freenovelworld Chapter 518 You can be so careless too!
Chapter 518 You can be so careless too!
Even the quiet girls couldn't help but chime in when others were having a lively discussion.
If you really can't get a word in edgewise, just think to yourself what you can do.
They were all used to working since they were young. Farm girls are rarely pampered. They not only have to do housework, but some even have to work in the fields. They are used to hard work and don't feel tired.
What excited them the most was that someone told them that their labor could earn money, and that they would be taught how to earn money.
Making money was something we never even dared to dream of before.
Which of these unmarried girls can keep any money?
Even those who have some skills, such as making handkerchiefs or knots, to exchange for money, mostly have to hand them over to their families. How could they possibly keep them for themselves?
But now, the prefect has personally promised to register their household registrations. That means they can keep every copper coin they earn for themselves, saving it up day by day. Maybe they can even buy a house. And if they really can't remarry in the future, perhaps they can find a son-in-law to live with them. Or they can find a close female friend to live with, and that way they can make a living.
Just thinking about it makes me realize there are so many possibilities.
The hope that had been completely extinguished was rekindled little by little. They were so excited that they even forgot to eat. When the cook brought the food over, they were still whispering among themselves, discussing whether there was anything more suitable for them to do or what they could learn to make more money.
Lu Yangyang and Jiang Zhiyi watched the girls discussing excitedly and quietly slipped out.
Jiang Zhiyi turned to look at Lu Yangyang and said with emotion, "When I heard you mention this idea, I was just surprised and was still thinking about how to implement it. But it wasn't until I saw their expectations that I realized I had never understood what their hope for survival was."
She came from a prestigious family, and what made her unable to go on living was the loss of her family's reputation, not her lack of ability.
Her dowry was enough to ensure she would have enough to eat and drink for several lifetimes. Even without the dowry, she was proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If she were to fall on hard times, she would not starve with her painting skills.
The problem for these girls is precisely that they are hardworking enough, but they lack the ability to support themselves.
For them, the ability to survive is far more valuable than any empty reputation.
But Lu Yangyang understood that she had to struggle for survival since she could remember. She had done everything she could to earn money. This was because the villagers were relatively kind and tolerant of her, a little child, and her mentally unstable aunt, which allowed her to grow up to be able to support herself.
So she understood what these girls wanted more.
It's not that they don't want to live, but they can't support themselves and are filled with fear and despair about the future.
Give them just a glimmer of hope, and they will come alive immediately.
Lu Yangyang said with a smile, "I have to thank Lord Ling. If he hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have even remembered about establishing female households. He has been a great help to us."
Jiang Zhiyi nodded: "Throughout history, there have been many restrictions on establishing female households, making it difficult to implement. I've heard..."
Jiang Zhiyi glanced at Lu Yangyang and said, "I heard that Lady Hua once proposed the establishment of female households, wanting to relax the conditions for establishing female households, but it was all rejected. Later, the late Empress also proposed it, but only a few regulations were modified. Then, a few years ago, when His Highness the Crown Prince reformed the imperial examination, he proposed allowing women to take the exam. Almost 99% of the people in the court opposed it, and even insulted Lady Hua and the late Empress. Grand Tutor Lan and His Highness the Crown Prince debated with them for several days. In the end, His Highness the Crown Prince had no choice but to give in, but he proposed that if a family has only one daughter, or a widow has no son, she can apply to establish a female household if she adopts an heir or takes in a son-in-law. Moreover, local officials have the right to decide, and there are no restrictions on social status."
Lu Yangyang had only heard that it was difficult to establish a household with daughters, but she had never heard the story behind it and did not quite understand the difference. So she urged Jiang Zhiyi: "Tell me in detail, what is the difference?"
Jiang Zhiyi chuckled and explained to her, "It seems that there isn't much change in the conditions for establishing an heir or taking a son-in-law, even for only daughters or widows without children. However, the key lies in the decision-making power of officials and social class. You know, in the past, establishing a household with a woman was a right enjoyed only by noblewomen from aristocratic families. Commoners and merchants, regardless of their circumstances, had no such right. If the conditions for establishing a household with a woman are relaxed, allowing women to easily become the head of the household, it would violate the original intention of supporting their husbands and raising children. How could that be easily achieved? Therefore, the scholar-officials will never compromise on this matter. His Highness the Crown Prince proposed that local officials have the decision-making power and that there are no restrictions based on social class. In fact, this has significant drawbacks and is hardly lenient towards ordinary people."
“But…” Jiang Zhiyi looked at Lu Yangyang.
Lu Yangyang instantly understood: "But this has opened a loophole. Officials have the power to make decisions, so we can gamble on their character and give ordinary women some opportunities. Secondly... if we can bribe officials, wealthy merchants will have ways to manipulate things. For merchants, this is a good thing. If women can make money through business, it will be much easier for them to have independent household registration. However, this will inevitably breed corrupt officials, which is a real drawback."
Jiang Zhiyi nodded: "That's true, but any path of reform is fraught with thorns and cannot be accomplished overnight. But as long as there is a plan, there is a possibility of achieving it step by step. If Lady Hua had not brought this up, I'm afraid... throughout the entire Great Zhao Dynasty, it would have been difficult for anyone to bring this up. Over the centuries, the progress made in reforming women's households has been negligible. So it was precisely because Lady Hua took that small step that the late Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince were able to test and implement it, that reform came about, and that's how we are today."
If Prefect Ling does not have this authority, then no matter how many laws they cite, they will not be able to accomplish this.
Jiang Zhiyi couldn't help but say, "I wonder what kind of amazing woman Lady Hua must be to have such a moving courage. When you brought up the academy today, I thought of Lady Hua. It's a pity that we met in the wrong era. If only we could meet."
Lu Yangyang's eyes suddenly lit up: "It's not impossible!"
Jiang Zhiyi was completely bewildered: "Huh? What did you say?"
Lu Yangyang blinked: "So, Zhiyi, the person you admire most is the Lady of China!"
Jiang Zhiyi was amused by her: "Anyone who knows about the deeds of the Lady of China back then would admire her greatly!"
"I'll tell you a secret," Lu Yangyang whispered in her ear.
Jiang Zhiyi's eyes widened in shock, and she lifted her skirt and walked out.
Lu Yangyang shouted, "Where are you going so late!"
"Find Qingqing!" Jiang Zhiyi walked out without looking back.
Lu Yangyang jogged to catch up: "Zhiyi, so you can be this unsteady sometimes?"