The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 104: Women' s Virtue

Chapter 104: Women’ s Virtue

“I humbly devote myself to compiling the book 《Women’s Virtues》 to complement the Girls’ School.”

Only Prince Yong and a few close confidants remained in Youzhou City, along with stubborn old ministers and prominent families who refused to surrender until utterly defeated. The common people had all been evacuated, nearby farmlands were controlled by Xu Ying’s forces, and granaries stood emptied. Prince Yong’s fief was too distant to offer timely support, while his power base in Qingzhou had been seized by the Qing Wangfei and Qingzhou’s provincial governor. Suddenly, everyone in Youzhou City faced desperate food shortages.

Going one day without cooking was tolerable, but when grain distributions ceased for two or three consecutive days, patience reached its breaking point.

With the tide turning against Prince Yong, soldiers mutinied, stormed the palace, and captured the sleeping Prince Yong and Xu Jin to offer them to Xu Ying as atonement for their crimes.

Prince Yong glared furiously, shouting, “How dare you! I am the Son of Heaven! This is treason!”

The officers retorted, “You lived in luxury within the palace, blind to our hunger and thirst. How dare you call yourself the Son of Heaven? When Emperor Xia resided in Youzhou, he preferred humble quarters himself while granting the palace to ministers who served the people. You conspired with villains to usurp the thronenow you must answer for your crimes!”

Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword.

Enraged by their comparison to Xu Ying, Prince Yong began cursing but was cut short as a blade slit his throat, blood gushing forth.

Xu Jin stared wide-eyed, trembling uncontrollably as he begged for mercy.

Prince Yong, who had been enthroned for mere days, was beheaded by his own troops and presented to Xu Ying. His son Xu Jin lost a leg in the chaos and disappeared, his fate unknown.

Seeing their protector fallen, everyone scrambled to pack their belongings and flee.

Those willing to stay in the four pilot cities received bonus points for the Winter Examination. Some commoners and merchants chose to remainXu Ying stationed merchants in Zhenping while relocating commoners to Chuiyun for reforestation, offering tax exemptions, subsidies, special privileges, and reserving land in Youzhou that could be leased to others.

The rest returned with her to Youzhou. Supporters of Prince Yong fled hastily, forced to abandon many possessions that fell into Xu Ying’s hands and were transferred to the state treasury.

While foreign envoys remained, Xu Ying tasked Zhang Yu and Zhang Keqian with negotiating preferential policies for the four pilot cities, anticipating frequent future exchanges. With various countries already interested and envoys gathered, agreements were promptly signed.

Dealing with rebels, inventorying assets, resettling populations, allocating land, registering households, and rewarding those who helped restore her to the throneincluding Xu Lang, Wu Zhaoyan, Jia Zhenzhen, and Li Dengyunrequired considerable effort.

For his rescue merit, Xu Ying specially enfeoffed Xu Chong as heir to inherit the Hengjiang Prince title.

Delighted upon receiving his appointment as chancellor, Zhang Yu asked an attendant, “I heard Liu Xiang resigned, leaving the Zuoxiang position vacant. Did Her Majesty appoint Li Dengyun?”

The attendant scratched his head, “It seems not. Her Majesty granted the Zuoxiang position to Princess Huaiyang. Li Dengyun was appointed as a scholar to teach at the Imperial Academy.”

“Princess Huaiyang? That’s fine then,” Zhang Yu sighed in relief. “She already handled most court affairs before. This promotion is natural.” He had genuinely feared Li Dengyun might become Zuoxiang and outrank him.

After dealing with various miscellaneous matters, Xu Ying finally found time to relax as the year drew to a close. It was time for the annual Winter Examination again. Xu Ying had implemented a patch: those who had previously held official positions were no longer graded alongside ordinary students but were categorized as officials, separating students from working professionals.

Zhou Jin and others had gained experience in grading papers and were now much faster at marking them.

Xu Ying glanced at the preliminary results. Xu Lang remarked, “Since the country changed its name, more and more women have been participating in the Winter Examination. This year, there’s even one from a humble background. Many families are finding ways to send their daughters to study. I believe that studying and taking the Winter Examination will become a common aspiration for everyone. Why not establish Girls’ Schools with waived fees so that more underprivileged women can appear on the Winter Examination rankings?”

Xu Ying nodded. “Education is a national priority. All children of appropriate age should be required to attend school. Let’s set up primary and secondary schools locallysix years for primary and three for secondarywith all tuition and fees waived. All children, regardless of gender, must enroll. Those who hide or restrain their children from attending school will be caned twenty times, and this will be included in local officials’ performance evaluations.”

Considering that after nine years of compulsory education, some families might immediately marry off their daughters, and given the current imperfect laws and the public’s weak legal awarenesswhere few bother to register marriages officially, merely hosting a banquet for neighbors and relatives to recognize the unionXu Ying rubbed her temples. “After secondary school, women can test into Girls’ Schools to prepare for the imperial exams, but boarding will be mandatory. They can offset costs by regularly assisting with silk reeling and other work. Merchants are allowed to apply to establish charitable schools, with partial business tax reductions, but private schools must undergo regular inspections to verify their qualifications.”

The legal codes also needed revision, but Xu Ying wanted to postpone that until more Female Officials were recruited. She preferred that women themselves revise the sections related to women’s rights.

“School expenditures are too high,” Xu Lang said.

Now together with Zhang Yu, Xu Lang often heard the Ministry of Revenue lamenting financial struggles, with demands for funds from all directions. During Xu Ying’s reign, various taxes and fees had been reduced. If not for confiscated properties replenishing the national treasury, they would likely be stretched thin already.

