Chapter 244: Imperial Prelude
When asked this question, many court officials showed expressions of deep agreement.
Originally, letting women serve as officials in the court with them and be equal to them was already a violation of etiquette, and the men were unhappy. If they not only had to work with women in the future, but also had to watch their colleagues take long vacations with their salaries, while they still had to get up early every day to attend court, it would be simply unfair.
The Minister of the Honglu Temple stood up and questioned: "If maternity leave is established, won't it disrupt the order of the court? If all the female officials take maternity leave, how will the court continue?"
As he spoke, he pointed at Zhou Xianqing, who was closest to him.
"Let's take the example of the Minister of Rites, Ms. Zhou. If Ms. Zhou were a woman and did not come to court because she was pregnant, who would be in charge of the many affairs of the Ministry of Rites?"
Zhou Xianqing, who had remained silent amid the discussions just now, now just wanted to slowly type a "?" and secretly glared at the Minister of Honglu Temple.
All the ministers focused their attention on Zhu Lan. She calmly looked at Emperor Liang, bowed deeply and replied:
"Your Majesty, women's bodies are different from men's. The pain of childbirth is beyond the understanding of men. Granting maternity leave to female officials is a way of showing sympathy for their hardships and taking care of their body and mind. Moreover, women's wisdom and talents are no less than men's. After maternity leave, they can concentrate on their work, which is beneficial to the country and the people."
Then he looked at the other courtiers who raised questions, "May I ask if you have any children? Have you ever seen your wives go through the pain of childbirth?"
Several ministers were silent. They were all married and had seen him before. It was indeed hard for a woman to bear a child, and he was not suitable for official duties.
But... isn't this exactly what I mean? Women shouldn't study or become officials. Why do you have to make things difficult for yourself?
Zhu Lan looked at the officials in front of him who seemed to be hesitant to speak but did not dare to reveal their expressions in the court, and he suddenly guessed what they were thinking.
Zhu Lan's mind moved, and he suddenly thought that perhaps he could take this opportunity to do something more worthwhile.
She changed the subject and asked, "May I ask you, my Lords, do you think that His Majesty's policy of allowing women to study and become officials is wrong?"
"Your Majesty is wise and brave, so naturally... you are right!" That's all I can say.
"That is to say, you gentlemen believe that women can serve in the government, but they should not put their personal affairs above their official duties. If there is a conflict between official duties and marriage and childbirth, official duties should be prioritized, right?"
“This…” The other party thought about it according to Zhu Lan’s logic and felt that this was the truth, so he said “Yes”.
Yan Yuze, who was dressed in an official robe, raised the corners of his lips slightly and shook his head with a smile.
As the headmaster, how could I not know when Longchang Academy had taught these students to be so smart?
Zhu Lan glanced at a few clerks beside the pillars of the main hall and saw that they were writing furiously. A smile of success also appeared in his eyes.
You must know that every word of the question and answer dialogue in front of the palace today will be recorded, compiled into a book, and then printed and distributed by the government office for future students to read and study.
Ever since she started studying at Longchang Academy, she realized that although women were allowed to study in this era, those who could persist were extremely rare.
Although some of them started school with the primary purpose of raising their status in order to gain a higher social status, there were also many women who were truly interested in learning and had great ambitions.
It’s a pity that most of the later generations could not escape the eight words “father’s orders, matchmaker’s words”, and ruined their future, which is really a pity.
I initiated this conversation just to find a way out for those women who don't want to get married and have children but have no choice.
Once the memorial was published, it represented the approval of Emperor Liang. Even the imperial court acknowledged that women should focus on government affairs and not indulge in love affairs, so as long as they aimed to study and become officials, they had a reason to negotiate a marriage in public.
Zhu Lan also knew clearly in his heart that this was ancient times and it was extremely difficult to achieve completely free marriage and love.
Although the conditions of this desperate measure are not harsh, even if it only lights a faint light in the darkness, someone will definitely pursue it.
but--
Zhu Lan's eyes turned slightly.
She will not give up on her efforts to get female officials to take maternity leave. After all, not all women are unwilling to get married. If they have to choose between family and career, it would be too cruel.
Regardless of whether this method of having the best of both worlds would work, she would still give it a try.
Zhu Lan bowed to Emperor Liang again and said, "Your Majesty, although I, like all of you, believe that officials should put their country and family first, I still insist on the method I mentioned in my policy paper to increase maternity leave for female officials."
The Minister of the Honglu Temple sneered and said, "Isn't that a contradiction?"
"No." Zhu Lan looked at him steadily. "The court allowed women to enter the government, but the original intention was not to make women choose between entering the government and marrying a family. Your Excellency is a diligent official, so you should have more than one wife and concubine at home, right?
The students thought that women who were willing to give up marriage and devote themselves to the country as officials were worthy of admiration, and the court could compensate them. However, if they were deprived of the right to marry, it would be an overreaction, turning a beautiful thing into a shackle.
The court's introduction of maternity leave will further demonstrate your majesty's benevolence and encourage women all over the world to study and make progress with peace of mind."
After Zhu Lan's words, Yan Yuze's smile deepened, and even King Qi Yan Changwen showed a slightly playful smile.
Zhu Huiyuan's eloquence was indeed extraordinary. What was originally irrational, after her words, made it possible for women to enter officialdom, regardless of whether they were married or not.
The Honglu Temple was in charge of foreign guests and court ceremonies. All of its officials were good at rhetoric and eloquent, and they boasted of their talent for diplomacy.
䀴A dignified Minister of the Honglu Temple was actually dumbfounded by Zhu Huiyuan's argument at a court meeting. It really has a kind of... different kind of humor.
Crown Prince Yan Xiuyun, who was standing below Emperor Liang, frowned, as if he was thinking about Zhu Lan's words. His expression was the same as that of the Minister of Honglu Temple, who wanted to refute but didn't know where to start.
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites thought for a long time and finally found a new angle.
"You...you are acting for personal gain!"
He mustered up his courage and reported to Emperor Liang: "Your Majesty, regarding the questions of the imperial examination today, I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not."
Emperor Liang slightly changed his sitting posture and supported himself with one elbow on the armrest of the dragon chair.
"Speak now. You can speak freely at the court today. I will forgive you all."
The Minister of the Honglu Temple held back his anger and spoke out a question that had been lingering in the minds of not only the civil and military officials, but also the candidates taking the palace examination.
"Your Majesty, I think that the first question of the palace examination is inappropriate!"
Emperor Liang was not angry, but calmly let him continue.
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