Chapter 342 Women's Supervisory Bureau
This autumn and winter is definitely an unforgettable season for Jin State.
Two families were killed one after another, with only a few days between them, and hundreds of lives were lost in the blink of an eye.
The smell of blood lingered in the air for a long time, and it completely shocked the civil and military officials of the dynasty.
On the day the Qi family was beheaded, the cries shook the sky.
The female relatives who were imprisoned in the priest's quarters all cried for the eldest princess. This miserable scene made all the officials frightened. Everyone in the court was in danger, and their hearts were frightened by the eldest princess's cruel heart.
Yan Li ignored them completely.
It’s just that since then, the chaotic atmosphere among the rich and powerful in Shengjing has almost disappeared. The dandy boys who used to say that “women are born low” have even visited brothels much less often. The family began to respect their wives, and no longer frequently beat, scolded or humiliated their concubines.
All activities that involved humiliating women were quietly canceled. What was even more exaggerated was that some people became gentle towards their maids.
Although there is a "frightened bird" feeling, this exaggerated situation will not last long, but the overall atmosphere has indeed been improved.
For women, this is obviously a blessing from heaven.
Yan Li struck while the iron was hot and held a special flower viewing party at the eldest princess's mansion. Many people were invited, most of whom were the official daughters and young ladies who had already left the government. Tianlai Novel Network
All the women gathered in the garden and watched from a distance. The women wearing various colored coats and skirts were bright and lively, and it felt like they were attending a flower party.
But today is not for flower viewing, but just to give them some confidence to live for themselves.
With the sound of "The eldest princess has arrived," all the girls gathered together and bowed respectfully.
"You don't need to be polite." Yan Li said calmly, "I invite you to come to the eldest princess's mansion today. I have something I want to talk to you face to face."
In the huge flower hall, the maids arranged tables and tables with exquisite tea and snacks placed on them.
Yan Li walked over and sat down, and motioned for the women to sit down wherever they pleased.
"There are quite a few people invited today. I don't know most of them, and I have no way of knowing you." Yan Li looked at the many women in front of him and smiled lightly, "So what I say next is not directed at any one person."
The girls shuddered slightly and all lowered their eyes: "Please give me instructions, Your Highness the Princess."
"You don't have to be so formal." Yan Li's voice was calm at this time, not as powerful as in the court. "I have recently changed some laws and regulations with the officials of the Ministry of Punishment and the Ministry of Rites, which involve matters related to the officials' homes. Because I cannot personally understand your respective affairs. What is your husband’s temperament, so starting from today, I want to set up a Women’s Supervision Bureau.”
Women's Inspectorate?
Everyone was slightly surprised and couldn't help but whisper.
"It's normal for husband and wife to bicker and quarrel, and it's normal for the mistress to manage the concubines. I won't go so far as to interfere in your family affairs." Yan Li picked up the teacup and took a slow sip of tea, "But anything that involves laws is not allowed. , I will not sit idly by.”
Everyone quickly fell silent, looking at Yan Li involuntarily and listening carefully.
"I hope that the head wife can be respected by her husband, and that the wife sincerely respects her husband. The concubines at home respect the mistress and serve their husband... Every family has its own rules. I have no right to interfere, and I have no interest in interfering. But as before, This kind of disrespectful behavior must never happen again.”
The girls nodded after hearing this, this order was reasonable.
It often happened that the concubines of high-ranking officials were beaten to death and tortured to death for no apparent reason, and sometimes a life was lost quietly.
Although the life of a concubine is worthless, no one with a bit of humanity, even if they are harsh, can treat killing as a commonplace.
Yan Li took in everyone's reactions and continued: "The mistress can punish the concubine for her mistakes, but the mistress must be fair in her work. If you are known to be selfish and mean, it will also affect the future career of your husband and children. "
As soon as this sentence came out, the women present began to react differently, probably thinking of their mother or mother-in-law.
Some were awe-inspiring, some frowned, some were uneasy, and some nodded slowly.
Yan Li still pretended not to know: "It is their freedom to eat wine and drink tea among the powerful, but the vulgar behavior of openly humiliating women, using beauties as prizes, and even openly changing concubines will never be allowed again."
After a slight pause in her tone, Yan Li looked around at the people present: "I hope that all of you here will do your best to restrain the words and deeds of your father, husband, elder brothers, and younger brothers at home, and develop a good atmosphere. Habit."
After the words fell, the women responded in unison: "Please rest assured, Your Highness, the eldest princess, I will remember this in my heart."
Although their words do not carry so much weight at home, they will always care about their father and brother's career.
"Thank you all for your cooperation." Yan Li smiled lightly, "A person's knowledge and skills are of course important, but moral character, mind, and temperament cannot be ignored either. In the future, when officials are selected for the imperial examination, it will never be possible to select people with bad conduct and selfishness. If greedy and dirty people sneak into the officialdom, it will be a disaster for the people - I hope you will remember this. "
The women's hearts trembled, and they couldn't help but keep this in mind.
For the sake of their father, brother or husband's career, they must be more attentive to remind them and never let them do things they shouldn't do or say things they shouldn't say.
Didn’t you see the arrogant and domineering Qi family disappear so quickly?
Thinking of this, the girls quickly agreed meekly and respectfully, and no one objected.
Yan Li knew very well that most mistresses had been carefully trained since childhood, and most of the legitimate daughters present would become today's mistresses in the future.
They understand the importance of a peaceful and stable home.
If you want to improve the status of women, it is not enough to rely on men alone, women need to cheer themselves up.
Starting with the legitimate daughters and mistresses of each family is the most effective way.
Because once the law prohibits the killing of people and the humiliation of women, they will consciously supervise and dissuade their husbands from doing these things.
If you can't tolerate concubines, you can teach, reprimand, punish and set rules within a reasonable range, but if the behavior is excessive, you will also consider whether it will spread a reputation of being mean and affect the future career of your husband and your children.
As long as people have their own scruples, their behavior will naturally be slightly restrained.
In the next half month, Yan Li discussed the revision opinions of many unreasonable articles with the ministers of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Justice, and included the most appropriate plan at the moment into the law.
It is impossible to eliminate the accumulated problems for many years in one day, so they have to change slowly. In the long years to come, these are political achievements recorded in history.
There may be mixed praises and criticisms, and some people may hate her to the bone.
But she has a clear conscience.
Time passed in the busyness, and in the blink of an eye it was November.