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On "a talented man and a beautiful woman" and "a talented woman and a beautiful man"

 　　 Since the pre-Qin period, the people of China have upheld the principle that "a man should study to become an official, while a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent." Thus, the ancient saying goes, "A talented man and a beautiful woman, a talented

　　scholar and a beautiful woman." Looking at the talented women of the past dynasties, their fates were tragic. Zhuo Wenjun eloped with Sima Xiangru, but sadly, at the young age of seventeen, she was widowed in her parents' home; Li Qingzhao received a good education from childhood, but her life was filled with hardship; Cai Wenji was learned and eloquent, skilled in poetry and music, yet she married three times; Shangguan Wan'er became a female prime minister, but before she reached fifty, she was brutally murdered by Emperor Xuanzong (Li Longji). It truly reflects the saying, "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of

talent, her beauty is a blessing, but both talent and beauty are a curse."

　　Remembering the four great beauties, handsome and dashing, yet they died with resentment. Pan An was sentenced to have his entire family exterminated; Song Yu died with deep regret; Lanling King Gao Changgong served his country loyally, yet still could not escape death; the handsome Wei Jie, due to his frail and sickly appearance and difficulty breathing, was even "stared" to death.

　　Looking back at the past examples of "talented women and handsome men," and then recalling today's "talented men and beautiful women,"

　　how many girls are captivated by the screen and stage? Popular male stars like Hu Ge, Yin Zheng, and Lu Han are admired and adored by countless people. Since the broadcast of "Idol Producer," they have gained over a million fans in just a few days.

　　Yet, in today's society, most top scorers in the college entrance examination are women. As Qiu Jin said, "Do not value men over women; poetry and literature bestow beauty upon women. I am proud to have this added to my charm, and I now believe that heroes can also be female." Today's Chinese women are not inferior to men; there are many strong women. Who says women are inferior to men? What men can do, women can do just as well, and even better.

　　The notions of "talented man and beautiful woman" and "talented woman and handsome man" are relics of the past, existing only in old China under feudal rule. In the future, the idea that "a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent" will be nothing but a legend. The future will be one where "women are talented," and indeed, one that is truly valuable. The future belongs to gender equality, and perhaps even to women.

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