The matter caused a huge uproar, with ministers from opposing camps almost coming to blows.
The Emperor sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Alright, Crown Prince, what do you think of this matter?"
The man next to the emperor, dressed in a robe with four claws and a python pattern, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think the Grand Tutor's words make sense. The key to solving this problem is not simply to suppress everyone, but to make them back down when faced with difficulties."
The emperor was satisfied with his answer. He was not such a pedantic person, and besides, he was willing to emulate foreign countries and give women important positions as well.
Perhaps he could achieve great things, and if he succeeds, his name will be recorded in history, and then sitting on the dragon throne will not have been in vain.
"Well, if that's the case, then issue my order: as long as a woman can find a place to work, no one else shall obstruct or mock her."
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" Some of the opponents knelt on the ground and pleaded.
"Hmm?" The Emperor frowned, displeased.
All the court officials knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor!"
"Court adjourned!"
Liu Huan couldn't believe it when she heard it; the Emperor had actually agreed.
Does this mean that I can now earn money openly and legitimately in the future?
Su Wan was the happiest, and said with a smile, "Huanhuan, quickly think of a business we can do. Maybe we can do it better than your brother-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Guan Chang smiled indulgently and performed a gentlemanly bow, saying, "I humbly admit defeat."
This made the two of them burst into laughter.
After the emperor gave the order, many women rushed out to find work, but the reality was far from what they had expected.
The emperor only said that they should not mock or obstruct, but he did not say that the merchants could not refuse.
In addition, they lack experience and are illiterate, so even if a merchant wanted to hire them, they wouldn't be able to handle the job.
As a result, he encountered setbacks everywhere he looked for a job, and many men, especially the old ministers who strongly opposed it, just stood by and watched, enjoying the spectacle.
Just when many women were about to give up, good news came from the Xu family.
The county magistrate is to organize a training course specifically to teach women how to use an abacus and keep accounts, as well as a crash course on business management.
Initially, it was offered free of charge, as an apology from the Xu family for the incident.
Suddenly, the tide turned, and all the women praised the princess for her benevolence and righteousness, calling her a model for women of the time.
The Xu family's affairs were saved, and Lord Xu was very supportive, even taking out 10,000 taels from his private treasury to support the princess in handling the matter.
When the princess saw many people signing up in the room, she said happily, "Huanhuan, your trick really works. When the time comes, go to my shop and invite a few female managers to teach them. I guarantee they will all be taught."
It turned out that Liu Huan had come to find the princess after learning about this and told her about his idea.
This whole affair was indirectly caused by her; she didn't want the princess to be put in a difficult position by the Xu family.
More importantly, she wanted to find the princess to open training classes in the future. With a powerful backer, others wouldn't dare to cause trouble.
The princess readily agreed and immediately sent out a message. There were so many people who wanted to sign up that she started discussing having the manager of her shop come and teach.
Liu Huan felt that people who couldn't read would never be able to learn ancient counting methods, so she thought of modern Arabic numerals.
So he suggested, "Princess, I know a counting method that will allow them to remember quickly."
The princess widened her eyes and asked, "What method?"
Liu Huan wrote one, two, three on the paper. The princess gasped, "Huanhuan, how...how do you know the script from the Western Regions?"
Countless possibilities flashed through Liu Huan's mind.
Then the princess said, "You're amazing! I told you that when the envoys from the Western Regions visited, they laughed at us for using such a complicated counting method, saying it wasn't as simple and convenient as theirs. I never expected you to know how to do it too."
"But how did you learn this kind of counting?"
Liu Huan wanted to say that she studied in a civilized country, but she didn't dare.
"I forgot about that. I've forgotten most of these things since I lost my memory, so I don't know how I know them."
"I only remember meeting a blond person before, which startled me. I wonder if it was the Western Regions person you mentioned."
The princess nodded quickly, "Yes, yes, that's it. I saw it before when there was a palace banquet. That's what it looks like."
“Huanhuan, you don’t even remember this? He actually taught you these things.”
Liu Huan pretended to have a headache, "Sigh, I don't know either. It just pops into my head whenever I think about it. I really don't know where I learned it."
The princess stopped worrying and said, "Alright, let's learn the way you suggested. I'll have the steward teach us the others."
The location was chosen at one of the princess's residences, and because there were so many people signing up, they were divided into several groups.
From the moment Su Yi heard her mention this until it was all settled, she showed great support.
He even covered for her when he heard that she knew the script of the Western Regions. When Xu Zijin asked about this, he said seriously, "Yes, she is very smart. Many people were willing to teach her in the past."
Xu Zijing recalled that her father also praised Liu Huan highly, so she wasn't surprised. Her father wasn't the type to praise everyone he met.
Before going to his shift in the morning, Su Yi specially took Liu Huan to that residence.
The princess was also there, along with soldiers sent by the prince's son.
The room was furnished like a school, with tables and a whiteboard that Liu Huan had specially commissioned.
The people inside were full of anticipation, but when they saw that it was a little girl who came in, they all looked disappointed.
People started discussing, "What's wrong with this princess? She sent someone who knows nothing to fool us."
"That's right, I made a bet with my husband to come here. If I don't learn anything, I'll have to stay home and take care of the kids."
"Me too, me too!"
Liu Huan naturally noticed everyone's concerns, but she wasn't going to explain; the results would prove everything.
So she said, "Everyone, please be quiet. My surname is Liu, and I will be teaching you how to do math from now on. Next to me are charcoal pencils and paper prepared by the princess. Please learn with me carefully."
Since everyone is here, even if you're not satisfied, you're still going to listen to this lesson.
So they all picked up their charcoal pencils in disappointment and looked up at Liu Huan writing on the white board.
In just a short while, everyone's eyes lit up, and Liu Huan said they would read along.
When an hour was up, Liu Huan told everyone to rest for a few minutes and then went to the next room to get some water.
As soon as the person left, the women inside began to discuss among themselves.
"Did you understand?"
"I understand. I didn't expect it to be so simple."
“My husband said it would be very difficult, and that it would be impossible if you couldn’t read. I just came here with a try-it-out mentality, but I didn’t expect this Master Liu to be so amazing.”
"Yes, thank goodness I came."
Fifteen minutes later, Liu Huan returned. First, he flipped the whiteboard over and then asked everyone to recite numbers one through twenty together.
Many people still can't remember it.
"It's alright. Today we'll just memorize these twenty. Go back and study hard. You can write them in the sand or on paper if you have the means. If you can't remember more than half of them by tomorrow, then you don't need to come back."
“Now, other stewards will come to teach you other things.”
After she finished speaking, she left, and another person came in.
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