The Second World in Ancient Times

Your Majesty and I were sitting in the imperial study, with many memorials about the current state and problems of the country placed before us. Although the situation was serious, there was no fear in our eyes.

His Majesty took my hand and said, "My beloved, although we are faced with new challenges, I believe that as long as you and I work together, we will be able to overcome this difficulty just as we have overcome wars in the past."

I smiled faintly and replied, "Your Majesty, I firmly believe the same. Think of the time of war when our dynasty faced fierce enemy attacks. Didn't we survive thanks to your Majesty's wise leadership, the brave fighting of our soldiers, and the concerted efforts of everyone in the rear? These difficulties today are merely another test."

His Majesty nodded and said, "My beloved, please tell me what further insights you have on economic recovery. While the business strategy you mentioned earlier is sound, I'm afraid there are still many obstacles to its implementation."

I thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, the main obstacles to business development are merchants' lack of confidence and chaotic market order. We can establish an official business support agency, much like a modern business development bureau. This agency could provide merchants with low-interest loans to help them rebuild their business empires, much like modern entrepreneurial support policies, providing start-up capital and preferential policies. At the same time, this agency could also regulate the market, crack down on counterfeit and shoddy goods, and maintain a fair competitive environment."

His Majesty asked, "How will the personnel for this institution be selected? I am worried that corrupt individuals will infiltrate and disrupt business."

I said, "Your Majesty, we can select officials with a reputation for integrity, as well as some impartial individuals recommended by private chambers of commerce. We should also establish a strict supervision and assessment mechanism, and if corruption is discovered, it will be severely punished. This is similar to the modern civil service selection and supervision system, ensuring the integrity of public officials."

After discussing economic matters, we turned to diplomacy.

I said, "Your Majesty, in addition to our previous diplomatic strategies of alliances and exchange of interests, we can also launch a cultural diplomacy offensive. We can establish cultural exchange centers in various countries to showcase our poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, dance, and other cultural treasures. This would be like a modern cultural embassy, ​​attracting other countries through the charm of culture, making them yearn for and respect our dynasty, and thus improving diplomatic relations."

His Majesty's eyes lit up. "My dear Consort, this is a brilliant plan. Who should we send to run these cultural exchange centers?"

I replied, "Your Majesty, you could select scholars and literati who are well-versed in our culture, eloquent, and diplomatic. They could not only spread our culture, but also, through exchange, understand the cultural and political dynamics of other countries, providing reference for our foreign policy decisions. They would be like modern cultural diplomats, tasked with both cultural exchange and intelligence gathering."

Then the topic turned to military construction.

His Majesty said, "My beloved, although military defense is being prepared, I would like to further enhance the combat effectiveness of our army. What are your thoughts?"

I said, "Your Majesty, modern military operations emphasize a modernized training system. We can implement simulated combat exercises within the military, setting up combat scenarios in various complex battlefield environments, such as mountainous, jungle, and river terrain, so that soldiers can accumulate rich practical combat experience during training. At the same time, we should also conduct military theory studies, research famous battle examples from ancient and modern times, both Chinese and foreign, and draw wisdom from them for strategies and tactics. This is similar to the model of combining education in modern military academies with actual combat exercises, comprehensively improving the military literacy of our soldiers."

A general came in and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have heard the military training methods you mentioned and find them quite novel. However, I am concerned that the soldiers will have difficulty adapting to such a complex training model."

I said, "Don't worry, General. We can first select a group of elite soldiers for pilot training. Once they have mastered the methods and techniques, we can gradually roll it out to the entire army. And during training, we can give generous rewards to those who perform well to encourage their active participation. This is like the pilot program for modern military reforms, gradually promoting the modernization of the army."

After dealing with the affairs of state, I returned to the harem and summoned the concubines.

I said, "Sisters, our country is facing new challenges. Although we are in the harem, we can also play a big role. In addition to the manual labor and self-improvement we have been doing, we can organize a harem talent show and invite the wives of envoys from various countries to watch. At the show, we will showcase our dynasty's clothing culture, etiquette culture, and so on. This is like the cultural display part of modern cultural exchange activities. Through the output of soft culture, we can enhance our dynasty's international image."

One of the concubines asked, "Your Majesty, how should we prepare for this talent show?"

I said, "First, we can decide on the exhibits, such as a show of exquisite court costumes, elegant etiquette demonstrations, and wonderful song and dance performances. Then, we can assign someone to oversee the venue layout and program rehearsals. We can also prepare some small gifts with Chinese characteristics for the envoys' wives to enhance mutual friendship. This is like the preparation of large-scale cultural events today, with an emphasis on detail and the presentation of cultural connotations."

During this series of preparations and planning, I communicated frequently with Your Majesty, had in-depth discussions with the ministers, and planned together with everyone in the harem.

His Majesty addressed the ministers in the court, "The Empress and I have discussed numerous strategies for the reconstruction and development of our dynasty. I know that this journey will be filled with difficulties, but I am confident, for I have the assistance of you, my beloved ministers, the wise support of the Empress, and the support of the people. Our dynasty will surely overcome these difficulties and achieve glory."

The ministers knelt and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. We are willing to fight to the death!"

