, then nodded solemnly. In fact, his father's words inspired him, and he also had some ideas of his own.
Shao Yihui looked at Shangguan Shu, his dark eyes revealing a hint of admiration.
Wei Fu looked a little strange. He glanced at Zhao Ying, then at Shangguan Shu, thinking that he was trying his best to please Zhao Ying.
Qi Dongqiang was scolded by Shangguan Shu, and seeing the excited expressions of the ladies whom she usually looked down upon, she was filled with shame and anger, her face flushed red. She pointed at Shangguan Shu and said angrily, "General, you are a man of great stature. How can you be so self-deprecating and say such outrageous things?"
Shangguan Shu sneered, knowing that Qi Dongqiang, a woman with a brain that could be easily pasted on a door, was talking too profoundly for her to understand, so he said simply, "I am undoubtedly a man of integrity, but I owe my existence to my mother. Her grace in raising me is greater than heaven, so how could I regard my own mother as a lowly person? Anyone who harbors such thoughts deserves to be struck by lightning. Even if heaven doesn't punish them, the Great Chu governs the world with filial piety, and Your Majesty will judge for themselves."
When Emperor Jianxi was mentioned, Qi Dongqiang finally calmed down a little. She was so scared that she staggered back two steps and barely managed to stand firm.
Seeing this, Shao Yihui spoke up to help her out. "Captain Qi may have drunk too much and is a little drunk. Since we're talking about the hierarchy between men and women, why don't you all be more tolerant of Captain Qi and not make things difficult for a drunk woman?"
Everyone looked towards Shao Yihui upon hearing the voice. They all knew that he was now a retainer of Zhao Ying, so they gave him some respect. The officials raised their glasses and laughed. They naturally did not want to embarrass Qi Dongqiang. It was not easy for him to produce such a useful knife...
Zhao Ying had no intention of discussing this, and only said, "What Grand Tutor Shangguan said is very true. Men and women are of equal dignity. What men can do, women can do too. What men can do, women can do too!"
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