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After a while, the seven-colored clouds gradually dissipated, and the head of the Astral Monitoring Bureau finally spoke, “Your Majesty, I have calculated that a lucky star has descended, but I cannot determine its exact location.”
The head of the Bureau felt as if something was blocking his calculations, preventing him from finding the answer, but he wasn’t sure what it was.
Meanwhile, Qingming, sensing the unusual celestial phenomena, immediately set up an array to block information about the two children.
Nangong Yan was curious and asked, “A lucky star has descended?”
The head of the Bureau nodded confidently, “Yes, Your Majesty, a lucky star has descended. It’s actually a double lucky star, born within our Southern Kingdom. This is a great omen for us, but I cannot calculate their birthplace.”
The head of the Bureau felt a bit disappointed. He was also curious to know who had been born to cause such a rare celestial phenomenon.
The ministers began to discuss it, eventually asking, “Liu, should we search for this lucky star? Find them, nurture them, and bring fortune to our Southern Kingdom?”
Liu quickly shook his head, “No, it’s called a lucky star because, no matter what, they will not harm our country; they will only bring good fortune to our Southern Kingdom. Forcibly searching for them might have the opposite effect. We should wait patiently; this lucky star will eventually appear.”
Liu deeply respected the laws of heaven and dared not disrupt them, so he could only let things take their course. He stopped everyone from searching for the lucky star.
Hearing this, the ministers indeed gave up their idea of searching for the lucky star. Most of them trusted Liu’s words.
If it weren’t for the unusual celestial phenomena today, Nangong Yan wouldn’t have believed in lucky stars. But with the unusual celestial phenomena and Liu’s words, he couldn’t help but believe.
Thinking about it, Nangong Yan addressed the ministers, “Issue my decree: establish schools throughout the nation. From now on, both men and women can attend school. All children of school age, starting from five years old, can enroll in school for basic education. Those under ten years old will be exempted from tuition fees. After ten years old, those with outstanding academic performance can also be exempted from tuition fees for a long time. As long as someone excels in their studies and passes the assessment, regardless of gender, they are eligible to enter the court as officials.”
Nangong Yan’s decree was like a sudden thunderbolt, leaving the ministers stunned and confused.
Establish schools nationwide, start education at five years old, no tuition for children under ten, and allow women to enter the court as officials?
This was utter nonsense!
The court would spend a huge amount of money to open free schools. Where would the money come from?
Once it started, it would require continuous funding. Where would they find such a large sum?
The ministers wouldn’t agree to either of these decrees.
Immediately, a minister raised objections, “Your Majesty, this matter requires careful consideration. Establishing schools nationwide and offering free education would be too expensive. Although our treasury is currently abundant, if we open schools nationwide, the money will flow out like water, and the treasury won’t be able to withstand it.”
“Also, about women entering the court as officials, there has never been such a precedent in any dynasty throughout history. Neither in our Southern Kingdom nor in other countries. A woman’s duty is to be a wife and raise children, to stay at home peacefully. They can read and write, learn some knowledge, and understand things, but they should never enter the court as officials. What kind of decorum is that?”
Xiao, the chief minister of civil affairs, spoke with righteous indignation, as if Nangong Yan had proposed something outrageous and blasphemous, his face turning black with anger.
As soon as Xiao spoke, the others naturally chimed in.
“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”
Nangong Yan looked at the ministers with a blank expression and said, “As for the treasury’s matters, I will find a way. The establishment of schools is essential. Since a lucky star has descended, it suggests that our Southern Kingdom’s fortune will not be poor. To strengthen our nation further, we need a large pool of talent. If all the children in our Southern Kingdom can read and write, we will be able to select and nurture outstanding individuals every year. This will surely lead to the prosperity of our country in the future.”
“And wise strategists are not limited to men; women can also possess wisdom. I believe that both men and women are human beings. In the country I govern, regardless of gender, everyone can achieve success and gain honor and status based on their intelligence and talent.”
The ministers continued to oppose him. Currently, the three nations—Southern Kingdom, Xia Kingdom, and Northern Kingdom—were in a stalemate, and each country selected talent mainly from the offspring of noble families. Most students in schools were from these noble families or wealthy merchants, while children from impoverished families were often unable to attend school due to the high tuition fees.
This further protected the interests of the noble families, as most official positions in the court could be considered hereditary. Although it was done privately, everyone understood the reality.
With the Emperor suddenly proposing to establish schools and allow both genders to hold office, the ministers were unwilling to accept such changes. How could women hold official positions?
Furthermore, allowing all children to enroll in school meant that the competition for positions would increase in the future, and their own children might not secure government roles.
Additionally, the funding required for such an initiative was immense and not easy to obtain.
The ministers’ reasons for refusal were consistent: there was no money to establish free schools, and the court could not bear the costs.
Women were meant to manage the household, raise children, and could not be seen in public office.
Though their arguments were lofty and well-articulated, Nangong Yan seemed resolute, speaking in a tone that brooked no argument, “This matter is decided. For the future of our Southern Kingdom, I urge you all to consider how to resolve the treasury’s issues rather than giving up at the first sign of difficulty. Such subjects are not needed in our Southern Kingdom.”
After saying this, Nangong Yan simply walked away.
The ministers were left looking at one another, some supportive of the school initiative, although they disagreed with the idea of women holding office. Others opposed the idea altogether, seeking personal gain from their positions.
The ministers split into two factions, one in favor and the other against, and soon began to argue within the palace.
Meanwhile, Nangong Yan in the imperial study paid them no mind, focused solely on issuing his orders.
He had long contemplated the establishment of schools but had not found the opportunity to implement his plans. Now, with the auspicious star phenomenon, he saw a perfect excuse to push it forward.
As for women holding office, he had discovered that some women were indeed more intelligent than men, with subtler thoughts. Historically, there was no law prohibiting women from holding official positions, and there had even been female officials, though they were rare and not widely known.
Nangong Yan felt it was time to give everyone equal opportunities. The noble families had monopolized the court for centuries; it was time to introduce fresh blood into the administration.
Whether male or female, as long as they could contribute to the court, he would utilize them.
Once the decision was made, the ministers would have to accept it, whether they liked it or not.
Nangong Yan was not a wishy-washy emperor who could be easily manipulated. Having consolidated power in the court over the years, he now truly held authority as a ruler with real power.