Chapter 453 A Woman Should Be Like This
After the imperial examinations concluded, the capital fell into a peculiar silence.
In previous years, this time of year would have been a time of great celebration among students, with lively discussions taking place in restaurants and teahouses. But now, all that can be seen are the closed doors and windows of the inns near the examination hall. When students do come in or out, they walk quickly with their heads down, showing none of their former high spirits.
The atmosphere inside the Imperial College was even more somber.
Looking at the dejected students, the Grand Master sighed, "If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have accepted this competition in the first place."
One student couldn't help but say, "Your Excellency, the examination conditions at the Girls' Academy are clearly a shortcut! If it were under the same circumstances..."
"Shut up!" the chief priest interrupted sharply.
"A loss is a loss, what's the point of making excuses? When you were suffering in the examination cells for nine days, did you ever think about reforming the imperial examination system? They did, and they did!"
The students looked at each other, speechless.
Indeed, the drawbacks of the imperial examination system were well known to all those who experienced it throughout history, yet no one ever thought of changing it.
Now that the girls' academy has beaten us to it, anything we say seems pale and powerless.
Meanwhile, inside the palace, the Emperor and Empress were playing chess.
The Emperor, holding the black pieces, gazed thoughtfully at the chessboard: "Empress, what do you think the outcome of this year's imperial examination will be?"
The Empress placed a piece on the board and smiled, saying, "Your Majesty already knows the answer in your heart, why ask me?"
"I want to know your opinion on women's political participation." The Emperor raised his eyes.
"You've witnessed Yuan Hongqu's achievements over the years. Now, her students have pioneered the imperial examinations for women..."
The Empress calmly placed her piece: "Your Majesty, do you remember what I told you back then, why did Mr. Yuan insist on reforming the girls' academy?"
The Emperor nodded: "There are also talented women who should not be buried in obscurity."
"Indeed," the Empress said. "Over the years, the girls' academy has produced quite a few talented women. Some are skilled in medicine, some are proficient in arithmetic, and some are good at business. It is only natural that they are now participating in politics."
The Emperor seemed to be deep in thought.
The black and white pieces on the chessboard are intertwined, much like the future arrangements of male and female officials in the imperial court.
The Emperor suddenly laughed and said, "I remember Yuan Hongqu once said that women from her hometown could also become officials and generals. At the time, I just thought it was a joke, but now it seems that it is not impossible."
The Empress understood: "Your Majesty is wise. In fact, women are more thoughtful and thorough in their work, and in some aspects they are indeed more capable than men."
Just then, a eunuch came to report: the marking of the papers has been completed, and the results will be announced soon.
The Emperor stood up: "Let's go and witness this historic moment."
Outside the examination hall, a huge crowd had already gathered.
The people eagerly awaited the outcome of this grand competition between male and female students.
Daiyu and the students of the girls' academy stood on the specially built stands, each with a calm expression.
On the contrary, most of the students at the Imperial Academy lowered their heads and shrank back, completely lacking their former arrogance.
When the Minister of Rites presented the list of successful candidates in gold, the entire hall fell silent.
"First place—" The Minister of Rites unfurled the scroll, his voice booming, "Lin Daiyu!"
A gasp erupted from the crowd. Although it was somewhat expected, hearing that the woman had actually won first place was still astonishing.
What's even more surprising is that, among the names read out next, students from girls' colleges occupied six of the top ten spots!
The Chancellor of the Imperial Academy was deathly pale and almost couldn't stand up straight.
The students behind him looked ashen-faced, and some even broke down in tears on the spot.
Conversely, the girls' academy was filled with jubilation.
The girls who passed the exam embraced each other and wept, while those who failed showed no dejection, but instead encouraged each other: "Try again next year!"
Daiyu stood in front of the stands, her expression serene.
Yuan Hongqu walked to her side and said softly, "Do you feel vindicated?"
Daiyu shook her head: "Yu'er is only happy for all the women in the world. From now on, they all have something to look forward to."
At this moment, the Emperor personally awarded the certificates of merit to the top ten. When it was Daiyu's turn, the Emperor specifically asked, "Does the Princess have anything to say?"
Daiyu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I only wish that all women in the world could study and understand principles, so that they could serve the country. Only in this way can we live up to His Majesty's grace in opening the imperial examination for women."
These words won a standing ovation. Many of the women watching were moved to tears.
After the ceremony, the Emperor summoned Yuan Hongqu and Daiyu to the palace.
Inside the imperial study, the Emperor looked at the two of them and suddenly said, "Minister Yuan, I intend to add female official positions in the Six Ministries. What do you think?"
Yuan Hongqu bowed and said, “Your Majesty is wise. However, I believe that there is no need to create new official positions. Since women can enter officialdom through the imperial examination, they should be treated equally with men and appointed based on their abilities.”
The Emperor nodded: "That's right. Then I hereby appoint you to be in charge of drafting regulations for women to enter officialdom."
As they left the Imperial Study, Yuan Hongqu and Daiyu exchanged a smile, both knowing that this was just the beginning.
Sure enough, the next morning at court, the emperor proposed that women participate in the palace examination alongside men, which was met with opposition from many ministers.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" The Minister of Rites stepped forward first. "It is already an exception for women to take the exam; to have them take it in the same hall as men would be a violation of ancestral rules!"
The Minister of War echoed, "Besides, it was agreed that women who pass the provincial examination will not take up men's spots. If they take the palace examination together, how will the spots be allocated?"
The court was immediately abuzz with discussion. The conservative ministers all looked worried, fearing that women entering officialdom would shake the stability of the court.
At this moment, Yuan Hongqu calmly stepped forward: "I have already considered the concerns of you gentlemen. Since women have proven their talents through the imperial examinations, they should naturally compete fairly with men. As for the number of places..."
She paused, then looked around at the assembled officials: "I propose that the palace examination be conducted according to the usual practice, without distinction between men and women, focusing solely on talent and learning. If a woman passes the examination, an additional official position shall be created for her."
The Minister of Revenue immediately objected: "Adding new official positions? Easier said than done! The court's salaries and the establishment of government offices—aren't they all expenses? Although the national treasury is full now, it can't withstand such a waste!"
The Minister of Works also said: "Moreover, are official positions not child's play? The Six Ministries and Nine Ministers each have their own duties. If female officials are suddenly added, how should their duties be arranged?"
The debate raged in the court, but the emperor listened quietly, glancing at Yuan Hongqu from time to time.
At this moment, Daiyu, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "May I be so bold as to say a few words?"
The Emperor nodded: "Granted."
Daiyu bowed and said, “Your concerns are very valid. However, I believe that women entering officialdom does not necessarily require the creation of new positions. For example, the Ministry of Revenue needs people skilled in mathematics, the Ministry of Works needs people skilled in construction, and the Imperial Medical Bureau needs people knowledgeable in medicine—women can all fill these positions, so why create new ones?”
She turned to the Minister of Works: "I heard that Your Excellency is currently building water conservancy projects. Are you worried about the lack of officials who are proficient in arithmetic? There are students in the Girls' Academy who are skilled in this subject."
He then said to the Imperial Physician, "Female physicians are scarce in the Imperial Medical Bureau, but the students of the Medicine Department of the Women's Academy can all identify hundreds of herbs and are proficient in pulse diagnosis."
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