Chapter 1176: Ambition

Li Jinghua widened her eyes. “I’m going to be the Publisher?”

She’d only wanted to write an article for The Lily Times, but she had never thought of becoming the Publisher. Besides, there was no precedent for an Empress to become the Publisher of a newspaper office.

Seeing that she seemed disapproving, Mu Yangling held her hand and persuaded, “Why should people follow precedents in everything they do? How can there be so many precedents in this world? Besides, if everything remains status quo, how can our days improve?”

“As the Empress, the most respected woman in the world, shouldn’t you do something for the women in the world?”

Li Jinghua was amused. “What do you want me to do for all the women in the world?”

Mu Yangling turned to look at the palace maids in her palace and stopped talking.

Li Jinghua raised her eyebrows as Mu Yangling had never done this in her palace. Li Jinghua waved her hand to dismiss the servants before looking at her.

Mu Yangling glanced at Wen Cui.

With a smile, Wen Cui went out to guard the door.

Mu Yangling held Li Jinghua’s hand and said solemnly, “Fight for more rights and benefits for the women in the world so that their status will be elevated. If there’s a day when gender equality is achieved, then you, the Empress, will definitely be the first to be mentioned.”

Li Jinghua was so frightened that her heart almost jumped out of her chest. After a while, she tapped her forehead and said, “You’re scaring me again with all that nonsense about equality between men and women.”

Seeing Mu Yangling look at her seriously, Li Jinghua’s smile gradually disappeared and she asked, “Who else have you told such nonsense to?”

“Does Haoran count?”

Li Jinghua heaved a sigh of relief and patted her chest. “Don’t say such things outside in the future. Should those stubborn old pedants hear you, they’re going to censure you.”

Mu Yangling snorted and said, “Wu Zetian was even the ruler of a country. In the era of the sages, there were many matriarchs leading their family. Why can’t I hope for equality between men and women?” Mu Yangling was indignant. “Nowadays, women’s status is getting lower and lower, all because those old pedants use the words of the sages to restrain women time and time again using the Three Obediences and Four Virtues1 as an excuse. The late sages didn’t even set so many rules when they came up with the Three Obediences and Four Virtues.”

Li Jinghua didn’t expect Mu Yangling to have such a strong opinion on this. She couldn’t help but persuade her, “Ah Ling, considering this situation isn’t formed overnight, it’s too difficult for us to change it. If we’re not careful, we might even be crushed while attempting to enact change. Look at Empress Wu1. Despite being the ruler of the country, she couldn’t accomplish anything with the ministers constantly forcing her to abdicate.”

“I’m not expecting it to work immediately.” Mu Yangling said, “Besides, I don’t have aspirations to rule the country. Why would they oppose me?”

“But your suggestion of equality between men and women is inconsistent in their eyes.”

“Who said that I’m proposing equality between men and women?” Mu Yangling winked at her slyly. “I’m just asking you to be the Publisher of The Lily Times and use this opportunity to invite a few talented madams to work in the newspaper office.”

Li Jinghua was helpless. “If I become the Publisher, would women’s status rise to rival that of men’s?”

“Of course not, but it’s a good start.” Mu Yangling knew that although Li Jinghua came from an aristocratic family, she had her own aspirations. Otherwise, the sisters-in-law wouldn’t have become good friends. Hence, although Mu Yangling didn’t speak as brazenly as she did with Qi Haoran, she didn’t feel as restrained when talking to her. “Do you know that in ancient times, children took after their mother’s surname? That the status of women far exceeded that of men?”

Li Jinghua’s eyes widened. “Where did you hear that from?”

Such a thing wasn’t mentioned in the existing history books.

Mu Yangling couldn’t possibly say that it was the conclusion reached by archaeologists in the future, right? She could only give the basis of her deduction. “You can tell from the legend. Humans were created by Nüwa, a woman, and saints had no fathers and only mothers. From this, it can be seen that group marriage was the norm at that time. Judging from the fact that children followed their mothers’ surnames and lived with their mothers, it can be seen that women were highly respected and had a high status at that time.”

Li Jinghua’s head hurt. She finally understood why the Crown Prince would always ask strange questions after reading history books and storybooks. Most importantly, why did she involuntarily believe what she said?

“Therefore, even if women were respected in ancient times, it has long become the past. Now, men are regarded as superior to women.”

“Then do you know why men’s status eventually surpassed that of women’s?” Mu Yangling continued the previous question.

Li Jinghua could only ask helplessly, “Why?”

“Because of war.” Mu Yangling said seriously, “Because men have an advantage over women in war, so even since there was war, women gradually lose their advantages and status. Instead, they become something to be fought over. That’s why women’s status has decreased.”

Li Jinghua looked at her in confusion, not understanding what this had to do with her becoming the Publisher of the newspaper office.

“Only by figuring out the reason for the hierarchy can we address the problem appropriately.” Mu Yangling said, “Nowadays, women’s status is lower than men’s. Apart from their inherent thoughts, it’s also because women are weaker than men since all their money comes from men. Before they get married, they use their father’s and brother’s money. After they get married, they use their husband’s money. Without an economic foundation, how does a woman have the confidence to uphold her rights and interests?”

“The reason why I’m starting The Lily Times is firstly to let women have a place to express their opinions and let the world see what women have to say. Secondly, I want women to leave the house to work.” Mu Yangling said, “Perhaps people like us don’t care about the salary, but The Lily Times can provide a livelihood to more than 1,000 female employees. It can allow them to gradually have a say at home and even control the initiative in the family.”

Mu Yangling had never thought of directly proposing gender equality or letting women become officials. In her opinion, that was no different from courting death. It was fine if she died, but she would also implicate thousands of women in the world.

Other than Qi Haoran, Mu Yangling had always tried to figure out the men of this era with the most sinister intentions.

Mu Yangling’s plan was very simple. “Let them have the ability to support themselves. Even without their father and brother and family, they can still lead a good life. After they start earning an income for their family, with our consciously guiding them, their status in the family will definitely rise. As women’s status elevates within the family, so will their social status.”

Mu Yangling smiled. “Then, it’s time to change the law. We’ll take it slow and not make any major changes, just minor corrections. For example, if a woman doesn’t get married after the marriageable age, she won’t have to pay a fine. After a certain age, she can set up a female household as long as she’s willing. A son-in-law who lives in the home of his wife’s parents can also become an official through the Imperial Examination. If a man beats his wife and commits a crime, a woman can propose a divorce…”

Li Jinghua was dumbfounded. Then, her expression gradually turned serious. She originally thought that this was just Mu Yangling’s momentary passion, but now, it seemed that she had thought it through carefully.

Li Jinghua began to think about the feasibility of this matter.

“We’ll tackle this from both sides. In 20 years, 50 years, or even 100 years, women will have an irreplaceable position in society. At this time, even if the law hasn’t explicitly raised their status to equal that of a man, their status won’t be weak. Things will naturally fall into place without us having to do anything extra.”

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