The Second World in Ancient Times

I stood in Fengyi Palace, gazing out the window at the seemingly peaceful harem, yet I dared not relax. The shadow of foreign invasion loomed over the entire country, and as empress, I must strike a balance between the palace and the battlefield, maintaining peace in the harem while contributing to the nation's war effort.

"Jinshu, go and tell the palace maid to increase the patrol shifts of the harem guards, especially at the entrances and exits of each palace. People coming in and out must be strictly checked, and no suspicious person is allowed to enter the palace." I instructed the female official beside me.

Jinshu bowed respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will do it right away. However, increasing the patrol shifts may cause dissatisfaction among some concubines. After all, it will make the atmosphere in the harem even more tense."

I frowned slightly. "This is not the time to consider their feelings. The country is under foreign invasion. If a spy were to infiltrate the harem, the consequences would be disastrous. Tell them that this is for everyone's safety. If anyone deliberately embarrasses the guards, I will not forgive them."

"Yes, your majesty." Jinshu took the order and left.

Not long after, Wanqing came to report: "Your Majesty, all the concubines are already waiting in the main hall. They said you have summoned them."

I straightened my clothes and stood up to go to the main hall. When I entered the main hall, I saw that all the concubines had arrived, some of them looked puzzled, while others looked a little uneasy.

I stood at my high perch and spoke slowly, "Sisters, our country is facing a grave crisis. Enemy forces from neighboring countries have crossed the border, burning, killing, and looting. The people living along the border are suffering. Although our army has risen up to resist, the war remains severe."

One of the concubines couldn't help but whispered, "Your Majesty, what should we do?"

I looked at her with a firm gaze. "I have gathered you all today, firstly to inform you of the situation in your country, and secondly, to encourage you to work together. From now on, the harem must practice strict economy, reduce unnecessary expenses, and send the savings to the front lines to support the soldiers."

Lipin said reluctantly, "Your Majesty, we are already living a hard life in this harem. If we have to save more, how can we survive?"

My eyes turned cold. "Lipin, what do you mean by that? The soldiers on the front lines defended the country and protected us, even risking their lives. We enjoy wealth and splendor in the harem, but what does it matter if we have less silks, satins, and jewelry? If you don't want to, I don't mind sending you to the cold palace to reflect on your actions."

Concubine Li was so frightened that she quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I know I was wrong. I will definitely obey your orders."

I softened my tone. "Sisters, I know this is a little difficult for you. But at this moment, every man has a share of responsibility for the fate of his country. Although we are women, we can also contribute to our country. Please pray for the soldiers on the front lines every day, wishing them a safe return and a successful victory."

The concubines nodded one after another: "We will follow your Majesty's instructions."

While strengthening the control of the harem, I also kept a close eye on the war news on the front line. Every day, I would wait for the battle report from the front line with the king in the imperial study.

"Your Majesty, is there any news from the front today?" I asked anxiously.

The king frowned. "Not yet. I have ordered the battle report to be delivered as quickly as possible, but this war is changing so rapidly that I am deeply concerned."

I gently grasped the king's hand. "Your Majesty, our soldiers are brave and fearless and will surely resist this enemy. Your Majesty, please also take care of your health. You are the backbone of this nation and must not be harmed by worry."

At this moment, a guard hurried into the imperial study: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, battle report from the front!"

The king hurriedly took the battle report, unfolded it, and his expression became even more solemn. My heart tightened: "Your Majesty, what is the battle report?"

The king said slowly, "Although our army fought hard, the enemy was powerful and well-armed, and we suffered heavy casualties. Moreover, the enemy has occupied several strategic locations. If we do not recapture them, it will be extremely disadvantageous to our army."

After a moment's thought, I said, "Your Majesty, I suggest recruiting some civilians skilled in martial arts from within the country to supplement the army. At the same time, we should have our craftsmen work tirelessly to forge weapons and improve equipment to enhance our army's combat effectiveness."

The king nodded. "My beloved concubine, this plan is feasible. I will immediately order the recruitment of civilians and instruct the Ministry of Works to fully forge weapons."

After returning to the harem, I gathered some palace maids and eunuchs who had experience in the martial arts world or had martial arts inheritance in their families.

"You must have heard about the war in the country while you are in the harem. Now, I need your strength. Are you willing to go to the front line for the country, or teach the soldiers some martial arts skills?" I asked them.

A eunuch stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, although I have been castrated, I have learned some martial arts since I was young. I am willing to go to the front line and do some logistical work for the soldiers. If there is an opportunity, I can also fight the enemy."

I was touched. "Okay, you're a man of blood. I'll arrange for you to go to the front line with other volunteers."

A palace maid hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, we are just women, what can we do?"

I encouraged them, "Although you are women, you also have your own strength. You can teach some simple healing methods to the military doctors on the front lines and help care for the injured soldiers. Your presence can also boost morale in the army."

