Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 692: Female Examination (Part 2)

The court wants to hold a female examination?

The meeting at the Ministry of Rites was not yet concluded when this shocking news had already spread. Within the elite circles of the Capital City, it spread swiftly and caused a stir no less than the palace coup a few months ago.

"Absurd! Women should be virtuous and gentle; how can it be reasonable for them to show themselves and serve as female officials?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Hush! Speak more softly! With such words, you might offend both the Emperor’s Mr. Zhao in the palace and the female imperial physician, Sun Zelan."

Isn’t that so? Now there is an Empress in Da Liang, who not only shows herself every day but also sits on the Dragon Throne to receive the officials’ kneeling salutations and manages the court affairs!

Chen Sheren is the Imperial Attendant who routinely goes in and out of the Six Ministries to convey the Emperor’s oral instructions. Sun Zelan, a reputable Imperial Physician, has pioneered the role for women in the Imperial Physician profession.

Unprecedented events are happening one after another, so adding another female examination is actually not that hard to accept.

"No way! I can’t manage palace affairs, but I have a say in my daughter’s and granddaughter’s futures at home. I won’t allow them to participate in any female examinations; they should stay obediently in the inner chambers. When the right time comes, finding a suitable husband is the real business."

Such remarks echoed in many officials’ households.

However, when the officials gathered, their attitudes changed. They greatly praised the Emperor’s groundbreaking initiative. As for whether the women at home would participate in the female examination selection, they stayed silent on that topic.

In short, the entire Capital City was stirred by this piece of news.

Upon learning of this matter, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng also greatly approved: "The Emperor has a great idea here. It’s more convenient for women to conduct duties within the palace."

In the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s view, selecting female officials meant employing them in the palace, which was far better than picking from the Palace Attendants.

Little did she know, this was just the first step. Jiang Shaohua intended to have the selected female officials by her side for a few years of training, then gradually assign them to the Six Ministries as officials and eventually promote them to external appointments.

Once the first step is taken, the second and third steps follow; the journey of a thousand miles is made one step at a time.

Of course, there was no need to explain this in detail to the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng. Jiang Shaohua followed the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s words with a smile: "Grandmother is right, as the Empress, having female officials by my side is indeed more convenient."

Sure enough, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s next sentence was: "That being said, the Zheng Family also has talented and outstanding young women. Why not first select one to enter the palace?"

Jiang Shaohua replied without changing expression: "The female examination will be held in February of next year, on the same day as the Enke (special imperial examination). Regardless of which family’s young lady, they can all come and take the exam."

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was a bit dissatisfied: "After the exam, is it not still up to you to decide who gets chosen?"

Jiang Shaohua said: "The female examination selection will be handled by the Ministry of Rites. Minister Dong is thorough and experienced, well-versed in the rules of the imperial examinations. By then, he will surely formulate detailed and reasonable rules for the female examination selection. Since the Zheng Family has outstandingly talented young women, they are bound to shine brightly in the female examination."

All in all, despite the verbal negotiation, no clear promise was given.

The Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was not one to reason; clinging to her status and seniority, she entangled: "I don’t understand these things, but the Grand Empress Dowager insists that a spot for the female official must be left for the Zheng Family. If you agree, the Grand Empress Dowager will not hold it against you regarding the matter of Jiang Yuanwailang being dispatched to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

Standing silently by the side, Mr. Zhao could barely listen any longer and turned his head quietly aside.

At this moment, Jiang Shaohua missed the currently vacationing Chen Sheren deeply. As the Emperor, certain sharp remarks were not convenient to make.

If Chen Jinyu were here, with her sharp tongue, a few impolite words in response would be quite fitting.

"We’ll discuss this matter after the female examination is over." Jiang Shaohua ultimately did not concede immediately, deferring the issue to half a year later.

Once at Ning An Palace, Jiang Shaohua, without waiting for Empress Dowager Li to inquire, took the initiative to mention the matter of the female exam: "...I wish to establish the female examination to select capable people to serve beside me. However, this is different from the palace’s female officials. Those who pass the female examination will be female scholars with official documentation."

"If the Li Family has suitable young women, they should start reviewing and preparing to study early."

Empress Dowager Li was far more tactful and subtle than the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and had no intention of leveraging the imperial family’s status to demand benefits. She rasped in agreement: "What the Emperor says is reasonable. The Grand Empress will send someone to inform the Li Family. Even if the Emperor intends to raise our family up, the Li Family also needs young women with real talent and knowledge."

That’s the right attitude.

Due to time, location, and literacy restrictions, the first female examination selection was destined to choose candidates from a limited scope. It couldn’t avoid huge families like the Zheng, Li, and Wang Families.

However, to pass the female examination, one must have real talent and learning. To expect a share of the rewards directly is an impossibility.

...

Both Empress Dowager Li and Grand Empress Dowager Zheng approved of the female examination, and the Ministry of Rites held meetings openly to discuss the details. This action, destined to be recorded in history books, proceeded to the second stage without much turmoil.

Coming back to the palace from the Imperial Manor, Cui Du also heard of this matter and greatly approved: "Isn’t this just central recruitment? This method is excellent!"

Central recruitment. Jiang Shaohua quietly pondered those words and couldn’t help but smile: "It seems this isn’t uncommon in your previous place either."

Cui Du laughed: "Of course. Where I’m from, girls study from an early age, and there are plenty of outstanding ones engaging in various professions. Female teachers, doctors, judges, engineers, scientists—there are top talents in every field."

"Your intent to hold a female examination essentially selects female public servants. First, they will listen and train by your side, then you will send them out to serve as officials. Because of you, they have the opportunity to embark on a career in officialdom and will be especially loyal to you."

"It’ll take at least twenty to thirty years for the court to habitually employ women as officials. Fortunately, my Empress is very young, able to gradually change the court ethos."

Chatting casually with Cui Du was always especially relaxed.

In Cui Du’s perspective, everything was a commonplace occurrence, not requiring drama or sensationalism.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled lightly: "Transforming the court from top to bottom tends to be simpler and more feasible."

"There will inevitably be those of stubborn disposition or who secretly contest, restricting their daughters and granddaughters from taking the exam."

"That doesn’t matter. The primary importance of the first female examination is to spread the notion of selecting women as officials. Once using female officials becomes customary in the court, people will covet this level and splendid career path. Then, women studying will also become the new trend."

Such is the advantage of reforms from the top down. Once benefits too tempting to refuse are presented, after someone has harvested the first fruit and tasted the first sweetness, naturally, others will rush to take the second and third bites.

This so-called ethos and convention will gradually follow suit and change.