Chapter 127

Chapter 127

The third-ranked person was also someone Meng Die had heard of, but they were not personally acquainted. He turned out to be the headmaster of the Mountain and Sea Academy. However, Meng Die didn't recognize him. After ascending the stage, he only introduced himself as Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun: "Since ancient times, men have plowed the fields while women wove cloth. There's nothing inherently wrong with asking women to create silk carpets, but historically, there has been no precedent for women entering factories. To suddenly change this might prove problematic."

Meng Die, not knowing him, observed that he seemed quite aged and decided not to confront him directly. "Esteemed sir, time progresses and society advances. Humans have evolved from our primitive days of eating raw meat to enjoying an abundance of delicious food today, and from wearing barely sufficient clothing to adorning ourselves in luxurious fabrics. It's clear that new things can bring benefits. We mustn't rigidly adhere to old traditions."

Zhang Jun: "Indeed, new things can have their merits, but some can also bring harm. Throughout history, beautiful women have often been the source of trouble. If women were to come forward and take on public roles, it could lead to numerous problems. At best, it could cause unrest within families; at worst, it could destabilize the nation and undermine its foundations. This matter must not be taken lightly!"

Meng Die's eyes flashed with a sudden keen edge, followed by a derisive laugh. "Has it always been true that beauty brings calamity? So when Emperor Li Ming forcibly took his own daughter-in-law, was it she who seduced him? It wasn't his own lack of self-restraint, his inability to control his baser instincts. Oh, and let me not forget, his daughter-in-law never even ventured out to work; she stayed within the confines of their home. If we are to follow such logic, then daughters-in-law across the land should never be in the presence of their fathers-in-law. Come the Mid-Autumn Festival, every family should feast separately in their own chambers—how convenient for all."

Zhang Jun: "How do you know it wasn't that licentious concubine, lured by the emperor's power, who committed such an immoral act?"

Meng Die: "And how do you know it wasn't that old Emperor who forcefully abducted his daughter-in-law? Neither of us can produce evidence. Wouldn't it be best for all concerned to prevent any further escalation and never meet again in this lifetime?"

"And you keep saying that since ancient times, how to write the word 'man' is 'field labor', which means men are the laborers in the fields. Old sir, you are wearing a scholar's robe, so you must be a scholar. Your hands are white and have no calluses, which shows that you don't work in the fields. According to the saying since ancient times, you are not even a man."

...

Both on-stage and off-stage, all were astounded, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Zhang Jun trembled with rage, "You..."

With rapid footsteps, an elder ascended the stairs almost in a jog. He was Ni Hong, the headmaster of the Imperial Academy. Normally, in their rivalry with the Mountain Sea Academy, he and Zhang Jun were equally matched, neither conceding to the other. However, on the matter of allowing women into the factory, Zhang Jun's disagreement resonated with him. They both held the same view: how could women be allowed in factories? It would be a breach of propriety!

Meng Die observed the elderly gentleman ascending the stage with a cold gaze; she still couldn't place him as the Director of the Imperial Academy.

Ni Hong bowed respectfully and said, "I am Ni Hong. Lady Meng, it is inappropriate for a woman to be too prominent in public. Once a lady enters the palace, the danger of moral decay and societal chaos is imminent."

Upon hearing the name, she immediately recognized who the other party was. Meng Die directly exposed the other's identity: "The collapse of rites and music? Ni Jiujiu, when the granaries are full, people know their etiquette; when they have enough to eat and wear, they understand honor and disgrace. You don't let the common people eat but instead make them adhere to the so-called rites? Should I say that you have read the books to the point of decay, or should I say that you harbor malicious intentions, not wanting the people of the north to live a life free from worries about food and clothing sooner?"

Ni Hong's face dramatically changed: "I..."

A sprightly young woman hurried up to the platform, taking her place beside Meng Die. "Apart from voicing opinions on allowing women to enter the factory, one can also affirm or refute County Master Meng's perspective, right?"

Meng Die looked at Yiyi with a gentle smile on her lips. "Not bad."

Yiyi turned to Ni Hong and asked, "I have a question for the elder as well. You just mentioned that something is immoral. May I ask, aren't brothels places that undermine public morals?"

Ni Hong was taken aback. "Wh-what does this have to do with women entering the factory?"

