Chapter 161

Chapter 161

When Li Ai proposed forming a pistol team, there were no objections, especially since the emperor had given his approval. However, when he revealed that all the members would be women, the officials expressed their concerns.

The more traditional Su Yuquan was the first to speak up, "Marquis of Chang'an, this is inappropriate. Historically, women have never served in the military."

Li Ai raised an eyebrow, "Vice Minister Su, that's not entirely accurate. I won't delve into ancient records, but within our Great Yi Dynasty itself, there are numerous female chieftains who are capable of wielding swords and riding into battle."

Su Yuquan replied, "That's not what I meant. What I'm saying is that we have many capable young men in the Great Yi Dynasty. Why rely on women? Men generally possess greater physical strength."

Li Ai: "But pistols don't require physical strength."

Su Yuquan paused: "N-No strength needed?"

Li Ai continued his explanation: "No need for strength. Not to mention women, even the elderly and children can use them."

Another minister interjected, "Then there's no need to limit it to women. Otherwise, how would it be appropriate to have men and women mixed in the military?"

Li Ai replied, "Apart from my specially designed one, most pistols are compact in size. A man's larger hands would find it difficult to handle them, whereas a woman's smaller hands are more suitable for gripping. Moreover, compared to strength, dexterity and stability are more crucial when operating these weapons."

Meng Tingyi interjected, "Yesterday, General Ning visited to deliver a letter from Butterfly. We had a chat and inquired about the progress of our children's studies. General Ning mentioned that our Meng Yang is clearly outperforming the other two young masters. Even when comparing all one hundred students, the young ladies fare better overall. And the top position among them belongs to the young lady from the Marquis Yongyi's residence."

Marquis Yongyi's face beamed with pride, "She has merely been fortunate enough to secure first place a few times."

The ministers in the hall turned their gaze towards Marquis Yongyi, wishing he would tone down his smug smile just a bit!

The emperor commented, "I did forget to ask Ning Suiyuan about the best performer yesterday. So it turns out that the outstanding one is indeed the young lady from the Li family, named Li Yu, right? Li Yu, like a carp, symbolizing the carp leaping over the dragon gate – what a fitting name."

Marquis Yongyi's grin widened with delight, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kind words."

Li Ai: "Your Majesty, that position demands considerable practical skill. As Meng Die would put it, true knowledge comes from practice; those who dwell in theory can never surpass those who engage in it."

The Emperor couldn't help but chuckle. "She speaks candidly, but indeed, it's the truth."

Ren Qinghua said, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, civil officials should also possess a certain degree of practical skills in the future."

The Emperor pondered for a moment before responding, "Your words hold merit. Henceforth, practical skills should also be examined in the literary examinations. The Ministry of Rites should first draft a proposal outlining the details and methods of assessment."

The Minister of Rites stepped forward and declared, "Your servant obeys the command."

The matter of Li Ai selecting women for his pistol team concluded with the addition of a literature examination to the tests.

After the imperial court session, the emperor, unusually, did not stay in the Diligent Governance Hall to read through official memorials but instead went to the Kunning Palace. The impact of the cannon demonstration yesterday had been profound; he hadn't slept well in the Qianqing Palace last night and lacked energy today.

Arriving at the palace gates, Lin Chu reported first, "Your Majesty, the prince's procession is here. It seems His Highness is also with Her Excellency."

Upon hearing this, the emperor chuckled. "He probably still hasn't figured out what happened last night on his own."

Indeed, no one knew one's child better than their parent. The emperor's guess was spot on. After a night of pondering without resolution, the prince had come seeking external help.

The Empress, for the first time in her life, listened to the entire story with an unusually unregal smile.

Crown Prince: "Mother Empress?"

The queen's smile could not be contained. "Male dominance over females," she began, "originates from the I Ching, which states that men are like heaven, high and exalted, while women are like earth, low and damp. That was the original interpretation. However, whether you acknowledge it or not, this phrase has taken on another connotation, one that is more commonly understood: that men are esteemed and women are inferior. But why is this so?"

The Crown Prince pondered for a long while before eventually shaking his head. "Your son is unable to comprehend."

Empress: "The former dynasty even deprived women of their right to inheritance. Do you think such a decree could be implemented easily without the support of the people?"

The prince shook his head resolutely, "Xunzi once said that water can bear a boat but also overturn it. If the people do not support the ruler, the imperial power can be overthrown. Thus, a monarch should always remember that the people come first, the sovereign second. For laws to be effectively enforced, at least the majority of the people must either endorse them or remain indifferent."

The Empress nodded. "Indeed. But why would the common folk consent to not giving the property to one's own daughter, but instead to a nephew or distant relative?"

The prince was taken aback, deep in thought.

The Empress gave him a glance, her sigh barely audible. "Because even if she inherits, a daughter might not be able to protect those assets. If given to a nephew, should he have a conscience, he might take care of her, and she could live a better life. This is the most basic logic. At a higher level, nephews or relatives can enter public service, while daughters cannot."

