Chapter 126

Chapter 126

With the instigator now at leisure, the whispers and debates in the capital grew increasingly intense. News had spread to all regions near the city, and the common folk, especially women, were particularly concerned about the prospect of women being conscripted for labor. The self-proclaimed scholars, who claimed to uphold propriety, were more preoccupied with the idea of women working in factories.

In the Great Yi Dynasty, peace had reigned for years, and academies could be found almost everywhere. Upon receiving this news, many academies held emergency meetings, debating internally whether to endorse or oppose women's participation in factory work. The victorious faction would then lead their academy's top students to the capital for a public debate. Exposure to the world was always beneficial, and fame across the land would be an even greater achievement.

Some larger academies, with numerous teachers and students, found themselves evenly matched in their internal arguments, neither side willing to yield. As days passed, they had no choice but to divide into two camps, each heading to the capital to argue their case.

Overall, however, the majority were against women working in factories. Their reasons boiled down to a few key points: first, men were meant to handle external affairs while women managed the home; second, women making public appearances would be inappropriate and could undermine societal morals.

Only a minority believed that such a move could improve the lives of the common folk, engaging in heated debates with those so-called "orthodox guardians," questioning whether propriety or livelihood held greater importance.

Aside from the various academies, influential families and regional gentry across the land also dispatched representatives to the capital. Silk production was lucrative, and if women were barred from the factories, it would be easier for them to manipulate the situation. Just look at the number of workshops in the Jiangnan region.

In short, everything unfolded just as the emperor had anticipated: the reclusive scholars adhering to tradition, the opportunist gentry seeking to exploit the chaos, the petty men vying for fame, or simply the idealistic scholars who found the proposal morally unjustifiable... All flocked to the capital, even if they couldn't participate in the debate themselves, they wouldn't miss the first public argument since the founding of the Great Yi Dynasty.

When Fan Hong joined the grain convoy and arrived at Aksu City, news of the situation had already reached this side, sparking discussions among the soldiers. As Fan Hong made his way to Li Ai's residence, their convoy was promptly surrounded.

"Chief Manager Fan, what on earth is going on?"

"What sort of silk carpet? How much can it be sold for?"

"Women are all working in the factories, who will take care of the children at home?"

"What is this about substituting labor service?"

...

Amidst the cacophony of voices, Fan Hong's head throbbed with pain. It wasn't until he finally reached Li Ai's residence that he learned Li Ai had marched off to war and was not even in the mansion, nor would he return anytime soon. All his personal guards had been taken along, leaving only soldiers with some disabilities to guard the estate.

A limping veteran approached: "Steward Zheng, Chief Manager Fan."

Steward Zheng replied: "Lieutenant Liu."

Lieutenant Liu smiled: "Our leader instructed before he left that when you arrive, you should directly send the items to the estate's warehouse. Special items should be taken to the room next to his, or even straight into his quarters."

With Li Ai's instructions, everyone worked in unison. Steward Zheng and Fan Hong didn't store everything away; instead, they set aside a cart of goods for the disabled soldiers who remained behind.

Meng Die hadn't specified that carrots were special items, so Fan Hong treated them like ordinary vegetables, burying them in sandy soil to nurture them. The distilled alcohol, on the other hand, was immediately delivered to Li Ai's chamber.

With many hands at work, the items in the carriage were swiftly moved into the warehouse. Liu Xiuwei, seemingly out of nowhere, produced a large lock that clanged shut, followed by a few mournful groans from nearby.

Manager Zheng and Fan Hong pretended not to hear.

Liu Xiuwei continued, "There were several boxes on Second Master's desk. One of them contained letters, while the others held trinkets with names inscribed on them, meant for Old Lady, Lady, Second Madam, and the young misses."

Both Manager Zheng and Fan Hong nodded repeatedly.

Liu Xiuwei led them to the dining hall. "Steward Fan, how exactly is this female servant supposed to fulfill her corvée labor?"

With their tasks completed, the soldiers began to engage in gossip – or rather, inquiries about their families' conscription duties. In the Great Yi Dynasty, conscription was levied on a household basis. Regardless of the number of family members, one person from each household was required to serve annually. This was why peasant families were reluctant to split their households; filial piety dictated that they remain united as long as their parents were alive, and there were also practical financial interests at stake.

