The Second World in Ancient Times

I was sorting out some post-war arrangements in the palace when Jinshu walked in with a smile on his face.

"Your Majesty, do you know that everyone in the palace, including the court ministers and the people, are praising your achievements in the war?" Jinshu said excitedly.

I smiled faintly. "This is what I should do. Without your Majesty's heroic command on the front lines and the soldiers' bloody battles, how could I have accomplished all this on my own?"

Not long after, His Majesty sent someone to summon me to the Imperial Study. I straightened my clothes and walked lightly to the study.

Entering the Imperial Study, His Majesty rose to greet her, his eyes filled with love and gratitude. "My beloved, I summoned you today to discuss this war. I have witnessed and remembered everything you have done in the rear. You have stabilized the harem, freeing me from worries; you have organized logistics, ensuring the continuous flow of supplies to the front lines, which is the key to our victory; and you have comforted the people, stabilizing their morale. Each of these actions is a great achievement."

I bowed. "Your Majesty, thank you for your kind words. I have simply applied some of the methods I have read in ancient texts, combined with my own thinking. I am deeply honored to be able to share your Majesty's concerns and contribute to the country."

His Majesty gently took my hand and said, "My beloved, please do not be so modest. Regarding logistics, the method you proposed for cultivating wasteland near the front lines emulates the ancients but innovates. This not only reduces transportation pressure but also ensures a certain supply of food and fodder. It's such a brilliant idea. If it weren't for you, my beloved, I'm afraid I wouldn't have thought of it."

I said, "Your Majesty, this method of military farming has existed since ancient times, and I have only made slight adjustments. Furthermore, in modern warfare, the stability of logistical supply lines is also of paramount importance. I have simply borrowed some modern thinking, believing that if the soldiers on the front lines have more food and fodder, they will be able to fight better."

At this time, a minister requested an audience. Upon entering, the minister bowed respectfully, then looked at me and said, "Empress, I come today to express my gratitude to you on behalf of the court officials. During the war, your attention to military equipment and your proposed improvements to forging techniques have made our weapons even more sophisticated. Only with sharp swords in hand can our soldiers be invincible on the battlefield."

I smiled and replied, "Your Excellency is very polite. I simply know some of the principles of metalworking, and I thought that if I could apply them to weapon forging, I might be able to improve their performance. This is also to provide an extra layer of protection for the soldiers, after all, they are risking their lives on the front lines."

The minister added, "And the consolation delegation Your Majesty sent to the front lines has truly boosted morale. Seeing how caring those in the rear care for them, the soldiers are even more determined to fight the enemy. Furthermore, the female doctors and apprentices Your Majesty arranged for, armed with modern first aid knowledge, have saved the lives of many seriously wounded soldiers. This is truly a meritorious deed."

I said, "I heard about the hardships faced by the soldiers on the front lines, and I thought that besides material needs, they also needed spiritual comfort. While that first aid knowledge differs from our dynasty's traditional medical techniques, it would be beneficial if it could be put to use on the battlefield."

His Majesty nodded and said, "My beloved concubine, this action is very pleasing to me. When I was at the front, I heard the soldiers talk about the comfort mission and they were all moved to tears of gratitude to my beloved concubine."

A few days later, I left the palace incognito to see what the people in the city were doing. As I walked down the street, the people recognized me and gathered around me.

An old man said excitedly, "Empress, you are our great benefactor. During the war, you personally came to comfort us, told us the court's response plan, and made us stop panicking. If it weren't for you, we really don't know what to do."

I said softly, "Old man, this is all thanks to His Majesty and the court. I am just conveying it on their behalf."

A woman continued, "Your Majesty, you organized us to make supplies for the soldiers on the front lines and taught us some new production methods. When the soldiers wear the winter clothes we make and use the items we prepare, they will surely feel our care and will be more energized to fight."

I smiled and said, "The soldiers must know the sisters' feelings. It's because of everyone's concerted efforts that our country has overcome this difficult time."

The people were full of praise, and I was deeply moved. After returning to the palace, I said to Jinshu, "Jinshu, look at how honest and kind these people are. Their recognition of me makes me feel even more deeply responsible."

Jinshu said, "Your Majesty, your contributions during the war are worthy of all this praise. Whether it's managing the harem or participating in state affairs, you have done an impeccable job."

In the palace garden, I ran into several concubines. When they saw me, they all bowed to me.

One concubine said, "Empress, during the war, you led us in the harem to pray for the front lines and to make gifts for the soldiers, allowing us to contribute to the country. Now that we see the country's victory, we are all proud of you."

I said, "This is our joint effort. In this time of national crisis, we in the harem should unite as one."

Another concubine said, "Your Majesty, your care for the elderly and orphans has filled the entire harem with warmth. Your kindness and wisdom are an example for us to learn from."

I responded, "They are all citizens of our country, suffering in the war, and we should lend a helping hand."

