After my inner voice was eavesdropped, I became the favorite of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 85

Li Qingge was unhappy when she heard the name. She knew that the law of matriarchal inheritance in Goryeo was very strict, and children born to mothers of low status would often be deprived of their surnames and inheritance rights. However, she did not expect that this system would be so strict that even the surname could not be inherited. Phantom slave, shadow slave, these names sounded like the royal blood was as illusory as a shadow, and in the end, it could not escape the fate of slaves, as lowly as my mother.

This law made Li Qingge angry and dissatisfied. She believed that everyone was equal and should not be discriminated against or oppressed because of their origin and identity. So, her face darkened and she said in a cold tone: "Why do you call yourselves slaves? I feel uncomfortable listening to it. We in Da Yan abolished the slave system a long time ago, you should know that." Her words revealed an unquestionable majesty and power, which shocked everyone present.

When the envoy from Goryeo heard this, his face was immediately filled with smiles, and that smile was like a flower blooming in spring, both brilliant and somewhat flattering. He followed Li Qingge's meaning and responded respectfully and cleverly: "We obeyed the will of our king and came thousands of miles to pay tribute. These two princes are naturally one of the precious gifts accompanying us. Since Your Majesty doesn't like the word "slave" in their names, why not give them new names and let them start over on the land of Dayan to show your great grace and magnanimity?"

Hearing this, Li Qingge's eyes gently swept over the two brothers. Their figures looked particularly thin but tall under the reflection of the palace lanterns. She said softly: "Okay, from now on, you are people of Dayan. I will give you the surname Li, the elder brother will be called Yuqi, and the younger brother will be called Yulin. May you be as auspicious as a unicorn, as noble as a jade, and find your dignity and glory on the land of Dayan."

Su Xiaomei, who was standing nearby, was wearing an elegant dress that swayed gently in the wind. She smiled and interrupted, "Jade, it's a symbol of a gentleman. It has been a noble object since ancient times, representing the reverence for heaven and earth. Qilin is an auspicious beast of our Dayan. Its appearance always heralds good luck and auspiciousness. The name your majesty gave is so beautiful and appropriate. It's really enviable!" In fact, Su Xiaomei had something else unsaid in her heart, which was that the Li family was a famous and prestigious family in the Central Plains with an extremely noble status. It was also the surname of the Goryeo royal family. Such a gift would undoubtedly greatly enhance the status of the two brothers.

Because of the strict law of following the mother, the King of Goryeo disliked the brothers for their low birth, and not only sent them as tribute, but also deprived them of their surnames, making them like rootless duckweed. Li Qingge was very dissatisfied with this. She felt that the more Goryeo despised them, the more she had to give them dignity and let them know that there were people in this world who were willing to accept them and give them warmth and love. So, she gave them the auspiciousness of the unicorn, the nobility of jade, and the royal surname, as if to tell them that from now on, you are the real kings, and no longer the "slaves" who were ridiculed.

When the Goryeo envoy heard this, his expression changed slightly, as if he wanted to say something but swallowed it back. He looked up and saw Li Qingge's cold eyes, and his heart tightened, as if he was frightened by an invisible force, and he dared not say anything more. So, he turned around and said sternly to the two brothers: "Why don't you thank me quickly? This is the blessing you have cultivated for several lifetimes to be appreciated and blessed by the queen!"

The two brothers had been looked down upon and ridiculed since they were young, and had never enjoyed such tenderness and grace. Now that they heard that they were given such a good name, they were so grateful that tears fell. They knelt on the ground according to etiquette and kowtowed repeatedly to express their gratitude. The sound echoed in the empty hall, which seemed particularly sincere and moving.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Although Yu Qi and Yu Lin's voices were choked with sobs, they were full of gratitude and determination. They knew that from this moment on, their fate had changed dramatically.

Upon seeing this, the Goryeo envoy said, "Your Majesty, we are grateful for your kindness. If you don't mind, we would like to let these two brothers stay with you and do some odd jobs like sweeping and cleaning to show our sincerity and gratitude." However, he was secretly thinking in his heart that although the two brothers were of humble origins, they were handsome and talented. If they stayed with Li Qingge, they might become a chess piece of Goryeo in Dayan.

