From cute to empress

Chapter 105: Iron-Fisted Education

"The Minister of Personnel is right," I took a deep breath, my eyes determined. "I have decided to establish a department specifically responsible for education supervision from now on—the 'Cultural Supervision Department'!"

In the court, the ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, clearly unfamiliar yet curious about this novel institution. I glanced around, taking in their reactions, and continued, "The Ministry of Education will report directly to me, independent of the six ministries. Its responsibilities will be to oversee education throughout the nation, rectify academic trends, and evaluate officials!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhen Youcai stepped forward first, praising loudly, "Establishing the Office of Cultural Supervision will benefit both the country and the people!"

I nodded slightly, signaling him to calm down, then turned to the Minister of Personnel and asked, "My dear, do you have anyone to recommend?"

The Minister of Personnel pondered for a moment, then stepped forward and handed over a list. "Your Majesty, I believe that Lord Wang, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, is a man of integrity and honesty, and shows a keen interest in education. He is therefore qualified to take on this important task."

"Master Wang..." I stroked my chin, recalling Master Wang's past. After a moment's hesitation, I asked, "Is he willing to take on this important responsibility?"

"Your Majesty," Lord Wang, who had been silent until then, stepped forward and bowed. "I am willing to share your worries and do my best for the students of the world!"

"Good!" I nodded approvingly, "I believe that Lord Wang will live up to everyone's expectations!"

I took the list and scanned the names, a plan already forming in my mind. Drawing on modern management concepts and incorporating ancient supervisory systems, a set of effective educational oversight measures gradually took shape in my mind. I circled a few names and said solemnly, "In addition to Lord Wang, I will also select a group of honest, upright, and outspoken officials from across the country to serve as Education Inspectors. They will be responsible for inspecting schools and educational institutions across the country and investigating and addressing any violations."

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai seemed to have thought of something. He stepped forward and clasped his fists, saying, "I have something else to say, but I'm not sure if I should say it..."

There was a hint of hesitation in his words, and I gestured to him to go ahead and say it.

"Tell me, what's the matter?" I put down the list in my hand and looked at Zhen Youcai encouragingly.

"Your Majesty, while establishing the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education is certainly important, I believe that relying solely on official oversight is not enough," Zhen Youcai paused, his tone firm. "We also need to mobilize the masses and encourage them to participate in oversight, only then can we truly prevent problems from arising."

His words caught my eye. Isn't this what modern society often calls "social supervision"? I nodded approvingly. "Your words make sense, my dear. So, in your opinion, how can we mobilize the power of the masses?"

"Your Majesty, we can establish a reward system for reporting violations," Zhen Youcai confidently suggested. "We can encourage teachers, students, and people from all walks of life to actively report negative practices in education, such as teacher dereliction of duty, poor academic practices, and officials embezzling education funds. Those whose reports are proven to be true will receive material rewards and moral encouragement."

"Great idea!" I couldn't help but applaud. This method was simple and direct, yet it effectively mobilized the people's enthusiasm and fostered a positive atmosphere of public oversight. I immediately ordered, "Pass on my decree: Establish a reward system for reporting education violations! Anyone, regardless of status, who discovers illegal activities in education can report them to the local authorities or the Cultural Supervision Bureau. If the report is proven to be true, a corresponding reward will be given based on the severity of the case!"

As soon as I finished speaking, a flurry of discussion erupted in the court. Most officials expressed support, believing that this move would help rectify academic trends and improve educational quality. However, some expressed dissatisfaction, whispering among themselves.

I took it all in, and I knew that anything that infringed upon the interests of others would always be met with resistance. Education reform affected certain people, and naturally they would find ways to obstruct it.

"Your Majesty," Lin Jijiu suddenly stood up, his tone heavy, "I believe that while establishing a reward system for reporting is certainly a good thing, we must also prevent malicious false accusations and the framing of loyal officials!"

I understood his concerns and smiled slightly. "Master Lin is absolutely right. I will naturally take this into consideration. While rewarding whistleblowers, we must also strengthen the verification of reported information and severely punish those who maliciously make false accusations. We must not let good people suffer injustice!"

My tone was firm, unwavering. I believed that under my leadership, the great wheel of education reform would crush all obstacles and sail towards the bright future! However, would things really go so smoothly?

In the evening, Zhen Youcai came to the imperial study with a serious expression, wanting to say something but hesitant...

