Chapter 539: Hosting a Spring Festival Gala?
As a role model for women across the land, the Empress's entry into the Jixia Academy indeed provided all women of the Han Dynasty with immense confidence and a gradually growing ambition.
There were still some pedantic scholars who whispered criticisms, but under the prevailing trend, the issue of women's education was unshakable, and more and more women bravely stepped out of their homes to participate in the school's examinations.
Because of the high pass rate of girls in the academy examinations, the survival rate of female infants in the countryside increased. Girls had "value" and thus had the opportunity to live and the rights of being human.
This is a chain reaction, which everyone understands, so it's not surprising.
The only surprising thing is that Wei Zifu did not join the Confucian school, nor the Taoist or Legalist schools, but was instead dragged into the Yin-Yang school by Chen Ajiao.
In response, the courtiers who had witnessed Chen Ajiao's fiery temper and the immense power of her whip couldn't help but turn their gaze to their "promising" emperor.
After being looked at with pity by his ministers for several days, Liu Che finally figured out what was going on, let out a cold laugh, supported the Empress's work, and granted permission for the ladies of various families to enroll in the academy.
He even secretly encouraged Chen Ajiao through Liu Ju to continue recruiting people for the Yin-Yang School.
It's all about a promising future, isn't it? With everyone in a harmonious relationship, we can all look forward to a bright future together!
...
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Liu Ju has grown into a handsome young man. He stands tall and elegant, his smile as bright as the moon in one's arms. His beauty is like jade, his charm like pine trees in full bloom. He is a peerless and unparalleled man in the world.
Every time Emperor Wu of Han saw him, he would sigh to those around him, "Ju's son is just like his father!"
As a result, His Majesty is indeed a descendant of the Liu family—thick-skinned, a fact universally acknowledged.
As the ten-year countdown mentioned by Xiao Ji drew closer, everyone's nerves became increasingly tense. They were all wound up like clockwork, studying and arming themselves with all their might, but they always felt it wasn't enough.
Under these circumstances, Liu Ju's sudden suggestion to hold a Spring Festival Gala for all families surprised Liu Che.
"Spring Festival Gala?"
With his excellent memory, Liu Che immediately recalled what Liu Shuo had said after the Yin-Yang School's demonstration on "Produce 101," and couldn't help but chuckle, "You still can't forget the Yin-Yang School's demonstration?"
"It's not because of the Yin-Yang School..." Seeing Liu Che's disbelief, Liu Ju readily admitted, "Alright, it is indeed partly because of the Yin-Yang School. Father, don't you think they are really suitable for acting?"
"Only you have the guts. Who else would dare to say that to the Yin-Yang School?"
Liu Che put down the memorial in his hand and shook his head helplessly. Whether teachers or students, the Yin-Yang School were all formidable figures. It was said that most people wouldn't dare to listen to such a suggestion.
“But that’s only a small part of the reason,” Liu Ju gestured with his little finger. “Most importantly, I think the Han Dynasty needs a Spring Festival Gala.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Che sat up slightly, looked at Liu Ju who didn't seem to be joking, and asked leisurely, "Why?"
"We are getting closer and closer to the endpoint that Xiao Ji mentioned. The pressure on the court is immense, and the common people, unaware of what is happening, are also on edge due to the situation."
Liu Ju casually picked up a precious bow hanging on the wall and drew it taut: "Like a bow stretched to its limit, after a long time—"
With a "snap," the bowstring broke in Liu Ju's hand. "The entire Han Dynasty will be like this bow; the string snaps before the arrow is even released."
"This is my bow."
Liu Che looked at his beloved bow with its broken string on the table and then looked at Liu Ju with a resentful gaze.
"Oh dear!" Liu Ju was speechless. "Father! We're talking about serious matters! I'll just make you a new one!"
"It's a deal!"
Liu Che gave him no chance to back out and readily agreed. Only then did Liu Ju realize he had been tricked, and couldn't help but sigh, feeling that his father was becoming more and more childish.
After Liu Che stopped joking, his smile gradually faded. Looking at his son, his eyes were full of satisfaction: "You've grown up and know how to share your father's burdens. I'm not unaware of this matter. A balance between tension and relaxation is the right way. But such a tense atmosphere cannot be eased in just a few words."
"That's why we need a grand Spring Festival Gala!"
Compared to Liu Che's composure, Liu Ju was more confident and flamboyant. With sparkling eyes, he described to Liu Che, "A new beginning, a fresh start, we should hold a grand celebration on New Year's Day, the first day of the new year!"
"Saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new is one thing, but inspiring people is another. We can't always just keep our heads down and study; we should also let everyone in the Han Dynasty see what we have actually learned over the years and how much the Han Dynasty has changed."
"The Han Dynasty of today is vastly different from the Han Dynasty of ten years ago. But it's wrong for people's mindset in the face of crisis to remain stuck in the past..."
Liu Ju spoke eloquently, which made Liu Che waver and become hopeful. Perhaps the Spring Festival Gala that Ju'er mentioned could really bring him and the Han Dynasty a surprise?
"There's another very important point."
Liu Che's thoughts were pulled back by Liu Ju once again: "What?"
"Father, what is the success rate of the Human Reason Continuation Plan now?"
Faced with Liu Ju's question, Liu Che remained silent for a moment.
No one had asked him before; everyone was afraid of hearing bad answers, and no one knew how much pressure Liu Che was under.
At this moment, meeting his son's clear gaze, Liu Che felt as if he had found a rare confidant, "20%."
After saying that, he felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders.
Even if this is a statistic that would make people despair if spoken aloud?
Liu Che stared at his son, only to find that he showed no sadness whatsoever. Instead, his eyes widened in slight surprise: "So tall?"
"You think it's high?" Liu Che asked in surprise.
Liu Ju nodded. "What was originally a hopeless situation has been transformed into two layers of hope. Isn't that amazing?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Che felt a sense of relief. It seemed that, compared to having only a 20% chance of survival, saying that it was a certain death situation gave him a 20% better chance of survival, and for a moment the sky seemed to brighten up a lot.
Seeing that Liu Che breathed a sigh of relief, Liu Ju didn't say anything more. But in his heart, he had a strange premonition that 25% was the highest point they could reach.
"This success rate is already very high, but we could still die."
Liu Ju's blunt words made Liu Che's initial relief turn into a lump in his throat, a tightness that made his heart ache. He could tolerate it, but Ju'er was still so young…
When faced with the question of life and death, Liu Ju was remarkably calm.
"But Xiao Ji said that if things get to the point of no return, he will leave with the doctrines of the Hundred Schools of Thought. So why can't we record the glory and prosperity of the Han Dynasty?"
Meeting Liu Che's slightly surprised gaze, Liu Ju nodded confidently: "That's exactly what I mean. Xiao Ji probably wouldn't mind recording a little more, would he? A Spring Festival Gala depicting the grandeur of the Han Dynasty."
"The ideas of the Hundred Schools of Thought are worth remembering, so why can't the idea of the unity of the Han Dynasty be remembered? As long as the ideas live on, the Han Dynasty will live on."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
