The Second World in Ancient Times

Although we have achieved a phased victory in that thrilling battle against foreign enemies, the difficulties and obstacles in between are still vivid in our minds.

"Your Majesty, now that the borders have been initially stabilized and the people are returning home one after another, this is a critical moment for the reconstruction and development of our dynasty." I whispered to the king.

The king nodded slightly, his eyes filled with determination and expectation. "My beloved concubine, you are absolutely right. I have summoned my ministers to discuss post-war matters. If you have any suggestions, please share them with me first."

I pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Majesty, agriculture is the foundation of a nation. After this war, much farmland has been abandoned, and many water conservancy facilities have been destroyed. I suggest that the court fund the construction of water conservancy projects by the people, and also dispatch agricultural experts to various regions to guide the people in farming. For example, they could promote new rice varieties and farm tools to increase grain production."

The king's eyes lit up. "My beloved concubine, this is a very good suggestion. I remember you mentioned a drought-resistant rice variety before. If it could be promoted in the northern regions, it would surely greatly improve the grain harvest."

I smiled and said, "Your Majesty has a good memory. I stumbled upon that rice seed. If it can be successfully promoted, it will not only help feed the people but also provide more grain for the imperial court."

During the consultation with the ministers, I further elaborated on my ideas.

"My Lords, the responsibilities for developing water conservancy can be divided according to regions. In the water towns in the south, we should focus on dredging rivers and reinforcing dams to prevent floods; in the dry lands in the north, we should dig more wells and build irrigation ditches. As for the selection of agricultural experts, we can select outstanding students from the agricultural department of the Imperial College, as well as experienced old farmers from the public." I looked around at everyone and said.

The Minister of Works bowed and said, "Your Majesty, building water conservancy projects requires a great deal of manpower and resources. Although the court has a certain budget, I'm afraid there is still a gap in funding."

I thought for a moment and then responded, "Sir, funds can be raised from a variety of sources. The imperial court will primarily provide grants, but we will also encourage donations from local gentry and wealthy merchants. If they can contribute to agricultural development in their hometowns, the court can offer recognition and rewards, such as plaques, to enhance their families' local reputations."

The ministers nodded in agreement.

When discussing commercial development, I said, "Your Majesty, a prosperous commerce can also drive national economic recovery. We can establish commercial markets in various cities, lower commercial taxes, and attract merchants from all over to trade. At the same time, we can standardize commercial order and establish chambers of commerce. Merchants can manage themselves, and the court only needs to supervise to ensure fair competition."

The king pondered for a moment and said, "My dear, lowering commercial taxes will attract merchants, but will it affect the court's tax revenue?"

I explained, "Your Majesty, although commercial taxes have been reduced, the booming business will increase the total volume of transactions, and the total tax revenue will not necessarily decrease. Moreover, the development of commerce can drive various industries, such as handicrafts and transportation, and the prosperity of these industries will create more sources of tax revenue."

One minister asked, "Your Majesty, if we establish a chamber of commerce, how can we ensure that it does not form a monopoly and harm the interests of other merchants?"

I smiled and replied, "Sir, the court can formulate detailed charters for chambers of commerce, stipulating their duties and powers. If any chamber of commerce violates these regulations, the court can intervene and disqualify it. At the same time, small merchants should be encouraged to form alliances to act as checks and balances with larger chambers of commerce."

Regarding universal education, I told the king, "Your Majesty, education is crucial to the future of our nation. Since the war, many children have lost their education. We can establish schools across the country, open to all, regardless of gender. The court should train teachers and compile standardized textbooks so that all children can receive a good education."

The king said with some concern, "My beloved, is it against tradition for women to go to school?"

I said sternly, "Your Majesty, women can also contribute to the country. In ancient times, Hua Mulan joined the army in her father's place, and today, many women mend clothes for soldiers and care for the wounded during war. If women can receive an education, they can play a greater role in cultural heritage and family education, and can also cultivate more knowledgeable people for the court."

In the court, I continued, "My Lords, to establish schools, we can first utilize unused temples and ancestral halls throughout the country. Regarding teachers, in addition to students from the Imperial College, we can also invite retired officials and scholars to teach. Textbooks can cover classics, history, literature, agriculture, water conservancy, mathematics, astronomy, and other subjects, so that the children can develop comprehensively."

With the implementation of these policies, the country gradually showed signs of vitality.

In the harem, I also organized the concubines to participate in some charity activities, sewing clothes and preparing daily necessities for the people in the border areas.

"Sisters, the people in the border areas have just experienced war and are living in hardship. Although we are in the palace, we should also do our part." I said to the concubines.

