AWB Chapter 949 Extra: A Young Man's Journey 2
Chapter 949 Extra: A Young Man's Journey 2
The late emperor was named Chengde. He followed Emperor Taizu on his campaigns across the north and south, and established the Great Zhao Dynasty.
He was later enfeoffed as Prince Cheng. After the death of Emperor Taizu, the Great Zhao Dynasty was almost plunged into internal strife. It was Prince Cheng who led the army all the way back to the capital to quell the rebellion and succeed to the throne.
Emperor Chengde was known for his easygoing nature and unconventional approach to personnel selection, which resulted in a politically efficient and talent-rich era for him.
The greatest threat came from the increasingly powerful Northern Yan state in the north.
In the spring of the thirteenth year of Chengde, Zong Huai was 19 years old. Yan Chengyue, who had been chosen as the future crown princess since childhood, came of age in May.
After the New Year, Emperor Chengde began discussing the marriage between the two with the Ministry of Rites, preparing to hold their wedding the following year when Zong Huai officially came of age.
Springtime is the season for many banquets, and Princess Zhaoyang changed into men's clothing early and went to the Yan Marquis's residence to find Yan Chengyue.
"Sister Yue, I finally managed to beg Brother Huai to take me out. Where shall we go to play?" Zhao Yang excitedly surrounded Yan Chengyue. Yan Chengyue had no choice but to put down the book in her hand. "Let me go change my clothes. It's the Spring Examination period recently, and the First Pavilion is full of talented people. It must be very lively. Let's go and join in the fun."
Zhao Yang immediately became dejected: "What's so fun about those scholars? I get dizzy just watching you and Brother A-Huai reading all day long."
Yan Chengyue changed her clothes and came out, pinching her pretty little face. "Reading is a good thing. The more you read, the more you can know about the world without leaving home."
"Alright, alright, I can't argue with you. I really don't know if you two will be discussing academics every day after you get married. Whoever has your child will be in trouble!" Zhaoyang stuck out her tongue.
Yan Chengyue pinched her: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
"It's only a matter of time!" Zhao Yang took Yan Chengyue's arm and walked out. Since the two of them were going out to play, they didn't let the maids follow them. Just the two of them went out. The First Tower on the left and right was not far from the Yan Marquis's residence. It would only take half an hour to walk there.
Yan Chengyue was unusually bewildered: "Actually, I don't know either. Ah Huai and I have been together for so many years, and I always feel like we're just friends. I can't really imagine what it would be like if we got married. I don't know what he's thinking. I just feel like there's something missing between us, but everyone seems to feel the same way, so it's hard for me to explain."
This is how marriage alliances between aristocratic families usually work. Even though she was the crown princess preordained, it was a task they were supposed to complete step by step. She didn't feel there was anything wrong with it, but she always felt that something was missing, though she couldn't quite describe the feeling.
Zhao Yang's eyes sparkled, and she leaned closer mysteriously, saying, "I know, you two are just too familiar with each other, and the feeling of love is missing!"
"The feeling of love?" Yan Chengyue was no stranger to this term; mutual affection was something everyone longed for. However, she asked, "So, what do you think the feeling of love is?"
Zhao Yang laughed awkwardly: "How would I know? I read it in a storybook!"
Yan Chengyue shook her head, having already anticipated this.
During their chat, the two had already reached the outside of the first floor.
First Floor is a long-established brand in Beijing, but unfortunately, it has been declining in recent years due to poor management. A few years ago, there were even rumors that it was about to close down. However, someone took over First Floor, renovated it, and reopened it. In just six months, First Floor turned a profit and even attracted talented people to debate during the Spring Examination the following year, which made it extremely popular.
Now, with another spring imperial examination underway, the First Building has been bustling with activity since the beginning of the year, becoming a must-visit place for students taking the exam. The provincial examination just ended a few days ago, and the period of waiting for the results is a time of unprecedented enthusiasm among students, with debates taking place in the First Building almost daily.
It took the two of them a lot of effort to squeeze in. On the first-floor stands, several young students were already flushed with excitement.
Zhao Yang felt as if he were listening to gibberish, his eyes glazed over: "Ah... Brother Yan, are we really going to watch them argue here?"
Yan Chengyue tapped her on the head: "This isn't arguing, this is debating!"
Zhao Yang: "But what are these Mingfa Ke and Mingsuan Ke that they're talking about? I only know about Mingjing Ke and Jinshi Ke. Aren't these people here to take the Jinshi exam?"
As soon as Zhaoyang finished speaking, they heard someone calling them from upstairs.
"Zhaoyang!"
Zhao Yang looked up and saw that the curtain of one of the private rooms upstairs was lifted, and Zong Huai and Lu Jibai were looking down.
Zong Huai waved to them, "Come on up!"
Zhao Yang hurriedly pulled Yan Chengyue upstairs with the people Zong Huai had sent to pick them up, and they entered a private room.
Zhao Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief and went over to drink a cup of tea. Yan Chengyue then greeted Zong Huai and Lu Jibai.
Just then, they heard a sound coming from downstairs.
“I think that law and mathematics should be included as subjects in the imperial examinations, so as to select specialized talents separately, instead of just waiting for the examinations to be held before assigning them. Everyone has their strengths. Some people are good at poetry and prose, and some are good at policy essays. Naturally, some people are good at mathematics and law. So why can’t they be included as subjects in the imperial examinations?”
It was a clear and beautiful female voice.
The sound quickly attracted the attention of Yan Chengyue and Zong Huai. The two looked downstairs at the same time and saw a woman debating with several students on the stage.
The woman was about seventeen or eighteen years old, tall and slender, wearing a simple and neat plain dress. Her hair was tied up in a simple bun with a silver hairpin, and her long ponytail fell naturally to her shoulders. Her features were delicate and pretty, not a top-tier beauty, but her bright eyes, confident and generous demeanor, and eloquent manner made her unforgettable at first glance.
As soon as she opened her mouth, someone retorted, "What do you, a mere woman, know about imperial examinations?"
"Why can't women understand?" she countered. "Women can also study, and studying can enlighten them. Does this enlightenment have any gender distinction? Since the knowledge and principles gained are the same, why can't women take the imperial examinations, and why can't they understand the imperial examination system?"
The man, caught off guard by her question, instinctively wanted to retort, but after struggling for a while, he couldn't come up with a coherent argument. He could only grit his teeth and reply, "It has always been this way!"
"So it's been right since ancient times? Later generations have been debating and correcting many of the views of their predecessors, which means that some views may also be wrong. Since standards have always been set by people, what's the point of saying it's been right since ancient times?" the woman retorted.
The man, his face flushed with anger, pointed at her and snapped, "You're just being unreasonable!"
"If you can't win an argument, you resort to sophistry. It seems you're not entirely confident in your own views," the woman said with a smile.
"You! The First Floor shouldn't have let a woman like you in!"
The woman smiled and cupped her hands in greeting: "I am Wenren Jing, the owner of the First Pavilion. Since the First Pavilion began inviting scholars from all over the world to debate here, there has only been one rule: as long as it does not violate the law, everyone is free to speak their mind. There has never been any rule prohibiting women from participating. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir!"
Yan Chengyue stared intently at Wenren Jing, who was talking eloquently downstairs, her eyes seemingly sparkling.
Zhao Yang looked at Yan Chengyue strangely, then subconsciously glanced at Zong Huai. Well, he was stunned too.