SFS Chapter 469 Adding a "Flower of Industry" Seat
Chapter 469 Adding a "Flower of Industry" Seat
Lü Zhi stared blankly at Ying Wuyou, various images flashing through her mind. She seemed to see that figure toiling under the scorching sun, proof of her relentless efforts to realize her ideals;
She seemed to see the oil lamp still burning in the dead of night, and under the lamp was her figure repeatedly revising the regulations, every word and every sentence having been carefully considered by her.
She could almost see the wildflowers that the girls timidly offered her on the day of the opening ceremony, a gesture of their recognition and respect for her.
These seemingly trivial acts of persistence were always insignificant to Lü Zhi. She never imagined that these seemingly ordinary things could be given such weight in Ying Wuyou's words.
"This year's palace banquet will include a new seat for the 'Flower of a Hundred Professions'." Ying Wuyou's voice suddenly softened, like a warm spring breeze gently brushing past Lü Zhi's ear.
“Representative of merchants, master craftsman, and virtuous scholar… Sister Lü, you deserve the title of ‘literary scholar’.” Ying Wuyou’s gaze was firm yet gentle, leaving Lü Zhi somewhat at a loss.
"The Flower of a Hundred Trades?" Lü Zhi murmured to herself. This term was so unfamiliar to her; she had never heard of it before. However, when she saw the confident look in Ying Wuyou's eyes, a warm feeling welled up in Lü Zhi's heart.
She remembered her father's expectations for her: "Zhi'er, marrying Liu Ji is the best way out for you. He will definitely be extraordinary in the future. Don't think about anything else." Her father's words echoed in her ears, making her feel helpless.
“But my background…” Lu Zhi was interrupted by Ying Wuyou before she could finish speaking.
The Qin Dynasty needs talented individuals who can demonstrate real ability and merit, not just those with prestigious backgrounds. Ying Wuyou held Lü Zhi's cold hand tightly, as if trying to transfer the warmth of her own palm to her. She whispered, "Sister Lü, do you remember the old farmer who presented the new farming tools at last year's palace banquet? Father immediately appointed him as 'Sitian Lang' (a high-ranking official in charge of the fields)."
Lü Zhi slowly raised her head, her gaze meeting Ying Wuyou's. In his eyes, she saw an unprecedented determination. This suddenly reminded her of the first time she met Ying Wuyou, the princess who kept saying she wanted to "let women read and understand reason." Now, with the same unwavering resolve, Ying Wuyou was opening a door for her that she had never dared to imagine.
Lu Zhi hesitated for a moment, then finally said softly, "Well... alright." Her voice trembled slightly, without her even realizing it.
Upon hearing this, Ying Wuyou beamed with joy. She excitedly grabbed Lü Zhi's hand and shook it, saying, "That's right! Tomorrow morning, the embroiderers from the Imperial Clothing Bureau will come to take Lü Zhi's measurements and tailor clothes. There will also be pearl hairpins and rings brought from Baga Island, which will surely make Lü Zhi the most beautiful girl on this street!"
Although Lü Zhi didn't understand what Ying Wuyou said, she could roughly grasp its meaning from his tone and expression. Lü Zhi was already used to Ying Wuyou occasionally spouting nonsensical remarks, so she simply shook her head helplessly, her face revealing her doting affection for him.
Upon returning to Zhangtai Palace, Ying Wuyou couldn't wait to head straight for Zhangtai Hall. King Ying Zheng of Qin paused slightly, his fingers gripping the memorial, listening to the approaching footsteps outside the corridor. He put down the memorial; aside from his daughter who always loved to break the rules, no one else dared to enter Zhangtai Hall without prior notice.
"Jiayang, why did you come so suddenly?" Ying Zheng looked at the crooked jade hairpin in his daughter's hair and the mud stains on the hem of her cloak, his voice carrying three parts reproach and seven parts helplessness. The winter wind, carrying fine snow, rushed into the palace gate, making Ying Wuyou's stray hairs messy.
Ying Wuyou knelt on one knee, the hem of her black embroidered gold skirt sweeping across the cold floor tiles: "Your subject greets Father!" Before she could finish speaking, Ying Zheng waved his hand: "Rise!"
"Father, I have come here today to discuss a very important matter with you—I hope that the 'Flower of a Hundred Trades' can be set up for this year's palace banquet!" Ying Wuyou knelt on one knee, his voice clear and bright.
"The flower of all trades?" Ying Zheng frowned deeply, put down the bamboo slip in his hand, and looked at his daughter's face, which was red from the cold.
Ying Wuyou immediately stood up, quickly stepped forward, and unfolded a piece of paper: "Father, look! The waterwheel improved by the Mo family has turned the arid land of Longxi into fertile fields;
Xu Fu's improved loom tripled its efficiency;
The three women's colleges established with the assistance of Empress Lü have already enrolled more than 300 women.
Merchants also traveled as far as the Chu region to purchase sugarcane, which led to the sugarcane we know today.
She looked at the King of Qin earnestly and said, "These people, though not in the court, are transforming their respective fields. Yet they are unaware of each other, and the people are unaware. The capable people of Qin should not be scattered like sand, fighting their own battles!"
Ying Zheng remained silent for a long time, stroking the Tai'a sword at his waist: "You want these people to attend the palace banquet?"
“That’s exactly right, Father!” Ying Wuyou’s eyes gleamed. “Your son plans to divide them into five groups: crafts, commerce, literature, arts, and agriculture, with each group electing three representatives. The palace banquet will include three parts: skills demonstrations, experience sharing, and discussion of problems.”
She took a deep breath. "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you personally bestow a title upon the most outstanding representative."
"A title bestowed?" Ying Zheng's pupils contracted slightly. Titles had always been a powerful tool for the royal family to control people's hearts, and now they were to be given to artisans from the marketplace? But then he recalled the eager faces of the students at the opening ceremonies of the three academies; he recalled the joyful smiles of the people irrigating their fields with waterwheels when he inspected Chang'an. Those scenes overlapped with the equally fervent gaze in his daughter's eyes at this moment.
A cold wind howled outside the palace, making the bronze wind chimes tinkle. Ying Zheng rose and walked to the window, gazing at the lights of Xianyang. He suddenly remembered his ideal: to unify the six kingdoms, standardize the written language, and unify the width of cart tracks.
To achieve our goals, the power of the people should not be overlooked. If we can bring these talented individuals together, perhaps we can truly pave a broader path for the Qin Dynasty.
“Draft the decree,” Ying Zheng said, his voice steady, his back to his daughter. “But the rules must be established: representatives must be recommended by each prefecture and county, and both character and ability are indispensable. As for bestowing titles…” He turned around, his gaze falling on Ying Wuyou’s delighted face, “…we’ll start with the lowest rank, Gongshi.”
Ying Wuyou could not hide his excitement: "Thank you, Father! Your son will certainly handle this matter well!"
Watching his daughter's joyful departing figure, Ying Zheng's lips curled into a slight smile. This daughter, who always loved to break the rules, was truly to his liking. He sat back down at his desk, picked up his brush, and began to annotate the memorial, the candlelight illuminating the four characters "flower of all trades" with exceptional brightness.