What Han Yanhui and others saw in the petition, apart from the content that Jinrong had seen that day and so additional embellishnt, left a space empty at the end before adding another clause.
The first sentence read: To be tolerant is to be magnanimous.
It was followed by: The court’s senior ministers are often the finest of the literati, supporting the Son of Heaven in governing the world, should possess the magnanimity to accommodate the whole world. No matter who is under their jurisdiction, all are subjects of the Son of Heaven, and when utilized properly, they can be directed as easily as one’s own limbs; this is a fortunate matter for the world and the court.
This is essentially insinuating that they lack the capacity to be tolerant, isn’t it?! Utterly outrageous!
Han Yanhui, with a mix of weeping and laughter, thought of his previous ponderings about the status and interests of scholars and craftsn and then looked at this phrase, ’To be tolerant is to be magnanimous,’ and indeed felt sowhat sheepish.
They are all subjects under the court’s governance, and no matter how capable craftsn are, they are still common people under governance; their magnanimity seems to pale in comparison to a young lady’s.
When Liu Chengzhi read the last two sentences, his face darkened. This arrogantly presumptuous woman, utterly contemptuous and out of line, dared to criticize them, the court’s stalwart senior ministers!
Miss Ye’s petition was a task assigned by His Majesty. They skimd through it first to determine if the petition was worthy of attention.
Since it had caught their eye, no matter the content, they naturally had to present it to His Majesty so He could make His judgnt.
The four aged ministers, whether lightly or severely nauseated, clutching their chests, entered the palace to present that madwoman’s petition to Emperor Qianqing’s desk.
His Majesty glanced at the docunt in front of Him and then at the four ministers with faces either green or pale, expressions ranging from exasperation to hesitation, and felt quite wary of the docunt.
"My beloved ministers, please sit and speak," said His Majesty.
Han Yanhui and others sat down, their eyes shifting between His Majesty and the docunt, with no further expression. After all, it all depended on His Majesty reviewing the docunt before they could discuss what to do next.
His Majesty’s gaze asured between the ministers and the docunt. These old foxes, were they trying to have Him read the docunt first?
The problem was, judging by the ministers’ expressions, the docunt seed rather potent.
"Oh, is this the petition submitted by the lady of the Ye Family? Have you four already reviewed it? Let hear your thoughts first; no need to waste ti reading the docunt," said His Majesty.
The ministers felt a tearless sorrow; the contents of the Ye Family lady’s petition were simply unfathomable. Faced with such a docunt, without ti to reflect, they had no opinions to offer at all.
Yet, they couldn’t just say in front of His Majesty: This is written by a woman with the worst reputation in a century. We, soaked in poetry and literature, serving in high positions for many years—the nation’s elite—need ti to digest and absorb before offering our opinions.
How could they bear such embarrassnt? Especially considering the vexing concluding line of the docunt.
As the head of the Cabinet and the most understanding of His Majesty’s intentions, Han Yanhui, whenever he had ti over the past few days, pondered over Ye Xinyan’s proposals and was relatively open to her ideas.
Seeing the other three silent, Han Yanhui leaned forward and said, "Your Majesty, within the lady of the Ye Family’s docunt, the new skills, tools, and thods for improving existing tools and equipnt are collectively referred to as patents. This petition discusses the significance of ensuring patent rights for the court, the benefits of establishing patent protection facilities, and so thods of implentation."
His Majesty nodded, glancing at the other three with a touch of surprise.
He didn’t quite understand; Ye Xinyan’s docunt sounded reasonably acceptable, so why did these four seem as if they had been struck a blow?
"So, my ministers’ opinion is that this matter is feasible?"
Liu Chengzhi and the others were startled, quickly glancing at His Majesty. They certainly did not dare to affirm this hastily.
Wei Xin, the third-ranked mber of the Cabinet, spoke, "Your Majesty, the content stated in the lady of the Ye Family’s docunt is too extraordinary, all beyond what we have ever heard or seen. With such unique perspectives, we would be unable to discern right from wrong without careful consideration."
