CCWAD – Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Chapter 41: The Dawn of a Prosperous Era

Epigraph:

“At the celebration for my third anniversary on the throne, as I watched the female officials standing tall alongside their male counterparts in the court, Li Shishi whispered in my ear, ‘Look, this is the world we wanted.’ In that moment, I knew all the hardships were worth it.”

—

In the third year since the establishment of the new dynasty, Bianliang City was experiencing an unprecedented spectacle. It was the golden autumn, and the scent of osmanthus filled the air. The imperial palace was adorned with lanterns and banners in preparation for the upcoming celebration of the third anniversary of the enthronement. Most notably, this celebration would, for the first time in history, allow commoners to enter the palace to witness the ceremony, a feat unheard of in any previous dynasty.

As the first rays of dawn spread across the glazed tiles of the imperial palace, tens of thousands of people had already gathered outside Xuande Gate. Among them were well-dressed gentry, commoners in simple cloth, and many women who had traveled from afar, eager to catch a glimpse of the first female emperor since the creation of the heavens and earth.

“Mom, look!” a seven or eight-year-old girl pointed at the female officials lined up inside the palace gates. “Those sisters’ clothes are so beautiful!”

The girl’s mother, a woman around thirty, had tears in her eyes. “Yes, they are all female officials. When I was little, I never dared to imagine that women could also become officials.”

Such conversations were common among the crowd. Three years was enough time to turn many impossibilities into possibilities.

Precisely at the hour of the辰 (chen), the palace gates slowly opened. Amidst the pronouncements of the ritual officials, Yan Qing, clad in the Nine-Dragon Twelve-Symbol Imperial Robe and wearing the Twelve-Stringed Imperial Crown, ascended the Chengtian Gate tower. The sunlight bathed her, making the golden threads on her dragon robe shimmer, but it couldn’t outshine the brilliance in her eyes.

“Long live! Long live! Long live!”

The roar of cheers, like a tidal wave, shook the heavens and the earth. The common people knelt spontaneously, and many elderly individuals were so moved that tears streamed down their faces. They had endured the hardships of the Flower and Rock Network and suffered under the exploitation of the Birthday Tribute; now, they had finally welcomed a ruler who genuinely cared for her people.

Yan Qing raised her hand, signaling everyone to rise, and her clear voice, amplified by specially made megaphones, reached the entire assembly. “In my three years on the throne, I have relied entirely on the unity of the people of this land. Today, I have specially permitted all people to enter the palace, both to celebrate this prosperous era together and to discuss state affairs together.”

This statement shocked not only the commoners but also the civil and military officials in attendance, who exchanged bewildered glances. Discussing state affairs with the people? This was an unprecedented marvel!

The first item of the celebration was a military review. Amidst the roar of cannons, the newly reorganized Imperial Guards marched with precise steps past Chengtian Gate. The most eye-catching were the female soldiers of the Flying Phoenix Camp. Dressed in red and wielding silver spears, they were spirited and valiant, drawing waves of cheers wherever they went.

“I never imagined that women in the army could be so magnificent!” an old scholar exclaimed, stroking his beard.

The young man beside him chuckled. “Esteemed sir, you may not know, but last year when the border was in distress, it was the Flying Phoenix Camp that first repelled the invading enemy. Who would dare underestimate women now?”

Following the military review, the officials offered their congratulations. It was noteworthy that among the civil officials stood dozens of female officials. They wore either crimson robes or blue tunics, each exuding an extraordinary presence. At the forefront was Lin Wanqing, the top scholar of the Women’s Examination, now the Vice Minister of Rites.

“Your Majesty, long live!” the officials bowed in unison, their voices, male and female, intermingling to compose an unprecedented new melody in the court.

Li Shishi stood beside Yan Qing and whispered, “Look, this is the world we wanted.”

Yan Qing nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the proud female officials. Three years ago today, they were confined to their inner chambers; now, they could stand shoulder to shoulder with men in the imperial court. Such a transformation was enough to assuage all the hardships endured along the way.

The subsequent “Banquet for All People” was an even grander affair. Thousands of tables were set up in the imperial palace plaza, and people of all social strata, from the noble to the common, were invited to dine. Even more astonishing was that among the servers at the banquet were many women. Their demeanor was graceful, and their conversation elegant, clearly indicating they had received a good education.

“Miss, are you also from a women’s school?” a farm girl timidly asked a female server who was dishing out food.

The female server smiled and nodded. “Yes, I studied for three years at the Women’s School in the south of the city and now work as a scribe at the Imperial Academy. I’m here to help today.”

The girl’s eyes lit up. “Can… can I also go to school?”

“Of course,” the female server said gently. “Now there are women’s schools in every prefecture and county, and poor families can even have their tuition waived.”

Such conversations were commonplace at the banquet. Many commoners encountered educated women up close for the first time, and their preconceived notions dissolved unconsciously.

Halfway through the banquet, Yan Qing suddenly announced a special examination. Regardless of gender, age, or social status, all were welcome to participate. The question was a single one: How to govern the realm?

This news struck the calm lake of the celebration like a giant stone, causing an immediate sensation. Soon, eunuchs brought paper and brushes, and hundreds of examination seats were set up in the plaza.