Not long after, His Majesty mentioned my achievements again in the court in front of all the ministers.

"My queen, in this war, performed the duties of a man despite being a woman. She used her wisdom and love to build a solid line of defense in the rear. Her contribution to the country is no less than that of any soldier fighting on the front lines. I have decided to commend the queen, conferring the title of Queen Protector of the Nation, and rewarding her with a thousand taels of gold, tens of thousands of pieces of silk, and countless jewels." His Majesty's voice echoed in the court.

The ministers knelt and shouted: "Your Majesty is wise and wise, and the Queen's merits are immeasurable!"

Upon hearing His Majesty's decree, I hurried to the palace to express my gratitude: "Your Majesty, this reward is too generous. I feel ashamed to accept it."

His Majesty smiled and said, "My beloved concubine, you deserve it. This is an honor you deserve. I hope you can continue to accompany me and offer advice for the prosperity of this country."

Afterwards, envoys from various countries came to congratulate our dynasty on its victory. At the banquet, after hearing about my deeds, the envoys also expressed their admiration for me.

An envoy said, "Empress, your country's victory in this war is largely due to your strategic planning behind the scenes. Your wisdom and ability are legendary throughout the nations."

I smiled and replied, "Your Excellency is too kind. This is the result of my unity with you, and I am simply doing my duty."

Amidst the accolades, I didn't become complacent. I knew our nation's peace and prosperity were hard-won, and much needed to be done. Within the harem, I continued to ponder how to further advance our nation's development, whether through universal education, cultural heritage and innovation, or sustained economic prosperity. I wanted to leverage my modern thinking, knowledge, and experience to bring about further change for this nation, allowing it to flourish even more brilliantly in this ancient world.

While pondering the development of the nation, I said to Jinshu, "Jinshu, I'm thinking that now that the nation is in its early stages of development, we could establish a specialized agency within the palace to collect and organize information from all sides, whether it's public opinion, local developments, or the dynamics of other countries. This would be like a modern intelligence collection and analysis center, enabling Your Majesty and the court to make better decisions."

Jinshu asked, "My Lady, how should this organization be run?"

I said, "We can select some intelligent and loyal palace maids and eunuchs and train them to learn how to gather information and discern its authenticity and importance. Then, we can regularly present this information to Your Majesty and the ministers. This way, the court can keep abreast of the situation and prepare countermeasures in advance."

Jinshu nodded and said, "Your Majesty, this is a brilliant plan. I will arrange it right away."

While establishing the information-gathering agency within the palace, I considered the cultivation and selection of talent. I said to His Majesty, "Your Majesty, the nation's development requires a vast pool of talent. We can select talented individuals nationwide, regardless of their social status. Through examinations, recommendations, and other methods, we can select those with the skills to govern and maintain national security and employ them in the court. This is similar to modern talent selection systems, where meritocracy is the primary factor, allowing more talented individuals the opportunity to display their talents."

His Majesty pondered for a moment and said, "My beloved concubine, this suggestion is very good. I will immediately arrange for the ministers to discuss the specific selection plan."

After discussing the talent search with His Majesty, I addressed the harem, "Sisters, we shouldn't just focus on palace matters while in this harem. We can learn some knowledge and improve our own qualities. For example, we can study poetry, songs, calligraphy, and painting, and we can also learn about the country's history, politics, and economics. This is like modern women improving themselves, allowing us to better accompany His Majesty and contribute to the country when necessary."

The concubines responded one after another: "Your Majesty, we are willing to listen to your teachings."

Amidst this acclaim, I remain busy, planning for the long-term development of my country. I hope to better integrate modern thinking and concepts into this ancient nation, allowing it to continue to develop and progress, becoming a powerful nation that attracts the world's attention. On this stage of history, I will continue to write my own legendary story, using my wisdom and strength to protect this land and its people.

While focusing on the self-improvement of the harem, I thought about international cultural exchange. I told the minister in charge of foreign affairs, "Sir, now that our dynasty has triumphed, we can strengthen international cultural exchange. We can send cultural envoys to other countries to spread our culture, such as poetry, calligraphy, painting, and etiquette. At the same time, we welcome cultural envoys from other countries to visit our dynasty so that our people can learn about other cultures. This is like modern-day cultural diplomacy: through cultural exchange, we can enhance understanding and friendship between nations and promote cultural diversity."

The Foreign Minister said, "Your Majesty, this is a good strategy for promoting international relations. I will arrange for the right people to prepare for cultural exchange."

I also said to the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Bureau, "My fellow imperial physicians, in your international cultural exchanges, you can also spread our dynasty's medical culture. Showcase our unique medical techniques and medicinal materials. At the same time, learn from the strengths of other countries' medicine and promote the development of our own medicine. This is just like modern international medical exchanges—mutual learning and common progress."

The imperial doctors accepted the order: "Your Majesty, we will do our best."