The Grand Tutor choked on his words for a moment, but pressed on: "Your Majesty, this was a policy you proposed in your very first year on the throne, and it is the reason our country has been able to prosper and avoid being swallowed up by other nations. How can you easily alter the laws simply because of a few words from this yellow-haired girl?" With that, he glared resentfully at Zha Muxi.
Zha Muxi replied, "When things reach an extreme, they must change; change brings passage, and passage ensures longevity. Back then, the Mo Kingdom was in imminent danger. Your Majesty abolished the old system, established a new one, and won back the hearts of the people, giving everyone the confidence to stand here and plead on their behalf! Otherwise, we would probably only be standing in the territories of other countries, sighing in despair."
The Minister of Rites suddenly spoke up, "Since ancient times, no woman has ever entered the court as an official. Hens crowing at dawn—is this not a grave taboo? If Your Majesty insists on this, this old official will truly have no face to meet our imperial ancestors and will simply dash his brains out against the pillars of the great hall!" As soon as he finished speaking, a group of officials knelt down and demanded that the Emperor rescind his order.
Chapter 43