PFC Chapter 163 Street Conflict
Chapter 163 Street Conflict
In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun, like a soft golden veil, lazily spread across the streets and alleys. People, exhausted from a long day's work, were dragging their weary bodies home one after another. Yet, at that moment, the streets seemed to have been dropped with a powerful bomb, instantly exploding into chaos and filling the air with an atmosphere so thick and tense that it was almost suffocating.
In an open area on the street, a crowd had already gathered like a tide. The topic of women's awakening was like a fierce hurricane, stirring up a storm among the people and causing a sharp polarization of opinions.
"Women should keep to their proper duties, supporting their husbands and raising their children. Talk of awakening is simply a violation of moral principles!" An old scholar in a long gown and a square scarf stood on a rock, waving a folding fan, his face flushed with emotion as he shouted at the top of his lungs. His sparse beard trembled with anger, and veins on his forehead bulged like earthworms. His deep-set eyes revealed a stubborn adherence to traditional ethics, as if they were the unshakable foundation of his life. "Since ancient times, a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. This is the law of our ancestors, and it cannot be violated! We cannot allow this world to become a mess!"
"Hmph, you old fogey, you only know how to cling to those outdated rules!" A burly, dark-skinned, rough-hewn man retorted bluntly. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing arms as thick as tree trunks, his muscles taut, as if ready to burst forth with astonishing strength at any moment. His eyes were wide, burning with rage. "My sister is beaten and scolded by men at home every day, and I dare not even say a word. Is this fair? Why can't women pursue their own good lives? Why do we have to endure this humiliation?"
The old scholar's beard trembled with rage, and his already pale face now flushed even darker than liver. "You illiterate fool, what do you know about propriety, righteousness, and honor? It's simply unreasonable! The rules established by our ancestors have been proven for thousands of years. How can we allow an ignorant person like you to trample on them at will?"
"I don't understand any profound principles, but I do know that people should have a conscience and shouldn't let women suffer forever!" The rough man's eyes widened like bells, and his voice was like a loud bell, making the eardrums of those around him buzz. His chest rose and fell violently, like a volcano about to erupt. "My sister is also a human being. She has her own joys and sorrows. Why should she be suppressed by a man? You scholars only know about nonsense and have no understanding of the suffering of ordinary people!"
The scholar encountered a soldier, and he couldn't explain himself. The old scholar was so anxious that he stamped his feet, and the stone under his feet was cracked. The veins on his forehead were throbbing, and he kept muttering: "Rotten wood cannot be carved, rotten wood cannot be carved!"
On the other side, a young woman also joined the argument.
"Women have the right to pursue equality and freedom. Why should we be bound by old rules?" She was dressed in a simple yet neat dress. While not fancy, it was clean and presentable. Her eyes shone with a firm starlight, and her voice was clear and powerful, like the song of a nightingale. "We have our own thoughts and dreams. Why can't we pursue them?"
"Young girl, you haven't married yet, so you don't know the hardships of this world. If women don't follow the rules, won't society be in chaos?" A middle-aged woman took her hand and advised her earnestly. The middle-aged woman's face was filled with worry and helplessness, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes seemed to tell of the vicissitudes of life. "We women, we must accept our fate and stop thinking about unrealistic things."
"Auntie, it's because we've been following those unreasonable rules that women have such a hard time." The young woman broke free from her hand, her voice filled with a hint of stubbornness, like a plum blossom standing proudly in the cold winter. "We can't live in the shadow of others all our lives. We have to fight for ourselves!"
At this moment, several furtive figures suddenly emerged from the crowd, looking around with shifty eyes, and began to stir up trouble while taking advantage of the chaos.
"Let's rebel together and overthrow these unreasonable rules!" One of the tall and thin men shouted at the top of his voice, with a malicious smile on his face, that smile was like a cunning fox. "We can't be oppressed anymore, charge!"
"Yes, charge!" Several of his companions also joined in the commotion, dancing and stirring up the emotions of the crowd.
