The Second World in Ancient Times

I spent every day in agony in the palace, hoping for good news from the front, but what I often received was heartbreaking battle reports.

"Wanqing, is there any news from the front line today?" I asked anxiously.

Wanqing walked in with red eyes: "My Queen, the battle report has arrived, but this news is really..."

I snatched up the battle report. It read: "The fighting on the front lines intensifies. A decisive clash ensues in the valley. Our soldiers are brave and fearless, but the barbarians are fierce and outnumbered. The battle rages from dawn to dusk, leaving us with heavy casualties. Blood stained the valley red. Surrounding villages are engulfed in the flames of battle, and civilians flee in all directions, yet they remain devastated. Countless lives have been lost to the barbarians."

I felt dizzy and nearly dropped the battle report in my hand. "How could this be? And what about His Majesty? Is His Majesty alright?"

Wanqing hurriedly supported me and said, "Your Majesty, the battle report did not mention His Majesty's safety, only that His Majesty is still commanding the battle at the front."

I calmed myself, my heart filled with grief and anger. "These barbarians are nothing short of demons! I will not let them off easily."

I immediately summoned several ministers to the palace for discussion.

"My lords, the fighting on the front line is so brutal that we cannot sit idly by. What should we do now?" I asked the ministers.

An old minister sighed and said, "Your Majesty, war is inherently cruel. Our army has suffered heavy casualties and may find it difficult to continue fighting at such a high intensity. I believe that the most urgent task is to replenish our forces as quickly as possible and deliver more food, fodder, and military supplies."

I nodded. "Your Excellency is right. But how easy is it to replenish our troops? The people have heard about the cruelty of war, and I'm afraid many of them are afraid to join the army."

A young minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, you can issue a conscription order and offer generous rewards. Those who join the army will have their family's taxes reduced, and after the battle, they will be rewarded based on their merits, with grants of land, money, and other wealth. This might be enough to attract the people to join the army."

I thought for a moment: "This plan is feasible. But we also need to do a good job of propaganda, so that the people know the significance and value of joining the army. It's not just for rewards, but also to defend the country and their own homes."

At this time, a general entered the palace to report, "Your Majesty, I have returned from the front and witnessed the brutality of the war. On the battlefield, swords and spears were merciless. Our soldiers engaged the barbarians in close combat. Many of our brothers fell and never rose again. The people in the villages were even more pitiful. The elderly, the weak, women, and children were not spared. The corpses were scattered all over the ground. It was a horrible sight."

Tears welled up in my eyes. "General, thank you for your hard work. Tell me, what is the biggest difficulty our army is facing right now?"

The general clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, besides the shortage of manpower and supplies, there is also the problem of morale. Many soldiers are afraid of seeing their comrades suffer heavy casualties. Moreover, the barbarians' tactics are unpredictable and our army is unable to cope with them at present."

I addressed the ministers, "My Lords, regarding the morale issue, I would like the Ministry of Rites to organize delegations to visit military camps across the country to boost morale. We could also arrange for scholars to write about their heroic deeds and turn them into ballads to spread the stories, so that the bravery of the soldiers can be known to the public and inspire their fighting spirit. The Ministry of War must quickly develop countermeasures to the barbarian tactics."

The ministers all accepted the order: "Yes, Your Majesty."

I then said to the general, "General, please return to the camp and rest. Once I have arranged everything, I will allow you to return to the front with new soldiers and supplies."

The general saluted: "Thank you, your majesty."

When I was preparing for the conscription and transportation of supplies, I did not forget the people who were suffering in the war.

"Jinshu, arrange for people to set up refugee relief centers in the capital and surrounding areas to accommodate the people fleeing from the border. Provide them with food, shelter and medical assistance." I ordered.

Jinshu took the order and left. Not long after, he returned and said, "Your Majesty, there are so many refugees, and the supplies at the relief center are being consumed very quickly. I'm afraid they won't last long."

I frowned. "We can raise funds from the wealthy. If anyone is unwilling, please inform me and I will persuade them. At the same time, have the Imperial Hospital send more female doctors to help treat the injured and sick among the refugees."

I also went to the refugee relief center to visit the people in person.

"Auntie, you have suffered a lot. Don't worry, the court will not ignore you." I said to an old woman.

The old woman cried, "Empress, my son and grandson have both died at the hands of the barbarians. How can I live on?"

I held her hand and said, "Auntie, you must be strong. The court will avenge you. Please stay here and take good care of yourself."

During this time, I received a letter from the king.

Trembling, I opened the letter. It read: "My beloved, the fighting on the front lines is brutal. I witness the sacrifices of soldiers and the suffering of the people every day. But I will not retreat. I will drive the barbarians out of our dynasty. My beloved, please take good care of yourself in the palace. I look forward to reuniting with you soon."

Tears welled up in my eyes. "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself. I will fully support you from behind."

I showed the king's letter to the ministers: "My lords, Your Majesty is so steadfast on the front lines, and we in the rear must not slack off."

The ministers all said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, we will do our best."

With the issuance of the conscription order, many people came to join the army.

I went to the recruit camp to visit in person.

