Chapter Eighteen
The word "power" took root in the hearts of Yan Shujin and Yan Qiyu for the first time, because their father now had power, so they could live a good life and have good teachers to teach them.
Those people also did many good and bad things for the sake of power.
Yan Shujin glanced at Mr. Du, then lowered her head slightly, concealing the expression on her face. If her uncle and father initially embarked on this path for the sake of survival, they were probably also after power in the end. Power is something that can make people pay with their lives and become less than human.
Is power a good thing?
Yan Shujin looked at the fabric she was wearing and the writing brush and ink on her desk.
Yes, there is nothing better than power.
However, this power cannot rely on others; it must be in one's own hands.
Yan Shujin asked, "Mr. Du, can women lead troops?"
These words were actually quite shocking, but Mr. Du remained calm: "Of course there are, but they are very difficult and... the outcome is not good."
Yan Shujin looked at Mr. Du.
Yan Qiyu pressed further, "Sir, could you please tell us in detail?"
Mr. Du felt it was understandable that Yan Shujin wanted to know, after all, he had long seen that Yan Shujin was ambitious. It was good for people to be ambitious, but they had to be smart, otherwise they would be a disaster. Yan Shujin was ambitious and smart, so he was willing to lend a hand and wanted to see how far Yan Shujin could go. He just didn't expect that Yan Qiyu was also curious about these things: "Why do you want to know too?"
Yan Qiyu didn't hide anything and said frankly, "My sister is so capable and wonderful. It would be such a waste and a disservice if she could only get married and manage the mundane things like food and household chores."
Mr. Du stared at Yan Shujin and Yan Qiyu for a long time before suddenly bursting into laughter.
Yan Qiyu was a little confused, and puffed out his cheeks.
Yan Shujin pinched Yan Qiyu's cheek.
After laughing, Mr. Du said seriously, "Alright, let me tell you about it."
Yan Shujin and Yan Qiyu sat obediently and waited for Mr. Du.
Mr. Du's expression was somewhat complicated: "The most recent female general was from the founding period of the previous dynasty. She was the sister of the founding emperor of the previous dynasty and was a brilliant military strategist. Without her, her brother probably wouldn't have been able to ascend the throne. It's just a pity that she didn't enjoy her life for many years before dying of illness."
The words are simple, but the content is quite strange.
Yan Qiyu asked, "What about her family?"
Yan Shujin asked, "Did she relinquish her military power?"
Mr. Du glanced at Yan Shujin and said, "What do you think?"
Yan Shujin lowered her eyes slightly and asked, "Is she married and has children?"
Mr. Du said, "She got married and had children. Her husband had died before her, and her children also died in accidents later."
Mr. Du's next words were in response to Yan Qiyu.
Yan Shujin asked, "Why did she relinquish her military power?"
Mr. Du sighed and said, "Who knows?"
Perhaps only she herself knows whether it was hope for family ties, or an inherent weakness in her nature.
Mr. Du was unaware of this, but felt it was a great pity.
Yan Shujin hesitated for a moment and said, "If...if she hadn't died, do you think women would have had a different status in the previous dynasty?"
Another status?
Mr. Du was stunned for a moment, his heart skipped a beat, but he felt that what Yan Shujin said was very likely, if she hadn't died and hadn't relinquished military power...
“At that time, there were female soldiers in her military camp.” Mr. Du said with a complicated expression, “Unfortunately, we lost touch with those people later.”
It seems unlikely that things will end well for them.
Mr. Du's father died early, and he was raised by his mother. His mother was able to protect the family business left by his father and also enabled him to read and write, which made him respect women very much. He knew that women were very capable, so when he discovered Yan Shujin's ambition and intelligence, he would not stifle it, but instead teach her well. He would also feel sorry for the founding princess of the previous dynasty.
Yan Qiyu gritted her teeth and said, "My sister wouldn't do that! My sister is amazing!"
Yan Shujin was amused and looked at Yan Qiyu, saying, "That's right, I'm really good."
Yan Qiyu said solemnly, "I will also protect my sister."
Mr. Du smiled and said gently, "The road is difficult; remember what I said today."
"Learn from past mistakes to guide future actions." Yan Shujin understood the concern in Mr. Du's words: "Don't worry, sir."
Mr. Du nodded: "Then what about today's topic..." He was about to ask a question, but looking at Yan Shujin and Yan Qiyu, who were both teenagers, he said, "Alright, there's no topic today. I'll take you out for a walk tomorrow."
Yan Shujin and Yan Qiyu's eyes lit up as they looked at Mr. Du.
Mr. Du said, "Come find me tomorrow morning, and I'll take you out for a look around."
Yan Qiyu looked at Yan Shujin happily, then looked at Mr. Du and said, "Sir, that's wonderful."
Yan Shujin also said, "I've heard that there are lots of delicious foods in the capital."
Mr. Du said, "I will take you out for a walk every few days from now on. Don't complain about being tired."
Yan Qiyu said, "Don't worry, sir, my sister and I aren't afraid of getting tired."
Mr. Du knew that the two of them exercised every morning, but he simply said that he planned to take the two children to explore the surrounding area: "When we come back tomorrow, each of them should write a travelogue for me."
Yan Shujin and Yan Qiyu both agreed.
Although there were no questions today, there was still homework. Mr. Du kept the two of them behind to read. He taught Yan Qiyu by first having Yan Qiyu memorize what he needed to learn before explaining it to him. He didn't have such high expectations for Yan Shujin, but Yan Shujin still had to listen in when he explained it to her.
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