Chapter 330 - Red Dowries (III)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Jiang Pengji did not reside in Hejian County over the last few years, but externally, there were officials who were willing to help. Internally, Meng Hun organized everything. Hejian’s county chief secretly opened an easily accessible door. The number of people had increased to more than 5,000. That was because Meng Hun remembered Jiang Pengji’s teachings and used stringent criteria to determine the endpoint.
If he did not care about the consequences and focused on taking people in and expanding the department, there would have been at least 50,000 people.
The robbers at Hejian County were almost completely wiped out. The department under Meng Hun eliminated those who came close to the region of the county, the items seized, including those ingredients harvested, the resources Jiang Pengji left behind such that deficit and gain can be said to be equal.
The number of people in the department is rising steadily, this means the target is
closer, if this triggers the suspicions and wariness of Hejian County chief, our lives ahead will be tough. Thus, Jiang Pengji ordered Meng Hun to move majority of the department away, disperse the members, disguise as exiled people and go into Chongzhou.
“…Now, there can only be two thousand in the department who stays in Hejian, 1303 young men who are not of age, the remaining 607 of them are widows or young ladies… Regarding the women department, Ke thinks it is better that Langjun reconsiders…”
Xu Ke knew the purpose that Jiang Pengji wanted to set up the women department from the start, maximising the use of each human resource, preventing the waste of resources in society.
Only, in such a huge atmosphere, the existence of the women department is somewhat awkward.
Some dirty minded males cannot bear but guess, is the purpose of this women department to satisfy their sexual lust and desires?
Jiang Pengji frowned, “Why?”
Xu Ke said, “Men’s words are to be feared.”
Regarding the exchange of words, the audience in the livestream room can only watch anxiously.
Niurou Gaishaofan: Chalei, hopefully the streamer will not be convinced by young Xu Ke, who said women are weaker than men? If the state of society is such, does that mean it is correct? The status of females in ancient times are so lowly, is the Streamer comfortable with it?
Nao Dianbo: Streamer, look at me, look at me, look at me — why should the words of man be feared, isn’t this just the way of society? Is the majority, always right? In the past at Guhua country, men could have many wives, now that society has advanced, bigamy is a sin!
Tudousi Gaishaofan: But after considering, what young Xu Ke said also makes sense, we have to understand the Streamer’s perspective. If she really implements the women department, there is no issue if small scale, but a large scale will trigger public opinion and pressure.
Zuizhan Baishegeng: I despise the comment above, so what if there’s public opinion and pressure? There are so many audiences in the live streaming room criticising the Streamer all day saying that she is cruel and has no values, asking after her ancestors. Have you seen her react to these people with bull**?
Having seen till here, many people started reacting.
The problem now does not stem from opinions and pressure from without, but whether Jiang Pengji is willing to shoulder the burden.
Shanhe Yibai: Streamer don’t be worried. We will always support you.
Yidai Bawanba: Pei, pei, the entire live streaming room is full of cancerous air for women rights, your might as well advocate for polygamy. The ancient times are such, the larger society determines that a woman stays at home to care for their children, the males are the rightful breadwinner in society. Can you all please calm down and consider the situation the Streamer is facing in such a vast situation? Are your sick?
Because of differing opinions, the entire streaming room resumed its daily debate.
Of course, more than half of those quarrelling were new audience, many of the old audiences were still calm and did not worry that Jiang Pengji will be convinced by Xu Ke.
Laosiji Lianmeng: That saying, which of you remembers the name of the Streamer in this live streaming room and the real topic?
Huaguo Lishidaquan: It is titled as “Gongdou” Streamer, truth is to contend for the throne, vie for supremacy.
Yinyuejia Zhugeqinmo: #LOL, that’s why, regarding the assembly of the women department, what is there to debate about?
The Streamer Jiang Pengji is a female herself, when she reigns supreme in future, is known throughout the Nine prefectures, it will surely raise the status of women societies allowing them to experience real and meaningful recognition. If Jiang Pengji wishes to vie for the throne smoothly, she has to improve the status of women in society.
Both issues are to a certain extent tied together.
Only if the vast majority accepts the value of society that women create, the title of a female Emperor will be legitimate.
Otherwise, even if the person sitting on the throne is female while society still views males as dominant, a female Emperor will only serve as a manipulated puppet.
Seeing these comments, Jiang Pengji laughed secretly.
The live streaming room was filled with crooks and honest folks, most are there to watch the commotion and are clueless. But with careful selection, there are people who were clear-headed.
Zhuyi Shixiang: But… don’t you feel that for men and women to fight against each other, the women will be at a disadvantage? After all, the breast…
There is no room to be a gentleman during war time, there’s surely unruly actions against female soldiers.
Hongchen Jingling: #digsnose, look at what is said above, as if man’s crotch is like cast iron and will be immune to pain when kicked.
Audience: …
“I have decided on this matter. The women department must be established.” Jiang Pengji raised her hand to stop Xu Ke from speaking, she said, “Our foundation is still too weak, any additional person is an advantage. Moreover, joining the department will give them a place to settle down and pursue their goal in life.”
Xu Ke thought it through, it seemed to be as such.
The six hundred and seven women department at present consists of majority orphaned or exiled or abandoned young girls.
If the department did not accept them, they will die of hunger by the roadside or be kidnapped by human traffickers.
In the past, Jiang Pengji limited the purchase of rice to alleviate the famine in Hejian thereby reducing the number of refugees.
Only, the natural disaster and famines in upcoming years will result in many homeless refugees.
In the pretext of whole families escaping, the chances of baby girls being abandoned and trafficked is greatly increased.
This is the source of the present department of prostitutes.
Why is that so?
Based on filial piety, the people cannot abandon their parents.
For the sake of carrying on the family line, the male children cannot be abandoned.
Thus, for the survival of the family, the wife is worth more than the daughters and so they are sacrificed.
Xu Ke thought of the details and his heart was immediately softened.
He could only sigh, “Langjun is so compassionate.”
Unknowingly, Xu Ke’s impression of Jiang Pengji deep in his heart increased by many folds.
If kidnapped it is a completely difference scenario, those unlucky ones will immediately go to a forsaken place to betray their bodies, those somewhat better, half of them will be sold to households as child-brides or maids to do rough chores, their names to be in the slave records for life and to be slaves for generations.
She did not care about her reputation in order to protect the weak. She was willing to shoulder society’s badmouthing and judgement. Doesn’t this give one a noble impression?
The truth is, Jiang Pengji is not so noble.
Be it female or male, in her eyes there is only a common classification – society’s resource to replenish itself.
Whoever who waste resources is an enemy to her!
If she is not happy, no one dare dream of being happy!