Chapter 34 Opening the First Door for Women in Officialdom
After everyone took their leave, the Yanying Hall finally became quiet.
The Emperor looked at Li Yuanzhao with a satisfied smile and said with a hint of approval, "Que Nu handled this matter beautifully. He both warned them and did not damage the foundation of the court. He handled the situation very well."
Li Yuanzhao replied humbly, "Your subject dares not take credit. This matter is entirely due to Your Majesty's wisdom, martial prowess, and strategic planning. Your subject has merely done what was within your duty."
The Emperor was delighted by her flattery. "You little rascal, you're getting better and better at talking. Tell me, what reward do you want? Gold and silver jewels or fertile fields and beautiful houses? Your father will grant your wish."
Li Yuanzhao said, "Your subject is favored by the Emperor, so I lack nothing."
She pretended to ponder for a moment, then raised her eyes and said, "But I have recently noticed someone and would like to recommend him to Father."
The Emperor paused slightly upon hearing this, then narrowed his eyes with a hint of inquiry, "Oh? Whom do you wish to recommend?"
Li Yuanzhao slowly said, "Just now, I suggested that the punishment of Prime Minister Su's son be carried out in accordance with the law, but it is inevitable that Prime Minister Su will harbor resentment. However, the Emperor's words are golden and there is no reason to change them. However, I have noticed these days that Prime Minister Su's eldest daughter, Su Qingci, is not only well-versed in poetry and books, but also knowledgeable in history and strategy, and her knowledge far exceeds that of ordinary young ladies."
Her tone became more serious, "Your subject wishes to recommend her to the Hanlin Academy as a female scholar, so as to share the burden of the Emperor."
The Emperor originally thought that after Zheng Chong was demoted, she would take the opportunity to recommend one of her own people to fill the vacancy of Minister of Personnel.
Unexpectedly, she was just a Hanlin scholar, and a woman at that.
He frowned slightly and hesitated, saying, "Since the founding of our dynasty, there has never been a precedent of a woman serving as an official in the court."
“Father, precedents are created by people.” Li Yuanzhao looked directly at his father. “Back then, when our ancestor established the dynasty, he abolished hereditary succession and adopted the imperial examination system. Wasn’t he once condemned by the gentry as a heretic? But now it seems that it was precisely that move that broke with convention that made our dynasty produce so many talented people and enjoy peace and prosperity.”
“Su Qingci is indeed very talented; even the Grand Tutor praised her highly. Wouldn’t it be a pity to bury her talent simply because she is a woman?”
"But she is, after all, just a woman," the Emperor still hesitated, "and the entire court will certainly not agree..."
Li Yuanzhao continued to persuade, "But the Empress Dowager is also just a woman. Back then, she was able to help the Emperor quell the internal strife and stabilize the court. Who among the civil and military officials dared to utter a single word against her?"
"Moreover, the Hanlin Academy is a place for compiling books and writing history, not for discussing politics in the court. Letting her go there to display her talents would firstly show the Emperor's consideration for his old ministers, and secondly let the world know that our dynasty does not discriminate between men and women, but only selects the talented. Why not do it?"
The emperor fell silent, as if deep in thought.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, his tone softening slightly: "This matter is ultimately too outrageous. Let me summon the three prime ministers to discuss it before making a decision."
Li Yuanzhao no longer stood his ground, but instead considerately bowed and took his leave: "Thank you, Father Emperor, I take my leave."
Li Yuanzhao knew that this was the biggest concession his father could make.
She had anticipated her father's thoughts. First, she calmly refused the reward, putting on an attitude of not competing or vying for anything. Then, she took the opportunity to propose the seemingly "insignificant" matter of recommending Su Qingci, thus creating an opportunity for someone else.
Her father already valued her merits this time, so he wouldn't easily refuse her.
To discuss?
If she wants to do something, even if it's just a matter of discussion, she will definitely do it as she wishes.
Su Xiang's son has now had his official career cut off, and there is no hope of him succeeding him.
With a daughter suddenly gaining a foothold in the court and maintaining the Su family's prestige, how could he refuse? He would probably be more than happy to accept it.
As for Prime Minister Cui, he had already been discussing the marriage between the two families with the Su family.
If Su Qingci could enter the Hanlin Academy and become a female scholar with an official position, it would be the icing on the cake for the Cui family, giving them an additional ally who could speak to the emperor.
He would naturally be happy to see it happen and would definitely go along with it.
As for Prime Minister Zheng, he had always disliked women interfering in politics.
However, he had five daughters, each of whom was well-versed in literature from a young age and possessed remarkable literary talent.
