Chapter 1176: Ambition
Li Jinghua widened her eyes. “I’m going to be the Publisher?”
She’d only wanted to write an article for The Lily Tis, but she had never thought of becoming the Publisher. Besides, there was no precedent for an Empress to beco the Publisher of a newspaper office.
Seeing that she seed disapproving, Mu Yangling held her hand and persuaded, “Why should people follow precedents in everything they do? How can there be so many precedents in this world? Besides, if everything remains status quo, how can our days improve?”
“As the Empress, the most respected woman in the world, shouldn’t you do sothing for the won in the world?”
Li Jinghua was amused. “What do you want to do for all the won in the world?”
Mu Yangling turned to look at the palace maids in her palace and stopped talking.
Li Jinghua raised her eyebrows as Mu Yangling had never done this in her palace. Li Jinghua waved her hand to dismiss the servants before looking at her.
Mu Yangling glanced at Wen Cui.
With a smile, Wen Cui went out to guard the door.
Mu Yangling held Li Jinghua’s hand and said solemnly, “Fight for more rights and benefits for the won in the world so that their status will be elevated. If there’s a day when gender equality is achieved, then you, the Empress, will definitely be the first to be ntioned.”
Li Jinghua was so frightened that her heart almost jumped out of her chest. After a while, she tapped her forehead and said, “You’re scaring again with all that nonsense about equality between n and won.”
Seeing Mu Yangling look at her seriously, Li Jinghua’s smile gradually disappeared and she asked, “Who else have you told such nonsense to?”
“Does Haoran count?”
Li Jinghua heaved a sigh of relief and patted her chest. “Don’t say such things outside in the future. Should those stubborn old pedants hear you, they’re going to censure you.”
Mu Yangling snorted and said, “Wu Zetian was even the ruler of a country. In the era of the sages, there were many matriarchs leading their family. Why can’t I hope for equality between n and won?” Mu Yangling was indignant. “Nowadays, won’s status is getting lower and lower, all because those old pedants use the words of the sages to restrain won ti and ti again using the Three Obediences and Four Virtues1 as an excuse. The late sages didn’t even set so many rules when they ca up with the Three Obediences and Four Virtues.”
Li Jinghua didn’t expect Mu Yangling to have such a strong opinion on this. She couldn’t help but persuade her, “Ah Ling, considering this situation isn’t ford overnight, it’s too difficult for us to change it. If we’re not careful, we might even be crushed while attempting to enact change. Look at Empress Wu1. Despite being the ruler of the country, she couldn’t accomplish anything with the ministers constantly forcing her to abdicate.”
“I’m not expecting it to work imdiately.” Mu Yangling said, “Besides, I don’t have aspirations to rule the country. Why would they oppose ?”
“But your suggestion of equality between n and won is inconsistent in their eyes.”
“Who said that I’m proposing equality between n and won?” Mu Yangling winked at her slyly. “I’m just asking you to be the Publisher of The Lily Tis and use this opportunity to invite a few talented madams to work in the newspaper office.”
Li Jinghua was helpless. “If I beco the Publisher, would won’s status rise to rival that of n’s?”
“Of course not, but it’s a good start.” Mu Yangling knew that although Li Jinghua ca from an aristocratic family, she had her own aspirations. Otherwise, the sisters-in-law wouldn’t have beco good friends. Hence, although Mu Yangling didn’t speak as brazenly as she did with Qi Haoran, she didn’t feel as restrained when talking to her. “Do you know that in ancient tis, children took after their mother’s surna? That the status of won far exceeded that of n?”
Li Jinghua’s eyes widened. “Where did you hear that from?”
Such a thing wasn’t ntioned in the existing history books.
Mu Yangling couldn’t possibly say that it was the conclusion reached by archaeologists in the future, right? She could only give the basis of her deduction. “You can tell from the legend. Humans were created by Nüwa, a woman, and saints had no fathers and only mothers. From this, it can be seen that group marriage was the norm at that ti. Judging from the fact that children followed their mothers’ surnas and lived with their mothers, it can be seen that won were highly respected and had a high status at that ti.”
Li Jinghua’s head hurt. She finally understood why the Crown Prince would always ask strange questions after reading history books and storybooks. Most importantly, why did she involuntarily believe what she said?
“Therefore, even if won were respected in ancient tis, it has long beco the past. Now, n are regarded as superior to won.”
“Then do you know why n’s status eventually surpassed that of won’s?” Mu Yangling continued the previous question.
Li Jinghua could only ask helplessly, “Why?”
“Because of war.” Mu Yangling said seriously, “Because n have an advantage over won in war, so even since there was war, won gradually lose their advantages and status. Instead, they beco sothing to be fought over. That’s why won’s status has decreased.”
Li Jinghua looked at her in confusion, not understanding what this had to do with her becoming the Publisher of the newspaper office.
“Only by figuring out the reason for the hierarchy can we address the problem appropriately.” Mu Yangling said, “Nowadays, won’s status is lower than n’s. Apart from their inherent thoughts, it’s also because won are weaker than n since all their money cos from n. Before they get married, they use their father’s and brother’s money. After they get married, they use their husband’s money. Without an economic foundation, how does a woman have the confidence to uphold her rights and interests?”
“The reason why I’m starting The Lily Tis is firstly to let won have a place to express their opinions and let the world see what won have to say. Secondly, I want won to leave the house to work.” Mu Yangling said, “Perhaps people like us don’t care about the salary, but The Lily Tis can provide a livelihood to more than 1,000 female employees. It can allow them to gradually have a say at ho and even control the initiative in the family.”
Mu Yangling had never thought of directly proposing gender equality or letting won beco officials. In her opinion, that was no different from courting death. It was fine if she died, but she would also implicate thousands of won in the world.
Other than Qi Haoran, Mu Yangling had always tried to figure out the n of this era with the most sinister intentions.
Mu Yangling’s plan was very simple. “Let them have the ability to support themselves. Even without their father and brother and family, they can still lead a good life. After they start earning an inco for their family, with our consciously guiding them, their status in the family will definitely rise. As won’s status elevates within the family, so will their social status.”
Mu Yangling smiled. “Then, it’s ti to change the law. We’ll take it slow and not make any major changes, just minor corrections. For example, if a woman doesn’t get married after the marriageable age, she won’t have to pay a fine. After a certain age, she can set up a female household as long as she’s willing. A son-in-law who lives in the ho of his wife’s parents can also beco an official through the Imperial Examination. If a man beats his wife and commits a cri, a woman can propose a divorce…”
Li Jinghua was dumbfounded. Then, her expression gradually turned serious. She originally thought that this was just Mu Yangling’s montary passion, but now, it seed that she had thought it through carefully.
Li Jinghua began to think about the feasibility of this matter.
“We’ll tackle this from both sides. In 20 years, 50 years, or even 100 years, won will have an irreplaceable position in society. At this ti, even if the law hasn’t explicitly raised their status to equal that of a man, their status won’t be weak. Things will naturally fall into place without us having to do anything extra.”
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