frightfiction Chapter 566 Proposes a Female Imperial Examination
Chapter 566 Proposes a Female Imperial Examination
However, he keenly sensed that his daughter seemed to want more.
As expected, Ying Wuyou took a deep breath, his tone becoming more solemn, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible probing: "Furthermore, Father, I have a request, which may seem shocking, but it may greatly benefit the country and its people. I earnestly request that the new system explicitly allow women to participate in the imperial examinations."
"A woman for reference?" The King of Qin's fingers, which were tapping the table, suddenly stopped, and his sharp gaze locked onto Ying Wuyou like a hawk.
The air inside the palace seemed to freeze instantly. This was clearly far beyond the conventional understanding of any monarch of that era.
While there were precedents such as Empress Dowager Xuan's regency and Lady Ba Qing's immense wealth, these were more a product of the times or exceptional individual abilities; there was never a precedent of incorporating them into the formal national selection system. The idea of a hen crowing at dawn, of yin and yang being reversed, was a deeply ingrained concept among almost all scholars and commoners.
Ying Wuyou met the King of Qin's gaze, which was enough to make any courtier tremble, without any fear. Her voice was calm but contained a confident strength: "Father, the selection of talents should be based solely on ability, not on gender. Do I myself not prove that women can also have the talent to govern the world and the strategies to stabilize the country? There are many intelligent women in the world. If they are deprived of the path to education and officialdom from a young age simply because they are women, wouldn't that be like cutting off the arm of the country and losing half of its potential talents?"
This move is not intended to overturn social norms, but simply to open another door, giving ambitious and capable women an opportunity and a hope. Initially, there may be few applicants and significant societal resistance, or they may be temporarily restricted to participating only in the most basic children's examinations. However, this in itself is education and guidance, and it is the first step in breaking down centuries-old rigid ideas.
Given time, through subtle influence, it is not impossible for more women like Lady Ba Qing, skilled in managing state affairs, or like... your son, capable of participating in government affairs and assisting the monarch, to emerge. This would benefit both the country and its people. This is how we can broaden the source of talent and increase the strength of Qin.
Her words were clear and logical, using her own experience as evidence while always focusing on maximizing the interests of the Qin Dynasty. She made what seemed like a shocking and anti-ancient matter seem reasonable and even showed a forward-looking strategic vision.
The King of Qin fell silent. His deep gaze passed over Ying Wuyou, as if piercing through the palace dome, looking towards the unknowable future. The thought of an heir churned violently within him at that moment.
Fusu, his eldest son, was kind and benevolent, but lacked decisiveness and was overly devoted to Confucianism, which often clashed with his Legalist governing philosophy. The soon-to-be-unified empire required not only benevolence but also swift and decisive action, far-sighted planning, and the courage to break with convention.
The Jia Yang before him—her abilities, her vision, her ruthlessness, her endless stream of methods—were all so much like his younger self, perhaps even surpassing him. If she were to become ruler, she would surely elevate the empire he had built to heights beyond his wildest imagination.
However, establishing a female heir is unprecedented! The resistance it will face will far exceed that of Shang Yang's reforms, inevitably causing upheaval in the court and among the people, and possibly even shaking the foundations of the nation. He needs to pave the way for her, gradually change people's perceptions, accumulate unquestionable achievements and prestige for her, and also... build a bureaucratic system that will be loyal to her in the future, breaking the old pattern of vested interests.
Allowing women to participate in the imperial examinations, even the most basic children's examination, was a brilliant move and a bold experiment. As Jia Yang suggested, this would not only help Qin discover more talent, but more importantly, it was the first step in breaking down gender barriers in the system, declaring to the world that in Qin, talent outweighs gender! This in itself was a subtle prelude to and legitimization of Jia Yang's position.
Those scholars who were promoted through this route, regardless of gender, would first and foremost be grateful to Princess Jiayang, who proposed this strategy! This was to cultivate her future talent pool.
There are risks involved, but compared to the potential gains and the value of paving the way for his secret plan, it's worth the gamble. Besides, as Jia Yang said, starting with the children's examinations would keep the impact under control, allowing for a gradual approach.
The hall was silent, save for the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire. Time ticked by, and Ying Wuyou remained bowed, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. She knew the weight of her request.
After a long silence, the King of Qin's deep gaze refocused on his daughter, a gaze containing scrutiny, expectation, and a complex, indescribable emotion. He finally spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable resolve:
"allow."
A single word carries immense weight.
He continued, “The three-tiered imperial examination system, as you have proposed, will have its detailed regulations drafted and promulgated throughout the land. Women's participation… can be temporarily limited to the preliminary examinations. The specific implementation details, how to avoid controversy, and how to guide public opinion are all your responsibility. Ensure it is carried out smoothly and with minimal disruption. If there are any stubborn obstructors…” A cold glint flashed in his eyes, the iron will of the King of Qin, “I will clear them away for you.”
A huge weight lifted from Ying Wuyou's heart, bringing with it a surge of warmth and an even heavier sense of responsibility. She bowed deeply, almost touching the ground: "Your subject obeys! I will devote myself wholeheartedly to devising a foolproof plan, and live up to Father's trust!"
She knew that her father's "approval" meant much more than simply agreeing to a policy. She vaguely sensed the expectation in his deep gaze. This path was destined to be fraught with thorns, but she was fearless.
The new draft of the imperial examination regulations, along with the clause "allowing women to participate in the preliminary examinations," was quickly published throughout the land as an official gazette through the Daqin Xinbao and post stations across Daqin. It was accompanied by a "clarification" written by Ying Wuyou himself, which attempted to guide public opinion from the perspectives of the country's thirst for talent and the importance of ability and virtue over gender.
A stone stirred up a thousand waves.
The reaction in the imperial court in Xianyang was intense.
Some experienced and prudent officials, represented by Cheng Feng Quji and Wei Zhuang, acknowledged the perfection of the three-tiered imperial examination system, but expressed their concerns about the inclusion of women in the examination.
Feng Quji spoke frankly before the emperor: "Your Majesty, the princess's talent is rare in the world, but to use her as an example to govern all women in the world is probably not a good strategy. When a hen crows at dawn, the family is doomed. Ancient teachings clearly state that women should be chaste, quiet, and virtuous. If we allow them to compete for fame and fortune and be ranked alongside men, it will likely disrupt the social order, confuse the people, and shake the foundation of the nation!"
Some military nobles also took the opportunity to speak out, believing that this move overly elevated the status of scholars, and that the fact that even women could now participate in the examination was a further disregard for the military merit system.
However, some officials, led by Meng Tian, who valued practical results and closely followed the King of Qin's lead, held either a supportive or wait-and-see attitude. Li You even submitted a memorial, stating: "If Your Majesty wishes to achieve an unprecedented imperial feat, you should implement unprecedented new policies. Talent should not be judged by its origins, nor by gender. The princess's plan truly broadens the path for talent and is of great benefit to the country. What are a few minor criticisms worth?"