Rise of the Poor
In the twelfth lunar month, the first snow gently covered the bluestone slabs of Zhuque Street in Chang'an.
Wu Meiniang held Princess Taiping, who was wrapped in a fox fur coat, and stood in front of the window of the Zichen Palace, gazing at the snow-covered world outside.
Today is the day to receive the candidates of this year's imperial examination. She specially chose a crimson phoenix-patterned court robe, which made the little girl's face in her arms look even more rosy.
(Inner monologue: This is the "national examination" of the Tang Dynasty; it deserves serious attention from students from humble backgrounds!)
Li Zhi returned from court, holding the list of this year's successful candidates in his hand, a rare look of joy on his face: "Meiniang, the official education system you implemented has truly been effective. This year, students from humble backgrounds accounted for 70% of the examinees!"
Wu Meiniang took the list and examined it carefully, a pleased smile curving her lips.
At this moment, ten-year-old Li Hong was holding Taiping's little hand, teaching her to recognize the characters in the Thousand Character Classic stroke by stroke.
Hearing this, he looked up and reported like a little adult, "Your Majesty, I have investigated. Most of these students come from official schools in various regions and are studying according to the textbooks compiled by Your Majesty."
Six-year-old Li Xian, who was playing with tangrams nearby, immediately chimed in, "Their math is all based on 'Introduction to Arithmetic,' which I helped compile! One student even said it's easier to understand than 'The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art'!"
Wu Zetian couldn't help but chuckle as she watched the children scrambling to get to the top.
Taiping, nestled in her arms, waved her little hands, babbling as if cheering on her brothers.
She gently stroked her daughter's soft hair and said softly, "We must let the world know that education is not limited by social status. As long as one is willing to work hard, even a poor family can produce a distinguished child."
On the day of the imperial examination, Wu Zetian specially arranged for her wet nurse to hold Princess Taiping behind a screen to watch the ceremony.
When the young Di Renjie answered fluently and proposed the strategy of "using the canal transport to improve people's livelihoods," Taiping suddenly let out a clear laugh and clapped her little hands.
Upon hearing this, Li Zhi laughed heartily and said to his ministers, "Even Princess Taiping knows this is a talented man! This young man should be given an important position."
After the results were announced, Wu Zetian held a banquet in the palace.
She had Taiping sit on a specially made high chair and watched with great interest as the newly appointed scholars recited poems and composed verses.
When Di Renjie composed the famous "Ode to the Grand Canal," the little princess danced with excitement, and in her babbling, she could vaguely make out the words "Grain...boat..."
(Inner monologue: Is this child truly destined for the Grand Canal? It seems prenatal education is indeed important!)
As the banquet reached its climax, Wu Zetian, holding Princess Taiping, rose and announced to the assembled students: "I intend to establish more public libraries throughout the land, where all citizens of the Tang Dynasty, regardless of rank, may enter and borrow books."
Upon hearing this, the veteran officials exchanged bewildered glances.
An imperial censor surnamed Cui couldn't help but speak up: "Your Majesty, books are the foundation of our heritage. If commoners are allowed to read them at will..."
"That's precisely what we want them to read!" Wu Meiniang's voice was clear and melodious. "Does Imperial Censor Cui fear that commoners, once they've read books, will be more sensible than the sons of noble families?"
Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) immediately approved the proposal: "The Empress's suggestion is excellent. Issue an imperial decree to allocate 200,000 taels of silver from the imperial treasury for the purchase of books. Furthermore, order the Hongwen Academy to copy classic texts and distribute them to the various prefectures."
Most surprisingly, Wu Zetian had Princess Taiping place her small hand on the imperial edict with a vermilion seal, and then said to the crowd, "Let the world remember that this is a gift from Princess Taiping. May the cultural heritage of our Great Tang Dynasty be passed down forever, and may talented people emerge in great numbers."
In early spring, the first public library was completed in Chang'an.
On the day the museum opened, Wu Zetian held Princess Taiping and personally cut the ribbon.
Watching the impoverished student eagerly devour the books, she lowered her head and whispered to her daughter, "Taiping, this is the prosperous era your mother wants to give you—an era where everyone can read and everyone can strive for advancement."
Li Zhi stood behind them, his gaze gentle and tender.
He took his daughter and said to his wife, "When Taiping grows up, the world will be a completely different place. I look forward to seeing the world she will face."
Sunlight streamed through the library's carved wooden windows, illuminating rows of brand-new bookshelves.
As Wu Zetian gazed at the young faces engrossed in reading, she seemed to see the sparks of humble beginnings igniting a prairie fire.
——
[Mini-Theater: Library Anecdotes]
(Observations from a compiler at the Imperial Academy)
Several interesting things happened today as the public library opened.
When the Empress was carrying Princess Taiping on her inspection tour, the little princess suddenly pointed at the "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" and started babbling.
The princess understood and immediately ordered that mathematics books be placed in the most prominent position, adding with a smile, "Her Highness has instructed that practical learning should be the priority."
(Such natural talent at such a young age; like begets like.)
What's even more interesting is that the second prince volunteered to be the "little curator," and would come to organize the books every day after school.
Today he discovered that a book had its pages torn, and immediately took out his monthly allowance to pay for it.
The administrator was so moved that he burst into tears.
The news is spreading throughout Chang'an that princes and princesses are enjoying themselves with the people.
Seeing this, the powerful and influential families also donated books to show their goodwill—after all, even the imperial family attached great importance to education, so who would dare to say that "rites do not apply to commoners"?
What is most poignant is that when the museum closed today, a ragged young man was wandering outside.
When His Highness the Crown Prince saw him, he personally led him inside and gave him a set of writing implements.
This scene was witnessed by His Majesty and His Majesty, who were traveling incognito.
His Majesty said nothing, but that very night he allocated an additional five thousand taels of silver to the library for purchasing books.
This Tang Dynasty is truly about to change its appearance.
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