Li Qingge accepted the proposal with a smile. She said, "Okay, then they will be included in the Royal Dance Troupe in the future. I believe that with their talent and appearance, they will definitely shine in the dance troupe." In fact, Li Qingge knew in her heart that the two brothers came with a mission. As tribute men, their status was lower than that of princesses or hostages. If she rejected them, they would probably die after returning. She cherished their talent and appearance and didn't want them to die like this, so she decided to keep them. Let them perform in the dance troupe, and she could also watch them in her spare time. Why not?

After hearing this decision, the Goryeo envoy showed an ambiguous smile on his face. He thought that most powerful people are lustful, whether they are men or women. He probably thought that Li Qingge was afraid that people would say she was lustful, so she kept these two beautiful boys in the dance troupe. In fact, she had other plans. But no matter what, this mission was finally completed, and he felt very relieved.

However, Li Qingge didn't think so much. She just felt that since the two brothers had come to Dayan, they should be given a chance to start over. As for what kind of people they would become in the future, it would depend on their own luck.

For Gaoli, although the two brothers are descendants of the royal family, they have always been neglected because of their origins. But if they can stay with Li Qingge and be reused, then Gaoli will have an extra guarantee. After all, in a powerful country like Da Yan, it is always a good thing to have someone who can speak up.

Although the King of Goryeo did not like the origins of the two brothers, they were his grandsons after all. If it were not for the powerful deterrent power of the Great Yan Navy and the fear that they would become allies of Japan, how could he be willing to send his own grandsons as tribute? However, he would naturally not tell Li Qingge about these thoughts. After all, in his opinion, Li Qingge was just a young queen, how could she understand his difficulties and helplessness?
Fortunately, Li Qingge did not know the true thoughts of the King of Goryeo, otherwise he would have laughed at his stupidity. As for the barren land of Goryeo, Li Qingge naturally had nothing to gain. But keeping them as his pawns might come in handy in the future. After all, in this complex and ever-changing political arena, more power means more security.

Speaking of dogs, although they don't bite people, they always love to make trouble, running around, barking continuously, making people upset and unable to rest. In the past, Japan suffered a great loss because of this. Those seemingly harmless dogs actually disturbed people and affected national affairs. Now, our Great Yan is much smarter and has learned to use the power of others to check and balance foreign enemies. Look, the two brothers Li Yuqi and Li Yulin from Goryeo have become the key pieces in this chess game.

Li Yuqi and Li Yulin, the two brothers have lived in the shadow of the Goryeo court since childhood. Because of their humble origins, they have suffered from cold eyes and ridicule. Their arrival was originally a subtle political deal between Da Yan and Goryeo, but it unexpectedly opened a new door for the two brothers. They were selected to join the Da Yan royal dance troupe and became one of them. This is both an opportunity and a challenge for them.

When they first joined the dance troupe, Li Yuqi and Li Yulin were nervous. They thought it was just a temporary solution, and that they might have to serve the legendary queen Li Qingge one day. The thought of relying on their looks to please others filled their hearts with humiliation and reluctance. However, when they actually met Li Qingge, they found that this queen was completely different from what they had imagined.

Li Qingge, the queen of Da Yan, wore a gorgeous dragon robe and a golden crown on her head, and her eyebrows revealed a majestic aura without anger. However, when she looked at Li Yuqi and Li Yulin, her eyes revealed an indescribable tenderness and care. She had no other intentions towards them, but simply admired their talents. This discovery made Li Yuqi and Li Yulin feel relieved, but also gave rise to an indescribable complex emotion.

The good thing is that they don't have to rely on their looks to please anyone, and they can maintain their dignity and backbone; but the worry is that with their handsome looks, why can't the queen be moved? Although they are of humble origins, they are also strong-willed and don't want to be treated as playthings. However, on the other hand, they have never felt any warmth since they were young. Now that they have met a good master like Li Qingge, their hearts have already fallen, but they can't get a response, which is really tangled.

After joining the dance troupe, Li Yuqi and Li Yulin felt that Li Qingge was an amazing queen. She not only cared for the people and abolished unreasonable systems, but also advocated equality for all. The word "equality" sounded like the sound of nature to them. They thought, if Goryeo could do the same, how could their mother be humiliated? Whenever they thought of their mother's tearful eyes, their hearts were filled with endless pain and anger.

