Chapter 133

…

After the five women agreed on the plan to "keep the meat rotten in the pot," Ma Xiao Jiao casually asked, "Should we come up with some kind of education plan?"

When Ma Xiao Jiao said this, she truly hadn't thought much—she simply felt that since she had already given birth to one and was pregnant with another, she had gotten ahead of everyone else and ought to be the greatest beneficiary of this arrangement, so she should do something.

Zhang Chun said in an even more casual tone, "I think we can just use the Qing dynasty's imperial prince education system."

Ye Shi Yun asked, "What advantages does the Qing dynasty's imperial prince education system have?"

Zhang Chun said, "The Qing dynasty's imperial prince education system, while not guaranteeing that every emperor will be highly capable, still generally ensures a minimum standard of imperial competence."

After a pause, Zhang Chun elaborated further:

"From Kangxi to Guangxu, among the eight emperors of the Qing dynasty, although their governing abilities varied—some, like Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong, were exceptionally capable, while others, like Vanguard Commander and Tongzhi, were more mediocre—the overall average in terms of education level, knowledge, and self-discipline ranked among the highest of all dynasties."

"A typical example is Yongzheng, renowned for his diligence; during his reign, he personally reviewed over thirty-five thousand Han Chinese memorials, often writing hundreds or even thousands of characters in his annotations, sometimes working until late night, with phrases like 'written hastily under lamplight, each one annotated personally' appearing everywhere. As he himself said, 'My edicts on each memorial range from dozens to hundreds of characters, sometimes even reaching a thousand, all personally read and personally written by me, every word and phrase born of my own thought, none delegated to another, none assisted by anyone at my side.'"

"Even Daoguang, an emperor of relatively mediocre talent who ruled during an unprecedented era of upheaval and suffered defeat in the Opium War, had notable personal virtues and abilities. When still a prince, Minning, when followers of the Tianli Sect breached the Forbidden City and Emperor Jiaqing was away, he remained calm under crisis, organized imperial guards to repel the rioters, and personally shot and killed two rioters with a firearm. In personal conduct, Daoguang was frugal and deeply filial; on his deathbed, he still reminded them: 'Respect the ancestral family traditions, taking reverence for Heaven, adherence to the Way, diligence in governance, and love for the people as the foundation.'"

"Thus, the advantage of the Qing dynasty's imperial prince education system lies in the fact that while it does not guarantee every future supreme ruler will be a wise monarch, it also prevents them from becoming utterly incompetent or tyrannical—bestowing at most competent, conservative rulers."

Upon hearing this, Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng all thought the Qing dynasty's imperial prince education system sounded quite good.

Yuan Qing Cheng had always been wary of Zhang Chun's excessive scheming, so she quietly asked on everyone's behalf: "What exactly was the Qing dynasty's imperial prince education system like?"

This was one of the reasons Zhang Chun disliked Yuan Qing Cheng—her mind was too sharp, impossible to deceive.

Realizing this truth would eventually have to be revealed, Zhang Chun tried to speak casually:

"Generally, they begin schooling at age six. Every day from 3 a. m. to 5 a. m., they review lessons. From 5 a. m. to 7 a. m., classes begin, focusing on Manchu, Mongolian, Han languages and texts, as well as Confucian classics and other cultural knowledge. From 7 a. m. to 9 a. m., breakfast and brief rest. From 9 a. m. to 11 a. m., continued classes covering classics, histories, philosophers, and collections. From 11 a. m. to 1 p. m., teachers inspect their progress, followed by practice in horsemanship and archery. From 1 p. m. to 3 p. m., lunch and rest. From 3 p. m. to 5 p. m., further training in horsemanship, firearms, and other military skills, plus instruction in painting, music, and other arts. After 5 p. m., the emperor personally inspects their progress; only after passing may they end their day's studies."

"Also, throughout the year, except for a few holidays—New Year's Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, the emperor's birthday, and their own birthdays—they study daily according to this schedule."

Before she finished, Zhang Chun saw Ma Xiao Jiao and Ye Shi Yun's faces darken.

Once Zhang Chun finally finished, Ye Shi Yun immediately smirked sarcastically, "Cruel, are you so jealous you can't have children that you want to exhaust our children to death?"

Ma Xiao Jiao also said, "Exactly—I didn't study this hard even during my Gaokao prep."

Zhang Chun frowned, "Stop cursing me. I don't have a son yet, but that doesn't mean I never will. As time-travelers, we're all playing the female lead's script—there's no way only you have sons and I don't. It's just a matter of timing."