Such a massive expenditure could be sustained for two or three years, but it would be difficult to maintain year after year.

Xu Ying replied, “We’ll have to squeeze the budget. All other expenses should yield to education. If it’s still not enough, we’ll streamline staff, release palace servants, tighten our belts, and think of other ways to earn money. With some frugality, it should be manageable. Besides, various states pay considerable tribute each year.”

Xu Lang hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and nodded. For the sake of the greater plan, the funds for building schools had to be allocated.

“By the way, from Ji Mo, they’ve harvested Western cotton and sent it to Zhenping. There’s a Huang Erniang who is skilled at weaving. While making winter military uniforms for soldiers, she thought of using Western cotton to sew Menstrual Belts, which would be more comfortable to use. Noblewomen might appreciate them. She asked if it’s permissible to produce Menstrual Belts from Western cotton,” Xu Lang recalled, reporting something Sun Wanyun had brought up.

Xu Ying was pleasantly surprised, feeling as though technological progress was leaping forward. She praised, “Yes, that’s a great idea. Using Western cotton is safer and more hygienic. Not only should noblewomen use them, but ideally, commoners should have access too.”

“Have her produce some first, then let the Academy of Sciences check if tools can be improved to lower production costs.”

Since the advent of the Steam Engine, Xu Ying had held high hopes for the future. The emergence of cotton sanitary products made her even more willing to stay, and her happiness index soared straight up.

She couldn’t help but think that if she carefully described cola sparkling water, these people would probably find ways to produce it for her.

Xu Lang accepted the order and went to announce the implementation of compulsory education. Upon hearing this, many grew restless. With more people gaining access to knowledge, the competitive pressure on their descendants would sharply increase, and the accumulated glory of generations might very well be interrupted.

However, after the failed rebellion of Zheng Song, Prince Yong, and others, they knew opposing Xu Ying was futile. Helpless, they could only console themselves with the thought that their wealth and influence allowed them to hire great scholars for tutoring, providing a superior learning environment and long-term visionadvantages inaccessible to those of humble origins.

At the start of spring, Xu Ying officially changed the era name to Zhaoning, symbolizing a bright future and a stable, happy life.

After the Winter Examination interviews, Wu Zhaoyan presented a book and said anxiously, “Your Majesty, I have diligently compiled 《Women’s Virtues》 to complement the Girls’ School. Please review it.”

Xu Ying raised an eyebrow in surprise. She thought she had altered Wu Zhaoyan’s life path, yet she still ended up writing 《Women’s Virtues》.

Going through the motions, Xu Ying intended to glance at it and order it burned. But as she flipped it open casually, her eyes were nearly blinded by the crazy rainbow farts inside. Goosebumps rose all over her body, and her hair stood on end.

The book elaborated on what Women’s Virtues meant. Wu Zhaoyan explained that women, as bearers of reproduction and the masters of all things, could effortlessly excel in various affairs. Women’s virtue lay in fully expressing their innate nature, making all professions submit.

The best example was Xu Ying herself. Why did droughts cease and plagues retreat upon her ascension? Why did the Divine Artifact appear to aid in critical times?

It was because a female ruler followed the way of heaven, with the universe and all things at her command. Droughts and plagues harmed the world, but at Xu Ying’s presence, they fled in fear.

Beyond this, Wu Zhaoyan lavished praise on her, encouraging women to emulate her concern for the nation and its people, to step out of their rooms and pay attention to livelihoods. Even daily necessities like firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea held matters of state importance and should not be overlooked. Women must read extensively to understand the profound principles hidden in all things and cultivate their virtue.

Wu Zhaoyan tightly bound Women’s Virtues to Xu Ying. To oppose Women’s Virtues would be to say that Xu Ying, the female emperor, lacked virtue. Anyone wishing to speak against it would have to carefully weigh their words.

Bracing through her embarrassment, Xu Ying closed 《Women’s Virtues》 and understood Wu Zhaoyan’s intentit was providing theoretical support for women to step outside their homes.

Xu Ying said, “Good, have it printed. Make it required reading for enrollment, and excerpt some content for the gazette to expand its influence.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wu Zhaoyan beamed with joy. Having gained Xu Ying’s support, she excitedly accepted the order and left.

Shortly after Wu Zhaoyan departed, commotion arose outside. Soon, a palace attendant hurried in and reported, “Your Majesty, Qing Wang and the son of Hengjiang Prince request an audience.”

“Let them in,” Xu Ying lifted her eyelids.

Moments later, Qing Wang Xu Ge entered with a grim face, dragging his son Xu Lian, who clung tightly to his leg, crying, “I don’t want to see Her Majesty, I don’t want to! Father, let’s go back!”

Behind them were Hengjiang Prince’s son Xu Chong and his wet nurse, both bowing their heads and shrinking slightly as if afraid of something.

Startled, Xu Ying set down her brush and paper and urgently asked, “What’s going on here?”

Xu Lian wept uncontrollably, while Xu Ge paid no heed and firmly declared, “Your Majesty, I wish to expose the Hengjiang Prince for deceiving the sovereign and concealing his daughter, disguising her as a boy in an attempt to fraudulently inherit the title.”

Xu Ying was stunned for a moment. “Are you saying Xu Chong is a girl?”

She carefully examined Xu Chong’s appearancedelicate and finely featured, there was indeed a touch of elegance, but being young, it wasn’t particularly pronounced. Some boys before maturity can resemble young girls, making it difficult to determine gender based solely on appearance.

Xu Lian stopped crying and spoke first before his father could, loudly proclaiming, “Chong-di is not a girl!” I can vouch for her!”