However, even though they knew that Li Qingge was of noble status and could not be devoted to them, Li Yuqi and Li Yulin were still willing to stay by her side silently. They were willing to give everything for her, and even just watching her smile from afar was enough to make them satisfied. During their days in the dance troupe, they worked hard to practice singing and dancing, hoping to get praise and recognition from Li Qingge during their performances.

Days passed one by one, and in her spare time, Li Qingge would summon Li Yuqi, Li Yulin, and the young men from the dance troupe to perform songs and dances. Whenever this happened, the palace was filled with laughter and joy, and the scene was warm and harmonious. Li Qingge sat on the high dragon throne, looking at the young faces below, her heart filled with relief and joy. She knew that these young men were the future and hope of Da Yan.

One day, when Li Yuqi and Li Yulin led the young men in the dance troupe to perform the newly learned Huxuan dance, a strange voice suddenly sounded in the palace. The voice seemed to come from the sky, but also seemed to be close at hand, which surprised everyone. Li Qingge heard it clearly. The voice said that the system reminded her to select talents to supplement the country, and also rewarded her with a bottle of water from the mother river.

The water of Zimu River, that is the treasure in "Journey to the West"! Drinking it can make you pregnant, and you can have a baby without a man! Li Qingge's eyes lit up when she heard this. She had vowed not to marry, but she wanted to have a child to accompany her and pass on her legacy. She originally planned to wait for medical technology to develop to do artificial insemination, but she didn't expect that she would have this magic water now!

Li Qingge was so excited that she was even happier than if she had won the lottery. She was a far-sighted queen who was thinking about the future generations of Da Yan. The issue of offspring was naturally the most important thing among all the major things. Now the water of the Zimu River was simply the best gift from heaven to her! It could not only satisfy her wish to be a mother, but also ensure that Da Yan's foundation would have successors. This was simply a double happiness!
She quickly ordered her servant to fetch the bottle of water from the Mother River and held it carefully in her hands. The water was clear and transparent, as if it contained infinite power and hope. Li Qingge looked at the holy water in her hand, her heart filled with gratitude and expectation. She knew that this was not just a bottle of water, but also the hope and inheritance of the future of Da Yan.

When the two brothers Li Yuqi and Li Yulin saw the queen so happy, they were also filled with joy and pride. They knew that although they were born in a humble family, it was their honor and pride to be able to contribute to the future of Da Yan. So, they practiced singing and dancing more diligently, hoping that in the future, they could contribute more to the prosperity and prosperity of Da Yan.

From then on, Li Qingge regarded the water in the mother river in the bottle as a treasure, and looked at it carefully every day. She looked forward to one day, with the help of the power of this holy water, she could give birth to a healthy and smart child, adding new glory to the foundation of Da Yan. The two brothers Li Yuqi and Li Yulin also always stayed by her side, silently supporting her, accompanying her, and witnessing the glory and future of Da Yan together.

Under the leadership of Li Qingge, the national strength of Dayan became stronger and stronger, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and the culture prospered. The water of the Pingzi Mother River was like a mysterious legend, passed down from generation to generation by the people of Dayan, and became an eternal legend in the history of Dayan. As for the two brothers Li Yuqi and Li Yulin, they also found their own place on the stage of Dayan, and made outstanding contributions to the literary and artistic cause of Dayan with their talents and sweat. Their names are also forever engraved in the long river of Dayan's history.

Unexpectedly, the generous reward given by the system actually contains the legendary water of the Mother-Child River. This holy water has only existed in ancient legends and dramas since ancient times. It is said that drinking it can give birth to new life without the help of the earthly love between men and women. Li Qingge, the empress of the Great Yan Dynasty, is holding this bottle of crystal clear holy water that seems to contain endless vitality in her hands, and her heart is filled with indescribable excitement and expectation.

Her face was as bright as the moon, and now she was smiling brighter than the most gorgeous flowers in spring. In that smile, there was both a vision for the future and pride in herself for being a woman who could master such magical power. However, the good times did not last long, and the joy was soon replaced by a trace of worry. She frowned slightly, and her bright eyes flashed with uncertainty, as if she was having a silent conversation with the system in her mind: "Will there really be no strange reactions after drinking this water?"