The Emperor furrowed his brows upon hearing this, Are such trivial matters truly beyond judgent?
"I just listened to Pri Minister Han’s opinion that Ye Xinyan’s petition was fairly acceptable. Why does it seem now that Minister Wei finds the content of the petition unacceptable?"
Wei Xin felt sowhat embarrassed and was montarily at a loss for words.
With a silent sigh, Han Yanhui took over the conversation, "Your humble official will explain the main points of Ye Xinyan’s petition to Your Majesty, if you may consider?"
The Emperor gestured for him to speak.
These past days, his lofty aspirations had just been ignited, he didn’t want that young woman’s words to be overstated, ending with an anticlimax and dousing his spirit with cold water. If it were so, he would indeed have to find so reasons to appropriately punish her.
Han Yanhui explained the content of Ye Xinyan’s petition to the Emperor and in the process, developed a deeper understanding of her intentions.
Through his interpretation, the content of the petition beca more acceptable.
The Emperor remained silent throughout, until Han Yanhui finished speaking. The Emperor still said nothing, as the content of what Ye Xinyan had said confird his thoughts and expectations.
After a long while, the Emperor picked up the petition as if weighing its importance, then addressed the four officials, "You have been officials for many years and should have your own understanding of this matter. I give you two days to present your views. Also,"
The Emperor looked at Han Yanhui, "I had previously asked Ye Xinyan to expound in detail on her statent that advanced technology reflects the important components of comprehensive national power. Pri Minister Han, send a ssage to Duke An’s Mansion to urge her on this. anwhile, the four of you should also prepare, for I wish to hear your opinions on this matter as well."
...
Han Yanhui, the old fox, using the Emperor’s authority as his shield, sent a ssage to Duke An’s Mansion and took the opportunity to send Duke An an invitation, suggesting he pay a visit later in the day.
As soon as Duke An saw the invitation, he imdiately dragged Ye Xinyan over, "My granddaughter, what exactly are you trying to do? Even the old man Han Yanhui is coming after you. Can’t we cause a stir outside the mansion? Your grandfather has managed for so many years without forming factions, and I cannot be brought down by you, young lady."
Ye Xinyan sat dejectedly across from Duke An. She didn’t want any of this either!
Her only wish was to secure a prosperous future and historical status for the craftsn of this world, those who would be the future researchers and great national craftsn. Of course, if she could usher in an industrial era for Huaxia, that would be even better.
Honestly, she had no intentions of getting involved with the court officials or showing off in political affairs.
"Grandfather, I’m also reluctant. As you know, I’m not very accomplished, I just want to earn so money and can’t stand to see skilled craftsn being exploited and oppressed. I really didn’t realize that His Majesty the Emperor had such poor taste..."
As a woman, her experience was naturally limited. Thus, she secretly avoided writing about the advanced technology being an essential factor of comprehensive national power as mandated by the Emperor. Even though she had previously discussed the various benefits of protecting patent rights, she refused to acknowledge the hope within her heart and preferred to see it as a ans to seek justice for the Qi Family chanical Workshop and the impoverished craftsn.
She was aware that if people knew of such grand ambitions from a woman like her, she would likely attract envy and face obstacles in every step. To the people in power, a small character with only the desire to make money was the least threatening.
However, before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Duke An’s fit of coughing.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough..." Duke An coughed repeatedly, stirred by Ye Xinyan’s outspoken words.
He waved his hand, taking a while to say, "My dear granddaughter, that, that is His Majesty, the Son of Heaven..." How can you be so daring in your speech?
Ye Xinyan pouted, "A sovereign of the nation asks to work without pay."
"You, you, you... others yearn for such honor and can’t get it, how many distinguished people would jump at the chance to do unpaid work for the Emperor," said Duke An, powerless to argue and just waved his hand, "Forget it, go back for now. Rember you have to et Lord Han later. You’ll be the death of one of these days."
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