History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Prince Rencheng glanced at him and asked, "Your third brother, Yuan Zhao?"

Yuan Shao stared at the man's official robes with a puzzled look. When the Prince of Rencheng asked him, he turned his gaze back, nodded first and then shook his head, and said in a deep voice, "I didn't even know he had been appointed."

As the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, he certainly wouldn't speak casually, which indicates a discordant relationship with his elder brother.

Wei Yao put down her spoon and explained to the two of them: "Yuan Zhao was recommended by Yuan Hui when he was serving as Attendant-in-Ordinary. His official position was still Palace Attendant. Yuan Hui made a secret report at the time, so the Ministry of Personnel did not know about it."

Yuan Hui was the elder cousin of Yuan Zhao and Yuan Shao.

Yuan Zhao's previous official position was Palace Attendant, but he was demoted and dismissed by Emperor Xiaowen.

Yuan Zhao takes office today, and Yuan Hui leaves the central government to take up his post in Hengzhou. This matter naturally does not need to be kept secret.

The power to recommend officials should lie with the Ministry of Personnel of the Ministry of Personnel. Upon hearing this, the officials of the Ministry of Personnel all showed indignation. Little did they know that once the power struggle went smoothly, it would happen again. Wei Yao would soon follow Yuan Hui's example, expand the powers of the Secretariat, and openly interfere in the affairs of various provinces and departments, paving the way for her desired position at the highest level.

The matter of Yuan Zhao was not discussed further. Wei Yao then returned to the matter of the court discussion: "According to the Book of Rites, when a university opens, students should offer water chestnuts and other similar vegetables to the sages. Liu Fang, the Grand Secretary, once submitted a memorial specifying the locations for the construction of the Imperial Academy and the National Academy. However, the construction of these academies has never been discussed in detail due to military and disaster reasons. Now that the 'offering of vegetables' ceremony has been restored, is it only to be used for the four primary schools? Our dynasty has external threats, but no internal strife. Why don't you all unite and take advantage of this court discussion to propose the reconstruction of the Imperial Academy?"

She had to seize this time to urge the emperor to issue an edict to establish a national academy. Otherwise, if Prince Yuanxiang of Beihai had an accident next year, the court would be in a state of panic. At that time, officials would be afraid of being implicated, and who would still petition to restore university education?
Prince Rencheng said: "Since the relocation of the capital, the Mingtang, Biyong, Lingtai, Taixue and Guozixue have all fallen into disuse. If this continues, Confucian scholars will stop discussing poetry and rites, and academic officials will become mere figureheads. The country will no longer respect Confucianism and Taoism. Since the location and regulations for the construction of the National Academy have been determined, it is indeed time to follow the construction of the Four Gates Primary School."

He was transferred from the Ministry of Personnel to the current Secretariat, and his official position changed several times during that process. However, he never gave up on the implementation of the new education decree, nor could he bear to give it up, nor dared to give it up. During this period, he walked back and forth on Tongtuo Street, and always heard Confucian scholars singing "Zi Jin" in unison, which filled him with emotion.

He received news of Wei Yao and Yuan Shao's assassination attempt in the middle of the night. He guessed that the two might have come to the Qushui River for breakfast, so he took a detour and unexpectedly ran into them. Therefore, even if Wei Yao brought up other topics, he would steer the conversation toward the construction of the National Academy.

Prince Rencheng: "I remember that the Record of Learning also records that after seven years of study, passing the examination is called 'minor achievement', and after nine years of understanding and mastering the categories, passing the examination is called 'major achievement'. Only those who have achieved major achievement in their studies have enough ability to transform the people and change customs, so that those who are studious nearby will admire them and those who are studious far away will yearn for them. This process is like young ants learning to carry mud from adult ants. As long as they persevere, they will eventually be able to gather the mud into a mound."

At this point, not only the officials listening in, but even the illiterate butchers and kitchen workers who had never been to school, felt a longing for the flourishing of education he described. The reason was clear: if the wealthy had no schools to continue their education, what would ordinary people do?
Prince Rencheng looked at Wei Yao and assured her, "The students have unwavering determination. How can we leave them without academies to teach and guide them so that they can achieve academic success? In this court meeting, I will lead the officials of the Secretariat to petition for the reconstruction of the Imperial Academy and the National Academy."

Before he finished speaking, the cook added a few pieces of mutton to his bowl and filled Wei Yao's bowl with hot cheese.