Yiyi paused. Meng Die sneered. "Inspector Ni, since we're discussing morals, why can't such matters be discussed together? Or is it that the places where you old lechers indulge yourselves are exempt from moral considerations?"

Ni Hong's face turned as dark as iron. "Please don't defame me with baseless accusations, County Princess."

Meng Die responded, "Then, may I ask Inspector Ni if brothels are places that undermine public morals?"

Ni Hong immediately broke out in a sweat. How should he answer? If he said yes, she would surely question why he hadn't presented an edict to the emperor to abolish brothels. If he said no, he would never be able to hold his head high in front of his classmates and students for the rest of his life.

Meng Die: "Is it truly that difficult to give a simple yes or no?"

Zhang Jun, perhaps reeling from his revoked status as a man, replied, "Women in brothels have no other means of survival. Though men visit for amusement, they provide them with money to live on and give them a means of sustenance. Naturally, this doesn't corrupt societal morals."

For the first time, Meng Die fell silent.

Ni Hong's unsteady body suddenly stiffened, then, with an agility that belied his age, he strode away from Zhang Jun with large, hurried steps, leaving almost an afterimage behind.

Meng Die glanced at Ni Hong before her gaze returned to Zhang Jun. Her eyes curved into crescents, but her words remained sharp: "So you're saying that selling one's beauty and flesh doesn't harm public morals, but earning an honest living by working hard, fully clothed, does?"

Zhang Jun: ...

Zhang Jun's overheated mind finally cooled down, and recalling the scandalous words he had just spoken, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed on the stage.

The well-prepared imperial physicians rushed to the stage to save him. Considering that more than one person had been angered into unconsciousness by Meng Die, the emperor had already ordered the Imperial Medical Institute to stand by below the stage, ready to intervene in case of any accidents.

Meng Die's gaze fell upon Ni Hong. "Censor Ni, why don't you answer this question – is it true or not?"

At that moment, Ni Hong wished he could slap himself twice. Why had he mentioned such an indecent phrase? He looked enviously at the unconscious Zhang Jun, then shuddered. What was there to envy? Zhang Jun was probably wishing for death. He, on the other hand, was still in slightly better shape.

Yiyi: "Countess Meng is asking you a question. Why aren't you responding?"

Ni Hong: "I'd rather die."

Meng Die's gaze pierced Ni Hong like twin daggers: "You talk about etiquette, but ignore the plight of the common folk. The Liu-Li dynasty encouraged widows to remarry, as it increased the population and allowed families to support each other for a more stable life."

"And now? You keep preaching about women's chastity and fidelity, claiming that's true propriety. Pah! That's not propriety; it's just a twisted fabrication by those with sinister intentions, deceiving people and harming the nation. It's a hundred times more despicable than those who waste their education. Truly, you are parasites leeching off the country."

With a roll of his eyes, Ni Hong joined his eternal rival in silence.

Yiyi descended from the stage.

Meng Die felt even more refreshed after berating that old rogue who constantly demanded things from women. Her gaze fell upon the bustling crowd below the stage. "Is there anyone else who wishes to come up and debate? Think carefully about your arguments before stepping forward, and refrain from uttering words that would only invite ridicule. Or are you seeking fame? If that's truly the case, I'll make sure to give you ample attention today."

Those who were initially eager to engage suddenly trembled with hesitation. They weren't afraid of debating, but they feared being scolded. Meng Die truly lived up to her reputation as a shrew; she not only refuted their points but also lashed out at them afterward. Ah no, she would find every possible opportunity to criticize them. Sigh...

For a moment, no one on the ground dared to respond.

A kind smile tugged at the corners of Meng Die's lips. "Those who are genuinely here to work are common folk like you. You are entitled to ask questions, as this matter concerns your own well-being. No matter how much those scholars speak or how logical their arguments may seem, they are not the ones directly affected."

...

The remaining, restless scholars also paused in their tracks. They could tell that Meng Die was subtly mocking them for being all talk and no action. Some of them hung their heads in shame, realizing they had been so preoccupied with rules and etiquette that they had neglected the welfare of the common people. Meng Die's criticism hit the mark; they had indeed wasted their education.

