Chapter 123
After the Huai family was investigated for a while, Chu Qin returned.
After he finished his work report in the palace, he returned home to rest for a few days and then set off again to the east.
This trip was filled with the earnest hope of the emperor and his officials: to find another mine.
We have the privately minted copper mine and the stolen gold mine, so this time it should be the silver mine, right?
In fact, if you want to ask the system about mineral resources, it is faster. The specific location and mineral output can be asked clearly, which can save a lot of manpower and material resources. However, minerals are non-renewable resources and will eventually be mined out.
If the national treasury was not extremely short of money, Chu Huan would rather leave these for future generations to use.
She popularized the concept and impact of sustainable development to the old master and the old tutor, and told them that large-scale smelting of gold and silver would cause environmental pollution, and excessive mining of minerals would cause land and water pollution, which are knowledge that many people are familiar with today.
These considerations are a bit ahead of their time for Dasheng now, and many people may not be willing to listen to her, as it may be a waste of effort.
But she already knew there were so many dangers. Dasheng was not short of money, so there was no need to do this. She couldn't just turn a blind eye.
Many times humans cannot take care of so many things in order to survive. Just like Chu Huan knew that excessive use of chemical fertilizers would cause land pollution, but when people were suffering from disasters and were about to starve to death, she had no choice but to use them and repeatedly reminded people to use chemical fertilizers in moderation.
The old Grand Tutor and the old Preceptor frowned as they listened, and asked question after question, using many modern words in their conversation.
Chu Huan explained everything one by one, without hiding anything. In order to convince them, she brought up the example of excessive mining in many places today, which has led to surface collapse and serious heavy metal poisoning in the land, making it unsuitable for human habitation and requiring migration.
She also used a live chicken at home and the mercury stored in mercury thermometers to demonstrate to the two teachers what heavy metal poisoning is and how serious the consequences can be.
After reading it, the old Grand Tutor and the old Preceptor had serious expressions on their faces and agreed with Chu Huan's idea.
The imperial court already had many mineral veins, and with the newly discovered copper and gold mines, the annual output was sufficient. As long as it was ensured that the mineral resources within Dasheng were not secretly mined by people from other countries, this matter would end here.
However, if Chu Qin discovered this while serving as an imperial envoy, the court would not let such good resources go unused.
A few days after Chu Qin left, this year's imperial examination began.
The Chu family also has a candidate: Chu Qi.
Recently, there has been a debate in the court about "whether women should take part in the imperial examinations". The old Grand Tutor and the old Grand Preceptor were fed up with it, so they found an excuse to take leave and came to the Chu family to teach the three people.
No matter how much the court argues, women still have to take the next imperial examination, and they are too lazy to waste time.
Ordinary people cannot enter the Imperial Examination Hall, so the old Grand Tutor and the old Preceptor chose a location to set up the venue, and set questions from the Four Books and the Five Classics, which were carried out simultaneously with the real examination, allowing Chu Huan and Nangong Ling to experience the feeling of the imperial examination first.
The fifth prince did not have to take the imperial examination, but he did not want to be the only one left behind among the three, so he simply participated.
The imperial examination, also known as the "Spring Examination", lasted for three days and tested the interpretation of classics, policy essays, etc.
Candidates were not allowed to leave after entering the Imperial Examination Hall, so they had to prepare their own meals three times a day. If they didn’t know how to cook, they could just bring some steamed buns in to eat. The three days would pass by just by enduring.
It was freezing cold, and the charcoal provided by the Imperial Examination Hall was limited, so one had to calculate how to use it over three days.
These are still tolerable, but the most troublesome thing is: physiological problems.
The real Imperial Examination Hall was a small house with only three sides covered and the remaining side open. There were partitions for answering questions, wooden boards for sleeping, and toilets for urinating. People were not allowed to go out.
Men feel uncomfortable when urinating without covering themselves, let alone women.
After they finish using the toilet, the toilet is placed next to them, and they have to eat, sleep and stay in this environment for three days.
After the mock examination, all three of them looked very unhappy.
Chu Huan and the fifth prince were martial artists, so their physical conditions were slightly better. However, Nangong Ling was not so well. She caught a cold on the second day, and took the exam on the third day while having a fever.