This scene left Yuan Shao with a strange feeling. He thought that Wei Yao was only interested in vying for power and only knew how to flatter and fawn over the emperor. Now, the kitchen worker's actions had slapped him in the face. Only the officials who are considered good by the people are truly good officials.

"I will also submit a petition regarding the construction of the school."

When the officials who worked with him in the Ministry of Personnel heard him say this, they were all excited.

Wei Yao exclaimed, "The Right Chancellor is truly an upright and righteous man!"

A pancake vendor, dressed in thick winter clothes with a large basket slung across his shoulder and a scarf covering half his face, came over shouting his wares. No matter who made eye contact with him, he would ask them if they wanted to buy pancakes.

A minor official who was used to eating his pancakes called out to him, "Old Hu, give me a pancake."

Kou Meng sat behind Wei Yao, who turned around and asked, "Guard Kou, would you like a few more pancakes? We don't know when we'll eat lunch." "Sure, I'll take five." Kou Meng had a big appetite.

While accompanying Wei Yao on her errands, she naturally didn't need him to pay for the meals. Wei Yao took two for herself. When she was giving Hu Sou money to choose cakes, a fake copper coin was left in the basket, with the official's name pressed out on it by her fingernail... Yuan Zhao.

The position of "Dianzhonglang" was in charge of the palace troops, as well as the palace guards and warehouses. Although the rank was low, the power was great.

Wei Yao had Hu Sou secretly investigate Yuan Zhao for two reasons. First, to gather evidence of Yuan Zhao's collusion with Yuan Hui for future use. Second, she had a nagging feeling that Yuan Zhao's arrogant demeanor when crossing the bridge was directed at her. If her feeling was correct, who gave Yuan Zhao the audacity to provoke her so soon after being appointed? Or was Yuan Zhao a fool who hated her because Yuan Hui had been ostracized from the provincial government?

The truth will only be known after investigation; she never underestimates any adversary.

Not long after Wei Yao and the others left, Erzhu Maizhen returned with soldiers and jailers. He was instructed by the chief clerk to question all the people running food stalls along the banks of the Qu River.

During today's court assembly, the Emperor ordered the three generals of the Flying Cavalry, Chariots and Cavalry, and Guards to reorganize the defenses of the Imperial City. He also issued an edict ordering Yuan Yao, a member of the imperial clan and a minister, to return to the capital to serve as "Leader of the Left and Right" and to manage affairs within the Forbidden City. He also ordered Wang Zhongxing to return to the capital to serve as "Central Commander of the Army." Furthermore, he ordered Yu Jin, the Commander of the Army, and Yuan Yu, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, to reorganize the defenses of the Imperial Palace and Jinyong City.

Most of the court officials thought the emperor was angry because of the assassins in the city, but only Wei Yao knew that the emperor was dividing the power of Prince Yuan Xiang of Beihai in advance to prepare for the court to be stable after eliminating this prince.

Harem.

Empress Yu Baoying received the news that the Emperor had indeed left the palace last night to visit Yu Yao.

The female official Yu E dared not conceal anything and continued to report: "Eunuch Qin said that the news has already spread in the palace. He did not bother to find out and dared not accept the Empress's reward."

Yu Baoying asked in confusion, "Has it already spread throughout the palace?"

She shook her head, feeling that something was wrong, but she couldn't figure it out, and her frustration gave her a headache.

The most crucial question hadn't been asked yet, but before she could speak, Yu E said, "Eunuch Qin said that his post was far away, so he dared not inquire about what was discussed in court today."

"useless."

Another trusted female official entered the hall with two letters, one written by Yu Baoying's father, Yu Jin, and the other by her aunt, Madam Mu.

As usual, Yu Jin instructed his daughter in the letter to be tolerant and generous, to fulfill her duties as empress, to manage the harem well, and to treat the concubines kindly.

The letter from Lady Mu contained only seven characters that were difficult to understand. However, by referring to the agreed-upon ancient text, the true meaning of these seven characters could be deciphered: "Make friends with the Palace Attendant, Yuan Zhao."

Yu Baoying was deeply disgusted. Her aunt still didn't respect her as the Empress, treating her like a junior from her former family. She was also annoyed by the lack of information within the palace; as Empress, she was unaware that the Emperor had gained another trusted minister. (End of Chapter)