"My fellow warriors, you are all great. Your courage is commendable. When you go to the front line, you must fight bravely and defend the country." I said to the recruits.

A young recruit said, "Empress, it is our honor to fight for our country. We are not afraid of death and will make the barbarians pay the price!"

I nodded: "Okay! I will wait for your victory report in the palace."

I also strictly control the delivery of materials.

"The quality and quantity of these food and military supplies must be ensured. If any withholding or substitution is discovered, severe punishment will be imposed." I said to the official in charge of transportation.

The official said respectfully, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. We dare not do that."

However, the cruelty of the war continues.

"Empress, there's more battle reports coming in. The barbarians have changed their tactics and started using a poisonous smoke. Many of our soldiers have been poisoned, and their combat effectiveness has been greatly reduced." Wanqing reported anxiously.

I was shocked. "What should I do? Is there an antidote?"

Wanqing shook her head: "The battle report didn't mention the antidote."

I immediately summoned the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau to discuss the matter.

"My dear imperial physicians, do you know how to cure this barbarian poisonous smoke?" I asked.

The imperial doctors all shook their heads and said, "Your Majesty, we have never seen such poisonous smoke before. We need time to study it."

I said anxiously, "Time is running out. You must hurry. You can consult ancient books and ask folk doctors. You must find the antidote no matter what."

In this difficult time, I feel like the entire country is shrouded in the shadow of war. But I know I cannot give up. From here in the rear, I will do everything I can to overcome the difficulties with the king and the soldiers on the front lines. Even if the road ahead is filled with endless darkness and cruelty, I will strive to find that ray of light and save my country from the dire straits.

When dealing with the issue of toxic smoke, I thought of some extraordinary people among the people.

"Jinshu, go find the old man who came to the palace to offer advice before. He has some understanding of the barbarians, maybe he can find a solution." I said to the female official.

Jinshu took the order and left, soon bringing the old man back.

I asked anxiously, "Old man, do you know about the poisonous smoke used by the barbarians? Do you have any way to deal with it?"

The old man pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that there is a herb in the barbarian land that can cure this poison. However, this herb grows deep in the mountains and is not easy to pick."

I asked, "Can we send someone to pick them?"

The old man shook his head. "We are going deep into the mountains of the barbarians, and there are many dangers. We don't know the exact location of the herb. I think we can first find herbs with similar effects in our country and mix them together. Perhaps they can cure this poison."

I nodded. "Then I'll have to trouble you to work with the imperial doctors from the Imperial Hospital to study this. I will fully support you."

The old man saluted and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will do my best."

During this period, I visited the wounded soldiers again.

"Soldiers, you have suffered. The court and the people will never forget the sacrifices you have made for the country. I have arranged people to find an antidote, and you will definitely get better." I comforted them.

A wounded general said, "Empress, I feel truly guilty for not being able to repel the barbarians."

I said, "General, don't blame yourself. War is a never-ending struggle, and you've done your best. Now we must work together to overcome this difficult time."

I also organized a prayer ceremony in the palace, inviting eminent monks to pray for the soldiers on the front line and the suffering people.

"Master, the country is now suffering from war and many lives are being lost. Please pray for our dynasty, may the war end soon, may Your Majesty and the soldiers return safely, and may the people regain peace." I said to the monk.

The monk clasped his hands together and said, "Your Majesty, please be merciful. I will pray for the country."

In the cruel maelstrom of war, I navigated the harem and the various forces at my disposal, constantly searching for solutions and striving to shore up this crumbling nation. Every decision, every action, carried with it countless hopes and responsibilities. I knew that only by persevering could I hope for victory and save this war-torn nation and its suffering people.

While searching for an antidote, news came from the Imperial Hospital that they had found a recipe in an ancient book that was somewhat similar to the barbarian antidote the old man had mentioned.

"Your Majesty, we have discovered that this recipe requires several rare herbs. Although the palace has reserves, the quantities are limited." The imperial physician reported to me.

I said, "We can send people to buy the herbs from the common people at a high price. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the herbs, we will give them a generous reward. We must collect the herbs as soon as possible and develop an antidote."

"Yes, ma'am."

At the same time, new battle reports came from the front line.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty changed his strategy, avoiding the barbarians' poisonous smoke attacks and launching surprise attacks from the flanks, achieving some minor victories. But the barbarians are also rapidly adjusting their deployments, and the battle remains stalemate," Wanqing said.

I felt a little relieved. "Your Majesty is wise. As long as there is a chance of improvement, it will be great. We must also speed up in the rear and provide more support to the front."

I summoned the ministers again for consultation.

"My lords, Your Majesty has achieved a small victory on the front line, but the situation remains serious. We must increase our efforts in replenishing troops, transporting supplies, and developing antidotes. At the same time, we must also consider post-war reconstruction work and cannot wait until the war is over to start planning." I said.

One minister said, "Your Majesty, post-war reconstruction will require a huge amount of money and manpower. I think we can start raising funds now, perhaps by borrowing from wealthy families and repaying them with tax incentives after the war."

I nodded. "This plan is feasible. Let the Ministry of Revenue draw up a detailed plan, and I will consider it."