Chapter 84 Rewards
"I learned it in craft class."
"Handicraft class? You call a musket handicraft?"
Yun exclaimed in surprise, and everyone instinctively looked at Hongli upon hearing this.
Hongli smiled innocently, "Is there a problem? The first repeating musket was handmade by Ning Chuke."
"Yes, yes, Father, don't underestimate me. It's just a musket."
Ning Chuke proudly raised his head, leaving Yun speechless. So Ning Chuke's talent was focused on firearms?
"Ning Chuke is intelligent. I intend to have her continue to study firearms and build an invincible army for the Qing Dynasty."
Hongli smiled and sighed, then looked at Ning Chuke: "Ning Chuke, receive the imperial decree."
"Your subject is present."
Ning Chuke became serious in an instant, and under the surprised gazes of the others, he performed a courtly salute to Hongli.
"Now we have a capable man named Ning Chuke, who possesses extraordinary talent and ingenuity. The firearms he has developed will greatly benefit the military of our Great Qing, and his efforts to defend our territory and protect our people are of lasting significance. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, I hereby bestow upon him the title of Prince Rui and appoint him to the post of firearms researcher. I hope that he will remain loyal and continue to serve the Great Qing, achieve even greater success, and live up to my expectations and the court's great favor."
Wang Qin finished reading the imperial edict that Hongli had already written and handed it to Ning Chuke.
Ning Chuke excitedly accepted the imperial decree and expressed his gratitude.
"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. Long live the Emperor!"
"Rise, my Prince Rui."
Hongli smiled and helped Ning Chuke up. Ning Chuke's smile instantly returned, as if she were still the carefree young lady she used to be.
But no one dared to underestimate her anymore.
"Uncle, you have a good daughter."
Hongli sighed to Yun, then said with a broad smile, "Alright, the musket demonstration is over. I have ordered the Empress to prepare a family banquet, and all of you imperial uncles will accompany me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
As everyone moved along with Hongli, Yun couldn't stop smiling. He walked sometimes fast and sometimes slow, trying to pass by every brother, making no attempt to hide his desire to show off.
Seeing this, several people couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and jealousy. They laughed, "What's so funny?"
The fact that the Tenth Prince could have a daughter like Ning Chuke means it must be because the Emperor raised her well, or it's a case of skipped-generation inheritance. What could it possibly have to do with him? He's just trying to glorify himself!
...
First, Wanqing enriched the national treasury and shone brightly in the business world; then, Ningchuke developed firearms, contributing to the development of the Qing Dynasty's military.
The sudden emergence of Prince Feng and Prince Rui has fueled even greater expectations for girls' schools.
Soon after, several female students developed a grafting method, which increased grain yields; they restored water-powered windmills, improving irrigation efficiency for farmers; and they discovered a completely new material called "cement," leaving a significant mark on the history of dike, city wall, and road construction...
During the three-year mourning period, the girls' school achieved remarkable results, earning much praise. Many court officials with daughters were eager to enroll their daughters in the girls' school as well.
However, such expectations and praises were only expressed when their own interests were not involved. In the past three years, the achievements of women's education had almost entirely revolved around the latter three groups: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, which had indeed benefited the country and its people. But in the eyes of many court officials, it was still considered a "minor path."
Many people even suspected that this was just the emperor using the name of girls' schools to elevate the status of the imperial princesses, and since it did not involve their own interests, they naturally had no objections.
However, after the mourning period ended, the Emperor announced the end of the girls' school and put most of the girls' school members into the Six Ministries. The Emperor even created a special position of confidential secretary in the Grand Council, which was held by Prince Yi's daughter, Consort Hui.
This immediately caused a huge uproar.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable. Since ancient times, the court has always been a man's domain, and there has never been a woman holding an official position. If such a precedent is set, I fear that people will gossip about it, which would violate the ancestral rites and laws."
The ministers all looked dissatisfied, wishing they could stand up and "die in remonstrance."
Another censor remonstrated: "Your Majesty, women should manage domestic affairs while men should manage external affairs; this is the way of Heaven and Earth. Female officials in the court, working with many officials, face many inconveniences. Moreover, women are gentle and weak, and I fear they will find it difficult to deal with court disputes and handle state affairs. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."
The Vice Minister of Rites also stepped forward: "Your Majesty, as a nation of propriety, we should follow ancient customs. The entry of female officials into officialdom is not in accordance with the rites. I fear that this move will disrupt the court and disturb the people's hearts. I urge Your Majesty to rescind your decree."
For a time, voices of opposition rose and fell, as if everyone was against it.
In reality, none of the princes and high-ranking officials at the forefront expressed their opinions. Unfortunately, these once sharp-witted courtiers, having their own interests threatened, no longer cared about such matters.
Hongli sat upright on the dragon throne, quietly gazing at the crowd below without offering any opinion.
Gradually, the courtiers, realizing their mistake, fell silent and stood solemnly in the Golden Palace.
"What? Have you all finished speaking, my esteemed ministers?"
Hongli's face turned cold as he refuted them one by one: "If we follow the ancestral rites and laws, why don't we go back to the borderlands and eat raw meat and drink blood? If you ministers are willing to go back, I am willing to send you on your way."
The ministers below the hall lowered their heads.
Hongli continued, "Following ancient customs is absurd. Which ancient customs should we follow? Manchus and Han Chinese are one family, we're certainly very close. If we really follow ancient customs, we might as well overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming, and I'll just give up the throne."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me."
These words caused the court officials to kneel down, their faces changing drastically. They truly had no such intention! Your Majesty, this is sophistry! But who dared to bring it up? The label of "opposing the Qing and restoring the Ming" was not so easily removed.
"I am the Son of Heaven, and my words should be the way of Heaven and Earth!" Hongli stood up and looked at everyone in the hall. "All the people in this world are my subjects. I seek talented people, regardless of gender! Moreover, in ancient times, Nuwa mended the sky and Leizu invented sericulture. How could women's abilities be inferior to men's? Are you all afraid that you are not as good as women, so you say this?"
"My mind is made up. If you all cannot stand it, you may resign. I have no need for such weak-willed ministers as you."
After Hongli finished speaking, Yinzhi led a group of high-ranking officials in the front row to step forward and kowtow, saying, "Your Majesty is wise."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
At this moment, everyone realized that none of their superiors had objected, and upon further reflection, they realized that their daughters were among those the Emperor had arranged for.
Goodness, all of them with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and an air of righteousness—they've already jumped the gun! No wonder they don't object; they've already reaped the benefits, how could they possibly object!
Damn it, he wouldn't object if his daughter became an official too.
But having come this far, with the Emperor having said so, and with no profit to be gained, they had no choice but to accept it. After all, the Emperor was different from the late Emperor; he had plenty of power and means, and no shortage of supporters.
If they persist in their opposition, they will likely be dismissed from their posts tomorrow on the grounds that it is improper for them to step into the government office with their left foot first.
All the court officials joined in shouting, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Hongli nodded in satisfaction. "Furthermore, I intend to select a location in the capital to establish a girls' school, equivalent to the Imperial Academy. Those with outstanding academic performance can participate in the imperial examinations, and those who make significant breakthroughs can be appointed to official positions independently."
Girls' schools were gone, so they were given girls' schools in return. The courtiers, who couldn't beat them and had no choice but to join, found that they might be able to gain some advantage. This time, they were even more convinced of their superiority.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
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