Chapter 265: Bewitching
According to Su Fengzhang's plan, it would take five to ten years to gradually implement the reform of the imperial examination system, add subjects on the original basis, and select talents in a targeted manner.
But in fact, everything went more smoothly than he expected. Perhaps it was because the imperial examination system had more and more drawbacks, or perhaps it was because the rapid development of the Great Zhou with his intervention required more different types of talents.
The people at the bottom of society can't wait to move up. Under the premise of stability in the Great Zhou Dynasty, the people have enough food and clothing, and they are more likely to want to stand out, so that their ambitions will not be worn down by life.
After a year or two, the common people would find that more people around them were able to enter the government office, and the officials who were originally arrogant did not seem so out of reach anymore.
After three or four years, the benefits of this reform will be apparent. No system can completely avoid corruption, but when the reform begins, everything is moving in a positive direction.
For five or six years, knowing that this position was not easy to come by, the officials who entered the court through the additional examination worked diligently on weekdays and followed Su Fengzhang's lead. The effect of Su Fengzhang's feedback made Su Fengzhang's policies more smoothly implemented.
Even though there are still people in the court who are dissatisfied with this, the general trend is unwavering. With the strong encouragement of Prince Cheng and Yun Qian, and the support of these new forces, the Great Zhou is no longer the same Great Zhou as before.
Once these people seize the opportunity, it is impossible to let them go back to the past.
Everything was going on according to plan, but Su Fengzhang seemed to have become quiet. These few years were enough for Su Lanzhang to pass the imperial examination and even have a sister-in-law at home, but he was still as naked as ever.
The outside world was talking about this, but Su Fengzhang just stood there motionless. What was surprising was that Su Zhaoshi turned a blind eye to it and focused on taking care of Su Lanzhang's newborn daughter.
When the reform of the imperial examination system was being promoted, the Minister of Rites was worried day and night that Su Fengzhang would cause trouble every now and then. After all, this man had never been idle since he came to power.
Who knew that after this incident, Su Fengzhang became a little quieter. Apart from occasionally paying attention to the revision of "Xuanwu Da Dian", he spent the rest of his time dealing with the government affairs of the Ministry of Personnel.
The next time he had time, it was his turn to teach the little emperor in the palace. The little emperor was now nine years old and old enough to handle some government affairs, but perhaps because he had not had to worry about anything since he was a child, he had no interest in government affairs.
Rather than dealing with government affairs, the emperor's child would rather play hide-and-seek in the harem and usually fall asleep when listening to the lectures of the six ministers. But he is the emperor, and several adults are anxious, but there is nothing they can do except complain to the empress dowager.
There were even two old men whispering to each other in private, wondering if Empress Dowager Yun did this on purpose, raising the young emperor to be ignorant and playful so that she could continue to rule the country from behind the scenes.
After all, so many years have passed, and everyone knows that the one who really calls the shots in the palace is Empress Dowager Yun. Empress Dowager Fang is no match for her at all and can only draw on the sidelines.
It was Su Fengzhang's shift again that day. When he was talking about the administration of officials in the country, the little emperor below secretly yawned. Perhaps because he had heard too much about the reputation of this Lord Su, he did not dare to fall asleep directly.
Su Fengzhang pretended not to notice his little gesture and finished what he had to say before asking, "Your Majesty, do you understand?"
The little emperor said repeatedly, "I understand, I understand, Grand Tutor Su, can I go play now?"
Su Fengzhang smiled and said, "Of course not. I still have to test Your Majesty and check today's lessons."
After hearing this, the little emperor's face suddenly darkened, and he stammered, "Master Su, I am already the ruler of a country, why do I need to learn so many things?"
"If Your Majesty does not learn, does not know, and does not ask, then in the future, whatever your ministers say will be what you see. Even if you have eyes, you will never see the Great Zhou phenomenon again."
The young emperor secretly glanced at him and said, "That's not a bad thing. With a minister as capable as Grand Tutor Su in the court, I can rest assured. Hasn't the Great Zhou been getting better and better these years? Hasn't the country been strong and the people are safe?"
Su Fengzhang frowned slightly, thinking to himself that he didn't know who said these words to His Majesty, but this was inevitable.
As the emperor gets older, these problems will only increase and the conflicts will become more and more intense.
He laughed and asked, "Then Your Majesty, are you willing to do this?"
The young emperor was stunned for a moment, then thought for a moment and said, "Why should I be unwilling to do this? Grand Tutor Su also said that we should select people according to their abilities. Although I am the emperor, I don't like to deal with government affairs, and I don't like to be too hard-working. Then I will hand over the court to you. I will have fun and be happy, and everyone will be happy."
Su Fengzhang looked at him and secretly thought that if these words were sincere, it meant that the little emperor was born with a big heart and was happy as long as everything was fine. If they were said deliberately to lower his guard, he would definitely be a big shot in the future.
It was natural for him to hope for the former. After all, if it was the latter, he would definitely be one of the people the little emperor had to deal with.
"In that case, I will not stop you any further. Your Majesty, please go ahead and play if you want." Su Fengzhang said with a smile.