[Ding! The familiar and indifferent voice of the system sounded in Li Qingge's mind, as if responding to her worries, "Host, please rest assured, this water is non-toxic, but pregnancy after drinking it is a foregone conclusion. Unless you find the water of the abortion spring, no strong medicine such as safflower and aconite in the world can dissolve it. Therefore, before drinking it, please think twice. Once you get pregnant, there is no turning back."]

After hearing what the system said, Li Qingge smiled gently, revealing her determination and resoluteness. Giving birth is not only a big deal for her, but also her responsibility as the empress for the future of the Great Yan Dynasty. She knows very well that once she decides to drink the water of the Zimu River, it means that she will take on the role of a mother. No matter what the future holds, she will be responsible to the end and will never do such irresponsible behavior as regretting having an abortion after getting pregnant.

After properly collecting the water of the Zimu River, Li Qingge's thoughts turned back to another task given by the system - selecting talents. For her, this task was not unfamiliar, and she could even say that she was familiar with it. In modern society, she had witnessed the power of nine-year compulsory education and the imperial examination, how it enabled a country to produce talents and prosper. However, in this ancient world, she could not directly copy the modern model. That would take time, patience, and the acceptance and recognition of the entire society.

Therefore, she decided to temporarily use the ancient imperial examination system to solve the current talent shortage problem. The imperial examination system, an ancient system that has been used to select pillars of the dynasty since ancient times, now has a little unknown wish in Li Qingge's heart. She knows very well that in this era of male superiority and female inferiority, it is almost impossible for women to take the imperial examination. The stories of female champions and female third place winners in operas are desirable, but they are just fictional dreams after all.

However, in the long river of history, there really was such a female champion, her name was Fu Shanxiang. Fu Shanxiang was able to take the imperial examination and win the first prize in the turbulent period of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, thanks to the enlightened policies of Yang Xiuqing, the Eastern King. Unfortunately, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was not an orthodox dynasty, and Fu Shanxiang's talent and achievements were not recognized and respected in official history.

Li Qingge, as the empress of the Great Yan Dynasty, has always been committed to promoting gender equality. She looked at the court, and except for Su Xiaomei, the loyal female official, the rest were men. In her heart, she always hoped that more female compatriots could join this center of power, so that the yin and yang in the court could be reconciled, and together they could contribute to the prosperity and prosperity of the Great Yan Dynasty.

So, at the next morning court session, Li Qingge resolutely issued an order to open a special examination, and specifically proposed to set the list for men and women separately. This news was like thunder from a clear sky, and it instantly exploded in the court. The voices of opposition from the ministers were like a flood, rushing straight to the throne, as if to drown her, the empress, in endless condemnation.

However, Li Qingge was mentally prepared for this. She knew very well that the imperial examination system had been a patent for men since ancient times. Now that she wanted to break this rule, she would naturally encounter countless obstacles and oppositions. But she also knew that only by taking this step bravely could the future of the Great Yan Dynasty be brighter and more glorious. She sat on the high dragon throne, looking firmly at the excited ministers below, and silently said to herself in her heart: "No matter how difficult the road ahead is, I will stick to it for the future of Great Yan and for gender equality!" The imperial examination, a system that has carried the dreams of countless scholars since ancient times, has gone through thousands of years of wind and rain, and is still as new. Its tenacious vitality is like an inexhaustible source flowing in the long river of history. However, times are changing, but concepts are like stubborn stones buried deep underground, which are difficult to shake easily. The proposal of women participating in the imperial examination was like a bolt from the blue in the ears of the world, shaking people's hearts. The reason is nothing more than those deep-rooted old traditions and rules that are at work. They are like invisible shackles that tightly bind people's thoughts and behaviors.

Li Qingge, the empress of the Great Yan Dynasty, was wearing a dragon robe and sitting in the magnificent court. Her brows revealed an unquestionable majesty. Although she felt helpless and unhappy, she could also deeply understand the concerns and prejudices of the court officials. After all, how could a thousand-year-old custom be changed overnight?
However, what she didn't expect was that Liu Yong and Liu Qingping, two ministers who usually shared the same ideals with her, also opposed this matter. Li Qingge's face couldn't help but darken, and a barely perceptible chill flashed across her bright eyes. She looked at Liu Yong and asked in a low voice, "Lord Liu, why do you oppose the opening of the imperial examination for women?"