The palace maids listened to my words and nodded, "Your Majesty, we understand. We are willing to go."

As personnel and supplies from the harem were continuously sent to the front line, I also received letters from some concubines' families expressing their willingness to provide financial or material support to the country.

I informed the king of this news: "Your Majesty, the concubines and their families have responded in unison, willing to assist the country. This is also a contribution made by the harem to the war on the front lines."

The king said with relief, "My beloved, you have managed the harem in an orderly manner, leaving me with no worries. The support of these families is a timely help to our army."

However, not everything was entirely peaceful within the harem. Some concubines, while outwardly obeying my orders, secretly harbored complaints, and some even attempted to contact the outside world and relay news from within the palace.

Wanqing noticed something and came to report, "Your Majesty, I've noticed Concubine Hui's behavior has been unusual lately. She often wanders around her palace gardens in the dead of night, as if waiting for something. Furthermore, her maidservants have sneaked out of the palace, supposedly to buy some things, but I think something's fishy."

My heart sank. "Wanqing, keep watching her. If she truly commits treason, I will not tolerate it."

After several days of surveillance, Wanqing finally found solid evidence. She came to me with it: "Your Majesty, Concubine Hui is indeed colluding with the enemy. She used palace maids and enemy spies to pass on information from the palace, including information about our troop deployments and supply reserves."

I slammed the table in anger. "How dare Concubine Hui! I've always trusted her, yet she dared to do something so outrageous."

I immediately went to the Imperial Study with the evidence before the Emperor: "Your Majesty, the evidence is irrefutable that Concubine Hui has colluded with the enemy and committed treason. Please order a severe punishment."

After seeing the evidence, the king was furious. "I will not forgive such a traitor. Pass on my decree that Concubine Hui be thrown into the Heavenly Prison, and her entire family be punished as well."

With the Huifei incident resolved, the harem returned to peace. But I knew this peace was only temporary, as the national crisis still weighed heavily on my heart.

During a conversation with the king, I said, "Your Majesty, the fighting on the front lines is now at a stalemate. We cannot rely solely on force. I believe we can make further diplomatic efforts. In addition to seeking assistance from neighboring friendly countries, we can also send envoys to more distant powers, promising them generous benefits and winning their support."

The king pondered for a moment. "My beloved, you are right. I will select more capable envoys to travel to other countries. However, such matters of great profit must be carefully considered and must not harm the long-term interests of the country."

I nodded. "Your Majesty is wise. I will continue to pray for the front lines from the harem, and oversee the preparation and delivery of supplies to ensure everything goes smoothly."

As the days passed, the war on the front lines still weighed heavily on my mind. I often dreamed of soldiers bravely fighting on the battlefield, their blood staining the earth red. Each time I woke, I became more determined to devote myself to the affairs of the harem and the state.

One day, an old general returned from the front and went to the palace to meet the emperor. I was also present.

The old general's face was weary, but his eyes were determined. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, after this period of hard fighting, our army has gradually stabilized its position. The morale of the soldiers is also constantly improving. We have adopted new tactics, taking advantage of the terrain, and inflicted a considerable blow on the enemy. Moreover, the new weapons forged by the civilians and craftsmen recruited from within the country are also playing a role."

The king was delighted: "General, you have worked hard. My soldiers are all excellent."

I also said: "Old General, the soldiers on the front line are fearless and brave in their resistance. I admire them deeply. The harem will continue to support the front line as always."

The old general saluted and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, and Your Majesty. With your support, our army will surely defeat the foreign enemies and defend our country."

Although I've heard some good news, I know the war isn't over yet and the country still faces many challenges. I must continue to shuttle between the harem and the battlefield, using my wisdom and strength to protect the peace of the palace and contribute to the country's victory.

As the battle progressed, I came up with a new strategy. I told the king, "Your Majesty, the enemy has traveled a long distance, and their supply lines must be long. We can organize a small, elite force to attack their supply lines, cutting off their food and supplies. This will inevitably put the enemy in a difficult position, and their fighting capacity will be greatly reduced."

The king's eyes lit up. "My beloved concubine, this is a brilliant plan. I will immediately arrange for the generals to carry it out."

In the harem, I continued to encourage the concubines to make some comfort items for the soldiers on the front line, such as sachets, handkerchiefs, etc., embroidered with words and patterns of encouragement.

I said to the concubines, "Sisters, these small gifts may not be worth much, but they can bring warmth and strength to the soldiers. When they see these on the front lines, they will know that we are supporting them from the rear and that they are not fighting alone."

The concubines worked hard to make gifts, and within a few days, they had collected a large number of gifts. I arranged for someone to deliver these gifts to the front line.

At the same time, I am also concerned about the living conditions of the people in China. Due to the impact of the war, prices in some areas have skyrocketed and people's lives are difficult.