Supervisor Fan had been bombarded with questions since entering the city, so he wasn't surprised when the subject came up again: "When I left, His Majesty had just issued an edict. There wasn't a clear directive yet on how the service would be carried out. But during the journey, another edict was decreed, stating that if a household contributes two thousand five hundred oak silkworm cocoons, they will be exempt from conscription this year."

Lieutenant Liu grew anxious: "What if the village has no hills or oak trees?"

Fan Hong replied, "In that case, the men would still have to serve as they did in previous years." Noticing the disappointment in Lieutenant Liu's eyes, Fan Hong added, "Or perhaps the local county magistrate will make alternative arrangements."

Lieutenant Liu asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Fan Hong: "After the cocoons are delivered to the county office, they still need to be reeled, dyed, and even woven into silk carpets. These are all tasks that can't solely be done by the villages raising silkworms. The county magistrate will certainly distribute these tasks among various areas. Whoever proves capable of completing them efficiently will have their male family members exempted from compulsory labor."

Lieutenant Liu seemed disheartened: "It seems only those with connections can secure such opportunities."

Fan Hong: "I can't comment on other tasks, but weaving silk carpets definitely requires some skill. One can't do it well without a certain level of craftsmanship."

Lieutenant Liu smiled bitterly: "In my family, from my mother to my sisters-in-law and nieces, not one of them is particularly skilled in such tasks."

Ah, this! Fan Hong was speechless!

A one-armed soldier approached, "Supervisor Fan, will this silk rug sale be an annual event, or just for this year?"

Fan Hong recognized the young man, named Zhao Daniu, who was not yet twenty and had once been one of Li Ai's personal guards, "Assuming there are no unforeseen circumstances, it should become an annual occurrence."

Zhao Daniu's eyes lit up, "So the villages with mountains and mulberry trees will soon prosper, won't they?"

Fan Hong smiled, "Of course, their lives will improve. Not just for the villagers, but for anyone who can work. Everyone's situation will get better." Seeing many people around them listening intently, Fan Hong spoke with pride, "Our Second Lady opened such a factory in the capital last year. The women working there can earn as much as two taels and five hundred copper coins in a single month."

Ssshh – a series of gasps echoed.

Zhao Daniu's voice rose to a near-shriek: "So much silver? If one were to do this for a year, it would be enough to support an entire family."

Fan Hong: "Indeed, the women working in our factory now all come from households with comfortable lives. When they crave meat, they can afford to buy some for a treat."

A chorus of gulps echoed around them; the mention of meat! It was a rare treat for them to savor its flavor even once every few days.

With Li Ai absent, Manager Zheng and Fan Hong took a brief respite before accompanying the grain supervisor back to the capital from Acheng.

As Fan Hong and his companions made their way back, Meng Die had just concluded her negotiations with the thirteenth consortium of merchants.

Each merchant would pay 50,000 silver taels, but not immediately to Meng Die. Instead, the payment would be spread over five years after successfully hatching fish fry and selling either the first batch of fry or mature fish.

To be honest, if it weren't for Meng Die's impeccable reputation and the fact that her bread and cake recipes had already made them profits, they would genuinely be tempted but hesitant to try this new method. Unlike the bread and cakes, whose production was straightforward—buying the recipe allowed one to open a shop right away—the fish fry cultivation required an initial investment in a pond, and who knew if fish fry would sell easily?

Fish fry were not easy to catch in inland areas. In places without major rivers, not to mention villages, even entire counties might lack fish ponds. Under such circumstances, who would they sell the fish fry to?

Given these reasons, the merchants were wildly enthusiastic yet also rather cautious. Tan Zhengze's maxim that merchants prioritized profit was vividly demonstrated by their behavior.

However, with Meng Die's offer of favorable terms and the previous successful collaboration, the merchants' remaining concerns vanished. They eagerly rubbed their hands together, ready to embark on this ambitious venture.

With this matter settled, Meng Die finally let out a sigh of relief. In the Great Yi Dynasty, at the latest within a decade, the sight of a large fish on every family's dining table would no longer be an unattainable luxury.

