Though the establishment of a separate examination for mathematics, science, and chemistry was still under discussion, it was already evident that this would inevitably reduce the number of quotas available for the traditional imperial examinations.
At the very least, the Ministry of Works would, in the future, reserve most of its positions for those who passed this new stream.
Yet with Liu Daren's earlier proposal laid out for all to hear, Yun Shu's more balanced suggestion now seemed far easier to accept by comparison.
A group of officials remained in the Imperial Study for over an hour, debating the matter with great care. In the end, Emperor Xuanwu waved his hand decisively and ordered everyone to return to reflect further and submit memorials in writing. The matter would be revisited at tomorrow's court session.
Only then did the ministers finally take their leave.
Though the addition of a new examination track in mathematics, science, and chemistry was now all but certain, many could not help but feel betrayed.
Before entering the palace, they had all shared a unified stance. Yet once inside the Imperial Study, Liu Daren abruptly changed his position, catching them completely off guard.
It was no wonder that those who felt deceived could not bring themselves to greet him with even the most basic courtesy.
"Truly, Liu Daren is impressive," one muttered bitterly. "He pretended so well not to have read A Great Nation. And now it seems he may have long anticipated Her Highness the Crown Princess's plans."
"Indeed. Liu Daren acted the fool with great finesse. I am in awe."
"Hmph."
As one minister after another left, some with biting sarcasm, others with an audible scoff and a sweep of their sleeves, even Du Daren—who had recently been sharing a carriage with Liu Daren—could not help but voice his thoughts.
"Liu Daren, were you not staunchly opposed to adding these three subjects to the examination? Why, then, did you suddenly reverse your stance in the Imperial Study?"
Liu Daren replied without hesitation, as if his reasoning was self-evident.
"Was Her Highness's meaning not plain enough when we entered? Since this change is clearly inevitable, why should I stubbornly oppose it, only to brand myself as one of those infamous ministers of old who are condemned by future generations for holding back the state?
I have never publicly voiced opposition, so why should I not become the next 'Zhen Xiang'?"
Du Daren blinked in disbelief.
What a cunning old fox.
Blast it, and here he thought he had been the first to grasp the implications. Why had he not thought of this strategy himself during the meeting? He had been beaten to the punch by that snake Liu.
Could it be that in the annals of history, Liu Daren would truly earn a name as revered as Zhen Xiang?
If so, he feared he might not rest easy even in the grave.
Determined to vie for his own legacy in the chronicles of history, Du Daren locked himself in his study upon returning home. From the establishment of the new examination hall to the intricacies of organizing the first imperial test in these modern subjects next spring, he laid out every conceivable detail.
Nothing escaped his scrutiny. Every potential issue was neatly catalogued, each paired with a comprehensive solution.
So it was that on the following morning, before the echoes of Li Dehai's customary call of "Submit your memorials, or court is dismissed" had even faded, Du Daren stepped forward, faster than anyone else.
"Your Majesty, this humble servant has a memorial to present."
"Proceed."
"Your Majesty," Du Daren began with a firm voice, "this servant believes..."
He then laid out all the content he had so painstakingly compiled the day before.
His tone grew increasingly resolute until he declared, his words resounding through the hall, "Therefore, this servant believes that the establishment of a separate examination in mathematics, science, and chemistry is of utmost urgency and cannot be delayed."
A murmur swept through the court.
The officials who had not entered the palace the previous day and were not well-informed of current developments stood dumbfounded.
With New Year's Eve fast approaching, Du Daren had chosen this moment to stir such a grand matter. Had he lost his mind?
Several instinctively moved as if to step forward in opposition, but before their feet left the ground, they sensed something even more unusual.
The high-ranking officials in the front row… were strangely quiet.
Could it be…?
"I second the proposal," came a sudden voice.
It was Liu Daren, who, having been beaten to the punch by Du Daren, now stepped out in haste.
"I have heard that many of these new scientific texts in Tian Sheng are imported from foreign lands. If these nations were to gain mastery over more advanced weaponry, it could pose a grave threat to our dynasty."
"I second the proposal!" called out another.
One after another, the prominent officials in the front echoed their support. With such a wave of high-ranking consensus, the lesser officials in the back had no chance to stir the waters.
And so, just like that, the proposal to introduce a separate imperial examination for mathematics, science, and chemistry was approved with unexpected ease.
Emperor Xuanwu then appointed officials to oversee this new examination following the New Year. He assumed the morning session was drawing to a close.
He had even begun to shift slightly on the Dragon Throne in preparation to leave.
But at that very moment, Yun Shu stepped calmly out from the front rank.
"Your Daughter has another matter to report."
"You?"
Emperor Xuanwu blinked and slowly sat back down, concealing his curiosity behind a composed expression.
This little brat loitered in front of him every day. What could possibly have escaped his notice?
"What is it?"
"Your Daughter believes that if Tian Sheng truly wishes to grow prosperous and strong, we must not only value the subjects of mathematics, science, and chemistry, but also the individuals who study them.
Only with strong and healthy bodies can our people generate greater value."
As she spoke, Yun Shu solemnly pulled a small medical text from her robe.
"This is a recent medical text I discovered. It clearly states that sleep is vital to human health.
At the hour of Zi, sleep nourishes the gallbladder and enhances one's complexion. At the hour of Chou, it strengthens the liver. At Yin, it aids the lungs in blood circulation, allowing for renewed energy upon waking. And at Mao, it promotes digestion and waste removal through the large intestines.