The crowd erupted in unrest, the situation spiraling out of control. People pushed and shoved, refusing to yield. Some fought fiercely for advantageous positions, fists clashing with each other; others shouted obscenities at the top of their lungs, their voices unbearable to the ear. Frightened children cried, their cries shrill and piercing, like the wail of an owl. They clung to the adults' legs, their eyes filled with fear and helplessness. The adults' shouts and curses rose and fell, some angry, some panicked, some blindly following the crowd.
"Stop fighting, stop fighting!" A white-haired old man tried to dissuade them, but his weak voice was instantly drowned out by the chaos.
"What should I do?" A woman holding her child was so anxious that she burst into tears, but she had nowhere to escape.
At this chaotic moment, Concubine Su learned about the situation on the street and decided to mediate in person.
A magnificent carriage, flanked by numerous guards, slowly drove onto the street. The wheels creaked as they rolled forward, as if to signal the urgency of the situation.
"Everyone, please be quiet!" Concubine Su's voice was clear and loud, like a yellow oriole singing out of a valley, instantly penetrating the noisy clamor.
The crowd gradually quieted, their gaze fixed on Noble Concubine Su. Dressed in a long dress embroidered with exquisite patterns and a dazzling head of pearls and jade, she looked dignified and noble. Her eyes shone with a sense of authority and concern, making one feel both uneasy and close to her.
Concubine Su glanced at everyone, then slowly said: "Regarding the awakening of women's status, this is an issue worthy of our in-depth discussion. Everyone has their own opinions, which is understandable, but we must not allow conflicts to arise because of this, and give criminals an opportunity to take advantage." Her voice was gentle and firm, like a clear spring flowing through everyone's anxious hearts.
She looked sharply at the lawless elements inciting chaos and continued, "These people are trying to destroy our harmony, but their plot will never succeed. Everyone should remain calm and not be exploited by them."
Afterwards, Concubine Su listened patiently to the views of all parties and guided everyone to have a rational discussion.
"We should respect everyone's ideas, but we must also take into account the stability and development of society. The awakening of women's status cannot be achieved overnight. We need to work together to find a balanced way." Concubine Su's words were like a spring breeze and a gurgling stream, nourishing everyone's anxious hearts.
The old scholar had calmed down by now. He bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I am not completely opposed to the change in women's status. I am just worried that too rapid a change will bring many problems."
Concubine Su nodded slightly. "Sir, your concerns are not without reason, but we can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. As long as we proceed step by step and provide proper guidance, we will definitely find a suitable path."
The rough man also scratched his head and said, "My lady, I am just angry that my sister has been wronged. I don't mean to cause trouble."
Concubine Su smiled and said, "I understand your feelings. We must fight for women's rights through legitimate means."
Under the mediation of Concubine Su, people gradually calmed down and began to reflect on their own behavior.
The excited old scholars also began to lapse into contemplation, their furrowed brows gradually relaxing. Thinking of the talented women who were unable to realize their ambitions due to the constraints of etiquette, they couldn't help but waver, pondering the positive changes that might be brought about by the awakening of women's status.
The young women also understood that the pursuit of equality and freedom must be carried out under the premise of legality and compliance. The stubbornness in their eyes was gradually replaced by rationality. They realized that blind impulse could not solve the problem. Only through reasonable means could they truly achieve their goals.
Eventually, the conflict subsided. The public gained a more objective understanding of women's awakening, no longer blindly opposing or supporting it, but willing to face and discuss the issue with a peaceful mindset.
In the afterglow of the setting sun, the streets returned to their former tranquility. People returned home with new thoughts in their minds, their receding figures seeming to express their hopes for the future.
The children slept quietly in their mother's arms, with sweet smiles on their lips; the old people sat at the door, fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans and recalling the day's experiences; the young couple held hands and talked softly about their future life.
Concubine Su looked at all this and felt a sense of relief in her heart. She knew that this was just the beginning and there was still a long way to go in the future, but as long as everyone worked together, they would be able to create a more fair and harmonious society.