There are records of female officials in "The Book of Zhou".
The female officials in Zhouli are not much different from those in later feudal society. They mainly refer to women who command palace maids in the harem and serve the royal family. Their status is higher than that of palace maids but lower than that of concubines.
There are two types of female officials, depending on the status of their husbands. One type is unmarried women with talents and skills, who are both female officials and candidates for the king's concubines; the other type is the wife of a nobleman. The "Book of Zhou" says, "Women have no titles, but follow their husbands' titles." Those with good morals are selected to enter the palace to assist the queen and her concubines, and are called "Shifu". The head of the female officials is basically a "Shifu".
The scope of authority of female officials in the Zhou Dynasty was almost the same as that of the Imperial Household Department in the Qing Dynasty, and they had considerable power.
But except for the "witches" who were responsible for sacrifices, female officials were not allowed to interfere in the affairs of the outer court, especially land and military affairs.
One of the important crimes of King Zhou was that the women in the harem interfered in state affairs.
The Book of Documents states that "the ancients said, 'A hen does not crow at dawn; a hen that crows at dawn indicates that the family is in trouble.' Now King Zhou of Shang only listens to the advice of his wife, and he abandons his sacrifices at dusk without answering."
The provisions of the Zhouli for female officials clearly bound their power to the three palaces and six courtyards. As the Yili says, "women have no external affairs."
Xue Ji assisted Queen Huayang as a concubine, commanded the palace maids of Xianyang, and was already the head of the palace maids, and there was no more title to be given. Zhu Xiang asked for a reward and an official title for Xue Ji, but it could only be an official title outside the court.
Xunzi thought that Zhu Xiang loved his wife too much and was not thoughtful enough. Although Zhu Xiang certainly would not have the absurd idea of letting Xue Ji serve as an official outside the capital, others might take his words out of context and use them to criticize Zhu Xiang.
This was a very serious matter. Zhu Xiang would be attacked by the whole world, and even though he had made countless contributions and merits, his reputation would be ruined in an instant.
Moreover, this is completely contrary to Xunzi's political ideals.
Xunzi was open-minded, but not so open-minded as to be out of touch with the times. There is little content about women in Xunzi's thoughts, and he did not specifically point out women like Confucius and Mencius did. This is not because Xunzi had any ideas about gender equality - it was impossible for such ideas to exist in the entire feudal era. He was more extreme in his disregard for women.
Xunzi thought Zhu Xiang was going to risk the wrath of the world, and his heart sank. He was ready to beat Zhu Xiang up to shut him up. Zhu Xiang's last words made him feel relieved.
The Qin State's ritual system was in chaos. Although there were female officials, their duties were not clearly divided and the palace management was in chaos.
The palace etiquette is the most important part of the entire national etiquette. Xunzi was busy formulating the etiquette for worshipping gods, ancestors and national affairs, and had not thought of this for the time being. Zhu Xiang brought it up, and Xunzi thought it was indeed a good opportunity to standardize the etiquette for women in the world.
Moreover, he deliberately agreed loudly and changed the topic because he was worried that Zhu Xiang's words might be misunderstood and spread, so he quickly changed the subject.
Zhu Xiang understood what Xunzi was thinking and gave the initiative to Xunzi.
After listening to Xunzi's story, King Zhu of Qin also felt that rewarding Xue Ji was a good opportunity to standardize the system of hereditary women.
The Qin State wanted to rule the six kingdoms and become the new cultural, political and economic center, so the improvement of the etiquette for concubines and hereditary women was a very important part of it.
When Zhu Xiang saw King Qin Zhu and Xunzi discussing the issue of rituals, he stood silently by and no longer expressed his opinion, just waiting for them to finish their discussion.
Afterwards, Qin Wangzhu said that he would reconsider the reward for Xue Ji, and the matter would be put on hold for the time being until Qin Wangzhu had thought it through.
Xue Ji achieved significant results in her research on textile machines. Although King Qin Zhu did not reward Xue Ji immediately, he gave her a few days off, allowing her to temporarily put aside her work in the palace and return to her villa to reunite with Zhu Xiang.
Qin Wangzhu also gave Ying Xiaozheng a few days off so that he could spend more time with Xue Ji. He believed that for Xue Ji, Ying Xiaozheng's company was also an important reward.
The family of three went home together in a carriage. Lin Zhi and Zichu wanted to follow and celebrate together, but were stopped by Cai Ze.
"Let the family celebrate on their own first, and we will go visit them the next day." Cai Ze said.
Zhu Xiang thanked Cai Ze and pushed Lin Zhi, who insisted on getting on the carriage, off the carriage and told the coachman to run away quickly.