The leisurely days passed swiftly. Three days before the debate, Fan Hong and Manager Zheng returned to the capital. After shaking off the dust of travel, Fan Hong promptly came to visit Meng Die.

Fan Hong said, "This time, I didn't get a chance to see Second Master. By the time we arrived, he had already led his troops away for six days. Later, from other generals, we learned that he might take as long as half a month, or even a full month to return. Before he left, Second Master also mentioned that there was no need to wait for him. After discussing it with Manager Zheng, we decided to come back first."

Meng Die replied, "Mm."

Fan Hong took out a letter from his breast pocket. "Second Master left this letter and some small trinkets before he marched out."

The attendant promptly presented the two small boxes to Meng Die, who casually opened one. Ah! The shimmering gems inside nearly blinded her with their brilliance, each vying for attention in a dazzling display of colors. There were also exceptionally pure colored diamonds. Upon opening the other box, she found more gems of various hues.

Xing Huang, Hulu, and Meihong couldn't contain their giggles. Meng Die rubbed her forehead, sighing; it seemed she would be haunted by the "multicolored" joke for the rest of her life.

Taking the letter, Meng Die said, "You've had a long journey. Go rest now."

"Yes, ma'am."

In Li Ai's letter, the little anecdotes remained lively and amusing. However, what surprised Meng Die even more was the separate message specifically for her. According to Li Ai, the canned food had produced unexpectedly excellent results. Many soldiers' night blindness had improved significantly after consuming just half a can, and even those with slower responses saw their eyes recover after finishing a whole can.

With such an able team at his disposal, Li Ai was planning a major move, the specifics of which were classified military intelligence and thus omitted from his letter. Meng Die suspected that he intended to stage a surprise attack, one that wouldn't be ordinary.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the day of the debate arrived. Meng Die woke up early to freshen up and, after a hearty meal, donned her official robe as a county princess. Seated in a carriage, she set off for the National Academy.

The area around the platform adjacent to the academy was already bustling with people, throngs of them gathered in layers. Were it not for Fu Yanxiu's foresight in dispatching soldiers to maintain order the previous night and clearing a path in advance, Meng Die's carriage wouldn't have been able to squeeze through.

Peering through the corner of her carriage curtain, Meng Die observed the platform.

True to its name, the platform stood high, roughly fifteen feet above ground level and spanning over a hundred square meters. Large water jars were strategically placed at certain points, and rumor had it that a well had been dug beneath the platform to amplify voices through echoes. On the platform sat a single, comfortable chair, reserved exclusively for Meng Die.

Not far from the first platform stood another, surrounded by layers upon layers of soldiers. Soon, the Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince and his wife, the King of Qi and his wife, the Grand Princess, as well as the four regents, would gather there to listen to the debate. The final decision would be announced by the Emperor.

As for the Ministers of Six Boards and the Right and Left Censors, they had no reserved seats. If they wished to attend, they could either join the commoners in spectating or challenge Meng Die on stage. In any case, they would be treated no differently from the ordinary citizens in this matter.

The carriage came to a halt, and Lu Wei helped Meng Die down. "Second Aunt, I'll accompany you."

Meng Die paused, then nodded. "Very well."

The factory was closed for the day, though it wasn't originally planned. Many women had bitten the bullet and taken leave, presumably fearing that if Meng Die lost, the factory might cease operations, leaving them with no livelihood. Thus, they intended to come and lend their support. As numerous workers requested leave, the factory eventually decided to give everyone the day off.

Xue Qing, Hulu, and Meihong, along with Xing Huang and Ruixue, remained by the carriage, warming tea and snacks while listening to the debate. Each of them held their breath, secretly hoping to lend a hand to Meng Die if there was even a slim chance.

When Meng Die led Lu Wei up to the platform and gracefully took her seat, the surrounding chatter instantly softened. Meng Die's appearance was simply too misleading.

Her famous name was known throughout the capital, but few had actually seen her face. Many believed that with her fiery temperament, she must have a sharp and unkind look that would bring misfortune to her husband. What did they see instead? A dignified and refined beauty, a true lady from a noble family straight out of a dramatic play.

