The Second World in Ancient Times

Standing in the courtyard of Fengyi Palace, gazing at the blossoms swaying in the breeze, my thoughts drifted back to the hardships of the past. From the cautious first steps into the palace, to becoming empress and shouldering the heavy responsibility of managing the harem and assisting the king in governing the country, to navigating that thrilling foreign invasion, each step was incredibly difficult, yet resolute and powerful.

"Jinshu, do you still remember the scene when I first became the queen? At that time, I was full of fear, but also had dreams for the future." I turned to the female official next to me and said.

Jinshu replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I certainly remember. Although Your Majesty is new to the position of Queen, your courage and wisdom in handling affairs have impressed everyone."

I smiled wryly. "Courage and wisdom? It's simply the circumstances that force me to grow. But no matter what, I have one unwavering conviction in my heart: to protect this country and this palace. Even if the road is fraught with obstacles, I will never retreat."

Jinshu said firmly, "Your Majesty's faith is like a bright lamp that illuminates every corner of this palace and inspires all of us."

Now, although the external enemies have been repelled, I know that the danger has not completely dissipated. Remaining enemies may be hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike, and various unknown crises are like shadows, threatening to engulf this hard-earned peace at any time.

"Wanqing, go and tell the Imperial Household Department to strengthen the palace's security. Increase the number and scope of patrols by guards, especially at the palace's entrances and exits, warehouses, and around important palaces. Ensure that there is no blind spot monitoring." I instructed another female official.

Wanqing took the order and left. A moment later, she returned to report, "Your Majesty, the head steward of the Imperial Household Department has come to report. He said that increasing security personnel and patrols might require the allocation of more supplies and funds. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

After a moment's contemplation, I said, "Tell the Imperial Household Department's Director that I will discuss the issue of supplies and funds with His Majesty. Right now, the safety of the palace is of paramount importance, and we cannot afford to slack off in the slightest."

While strengthening palace security, intelligence work cannot be neglected. I summoned the head of the secret guards responsible for intelligence gathering.

"Chief, although the war has temporarily stopped, intelligence work cannot be relaxed. You must pay close attention to every move at home and abroad, especially those forces that may be colluding with the remaining enemies. Once you find any clues, report to me immediately." I said seriously to the leader of the secret guards.

The leader of the secret guards knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my best to investigate any suspicious situation. However, the enemy is currently hiding very deeply, making intelligence gathering quite difficult."

I encouraged him, "I understand your difficulties, but the more difficult they are, the more we must rise to the challenge. You can plant some spies among the people and look for clues from their gossip. At the same time, maintain contact with intelligence personnel from various countries and share information."

"Yes, your majesty." The leader of the secret guards took the order and left.

I have held many discussions with the King and his ministers on how to improve the national defense system.

In the court, I was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, my lords, although the foreign enemies have retreated, we must not let our guard down. We must strengthen the military defenses on the border, send more troops, repair fortresses and city walls, and store sufficient food, fodder, and weapons."

A general stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, while it is important to send more troops, the border areas are vast. Comprehensive defense will require a huge amount of manpower, which will also increase the burden on the court."

I thought for a moment and then responded, "General, you're absolutely right. We could implement a military farming system in the border areas, allowing soldiers to cultivate wasteland and grow food while training. This would solve some of the food and fodder problems while also reducing the burden on the court. At the same time, we could recruit local civilians into the militia, train them, and assist the regular army in defense."

The king nodded in agreement. "My beloved concubine, this is a very good plan. It will not only benefit the defense of the border, but also promote the development of the border areas."

The Minister of Revenue continued, "Your Majesty, repairing the fortress and city walls, and storing food and weapons, all require a large amount of funds. The Ministry of Revenue will do its best to raise them, but we still need support from other parties."

I looked at the ministers and said, "My Lords, national defense is a matter of life and death. I believe we can reduce unnecessary palace expenses and encourage wealthy merchants to donate. The court can grant them preferential policies, such as tax exemptions and honorary titles."

The ministers nodded in approval.

Regarding cultural development, I told the king, "Your Majesty, culture is the soul of a nation. Now that our country is undergoing a renaissance, we should vigorously promote our culture. We can build cultural venues in various places, such as Confucian temples and libraries, and hold cultural activities so that the people can experience the charm of culture."

The king asked, "My beloved, building cultural venues and hosting events requires the participation of numerous scholars and artists. How can this be guaranteed?"

I replied, "Your Majesty, you can add a cultural and arts major to the Imperial College to cultivate more professional talents. At the same time, you can improve the social status of scholars and artists, provide them with generous treatment, and allow them to create and perform with peace of mind."

At a groundbreaking ceremony for a cultural venue, I told the crowd, "Laying the foundation stone for cultural venues here today is an important step toward cultural renaissance. I hope that once completed, these venues will become sacred places that inherit culture and enlighten the people."

One scholar said excitedly, "The Empress Dowager attaches so much importance to culture. It is a blessing for us writers. We will work hard to create and live up to the Empress's expectations."

In diplomatic exchanges, the King and I jointly received foreign envoys.

The foreign envoy saluted respectfully: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, our country has long admired your country's culture and prosperity. We have come to visit you, hoping to establish closer diplomatic relations with you and conduct trade and cultural exchanges."

The king smiled and replied, "Your Excellency is very polite. The Queen and I both welcome friendly exchanges between all nations and our dynasty for mutual benefit and win-win results."