Liu Yong was a little nervous when he saw this, but he still bowed respectfully and replied: "Your Majesty, I know that you want to promote gender equality, but the establishment of the imperial examination for women really needs careful consideration. I am worried that this move may bring some unforeseen troubles."

Li Qingge frowned slightly when she heard this. She knew Liu Yong's loyalty and prudence very well, so she patiently listened to him continue. Liu Yong gritted his teeth and continued, "The imperial examination has been an important way to select talents since ancient times. It values ​​talent rather than gender. However, in the past, people generally believed that 'women without talent are virtuous', which led to very few opportunities for women to study. If the imperial examination for women is really opened, then there will probably be only two types of people who will take the exam: one is the daughters of wealthy families, who learn some words just to better manage household chores; the other is the talented women in the brothels of the past, who attract literati with their talents. Although they are famous, they are inevitably a bit worldly. We must be cautious in both situations."

Li Qingge listened and was silent for a moment, thinking secretly in her heart. She knew very well that the road to study was full of hardships, especially for girls. Many boys from ordinary families could not go to school because of their poor family background, let alone girls? So, she slowly said: "Since ancient times, there has been a saying that 'literary is poor and martial arts is rich'. The road to study does require a lot of money. Therefore, those who can participate in the imperial examination are either rich ladies or outstanding people in the past. Liu Aiqing, I understand your concerns."

Liu Yong felt relieved after hearing this, and then continued, "Your Majesty, if the daughters of wealthy families really enter the officialdom through the imperial examination, it will probably bring a lot of problems. They have powerful family forces behind them. Once their interests are affected by the reform, there is no guarantee that they will not bear a grudge and use the opportunity of the imperial examination to form cliques and factions, which will be detrimental to the court."

Liu Qingping also echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty, this matter must be guarded against. These wealthy families have always been a hidden danger to the court. If their daughters are allowed to enter the officialdom through the imperial examination, wouldn't it be even more difficult to control them?"

Li Qingge smiled faintly after hearing this, with both helplessness and determination in her smile. She replied, "Your worries are indeed not without reason. However, the rise and fall of a country depends on talents. The power of women should not be underestimated. They can also hold up half the sky. How can we easily give up those talented women because of past grudges?"

At this point, Li Qingge's eyes became deep, as if she had traveled through time and space and returned to the era when Wu Zetian and Shangguan Wan'er ruled the country together. She said slowly: "Back then, Empress Wu Zetian was able to accept Shangguan Wan'er, the granddaughter of the criminal Shangguan Yi, and made her her right-hand man, and even let her take charge of the imperial edicts in the palace. This kind of mind and bearing is rare in the ages. I compare myself to Wu Zetian today, so can't I tolerate these women who have no faults but have lost the opportunity to advance because of their family's decline? In fact, this is a loss for the country."

Li Qingge's words were both reasonable and logical, and every word struck a chord with the courtiers. After hearing this, they could not help but nod their heads in agreement, and their admiration for the empress increased a little more. The court fell into silence for a moment, and only Li Qingge's firm and powerful voice echoed in the empty hall for a long time.

She continued, "I know that change cannot be achieved overnight. However, we cannot stand still because we are afraid of change. The imperial examination for women is not only to select talents, but also to break the shackles that restrict women's development and give them the opportunity to show their talents and wisdom. I believe that as long as we work together, we will be able to overcome many difficulties and usher in a more prosperous era for the Great Yan Dynasty."

Li Qingge's words were like a warm current that warmed the hearts of the court officials. They began to re-examine their own concepts and positions, thinking about how to contribute to the women's imperial examination. Li Qingge, sitting on the high dragon throne, looked into the distance with her firm eyes, as if she had seen the new era belonging to women, slowly coming towards her.

When Liu Yong and Liu Qingping heard what Queen Qingge said, their cheeks instantly turned red, like peach blossoms blooming in spring, with a bit of shyness and respect. They quickly bent down and performed a standard courtier's salute, with undisguised excitement in their voices: "Your Majesty, you are so kind and broad-minded, and your mind is as vast as the sky. We are so impressed by you, just like ants looking up at a mountain, full of awe!"