As soon as the exam time was over, the imperial physician called in in advance by the old master took turns to check the pulses of the three people. The two drank a bowl of thick ginger soup, and Nangong Ling drank the medicine with great pain.
The old master said: "The imperial examination is like this. Once the examination begins, no one can leave until the end. So you all need to be mentally prepared."
The old master said: "Every time, there are candidates who fall ill and are carried out unconscious, so you must persist in practicing martial arts and do your best to get better so that you can hold on."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes fell on Nangong Ling: Speaking of you, you are the weakest.
Nangong Ling responded with a bitter face: "Yes, students will start martial arts training tomorrow."
If she hadn't had this experience, she really wouldn't have known that her body was so weak, so weak that if she really wanted to take the imperial examination, she would probably lose half her life.
As soon as the examination results came out, the parties involved didn't know yet, but the memorials from the old Grand Tutor and the old Grand Preceptor and the answers of the three people were delivered to the dragon case.
The small-scale mock examination held this time was intended not only to allow Chu Huan and Nangong Ling to give it a try, but also to see whether the imperial examination for women was really feasible.
The result is obvious, the difficulties can be overcome, and the answer is not bad.
The imperial examination was presided over by the Ministry of Rites, and many officials were busy marking the papers. This time, there were fewer people gathered in the Imperial Study. After reading the answers of the three people, they had a certain set of rules in mind.
"Your Highness the Fifth Prince is still young, so it's quite good that he can answer like this."
"Nangong Ling's answer was vague, superficial, and a bit impetuous."
"There are some bright spots in Chu Huan's answer, but it's not elaborated on in detail, so there's not much to recommend it."
"It turns out that I have to wait another three years, otherwise it will be difficult to pass the imperial examination."
“Will three years not be enough?”
Which of the tribute students who were able to pass the metropolitan examination and enter the palace examination was not selected from thousands of miles away?
Even though Chu Huan and Nangong Ling had two top teachers, the old Grand Tutor and the old Grand Preceptor, their two years could not equal more than ten years or even decades of experience.
The emperor has read these papers. Not to mention the fifth prince's, he was just there to join in the fun.
Chu Huan and Nangong Ling's answers were considered average, but because they were women, if they wanted to participate in the first imperial examination open to women and receive the same treatment as men, they would receive a more harsh evaluation.
If you're not particularly outstanding, you won't be able to shut these people up.
The Emperor said: "Since the women's imperial examination is feasible, after the palace examination next month, let's announce the opening of the women's imperial examination."
Some people wanted to object, but seeing the emperor's expression that did not tolerate any arguments, they knew that there was no room for negotiation and shut up.
Forget it, don't go against the emperor.
Even if there were a special examination for women, few women would actually participate.
One reason was that few women studied the Four Books and the Five Classics in the past, and those who did could only take one round. Another reason was that the conditions for the imperial examinations were too poor to prevent cheating, and few women could endure taking the exams for several days in such a small house.
Isn’t Nangong Ling the best example?
When the news that women could also take the imperial examinations came out, it immediately shocked the whole Dasheng. The Western Rong, Northern Di, Eastern Yi, and Southern Man were all surprised.
Since the establishment of the imperial examination system, only men have participated in the imperial examination for nearly a thousand years. Even during the reign of female emperors, no one dared to risk great disapproval by holding special examinations for women. What happened to the Emperor of Dasheng now?
Many people in the know said: This is to open the door for someone.
When asked who someone was, they were reluctant to answer.
But this is not a difficult matter to investigate. Those who can make the emperor and officials give them an easy way out are either extremely talented or extremely powerful, so they are very easy to find.
Chu Huan and Nangong Ling became the fifth prince's study companions as women. This matter was talked about in the capital for a long time. Later, many girls from different families hired teachers to teach them the Four Books and the Five Classics. So the idea of opening a special examination for women had already appeared in the news. However, the rich and powerful families knew about it earlier, while ordinary people knew about it later.
Counting the time, it has been almost one or two years.
The people immediately had certain associations and complaints.
“Powerful people are truly remarkable.”
"Why would a woman take the imperial examination?"
"Was I searched in front of everyone before the exam?"
