Peaceful Farm Life

Chapter 1169: Chapter 1170: This Will Get Messy...

But: ”What about those women who possess a strong sense of patriotism and talent, but due to tradition and propriety, cannot join the military and can only stay at home to support their husbands and educate their children? Wouldn’t this be a waste of their talents?”

Su Chengyu said, ”If a woman truly has such abilities, I could make an exception for her to join the military. When I requested an official position for my sister-in-law in the court before, she should understand that I value capability.”

An Jing said, ”If we really value capability, then why not do this? Establish a set of military standards for women. If a woman meets these criteria, she can join the military; if not, she is not allowed to join.”

”This...” Su Chengyu frowned again, but his posture suggested he was still reluctant to concede this point.

An Jing then looked towards Xiao Changyi.

Xiao Changyi spoke up again: ”We could set this standard higher, allowing truly capable women to join the military, as a way of talent selection. Aren’t you a proponent of valuing capability?”

An Jing inherently believed in gender equality. However, when Xiao Changyi suggested setting higher standards for women, she wanted to object. Why should the selection criteria for female soldiers be set so high?

But realizing that if Xiao Changyi’s proposal were accepted, it would still signify some improvement in the status of women here, rather than allowing all women to remain subordinate to men... Thus, An Jing did not object and instead observed Su Chengyu’s reaction.

This matter really depended on Su Chengyu’s stance.

As long as Su Chengyu agreed, everything would be easy to handle.

Su Chengyu let out a wry smile and said, ”Brother Yi, this could lead to chaos...”

Without waiting for An Jing or Xiao Changyi to speak, Su Chengyu added, ”It’s better to make exceptions; that won’t cause dissatisfaction among the soldiers. If we really implement your method... Brother Yi, does that mean women can also participate in the imperial examinations?”

Xiao Changyi promptly replied, ”Why not?”

Su Chengyu was taken aback at first, but then he let out another wry smile, ”That really would lead to chaos...”

Xiao Changyi snorted coldly, ”When you were the Crown Prince, you dared to think and act. Now that you are the Emperor, you have become hesitant and cautious.”

After a pause, Xiao Changyi scoffed, ”Don’t forget, it was you who put forth the principle of valuing capability. You proposed this idea but do not implement it; what is the reasoning behind that?”

Each word from Xiao Changyi was like an extremely sharp sword, stabbing towards Su Chengyu.

But Su Chengyu was not angry at all; on the contrary, he was delighted. He quickly rose to his feet, clasping his hands together towards Xiao Changyi, ”Thank you for reminding me, Brother Yi. Having been the Emperor for just a few days, I’ve been so concerned with maintaining balance in imperial governance that I’ve become somewhat muddle-headed, even though I firmly believe in valuing capability. I am fortunate for Brother Yi’s advice, it’s been enlightening.”

After pausing, Su Chengyu continued, ”Still, Brother Yi, Sister-in-law, this matter is no trivial issue. I can allow women to join the army, but I need to ensure that all the soldiers of Xiyun accept my decision. Otherwise, there will be unrest in Xiyun.”

An Jing and Xiao Changyi both understood Su Chengyu’s meaning. An Jing said, ”Then set a higher standard for women to join the army.” If there was no way to make men and women equal, then at least improve women’s status somewhat.

Su Chengyu nodded, ”The selection standards must be high, but that is not enough. We need to show several key generals, to make them believe that it is a misapplication of talents for some women to stay at home managing the household.”

”What do you mean by that...?” An Jing hesitated to affirm Su Chengyu’s intention, though she was already somewhat clear on it.