Chapter 199: Left Eye Twitch for Wealth, Right Eye for Misfortune – Strange Beliefs and Superstitions! (2 / 2)

In society, many women began to speak out.

Among the former courtesans who had gained their freedom, some with exceptional literary talent penned sharp and biting verses. One poem read:

“The three-inch lotus shoes were never seen in ancient times;

The Bodhisattva Guanyin stands barefoot and unbound.

Where did foot binding originate?

From the baseness of men in this mortal world!”

Women practicing medicine publicly shared the harm caused by foot binding, explaining how it twisted and deformed the bones of the feet. Prolonged binding forced the body to adapt to the unnatural shape, making it impossible to fully straighten the feet even with physical manipulation.

Meanwhile, female merchants approached the issue from a practical perspective, calculating and demonstrating how women with unbound feet were able to earn more income for their families.

This was an era of bold and unrestrained customs—a time when the Admonitions for Women had not yet taken hold, and foot binding was unheard of. Women wearing men’s clothing was a popular trend, noblewomen rode horses and hunted in the mountains as a family tradition, and female labor was a common sight in both crafts and sports. Women actively participated in physical activities and games, and households with daughters but no sons were not considered doomed, as women retained the right to inherit property—though only in the absence of male heirs. This, while limited compared to matriarchal times, was still better than nothing.

So, when most people first heard about the concept of foot binding, their immediate reactions were, “That’s outrageous! How cruel! Anyone who would do such a thing is worse than an animal! No, worse than pigs and dogs!”

In the midst of this public outrage, Xu Yanmiao was deep in thought, scheming about how to spread rumors.

Yes, rumors.

He had suddenly remembered what he had forgotten earlier! Most people currently associated foot binding with one reaction: “Ouch, that must hurt!” This sentiment could be leveraged.

Xu Yanmiao pulled the commander of the Jinyiwei aside and whispered, “Actually, the current measures aren’t enough to guarantee prevention. What if some people secretly start binding the women’s feet in the privacy of their homes?”

The Jinyiwei commander exploded in anger. “They dare?! The Jinyiwei is still here!”

“No matter how many Jinyiwei there are, you can’t monitor every household, right? Besides, the world isn’t short of people willing to take risks. Just look at corruption—it’s such a serious crime, yet people keep risking their necks for it.”

[Like that new Censor-in-Chief who replaced Ji Sui. He’s been quite brazen—did you know a criminal’s family once brought him treasures, beautiful concubines, and fine horses to plea for mercy? He took the bribe and secretly released the prisoner.]

The Jinyiwei commander nodded solemnly.

Noted. Now I know.

The Left Military Assistant Commander, living on the left side of Xu’s courtyard, nodded too.

Noted. I also know now.

The Marquis of Yongchang, who resided on the right side, stroked his chin thoughtfully and nodded.

Noted. I’ve learned it as well.

And so did the officials living in the surrounding residences…

Excellent! Time to pull him down from his position, create a vacancy, and see if we can push someone from our faction into the role!

Speak up! Thank you, Little White Ze!

Meanwhile, the new Censor-in-Chief was grooming his prized Ferghana horse at home when, out of nowhere, his right eyelid twitched violently.

It was his right eye.

“No big deal. Left eye for fortune, right eye for misfortune… Bah, no need to dwell on superstition.”

He dismissed the thought and continued humming a tune while brushing the horse.

Xu Yanmiao, interpreting the Jinyiwei commander’s nod as an endorsement of his idea, pressed on enthusiastically: “Do you know what people hate the most? Being falsely accused. Once they’re wrongly accused, they either fall into despair or go to great lengths to prove their innocence. So here’s my plan—”

“Spread rumors nationwide! Say that foot binding is all the rage in Yangzhou, that scholars and gentlemen are flocking to admire women with three-inch golden lotuses who can perform delicate dances on their fingertips. Claim this trend has driven many families to bind their daughters’ feet, even those of women working as laborers and servants.”

Too bad Xu Yanmiao never heard this song:

“The Joy of Unbinding, how joyful is it?

Come, listen to my unbinding song.

Stuff cotton into the gaps of your feet, walk with even strides.

Wash them in vinegar and water, and don’t bind them again.

Cut away one inch every seven days,

With patience and care over a month, you’ll be free.”

— The Joy of Unbinding

Sleep barefoot at night; it soothes the blood and keeps it in harmony.

Once one foot is unbound, you’ll no longer fear storms and waves.

The joy of unbinding—how joyful is it?

Come, join in singing the unbinding song.

— “The Unbinding Song”

(Although my depiction here is idealized, the reality is more likely along the lines of: “For toes bent sharply inward toward the sole, the joints would have adapted to the twisted state, and even with forceful straightening, they could not be realigned.”)

“The body, hair, and skin are received from one’s parents; they must not be harmed.”

— Confucius, quoted in The Nüwa Stone@@novelbin@@

“Three-inch bow shoes were never seen before; Guanyin Bodhisattva walked barefoot.

Who started the practice of foot binding?

It began with worthless men of the world!”

— “Suiyuan Poetry Talks”

Property Inheritance Rights: Referencing the Song Dynasty

“For households where all male heirs are deceased, all properties, including servants, guest women, slaves, estates, and assets, must first be used by close relatives to cover funeral expenses and related rituals. Any remaining assets are to be given to the daughters.”

— The Song Penal Code

[Translation: In cases where all male heirs have passed, the household’s laborers, properties, and assets are sold by close relatives to fund funeral arrangements, with the surplus going to the daughters.]

(But don’t get too optimistic—women’s inheritance rights were only valid if there were no surviving sons.)

“In Yangzhou, the trend of foot binding far exceeds that of other places.

Even among laborers, servants, the impoverished, and the elderly, delicate toes are common.

The practice is deeply entrenched, with untold suffering.”

— “Anecdotes from the Buddhist Gate”