Zichu mocked Lin Zhi: "Zhu Xiang does not welcome you."
Lin Zhi patted his clothes and said, "I know. I just want to see him get furious."
Zichu: “…”
Cai Ze held his forehead with his hand.
Before, King Zhu of Qin found him and said that the late king had wanted Lin Zhi to be the prime minister after returning to Xianyang, but King Zhu of Qin felt that Lin Zhi's personality was not suitable for being the prime minister, so he wanted him to be the prime minister and let Lin Zhi take his place.
Cai Ze is considering whether to decline.
Lin Zhi was his good friend, how could he snatch the position of prime minister from his good friend
But... Lin Zhi's position as Prime Minister was well deserved! How could such a person be a Prime Minister? !
Although Zhu Xiang's words pleading for credit for Xue Ji surprised everyone, Zhu Xiang's subsequent explanation and Xunzi's words made everyone not take this little anomaly to heart.
Xue Ji didn't take it to heart.
She also persuaded Zhu Xiang that it would be more cost-effective to increase the fiefdom of his family rather than give her an empty title.
After Xue Ji entered the palace, she met many other princes and grandchildren of Qin Wangzhu. Only then did she gradually realize what kind of extravagant life the princes and nobles should live.
Xue Ji was not corrupted by these extravagant trends, but she found that she had raised Zheng'er too roughly, making Zheng'er not look like a Master Qin at all.
Although there is no need for extravagance, Zheng'er should also have the pomp and ceremony that Master Qin should have.
Xue Ji calculated the cost of raising Zheng'er and was shocked. She began to pay attention to the income of the fiefdom. If she only relied on the salary and the reward from the King of Qin, it would not be enough to support Zheng'er.
After hearing Xue Ji's troubles, Zhu Xiang laughed: "Xue, it is indeed more cost-effective to be granted a fiefdom, but I will continue to make contributions in the future. If I ask for fiefdoms for everything, when Zheng'er becomes the King of Qin, I will have nothing to be granted. Although Zheng'er doesn't care, there will always be complaints in the court. So it is better to ask for some honorary rewards."
He rubbed the head of Ying Xiaozheng beside him and said, "Don't worry about the cost of raising Zheng'er, Xue. After I finish this matter, Zheng'er will definitely become the richest man in the world."
He manipulates the trade war, which means he manipulates the wind. He does not need any gray interests, but only does legal business. Even a pig standing on the wind can fly, not to mention that he is the one who manipulates the wind.
The trade war was not initiated directly by the Qin State, but was a spontaneous action by a group of wealthy merchants who apparently had no connection with the Qin State.
Zhu Xiang had already chosen Lu Buwei as the leader to bring together the nobles of Xianyang to "invest", and he would definitely get the lion's share.
"Before Zheng'er became the crown prince, he would have been a wealthy merchant." Zhu Xiang rubbed Ying Xiaozheng's head again, "My family just doesn't like extravagance. If we really want to compare the pomp and circumstance of Mr. Qin, my Zheng'er will not lose."
Ying Xiaozheng's head was shaken by Zhu Xiang's rubbing, and a speechless look appeared on his face.
When my uncle and aunt were discussing how to support me, did they remember that I still had a biological father in name
Should the money for raising oneself be paid by one's biological father
Forget it, I guess my father has forgotten about it. Ying Xiaozheng sighed deeply in his heart.
"Then we should ask for more land and houses." Xue Ji still prefers practical things. "Zheng'er should have more land, houses and servants in the future. Only when you have enough money can you do whatever you want."
Zhu Xiang said: "Your Majesty is very generous, and the reward he gives you will definitely include land, houses, and slaves."
Xue Ji then nodded: "That's good."
Zhu Xiang felt a little itchy when he saw Xue Ji's money-loving look.
However, since the Qin Shi Huang's son was here, Zhu Xiang could only suppress his itch and pinched Ying Xiaozheng's face.
Ying Xiaozheng slapped his uncle's mischievous hand in dissatisfaction, stood up and sat down next to Xue Ji, separating him from Zhu Xiang.
Zhu Xiang laughed and sighed, "In the past, when my uncle pinched Zheng'er's face, Zheng'er would look up and let my uncle pinch it. Now Zheng'er hates my uncle."
Ying Xiaozheng gave Zhu Xiang a cold smile and hugged his aunt's arm: "My face hurts."
"Ah, auntie will blow on it and it will stop hurting." Xue Ji frowned, "My dear!"
Zhu Xiang raised his hands in surrender.
Ying Xiaozheng showed a smug look.
My aunt is back, and my uncle can’t bully me anymore, huh.
