From cute to empress

"My dear ministers, I have an important announcement today..." I took a deep breath, went over the speech I had been preparing all night, and then spoke aloud, "I have decided to promote education and reform the imperial examination system!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Golden Palace erupted in excitement, as if a stone had been dropped. The ministers whispered among themselves, some were surprised, some were puzzled, and some looked displeased.

I took in all this, then raised my voice and said, "I have made my decision. We will establish more schools in every prefecture and recruit teachers. All children of appropriate age, regardless of social status, will be admitted. At the same time, we will improve teacher salaries and reform the outdated imperial examination system. Instead of relying on rote memorization of eight-legged essays, we will instead examine students' true talents and knowledge!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Someone in the crowd shouted, and then several voices echoed.

However, there were more voices of opposition. Lin Jijiu stepped out of the procession, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, this absolutely cannot happen! Since ancient times, education has been controlled by aristocratic families. There are few schools among the common people, and the teaching staff is already weak. Now that Your Majesty has suddenly ordered the establishment of more schools, I'm afraid... I'm afraid it will be difficult to implement!"

I had anticipated some objections, so I didn't get angry. I simply asked calmly, "What do you think, Lord Yilin?"

"In my opinion, this matter still needs long-term consideration. It won't be too late to make plans when the national treasury is full and the teaching staff is sufficient!" Lin Jijiu spoke righteously, but it could not cover up his selfish desire to maintain the old system and not want to share educational resources with ordinary people.

"Lord Lin, you're wrong!" The Minister of Revenue stood up. "Your Majesty is wise and powerful. This time, we've defeated the enemy and seized countless supplies. The treasury is overflowing. This is a great opportunity to promote education!"

"That's right! Reforming the imperial examination system and selecting true talents will ensure long-term stability!"

"Your Majesty, I second the proposal!"

……

For a time, voices of support and opposition rose and fell in the court, arguing endlessly. I sat on the dragon throne, observing everything before me, but my heart remained remarkably calm. I knew this reform was inevitable, and I was ready to face any challenge.

"Enough." I tapped the armrest of the dragon throne, and the hall suddenly fell silent. "I have made up my mind. Tomorrow I will issue an edict to implement education reform nationwide. Lin Jijiu, please come with me..." I paused, my gaze fixed on a middle-aged man in a cyan official uniform who had remained silent not far away. "Also, Mr. Qian from the Imperial College should come along." After the court session ended, I rubbed my aching forehead. Zhen Youcai handed me a cup of hot tea and asked softly, "Your Majesty, are you worried about education reform?"

I took the teacup and took a sip. The warm tea flowed down my throat, dispelling some of my fatigue. "Lin Jijiu and others are clinging to the old system and refusing to change. I'm afraid this first step in education reform will be difficult."

Zhen Youcai pondered for a moment and suggested, "Your Majesty, why not go incognito and visit the Imperial College in person to understand the actual situation and prescribe the right remedy."

My eyes lit up. "You're right. Seeing is believing. I'll arrange it right away."

The next day, I changed into a plain dress and went to the Imperial College in disguise, accompanied by Zhen Youcai and several guards.

Before I even entered the classroom, I could hear the sound of students reading aloud. However, the sound was a little weak, as if they were just completing a task. I was puzzled and quickened my pace.

The scene before me was a profound disappointment. The school consisted of a few dilapidated rooms, many of the roof tiles missing, and the walls covered in mottled marks. Entering one classroom, I saw dozens of children crammed together, their desks and chairs old and worn, some even broken. Even more surprising, I saw only one elderly man teaching at the podium. He looked exhausted, his voice hoarse and weak.

I walked up to a child and asked, "What's your name? What are you studying?"

The child looked up at me, then lowered his head and whispered, "Sir, I am Wang Ergou, a student studying The Analects."

"So, do you like reading?"

Wang Ergou shook his head and said, "I don't like it. I don't understand what the teacher taught me, and I can't memorize it."

My heart sank, and I asked a few more children, and their answers were mostly the same. It seemed that the situation at the Imperial College was even worse than I had imagined.

"Your Majesty..." Zhen Youcai called in a low voice when he saw that I looked unhappy.

I came back to my senses, took a deep breath, and asked, "Is Priest Lin here today?"

"Your Majesty, Chief Priest Lin is on leave today." The guard beside him replied.

"Then ask him to come over and tell him that I have something important to discuss with you." After I said that, I turned and walked out.