From the crowd, a voice suddenly rang out, "Second Auntie, we've just arrived in the city to make a living. It's only my wife and me. I'd be more than happy for her to work, but I don't know how to cook. I've heard your factory provides lunch. Could you also accommodate someone like me who can't cook? I'll pay."

His voice was incredibly powerful, and many people heard him. Those who had been hesitant to speak up were now inspired. Immediately, a bold voice replied, "You want a free ride, don't you? If you're paying, why not just eat at a restaurant outside?"

A woman's voice echoed even louder, "That's right. The food at Second Auntie's is superb! There's meat in every meal. My neighbor next door has even gained weight from it."

Amidst the cacophony, Meng Die soon lost track of their conversation. To prevent any potential accidents from overcrowding, she quickly raised her hand to gesture for silence, "Who was it that spoke just now? If anyone else wishes to respond, please come up on stage. His Majesty has provided this platform for everyone to express themselves freely, especially for you all – those who do the labor, or whose wives, daughters, and daughters-in-law do. Your voices matter most."

The crowd below was momentarily dazed by Meng Die's amiable demeanor. She smiled throughout, her voice clear and melodious without being harsh, somehow soothing the hearts of the people.

The first man to speak was nudged by those around him, "Go on, go on. See how kind Second Aunt is."

Gathering his courage, the man stepped forward, "Second Aunt, I truly have no intention of taking advantage. I've never cooked a meal in my life, and since my wife isn't here, I can't bear to eat out every day. I thought it'd be easier to just make do with your meals."

Meng Die replied with a gentle smile, "Are you busy with your daily work? If not, perhaps you could learn to cook?"

The man was clearly taken aback.

Meng Die: "Isn't it the duty of a husband and wife to support each other? She must be exhausted from her work as well. If you could cook for her when you're not busy, allowing her to enjoy a ready-made meal, I'm sure your wife would be delighted."

The man scratched his head, looking utterly perplexed. "Learn to cook? Can I actually do that? Aren't cooking tasks usually for women? What was that term again... something about the sky?"

Meng Die: "Inborn talent."

The man nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, that's it! Women have this natural talent for cooking, whereas men don't. That's why you see women doing it in every household, right?"

Meng Die paused.

"How come a woman can't learn to cook? If we're talking about talent, I believe men have more of an aptitude for it," said an elder in a simple attire.

"Oh dear, isn't that Madam Xia's father-in-law?"

"Madam Xia?"

"Haven't you heard? Madam Xia is quite renowned. She works as a weaver in Second Lady's factory, and her hands are incredibly swift. She can earn up to two taels and five hundred wen at her peak in a month."

Ah! So much! If my daughter-in-law could earn this much, I'd be more than willing to cook for her."

"Who wouldn't? To have such a daughter-in-law would mean our ancestors' graves are emitting green smoke – I'd be delighted to prepare three different meals a day without repetition."

Listening to the chatter below, Meng Die couldn't help but ask again in a louder voice, "Which elder father spoke just now? Why do you think men are more talented than women?"

Perhaps it was because Meng Die's words were gentle, or perhaps Yu Yusheng gained courage from the envious remarks of those around him, he pushed through the crowd and made his way up the platform step by step.

Looking at Yu Yusheng, Meng Die noticed that the elder's legs weren't very steady, with one leg slightly raised.

Yu Yusheng stepped onto the stage, feeling a bit apprehensive. Seeing Meng Die flash him a radiant smile, his newfound anxiety vanished completely. He addressed the man, "My wife and daughter-in-law both work at Second Lady's factory, while I stay at home to cook." A hint of pride appeared on his face as he continued, "I learned cooking from my wife for just two months, and now the dishes I prepare surpass those she has cooked for half her life. Our neighbors even say I should open a stall."

The man's eyes widened in astonishment. "Y-you're different, you're special."

Yu Yusheng replied, "What do you mean I'm special? Throughout history, men have often shown a natural talent for cooking. Look at the chefs in taverns or those who cater for village banquets, aren't they all male? I've heard that even the imperial cooks in the Emperor's kitchen are men." Upon finishing his words, he realized his mistake and paled in fear – the Emperor was right there.

On the high platform, the Emperor laughed heartily. "Tell him, my imperial chefs are indeed all men," he said.

