Chapter 212: Here for Revenge?

Unexpectedly, Song Junzhan was against restarting the imperial examinations.

Although this was his long-held obsession, the timing wasn’t right.

"Your Majesty has been on the throne for too short a time. The talent selected from the Scholars’ Banquet is sufficient. This is not a suitable time to hold the imperial examinations."

The reason he had insisted on reviving the imperial examinations was that his forebears had died for the cause. He wanted to fulfill their long-cherished wish and, at the same time, give truly talented children from poor families a platform to realize their ambitions.

Although the imperial examinations had not yet been revived, the Empress had already enabled children from poor families to prove their mettle, and the court had never been more upright.

At this point, things had already reached their peak.

The imperial examinations would be the icing on the cake—a system for selecting talent needed for the future, but not something to be rushed into now.

Officials in the various prefectures had not yet fully submitted, the court was still in turmoil, and the Empress’s throne was not yet completely secure.

In a word, it was too hasty.

Song Junzhan knew Your Majesty was restarting the imperial examinations for his sake. But it was precisely because he knew her good intentions that he couldn’t let her empire fall into disarray.

By now, his obsession and long-held wish had faded. He knew that what Your Majesty had promised him would one day be realized, and he knew what a clear and vibrant sky now hung above his head.

Rather than rushing to fulfill his own desires, he was more concerned with Your Majesty’s health and the stability of the empire. They were still young; there was plenty of time to take things slowly.

Xiao Li heard him out but remained firm in her stance.

"One month from now."

’I don’t have that much time to spend with them. I’ll do everything I can, and then I’ll finish my own business.’

Seeing Song Junzhan’s disapproving expression, Xiao Li teased, "With a face like that, I might think you lack confidence in yourself. After all, you’ll be taking the exam. If you don’t earn a high rank, how embarrassing would that be?"

Song Junzhan chuckled. "Your Majesty has no need to use such tactics on me. I will do my utmost to achieve the highest rank. Of course, even if I fail to take the top spot, it will not affect my loyalty to you."

’He sounds like he’s shamelessly latching onto me.’

And so, the decision to hold the imperial examinations was made. One month was enough time for those who heard the news to prepare.

The news was sent out from the Capital City, radiating to the five major surrounding cities. Twenty days was enough time for them to hear the news and make the journey. The remaining time could be devoted to preparing for the examination.

Thanks to the previous Scholars’ Banquet, word had already spread that examinations were being used to select capable individuals from poor families.

Now that the imperial examinations were being reinstated, a ceaseless stream of applicants signed up.

The former Princess had ascended the throne as Empress, and the Scholars’ Banquet had been upgraded to a national imperial examination.

The scholars from poor families who had distinguished themselves at the banquet now held positions in the court, a testament to the Empress’s credibility and her high regard for true talent.

A woman as Emperor, a hen crowing at dawn?

So what?

The former Emperors were men, and the aristocratic families were all run by men. But what kind of lives had they led under them?

Under layers of oppression, their future was bleak. Even though they were all men, all scholars, those from poor families were suppressed until they could barely breathe. They lost their dignity, their lives, and even their honor, only to be humiliated and trampled upon.

The barrier between them wasn’t gender, but class oppression.

Now, the Empress had stormed the Golden Hall with a contingent of scholars from poor families, ushering in a new era and carving out a bright path for them.

Anyone who wasn’t a complete fool would seize this opportunity.

Of course, just like with the Scholars’ Banquet, Xiao Li placed no restrictions on status. Sons of both poor and aristocratic families could participate; the most important criterion was talent.

The only restriction was age, with a lower limit of fifteen and an upper limit of fifty. Those too young were not yet mature; even a prodigy at books might not know how to govern. Those too old were not wanted either—they were either old and crafty or hopelessly stubborn. What was the point in selecting them?

It would be a waste of time to even test them.

As for women participating in the examinations, Xiao Li did not have the possibility publicized.

She had not issued any decree forbidding women from participating, so they were technically allowed. However, a woman becoming an official, much like a woman becoming an Emperor, was unprecedented in this era.

If you simply declare a woman Emperor, the world will not accept it. The same principle applies to women becoming officials.

Every new endeavor needs someone to be the first to eat the crab.

Only when the first one appears and carves out a bloody path will people realize that it is possible.

Only when that first woman crushes all opposition, forcing the men to acknowledge her existence, will the women who follow have a role model and awaken their own will to resist and take charge of their destinies.

Status and the right to have a voice must be earned through determination and ability.

As Empress, Xiao Li naturally had to elevate the status of women. But how far that status could be elevated, and what could be achieved, ultimately depended on the women themselves.

’It’s ridiculous, doing all this in a fake world,’ Xiao Li thought. ’But what’s fake to me is reality to the people here.’

’Just chalk it up to me being bored. Besides, it’s easy enough to do.’

-----

On the day the imperial edict for the examinations was proclaimed, Song Junzhan stood at the forefront of the court. Listening to every word he himself had written, his heart surged with emotion, yet he felt a profound sense of calm.

’A wish held for many years is finally coming to fruition. From now on, I no longer live burdened by the lives and hopes of my ancestors. I am Song Junzhan, and I will live for myself.’

As a participant in the upcoming examinations, he was not involved in their arrangement or in drafting the questions.

With some rare free time, he went to see Imperial Tutor Feng.

Imperial Tutor Feng and Wang Changwen were still being held in their cages.

The cannonballs that had fallen had killed or injured more than half the officials. Because Imperial Tutor Feng and Wang Changwen had been standing near the front, a shell had landed behind them. The force of the blast threw them forward, and though they fell hard, injuring their faces and mangling their backs, they survived.

After treatment from the Imperial Physicians and a long recovery, the two men were mostly healed. However, their complexions were dreadful, and they looked haggard and wretched. Their once salt-and-pepper hair was now almost entirely white.

"Imperial Tutor Feng..."

A mocking voice rang out, and the men in the cages looked over in unison.

"Song Junzhan."

Even though these men were locked in cages, they were not ignorant of events outside.

In fact, as if afraid they might miss something, someone was sent every day to report to them.

They knew exactly what edicts the Empress had issued and which new officials were the most favored and brilliant in her court.

Dressed in white, from a poor family, an early follower of the Empress, leader of the civil servants yet without a formal title—an uncrowned prime minister wielding true power. Song Junzhan.

Imperial Tutor Feng raised his cloudy eyes, studying him for a long moment. Suddenly, a flash of realization crossed his face. His eyes widened slightly as he asked, his voice agitated, "You’re Song Yun’s grandson?"

Song Junzhan’s gaze was cold and mocking. "So, the Grand Tutor does remember old acquaintances after all."

"In all these years, when you dream at midnight, I wonder... have my grandfather and Grandpa Wan ever come to visit you, Imperial Tutor Feng, to reminisce about old times?"

Beside him, Wang Changwen was stunned. ’This is Song Yun’s grandson, here for revenge?’