Chapter 1284: 1279: Truly Admirable

Chapter 1284: Chapter 1279: Truly Admirable

For instance, Master Tan’s granddaughter, Tan Yaozhong; his granddaughter, Lu Fenglang; and Dong Qingping’s daughter, Dong Tingzhen. It can be said that these women’s insights into court politics surpass many men by far.

This time in the imperial examinations, the outstanding women are all daughters of noble families, which was within Commandant Lu’s expectations.

Because ordinary families wouldn’t spend such effort to educate their daughters. Once they come of age and have a dowry prepared for marriage, that’s considered a complete success. It’s only the daughters of noble families who have the opportunity to learn just like men.

However, after waiting another decade—or even just a few years—once the system for women to enter the court as officials is mature, more talented women who can assist the Emperor in managing state affairs will enter the court. Thus, not only will there be more talented people in the Zhou Dynasty’s court, but also the quality of talent will improve due to larger numbers and fierce competition.

The future court of the Zhou Dynasty will inevitably become better and better!

“With Commandant Lu saying this, I am relieved…” Bai Qingyan’s smile deepened.

“However, I do have a bit of doubt.” Minister Shen placed Murong Li’s letter in front of Bai Qingyan respectfully and said, “Be it in terms of national power or military strength, our Zhou Dynasty surpasses the Yan Kingdom. If it’s really about determining victory or defeat by national policy, doesn’t it mean… Our Zhou Dynasty starts at a higher level than the Yan Kingdom? Would the Yan Kingdom not know this? Would they really willingly set such a national policy agreement as victory or defeat with us?”

Before Minister Shen could finish, Minister Dong, Dong Qingping, hurriedly defended his niece.

“What else could the Yan Kingdom do?” Dong Qingping, though not a general, understood something, “Currently, our Zhou Dynasty is already stronger than the Yan Kingdom. Moreover, the Yan Kingdom’s main forces are in Xiliang, while our Zhou army is already lined up at the Yan Kingdom’s border, ready to strike at any moment! Plus, since the Empress Dowager of Yan coincidentally betrayed us, sending troops is justified! If the Yan Kingdom doesn’t use this method to seek survival, do they hope for us to trap their main forces and then destroy the Yan?”

In Dong Qingping’s view, if a war really broke out, capturing the Young Emperor of Yan and taking over the Yan capital would be effortless as long as they could trap the main forces led by Xie Xun, for now, the Zhou Dynasty has many soldiers and generals.

“I fear that when it truly comes to deciding victory or defeat by national policy, the Yan Kingdom might backtrack,” Shen Jingzhong expressed his concern to Dong Qingping before looking back at Bai Qingyan, “Currently, the Yan Kingdom lacks grain and cannot afford a fight, so they drew us a pie (empty promise). Our Zhou Dynasty has given the Yan Kingdom three years, and after three years of recuperation and growth, the Yan Kingdom will have recovered. If they then go back on their word, fighting the Yan Kingdom will not be as easy as it is now.”

Minister Shen’s concerns were also shared by Commandant Lu, as they understood the character of their Emperor, Bai Qingyan, in the Zhou Dynasty; once such an agreement is made, it would be honored. As for the Yan Kingdom…they couldn’t be sure.

Especially that Ninth Prince of the Yan Kingdom, known for achieving his goals by any means, with ruthless tactics; whether he would keep his promise was uncertain.

Not to mention, from the perspective of the Zhou Dynasty’s court officials, the Ninth Prince is effectively the Regent of the Yan Kingdom, while the Empress Dowager holds a nominal regent title. In truth, the Yan Kingdom’s court is still dominated by the Regent Prince Murong Yan.

“Your Majesty, if that’s the case…” Dong Qingping carefully considered his words before continuing, “we must remain vigilant nonetheless!”

“This method of merging the two countries and determining victory by national policy was my proposal, so it isn’t the Yan Kingdom painting us a pie. Moreover, this was proposed before we went to war with Xiliang…” Bai Qingyan gestured for the three officials to drink tea, holding her own teacup in her hands, “Initially, the Ninth Prince of Yan was also opposed, but later, after discussing with Emperor Yan, Murong Li, he agreed. Thus, the three of you need not suspect it’s a delaying tactic by the Yan Kingdom.”

“You proposed it, Your Majesty?” Commandant Lu was taken aback.

Bai Qingyan nodded: “If one were to end war by war, sacrificing the lives of soldiers in a life-or-death battle to unify the lands, soldiers would bleed and die, and the common people…would also suffer greatly. But if the victory is determined by national policy, it indicates that the winning country’s policy is a great benefit to the people. When the two countries become one, and this policy is implemented, the people’s lives will inevitably improve!”

Hearing this, Commandant Lu’s pupils trembled, unable to contain his emotional response.

“This approach minimizes the displacement of common people and avoids the soldiers’ battlefield battles… ultimately leading to desolation!” Bai Qingyan sighed lightly, “If we fight, even if we unify in the end, what remains will be devastation, only causing endless suffering to the populace! Building a new, thriving country from scratch would take countless years, and the people would endure unfathomable hardship again.”

In the past, be it Commandant Lu or Minister Shen or Minister Dong, they all heard words of monarchs placing the people on their lips. Yet how many truly benevolent monarchs genuinely prioritized the people and acted for their well-being?

How many monarchs, before sitting on this throne, might have fought for the people’s sake…whether through uprising or rebellion, but once in power, how many have done disgraceful things to secure their positions that they wouldn’t dare to show the world?

Commandant Lu always thought it was natural; after all, one struggled to reach the pinnacle of power, who would willingly give it up for the people? Ha…if it were truly for the people, would there have been so much exploitation that forced the people to rebel? Otherwise, why emphasize royal bloodlines, even if one’s offspring are mediocre, to pass down the throne within their family?

Even emperors who genuinely valued the people would inevitably place them after their power and throne; being able to place them only a bit behind is already commendable as a king.

Even though Commandant Lu admired the Bai family’s virtues and Bai Qingyan’s vision, he never imagined…their Emperor would put the people first, beyond the throne and power, by setting forth such a plan of merging the two countries through national policy competition.

Commandant Lu felt waves of emotions, uncontrollably wiping tears with his sleeve, overwhelmed.

With genuine respect, he bowed earnestly to Bai Qingyan, not out of flattery, but from his heart, saying, “Your Majesty’s magnanimity and love for the people… we ministers are far from reaching and admire profoundly!”

Ever since Bai Qingyan overthrew the Jin Dynasty to become Emperor, he provided Commandant Lu with countless surprises, countless touching moments, and many, many… instances of indescribable excitement.