The Second World in Ancient Times

In recent days, news has been coming in that the barbarian tribe seems to have sensed a slight unrest in our country and has become ambitious. They have assembled a huge army and are rushing towards our border like a surging wave.

"Your Majesty, I heard that the barbarians are coming with great force, and the people in the border areas may suffer a great disaster." I said to the king with a frown.

The king's face was solemn. "I have ordered the border troops to be on full alert, but those barbarians are so brutal by nature that I cannot rest easy."

At that moment, a messenger arrived hurriedly, kneeling down to report: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the barbarian army has crossed the border. They are burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of atrocities wherever they go. Many towns and villages are engulfed in flames."

My heart ached: "How are the people in that border area now?"

The soldier's eyes welled up. "My Lady, the people are fleeing everywhere, and many families have been torn apart. The cries of children and the shouts of adults echo across the war-torn land. Many elderly and infirm people were brutally murdered by the barbarians before they could even escape."

I clenched my fists. "How can these barbarians be so brutal? What about the cities on the border? Can they still hold out?"

The soldier replied, "My Lady, some of the small border towns have limited manpower and are already crumbling under the fierce attacks of the barbarians. Their catapults have torn the city walls wide open, and the gates are in imminent danger."

I turned to the king and said, "Your Majesty, we cannot just stand by and watch the people on the border suffer. We must find a way to help them."

The king nodded. "Of course, I will not sit idly by. I will immediately send someone to contact the border garrison to learn the details before making a final decision."

Not long after, a messenger sent by a general from the frontier arrived.

The messenger cried, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, our general and his men fought with all their might, but the barbarians were too numerous, and their weapons were strange and devastating. We hurled our arrows at them, but they easily blocked them with their sturdy shields. They also unleashed a flaming object into the city, instantly starting a fire that destroyed many houses, leaving the people struggling in the flames."

I asked, "Do you have enough food and supplies?"

The messenger shook his head. "Your Majesty, although we had reserves before the war, they have been depleted greatly after this battle. Furthermore, the surrounding villages have been destroyed, making it difficult to replenish supplies."

I looked at the king and said, "Your Majesty, we must deliver supplies to the border as soon as possible. Otherwise, how can the soldiers continue to fight if they are hungry, and how can the people survive?"

The king pondered for a moment and said, "I will immediately arrange for the Ministry of Revenue to prepare food and fodder, and for the Ministry of War to organize a transport team. We must ensure that the supplies are delivered to the border as soon as possible."

I then said to the messenger, "Go back and tell your general to hold on. Your Majesty and I will not abandon them, nor will we abandon the people on the border."

The messenger took the order and left.

I sat restlessly in the palace, the horrific scenes on the border kept appearing in my mind.

"Jinshu, what do you think we should do with the women on the border? They are weak and helpless, and they must have suffered a lot in this war." I said to the female official Jinshu worriedly.

Jinshu said helplessly, "Your Majesty, those barbarians never treat women as human beings. I'm afraid they will be abducted and suffer an even more terrible fate."

My heart ached. "As the Empress, I can only worry in the palace and cannot personally go to the border to protect them."

Jinshu comforted her, "Your Majesty, you are in charge of the overall situation in the palace, preparing supplies for the border, and you are also doing your part to protect the people living in the border areas."

At this time, a civilian who had escaped from the frontier was brought to me. He was in rags and covered with wounds.

I hurried forward and asked, "How are you? Tell me about the situation at the border."

The people cried, "Empress, those barbarians are like demons. They rushed into the village, killing everyone and stealing everything they saw. They killed my family, and I had a hard time escaping. Empress, you must save us."

My eyes moistened. "Don't worry, His Majesty and I will definitely avenge you and let you live a peaceful life again."

I ordered people to take this commoner away and settle him down properly, and my hatred for the barbarians grew stronger.

"Wanqing, go gather all the concubines in the harem." I said to another female official, Wanqing.

Wanqing asked doubtfully, "My Lady, why is this happening?"

I said in a deep voice, "The people in the border areas are suffering. I want the concubines to do their part, even if it's just to pray for the people."

Wanqing took the order and left.

The concubines gathered together, all with worry and anxiety on their faces.

I looked at them and said, "Sisters, the border is now engulfed in flames, and the people are suffering. Although we are in the palace, we cannot stay out of this. I hope everyone can pray for the soldiers and people on the border, and hope that they can safely survive this disaster."

One of the concubines said, "Your Majesty, we will certainly obey your orders. But will this prayer really work?"

I said firmly, "Whether it works or not, we must give it a try. This is the only thing we can do for the border right now. Furthermore, we must be prepared. If necessary, the harem must contribute to the preparation of supplies for the border."

The concubines nodded one after another.

I then said to the king, "Your Majesty, I would like to set up a collection point in the palace and call on the palace maids and eunuchs to donate money and supplies to the people living in the border areas. Although the amount may be limited, it is also a token of everyone's kindness."

The king agreed, "My beloved concubine, this is a very good idea. I will also take some money from the treasury to support the border."

At the collection point, I personally told the palace maids and eunuchs about the tragic situation on the border: "You have all heard the news from the border. The people there are suffering. Although we are in the palace, we belong to the same country and are the same family. Now, they need our help. Even a little money or a piece of clothing may be their hope of survival."

The palace maids and eunuchs responded one after another and took out their savings and belongings.

"Empress, this is my monthly salary. Although it's not much, I hope it can help the people in the border areas." said a palace maid.

"Your Majesty, this is a cotton coat that I have treasured. I want to give it to the people in the border areas to keep them warm." A eunuch also said.

Seeing everyone's enthusiasm, I felt a little comforted. But when I thought of the endless war and the miserable conditions of the people on the border, my worries surged again.

