"Oxen can teach others faster and better methods of plowing, chickens can pass on their experiences, and cats can use their years of mouse-catching expertise to show young kittens where mice are likely to appear."
"Similarly, those who excel in farming have a certain research ability when it comes to crops. If we concentrate on nurturing them, they might become the next Mr Yuan."
"Only when every industry is flourishing and showcasing its talents will the country improve and people's lives become more colorful and diverse."
"Studying is not the only way forward, and if we only focus on book learning without exploring other areas, our country will gradually fall behind other nations overseas."
Gu Sang's words left all the ancients speechless.
They recalled with excitement and shock the scene of crops as tall as a person, and the disappointment they felt when they heard Mr Yuan had returned to heaven.
That sense of loss was still etched in their hearts...
What could they do? They seemed unable to refuse, and had no reason to refuse anymore.
It appeared that Gu Sang had convinced them.
Gu Sang's next words stunned everyone even further, leaving them dumbfounded and pale-faced.
"Do you remember the live broadcast from the history museum?"
"At that time, you envied the Great Song Dynasty, with its national prosperity, peaceful citizens, and vibrant night markets full of mouth-watering delicacies."
"Does anyone remember the end of the Great Song Dynasty? What was the result of emphasizing culture over military strength?"
"So, let's return to the question: Is food important? Are weapons important? Is medical knowledge important?"
"You admire the future, but you haven't considered that the food, weapons, and medical techniques of the future didn't appear out of thin air."
"They are the result of generations of effort and research, leading to today's achievements. And the leaders in these fields aren't satisfied with this; they continue to research."
"People more excellent than you are still dedicating themselves to research, so do you want to wait for death?"
The entire audience was silent, shocked by Gu Sang's words, as if their souls had been struck.
They realized how hard people in the future worked.
They understood that the happiness and stability of the future was the result of their ancestors' efforts, as well as everyone's own hard work and struggle.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
In the silence of the Temple of Heaven, Pei Weiqi's applause rang out.
The assembled ministers and officials snapped out of their shock and unconsciously joined in the applause.
"Miss Gu, you are truly eloquent. I must admit, you've convinced me."
People began to stand up, agreeing with Gu Sang's points.
Gu Sang smiled calmly and said, "You weren't convinced by me. It's the stark reality in front of your eyes. With the experiences of those who came before, you're no longer so terrified of the future, so you can accept it more easily."
"Miss Gu, you're right. If we think the future is so good, we should strive to create it, starting with ourselves."
"Success doesn't happen overnight; it comes through generations of change."
"I have no reason to object. Your Majesty, I approve!"
"Your Majesty, I also approve!"
Seeing these edicts accepted by the ministers, Pei Weiqi's tense heart relaxed slightly, and she gave Gu Sang a grateful smile.
After the heaven worship ceremony, Pei Weiqi immediately led the ministers back to the capital.
Upon returning to the capital, Pei Weiqi wanted to let Gu Sang stay in the Imperial Palace, but Gu Sang refused.
She preferred to stay at an inn rather than in the Imperial Palace that restricted people's freedom.
Looking up at the sky from the Imperial Palace, it always seemed gloomy.
Pei Weiqi, Zhou Qichen, Counselor Fang, and others, after hiding their identities, rented an entire floor of a riverside restaurant in the capital to drink and chat with Gu Sang.
At the table were familiar faces: Ge Qing, Xue, Madam Li...
In an era where women were not supposed to dine at the same table as men, today, in this restaurant, everyone gathered without regard for status or social norms, raising their cups and drinking freely.
This lively and ordinary scene gave Gu Sang a sense of being in modern times.
It felt just like a casual gathering of friends.
"Miss Gu, I'd like to toast you. If it weren't for your guidance, we would never have thought of starting a business."
"We wouldn't have imagined that one day we could bring our business to the capital."
Xue had come to the capital this time to open a branch store.
Their women's business had been doing well in the south, and now with Pei Weiqi's announcement about developing the economy, business was even better.
Xue and her partners had discussed that it was time to expand their cosmetics business beyond the south and open stores nationwide.
The capital would be their first branch store, followed by Star City...
"Miss Gu, Your Majesty, I'd like to toast you both."
"Since I was young, fortune tellers said I would bring misfortune to my husband, and everyone in the village said I had the fate of a broom star."
"It wasn't until I met you that I realized there could be another path in life."
"I can choose not to marry and instead dedicate my life to my career."
As one of the first members of the women's guard and its captain, Ge Qing naturally received Pei Weiqi's trust.
Pei Weiqi established the Women's University, and Ge Qing became its chancellor.
The Women's University was similar to modern universities, offering both skill-based learning and academic studies.
Establishing the Women's University gave more girls the opportunity to choose their own paths in life.
They could choose not to marry, learn skills, earn money, and create their own businesses.
As long as they wanted to learn, they could live freely and happily without relying on their parents.
Although Pei Weiqi hadn't yet decreed open civil service examinations for women, Gu Sang believed that step wasn't far off.
As soon as the Women's University gradually gained acceptance, the next step would be to reform the civil service examination system.
Xue and Madam Li were naturally invited as special lecturers at the Women's University. Madam Li was not only proficient in the four arts of the Chinese scholar (music, chess, calligraphy, and painting), but she also came from a family of imperial merchants. She could teach women both scholarly knowledge and business principles.
Xue and her partners had struggled from the bottom, carving out a path for themselves in the south, which was controlled by powerful families, in an era when women were considered inferior. Without any backing, these few women had fought their way through, and naturally had business wisdom to impart to these women.
These experiences were enough to give women of this era, who rarely left their homes and knew little of the world, a good understanding of society and human nature.
"As a woman, the happiest moment is having the right and opportunity to choose."
"Seeing that you all are making choices from the bottom of your hearts about the path you want to take, I'm happy for you."
"I sincerely wish that in every important life decision you face in the future, you'll be able to choose from your heart."
Gu Sang raised a cup of wine and drank it in one go.
"I will do my best to change the mindset of all women. I believe that one day I will see true equality between men and women."
The Elder Princess also raised her wine cup with great enthusiasm and drained it.
"Great, cheers! Tonight, we drink until we're drunk."
Ge Qing suddenly stood up, raised her wine cup, and downed it in one gulp.
As she was about to drink a second cup, General Qin spoke up.
"Ge Qing, your injury from last time hasn't healed yet. You should drink less."
Ge Qing waved her hand generously: "Today, we must drink."
