Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The entire capital was falling into a strange state of public opinion.

With the orderly and continuous expansion of the newspaper, public opinion was already divided into two camps.

One camp continued to hotly debate the previous issue of abandoned infants, while the other focused on Zhao Linglong.

The newspaper's various articles gradually began to add legendary and humanistic touches to Zhao Linglong.

Zhao Linglong, the Jin Dynasty's female hero.

Born into poverty, filial to her parents, diligently studying foreign languages, proficient in horse training... Her secret to success was getting five hours of sleep every day.

Having long admired the culture of the Great Jing, her heart was already in Jing while still in Jin.

Upon hearing that her motherland was about to launch an unjust war, she resolutely came to the Great Jing alone to prevent the tragedy from happening.

After the war ended, Zhao Linglong was in the capital, watching the play praising peace in Half Mountain Square, and shedding tears of sadness.

The common people expressed their understanding.

On one side was her motherland launching an unjust war, and on the other side was the Great Jing, which loved peace and treated her with courtesy. Such a reaction was reminiscent of the war between the two countries, and the inner turmoil was imaginable.

However, it remained a mystery which side these tears were shed for....

While the people were speculating, many suddenly realized that they couldn't criticize her in the newspapers!

A woman with such great love, a hero full of glory, with a mole seemingly growing between her eyebrows.

She single-handedly saved countless soldiers on the battlefield in advance, all of whom were brothers and relatives. How could anyone criticize such a morally upright woman and still call themselves human?

Of course, there were some people with low morals who criticized her even more vigorously...

As public sentiment rose, the news of Dongjiao University starting a women's school was released as a matter of course.

[Zhao Linglong is specially recruited into Dongjiao University!]

[Do you want to become an alumnus of Zhao Linglong? Come to Dongjiao University quickly.]

[No need to worry about taking your children to school, Dongjiao University has a childcare center....]

Recruiting female students, offering substantial subsidies, guaranteeing employment upon graduation, providing generous income, and implementing closed-off teaching...

The overwhelming publicity, just like Dongjiao University's initial enrollment, once again stirred up public opinion.

....

While the common people were having fun, the imperial court was in a state of wailing, and many people were cursing in their hearts.

That damned Fang Zheng Yi, he still can't stop even after resigning from his official position!

Everyone originally thought that with such a troublemaking evildoer gone, the world would be at peace from now on.

His immense military merits were written off because he was messing around with women outside, and everyone gave the emperor face and didn't say much.

But how come he's still not done yet? He can still make waves outside the court. Does he really think he can float just because he was once an emperor?!

First, he stirred up the abandoned infant issue, causing the court officials to lose face!

The Jin Dynasty was defeated, and an even greater prosperous era was about to begin, but he had to smear it, making everyone unhappy!

The abandoned infant issue was not mentioned, but now he's setting his sights on the women of the world, and he even wants to set up schools for women. That's really intolerable!

......

In the imperial court, the atmosphere was very solemn.

Yang Yingcai stood in the hall: "Your Majesty, the Banshan Daily has been reporting on the issue of abandoned infants for days, which has aroused public resentment. I implore Your Majesty to issue an order immediately to forbid it from reporting further."

Emperor Jing rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

How could Fang Zheng Yi be so troublesome!

He's not even in the palace anymore, but he can still make things known to everyone...

"The news from the Banshan Newspaper is sent to the palace for review every day. This matter is true. What does Qing Yang think is inappropriate?"

"Your Majesty, the chaos of abandoning infants has existed since ancient times. Only ignorant villagers in the countryside have this evil custom. The imperial court has already built infant protection halls throughout the country to solve this matter. However, the Great Jing is vast, and this matter cannot be solved overnight."

"Now, the Banshan Newspaper has brought the old problem to the fore. I don't know what the purpose is, but no matter what, it is more harmful than beneficial."

Emperor Jing nodded and turned his gaze: "Although it is an old issue being brought up again, it is clear that it has been a long-standing problem. We can't just ignore it, let alone allow the situation to spread. Where will the court's credibility be?"

"The Ministry of Revenue?"

Xu Wenshu stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I also agree with what Lord Yang said. At present, it is important to eliminate the impact first, and the rest can only be done slowly."

"I have already investigated that the investment in infant protection halls is huge, but it has been ineffective. If we continue to increase expenditure from the Ministry of Revenue, I am afraid that a lot of money will be wasted."

"Now that the Jin Dynasty has just been defeated, the military expenditure is too heavy. Moreover, the Jin Dynasty does not have much cash, and they are all using land and materials as collateral, or postponing repayment... Therefore, I suggest that we maintain the status quo."

"The rest can order local officials to investigate this matter strictly and severely punish the families who abandon their infants!"

Li Yansong stood up and said: "I dare not agree. The act of abandoning infants is originally a helpless act after being unable to raise them. If we impose severe penalties again, it is tantamount to forcing the people to a dead end. However, what Lord Xu said also makes sense, the effect is minimal, and the court's expenses are also difficult."

"I suggest that we only need to order the Banshan Newspaper to prohibit reporting on this matter. It will not take long for public opinion to subside, and this matter can be eliminated invisibly. As for the actual problem, we will discuss and solve it later."

"We agree." Everyone else said in unison.

Emperor Jing nodded slightly.

That was also what he thought, after all, it was a problem that had never been solved from ancient times to the present.

Since there has never been a major social problem caused by this matter, the best way is to postpone it and solve it slowly.

"Alright, this matter will be put on hold for the time being, but we must not ignore it. Order all localities to carefully consider the situation of abandoned infants in various places, and do not be negligent."

"Your Majesty is wise." Yang Yingcai said, and continued: "I have another matter. I want to impeach the Imperial Son-in-Law, Fang Zheng Yi, for privately establishing a women's school and disrupting the moral order of the people."

As soon as this was said, many people looked strange.

Fang Zheng Yi... To be honest, everyone now doesn't want to provoke him directly. His Majesty has already removed him and cancelled all his military merits.

It's a bit troublesome to provoke him again at this time.

Moreover, there are some people in the court who were in the delegation to Jin, and these people all owe Fang Zheng Yi a debt of gratitude.

To be honest, they also remember his kindness in their hearts.

After all, Fang Zheng Yi was always at the forefront when their lives were hanging by a thread in Jin, and everyone knew the general idea.

Old Yang, you're a bit unkind, at least wait until he makes a big deal out of it before impeaching him.

Although everyone is very opposed to the women's school, don't name names and go after Fang Zheng Yi.

It's as if none of your subordinates were in the delegation to Jin!

Emperor Jing also frowned: "The establishment of a women's school at Dongjiao University is only a matter of these two days? I know about this matter, but Fang Zheng Yi has not violated any laws, so there is no need to discuss this matter further."

Yang Yingcai said loudly: "Your Majesty, this matter is not that simple. Since ancient times, women have followed the three obediences and four virtues, and taught their children to be good wives and mothers. If he is allowed to do this, I don't know how many women in the world will be restless, and the moral order will be in chaos in the future, which is by no means a blessing for the country."

Emperor Jing glanced around and saw many people nodding silently: "Although the outside world believes that the Royal Academy of Sciences and Dongjiao University are one, Dongjiao University was actually established by Fang Zheng Yi alone and has nothing to do with the royal family."

"Since so many people have opinions, how about letting Fang Zheng Yi enter the court tomorrow, and you and Fang Zheng Yi can resolve it face to face?"

Yang Yingcai cupped his hands: "I thank Your Majesty."

Happy New Year to everyone! May everyone realize their New Year's wishes for 2022 in 2023! 99+