Then Zhang Chun went on alone, "When I have a son, I'll hold him to even stricter standards—how else can he become a good emperor? Being emperor isn't a game. If he fails, he could become another Song Huizong or Song Qinzong—not just ruining himself, but possibly destroying his entire family and countless innocent subjects."

Hearing this, Ma Xiao Jiao and Ye Shi Yun fell silent.

Li Lin supported Zhang Chun's proposal:

"If I have a son, I'll hold him to strict standards. His future won't just carry his own honor and disgrace, but the entire fate of the Zhao Song dynasty."

"I believe that since we've decided to build something here, we can't let our descendants become useless fools. The Qing dynasty's imperial prince education system may be harsh, but it forges unyielding willpower and broad knowledge—essential foundations for any future emperor."

Zhang Chun continued, "Throughout history, which great monarch wasn't forged through countless trials, mastering statecraft from the throne and commanding armies on the battlefield? Take Tang Taizong Li Shimin—he harbored great ambitions from childhood, excelled in both literature and martial arts, survived the Xuanwu Gate Incident, ascended the throne, and established the Zhenguan Era of peace and prosperity, allowing the people to live in security and the realm to flourish. The hardships and efforts involved are beyond ordinary imagination. As the saying goes, 'When Heaven intends to entrust a great task to someone, it first torments his spirit, exhausts his body, starves his flesh, impoverishes his means, and frustrates his endeavors—to stir his heart and strengthen his resolve.' This isn't just empty rhetoric."

After a pause, Zhang Chun added, "The Qing dynasty's imperial prince education system has been tested by history. Of course, we'll adjust the specifics—we don't need to learn Manchu or Mongolian; we'll just conquer them later. Painting, music, and other arts are a waste of time. We'll carefully select Confucian classics and philosophical texts, adding works like the 'Selected Works of the Great Man,' 'Military Writings of the Great Man,' and 'Das Kapital.'"

Li Lin added, "We should also include 'Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms,' 'Zeng and Hu's Military Sayings,' 'New Treatise on Military Training,' 'Practical Records of Troop Training,' and 'National Defense Theory.'"

Ma Xiao Jiao and Ye Shi Yun felt their scalps tingle. They both thought simultaneously: "Are they planning to strip my son of all joy and turn him into a political and military machine?"

As a mother, Ye Shi Yun couldn't make such a cruel decision on a whim, so she said, "I think we should teach according to individual aptitude. If my son truly has the potential to become emperor, I'll discipline him strictly. But if he's like me—lacking ambition—I see no need to push him hard. We should let the more suitable person take the throne."

Ma Xiao Jiao agreed, "Exactly—I feel the same. If Zhao Di really has the makings of an emperor, teach him however you want—I won't mind. But if he's just an ordinary person like me, I think he deserves a happy, relaxed education."

Seeing Ma Xiao Jiao and Ye Shi Yun, who already had sons or were about to give birth, so indifferent, while she and Li Lin, who still couldn't conceive, were so eager, Zhang Chun felt exhausted: "We haven't even started yet, and you're already backing out? Do you really want to be the ones standing by his coffin, packing up to retire, or even committing suicide for him if Zhao Yu dies before us?"

Hearing this, Ma Xiao Jiao and Ye Shi Yun stayed silent on the surface, but internally thought: "You yourself said, what if Zhao Yu dies before us? But there's a 99.99% chance he'll outlive us. Look at Zhao Yu's health—his longevity is far more likely. With Zhao Yu protecting us, why should my son and I endure this suffering?"

Li Lin also disapproved of Ma Xiao Jiao and Ye Shi Yun's excessive protectiveness. She stared at them with a cold, expressionless face, hoping they'd retract their words.

Yuan Qing Cheng intervened, "Zhao Di is only one year old, and the children in Xiao Jiao and Shi Yun's wombs won't be born for another half-year. You two haven't even conceived yet. Even if we plan to educate them under the Qing system, they won't start school until age six. Talking about this now is premature. I suggest we wait until they're four or five before deciding."

Ye Shi Yun immediately seized the excuse: "Right, why rush? Maybe I'm carrying a daughter—if so, I won't have to worry at all…"

Realizing that sounded off, Ye Shi Yun quickly changed tone: "The real priority now is helping Chun Chun and Lin Jie conceive. We can discuss education later."

