From cute to empress

Chapter 292 Everyone’s Expectation

My heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. This old minister, named Zhao, was the Minister of Rites. He was known for his stubbornness and conservatism, and was a representative of the conservative faction in the court.

"What does Lord Zhao want to report?" I asked, trying to keep a calm tone.

Minister Zhao took a few shaky steps forward, lifted his official robe, and slowly knelt on the ground. Tears streamed down his face as he said, "Your Majesty, these reforms you are implementing are truly too radical! Since ancient times, education should follow the ancient teachings and proceed step by step. We should not rush things!"

"Your Majesty," another senior official in crimson robes stepped forward and spoke indignantly, "For years, our dynasty's education system has functioned well, producing numerous talented individuals. Why are you undertaking such drastic reforms? Isn't this simply pushing our education system into an abyss of no return?"

I secretly groaned in my heart. As I expected, these conservative officials began to stand up and oppose my reforms.

"Lord Zhao, Lord Qian," I took a deep breath and patiently explained, "The reason I'm implementing these reforms is precisely to elevate our dynasty's education to a higher level! Think about it, our dynasty is surrounded by powerful enemies, and the people are living in hardship. The root of all this is that our country is not strong enough! And to make our country strong, we must develop education and cultivate talents!"

"Your Majesty, this is wrong!" Minister Zhao retorted, stiffening his neck. "The reason our dynasty is facing its current predicament isn't due to a problem with education, but rather..."

I frowned, knowing that Minister Zhao was about to launch into another long speech expounding on his pedantic ideas on governing the country.

"That's enough!" I slammed the table, interrupting Minister Zhao. "I've made up my mind. There's no need to discuss today's matter any further!"

Although my tone was harsh, I felt helpless. I knew that the deep-rooted ideas of these conservative officials would not change overnight.

I suppressed the anger in my heart and ended the court meeting hastily.

In the evening, Zhen Youcai came to my bedroom. Seeing that I looked worried, he asked with concern, "What's wrong? Did those old men in the court make you angry again?"

I smiled bitterly and told him what happened in the court.

After hearing this, Zhen Youcai couldn't help but frown. After pondering for a moment, he said, "It seems that this reform is more difficult than we imagined."

"Yeah," I sighed. "I originally thought that as long as my reform plan could gain the support of the people, it would be successfully implemented. I didn't expect..."

I suddenly thought of something and jerked my head up to look at Zhen Youcai. "By the way, how are things going at Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy? What's their attitude towards my reform proposal?"

"I was just about to tell you this," Zhen Youcai's expression grew serious. "The people I sent over heard that the dean of Yuelu Academy and the principal of Bailudong Academy seem very dissatisfied with your reform plan. They've secretly colluded with the deans and principals of many academies, and seem to be plotting something..."

My heart sank suddenly. It seemed that a bigger storm was coming...

Zhen Youcai's words cast a shadow over my heart. Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy are two world-famous academies with outstanding students all over the world. They hold an important position in the hearts of scholars. If they take the lead in opposing my reforms, the consequences will be unimaginable.

"What are they going to do?" I tried to stay calm, but my voice couldn't help but tremble.

Zhen Youcai's face was solemn. He said, "They plan to submit a joint petition opposing your reforms and call on all academies across the country to join in the resistance."

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. I knew that in times like this, I couldn't lose my composure.

"It seems that I have to go to Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy in person." A hint of determination flashed in my eyes. I want to see why they are so resistant to my reforms.

At this moment, a guard hurried in, knelt on the ground, and reported: "Your Majesty, several students and teachers from Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy want to see you. They say they have important matters to report!"

My heart moved. Could it be them?

"Hurry up!"

After a while, several young students in Confucian robes and an elderly teacher walked in. They all looked tired and had expressions of anxiety and uneasiness.

"The common people bow to your majesty!"

"Everyone, please stand up quickly," I said quickly. "I wonder what brings you here?"

The elder teacher stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I am a teacher at the White Deer Grotto Academy. I have come today to report a matter to Your Majesty." He paused, glanced at the students behind him, and continued, "The academy's dean and several principals, upon learning that Your Majesty is planning to reform the education system, not only do they not support it, but they are secretly colluding, intending to unite all academies to resist the reform!"

"What?!" I pretended to be surprised, but I already understood in my heart.

"Your Majesty!" a student from Yuelu Academy said excitedly, "What the dean and his men have done truly chills our hearts! We have studied diligently for decades just to be able to serve the country and work for the well-being of the people. Your Majesty's reforms will benefit both the country and the people, and we wholeheartedly support them!"

"That's right!" Another student also stood up. "We implore Your Majesty not to abandon reforms because of the obstruction of the dean and his men!"

As I looked at these young and determined faces in front of me, a warm feeling welled up in my heart.