Queen Qingge sat on the high dragon throne, wearing a gorgeous phoenix robe that shone brightly, which complemented her deep and wise eyes, as if she could see into people's hearts. She raised a gentle smile at the corner of her mouth, and her voice was as gentle as jade, but not without majesty: "As a monarch, identifying talents and tolerating others are both indispensable. As the old saying goes, a prime minister's stomach can hold a boat, let alone an emperor? If there are really outstanding talents among those wealthy ladies in the old days, I will make use of them. Not only will I let them display their talents, but I will also let them be convinced from the bottom of their hearts, be loyal to me, and contribute to the prosperity of Dayan together."

As soon as these words came out, there was a burst of praise in the court, and the ministers nodded in agreement, their eyes shining with respect and conviction for Her Majesty the Queen. "Your Majesty is truly wise and powerful, and you care about the world. We are willing to follow you until death!" Such voices rose and fell, echoing in the magnificent hall.

Time flies, and it is the end of the year in a blink of an eye. When the ministers entered the treasury, they were surprised to find that the treasury was much fuller than in previous years. Gold, silver, jewelry, grain and cloth piled up like mountains, which was dazzling. When they received the generous year-end rewards, they were overjoyed. Their faces were filled with satisfaction and joy. They wished they could immediately grow wings and fly back home to share this rare happy time with their families.

In this celebratory atmosphere, except for a few stubborn male chauvinists who were still dissatisfied with Her Majesty the Queen, the rest of the ministers were convinced and admired Queen Qingge. Qingge's prestige was at its peak, and even those ministers who had strongly opposed women's participation in the imperial examinations no longer dared to express their objections easily, for fear of angering Her Majesty the Queen.

However, Queen Qingge did not become complacent. She knew that more efforts were needed to completely change the face of the country. Before officially issuing an order to restart the imperial examination, she carefully planned three major events to ensure that the reform of the imperial examination system could proceed smoothly.

The first thing was to reform the content of the imperial examination. Queen Qingge knew that traditional knowledge of classics and history was important, but people's livelihood and economy were equally indispensable. Therefore, she decided that the imperial examination should not only examine the candidates' knowledge of classics and history, but also focus on their understanding of people's livelihood and economy. People's livelihood and economy accounted for 60%, and traditional knowledge accounted for 40%. Only candidates with both talent and ability can become the pillars of the country. This decision undoubtedly provided a stage for candidates who came from poor families but had unique insights into people's livelihood and economy to show their talents.

The second thing is to reform the selection mechanism for officials. Queen Qingge believes that successful Jinshi cannot become officials directly, but must first go to various places as "official selected students" to gain experience for a year. During this year, they will go deep into the grassroots, understand the sufferings of the people, and exercise their practical abilities. After the training period is over, their positions will be determined based on their performance. Especially those first-class Jinshi, namely the top scholar, the second-class scholar, and the third-class scholar, they will receive more special treatment. Not only will they be sent to rich places for internships, but the official positions they will be granted in the future will also be higher than those of the second-class and third-class scholars. Such a system design not only guarantees the practical ability of officials, but also motivates candidates to strive for better results.

The third thing is to reflect the concept of gender equality. Queen Qingge decided that the imperial examination should be divided into male and female lists, with 70% male Jinshi and 30% female Jinshi. She knew very well that due to the long-term constraints of feudal ethics, there were not many talented women at that time. Therefore, she deliberately set this ratio to balance the differences between men and women. Although there are only 30% of female Jinshi admissions, Queen Qingge estimated that since the number of female candidates is far less than that of male candidates, the competition pressure is relatively small, so the final admission rate may be several times or even dozens of times that of men.

As soon as the imperial edict was announced, the whole country was in an uproar. Some male students were upset about why they were not girls, while others began to re-examine their talents and abilities, hoping to stand out in this fair competition. After all, after ten years of hard study, although many people worked hard, the competition was too fierce. The hope of being admitted was very slim, not to mention that now the women's department was also opened, and 30% of the quota was taken. This undoubtedly increased the difficulty for male students.

