On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

puff.

Lin Zhen curled his lips.

It's already a time when the seven countries are almost in a fight to the death. What's the point of worrying about face?

Besides, these are all schemes played out in private. If the Xuanhemen can't win, they will just admit defeat. Can they fabricate public opinion?

Lin Zhen took a leisurely step forward and respectfully bowed to his grandfather, explaining, "Grandfather, we never said we would let them into the city, and there's no such clause in the treaty. So how can we say we're playing rogue? If the law doesn't prohibit it, then it's allowed. Han Tianhong doesn't dare to say anything."

Lin Zhenxian certainly knew that what Lin Zhen said made sense, but his noble nature was playing tricks on him, and he always felt that it was inappropriate to act like a rogue like this.

But I never thought that the glory of the palace and Daqian today was achieved by playing rogue. Face is used for gentlemen, but for villains, you have to use a knife.

At this time, the atmosphere in the room relaxed, and the ministers of the six ministries talked to each other, and the sound of praise was endless.

"Your Highness, this plan not only protects the interests of Daqian but also prevents disasters before they occur. It is truly far-sighted!"

"The Crown Prince is very thoughtful. This arrangement not only takes into account diplomatic etiquette, but also strictly guards the country's borders, making South Korea suffer a loss! Hahahaha, awesome!"

Lin Zhen smiled and thanked everyone one by one. When the praises died down for a while, he straightened his expression and resumed the seriousness he had when discussing matters.

"While this plan is sound, we also need to make thorough arrangements. My suggestion is that the teams responsible for receiving the ore and transporting Erguotou in Yingchuan be brought under the unified management of the Ministry of Industry, and their foremen be granted eighth-rank official positions to facilitate dispatch.

The Ministry of Revenue is responsible for paying their salaries and ensuring that they have enough food and clothing so that they can work with peace of mind.

After the Ministry of Justice returns, it must draft a code specifically for the delivery team as soon as possible, enforce strict discipline, and eliminate all possible omissions and illegal acts, especially preventing people from the Xuanhe Gate from sneaking in.

The Ministry of Revenue also needs to work with the Ministry of Industry to develop detailed delivery specifications for the team, from cargo loading and unloading, transportation routes to handover procedures, all must have rules to follow.

We have gathered all of you here today to discuss these matters thoroughly. Tomorrow morning, we will present the entire plan to His Majesty for your judgment."

Lin Zhen's voice was not loud, but every word he spoke was clear and powerful.

Everyone sat upright, listened attentively, and nodded from time to time to show that they understood.

After he finished speaking, the six ministers all responded in unison: "Yes, sir!"

......

At the first light of dawn, golden sunlight like fine silk threads poured in through the towering carved window lattices of the Golden Throne Hall, weaving patches of light on the golden brick floor inside the hall, as if a layer of gorgeous brocade was laid on this solemn and dignified place.

Empress Murong Yan, dressed in an extremely luxurious phoenix robe, walked into the hall gracefully.

The phoenix robe was woven with golden thread, and the auspicious pattern of the phoenix was lifelike. Every feather seemed to contain lively vitality, sparkling brightly in the sunlight.

She moved lightly with lotus steps, her skirt dragging on the ground, and the majestic aura emanating from her body made the air in the hall seem to freeze.

Sitting upright on the phoenix chair, the phoenix table in front of him is large and magnificent. The jade seal, writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone placed on the table are all rare treasures, each of which exudes a warm luster.

The phoenix screen behind her is even more exquisite. The wooden frame is inlaid with various gems and pearls. The colorful phoenix spreads its wings above the screen, as if guarding this legendary empress.

Following Murong Wushe's shrill and long voice of "Your Majesty has arrived", all the officials in the hall knelt on the ground and shouted.

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

The sound resounded throughout the Golden Palace, and the echo lingered among the beams.

All officials were dressed in court robes, of different colors but all solemn and neat, and the accessories on their hats gleamed faintly in the sunlight.

"Everyone loves you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Murong Yan gently raised her hand, signaling all officials to stand up. She glanced around the hall, and suddenly, a hint of surprise and joy flashed in her eyes.

It turns out that Lin Zhen is here today too.

And he was standing at the forefront of the ministers with his head held high and his chest puffed out.

Their eyes met, and Wan'er smiled at them tacitly. That smile was like a warm current breaking the ice in spring, flowing quietly in this slightly solemn court, with a bit of tacit understanding and intimacy.

"My dear ministers, do you have anything to report?" Murong Yan withdrew her gaze and slightly opened her red lips.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhen took a steady step forward, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

"Your Majesty, last night I discussed Korea's purchase of Erguotou with the six ministers at the palace, and we now have a good plan."

Murong Yan also showed curiosity. She leaned forward slightly and asked, "Oh? Prince, please tell me quickly."

Lin Zhen met Murong Yan's gaze and told her everything they had discussed yesterday in great detail.

Murong Yan nodded repeatedly after hearing this.