I said to the king, "Your Majesty, domestic prices are rising, and people are struggling. We need to take measures to stabilize prices. We can order the Ministry of Revenue to allocate some grain and supplies from the national treasury and release them into the market to stabilize prices. At the same time, we should crack down on merchants who hoard goods to ensure the normal flow of goods."

The king agreed, "My dear, I will do as you say. I cannot allow the people to suffer during this war."

Thanks to these efforts, the nation's position in the war gradually improved. The harem remained stable, providing a solid backstop for the war effort. And I, too, worked tirelessly between the palace and the battlefield, eagerly anticipating victory and a return to the nation's former prosperity and peace.

During the war, culture and education suffered a significant impact. Many institutions were forced to close, and students were displaced. I realized that culture and education are the foundation of a nation and cannot be neglected, even in wartime.

I said to the king, "Your Majesty, although the war is intense, cultural education cannot be interrupted. We can set up temporary institutions in relatively safe areas to accommodate displaced students and allow them to continue their studies. At the same time, we can encourage scholars to write patriotic and inspirational books to boost the morale of the people."

The king nodded. "My beloved, you always think long-term. I will arrange for the relevant ministers to handle this matter."

I also organized some educated concubines and maids in the harem to form a small cultural propaganda team. They used poetry, paintings, and other forms to publicize the country's war of resistance and praise the bravery of the soldiers.

I said to them, "Sisters, we must use our talents to let more people know about the sacrifices of the soldiers on the front lines, so that the people can more firmly support the war of resistance."

One of the concubines said, "Your Majesty, I would like to compose poetry for the propaganda team to express my respect for the soldiers."

I said with relief: "Okay, with a talent like yours, you will surely be able to create something deeply moving."

With the establishment of temporary schools and the activities of cultural propaganda teams, the country's cultural atmosphere was preserved and promoted to a certain extent during the war. In the difficult life, the people could also feel the power of culture, which further strengthened their determination to resist the war.

On the diplomatic front, news came in one after another from the envoys sent out. One envoy returned from a distant country and entered the palace to meet the emperor.

The envoy saluted and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, my mission to this great country has been a difficult one. Initially, they were cautious about our war. However, I explained in detail our resolve to resist the enemy and the brutality of the enemy, and promised them some trade concessions and cultural exchanges. Ultimately, they decided to provide us with some military equipment. While the quantity is limited, it is all excellent equipment."

The king was delighted: "Thank you for your hard work, envoy. This is a great help to our dynasty."

I also said, "Your Excellency the Envoy, you have fulfilled your mission and secured valuable assistance for our country. This diplomatic victory is inseparable from your wisdom and courage."

With the military equipment assistance from major powers, our army's combat effectiveness on the front line was further enhanced. In one battle, our army used the new equipment to successfully recapture several important strategic locations, effectively curbing the enemy's offensive.

When I heard the news in the harem, I excitedly said to the concubines, "Sisters, good news has come from the front. Our army has won a great victory. This is the result of the bravery of the soldiers and is also a blessing for the country."

The concubines cheered and rejoiced: "Excellent, Queen. May our army continue to win and drive out the foreign enemies as soon as possible."

However, I also clearly know that victory in this war is not yet complete. Although the enemy has suffered setbacks, it still retains a certain strength. I must remain vigilant and work tirelessly in the management of the harem and the affairs of state to lay a more solid foundation for ultimate victory.

During the stalemate phase of the war, I became concerned about medical issues. There were many wounded soldiers on the front lines, but medical resources were relatively scarce. Many soldiers suffered heavy casualties due to lack of timely and effective treatment.

I said to the king, "Your Majesty, the medical situation on the front lines is worrying. We need to send more military doctors and medical supplies to the front. We can recruit civilian doctors from home. Many of them are highly skilled. If they can join the military medical team, they will surely save more lives. At the same time, order the Imperial Hospital to accelerate the development of new medicines for treating trauma and epidemics to prevent the enemy from using biological weapons or epidemics."

The king agreed, "My dear, you have thought it through very carefully. I will arrange for someone to do it right away."

I also organized the concubines in the harem to learn some simple medical care knowledge, such as bandaging wounds and boiling herbal medicine.

I said to the concubines, "Sisters, although we cannot treat the wounded on the front lines like military doctors, we can provide some basic care for the injured soldiers returning from the harem. This knowledge may be useful in a critical moment."

The concubines studied hard and expressed their willingness to do their best for the soldiers.

Thanks to these efforts, medical conditions on the front lines have improved. Wounded soldiers are receiving better care, and military morale has been boosted. And I, still busy between the harem and the battlefield, tirelessly strive for national victory, steadfastly believing that as long as the ruler and his subjects are united, and the military and civilians are united, our country will triumph over foreign enemies and usher in the dawn of peace and prosperity.