The Queen Mother returned power.
Tang Miaoling and Wei Yingya happily went to find Ning Wanyin together.
"Cousin, you finally have a day off! Shall we play mahjong together?" Tang Miaoling said with a smile.
Wei Yingya nodded, "Yes, your majesty has worked hard these years. Why don't you go to the Summer Resort to see the scenery?"
Fifteen years have passed, and the three are still the same as before.
Whenever Ning Wanyin is free, the two of them will come to play with her.
"No hurry." Ning Wanyin looked at the two of them and said softly:
"I plan to build a girls' academy in the capital."
Wei Yingya's eyes widened. "A women's academy? Can they also take the imperial examination?"
Although in the world she lived in in her previous life, both boys and girls could go to school, she did not mention this to Ning Wanyin.
Because she now knows very well that different times have different rules.
If you force some things from later generations into an ancient feudal dynasty, they will not be tolerated by the world.
"I won't take the imperial examinations, nor will I learn contemporary literature and classics." Ning Wanyin shook her head slightly.
She could issue an imperial decree to allow women to take the imperial examinations, but it would be of little use.
This move is bound to cause countless oppositions and slanders.
Families would not be willing to let girls take the imperial examinations and delay their marriage. In the eyes of the world, a girl's marriage is the most important thing.
Even if there are some people who pass the exam, they will be criticized and oppressed by public opinion under such an atmosphere.
Government decrees can change the rules, but they cannot change people’s hearts.
It’s better to try another way.
"The academy mainly teaches astronomy, geography, mathematics, farming and other subjects in preparation for compiling books. I plan to compile a "Complete Book of Heavenly Works" for Dayan. This is not a one-time effort, and I need many people to help me compile the book." Ning Wanyin said calmly:
"I plan to spend decades on this. The academy recruits students once a year, and anyone can sign up regardless of their status."
Revising the book was Ning Wanyin's apparent purpose and also the best reason.
Emperors and empresses of all dynasties often compiled books to educate the people.
Therefore, Ning Wanyin's founding of an academy under the pretext of editing books would not cause any opposition.
And once these women are admitted to the academy...
For those families, if the books compiled by the empress dowager could be passed down, the women who assisted in compiling the books would bring honor to their ancestors and have their names recorded in history.
Moreover, this is the Queen Mother's disciple! If he becomes familiar with the Queen Mother, won't the family have more opportunities?
Many people sent their daughters to the harem just to please the people in power. This college entrance examination can also be regarded as a "talent show" in another sense.
It would be easier for them to come before her in the name of editing a book.
"That's great! Can I participate? I also want to do my part!" Wei Yingya said excitedly.
Tang Miaoling looked confused and didn't quite understand, but she followed whatever her cousin did: "I want to contribute, cousin, see what I can do."
Ning Wanyin smiled and nodded, "The academy is just starting out, and there are many things to do. I need your help."
"Yeah yeah yeah!"
In the fifteenth year of Jinghe, the Empress Dowager founded the Beijing Women's College.
It is said that the empress dowager intended to compile a "Complete Book of Heavenly Works" covering many subjects such as astronomy, geography, mathematics, and farming. After the girls entered school, they mainly helped the empress dowager organize the books.
For a time, many noble families sent their daughters to take the academy examinations, hoping to become familiar to the empress dowager.
As a result, girls' academies sprang up everywhere.
Interests are the root cause that drives all this proactive development.
Under this social atmosphere, ordinary people also tried to send their daughters to girls' academies.
After all, passing the imperial examination is too difficult! Maybe the admission to this academy could be a little easier?
Many people thought that if their daughters became the empress dowager's disciples, their status would instantly rise, and they might be able to marry into a good family.
But for Ning Wanyin, it would take a while to finish writing the book.
The talents that were gathered could be promoted to be female officials based on their own talents.
Of course, Ning Wanyin didn't think that being in charge of household affairs was bad. Managing the backyard was also very important.
Ning Wanyin just gave them more choices.
These things cannot be achieved overnight, nor can they be changed by one person's words.
It will take time to gradually advance, and more people will be needed to participate. The road ahead is long...
Let’s start from this academy now.
Autumn, the fifteenth year of Jinghe.
The first women's academy was built in the capital.
Ning Wanyin took Tang Miaoling and Wei Yingya to visit the academy together.
At this time, the academy was still empty, with only maids carrying boxes of books to the library.
The three of them reached the top of the library and looked down at the magnificent view.
"Cousin, the books you chose are much more interesting than the scriptures. I love reading them! Especially when observing the stars at night, they are so magical!" Tang Miaoling excitedly shared the ancient books she had read recently:
"I thought I didn't like reading, but it turns out I just haven't found any books I like! It seems I have the talent to be a literary sage!"
Ning Wanyin was stunned and smiled.
Wei Yingya laughed so hard that she fell backwards. “Hahaha… if that’s the case, then I’m the same!”
The sun rises, and the light of morning light shines on the entire capital city.
In the distance, golden rice ears swayed like waves in the wind, and the water wheels turning by the river made a clanging sound.
The nearby streets were bustling with people, women were picking beads in front of the stalls, and children were watching acrobatics.
The times are peaceful and the harvest is good, the seas are calm and the rivers are clear.
——End of the full text——
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