Ma Xiao Jiao immediately agreed: "Exactly—Chun Jie and Lin Jie have been unable to conceive for so long. We really need to find a solution."

When Ye Shi Yun and Ma Xiao Jiao brought this up, Zhang Chun and Li Lin, who were desperate for children, were instantly distracted.

Li Lin sighed, "How do we fix it? You all know my body is already as good as it can be—yet I still can't conceive. What can I do?"

Ye Shi Yun suddenly had an idea: "I think I read somewhere that excessive fitness might affect a woman's fertility?"

Li Lin seized it like a lifeline: "Really?"

Ye Shi Yun said, "Let me think carefully."

With that, Ye Shi Yun closed her eyes.

After a while, she opened them and said, "I remember now—a magazine mentioned that prolonged excessive fitness keeps the body in a stress state, disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, causing hormonal imbalance, irregular menstrual cycles, suppressed ovulation, and reduced conception chances. For example, high-intensity endurance training may reduce gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion, thereby inhibiting ovulation."

"Also, maintaining a certain body fat percentage is crucial for normal reproductive function. Excessive fitness may lower body fat too much, impairing estrogen and other sex hormone synthesis and storage, leading to menstrual disorders or amenorrhea, which hinders conception. Generally, adult women need a body fat percentage of 20%–25% to maintain normal reproductive function; below 18%, fertility may be adversely affected."

Li Lin asked, "So what should I do?"

Ye Shi Yun said, "As long as you adjust training intensity and duration properly, maintain balanced nutrition, and avoid excessively low body fat, most women can retain normal fertility."

Here, Ye Shi Yun suggested, "Why don't you stop exercising for now—or reduce it—and eat more foods that promote conception?"

Li Lin said, "Fine. Starting today, I'll stop training. Once I conceive, I'll resume practicing Yoga."

Li Lin was truly desperate.

On one hand, she wanted to give birth to a son as soon as possible, to pass on her skills and fulfill her dream of sealing the Wolf's Lair.

On the other hand, once Zheng Xiansu recovered, he'd monopolize Zhao Yu for a long time again—if she didn't hurry to conceive, who knew how long she'd have to wait.

So Li Lin decided: everything else must yield to conception. This time, she must get pregnant.

If Li Lin could think of this, how could Zhang Chun not?

In fact, Zhang Chun had already planned to conceive during Zheng Xiansu's recovery period.

But the problem was: Li Lin had at least some direction; Zhang Chun had none.

Zhang Chun panicked, "What about me? What should I do?"

Ye Shi Yun said, "The imperial physician already told you—your body is fine. You're probably just too tense. Stop being so goal-oriented. Treat it as enjoyment. Calm your mindset. Adopt the attitude of 'if I gain it, I'm fortunate; if I lose it, it's fate' when being with Zhao Yu—perhaps then you'll conceive."

Zhang Chun thought, "Saying it is the same as saying nothing."

After thinking it over, Zhang Chun made up her mind: "I still need to secure more opportunities to serve in the bedchamber, plus improve my body and diligently practice the Bedchamber Art—this is undoubtedly the best way to conceive."

Thinking of this, Zhang Chun turned to Ma Xiao Jiao and said, "Xiao Jiao, I remember you said Xi Duo knows a powerful technique—could you ask her to teach me?"

Without even asking Xi Duo, Ma Xiao Jiao refused on her behalf: "My Xi Duo plans to use this technique to win the Emperor's heart. If I teach it to you, what will become of her?"

"I won't learn it for free—I'll create opportunities for her to serve in the bedchamber once she grows up," Zhang Chun said.

"You needn't trouble yourself. The Emperor still owes me this favor. Besides, he already promised Xi Duo that when she comes of age, he'll grant her a bedchamber opportunity," Ma Xiao Jiao said.

"Hmph! Stingy!" Zhang Chun grumbled. "This is the Inner Palace—teeming with hidden dragons and tigers. There must be many who master the Bedchamber Art. I refuse to believe no one has a better technique! Yes, I'll have Li Shishi find out for me. I won't learn your pitiful trick!"

Even though Zhang Chun said this, Ma Xiao Jiao still refused to pressure Xi Duo.

This made Zhang Chun's teeth itch with frustration.

After the meeting, Zhang Chun indeed found Li Shishi and asked her to find out who knew a powerful Bedchamber Art.

To Zhang Chun's surprise, Li Shishi returned not long after with someone who shocked her…

…

(End of Chapter)