One concubine responded, "Your Majesty, I will certainly do my best. But I am not good at sewing, and I am afraid that the clothes I make will not be good enough."

I comforted her: "It's okay, as long as the intention is there. We can learn from each other and make progress together."

During an inspection of a folk school, I talked with an old scholar.

The old scholar said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the establishment of this school is truly a blessing to the people. The children have the opportunity to study, and the country has hope."

I smiled and said, "Sir, you are too kind. This is the result of the joint efforts of Your Majesty and the ministers. Sir, you have worked hard teaching in the school."

The old scholar shook his head and said, "It's not hard work. It's my honor to be able to train talents for the country. Your Majesty attaches so much importance to education, which is a blessing to the country."

As time went on, good news arrived from all over. In agriculture, new rice varieties were successfully planted in trials in the north, significantly increasing grain yields. Markets were bustling, goods circulated smoothly across the country, and tax revenues gradually increased. In schools, the clear voices of children reading aloud echoed through the countryside, brimming with vitality and hope.

The king and I strolled in the royal garden, looking at this prosperous scene.

The king sighed, "My beloved, if it weren't for the many good ideas you offered during post-war reconstruction, I can't imagine the country recovering so quickly."

I snuggled up to the king and said, "Your Majesty, this is the result of everyone's concerted efforts. I believe that under your wise leadership, the country will surely move towards an even more prosperous future."

Inside and outside the palace, everyone looks forward to the dawn of hope, a new era filled with prosperity, harmony, and progress. And as Queen, I, Your Majesty, will continue to accompany Him, working tirelessly for the future of this nation and safeguarding this hard-earned peace and development.

As the national economy gradually recovered, I became interested in the revival of culture and art. I said to the king, "Your Majesty, culture and art are the spiritual treasures of our nation. Now that the country is stable, we can vigorously support their development. We could establish a cultural and arts academy in the capital, bringing together talented painters, calligraphers, musicians, and others from all over the country. We could provide them with a venue and conditions for their creativity, allowing them to fully display their talents."

The king nodded and said, "My dear consort, this is a good idea. The prosperity of culture and art can enhance the temperament and heritage of a country. However, the management and operation of this cultural and arts institute must be properly arranged."

After a moment's thought, I said, "Your Majesty, you can appoint a highly respected minister who is well-versed in culture and the arts to oversee its management. The Academy of Arts should regularly hold exhibitions, performances, and other events, open to the public, so that ordinary people can experience the charm of culture and the arts. At the same time, you should encourage the development of folk art groups, and the court should provide certain funding and guidance."

While discussing this matter with the ministers, one minister asked, "Your Majesty, if we support folk art groups, how can we ensure that their artistic standards are consistent with the values ​​of the court?"

I replied, "Your Excellency, the court could establish an evaluation mechanism to assess folk art groups. Excellent groups could receive more support and promotion, while those that fail to meet the requirements could be guided and rectified. This would both ensure artistic diversity and safeguard the nation's cultural image."

With the establishment of cultural and art academies and the rise of folk art groups, the capital's cultural atmosphere has become increasingly rich. In the streets and alleys, you can often hear melodious music and see exquisite calligraphy and painting.

I also organized a palace cultural feast and invited talented people from all over the country to perform in the palace.

At the banquet, I said to everyone, "Today's banquet is to celebrate the rebirth of our country after the war and to showcase the charm of our country's culture and art. All talented people, please show your talents to the fullest."

A painter showed me a painting depicting a magnificent landscape. I exclaimed, "This painting is magnificent and captures the beauty of our country vividly. You are truly a master painter."

The painter quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Her Majesty, for your compliments. It is my humble honor to display my paintings at such a grand palace banquet."

A musician played a stirring piece of music. I listened and said, "This music is as inspiring as a war song. It makes me see the brave figures of the soldiers on the battlefield."

The musician said gratefully, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I would like to use this song to pay tribute to the heroes who defended our country."

While culture and art flourished, I also did not forget to build cultural connections in frontier regions. I arranged for scholars and artists to travel to these regions to spread Central Plains culture, while also learning about the unique cultures of these regions and promoting cultural exchange and integration.

I told the scholars and artists heading to the frontier regions, "You are here to shoulder the heavy responsibility of cultural exchange. You must respect local customs and culture, bring the cultural essence of the Central Plains, and bring back the unique charm of the frontier regions."

One scholar responded: "Don't worry, Queen, we will do our best to complete our mission."

In terms of diplomacy, as our nation grows stronger, neighboring nations are increasingly reaching out to us for good. After consulting with the King, we have decided to treat them with courtesy and develop diplomatic relations based on equality and mutual benefit.