Many were in a daze, wondering if what they had heard before was false or mere gossip. How could such an elegant and poised woman be a shrew?

One by one, the chief ministers arrived, followed by Prince Qi and his wife, the Grand Princess. As the hour of dawn approached, the imperial family finally made their entrance. With the crowd pressing in, the emperor had already given orders that no one needed to kneel. Thus, the people simply cheered "Long live the Emperor!"

Observing the lively and energetic crowd, the emperor felt a deep sense of satisfaction. His years of diligent governance and love for his people had indeed yielded results; the common folk were indeed living much better lives than before.

At the stroke of dawn, three tolls of a bronze gong signaled the commencement of the debate. Anyone with objections to the large number of women entering the factories could step onto the platform to question Meng Die.

The echoes of the gong lingered, yet no one dared to ascend the stage. It was Meng Die's formidable reputation that intimidated them. If it were anyone else, people would have rushed to be the first to speak, but when it came to Meng Die, even those who held grudges against her had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that she was a force to be reckoned with. The first to challenge her would likely not come away unscathed.

Spotting no one stepping forward, a young scholar in a green scholar's robe climbed the platform with confident strides. He bowed with clasped fists and introduced himself, "I am Yin Jing. I have a few questions for County Master Meng."

No wonder this person looked familiar. Upon hearing his surname, Meng Die recalled that he was one of the five men she had scolded during the spring outing. However, he hadn't spoken then, nor had he severed ties with Shi Yao or the Mountain Sea Academy afterward.

Meng Die: "Please do." Her voice was clear and melodious, like the pitter-patter of large and small pearls falling onto a jade plate. This further convinced many that the rumors were false – such an elegant person could not possibly be a shrew.

When Yin Jing saw Meng Die still sitting properly in her chair, a hint of displeasure flashed across his eyes: "The 'Family' hexagram, the thirty-seventh of the sixty-four in the Book of Changes, Zhou Yi, states: 'In the Family, the woman holds the correct position within, while the man holds the correct position without; when men and women are in their proper places, it is the great principle of Heaven and Earth.' This means that the man should be the provider outside and the woman the guardian inside, in accordance with the natural order of things."

"In the present situation, if the County Princess wishes for women to step out of the home, this is equivalent to defying the natural order and the principles of Heaven and Earth."

Meng Die smiled gently, her tone soft but words cutting like a knife: "Defying the natural order? Is the Book of Changes a manuscript descended from Heaven? Or did the heavens manifest these words in the sky to dictate human conduct? Has this ever happened?"

Yin Jing: "You... You're twisting the facts! Since ancient times, the Zhou Yi has been a must-read for scholars, containing..."

Meng Die interrupted assertively, "You mentioned it's a must-read for scholars. How can a book for scholars dictate the conduct of common folk? What relevance does it have to the people?"

Yin Jing was dumbfounded; this was clearly sophistry!

Meng Die: "Step back and consider, the I Ching contains sixty-four hexagrams, each corresponding to a state and a cause. You don't mention the cause at all, just taking one hexagram to interpret and mislead by taking things out of context. A good book has been distorted by people like you who harbor ulterior motives and smuggle in personal bias."

Yin Jing was utterly dumbfounded. After being scolded during that spring outing, he had brooded over it when he returned home and felt increasingly indignant. Finally, after much anticipation, he had meticulously prepared for this opportunity to refute Meng Die and redeem himself. Yet, he found himself at a loss for words just as the debate began.

Meng Die rose to her feet. "It was I who proposed that common women take up work in factories. If such a practice truly defies the natural order and the principles of heaven and earth, why hasn't the factory I've operated in the capital for several months been struck down by divine punishment? I declare here and now: if I have truly transgressed against the moral code of heaven and earth, I shall willingly endure the agony of lightning strike under this vast, clear sky today."

"Aah!" gasps escaped the onlookers. Meng Die was indeed ruthless – she could be so harsh with herself as well.

Meng Die looked coldly at Yin Jing. "Do you have anything else to say? Don't just spout empty words; everything relies on evidence. The author of I Ching remains uncertain, and even if some theories within are sound, how do you know the writer wasn't limited by the mindset of their time? Confucius said, 'Among any three people walking, I will surely find my teacher.' And Mencius said, 'To believe everything in a book is no better than having no book at all.' Have you forgotten these teachings, or did you perhaps read them and forget they ever existed?"

