Sheng Boyuan said, "Void Sage Fang seems particularly concerned with women. For instance, the Inheritance Law broke new ground by explicitly granting daughters inheritance rights, something unheard of on the Saint Origin Continent. If it had not stipulated that daughters would inherit far less wealth than sons, this law could never have been implemented. The Council of Governance is a vital institution of state, where great affairs of the nation are discussed. How can women be allowed inside? Say no more of this. Even if I must stake my old life on it, I will never agree to women serving as Council Scholars."
Many officials nodded slightly. In truth, they greatly disliked Fang Yun's continual elevation of women's standing. Whether he established the Heroine Academy or promoted Zhao Hongzhuang to office, whether he allowed women to inherit or serve as Council Scholars, every measure touched the fundamental interests of men.
Fang Yun, however, smiled and said, "Please do not forget that women make up half of the hundreds of millions of the Human Race. Perhaps you have not noticed, but in places with many workshops, there are more and more female workers. Even setting workshops aside, are women not the vast majority in trades such as silkworm raising, weaving, matchmaking, and midwifery? Since we mean to serve the court and revitalize the Jing Kingdom, are we to leave textiles and silk unattended? Are we to turn a deaf ear to matchmakers and midwives? Besides, many women also farm. The Council of Governance exists to hear more voices. Can only men speak, while women cannot? Are men flawless, so that women cannot discover problems men have overlooked? Why has the Jing Kingdom's development during these years under the empress dowager surpassed that under some previous emperors? Minister Sheng, if the day