Lin Chu descended from one side of the stage and approached Yu Yusheng with a smile. She climbed up and said to him, "His Majesty confirms that you are correct. All the imperial chefs are indeed men."

Yu Yusheng felt weightless with delight. Was the emperor acknowledging him?

Meng Die couldn't help but chuckle. Cooks in taverns, village caterers, and imperial chefs all learned their culinary skills to make a living. These valuable techniques were naturally passed down to male descendants, with many recipes being strictly preserved for men. However, she hadn't considered this point just now.

No wonder people on the Dreamland Internet often said that talent emerged from comments, and masters existed among the masses. The netizens had indeed not misled her.

The man who had first asked looked at Yu Yusheng and queried, "So men can also learn cooking?"

Yu Yusheng replied confidently, "Of course, and we can wash clothes too. With our strength, we can clean them much better than women."

"Hahaha..." The crowd below the stage erupted into another round of laughter, once again engaging in a cacophony of chatter.

"One thing's for sure, when my wife gave birth to our eldest son, my mother fell ill right during her month of confinement. We couldn't afford to hire someone to take care of her, so I ended up washing the diapers – they were much cleaner than when she did it."

"Did you continue washing them after that?"

"Not really. I ruined three diapers in a single month, and my wife accused me of being wasteful."

"Ahahaha..."

The atmosphere turned light and joyful, with the voices of the common folk growing louder. Without Meng Die's response, many female workers from her factory and their families addressed the people's concerns, leaving only a few who had intended to refute Meng Die now too hesitant to take the stage.

Even scholars from distant academies, who initially disapproved of women working, changed their stance. Listening to the people, they told their students, "Listen carefully. What you learn in books is often idealized. To truly understand, you must listen to the people's opinions and experience life firsthand."

The students nodded in agreement, feeling that even without engaging in a debate, they had gained valuable insights. No matter how well-written a book was, personal experience held more enlightenment. Lady Meng was right; one should not become blinded by scholarly knowledge.

"Auntie Two," a sturdy man in his thirties strode up to the platform. "Auntie Two's maid didn't like my wife and sister-in-law, so she fired them without reason or compensation. They left their previous jobs because Auntie Two's factory paid better. Now they have nothing. How do you explain this? Auntie Two, you must give me an answer today."

"Who are your wife and sister-in-law?" Lu Wei stepped onto the platform. "I manage Lady Meng's factory in the capital. If someone was dismissed, it must have been by me. Tell me, who are they?"

The burly man assumed a shameless expression. "Who cares who they are? If you laid hands on them, you have to compensate. Our family quit other jobs for your service."

Meng Die scoffed. "When an official sentences a criminal to death and the executioner carries out the sentence, do they both have to compensate the criminal by burning extra paper money?"

The crowd burst into laughter.

The burly man retorted, "So you think you can bully us common folk just because you're officials, huh? Everyone says Second Lady is merciful, but that's clearly not the case."

This time, Meng Die genuinely chuckled. "Merciful? Are you talking about me? I'm no such person, but you're right about one thing—officials taking advantage of their power to bully the people. Today, I'll do just that as an official and bully you, a commoner."

"Bring him down and give him twenty strokes of the cane," she commanded.

The burly man was taken aback. How could a woman be so quick to mete out punishment for a simple disagreement?

"Well struck, Second Lady," a well-dressed man in his forties stomped onto the platform. "Second Lady, Miss Lu Wei, this fellow's name is Zhao Daqiang. He's known for causing trouble. He worked as a mason at my place recently. He stole my green bricks, and when I caught him, he said I never explicitly told him not to steal."

...

Lu Wei gave a cold laugh. "I suppose his wife's surname is Geng, then."

A voice rose from the crowd, "His wife's surname is Geng."

Lu Wei continued, "Her silk rug was loosely woven. I said it wasn't up to standard, and she argued that we didn't teach them to weave it too tightly during their lessons."

The common folk buzzed with even more chatter.

"That doesn't count."

"Like attracts like; birds of a feather flock together."

"I'm familiar with their family. Their reputation is so tainted that no one wants to hire them anymore. It's only the outsiders who don't know their true nature."

"Ouch, ouch..."

Amidst the whispers, soldiers had already seized Zhao Daqiang and started administering the punishment with wooden boards. The beating was severe, as the emperor's face darkened in displeasure at this unruly commoner.