"Please rest assured, everyone. I have made up my mind. No one and nothing can stop the pace of reform!" I said in a firm tone.

After seeing off a few students and teachers, I immediately began to prepare for my trip to Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy. I knew it would be a difficult struggle, but I was ready.

A few days later, I took Zhen Youcai and several guards and set off for Yuelu Academy.

It was already evening when we arrived at Yuelu Academy. At the entrance, the dean, along with several principals and teachers, were waiting there early.

I stepped out of the carriage and looked at the old man before me, his hair and beard white, yet still vigorous and energetic. I felt a mixture of emotions. This president of Yuelu Academy was once an ambitious educator, dedicated to educating talents for the country. But why was he so stubborn and unyielding now?

"Your Majesty, this old minister pays homage. May Your Majesty be well and healthy!" The dean led everyone to kneel on the ground and salute.

"Please stand up, Dean." I said calmly, looking at everyone, "I came here today to discuss something with you."

"Your Majesty, please come in. Let's talk inside." The dean stood up and made a gesture of invitation sideways.

I nodded and followed the dean into the college.

After crossing a square paved with blue bricks, we came to an antique study.

The dean asked me to sit on the chair behind the desk, and then he sat down opposite me.

I said straight to the point, "I'm sure the dean already knows why I came here this time, right?"

The dean nodded slightly and said, "I have heard that Your Majesty is going to reform the education system. I would like to ask, Your Majesty, why is it going to such great lengths to reform it? Our dynasty's education system has been passed down for hundreds of years and has long been..."

I interrupted the dean and said, "Dean, I know what you mean. You're saying that our education system has been functioning well and there's no need for reform, right?"

The dean didn't say anything, just looked at me quietly.

"But Dean," I said calmly, "have you ever considered that the internal and external troubles facing our country and the hardships our people face today stem from our country's inadequate strength? And to make our country strong, we must develop education and cultivate talent! And our current education system is far from meeting the needs of the times!"

"His Majesty……"

"Dean," I interrupted him again, "I know that you and everyone here are veteran officials who have devoted their lives to the cause of education in our dynasty. I'm not here to deny your achievements, but rather to hope..."

I paused, looked around, and spoke sincerely, "I hope you all understand that the times are changing, society is progressing, and we can't stand still and cling to the old ways! Only by continuous reform and innovation can we keep our country's education vibrant and cultivate more and better talents for the country!"

My eyes fell on the dean, whose brow furrowed as if he were pondering my words. I continued, "This reform is aimed at improving the quality of education and promoting social equality. I want every child, regardless of their background, to have the opportunity to receive an education and change their destiny!"

My words were powerful, and the study fell into silence. However, the dean and several other headmasters remained expressionless, unmoved.

The dean spoke slowly, a hint of helplessness in his tone: "Your Majesty, it's not that I don't understand your good intentions, but this reform is so complex that it will cause a huge uproar if we are not careful!"

"Dean, are you worried that the reform will affect the interests of some people?" I said bluntly.

The dean remained silent, but his expression said it all.

I sighed inwardly, I knew that convincing these old stubborn people would not be done overnight.

I stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the green mountains in the distance, my mind racing. The road to reform is bound to be full of thorns, but I will not give up, I will persevere to the end!

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the frontier, Zhen Youcai is on patrol. He receives a secret letter from the capital, learning of the resistance Niu Mengmeng faces in implementing her reforms. He becomes deeply concerned. He knows Niu Mengmeng is facing unprecedented challenges, and he must return to her side and fight alongside her!

"Come here!" Zhen Youcai called his confidant, "Pass the order, all troops, prepare to set off tomorrow and return to the capital!"

The confidant looked embarrassed and hesitated, "General, but it's a military order..."

"This is my order!" Zhen Youcai said firmly, "I will take full responsibility for anything that happens!"

As night fell, Zhen Youcai stood alone outside the tent, gazing up at the starry sky. He knew that his return to Beijing would undoubtedly stir up a greater storm, but he could no longer care about that. He simply wanted to return to Niu Mengmeng, to protect her from the wind and rain, and to help her complete her great cause of reform!

Capital City, Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, you haven't slept for a whole day and night. You should take a rest first." The personal maid looked at Niu Mengmeng with concern and persuaded her softly.

Niu Mengmeng rubbed her tired eyes, shook her head, and said, "I can't rest yet. I still have a lot of things to do."

She stood up and walked to the desk, picked up the brush, and began to review the memorials. Suddenly, she stopped what she was doing and her eyes fell on a secret report in front of her.

"Zhen Youcai..." She murmured softly, a complicated look flashing in her eyes, "What exactly do you want to do?"

The content of the secret report was very simple, consisting of only a short sentence:

"Minister, I'm back."