The prince pursed his lips. "Mother, I've always believed that many women possess knowledge and abilities equal to men. Though it's a tradition passed down by our ancestors, can't it be changed? Women, in fact, can also hold official positions."

"No," the Empress rebutted without any hesitation. "It cannot be altered, nor should it be."

Crown Prince: "Mother?"

The Empress closed her eyes. She recalled her childhood when she was clearly the most proficient in reading among her siblings at home. Yet, whenever outsiders mentioned her, they never praised her intelligence; instead, they always lauded her composure, grace, and virtue...

Back then, upon first hearing such compliments, she tried to share what books she had been reading, but the responses were always perfunctory nods and nothing more. This happened time and again, leaving her to weep in secret. Confused, she sought an answer from her grandfather.

It was a sunny afternoon, and her grandfather held her in silence for a long while. Eventually, with a trembling voice, he explained it to her bit by bit. She understood, thoroughly understood, and the light in her eyes dimmed. From that moment on, she became the epitome of a composed and virtuous lady of noble birth.

Reopening his eyes, the light that had vanished abruptly that afternoon returned to his gaze, like countless stars shimmering within, symbolizing a phoenix's rebirth from the ashes.

The Crown Prince clearly sensed the change; he looked at his own mother and could tell she was different, but couldn't quite put his finger on how.

The Empress said, "Yes, a woman can be educated, but so what? In this world, knowledge is not the most crucial thing. What truly matters is power. With strength, one can till the land to feed oneself and one's family, with strength, one can defend the borders."

Noticing the Crown Prince's obvious disagreement, the Empress smiled. "Let me ask you, if you have earned a thousand coins through your own efforts, and another person, due to lack of strength, has earned two hundred coins. If someone tells you that you are equal, and thus you must share four hundred coins with them to maintain that equality, would you agree?"

The Crown Prince was perplexed. "This... this..." He was utterly lost.

Queen: "The planting of crops requires the strength of men, defending the nation calls for the strength of men. If one accepts benefits from others, shouldn't they also offer some privileges in return? There's no such fairness in this world. You say you can engage in commerce, but without a stable environment, you could be robbed clean at any moment. You claim to have scholarly talent, but in an unstable world, one slap could leave you voiceless."

"Where does stability come from? Without countless men guarding the borders, how would you have a stable environment? Tell me, should men not be granted privileges?"

Once, she couldn't comprehend this, but it was her grandfather who imparted this wisdom to her.

Queen: "If Meng Die can tailor a suitable pistol for Li Ai, why can't she customize thirty more for the use of men?"

Crown Prince: "She's doing it on purpose!"

The Queen's eyes curved into a warm smile. "Yes, she did it on purpose. She wants women to serve in the military. If women can also defend their homeland, why should men continue to receive privileges in this world?"

"The prince replied, "There are some now."

The Queen chuckled. "But how many are they? They're not part of the regular army. Compared to millions of male soldiers, they're but a drop in the ocean."

The Queen couldn't help but keep talking, joy replacing years of frustration. She never imagined that Meng Die would find a way to bring about change, as she once felt helpless. "With soldiers comes power. Once women can serve in the military and truly hold a position within the ranks, there will be no need for you to make changes. Women will naturally have the opportunity to become officials."

The prince was left speechless.

Chang Lu entered from outside the palace, bowing respectfully. "Empress, His Majesty is here, he has already arrived at the gate."

The Empress paused, making an effort to restrain her somewhat triumphant smile, and, still slightly dazed, led the Crown Prince out to greet the Emperor.

As the Emperor, who was walking in, supported the bowing Empress, he asked, "Did Zhong Yu come to consult you on a matter?"

The Empress replied, "Your Majesty's wisdom is unmatched. He said he couldn't figure out a problem he'd been pondering all night, so he came early this morning. I was still getting dressed, but he instructed that I not be disturbed, so he stood outside for a long time."

A smile appeared on the Emperor's face. "Has your mother explained it clearly to you? Do you understand now?"

Crown Prince: "Mother Empress's explanation is most enlightening, I now fully understand."

The Emperor sat down and sipped his tea. "The tea here always suits my taste the best."

The Empress's eyes curved into a warm smile. The tea in her palace was identical to the Emperor's; it was not the tea that pleased him, but the person serving it.

The Emperor cast a glance at the Crown Prince. "What is it with you? Speak directly if you have something to say."

The Crown Prince respectfully lifted his robes and knelt down.

The Emperor and Empress instantly became alert. The Empress asked, "Why are you kneeling all of a sudden? Get up."

The Crown Prince remained still. "Your Majesty, Mother Empress, ever since Ning Suiyuan brought back the Papin pot, there's something that has been bothering this son. I'm uncertain if my judgment is correct, or if I should even speak of it. But after seeing the power of the cannon yesterday, this son believes my judgment was right. Your Majesty, Mother Empress, this son has an important matter to report."

The Emperor waved his hand. "Stand up and speak." The palace maids and eunuchs in the hall bowed and retreated.

The Crown Prince rose, hesitated for a moment, then finally mustered the courage to reveal his inner turmoil. "Your Majesty, this son believes that I am not suitable to be the Crown Prince."