If there is a precedent for women serving as officials, wouldn't he be able to take advantage of this trend and send his daughters into the imperial court one by one?
That's always been the way things are in this world.
Many people oppose something not because they truly adhere to any principle, but simply because it is of no benefit to them.
But once they discover that there is profit to be made, no matter how righteous and righteous they were in opposing it before, they will instantly change their tune and wish they could be the first to grab the benefits.
The following day at the court assembly, Eunuch Xu read out the imperial edict to the public.
"Pei Guyan, the Prefect of Hedong, has embezzled salt taxes, resold government-owned salt, and bribed officials in the imperial examinations. His crimes are serious and unforgivable. He is hereby stripped of all his official positions and exiled to Lingnan, never to return to the capital!"
"As a high-ranking official of the court, Prime Minister Cui failed to investigate Pei Guyan's corruption beforehand, resulting in an empty treasury. Considering his willingness to make amends, he is hereby fined one year's salary as a warning to others!"
"Minister of Personnel Zheng Chong has committed favoritism, corruption, and perversion of justice. He is hereby demoted to the position of County Magistrate of Lingnan and ordered to leave the capital immediately!"
"Pei Huaijin took the initiative to expose the corrupt crimes of his uncle Pei Guyan, which was a meritorious service to the court, and he was promoted to Zhongshu Sheren!"
"Du Cong has been promoted to Supervising Censor for his meritorious service in reporting corruption!"
After a series of rewards and punishments were read out, and the officials were sighing in hushed tones, Eunuch Xu announced loudly, "Princess Li Yuanzhao has rendered meritorious service in investigating the case. She is hereby awarded five hundred hectares of fertile land and five hundred thousand strings of cash!"
The officials, who had been whispering among themselves, were instantly shocked by the reward the princess had received.
The eldest princess already had the largest fiefdom among all the royal relatives in the world.
With land and shops scattered across various regions, his wealth is astonishing.
Now, they have acquired so much fertile land and silver.
A rough estimate suggests that the eldest princess's assets are almost equivalent to one-fifth of the national treasury.
Some officials couldn't help but gasp in astonishment: what exactly does the eldest princess intend to do with such a huge amount of wealth?
Before everyone could recover from their shock, Eunuch Xu cleared his throat and read out the next imperial edict, which left all the officials speechless.
"Su Qingci, the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Su, is well-versed in poetry and literature, knowledgeable in policy discussions, and has made meritorious contributions to this investigation. Therefore, she is hereby appointed as a Hanlin Academician."
The hall erupted in chaos instantly.
"A woman entering the Hanlin Academy? This is simply unheard of!"
"Women should stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children; how can they show their faces in public and enter the court?"
"This is unheard of! Our dynasty's century-old foundation is likely to be ruined by these women."
Some even turned their attention to the three prime ministers, waiting for them to take the lead in refuting this "heretical" decree.
To everyone's surprise, the three prime ministers were speechless, seemingly having no objection to the decree.
As everyone gradually realized that the prime ministers had already tacitly agreed, wouldn't it be pointless for them to jump out and object?
The dissent gradually subsided, and the hall fell silent once more.
Li Yuanzhao stood below the court, his face still showing the same calm and composed expression.
What she wanted was never just Su Qingci.
This imperial edict today marks the first step towards opening the door for women to hold official positions.
From now on, she wants all women in the world to know that the inner chambers are not the end, and that they can also have a place in the imperial court.
Those who are shocked and discussing this now will one day realize that this is just the beginning.
(1 qing = 100 mu, 1 million guan ≈ 3 billion to 4 billion RMB today. Based on the purchasing power at the time, it could support an army of 100,000 for 2 years.)
The Hanlin Academician, a sixth-rank official, was the emperor's confidential secretary and private advisor. He was a trusted confidant of the emperor, serving as a "private advisor to the emperor." He participated in political affairs, accompanied the emperor, and was known as the "Inner Minister." This position was an important pathway to becoming a prime minister.
The Imperial Secretary, a fifth-rank official, was responsible for drafting imperial edicts. He was in charge of drafting all imperial decrees, appointment and dismissal documents, and major government orders. If he thought an edict was inappropriate, he could refuse to draft it.
The Censor-in-Chief, a seventh-rank official, was primarily responsible for supervising officials, inspecting counties and prefectures, correcting criminal cases, and maintaining court decorum. Although his rank was low, he wielded considerable power, having the authority to impeach officials who violated laws and regulations or were incompetent, including even high-ranking officials such as the prime minister.
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