Zhen Youcai's hesitant expression made my heart tighten, and a bad premonition came over me. "Tell me, what happened?" I put down the memorial in my hand and looked at him sharply.

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai took a deep breath and spoke in a heavy tone, "I received a secret report today that someone is secretly spreading rumors, slandering the education reform, inciting the people to resist the reporting system, and even officials are involved in this, trying to obstruct the reform!"

My heart suddenly ignited with rage. How dare these termites so brazenly sabotage my reform plan! "Can you find out who did this?" I asked coldly, suppressing my anger.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it has been found out that this matter was secretly planned by Lord Wang, the Minister of Rites, and Lord Li, the Minister of Revenue. They colluded with some local officials and powerful aristocrats to spread rumors, bribed the people, and even instructed people to maliciously frame the whistleblowers in an attempt to create chaos and force Your Majesty to abandon the reforms." Zhen Youcai said gritting his teeth.

"Good, very good!" I laughed in anger. "I want to see what they are capable of!" I stood up suddenly, a cold light flashing in my eyes. "Pass on my order to immediately dismiss Lord Wang and Lord Li from their posts and investigate them. All those involved in this matter will be thoroughly investigated and there will be no leniency!"

My order spread like thunder throughout the palace, and an uproar broke out throughout the court. Those who had been hoping to obstruct the reform were now completely panicked.

I know full well that to completely eradicate corruption and stubborn ills in education, simply punishing corrupt officials is not enough. More importantly, we must establish a comprehensive system to put power in a cage. Zhen Youcai and I spent an entire night conferring, and we developed a series of stricter education oversight measures, including: strengthening the supervision and assessment of officials, conducting regular inspections of education across the country, and establishing a sound, long-term mechanism for cultivating teacher ethics and conduct.

Under our iron-fisted governance, those forces attempting to undermine education reform were quickly dismantled. The people, having witnessed the benefits of education reform and felt my determination to rectify officialdom and combat corruption, expressed their support for the reform and actively participated in education oversight.

Time flies. Five years have already passed in the blink of an eye. Over the past five years, thanks to the concerted efforts of the entire nation, education reform has achieved remarkable results. Schools have sprung up across the country, the teaching staff has been greatly strengthened, the quality of education has improved significantly, more and more people have gained access to education, and the country's talent pool has become increasingly rich.

Looking at this gratifying report of achievements, I felt extremely relieved. However, at this moment, Zhen Youcai hurried into the imperial study and said to me with a serious face: "Your Majesty, there is news from the south..."

"News from the south..." Zhen Youcai's voice trembled slightly, shattering the tranquility of the imperial study. My heart tightened, and the joy I'd felt was replaced by an inexplicable unease.

"What's wrong?" I put down the memorial in my hand and tried to keep my tone calm, but the fingers holding the memorial tightened involuntarily.

"Reporting to Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai took a deep breath, as if trying to organize his words, "Epidemics have broken out in many places in the south. They are spreading rapidly, and many people have been infected..."

Before he finished speaking, my mind buzzed, as if a string had snapped. "Plague!" Those two words hit me like a huge rock, suffocating me.

"How could this happen..." I muttered to myself, my thoughts a tangle of confusion. After five years of diligent work, the country had finally gotten back on track, and education reforms were beginning to show results. Why did this epidemic strike at this very moment?

"What is the current situation of the epidemic? Have we found a way to control it?" I asked, suppressing my inner uneasiness.

"Your Majesty, this epidemic is spreading extremely quickly, and the symptoms are severe. The Imperial Hospital has yet to find an effective treatment." Zhen Youcai's expression grew increasingly solemn, his tone heavy. "Even worse, the epidemic has begun to spread northward. The situation is extremely critical."

My heart sank, and an unprecedented sense of responsibility and urgency washed over me. The epidemic was an order, and I had to act quickly to control its spread and protect the lives of the people.

"Pass on my order. Immediately summon all the doctors at the Imperial Hospital to discuss countermeasures!" I gave the order decisively, my tone unquestionable. "Also, order all local officials to seal off the affected areas to prevent the spread of the epidemic. Make every effort to treat the patients and calm the people!"

Orders issued from the Imperial Study, spreading rapidly throughout the palace and to every corner of the empire. I knew that the battle against the epidemic had begun, and I would lead my people in fighting this sudden disaster to the end.

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai hesitated, his eyes filled with worry, "regarding the education reform..."

I took a deep breath, looked at him firmly, and said word by word, "Education reform is urgent, but..."