As I reached the door, I saw a familiar figure approaching. It was none other than Lin Jijiu. He was startled at first when he saw me, then, as if understanding something, he hurried forward and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. I was unaware of your arrival and apologized for not welcoming you."

"No need to be so polite, Master Lin, let's go in and talk." I said, and walked into a room on the side first.

There was only a table and a few chairs in the room. I motioned for Lin Jijiu to sit down and said straight to the point, "I have come here incognito today and have witnessed the current situation of the Imperial College with my own eyes. I am very worried..."

"Master Lin," I said gravely, "The Imperial College, as our dynasty's highest institution of learning, shoulders the heavy responsibility of cultivating the nation's pillars. But now the academy is dilapidated, the teachers are scarce, and the students' enthusiasm for learning is low. If this continues, the future of our dynasty is worrying!"

After hearing this, Lin Jijiu's face showed no trace of surprise. He simply bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I understand what you are saying. However, the Imperial College has been following the old system for hundreds of years, and it has its reasons for existence. Most of those children come from poor families. Being able to read and write, they have a good future as accountants. Why force them to do anything else?"

I frowned slightly. His words echoed those of the veteran officials in the court, leaving me both infuriated and frustrated. "Lin Jijiu, you too came from a humble background and worked hard to rise above it. Have you forgotten your original aspirations? I believe the purpose of education is to give everyone the opportunity to change their fate and realize their true self-worth, not to confine them to the limitations of their background!"

I spoke excitedly, pouring out all the pent-up resentment I'd been feeling. Lin Jijiu was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Your Majesty, I understand your earnest intentions. However, reform doesn't happen overnight, especially when it comes to education. A single mistake can have ripple effects across the board. Any misstep could cause widespread unrest!"

"Then according to Master Lin, should we be content with the status quo and watch the Imperial College decline day by day?" I asked in return.

"That's not what I meant," Lin Jijiu hurriedly explained, "but reforms need to be carefully considered and implemented step by step. We can't rush into anything..."

Lin Jijiu then proceeded to offer a long series of high-sounding arguments, emphasizing the obstacles and risks of reform without offering any substantive suggestions. I knew in my heart that Lin Jijiu represented those stubbornly conservative forces, and convincing them would be incredibly difficult.

After leaving the Imperial College, I remained silent all the way. Zhen Youcai followed me, not daring to speak either. Back in the palace, I locked myself in my study, replaying everything I had seen and heard today, as well as my conversation with Lin Jijiu.

Educational reform is something I've wanted to do since I ascended the throne, and it's a major issue concerning the future of the Daniu Dynasty. But now it seems this path is even more difficult than I imagined.

Just when I was feeling confused, Zhen Youcai's voice rang out from outside the door, "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not..." "Come in." I rubbed my tired brows and brought my thoughts back to reality.

Zhen Youcai pushed the door open and entered. Seeing my solemn expression, he said softly, "Your Majesty, I know you are worried about the Imperial College. While what Priest Lin said is not without reason, reform is not impossible. We just need to find another way."

"Find a new way?" I raised my head and looked at Zhen Youcai. "What are your ideas? Feel free to tell me."

"Your Majesty, please think about why the Imperial College has declined to this extent?" Zhen Youcai did not directly answer my question, but instead raised another question.

I thought for a moment and said, "A shortage of teachers, outdated teaching materials, and students' lack of motivation to learn are all reasons."

"Your Majesty is absolutely right," Zhen Youcai nodded. "But the root cause is the lack of fresh blood! The teachers at the Imperial College mostly just cling to secure stable jobs, and those students from poor backgrounds see no hope, so naturally they lose the motivation to study."

"What you mean is..." I vaguely understood what Zhen Youcai meant.

"Your Majesty, we can follow the example of private schools and recruit outstanding talents from all over society to serve as teachers. At the same time, we should reform the admissions system and select talents regardless of their background. As long as young people are talented and ambitious, they can enter the Imperial Academy to study, regardless of their background!

Zhen Youcai grew increasingly excited as he spoke, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "This way, we can not only inject fresh blood into the Imperial College, but also break down class barriers, allowing more talented young people the opportunity to realize their ambitions. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

My heart surged with emotion. Zhen Youcai's proposal was like a flash of lightning, illuminating the path ahead. Yes, why hadn't I thought of that? Breaking down the old system and introducing new mechanisms is the key to solving the problem!

"Okay! I'll do as you say!" I stood up suddenly, a determined light flashing in my eyes. "Pass the order down, from now on..."