Thus, the healthiest sleep schedule is one that begins at Zi and ends at Mao.
Yet at present, most of us only sleep until Yin. This deprives the lungs and intestines of proper restoration. Worse still, we rise during the coldest time of day, which poses further harm to the body.
Therefore, Your Daughter proposes that the hour of court assembly be delayed to the hour of Chen."
Emperor Xuanwu fell silent.
The ministers stood frozen.
This girl had just dropped another bombshell.
Though on the surface it did not seem as weighty as the previous reform, the hour of court had been fixed at Mao for centuries. Not even a thousand years of history had dared shift it.
And now, with a single memorial, the Crown Princess sought to push it back by one or two whole hours.
Was this not utterly outrageous?
In the back rows, junior officials craned their necks, suspecting that perhaps this had been coordinated in advance as well.
They were wrong again.
Even the senior ministers looked bewildered, and even Emperor Xuanwu, seated atop the Dragon Throne, remained speechless after hearing Yun Shu's proposal.
===
The terms Zi (子), Chou (丑), Yin (寅), Mao (卯), Chen (辰) and so on refer to the Earthly Branches (地支), which are part of the traditional Chinese timekeeping system. This system divides the day into 12 double-hours, each lasting approximately two modern hours. Each of these time segments is named after one of the 12 Earthly Branches.
The Earthly Branches (地支, Dìzhī) are a traditional Chinese system used to divide the day into twelve two-hour segments, each associated with a specific character and time. These branches form the basis of the ancient timekeeping system, the zodiac cycle, and even agricultural and spiritual practices.
The cycle begins with 子 (Zi) — Rat — 11 PM to 1 AM
Zi is the first Earthly Branch and symbolizes beginnings, like the seed of life germinating in darkness. Midnight is when the Yin energy reaches its peak and begins to give way to Yang. The rat, active at night and associated with fertility, represents the idea of life stirring in the void.
丑 (Chou) — Ox — 1 AM to 3 AM
This time is still dark, but Yang energy is gradually rising. The ox was traditionally used to plow the fields at dawn, so its image became linked to the slow, steady pre-dawn labor. The ox embodies patience and quiet strength in the stillness before sunrise.
寅 (Yin) — Tiger — 3 AM to 5 AM
The Yin hour is when the darkness starts to lift, and predators like the tiger are believed to be most active. The tiger represents ferocity, movement, and awakening, mirroring the increasing Yang energy just before sunrise. It is a time of subtle stirring and alertness in nature.
卯 (Mao) — Rabbit — 5 AM to 7 AM
This is the time of dawn, when the sun begins to rise, and the world is bathed in soft, silvery light. The rabbit, a quiet and cautious animal, is often seen at this time nibbling in the fields. It symbolizes gentleness, new beginnings, and the start of visible life in the day.
辰 (Chen) — Dragon — 7 AM to 9 AM
The dragon is a mythical creature, not observed in the wild, but it represents majesty, strength, and the power of transformation. This period reflects the full awakening of the world, when people begin their work and the energy of the day becomes vibrant and forceful, just like the image of a soaring dragon.
巳 (Si) — Snake — 9 AM to 11 AM
By now, the day is in full motion. The snake, often seen basking in the morning sun, is linked to this time. It's alert, calm, and sensitive to temperature—symbolizing awareness, warmth, and focused movement. Si hour represents mature Yang energy, steady and quietly active.
午 (Wu) — Horse — 11 AM to 1 PM
Wu is the only branch that directly means noon in modern Chinese. It represents the peak of Yang, when the sun is highest, and people often feel the most energetic. The horse, swift and free-spirited, matches this vigorous time. It was also commonly ridden or used in work during daylight hours.
未 (Wei) — Goat — 1 PM to 3 PM
After the midday peak, energy begins to slow. The goat, a calm and pastoral animal, is often associated with grazing in the afternoon sun. This is a time of mildness and digestion, both literally and energetically. It's the shift from Yang to Yin, gentle and reflective.
申 (Shen) — Monkey — 3 PM to 5 PM
This is a lively time of day. Children play, laborers finish tasks, and the heat starts to subside. The monkey, clever and energetic, reflects this agile, playful energy. Shen hour is associated with flexibility, quick action, and sociability as the day winds down.
酉 (You) — Rooster — 5 PM to 7 PM
You hour is the beginning of evening, a time to return home and prepare for nightfall. The rooster, which crows at dawn but also roosts in the evening, represents closure, routine, and reflection. This period is associated with restoring order and transitioning back to Yin.
戌 (Xu) — Dog — 7 PM to 9 PM
This is when households quiet down, and people guard their homes, which is why the dog—a loyal and alert animal—fits this time. Xu hour is associated with protection, loyalty, and watchfulness in the early night, when safety and stability become a focus.
亥 (Hai) — Pig — 9 PM to 11 PM
Hai hour marks the end of the day, when most people sleep. The pig, a symbol of rest, abundance, and peace, fits this time perfectly. It represents the return to stillness and the preparation for renewal as the cycle gets ready to begin again at Zi hour.
These twelve branches form the basis for many traditional Chinese systems, including the zodiac and the sexagenary cycle. They also served as a precise timekeeping method in pre-modern China, especially before mechanical clocks were widely available.