Despite this incident involving Zhao Daqiang, the crowd didn't view Meng Die as ruthless; instead, their enthusiasm for the event intensified. Most of these ordinary folks detested such deceitful behavior and might even be implicated by it. Witnessing such a person being taught a lesson brought them a sense of justice.

After a while, an elderly man, nearly in his seventies, slowly climbed the platform with the support of his students. He wore a brown robe, his hands calloused, and wrinkles adorned his forehead and around his eyes. His beard, eyebrows, and hair were all white, yet his eyes shone with an unusual vitality that set him apart from the typical elderly folk.

Meng Die cast a glance at Lu Wei, signaling her with a subtle nod.

Lu Wei stepped down and was quickly followed by Hulu and Meihong, who carried a chair onto the platform. Meng Die pointed at the chair and said, "Please have a seat, sir."

The elder paused for a moment before responding, "Many thanks, Lady County Master."

Meng Die returned to her own seat, while the elder sat down. "May I ask, Lady County Master Meng, the benefits of this factory are mentioned in His Majesty's proclamation, stating that it will expedite progress. However, I am puzzled. Although there are numerous hills and oak trees in the north, silk is still limited. By distributing the silk among more women, the speed wouldn't be slower than the dismantling method. Moreover, if more women take on this work, even if each earns less, more families would benefit as a whole."

Meng Die lowered her gaze. This time, she truly had someone who spoke with substance. The ostensible benefits of the factory were negligible when it came to the population; there were simply too many unemployed women in the Great Yi Dynasty. However, the matter of preventing smuggling was a topic suitable for discussion in the halls of governance, not for public announcement.

"May I ask for your esteemed surname, sir?"

"The family name is Wei."

Not revealing his full name, Meng Die inferred that this man must hold a prominent status. She mentally ran through the names of reclusive scholars and considered his age, forming a rough idea of who he might be. "Mr. Wei speaks wisely, and logically, your approach seems even more favorable."

Meng Die changed the subject. "Are you familiar with frostbite, sir?"

The elder nodded. "Indeed, many impoverished folk in winter cannot afford ample firewood, thus their hands, feet, and ears are prone to such ailments."

Meng Die: "Those who weave silk rugs are unlikely to be people like me. Most of them are women from humble households in the north, where it's colder than the south. Many women get frostbites on their hands. If they were to weave silk at home, wouldn't their limbs freeze? But if they work in factories with heated floors, the rooms stay warm. Not only can these poor women earn money by weaving, but they also won't have to suffer from the cold anymore."

Seeing that her words didn't affect the man, Meng Die narrowed her eyes slightly. She had thought he was a true scholar concerned for the people, but now she realized he was just seeking fame and reputation.

Meng Die changed the direction of her argument: "Of course, there's another crucial reason. In my factory in the capital, the weavers work on the second floor. I installed skylights on the roof to ensure ample light. Most commoners' homes are small and made of mud bricks, with relatively dim interiors – not suitable for weaving. Or does Sir believe that women can weave silk rugs outdoors in the biting winter winds?"

The elder's face twitched. "They can use oil lamps."

Meng Die chuckled. "While oil lamps are cheaper than candles, they still require expenditure. Common folk would sparingly use them. Moreover, even if they're willing to spend, it still wouldn't work. Both candles and oil lamps produce smoke and have odors, especially oil lamps."

Silk is delicate, and those scents can cling to its fibers, remaining even after washing. The countries that purchase our silk carpets favor various incenses and perfumes. Once the silk absorbs these aromas, they will still be present when they use more scents at home," Meng Die said with a meaningful smile. "That makes this a one-time business transaction."

The elder pondered, "Bombyx mori, or mulberry silkworms, begin spinning their cocoons in spring and continue until autumn. If we allocate more women to the task, there's no need to wait for winter to finish weaving."

Meng Die replied, "In the north, many people wear padded jackets in autumn. Sir, even if those women weaving silk carpets aren't your daughters or daughters-in-law, it's cruel to make them work outside in the chilly autumn, trembling with cold."

The student behind the elder's face darkened. "Don't slander our teacher like that. There must be a reason for his words."

Meng Die responded, "I am all ears to hear the reasoning behind it."