Ancient women awaken: loving yourself is the way to go

The prime minister immediately lowered his head. People's livelihood and the rule of law are the two cornerstones of national stability, and neither of them can be missing. He cannot speak for Yun Jingce just because he is on Yun Jingce's side in his heart.

What's more, Yun Jingce has a special identity. Before he can see the emperor's true intentions, he dare not get too close to Yun Jingce.

The other ministers also remained silent. As the emperor was a woman, there was no guarantee that he would favor women, and they did not want to bring bad luck to the emperor.

But because they are all men except Baiye, they hope that a man will be the new top scholar.

Shen Xingxi glanced at the ministers present with a faint look of satisfaction in her eyes.

Gently fiddling with the jade ring on her hand, she spoke slowly, her voice calm but with unquestionable majesty: "The answers of the two students are each unique, and I and the adults are having trouble making a decision for the time being.

Why don't you two give each other questions and answer your own questions and the other party's questions respectively, so as to show your respective talents and wisdom and decide the winner. "

Mo Hongyun curved his eyebrows, he was satisfied that Xingxi did not directly judge Shen Shu as the top scorer.

He stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, as far as I am concerned, I am already satisfied that you have recognized me. I participated in the imperial examination to serve Your Majesty and share your worries. Regardless of whether I am the top scorer, the second place, or the third place, I have achieved my goal.

There are many examples in history of people who were clearly talented enough to be the top scholar, but were chosen as the third scholar because of their beauty. The student volunteered to be the third scholar, but he just had an unwelcome request. I don’t know if I should say this or not?”

Shen Xingxi turned the jade ring a little faster, "What do you want to say?"

Mo Hongyun took a deep breath and said, "I have admired Your Majesty for a long time. I wonder if Your Majesty can give me a chance to serve Your Majesty closely and help you solve your problems?"

It's not hard to hear a hint of nervousness and anticipation in his voice.

Shen Xingxi curved her eyebrows and said, "In that case, the Ministry of Rites, please prepare to appoint Yun Jingce as my legitimate prince and a fourth-rank official in the Ministry of Works, Shen Shu as the top scholar and a fourth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel, and Nie Wen as the second-rank scholar and the deputy director of the Imperial College."

As soon as Shen Xingxi finished speaking, congratulations were heard in the hall.

Nie Wen's eyes widened. He actually became the second? Although it was not as high as the Tanhua, it was higher than the Tanhua of all previous years.

He congratulated from the bottom of his heart: "The student congratulates the emperor and classmate Yun on their century-old friendship!"

Shen Xingxi and Mo Hongyun smiled at each other, full of affection.

The imperial examination came to an end after the parade and became a hot topic among the people, just like the men's and women's colleges.

As children began to attend school one after another, an unprecedented reading craze swept across the country.

In this dynasty, people firmly believed in the idea that "all things are inferior except reading."

Reading is seen as an important way to change one's destiny, improve oneself and realize one's ideals.

Therefore, Shen Xingxi's policy of promoting universal education did not encounter resistance from the people, but instead received widespread support and response.

Except for the capital, colleges in other places do not provide accommodation.

These students studying in the college listen carefully in class during the day and continue to review their lessons after returning home at night.

They know that only through unremitting efforts and hard study can they make continuous progress and realize their ambitions.

Therefore, countless young people help their families with housework at home while studying diligently.

They would pick up books in between work in the fields, or recite poems in the smoke from the stove.

Although they are in different environments, they all have the same goals and pursuits - to change their own destiny and contribute to the country through studying!

At the same time, Mo Hongyun formulated some reward conditions. Anyone who can make or invent objects that are beneficial to the country's development, such as continuous crossbows, powerful bows and arrows, and prescriptions with strong detoxification effects... can be rewarded, and even have the opportunity to become an official in the court based on this achievement.

Shen Shu accepted the imperial order and popularized the revised laws to people all over the world through newspapers and other means.

The world is changing quietly, but as the people know and understand the law, and with the existence of Wangchuan Teahouse, the interests of the aristocratic families are severely damaged.

On this day, an envoy from the Kingdom of Dongliang came to visit, wanting to establish a hundred-year friendship with the Kingdom of Fengchao, with the condition being a marriage alliance.

A prince from Dongliang Kingdom became Shen Xingxi's concubine, and a student from Beijing Women's College from Fengchao Kingdom became the concubine of the king of Dongliang Kingdom.

The news spread like wildfire under the manipulation of someone with ulterior motives.

All the officials gathered in the court and said righteously: "Your Majesty, fifty years ago, our dynasty sacrificed 200,000 soldiers to gain precious peace. Now the peace deadline has expired. We think that since Dongliang Kingdom intends to renew the treaty, agreeing to their conditions can reduce the sacrifice of soldiers at the border, which is harmful rather than beneficial."

Shen Xingxi chuckled, "Harmful but not beneficial? Then who do you think the Women's College should send to marry? I remember that five years ago, Dongliang Kingdom used the excuse of friendly exchanges between the two countries to arrange a marriage with our princess, and four years ago, the princess unfortunately fell into the water and died."

The Prime Minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the students of the Women's College all have the world in their hearts, and there must be someone willing to go."

Minister of Rites: "Your Majesty, I have been influenced by you and believe that there is no distinction between men and women in this world. There is only family and country. I should feel honored to be able to contribute to the country."

Shen Xingxi lowered her eyes to hide the gloom in them, and stood up. "Prime Minister, six ministers, you will follow me to the Women's College."

The outside of the women's college was surrounded by crowds of people.

The students from the Imperial College took turns to express their opinions:

"Classmates, don't you want to prove to the world that women can also serve the country?"

"You only need to sacrifice one person to gain peace between the two countries. Isn't it worth it?"

"Do you want to see countless soldiers who are defending their country die or get injured because of your selfishness?"

An unspeakable sadness spread throughout the women's college.

They finally saw the hope of controlling their own destiny, so they studied hard day and night and researched repeatedly, hoping to realize their ambitions in the future.

Now telling them that one of them must give up more than a year of hard work and sacrifice for the country, how sad is that?

But gradually some people raised their hands.

"Oh my! As an unfavored concubine in the family, I have felt the kindness of my stepmother and step-sister, and have seen the hope for the future. I am content."

"Oh my god! My martial arts skills are pretty good, maybe I can survive."

"I'll go! I have the worst grades, so I should go!"

"But you are the most hardworking!" The noble concubine shouted silently in her heart, but turned her face away, unable to bear to look at it anymore.