From cute to empress

Chapter 289 A New Chapter in Education

Duke Han and the Minister of Rites entered the imperial study and bowed to me. I waved them off and gestured for Zhen Youcai to continue.

"I believe we should prioritize education," Zhen Youcai paused, as if trying to organize his words. "During this expedition to the Gold Coast, I discovered that many of the crew members were illiterate. They couldn't even read nautical charts, let alone learn new navigation techniques. If this continues, it will be detrimental to the development of our dynasty."

I nodded in agreement. I had also discovered these problems during my expedition, but due to the urgency of the war, I had no time to address them.

"I suggest expanding the scale of government-run schools and establishing them throughout the country, so that all children, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to receive an education." Zhen Youcai's voice became increasingly firm. "Only in this way can our dynasty truly become strong."

"I second the motion!" Duke Hanguo and the Minister of Rites looked at each other and said in unison.

I took a deep breath and finally made up my mind: "Pass the order down. I have an important announcement to make at court tomorrow morning!"

The next morning, at court, I, dressed in my dragon robe, sat in the throne room. Civil and military officials flanked me, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

"My dear ministers, I have called you all here today to discuss an important matter - education reform!" I glanced at the ministers and said in a deep voice.

As soon as the words fell, the entire Golden Palace exploded like a pot of boiling water, with everyone talking about it.

"I wish to break the current monopoly of educational resources held by academies. I will establish schools across the country, with the imperial court formulating unified textbooks and selecting unified teachers. This way, all children, regardless of their background or wealth, will have the opportunity to receive an education!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the president of Yuelu Academy and the president of Bailudong Academy stood up and objected in unison.

"Your Majesty, since ancient times, educational matters have been managed by major academies themselves, and the court has never intervened. It is inappropriate for Your Majesty to suddenly intervene now!" The dean of Yuelu Academy said in a firm tone.

"Your Majesty, our academies are all famous academies with a history of thousands of years. We have strong faculty and rich teaching experience. If the court forcibly intervenes, wouldn't it be putting the long way around?" The principal of Bai Ludong Academy also looked disapproving.

"Are you two saying that my decision was wrong?" I suppressed the anger in my heart and looked at them coldly.

"I dare not!" The two men nodded in agreement, but still insisted on their own opinions.

"Do you know how many children in the countryside are unable to attend academies due to their poor family backgrounds? Do you know that soldiers on the frontiers fought bravely but couldn't even write their own children's names? You only care about your own little plots of land. Have you ever thought about the future of the country and the well-being of the people?"

I slammed the throne, stood up angrily, pointed at the officials, and said sternly: "Today, my will is made, and no one can stop me!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhen Youcai was the first to stand up and praise loudly. Duke Hanguo, the Minister of Rites, and others also expressed their support.

I looked around at the ministers and my eyes finally fell on a young official. He lowered his head, as if thinking about something.

"You, tell me what you think." I pointed at the young official and asked in a deep voice.

The young official raised his head, looked at me, then looked at the officials who opposed the reform, and hesitated to speak...

The young official looked a little nervous. He took a deep breath, as if he had finally made up his mind, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I am the son of the Imperial College's chief academic officer. I have studied there since childhood and am well aware of the numerous shortcomings of the official schools today. If Your Majesty can truly reform education so that children from poor families throughout the country can learn to read and write, it will be a blessing for the people!"

He paused, as if mustering greater courage, and continued, "However, reforms must be undertaken gradually. Our dynasty's major academies, such as Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy, all have millennia of heritage and strong faculty. If reforms are made hastily, I'm afraid it will cause unrest. Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

His speech seemed to have opened a floodgate, and different voices began to emerge in the originally quiet court.

"Yes, Your Majesty, we have studied hard for decades and finally got the chance to study at the White Deer Grotto Academy. If the teaching quality declines after the reform, wouldn't that be misleading to the students?" A student named Student A, dressed in a green gown, stepped forward and said earnestly.

An elderly teacher, Master B, stepped forward tremblingly, cupped his hands, and said, "I have taught for over fifty years, and I have never seen the imperial court interfere in educational matters. Please forgive my frankness, but Your Majesty's drastic reforms will destroy the educational system that has been established over a century!"

Looking at these worried and questioning faces, I felt a mixture of emotions. I knew that reform would inevitably affect some people's interests and bring some unknown risks, but I also knew that education reform was imperative!

"Your Majesty!" Zhen Youcai stepped forward and spoke loudly, "Our dynasty is facing internal and external troubles and urgently needs to cultivate a large number of talents! Those outdated education systems can no longer meet the needs of the times!"

He looked around with a determined gaze, "Admittedly, we will inevitably encounter various problems in the early stages of reform. But as long as we remain steadfast in the direction of reform, actively explore, and have the courage to innovate, we will surely be able to establish a more equitable and efficient education system and cultivate more pillars of our country!"

Zhen Youcai's words resonated powerfully throughout the Golden Throne Hall, like a shot of adrenaline pumping into my heart. I took a deep breath and was about to speak when I saw the dean of Yuelu Academy and the headmaster of Bailudong Academy exchange a glance, and a sense of foreboding washed over me...

The eye contact between the presidents of Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy was like an invisible lightning bolt, splitting the fog before my eyes. They stood there seemingly respectfully, silent, but I could sense they were the center of the storm. They allowed officials and students to express their concerns and dissatisfaction, but remained silent, as if waiting for something.

A surge of anger rose from the depths of my heart. I stood up abruptly, looked around, and shouted, "I know that reform will affect some people's interests and bring some unknown challenges! But education is related to the future of our country and nation. How can we stick to the old ways and stand still?!"

My voice echoed in the Golden Palace, and the voices of doubt gradually subsided. Everyone looked at me in surprise, as if they couldn't believe that the usually gentle and easy-going His Majesty could have such a fierce side.

"I have made up my mind. Education reform is imperative!" I said firmly, leaving no room for doubt. "I will establish a dedicated agency to formulate and implement education reform plans. I will also increase investment in education, improve teaching conditions, and increase teacher salaries. I also believe that as long as we work together with one mind, we will be able to overcome the difficulties encountered during the reform process and establish a more equitable and efficient education system!"

My gaze fell on the presidents of Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy. They still lowered their heads, making it difficult to discern their expressions. I paused, then softened my tone. "Both presidents are highly respected educators in our dynasty. I hope you will understand my earnest wishes and support my reforms."

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. I, an old minister, will do my best to assist you." The dean of Yuelu Academy finally spoke. His voice was a little deep, but no emotion could be seen. The headmaster of Bailudong Academy also said, "Your Majesty cares deeply about the country and its people. I admire you."

Their answer was flawless, but it only made me even more uneasy. I sensed a hidden undercurrent beneath this calm surface, poised to erupt at any moment. Just as I was about to say something else, a eunuch hurried into the throne room, knelt on the ground, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy have submitted a joint memorial..."