"Your Majesty, we must find a way to stop the atrocities of the barbarians. We cannot let them trample on our land and harm our people so wantonly." I said to the king.

The king said helplessly, "I know, but our current understanding of the barbarians is limited. We need to gather more information before we can formulate a response plan."

I was extremely anxious. "Then Your Majesty, please make arrangements as soon as possible. Every moment of delay puts the people on the border in greater danger."

The king nodded and said, "I will speed up the process. My beloved concubine, you must also keep the people in the palace stable and not let the harem become chaotic."

I replied, "I understand. I will do my best to ensure that the harem will be a solid backing for Your Majesty."

During this long wait, I continued to receive news from the borderlands, each piece of news like a sharp blade, piercing my heart. But I knew I couldn't give up. I had to stay in this palace, holding on to the flame of hope for the people of the borderlands, for the entire country, waiting for a turnaround. Even though the flames of war still burned relentlessly, and the barbaric atrocities continued, I could only pray and plan in this torment.

As the days go by, the news from the border becomes more and more worrying.

"Your Majesty, the latest news is that the barbarians have captured several border towns. The people in the towns have been massacred and rivers of blood have flowed." Wanqing reported to me crying.

I felt dizzy. "How could this happen? What about our defenders?"

Wanqing replied, "Your Majesty, the defenders fought desperately, but they were outnumbered, and most of the soldiers died heroically."

I said angrily, "These barbarians are simply mad and heartless! I will not let them go."

I immediately went to the royal study to find the king.

"Your Majesty, the barbarians are so rampant, we can't wait any longer. We must take action as soon as possible." I said anxiously.

The king frowned. "I am also extremely worried. I have sent out several groups of spies to explore the barbarians' troop deployments and weaknesses. As soon as we receive any information, we will launch a counterattack."

I sighed helplessly, "It can only be this way. But during this time, how much more suffering will the people in the borderlands have to endure?"

The king consoled her, "My beloved, I know you care deeply about the people. I will have the provinces near the border take in as many refugees as possible, providing them with shelter and food."

I nodded. "Your Majesty, this is the best solution at the moment. I hope we can save more people."

Returning to the harem, I saw the concubines praying for the people living in the border areas. They looked pious and chanted something.

I walked among them and said, "Sisters, the people along the border will surely feel your kindness. I hope our prayers can move God and bring an early end to this disaster."

One of the concubines said, "Your Majesty, we are worried about the situation on the border every day. We really hope that Your Majesty can repel the barbarians as soon as possible."

I looked into the distance and said, "Yes, Your Majesty will definitely lead the soldiers to victory. We must believe in Your Majesty and also believe in our country."

Yet, the uneasiness within me persisted. I knew full well that the cruelty of this war was far beyond our imagination, and yet we were still groping in the darkness for a response. The war-torn frontier was like a heavy mountain, weighing down everyone's heart, making it difficult to breathe.

"Jinshu, why do you think those barbarians suddenly invaded our country?" I asked the female official in confusion.

Jinshu thought for a moment and then said, "Your Majesty, I heard that the barbarian lands have suffered from famine in recent years. They may be trying to steal our food and resources."

I snorted coldly, "Even so, it doesn't justify their brutal killing of our people. If they have any difficulties, they can negotiate with us instead of resorting to such brutal methods."

Jinshu nodded: "Your Majesty is right. Their behavior is truly outrageous."

I thought of the children in the border areas. They should have grown up happily under the care of their parents, but now they have to flee in the war and even lose their lives.

"Wanqing, go and make some arrangements and ask the imperial kitchen to prepare some food and medicine suitable for children. If any children from the border areas escape to the capital, we must be able to take care of them in time." I ordered.

Wanqing took the order and left.

I paced the palace, constantly pondering how to deal with the barbarians. Although the king said we should wait for news from the spies, I still felt that we couldn't just wait passively.

"Your Majesty, I think we can organize a grand ceremony in the capital to pray to God for protection of the border and to appease the people at the same time." I proposed to the king.

The king thought for a moment and said, "Although this plan, beloved concubine, cannot directly fight against the barbarians, it can certainly help to stabilize people's hearts during this time of panic. I approve it. My beloved concubine, please arrange for the Ministry of Rites to take charge of it."

I immediately summoned the Minister of Rites and said, "Your Excellency, the war on the border is now intense. I wish to hold a ritual in the capital to pray for divine protection for our soldiers and civilians and to drive out the barbarians. This matter concerns national stability and morale. You must carefully prepare, select an open space, and invite eminent monks to preside."

The Minister of Rites accepted the order and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my utmost to fulfill my mission."

During the preparations for the ritual, I told the king, "Your Majesty, I would like to have painters create scrolls depicting the barbaric atrocities and display them throughout the capital. This will allow the people to more clearly understand the tragic conditions on the frontier and inspire their patriotism and a sense of shared hatred for the enemy."

The king agreed and said, "My dear consort, this is a very good plan. You can order the painters of the Imperial Academy to act quickly."

After receiving the order, the painters of the Hanlin Academy worked day and night to post vivid and lifelike scrolls depicting the barbarians' burning, killing and looting scenes in the streets and alleys of the capital. When the people saw the scrolls, they were all filled with righteous indignation.

"These barbarians are simply not human! We must support the court and drive them out of our country!" said a citizen angrily.

"Yes! The court will definitely win, we must believe in His Majesty and the Queen!" Another citizen echoed.

As the ritual approaches, the atmosphere in the capital becomes increasingly solemn and filled with anticipation. I hope that this ritual will not only bring a glimmer of hope to the border, but also unite the strength of the entire country to jointly fight against this aggressive barbarian enemy. Although the flames of war are still burning mercilessly on the border, the plight of the people still hurts my heart.