Gu Yaoniang shook her head firmly.
Princess Ruining was surprised by her resolute attitude and asked, "Why is that?"
Gu Yaoniang slowly said, "I used to think that I only read miscellaneous books and had not learned any strategies for governing the country and saving the world. Going into business was the best way for me to become independent."
My second uncle told me that whether you are doing business or being an official, you need to read the classics, travel extensively, and understand profound principles in order to go far and steadily.
My second uncle said, "Even if I only want to do business, I still need to learn the ways of a gentleman."
"If that's the case, why don't you go to an official school for further education?"
Princess Ruining looked at her with some confusion, and she returned Princess Ruining's gaze sincerely.
She continued, "My second uncle also considered sending me to the official school. But Princess, do you know that even in the same official school, the subjects for women and men are different?"
The learning for men includes the Six Arts of a Gentleman, the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, and policy essays.
Princess Ruining nodded, and Gu Yaoniang continued, "But in the girls' classroom, they don't study policy essays or archery and horsemanship. Even if they enter the official school, they still learn the same things they can learn at home: music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and the rules of the inner quarters. They are taught how to be a virtuous wife and mother."
These are not what I seek, and I do not wish to learn them. I want to live honestly as myself, not to strive to be someone's woman behind the scenes.
The two official schools in Shuojing.
Hualing Academy in the suburbs of Beijing says it has insufficient school buildings and no girls' school, and has not yet accepted female students.
The Imperial Academy in the city was closest to the emperor. As soon as the new policy was announced, the girls' school of the Imperial Academy issued a notice that girls could enroll. However, what they learned was still the same as what ordinary girls learned in their boudoirs, no different from what they learned at home.
Therefore, after careful consideration, Gu Xingzhi hired a tutor for Yao Niang to teach at home, rather than sending her to an official school.
Gu Yaoniang's eyes were clear and unreserved, as if she were simply stating a trivial matter.
Princess Ruining was somewhat taken aback.
Others may not know, but she does. The new policies issued by the Sage were based on the recognition that women and men have different ways of thinking and perspectives. They were intended to allow women to step out of the inner quarters and to bring different voices into the court.
The Ministry of Revenue allocated a large sum of money to establish a girls' school, but the curriculum there still focused on how to marry into a good family.
Doesn't this go against the original intention of the sage?
It's unclear whether the lower-level officials truly failed to grasp the intent of the new policy, or if someone was deliberately obstructing it...
Princess Ruining concealed her astonishment and wanted to speak, but she didn't know what to say.
Seeing that she seemed troubled, Gu Yaoniang said, "Princess, I am doing very well now. My second uncle taught me business and also hired a tutor to teach me my studies. I believe that in time, I will be able to have my own business just like my second uncle!"
She smiled again after saying that: "You don't know, do you? I don't have any great ambitions. I just want to have endless money to spend and delicious food to eat every day. That would make me content."
In the future, if I have any spare money and happen to meet someone I want to help, I'll lend a hand; that would be enough.
Princess Ruining looked at the woman in front of her.
"When you are successful, you should help others; when you are unsuccessful, you should cultivate your own virtue." She said she had no grand ambitions, she said nothing, but Princess Ruining understood.
Princess Ruining said with admiration in her eyes, "Yaoniang, you are very good."
Hearing her say that, Yao Niang became somewhat shy.
"My second uncle once said something that I think is very true. When we merchants earn a lot of money, it is not the result of our own efforts alone, but the result of the joint efforts of our employees, managers, and countless other people."
When we receive kindness from the weaker, we should always cherish compassion for them, lest we diminish our own blessings.
Princess Ruining was hearing such remarks for the first time, and she was surprised that her master felt he had received a favor from his subordinate.
Upon closer examination, however, it seems to make a lot of sense. If subordinates didn't put in the effort, how could those in positions of authority have the time and energy to manage so many businesses? Ultimately, it's just a matter of everyone doing their own job.
It's just that ordinary people are used to it, so no one mentions it.
She was filled with admiration and couldn't help but say, "It's quite rare to find someone with such a broad perspective as your second uncle."
Gu Yaoniang looked smug and proud: "My second uncle is amazing!"
Her smile revealed a childlike quality rarely seen in her.
Princess Ruining continued, "Yaoniang, it's rare to find someone with such a broad mind and a heart full of compassion. If you were to become an official, it would be a blessing for the people. Do you truly not wish to be an official?"
Seeing the difficulty on Gu Yaoniang's face, she continued before Yaoniang could speak, "I know it's not easy for women to be officials. But the new policies of the dynasty have just begun, and we need women like you to set an example. You don't need to consider anything else; if you're willing, I can help you!"
Yao Niang, who had been relaxed, straightened up and sat upright.
The room fell silent, with only the aroma of food lingering in the air.
Suddenly, Yao Niang stood up. Princess Ruining looked at her in surprise as she walked up to her and knelt down in front of her, somewhat taken aback.
Princess Ruining reached out to help her up, but she gently dodged.
Yao Niang said, "Thank you for your kindness, Princess! At this moment, we are not friends, but ruler and subject. Please allow me to finish what I have to say."
Upon hearing this, Princess Ruining stopped trying to pull her up, straightened her clothes, and sat down, staring intently at Yaoniang.
Yao Niang said, "To be honest, Your Highness, everyone has the desire to serve their country, and I am no exception. When I first heard about the new policies, I did have some thoughts about it."
She smiled mockingly and said, "Back then, I thought that if I became a high-ranking official, I could trample Qin Yuxiu under my feet, return all the malice he had inflicted on me, and let him know that he was blind and unworthy of me."
But now, I feel utterly bored and just hope that I will have nothing to do with him anymore.
Moreover, my abilities are limited. Although, as you said, I have a compassionate heart, my talent for governing the world is woefully inadequate. It would be better for me to settle down and strive to become a wealthy and righteous merchant. If I am fortunate enough in the future, I might just become the first female imperial merchant of the Great Cheng Dynasty.
and……"
Her voice lowered: "Competing with the people for profit is ultimately unacceptable. If I want to enter the government as an official, my second uncle's business will inevitably be affected. My second uncle started from scratch and endured so much hardship to build his current fortune. I don't want to put him in a difficult position."
Moreover, serving one's country is not limited to entering officialdom. Although our great nation is now peaceful and prosperous, and its people are wealthy, it still needs to develop, build an army, construct roads, and establish schools—all of which require financial investment.
If I become a wealthy merchant, paying taxes according to the law and donating to charitable organizations, wouldn't that also be a way of serving the country?
There are many upright and talented people in the world. Let those suited for officialdom serve as officials, implementing policies that bring peace and prosperity to the people; let those suited for business engage in commerce, contributing to the enrichment of the national treasury. When everyone is in their proper place, and everyone works together for a prosperous future, that is true patriotism.
Princess Ruining was deeply moved and murmured, "Let those who are suited to be officials be officials, and let those who are suited to be merchants be merchants. Let everyone find their place and work together for a great cause..."
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