After returning home, Zhu Xiang and his family of three went into the kitchen together and worked together to prepare a delicious meal.
Xue Ji has no preference for taste. Zhu Xiang asked her to order dishes, and Xue Ji ordered the dishes that Zhu Xiang and Ying Xiaozheng liked.
Although Xue Ji has no preference in taste, women all like beautiful things. Chrysanthemum tofu soup tastes good, but it looks beautiful. Chrysanthemum is also one of Xue Ji's favorite flowers.
With Zhu Xiang's knife skills, of course he couldn't cut the chrysanthemum tofu as thin as a hair. If the chrysanthemum tofu he cut was posted online in the future, people would definitely laugh at him for "the petals of the chrysanthemum are realistic and wide enough."
But in this era, it's enough to bluff people.
"I will eat chrysanthemum tofu soup every day from now on!" Look, Ying Xiaozheng is about to pull the good stuff into his arms again, "Only the King of Qin can eat it!"
Zhu Xiang laughed and said, "Zheng'er, is this all you have? Eating chicken soup and tofu every day?"
Ying Xiaozheng immediately crossed out the chrysanthemum tofu soup from the exclusive menu.
Chrysanthemum and tofu soup sounds delicious, but when he thinks about eating white tofu soaked in chicken soup every day, Ying Xiaozheng finds it boring.
Xue Ji was tired after a whole day. She had spent a lot of energy meeting Qin Wangzhu, so she felt sleepy after dinner.
Zhu Xiang asked Xue Ji to go to bed first: "I have some thoughts today on what the Lord has entrusted to me. Write them down before going to bed, so as not to forget them."
Xue Ji yawned and said, "My dear, don't stay up too late, go to bed early."
Ying Xiaozheng wanted to go to the study with Zhu Xiang, but Xue Ji insisted that Ying Xiaozheng should go to bed early because he was young. He was then dragged by his aunt to his own small room to sleep. During the sleep, he gave Zhu Xiang several pleading looks, but Zhu Xiang pretended not to notice.
Zhu Xiang had just lit the honey candle in the study when Xunzi came looking for Zhu Xiang.
Looking at Xunzi's serious expression, Zhu Xiang couldn't help but smile bitterly.
As expected, his little plan could not be hidden from his teacher.
"Zhu Xiang, do you have the idea of letting Xue Ji interfere in foreign affairs?" Xunzi asked straight to the point.
Zhu Xiang sighed, cupped his hands and said, "Xunzi, calm down. I have absolutely no such intention. If I really let Xue Ji interfere in politics, I'm afraid Xue Ji will soon be forced to death by the whole world, and even Xia Tong and Zheng'er can't save her."
There were indeed women who interfered in politics during the Warring States Period, but these women were all "queen dowagers", the biological or nominal mothers of the monarch.
At this time, there were indeed remnants of a matriarchal society, but the remnants were the "maternal" power, that is, the power of the mother and the maternal uncle. Whether it was the Queen Mother Xuan or the Queen Wei of Zhao, as well as the women in power in his original time and space, they all gained power as the mothers of those in power and based on filial piety.
Even the only empress, Wu Zetian, was able to seize power smoothly because she was the only mother of all the princes of the Li Tang Dynasty who were qualified to inherit the throne.
This happened to some women who held clan power, such as the later Guafu Qing of Ba, because she was a "widow" and the mistress of the family.
Xue Ji is Zheng'er's aunt and also Zheng'er's "adoptive mother". This identity is very special, allowing her to be protected by the Qin royal family; this identity is also very sensitive, as she has the sensitivity of a relative by marriage, but does not have the "filial piety" of Zheng'er's biological mother. Once she shows the tendency to interfere in foreign affairs, she will be criticized by all forces.
Zheng'er won't stand on his side either.
Zhu Xiang knew Ying Xiaozheng. Even if Ying Xiaozheng was different from the First Emperor he knew, the First Emperor was still the First Emperor, and there would not be much difference in essence.
Besides, Xue Ji herself has no such intention.
If Zhu Xiang pushed Xue Ji into the position of public criticism by saying “I think modern independent and ambitious women should do this and that”, he would be committing murder.
Choosing a difficult path for your ideals is different from being forced by others.
"That's good." Xunzi said with a sullen face, "You don't want Xue Ji to interfere in foreign affairs, so do you want the inner women to interfere in foreign affairs?"
Zhu Xiang was silent for a long time, then smiled and said, "It's impossible now, but it's possible a thousand years from now. Since only the virtuous are selected, if a woman is virtuous, why can't she be an official?"
Xunzi took a deep breath and frowned, "Zhu Xiang, are you crazy?"
