vstars Chapter 563: A Living Example
Chapter 563: A Living Example
"As the only scholar in our family, you are destined to pursue an official career. The example of Miss Su’s brother is a precedent set before you, and you need to understand that the path you walk is not just walked by you alone, but by the entire family alongside you. If you’re slightly careless, Taohua, Man Er, and both your sisters-in-law will be affected. You and your two brothers losing your heads is just a bowl-sized scar, but for us women left behind, it’s a life where death is not an option and life is unbearable."
Tong Huaqiong looked steadily at Jingzhe.
She recalled how, when she first came here, Jingzhe was as selfish as Ruinian, only boldly taking from his family, dangling the promise of a successful future that would supposedly protect them all, keeping Tong Dajiao under his thumb.
Back then, he never considered that the success and glory of passing the imperial exams were his own, while the risks were shared by all.
So Tong Huaqiong seized the opportunity to give a lesson, especially since Miss Su served as a living example perfect for this teaching moment.
"Not everyone is as kind-hearted as your mother. Allow me to boast a little, Miss Su meeting me was her good fortune. But how many people like Miss Su are there? And how many like me as an employer? At Wanliu Academy, I’m sure your teacher must have taught you about the treacherous waters of the court, the ways of an official, about corrupt officials who cannot discern right from wrong, and loyal officials who remain steadfast, but who pays attention to the women behind them?"
"As a mother, I am willing to support you in your studies and want to see you reach the court, but beyond books, you need to think more and consider the implications of every step you take, what it represents, and what kind of situation it will push you into, and what kind of situation it will push me and Taohua and the other women into."
Gu Taohua’s forehead was drenched in sweat, unsure of what to say; any words seemed feeble.
Indeed, at Wanliu Academy, he’d listened to the teacher discussing the art of governance, debated current affairs with classmates, condemned corrupt officials harming the country, and admired loyal officials who stood up for the people and were exiled. Yet he never thought about the plight of the women behind them.
Jingzhe felt a deep sense of embarrassment.
"Mother, your child has listened. The path I walk is not just my own walk, but the family’s walk alongside me, so I must consider not just myself but also my family with every step, avoiding implicating them due to my impulsive actions or wrong steps. Mother, I will proceed cautiously, step by step."
Tong Huaqiong, seeing that Jingzhe had listened, remarked to him, "How unfortunate for Miss Su, who did nothing and yet fell to the status of a slave due to her brother, a status only a general pardon can restore. The statecraft and governance lessons you learn at Wanliu Academy should make you reflect on what is reasonable and what isn’t. Stick to the reasonable, and use your influence to change the unreasonable. Otherwise, what is the point of taking the imperial exams to pursue an official career? You might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes."
Jingzhe nodded.
Tong Huaqiong used the dissected reasons regarding Miss Su to make him face those behind him for the first time.
Previously, he understood that studying and taking exams were for entering an official career for justice and to speak for the people. But now he understood there are also those behind him and that true justice and fairness mean the guilty bear their crimes, not the innocent being implicated.
Jingzhe secretly thought, no matter how many classics he reads, he should always lift his head and consider the situation of the people around him.
The fates of people beyond the sages’ books are far more eye-opening than he had imagined.
...
While Tong Huaqiong lectured Jingzhe, the Weaving Workshop was methodically recruiting female workers.
Xiao Xue and Song Qiaoniang had before them cotton ginning machines, spinning machines, and looms. Su Qing sat at the table, and after the female applicants registered with Su Qing, they proceeded to Xiao Xue and Song Qiaoniang for on-the-spot demonstrations based on the positions they applied for or were skilled in.
Those who performed well anticipated eagerly seeing their names on the list, while those who did poorly looked despondent.
Xiao Xue and Song Qiaoniang stood steady by the side, observing the applicants with utter meticulousness. Those who were clumsy, trying to sneak by, were mercilessly eliminated. Initially, a few wives friendly with Song Qiaoniang kept winking at her, but she remained unmoved, adhering strictly to business.
Some wives, taking Xiao Xue’s youth for granted, tugged at her sleeve hoping for leniency; Xiao Xue, with a stern face, directed Su Qing to strike their names off the list without a word.
It was only then that everyone realized Xiao Xue and Song Qiaoniang were like Black and White Impermanence beside King Yan, showing absolutely no favoritism.
Whether the female workers came from Qinghe Bay or a neighboring village, they were treated equally.
Su Qing, pen and paper in hand, sat at the table writing and drawing, casually chatting, asking the girls what time they usually get up or whether their parents consent to them applying, or asking the wives how many people were in their family and how their relationship was with the parents-in-law...
The applicants were puzzled by Su Qing’s questions but could only answer honestly.
With a faint smile, Su Qing could determine through this casual chat whether the person was diligent or lazy, grounded or slippery.
If it was the former, they’d be kept as a reserve; for the latter, she’d unhesitatingly cross out their names.
The Weaving Workshop does not keep lazy, unfaithful, or slippery people.
The scene was quite lively, with not only female workers applying but also villagers watching the spectacle.
"Gu Daqiao and Song Qiaoniang have really latched onto a big advantage; following Tong Dajiao, they’re likely to evolve from village paupers to wealthy folks," someone remarked enviously.
Song Qiaoniang remained unmoved, selecting people meticulously.
Indeed, everyone said she and Daqiao had hit a stroke of luck recently.
Originally, because Daqiao was lame and couldn’t do heavy labor, the family relied on her farming, leading to tough times. Not all villagers were pure-hearted; many took advantage of Gu Daqiao’s lameness to bully them overtly or covertly.
Now they’ve caught Tong Huaqiong’s attention.
Aunt Tong didn’t hold back; last time, when Magistrate Yao visited the village to inspect the fields, she showcased the improved cotton-spinning machine and attributed all the credit to Gu Daqiao. Magistrate Yao praised Gu Daqiao tremendously, saying his skills were beneficial to the country and people, delivering a heap of high-sounding praises, though she didn’t quite understand them.
From one to ten, word spread throughout the village that Gu Daqiao had assembled and improved the cotton spinning machine, earning government praise, and the way the villagers looked at him changed.
Aunt Tong was right; you must stand on your own.
For a while now, they have been the village’s celebrities.
Even the usually deserted home had people visiting, eager to connect.
Lately, everyone learned that Tong Huaqiong was opening a Weaving Workshop, so waves of people came to their home asking her and Daqiao to put in a good word to Tong Huaqiong, hoping to secure positions for their wives, daughters, or mothers to earn Silver at the Weaving Workshop.
However, Song Qiaoniang and Gu Daqiao remembered that one shouldn’t lose their conscience; when Tong Huaqiong offered a helping hand during their toughest times, they couldn’t use their quota for weaver positions to favor villagers.
Tong Huaqiong consistently told the couple that standing on their own was truly standing on their own. But in the past, Gu Daqiao had skills, yet nowhere to display them; wasn’t it Tong Huaqiong’s platform that enabled Gu Daqiao to showcase them?