pdf-ebookys Chapter 567 Salt Production
Chapter 567 Salt Production
Public reaction was even more complex.
While impoverished scholars were excited about the clearer and fairer promotion path, they were also surprised and even somewhat dissatisfied with the fact that women were taking up the already limited number of spots.
However, among those from scholarly families or wealthy households with a certain level of knowledge, a subtle ripple was quietly stirred. Some talented women, who were known for their abilities but were confined to their chambers because of their gender, saw a glimmer of hope.
Some were secretly delighted and began to study their family's collection of books even more diligently; others pleaded with their fathers and brothers for the opportunity to learn. Although very few dared to immediately step forward and ask for permission to study, and most of them were under immense family and social pressure, the seeds of thought had already been sown.
The daughter of a retired doctor with a good reputation in the former Zhao state secretly asked someone to inquire about the specific requirements for the children's examination; a shrewd widow in Xianyang also began to teach her young daughter to read and write.
The *Da Qin Xin Bao* newspaper became the main battleground for public opinion clashes. Ying Wuyou personally organized articles, vigorously promoting the superiority of the three-tiered imperial examination system and listing its benefits for the country in selecting truly talented individuals and for children from poor families to change their fate;
On the other hand, it serializes stories of women in history or legend who were talented, wise, and made contributions, from Fu Hao leading troops to Ba Qing assisting the country, subtly changing people's perceptions.
Meanwhile, the newspaper also reported on the "new trend" of some local government schools preparing to accept girls, providing positive guidance.
Ying Wuyou knew that this matter could not be accomplished overnight. She took a series of supporting measures:
First, the strict restriction that women can only participate in the children's examination and that they must have a certificate issued by their family or guarantor has reduced accusations of "immorality" to some extent.
Secondly, she encouraged counties to pilot the establishment of "girls' schools" or "girls' preparatory classes" in official schools to teach basic cultural knowledge and provide a foundation for women's reference. Teachers were to be raised locally or appointed by her, including female officials and literate palace maids who had undergone preliminary training.
Finally, she instructed Zhou Xun to send people to closely monitor developments in various places, promptly suppress any potential extreme actions against the women and their families, and create a relatively safe pilot environment.
At the same time, Ying Wuyou was making great efforts to advance other aspects of the imperial examination reform.
She petitioned the King of Qin to formally establish the "Hanlin Academy" as an independent academic institution and examination administration body.
The first batch of Hanlin scholars were carefully selected by the imperial court. They included doctors who were well-versed in the classics, experts in law, mathematicians, and even specialists in engineering, geography, agriculture, and sericulture who were recalled from the Baiyue region.
The Hanlin Academy was not only responsible for setting and grading examination questions at all levels of the imperial examinations, but also shouldered the responsibilities of researching knowledge, compiling classics, and providing advice to the emperor. It was the prototype of the future empire's highest think tank. Ying Wuyou personally served as the first "Supervisor" of the Hanlin Academy, firmly controlling this core position of cultural discourse and talent selection.
Under her planning, the system of government-run schools also expanded rapidly. In addition to municipal and county government schools, she established more disciplines, such as chemistry, physics, geography, history, politics, biology and other colleges, with the aim of cultivating high-level specialized talents.
All these measures subtly strengthened Ying Wuyou's personal influence. She was not only the princess who proposed the policies, but also their staunch implementer and promoter. Countless scholars eager to advance through the new path, and countless families benefiting from the new policies, would remember her with gratitude. Those scholars and officials who entered the Hanlin Academy and the official academic system formed a close community of shared interests and careers with her.
Inside the Zhangtai Palace, the King of Qin silently observed everything. Watching his daughter navigate the turmoil with ease and strategic planning, seeing her steadily implement seemingly difficult reforms, and witnessing the gradual gathering of a new generation of truly talented individuals around her, a hint of satisfaction and appreciation occasionally flashed in his deep eyes.
During a casual conversation with Ying Wuyou, he seemingly casually mentioned: "Jiayang, Fusu has implemented benevolent policies and pacified the barbarians in the Baiyue region, with considerable success. However, his gentle nature seems more suited to maintaining the status quo. In the early stages of the future empire, a balance of firmness and leniency is needed, even... a firm approach to overcome leniency, using swift and decisive measures to demonstrate a compassionate heart. Do you understand my meaning?"
Ying Wuyou's heart trembled violently, and she looked up at her father. The King of Qin's gaze was as deep as the sea, and she instantly understood the meaning contained within it. It was no longer a hidden expectation, but an almost explicit entrustment!
She took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in her heart, and solemnly knelt down: "Your subject... will remember Father's teachings! I will do my utmost to assist Father, consolidate the foundation of the Great Qin, and usher in an era of lasting peace!" She did not directly answer the sensitive question, but her attitude was clear.
The King of Qin nodded slightly and waved his hand: "Go. The imperial examination is a matter of national destiny and... the foundation of the future. It must be handled properly."
Ying Wuyou left Zhangtai Palace and looked up at the vast sky above Xianyang Palace. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining upon the majestic palace. She knew that a more difficult yet more glorious path had already unfolded before her.
Allowing women to take the imperial examinations was merely the first step in this grand scheme. She not only had to lay a solid foundation for the talent system of this soon-to-be-born vast empire, but perhaps also, in an unprecedented capacity, had to shoulder the mission of leading it into the future.
The wheels of time, propelled by her and King Zheng of Qin, two generations of chess players, are forging ahead with unprecedented speed and momentum.
The imperial examinations were progressing smoothly, and Ying Wuyou entrusted most of the work to Lü Zhi. After all, Lü Zhi had been in charge of matters related to the imperial examinations the previous year, and during that time she had put forward many practical and effective suggestions for reforming the system. Therefore, Ying Wuyou was quite at ease when he entrusted the task to her.
Now, Ying Wuyou is able to devote more of his precious time to another crucial matter—salt production.
As a time traveler, she deeply understood the importance of salt. It was not only the basis of seasoning but also essential for the human body, directly related to the physique of the nation and the combat effectiveness of the army. However, the salt of this era, whether sea salt, pond salt, or rock salt, was mostly full of impurities, had a strong bitter taste, and was cloudy in color, which was helplessly called "coarse salt" or "bitter salt" by the people.
The technology for refining fine salt had long been in her mind, but she had been busy with more pressing matters such as improving agricultural tools, controlling public opinion, establishing the imperial examination system, and even dealing with the war to destroy Chu. As a result, this plan, which could greatly improve her quality of life and potential economic value, was repeatedly put on hold.
Now that the State of Chu has been destroyed and the new imperial examination system is on track, it is time to put "fine salt" on the agenda.
"Zhou Xun," Ying Wuyou called softly.
Commander Zhou Xun had silently appeared behind her, bowing and awaiting orders.
"Is that small workshop where we initially tried to refine fine salt still operating?" Ying Wuyou asked. A year ago, she had told Zhou Xun about the simple purification principles of filtration, sedimentation, and crystallization that she remembered, and asked him to find a secluded place and recruit several craftsmen from respectable families to conduct small-scale experiments.