However, the restart of the imperial examination system is a good thing after all. Since the Queen of Dayan ascended the throne, new policies have been introduced one after another. As a legacy of feudal society, the imperial examination system is naturally the first to be reformed. Although the male students are somewhat dissatisfied, they are more looking forward to the future. They believe that under the leadership of Queen Qingge, Dayan will surely usher in a more prosperous era.

The female students were excited, as they finally had the opportunity to show their talents. Although the number of admissions was limited, they knew that as long as they worked hard, they would be able to realize their dreams. So they began to study harder, hoping to win a better future for themselves in this fair competition.

Queen Qingge looked at all this with great relief and expectation in her heart. She knew that this reform of the imperial examination system was only the first step in realizing her dream of a prosperous Yan. In the future, she had more plans and goals that required her and her subjects to work together to achieve. But she believed that as long as everyone worked together, they would be able to overcome all difficulties and create a better tomorrow together.

In the capital of the Great Yan Kingdom, the warm spring sun gently shines on the bluestone road, covering the ancient city with a layer of light golden light. On both sides of the street, willow branches sway gently, and peach blossoms smile in the spring breeze, creating a vibrant scene. However, behind this flourishing scene, there are hidden anxieties and confusions in the hearts of countless scholars.

Li Qingge, a female official with a great reputation in the court, was standing in her simple yet elegant study, staring at the flying catkins outside the window, with mixed feelings in her heart. She knew very well that in the past few years, many scholars had studied hard, but their efforts were about to be wasted due to the congestion of official careers. Although she was a woman, she was lucky to be appreciated by Her Majesty the Queen and had a place in the court. But she hoped to share this luck with more people.

Just as Li Qingge was immersed in deep thought, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence of the study. The maid Xiao Cui hurried in, her face filled with unconcealed joy: "My lord, my lord! Her Majesty the Queen has ordered to reopen the imperial examinations to select talents!"

Li Qingge was shocked when she heard this, as if a warm current flowed into her heart, sweeping away the sorrow of those days. She smiled slightly, with a determined light in her eyes: "God is really helping me! This will undoubtedly rekindle the fire of hope for those people with lofty ideals."

The news quickly spread throughout the capital and even the entire Great Yan Kingdom. After hearing this, the men were as anxious as ants on a hot pot. They were eager to pass the imperial examination and realize their ambitions and ideals. The women, on the other hand, were overjoyed, as if it was New Year's Day. They had never thought that the door to the imperial examination would actually be open to them.

In a busy street in the capital, the crowds were bustling and bustling. In bookstores, all kinds of imperial examination preparation books were sold out, and long queues formed in front of stationery stores. People rushed to buy pens, inkstones, and paper, fearing that they would miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In this upsurge, Li Qingge was particularly eye-catching. Not only did she personally participate in the reform of the imperial examination system, she also actively advocated gender equality and secured 30% of the new imperial examination quotas for women. This move undoubtedly caused an uproar in the court and the country.

Some people admired her courage and foresight, while others questioned her motives and goals. But Li Qingge remained unmoved, as she knew that this was for the long-term development of the country, to break the shackles of feudal ethics, and to give more people the opportunity to display their talents.

As the imperial examination approached, the entire Great Yan Kingdom was immersed in a tense and hopeful atmosphere. Scholars studied hard day and night, and parents racked their brains to find ways to create a better learning environment for their children.

Some families even put aside their sons who repeatedly failed the exams and devoted all their energy to the training of their daughters. They understood that as long as the family could produce an official, it would bring honor to the family, no matter whether it was a boy or a girl.

Driven by this trend, the education industry in the Great Yan Kingdom has also ushered in unprecedented development. The implementation of nine-year compulsory education has enabled more children to receive education, and the concept of gender equality has gradually taken root in people's hearts.

Meanwhile, in the north of the Great Yan Kingdom, the situation in the Great Qing Kingdom was completely different. Officials from the previous dynasty only knew how to occupy their positions but did not do anything, and corruption was rampant. The country was impoverished, and the people also suffered.

Emperor Qianlong sat on the dragon throne, frowning, looking at the dejected officials below, his heart filled with helplessness and anger. He knew very well that if things continued like this, the Qing Dynasty would sooner or later be destroyed.