I continued, "Your Excellency, cultural exchange can enhance understanding and friendship among peoples of different countries, and trade can promote economic development on both sides. We can start by sending students abroad and holding product exhibitions, and then gradually deepen cooperation."

The envoy nodded repeatedly, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. Our king also shares this sentiment. I believe that with our joint efforts, the relationship between our two countries will become even closer."

With the increasing frequency of diplomatic exchanges, China's international influence is also constantly increasing. Students from all over the world come to my country to study, learning about our culture, technology, and institutions; Chinese merchants also export their products overseas, bringing back rich exotic cultures and specialties.

However, in this seemingly peaceful development process, there have been some minor setbacks. Some domestic conservative forces have expressed dissatisfaction with the new initiatives in cultural construction and diplomatic exchanges, believing that they will undermine the country's traditions and foundations.

A minister raised an objection in the court: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, building too many cultural venues and encouraging excessive exchanges with foreign countries will dilute our traditional culture and allow foreign culture to erode our dynasty."

I responded frankly, "Sir, the development of culture lies in exchange and integration. Our culture has a long history and profound heritage, and it will not be easily eroded. On the contrary, through exchanges with foreign cultures, we can absorb their essence and discard their dregs, making our culture more colorful. Building cultural venues is to provide people with more opportunities to access and inherit culture, not to destroy tradition."

The king also said: "I have made up my mind. Cultural development and diplomatic exchanges are the general trend of national development and cannot be questioned. All ministers should work together to promote national progress."

In the face of these doubts and challenges, I have always remained steadfast in my convictions and have never flinched. I am fully aware that my mission is not yet complete, and that the prosperity and long-term stability of our country still require my unremitting efforts.

In the palace, I continued to pay attention to the growth and development of the concubines. I organized the concubines to participate in charity activities, sending supplies and care to the people in poor areas.

I said to the concubines, "Sisters, we live in the palace, enjoying splendor and wealth, but we must not forget that there are still many people suffering. Through these charitable activities, we can not only help others, but also improve our own moral character and cultivation."

One concubine said: "Your Majesty, by participating in these activities, I feel the joy of helping others and appreciate my life more."

I said with relief, "As long as the sisters can gain something, I will feel relieved. I hope everyone can continue to show this love."

Regarding the nation's scientific and technological development, I encourage innovation and application. I told His Majesty, "Your Majesty, scientific and technological advancements can bring about tremendous changes for our nation. We can establish a scientific and technological research institute, bringing together our skilled craftsmen and scholars to jointly research new technologies and solve the challenges facing national development."

The king agreed, "My beloved concubine, this is a good idea. We can allocate funds from the national treasury to support the construction of the institute and provide generous rewards to the researchers to encourage them to produce more results."

At the inauguration ceremony of the Institute of Science and Technology, I addressed the numerous researchers: "You are all the elite of our dynasty. I hope you will utilize your talents and wisdom in this institute and contribute to the nation's technological advancement. Whether it's in agriculture, handicrafts, or military technology, any breakthrough will be a great achievement."

One craftsman said excitedly: "Your Majesty, I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

Over time, under my protection and efforts, the nation has continued its steady development. Peace reigns within and beyond the palace, culture flourishes, diplomacy flows smoothly, science and technology advance, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. But I know the road ahead is still long, and I will forge ahead with even greater resolve on this path of protecting our nation.

I often say to myself, "No matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, I will protect this land and ensure that my country remains forever under my watch. I will write my own glorious chapter in history, so that future generations will remember this era when the Empress gave her all, without regret, for her country and her people."

I also offered my own perspective on education reform. I told the king, "Your Majesty, although education has become more widespread, some problems remain. The curriculum is too rigid and lacks practical application and innovation. We should reform the education system and add practical courses, such as handicrafts and agricultural experiments, to cultivate students' hands-on skills and innovative thinking."

The king thought for a moment and said, "My dear, adding practical courses is good, but can the teaching staff keep up?"

I replied, "Your Majesty, we can train existing teachers and invite experienced craftsmen and farmers to serve as part-time teachers. Furthermore, we can establish an education reward fund to reward teachers and schools that demonstrate outstanding innovation in education."

During a discussion with ministers about educational reform, one minister asked, "Your Majesty, if we change the teaching content, will it affect students' learning of traditional classics?"

I explained, "Sir, traditional classics are an important part of education, but we can't just let students memorize them. Through practical courses, students can better understand the wisdom in the classics and apply it to real life. This kind of education is more comprehensive and meaningful."

With the advancement of education reform, schools across the country have been revitalized. Students have not only deepened their study of classics, but have also greatly improved their practical skills and innovative thinking.

Regarding the well-being of the people, I told the king, "Your Majesty, the quality of life of the people is crucial to the stability of the country. We should improve medical care, establish clinics across the country, and train more doctors so that the people can afford and receive good medical care. At the same time, we should strengthen urban sanitation, build drainage systems, treat garbage and sewage, and prevent epidemics."

The king nodded. "My beloved, medical care and environmental sanitation are indeed important issues for the people's livelihood. You can order the Imperial Hospital to formulate a plan for training doctors, and the Ministry of Works to be responsible for urban construction."

I added, "Your Majesty, the imperial court could provide subsidies for the medical expenses of the impoverished people. Clinics could also regularly provide free consultations to the people and spread medical knowledge."

At the clinic's opening ceremony, I told the people, "The opening of this clinic today is a gesture of the imperial court's concern for everyone's health. I hope everyone will take good care of their health and seek medical attention promptly if they are ill. The doctors in the clinic will do their best to serve you."

The people knelt down in gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, Your Majesty."