"Could Chu Huan be the emperor's illegitimate daughter? The emperor dotes on her too much!"
"Why is it Chu Huan and not Nangong Ling or someone else?"
When Chu Ping heard this outrageous rumor, he was completely stunned.
The father was confused and angry, and even felt a little aggrieved when he told Wen Shi: "How come Huan'er is the emperor's daughter? Can't my daughter be just as outstanding? Why are all outstanding children from the royal family?"
Wen was speechless and almost rolled his eyes. This is your main point?
"Of course, the Emperor can find the best teachers in the entire Dasheng for the prince and princess. With teachers like the Grand Tutor and the Grand Preceptor teaching them from a young age, who wouldn't be excellent?"
"That's true. With the Grand Tutor and the Grand Preceptor here, even a pig can be taught to be smart." Chu Ping sighed. "I regret it! If I had found a few good teachers for Huan'er and let her learn more, she might have won the top three in the next imperial examination."
Wen: “…” The more she spoke, the more outrageous it became.
There were too many rumors out there, and Wen Shi didn't know who was spreading them. She didn't dare tell Chu Huan about it, for fear that it would disturb her and affect her studies and preparations for the exam.
She decided to pass on a message to the servants at home later, asking them to keep their mouths shut and not tell Chu Huan anything.
And this one has the biggest mouth!
Wen Shi earnestly warned, "Just tell me this, but don't tell Huan'er."
Chu Ping was hurt: "Madam, why are you so worried? Am I such a tactless person?"
Wen said firmly, not giving her husband any face: "You are."
Chu Ping: "..."
When the emperor heard this, he sighed repeatedly: "I really want a daughter like this."
This statement can be testified by the personal eunuch Chen Jiu.
Every time Chu Huana had some new research results, the emperor would often sigh, "How wonderful it would be if this were my daughter."
Occasionally, the emperor would sift through his four sons: "The eldest is in the frontier, the second is stubborn, and the fifth is only this old. Only the fourth is of marriageable age. How about arranging a marriage between the fourth and Chu Huan?"
Chen Jiu treated these words as a gust of wind, and forgot about them after hearing them. He would never dare to let anyone else hear them.
But he also knew that even if he didn't say it, it was a fact that was obvious to everyone. Many people thought that Chu Huan would marry into the royal family in the future, either the fourth prince or the fifth prince.
"Now is not the right time." Even if the emperor wanted to grant the marriage, he couldn't choose to do so when everyone was staring at Chu Huan, lest the people really think that the imperial examination was held just for her.
Chu Huan was the main reason why he wanted to open the women's special examination, but it was not the only reason.
The real reason is: Chu Huan and the system investigated too many officials for corruption, and Chu Huan took out too many things, so there were not enough officials. He happened to see the convenience of women in many things, and the appearance of many outstanding women, including his own daughter, gave him this idea.
The emperor ordered, "Find a suitable time to reveal what Chu Huan did previously."
Without Chu Huan's knowledge, Dasheng launched a public opinion war.
The Women's Enke exam was opened just for Chu Huan?
Chu Huan is the legitimate daughter of a doctor in the Ministry of Justice. If she really wants to become an official, wouldn't it be better to go directly through recommendation? The imperial examination is so troublesome.
Chu Huan became the fifth prince's study companion and was taught by the Grand Tutor and Grand Preceptor. Was she the emperor's illegitimate daughter?
Many princes didn't have that kind of treatment, so how could a princess be more noble than a prince? Other princes and princesses didn't have a Grand Tutor or a Grand Master to teach them.
How could Chu Huan receive instruction from the Grand Tutor and General Xuanwei?
Of course, it was because she originally discovered penicillin, the cowpox vaccine, and the sweet potato, and gave them to the imperial court free of charge, which enabled subsequent research. It was considered a reward from the court. If you were capable, perhaps the court would let you go too.
People: "..."Okay, that seems a bit awesome, huh?
The people in the capital can still rely on some spies to guide public opinion, but what about the people in other places?
At this time, "The Biography of Chu Huan" written privately by Dongfang Heng played a key role.
It doesn’t matter if the storybook is not finished yet. There are already a lot of plots, enough to be printed in several volumes. I can just write them one by one slowly.
