Chapter 207 The Prince's Advice
The prince said loudly, "Father, I think that if we want to replicate it, we should first choose the most fortunate female ruler of Chu, and follow her example to promote female officials and select female officials in Daxia."
Many court officials frowned, as the emergence of one more gender meant many more competitors.
They looked at each other, hoping someone would take the lead in the protest.
At this time, the Minister of Revenue stood up.
These court officials looked up in anticipation.
The Minister of Revenue said, "Your Highness, every additional official will add a burden to the national treasury. How many female officials are you going to introduce?"
The prince bowed and said, "There will be no drastic reforms. We will learn from the practice of the Chu State and establish female officials in the inner court. The number of them is not large."
The Minister of Finance breathed a sigh of relief and calmly retreated: because he had no opinion on the gender of officials, in his view, they were all cattle and horses that made money for the country.
Some court officials: ...
No, sir, are you backing down so easily?!
At this time, the Minister of Personnel suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, since there are two dynasties, the inner and outer dynasties, can the assessment of female officials be the same as that of male officials? Also, women rarely go to private schools, so should the requirements and procedures for recommendation be the same as those for men?"
The prince said, "We will discuss this in detail later, but the general idea is to be fair and consistent. After all, men and women are all officials in the court, and there is no other distinction."
The Minister of Personnel seemed to be thinking about something and stopped talking.
Other officials: ???
No, boss, you are protesting in vain.
Finally, someone couldn't help but bow and said, "Your Highness, since ancient times, men have been in charge of the outside world and women have been in charge of the inside world..."
He wanted to elaborate, but the prince made a quiet gesture.
The prince bowed and said, "Father, I have read a lot of ancient books and found that although it was rare for women to serve as generals, marquises, or even officials in ancient dynasties, it was not uncommon. The female ruler of Chu dared to promote female officials, so why should we be afraid to take the first step?!"
The man still wanted to continue speaking stubbornly.
The prince said loudly: "Father, Daxia adheres to the principle of 'promoting talents regardless of their background'. The system once considered having ministers undergo gender reassignment surgery for the sake of female officials... If female officials are really needed to improve the country's fortunes in the future, are those who object willing to undergo gender reassignment surgery?! Who else objects?!"
The Third Prince, who didn't know about this, just sneered:...
Oh my god, is Ninth Sister so wild? !
The courtier who was about to stand up and object instantly shrank back.
No matter what they think in their hearts, at this moment, they all show support!
The emperor's fingers kept tapping the table. After a moment, he said, "Since we want to emulate the queen of Chu, do you have a candidate for a woman who can promote female officials?"
The prince was stunned.
Prime Minister Li suddenly stepped forward and said, "I think the Seventh Princess is very beautiful, intelligent, and of noble status, so she is particularly suitable."
The corners of the other courtiers' mouths twitched slightly: ...
You are making a big mistake, you flatterer! Have you forgotten that the Seventh Princess has put all her abilities into martial arts?
Only Prime Minister Wang looked at Prime Minister Li thoughtfully, as if he had other thoughts in mind.
The emperor waved his hand: "She is not suitable. Are there any other candidates?"
Prime Minister Li said "this..." for a moment, then he saluted and said, "Your Majesty, I think that since we want to cheat the heavens and seize the fortune, it would be best to choose someone who is better than the heroine of Chu. So in addition to being smart, beautiful, and literate, the heroine of Chu has an ordinary family background, and Xia would be best to choose a daughter of a noble family with a scholarly family..."
Prime Minister Wang suddenly snorted coldly, and said with a half-smile: "Prime Minister Li wants to recommend himself, so why not just say so."
The other court officials suddenly realized that the Seventh Princess was just trying to attract attention...
Among the noble daughters of the Xia Kingdom, the family with the most outstanding daughters is indeed the Li family, otherwise Prime Minister Li would not have been able to become the "Li Half Dynasty" who married into the imperial court.
Prime Minister Li said slowly, "I have no selfish motives. I just think it would be better for the daughters of noble status to be selected from among the female officials. After all, ordinary people are women and can read a few words."
As soon as the words fell, the previously depressed court officials were immediately moved. Yes... it was not unacceptable for their own daughter to take their own son's place.
The prince suddenly bowed and said, "Father, I disagree. Since we want to replicate Qi Tian, we should find someone who fits the Chu Kingdom's heroine in every aspect. She is Wang Erniu. Then we in Xia Kingdom can find Li Erniu, Zhou Erniu, but not Zhou Yunruo..."
The court officials were immediately furious and wanted to argue, but they heard the emperor slamming the table.
The emperor looked at the prince deeply and said, "Just do as you say."
Courtiers: ???
After saying this, the emperor stood up and waved to the prince: "Come with me."
The third prince looked at the crown prince worriedly and followed him over. The emperor glanced at him out of the corner of his eye but did not stop him.
When the court officials saw the emperor leaving, some of them surrounded Prime Minister Li and whispered:
"Prime Minister Li, you understand His Majesty best. Please analyze how His Majesty will view the female officials?"
"Yes, Prime Minister Li, which one do you think His Majesty prefers..."
“It’s difficult.”
…
The rest of the people who did not gather around also gathered in groups of two or three and whispered to each other.
Only the lonely old man, Prime Minister Wang, and the Minister of Rites, who was busy with the affairs of the diplomatic corps, were the first to leave the crowd.
…
The emperor and his family of three walked towards the Yangxin Palace.
Before arriving, they saw the palace maid pulling Yuanruan's hand and trying to move forward, but Yuanruan tried hard to sit down on the ground, looking like she didn't want to move.
Three emperors:?
At this time, the palace maids saw the emperor and hurriedly paid their respects. Yuan Ruan, who had been lying on the ground, stood up lively.
System: [Oh no, Ah Ruan, your brother and nephew are back early and are about to find out that you skipped class. Go and act cute. Pretend that you just wanted to come out for a cake.]
Yuanruan: [Okay.]
The three emperors: ...
The chubby and cute baby stretched out his little hands towards them, "Father! I miss you!" Yuan Ruan said happily.
The emperor did not pause at all. He picked Yuanruan up naturally and said to her naturally, "Jiu'er, I miss you so much."
"I miss it very much. I miss it all the time. I'm hungry."
The Third Prince was obviously stunned by the "kind father and filial daughter" and said to the Crown Prince in a low voice: "Brother, you are skipping classes, why do I have to be caned?"
The prince whispered, "Look at the face."
The Third Prince: ...
After Yuan Ruan and the emperor got through with it, they were about to leave, but the emperor carried them into the Yangxin Palace and rubbed their heads. As they rubbed, Yuan Ruan became so sleepy that his eyelids drooped.
At this time, the emperor looked at the prince and said, "Tell me. What do you want to do?"
The prince bowed and said, "Father, I want to use the opportunity of recruiting more female officials to completely open the door to the noble families, so that more children from poor families can enter the court as officials. There is no limit on gender, only those who are capable can take the position."
The emperor showed an expression that indicated that it was as he expected.
Yuan Ruan was startled awake at once, covering his cheek and screaming.
The emperor and his two companions looked over.
Yuanruan pretended to yawn and then tried hard to knock on the system.
Yuan Ruan: [Frog Fun, I didn't expect that my gentle nephew actually has such a murderous side! ]
System: [Ah? Why do you say that?]