When envoys from neighboring countries came to pay tribute, the king and I met them together.

The envoys from the neighboring countries said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, we, the neighboring countries, are deeply impressed by your country's strength and prosperity. We have come to offer a small gift and express our hope for everlasting friendship with your country."

The king smiled and said, "Your Excellency is very polite. The Queen and I both hope that all nations can coexist peacefully and develop together."

I also said, "Your Excellency, cultural exchange and trade are bridges that enhance friendship among countries. I hope we can have more cooperation in these areas in the future."

The envoy nodded repeatedly, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. We will convey this to our king and actively promote exchanges and cooperation with your country."

Throughout this series of developments and changes, the country has achieved remarkable progress in all areas. Within the palace, the concubines lived in harmony and actively participated in various beneficial endeavors. Outside, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, all walks of life flourished, culture and art flourished, and diplomatic relations were harmonious and stable. I am fully aware that this is only the beginning. The road ahead is long, and many more challenges and opportunities await us. But I firmly believe that as long as the emperor and his subjects are united, and the people are united, the country will surely move towards an even more glorious future.

Regarding scientific and technological development, I also encouraged skilled artisans and scholars to conduct innovative research. I told the king, "Your Majesty, scientific and technological advancements can boost national productivity. We should establish a science and technology reward system to generously reward those who make inventions and innovations, thereby encouraging more people to engage in scientific and technological research."

The king agreed, "My beloved concubine, this is a brilliant plan. I have also heard that there are some skilled craftsmen among the people who can create ingenious mechanical devices. If these skills can be promoted and applied, they will surely bring great benefits to agriculture, handicrafts, and other industries."

I said, "Your Majesty, we can hold a science and technology exhibition in the capital, allowing skilled craftsmen from all over the country to showcase their achievements and learn from each other. At the same time, the court can organize scholars to evaluate and organize these achievements, and promote valuable technologies."

At a science and technology exhibition, a craftsman demonstrated his new irrigation water wheel.

He introduced it to me, "Empress, this waterwheel is more efficient than traditional waterwheels, saves manpower, and irrigates a wider area."

After careful observation, I said, "Your invention is quite good. If it can be promoted nationwide, it will greatly improve farmland irrigation. The court will reward you and arrange for craftsmen to assist you in producing more water wheels for widespread deployment."

The craftsman burst into tears of gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will continue to work hard and contribute to the country's scientific and technological development."

With the continuous advancement of science and technology, the country's productivity has been further improved. Agricultural production has become more efficient, and handicraft products have become more exquisite and diverse. This has also promoted the prosperity of commerce, and both domestic and foreign trade have become increasingly prosperous.

While focusing on the overall development of the country, I also focused on improving cultural education within the palace. I organized the concubines to learn cultural knowledge, etiquette, and some basic knowledge of state governance.

I said to the concubines, "Sisters, although we are in the palace and cannot directly participate in state affairs like the ministers, we should also acquire a certain level of knowledge and accomplishment so that we can better assist Your Majesty and contribute to the stability and prosperity of the country."

One of the concubines asked, "Empress, how are we supposed to learn this?"

I replied, "I will arrange for scholars from the palace to give lectures to you, and I will also provide some books for you to read and study. You can exchange ideas and make progress together."

In such a learning atmosphere, the concubines' cultural literacy and ideological realm have been greatly improved. They can also handle various issues in palace affairs more appropriately, adding strength to the harmony and stability of the palace.

As the nation progresses, I've also paid attention to environmental protection. I told His Majesty, "Your Majesty, national development cannot come at the expense of the environment. With the massive construction and industrial production happening across the country, we need to develop policies to protect our natural resources, including our mountains, forests, and rivers."

The king frowned and said, "My beloved, it is sometimes difficult to balance environmental protection and national development. If there are too many restrictions, will it affect the speed of development?"

I patiently explained, "Your Majesty, lush mountains and clear waters are invaluable assets. If forests are over-cut and rivers are polluted, it will lead to natural disasters like soil erosion, droughts, and floods, ultimately hindering national development. We can develop while also making reasonable plans, such as setting logging quotas and establishing sewage treatment plants."

The king nodded after hearing this. "My beloved concubine, you are right. I will order the relevant departments to formulate policies and regulations on environmental protection to ensure the sustainable development of the country."

With the implementation of environmental protection policies, local governments have begun to prioritize the preservation of natural resources. Forests are gradually regaining their lush greenery, and rivers are becoming crystal clear. This not only improves the living environment for the people but also lays a solid foundation for the country's long-term development.

On this development path full of hope and light, the country is constantly progressing and improving at all levels.