Zhu Xiang laughed and said, "A half-step ahead is a saint, a thousand-year ahead is a madman. I am indeed a madman. But rest assured, Xunzi, this is just an ideal and a prophecy, I won't do anything. Forcing the growth of seedlings will only make them wither. I know very well what can and cannot be done in this era."
Zhu Xiang was silent for a while, and then added: "Xunzi knows that I have many ideals that are different from this era. This is just one of them."
Xunzi said: "Your other ideals can be understood by the world, but your current ideal is wrong!"
Zhu Xiang smiled bitterly: "Xunzi, maybe I am indeed wrong in this era. But ideals are ideals. You can't change me, and I don't want to change others."
Xunzi said: "Then why did you fight for Xue Ji's credit?! Isn't it to stir up the ambitions of the inner woman?!"
Zhu Xiang was silent for a while, and then said, "Whoever made the contribution should be rewarded. I just thought so. The etiquette system for consorts was formulated by Xunzi, and I will not interfere."
Xunzi frowned: "I won't let you interfere."
Zhu Xiang bowed to Xunzi and said, "I have only one request. Women can be honored for their merits, even if the honor is limited to the inner house and property."
When the system of imperial edicts for women was not yet perfected, women's titles and rewards were basically linked to their husband's family, that is, "women had no titles, but followed the titles of their husbands."
During the reign of Emperor Gaozu of Han, a woman was conferred a title for the first time—Liu Bang conferred a title of nobility on his sister.
Later, Empress Lü followed the example of Emperor Gaozu of Han. After the Lü family was liquidated, the title of marquis given to her sisters by Empress Lü was cancelled. However, the practice of granting royal women the title of lord remained. This lord was a title for royal noble women, which was different from the lord title during the Warring States Period.
But whether it was Liu Bang conferring the title of marquis on his sister, or conferring the title of a lady on the princess, or the title system for royal women and hereditary women that was finally developed, it actually had little to do with the women themselves, but only with their bloodline and husband's family.
Only a few women were rewarded for their merits.
Xunzi indeed saw through Zhu Xiang.
Zhu Xiang only ignited a little ambition among women in this era - not because she was someone's mother, wife, or daughter, but because she was rewarded based on her own abilities.
Later generations all claimed that women in the Qin and Han dynasties had a high status, but they forgot the premise. Women in the Qin and Han dynasties had a higher status than women during the most stringent feudal ethics, and it had nothing to do with gender equality, let alone the feminist society that the marketing accounts of street literature talked about.
The Warring States period was a time of transition from slavery to feudalism, and both slavery and feudalism were the low points of women's status.
In the midst of war, human life was worthless. If we talked about gender equality among common people and poor scholars at that time, it would probably mean that both men and women were equally miserable and not even human.
Why do women have to guard the city even if they don’t want to serve in the military? Why do we see so many young and strong women among the “men” who build roads, cities and water conservancy projects
Because most of the males have died, females are needed to take their place.
Noblewomen in the Warring States period also had a miserable life. Except for a few lucky queen mothers who were able to take part in government affairs, most noble women had no choice. Their marriage rights were completely controlled by their parents’ families. They were often given as gifts. Not to mention their freedom, even their lives were not guaranteed.
For example, there was a noble woman whose brother thought that his brother-in-law's status had declined, so he took his sister back to marry someone else. After his ex-brother-in-law became rich, he brought his sister home again and remarried her to his ex-brother-in-law. However, the brother-in-law refused and drowned the two children he had with her in the river in front of her.
As for the noble women who were killed in the war between the two countries, there were even more.
Therefore, it is impossible for Zhu Xiang to do anything unrealistic in this era. If he does so, not only will he and his family be killed, but it will also be of no benefit to this era.
Because women in the Warring States Period had not yet awakened.
Zhu Xiang's move was only to ignite a little spark in their hearts, making them realize that women also have the possibility to gain benefits without relying on their birth, husband's family and sons.
This is the only sympathy he has for the women of this era as a time traveler from two thousand years later.
Xunzi looked straight at Zhu Xiang, and the words of rejection came to his lips several times.
"Xunzi: The Way of the King" says, "May I ask how to be a wife? The answer is: if the husband is polite, then she will be gentle and obedient; if the husband is impolite, then she will be afraid and tremble. This is the way, and being biased will lead to chaos."
Zhu Xiang's request was completely contrary to what Xunzi thought and he believed it was the root cause of the chaos.
But even though he knew this, he still found it difficult to say no.
In the end, Xunzi walked away in silence without giving Zhu Xiang an answer.
(End of this chapter)