The little emperor cheered and walked away, looking like he had been holding back for a long time. Several young eunuchs around him hurriedly followed him.
Su Fengzhang did not leave the harem directly, but walked towards Empress Dowager Yun's palace. Normally, outsiders were not allowed to walk around the harem at will, but the young emperor had not married in these years, and there was no one else in the harem except the two empress dowagers. Some rules began to relax, after all, Empress Dowager Yun still had to deal with government affairs.
After reporting, Su Fengzhang met with Empress Dowager Yun and stood aside in a respectful manner.
Empress Dowager Yun was drinking tea. Seeing him, she smiled and said, "How come you have time to come here, Master Su?"
Without waiting for Su Fengzhang to answer, Empress Dowager Yun continued, "Could it be because of that matter again?"
Su Fengzhang nodded and said, "That's exactly what I'm talking about. I wonder what the Empress Dowager thinks about it?"
Empress Dowager Yun sighed softly and said, "Lord Su, to be honest, when I heard your proposal, I was also shocked, but after the shock, I was happy."
"I am also a woman. Back then, due to gender differences, I was forced to enter the deep palace, spending my entire life within these cold palace walls." Empress Dowager Yun continued, "Over the years, I have also thought about how wonderful it would be if I were born a man."
"But women are women after all. Now I am just ruling from behind the scenes, and many people accuse me of being a hen crowing at dawn. Privately, they all think that I am deliberately corrupting the emperor so that I can control the court for a long time."
"Master Su, let me ask you a question. Have you ever thought about this?"
Su Fengzhang shook his head truthfully and said, "I have never thought this way before. The Empress Dowager's heart and mine are the same. Your Majesty is growing up day by day, and there is nothing we should say or teach you."
Queen Mother Yun smiled and said, "It's a pity that others don't think so."
"In their eyes, you in the former court and I in the harem are both trying to frame the emperor. Believe it or not, when Your Majesty is old enough to rule the country, countless impeachments will await us."
Su Fengzhang nodded and said, "I believe it, but I am not afraid either."
Empress Dowager Yun then asked, "Since you believe it, why bother doing this? What good will it do you to speak up for a woman? Lord Su, if you have the time, why don't you think about yourself?"
Su Fengzhang smiled and said, "It's true that there is no benefit, but I want to do this. Regardless of whether Chengdu can do it or not, I want to give it a try."
Empress Dowager Yun stared at him and suddenly laughed, "Master Su, they used to call you audacious, but I didn't believe them. Whether it was reforming the civil service or the imperial examination system, I thought everything was good. But this time, even I don't know what you're trying to do. Are you trying to make all women the same as men?"
Su Fengzhang laughed and said, "How can they be the same? Men and women are born different. Men are born stronger, but women are responsible for bearing children. Even after a thousand years, they will not be exactly the same."
"But I have always thought that there are so many women in this world who are incredibly intelligent, talented and beautiful. It would be a pity if they were all trapped in the walls. Why can't we let them out?"
Empress Dowager Yun sighed and said, "That's why I say you're incredibly audacious. Believe it or not, once this matter is brought up, the entire court, including the civil and military officials, and even those you personally promoted, will oppose it."
Su Fengzhang nodded and said, "That's true, so we can't bring it up openly. We have to take it step by step."
Empress Dowager Yun was silent for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Lord Su, are you so determined to do this for Prince Cheng?"
Su Fengzhang looked up at the Queen Mother, who smiled and asked, "Isn't it true? For her sake, you haven't married or even had children these years. I never thought that Lord Su, who is rumored to be cold and heartless and focused on government affairs, could also be deeply in love."
Su Fengzhang no longer wanted to explain this matter, or perhaps what he said was not entirely wrong.
Seeing that he did not refute, the Queen Mother felt a little more favorable towards Su Fengzhang.
This is probably true for all women. When they see a devoted man, especially one who is handsome, powerful, good-looking and chaste, they usually feel attracted to him.
The Queen Mother continued, "Alas, who could have imagined that the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty is now controlled by a few women? If this were to get out, I'm afraid all the men in the world would be ashamed."
"If that day ever comes, I don't know if we will become the target of public criticism. It's rare to see someone like Lord Su who doesn't care."
Su Fengzhang simply asked, "Empress Dowager, what is your opinion?"
Empress Dowager Yun laughed and said, "My second brother often said that whatever Lord Su wanted to do, and whoever he wanted to persuade, there was nothing he couldn't accomplish. I have witnessed this today."
"Sir Su, I also want to see if this woman can gain a foothold in the court. Are women inherently inferior to men, and can only hide within the deep palace walls?"
Su Fengzhang understood what she meant and said gratefully, "Thank you, Empress Dowager."
Queen Mother Yun simply said, "I don't care about my reputation. I get scolded anyway, it's just a matter of one less or one more."
"But please, Lord Su, take care of me. I don't want to be like a child raised by my own daughter. If I join the court, I'll suffer a loss. I'll be stuck in neither direction, and my life will be ruined in vain."
After she finished speaking, she deliberately glanced at Su Fengzhang and said with a smile, "Sir Su, if Zi Yan is ruined, for her next life, I will directly marry her to you."
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