Every time he heard Lin Zhen say something, he would smile, his eyes full of admiration and recognition, and the sense of tacit understanding was beyond words.

After Lin Zhen finished speaking, she raised her jade hand and flicked her phoenix robe. Her movements were extremely graceful, like a dancing phoenix spreading its wings.

"Your Highness's words resonate deeply with me. I approve your request."

Upon seeing this, all the ministers knelt down and shouted.

"Your Majesty is holy."

Even Lin Zhenxian bowed to the ground, feeling deeply proud of his grandson.

However, Murong Yan's next words were like a bombshell.

"I also have important matters to discuss with you, my dear ministers." She sat up slightly straighter, her gaze sweeping across the courtiers with a determined look. "I have ascended the throne as a woman, setting a precedent. Since this is the case, I believe we should take this opportunity to allow women to participate in the imperial examinations. From now on, women's status should be equal to that of men. They can study, work, and even serve as officials!"

These words were like thunder from a clear sky.

The ministers were stunned at first, as if they couldn't believe their ears, and then anger instantly exploded in the hall.

Minister of Rites Du Wenxuan was the first to step forward. His face flushed, veins bulging slightly on his forehead. He urgently declared, "Your Majesty, this absolutely cannot be done! A woman as emperor is already against our ancestral traditions. Now if we allow women to serve as officials, won't the world be in chaos? Since ancient times, the court has been a man's world, with women ruling the interior and men ruling the exterior. This is the way of heaven and human relations, and it cannot be easily changed! Look at the classics and historical texts, where is there any record of women discussing politics in the court, ruling the world? If this is allowed, what will happen to the future government? What will happen to the reputation of our ancestors?"

Minister of Works Song Zhenglin also stepped forward and echoed, "Your Majesty, I second the motion. It's truly unacceptable for women to hold official positions. If women were simply allowed to learn to read and write, and work in industry and commerce, it wouldn't be a major issue and might benefit the people's livelihood and the economy. But once they hold official positions, how can they handle the numerous confidential matters at court? Furthermore, if men and women are mixed in official positions, where will the principles of propriety and morality be maintained? I've heard that women are prone to emotion. If they were to make decisions based solely on impulse and sentimentality regarding military and national affairs, wouldn't that be a disservice to the country and its people?"

Minister of Justice Zhao Ming snorted coldly, strode forward, and spoke sharply, "Your Majesty, I find this absurd! How can a woman, delicate and frail, endure the turmoil of officialdom and the ups and downs of the political world? Let alone handling the complexities of government, how much strength do women possess even for patrols and apprehending criminals? What if a military emergency requires us to don armor and charge into battle? What will a woman do? Isn't this a joke on our Great Qian Empire?"

Minister of Personnel Qian Shuheng was no less concerned, offering a grave warning: "Your Majesty, the imperial examinations are a grand ceremony for selecting talents for the nation. Those selected must possess both ability and moral integrity, and be able to shoulder important responsibilities. Women, educated from a young age, primarily learn needlework, chess, calligraphy, and painting. They possess no knowledge of the art of governing a nation, or of defending it against enemies. If women are allowed to take the imperial examinations and enter the officialdom, wouldn't the quality of the candidates be mixed, thus undermining our court's talent management? If this continues, the court will be filled with mediocrity, and how can the nation survive?"

Minister of Revenue Chen Qinian frowned and added, "Your Majesty, let's not talk about anything else. Official salaries and positions are based on the number of men serving. If a large number of women were to enter the government, the financial burden would inevitably increase dramatically. Although our dynasty currently has a surplus, many livelihood projects and military construction still require funding. How can we afford to support a large number of female officials? Isn't this just asking for trouble?"

All of the ministers responded at once, with voices of opposition rising one after another, and the entire Golden Palace seemed to be in an uproar.

Murong Yan sat on the phoenix chair, her fists clenched in anger, her knuckles turning white from the force.

She glanced angrily at the ministers, finally settling on Lin Zhen.

But he looked calm and had no intention of expressing his opinion, which made me even more angry.

"I can become the emperor as a woman, so why can't women be officials? Is it that you men look down on women? You look down on me?" Murong Yan scolded in a delicate voice, her voice full of grievance and anger, her eyes slightly red, tears flashing in her phoenix eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. Her pitiful and domineering appearance made people feel pity and fear.

Seeing the situation was not good, Lin Zhenxian hurriedly stepped out, bowed slightly, and advised gently: "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. A single move will affect the entire body, so we need to consider it carefully."

After saying that, she looked at Lin Zhen inconspicuously, as if saying: You should discuss this matter with your husband, and what should you say in the Golden Palace.

Murong Yan couldn't understand the ins and outs of this. She angrily swung the sleeves of her phoenix robe, like a phoenix that had been injured and was now arrogant, and shouted sternly: "Withdraw from the court!"

After saying this, she stood up and walked straight to the back of the hall. The rustling sound of her phoenix robe dragging on the ground was particularly clear in the hall where the noise was gradually dying down, as if telling of her unwillingness and resentment.