The opening of the first volume of "The Legend of Chu Huan" is very curious.
Three-year-old Chu Hua asked innocently, "Mom, why do oranges get moldy? Why can't we eat moldy oranges?"
Many people were stumped by these questions when they opened the storybook.
Yes, why does it get moldy? Why can’t we eat it?
As readers read on, they realize that what seems so commonplace to them, or even something they never pay attention to, is actually very strange in the eyes of little Chu Huan.
In her opinion, everything has its purpose, including mold.
This question stayed with her for many years until she extracted penicillin from moldy oranges. Then she suddenly realized: "It turns out that oranges become moldy in order to give us something better. Moldy oranges can still be eaten, but we have to eat them in a different way."
After finding the answer, Chu Huan gave it to the Imperial Hospital free of charge, because she believed that professional matters should be left to professionals, and she had something else to do.
——She heard that a smallpox outbreak occurred in a certain village and all the people in the village died.
The kind-hearted Chu Huan burst into tears upon hearing the news. She wanted to find a way to control smallpox, so she...
The kind-hearted Chu Huan: "..."
If she hadn't happened to see Hongmei reading a storybook today, and hadn't felt that it was very suspicious that Hongmei hid the storybook as soon as she found out, she wouldn't have known that "The Legend of Chu Huan" had already been published, and in a way that even the protagonist of the story would find outrageous.
Chu Huan took a deep breath, calming down her urge to destroy the book, and asked the system calmly, "Tong'er, do you know anything about this?"
The system's voice sounded a little guilty: [If I say I don't know, would you believe me?]
Chu Hua chuckled: [What do you think?]
System: [If I say I am just a string of code and can do nothing about this, would you believe me?]
Chu Hua: […If you tell me as soon as you discover it, it might still be possible to stop it.]
The system instantly became stiff: [That's impossible. Give up.]
[This matter is driven by the Emperor, and supervised by the old Grand Tutor and the old Grand Preceptor. The Emperor and the Empress love to read this storybook, and every prince and princess has a copy. It was even sent to the eldest prince and the second princess who were far away in the frontier. Do you think it's possible?]
Chu Huan:!!!
Is that so? Is that so!
It's not enough to let her die in the whole capital, but you actually let her die in the border areas? You are killing people and destroying their hearts!
Chu Huan was so embarrassed that she almost dug out a Forbidden City on the spot. She was too embarrassed to face anyone.
[So!] The person involved gnashed his teeth, extremely angry, [Why is this written to such an extent that even I, the person involved, can't recognize it?]
"How could I have asked such a question when I was three? If I were that awesome, I would have discovered the law of universal gravitation!"
This didn't require a system response; Hongmei, a fan of storybooks, could provide the answer: "Of course it's for the story's readability! Miss, didn't you say before that storybooks need a certain amount of artistic processing to make the logic self-consistent and the plot twists and turns, so that they are more interesting?"
Chu Huan: “…” So, it’s my fault?
[Forget it, Tong'er, is Meng Hang back? ]
System: [If you want Meng Hang to help you destroy Dongfang Heng's manuscript, it's useless. Meng Hang, his junior sister, his master, and the others are all loyal fans of "The Legend of Chu Hua." If he dares to do so, he will be expelled from the sect.]
Chu Huan felt dizzy and closed her eyes in pain: […Has this book been on sale for a long time?]
System: [Not long, only three months.]
The news that the imperial court was holding a special imperial examination for women and that it was held for you spread. To clear your name, the emperor gave the green light to all places, printing it on a large scale, and many bookstores sold it like crazy. This is how it was sold throughout Dasheng in just three months.
Chu Huan's eyes had completely lost their luster.
Oh my God, she just did something that every time traveler would do. Why did other time travelers kill everyone and leave their names in history, but she had to die in front of all the people of Dasheng?
System: [Many merchants have seen the business opportunity and have already shipped books to the Western Rong, Northern Di, Southern Barbarians, and Eastern Yi. It's estimated that within less than half a year, your reputation will spread to all the surrounding countries.]
[Sister Huan, you're famous!] It's so happy~
Chu Huan: "..." Well, I'm dead, you picked it :)
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