"Ha ha ha…" The crowd burst into laughter. This was a popular catchphrase in the capital that had stood the test of time – a golden quote from Meng Die.

Yin Jing's face flushed red, then turned ashen. As confident as he had been when he approached the stage, now he appeared equally humiliated. He stood there, dumbfounded, unable to utter a single word. Eventually, a close friend of his, covering his face, climbed onto the platform to pull him down.

Meng Die returned to her seat, composed and serene. She was very satisfied with Yin Jing – his opening move had been perfect. Now, who would dare to invoke the principles of natural law and morality? Meng Die felt refreshed and invigorated.

The onlookers gazed at Meng Die, who remained composed in her seat. No one now doubted that her reputation as a shrew was well-deserved!

Upon witnessing Yin Jing taking the stage, many others, encouraged by his initiative, swarmed to form a queue, intent on confronting Meng Die on stage. Now that they saw Meng Die effortlessly silencing Yin Jing with just a few words, leaving him utterly humiliated, numerous hearts instantly wavered, contemplating retreat.

Especially the one who had been second in line earlier, who was now filled with regret for his swift legs. He cursed himself inwardly. Why did he have to rush so much? Now, unable to leave in the open, he mustered up the courage to step onto the stage. "I have a question that puzzles me, and I hope County Master Meng can provide clarification. If all the women go to work, who will manage the household chores? And who will tend to the elderly and children?" Though he asked, he lacked the courage to reveal his name.

Meng Die raised an eyebrow. "As the saying goes, the eldest son inherits the family business as a shield to protect the home, while the youngest son stays close to the parents to fulfill filial piety. The middle son ventures forth like a spear to pave the way for the family. The roles of these first, second, and third sons are clearly defined. Yet, why is it that when it comes to women, they are all expected to manage household affairs and care for the elderly and children? Why can't a skilled daughter-in-law work in a factory, and a less skilled one take care of domestic duties and the family's elderly and young? What do you think of such a division of labor?"

Scholar: "Such an arrangement is indeed commendable, but those working outside the home might earn substantial sums daily. This could potentially lead to an inflated sense of self-importance, causing discontentment towards their sisters-in-law who don't contribute financially, and in turn, disrupt the harmony of our household."

Meng Die chuckled. "So it seems you're well-versed in this field. How is it that you, supporting your family with your earnings, hold yourself in such high regard and look down upon a wife who manages household affairs?"

The scholar repeatedly waved his hands, saying, "Of course, I don't think that way. It's just that people are inherently diverse, and one should naturally try to avoid potential conflicts whenever possible. That's how one maintains harmony within the household."

Meng Die didn't even bother to give him a direct gaze. "In our dynasty, it is decreed that only the legitimate firstborn son can inherit a title. It's also stipulated that officials ranked fourth class or higher are entitled to grant one of their children an official position. With many families having numerous offspring, wouldn't this single slot cause endless strife within households? His Majesty is right here; why not seize the opportunity to request His Majesty to abolish the inheritance of titles and the privilege of granting official positions?"

The scholar's countenance dramatically altered, his words stammering and failing to form a coherent sentence.

Meng Die: "Or perhaps you believe that all men are inherently magnanimous, free from jealousy."

"Frosty powder, Lord He!" someone from the crowd exclaimed.

"Ha ha ha..." This anecdote had been widely circulated in the capital, mostly among womenfolk.

The scholar's face alternated between red and white. "I admit my narrow-mindedness."

Meng Die persisted, "Indeed, it's narrow-minded. People are diverse, and I acknowledge the existence of envy. In a vast forest, every kind of bird can be found. But so what? Are you suggesting we should stop eating just because there's a chance of choking?"

"A man of small measure is no gentleman, one without tolerance is no true hero," Meng Die continued. "Don't always focus on these petty, intrigue-filled corners. It makes you seem as if your heart is smaller than the eye of a needle."

"Ha ha ha ha..." The onlookers burst into laughter once more.

The scholar covered his face as he descended the stage; today was undoubtedly a blemish on his life.