To everyone’s surprise, the first to enter was an elderly woman with white hair. Supported by her granddaughter, she tremblingly approached an examination seat and began to write, “This old woman is seventy-two years old and has lived through three dynasties. I believe the way to govern a nation lies first in valuing agriculture…”

Immediately after, a vegetable vendor put down her basket and also came to take the exam. “This humble woman believes that the most important thing for the nation today is to stabilize prices…”

Most touching were the students from the women’s schools. Though their handwriting was still immature, they all presented their own insights. Some suggested establishing more medical clinics, others advocated for rectifying official corruption, and some proposed protecting the rights of artisans.

This unprecedented examination continued until dusk. The collected answer sheets piled up like a small mountain. Yan Qing ordered them to be compiled immediately and promised a response within three days.

“Your Majesty’s actions are truly unprecedented,” sighed Wang Wenzheng, the Minister of Rites. “But… isn’t this a bit too frivolous?”

Yan Qing said sternly, “Lord Wang, do you know how many brilliant insights are contained within these answer sheets? The common people toil all day and know the hardships of the populace best. Their suggestions are often more practical than empty talk in court.”

That evening, a grand banquet was held in the imperial palace. Not only were civil and military officials invited, but also the common representatives who had participated in the examination during the day. This was the first time since the founding of the Great Song that commoners had entered the imperial palace to attend an imperial feast.

At the banquet, the most striking pair was a mother and daughter. The mother was an ordinary peasant woman, while the daughter studied at a women’s school and was now a student at the Imperial Academy. The mother and daughter sat side by side, one speaking of the hardships of farm life, the other discussing her experiences at school, painting the most vivid picture of this new era.

“Three years ago, this old minister strongly opposed women’s education,” Zhao Mingcheng said, holding his wine cup and bowing deeply to Yan Qing. “Now, I see that I was pedantic. My granddaughter is now studying at the Imperial Academy, and her recent policy essay was highly praised by the Imperial Academy scholars.”

Yan Qing helped the elder official rise. “It is a blessing for the nation that Lord Zhao can keep pace with the times.”

At this moment, Lin Wanqing stood and reported, “Your Majesty, I have a matter to report. Recently, the women’s schools in various regions have requested the addition of practical subjects such as mathematics and law. I believe that since women are now studying, they should learn skills that can be put to use.”

“Approved,” Yan Qing immediately agreed. “Convey my decree: In addition to the Classics and History, all women’s schools in various regions shall add subjects such as mathematics, law, and medicine. Furthermore, a Women’s Medical College shall be established in the capital to specifically train female physicians.”

This news sent the women present into raptures. For a long time, women had been reluctant to consult male physicians when ill. The ability to train female physicians now undoubtedly solved a major problem.

As the banquet reached its climax, Yan Qing ordered a large screen to be brought out. The screen was painted with a map of the Great Song’s territory, but what was unique was that the map was densely marked with the locations of women’s schools across the land.

“Everyone, please look,” Yan Qing said, pointing to the screen. “Three years ago, this map was blank. Now, from Youyun in the north to Qiongya in the south, from the coast in the east to Longyou in the west, there are women’s schools everywhere. This is the result of the collective efforts of all the people.”

She paused, her voice trembling slightly. “I know this journey has not been easy. Some opposed, some questioned, and some even advised me to die. But today, when we see these women able to read and understand, able to support themselves, and able to serve the country, all the hardships are worth it.”

Li Shishi appropriately chimed in, “Your Majesty, I suggest we designate today as the ‘Festival of Enlightenment,’ a day each year when all women in the land have a holiday to participate in various lectures and activities.”

“Excellent idea!” Yan Qing immediately approved. “From now on, September 15th of each year shall be the Festival of Enlightenment.”

This news spread across the land by swift horse, and countless women wept with joy upon hearing it. This festival was not only an acknowledgment of their identity but also a validation of their worth.

The celebration continued late into the night. As the last group of commoners departed the palace, the moon and stars were already high in the sky.

Yan Qing and Li Shishi stood side by side on the palace wall, gazing at the gradually quieting Bianliang City.

“Do you remember what it was like when we stood here three years ago?” Li Shishi asked softly.

“I remember,” Yan Qing nodded. “We said then that we wanted to enable all women in the land to read and understand. Now, that wish has been partially fulfilled.”

“Only partially?”

Yan Qing smiled slightly. “Yes, only partially. Although women can now study, they are still restricted in becoming officials; although they can work, their pay is often less than men’s; although they can be independent, they still face much criticism.”

She turned to Li Shishi. “The road ahead is still long. But at least, we have taken the most important step.”

In the distance, the lights of the Imperial Academy were still brightly lit. There, a group of women were diligently studying to achieve their ideals. They might not yet know that they were writing history, that they were ushering in an unprecedented era.

“Your Majesty,” Li Shishi said suddenly with great solemnity, “the prosperous era you have pioneered will surely be recorded in history.”

Yan Qing, however, shook her head. “This prosperous era was not created by me, but by the countless women who refused to be bound by fate. I merely… opened a door for them.”

The first light of dawn illuminated this ancient capital. The Bianliang City below the palace walls was awakening, and a new day was about to begin. In this brand-new era, every woman had the right to pursue her dreams, the opportunity to change her destiny.

And this was just the beginning.

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(End of Volume Four)