Chapter 227 That... Madam Hou?
The output left them speechless.
In the end, Zhou Huanjiu was given the same title of marquis as Xu Xinshu, but because he was too young, his official rank was one level lower than Xu Xinshu's, and he was appointed as the Inspector General of Military Equipment.
However, the matter was not over yet, because the emperor threw out another immature idea: "With the examples of Xu Shaoqing and Zhou Jiancheng, I really can't help but think about it."
"Women make up half of the world's people."
"Among them, how many characters are buried in the backyard?"
“It’s really regrettable and heartbreaking!”
"Why not reform the imperial examination system so that women can also enter the government?"
These words were like water dropped into a frying pan, making the situation boil over immediately.
A large group of people knelt down directly: "Your Majesty, you can't do that!"
"I hope your majesty will think deeply about this!"
"Your Majesty, please take back your order!"
The noisy exhortations all mean the same thing.
Among the people below, even Xu Lanqi, who had always been the male version of the emperor's eloquent flower, was stunned.
The emperor sat alone on the high platform quietly, watching the development of the situation.
It’s still the same old trick. First, make an impossible and unreasonable request, and then take a step back. It will be much easier.
It doesn't matter if the trick is old, as long as it is useful. One new trick can make you successful everywhere.
In the face of heated public opposition, Bei Heng "backed down".
"I just want to recruit talented people. It would be a pity to lose one or two more of the country's most important talents like Xu Qing and Zhou Qing, wouldn't it?"
"They are royal relatives, so they can come before me."
"What about the ordinary people who live among the people? Even if they have talents, they have nowhere to go. Worse still, they are taken advantage of by other countries. That is a heart-wrenching loss."
This statement is so reasonable. No one dares to say that if talents are lost, then they are lost, and if other countries benefit, then they benefit.
If I tell you, I'm afraid I'll be considered a spy, beaten to death on the spot, and my property will be confiscated and my entire family will be exterminated.
Everyone can only praise "Your Majesty's wisdom".
Your Majesty, the wise emperor, asked everyone what good advice they had.
The Left Counselor suggested: "Your Majesty, allowing women to serve as officials is really too shocking and unconventional."
"The world is full of yin and yang, and each has its own duties."
"If women are allowed to do the duties of men, the world will be in chaos, yin and yang will be reversed, and there will be chaos."
"But people like Zhou Jiancheng should not be missed. I suggest that Your Majesty appoint a historian to visit various places among the people."
"Those with outstanding talents will be tested, and after they have made contributions, they will be awarded rewards and positions."
Zhou Huanjiu, who was sitting in the middle of the hall, could tell something was wrong. No matter how stupid she was, she knew that one could be appointed an official only after passing the imperial examination.
However, the women that Shi visited had to make meritorious services before they could get positions.
Same as her.
Isn’t it a bit unfair?
In the end, the proposal of Zuo Jianyi Dafu was adopted.
After court was dismissed, Zhou Huan returned to Renshou Palace and paid her respects to the Empress Dowager first.
Inside the main hall, the door was tightly closed and Aunt Hui was guarding the door.
Zhou Huanjiu felt that his aunt was becoming lazier and lazier. She often slept during the day and would sleep for a long time.
Moreover, the people who keep watch over Changgu when she sleeps now are no longer palace maids, but the two handsome eunuchs.
Very strange.
She asked, "Aunt, is the eldest aunt taking a nap?"
There was a strange smile on Aunt Hui's face. Every time my eldest aunt slept during the day and asked this question, Aunt Hui's smile was a little strange.
Alas, strange adults.
Aunt Hui replied, "The Queen Mother is resting now. I will convey the Princess' greetings to her."
Zhou Huanjiu rubbed his fingers and said awkwardly, "But... I have something I want to tell my aunt in person."
"Then wait until the eldest aunt wakes up, and then aunt will teach me, okay?"
Just as Aunt Hui was about to reply, the Queen Mother's voice came from inside the room: "Let Jiuer come in. I'm awake."
Zhou Huan's wine was brought in.
The eldest aunt's hair was a little messy, and her face was flushed, she looked very radiant and full of energy.
I have to say, my aunt has gotten younger and younger in recent years.
Standing behind her was the handsome eunuch who had always been by her side and was very favored by her.
"Jiu'er, what do you want to tell your aunt?"
Zhou Huanjiu regained his composure and said, "Aunt, my cousin has issued an edict, giving me the position of the Inspector of Arms. He has asked me to move out of the palace and take up the post in the Ministry of Works."
The Queen Mother and all the palace people who had watched Zhou Huanjiu grow up were all stunned.
"You? The Ordnance Inspector?"
For a moment, she didn't connect the young girl in front of her with the Ordnance Bureau.
My brain isn't working very well after the intense exercise.
Didn’t you act coquettishly in front of her yesterday and say you didn’t want to go to school?
Why are you saying you want to go to the Ordnance Administration today?
But after being confused, she quickly reacted: "Could it be that the fact that you were making so much noise in your bedroom all day and almost burned things in my Renshou Hall is related to military equipment?"
Zhou Huanjiu nodded, "Actually it's not entirely my credit. Chuchu gave me a strange book, and I made gunpowder according to what was written in it."
"My cousin said this thing was very useful on the battlefield of Tunning, so he gave me a reward."
The Queen Mother looked at her silly niece with pity and even gave her an award.
Do you know what kind of oppressive life you are about to face?
After bidding farewell to the Empress Dowager, the aunt and niece said goodbye to each other for a long time.
As soon as Zhou Huanjiu had time, he sent someone to tell his mother the great news.
When Mrs. Zhou got the news, she thought she was dreaming.
She pinched her arm hard.
"It doesn't hurt, it was just a dream"
The little maid who was reporting the news to her pursed her lips and said aggrievedly, "Madam, you pinched my arm."
Mrs. Zhou: ...
"Sorry, please go down and apply some medicine."
She pinched herself again. This time it hurt. Wasn’t it a dream?
The maid who reported the news said speechlessly: "Madam, even if you don't pinch me, don't pinch yourself."
"My lady, no, our Lord will be back soon. If he saw bruises on your arms, he would think that the servants had abused you."
Mrs. Zhou was not used to the title of Marquis. She asked, "Although Jiu'er was given the title of Marquis......"
She was still dazed when she talked about it.
"Jiu'er was made a marquis, but calling him Marquis is weird, isn't it? After all, she is a girl."
The maid hesitated: "Then...Mrs. Hou?"
Mrs. Zhou: ...even stranger.
"The Marquis is the Marquis."
She clasped her hands together and bowed in the direction of her small Buddhist temple.
"God bless you."
She said to herself excitedly: "I thought that I would have to endure humiliation all my life because I didn't have a child."
"I never thought my son would be so successful!"
"That girl looks silly, I knew she had her own abilities, but I didn't expect her to be so capable!"
The maid looked at her hands that were pinched so hard that they hurt, and she had to keep smiling, feeling sorry for herself in silence.
Mrs. Zhou, who was always dignified, could not suppress her excitement. However, she could not be like her daughter, who, when happy, ran around the yard like a wild monkey.
The most she did was walk around the house a bit more.