I also said to the concubines in the harem: "Sisters, we are in the harem, but we are also part of the country. Every effort we make is connected to the fate of the country. Now we are actively preparing for the future of the country. I believe that with our joint efforts, the country will usher in a brighter tomorrow."

The concubines said in unison: "Your Majesty, we will follow you and do our best for the country."

With the gradual implementation of various plans, the domestic economy began to improve. Some merchants reopened their businesses with policy support, and the market gradually prospered. Diplomatically, various countries showed great interest in our dynasty's cultural exchange center, and exchanges and interactions with our dynasty increased. Militarily, the military literacy of the soldiers in the pilot training was significantly improved, and their experience was also promoted throughout the army. The talent show in the harem was also successfully held, and the wives of envoys from various countries praised the culture of our dynasty.

Your Majesty and I stood on a high point in the imperial palace, overlooking the prosperous scene of the capital.

His Majesty said, "My beloved, you see, everything is moving in a good direction. I believe that in the future our dynasty will become a powerful nation in the world."

I leaned on His Majesty's shoulder and said, "Your Majesty, this is inevitable. Because our ruler and his subjects are united, our people are united, and we combine modern thinking with ancient wisdom, no difficulty is insurmountable. Our country will surely shine brightly in the long river of history."

At this moment of hope and confidence, I know the road ahead is long and full of challenges. But as long as we uphold unwavering faith and address them with wisdom and courage, our nation's brilliant future will be like the rising sun, unstoppable. Whether in the economy, diplomacy, military affairs, or culture—in every field—we will continue to strive, constantly explore and innovate, and tirelessly work for the nation's enduring stability and prosperity, writing a magnificent epic for this nation.

After noticing the domestic economy's improvement, I said to the Minister of Revenue, "Your Excellency, although business has recovered, we still need to further promote industrial upgrading. We can encourage merchants to invest in emerging industries, such as mining and manufacturing. The court can provide technical support and preferential policies, much like modern industrial policy guidance, to promote the optimization of the economic structure."

The Minister of Revenue said, "Your Majesty, this emerging industry carries considerable risks, and merchants may be hesitant."

I said, "Your Excellency, we could establish an industrial risk fund, jointly funded by the court and merchants. If the industry succeeds, the merchants will receive a proportional share of the profits; if it fails, the fund can compensate for some of the losses. This would be like a modern venture capital mechanism, reducing investment risks for merchants and stimulating their enthusiasm for innovation and investment."

On the diplomatic front, with the success of the Cultural Exchange Center, I said to the Foreign Minister, "Your Excellency, we can build on cultural exchange by developing educational exchanges. We can send our students to other countries to learn advanced knowledge and technology, and at the same time, we can welcome students from other countries to our country to spread our culture and educational philosophy. This is like modern international educational exchange and cooperation, promoting the two-way integration of culture and education."

The Foreign Minister said, "Your Majesty, this is a good strategy for promoting international relations and national development. I will arrange the relevant matters right away."

In the military, after seeing the results of the pilot training, I told the generals, "Generals, the training is showing initial success, but we can't be complacent. We can further launch military science and technology innovation competitions to encourage soldiers and craftsmen to collaborate on developing new weapons and equipment. This would be like a modern military scientific research incentive mechanism, driving the rapid development of military technology."

The generals responded one after another: "Your Majesty, we will actively participate and build a more powerful military force for our dynasty."

In the harem, after the talent show, I said to the concubines, "Sisters, our cultural display is just the beginning. We can establish a cultural research group in the harem to delve into the essence of our dynasty's culture so that we can better disseminate it abroad. This would be like a modern cultural research institute, exploring cultural connotations and enhancing cultural influence."

The concubines said, "Your Majesty, we are willing to join the cultural research group and contribute to the country's cultural cause."

In the process of national reconstruction and development, I have drawn on modern thinking, knowledge, and experience to continuously propose new concepts and strategies, working with all parties to promote continuous progress in all aspects of our country. Whether it's economic diversification, the deepening of diplomatic efforts, military modernization, or cultural heritage and innovation, I strive to incorporate modern elements, allowing our country to showcase its unique charm and competitiveness in the ancient world, forging ahead toward an even more glorious future. On this stage of history, I will continue to use my wisdom and actions to safeguard our country's prosperity and the happiness of its people.

When promoting educational exchange, I told the Minister in charge of education, "Your Excellency, when sending students abroad to study, we must prioritize selecting young people with potential and ambition. And before they leave, we must provide them with language and cultural training to better adapt to the foreign environment. This, like the modern system for selecting and training international students, ensures the effectiveness of study abroad."

The Minister of Education said, "Your Majesty, I will formulate detailed selection and training standards to select the best students."

During the Military Science and Technology Innovation Competition, I told the artisans, "Fellow artisans, you are the skilled workers of our dynasty. In this competition, you must be bold and innovative, combining military needs with modern scientific and technological concepts to create unique weapons and equipment. The court will reward you generously with rewards and honors, much like the modern science and technology reward system, to inspire your innovative spirit."

The craftsmen said, "Your Majesty, we will do our utmost to contribute to the improvement of our dynasty's military strength."

During the establishment of the Imperial Harem Cultural Research Group, I told the concubines, "Sisters, the Cultural Research Group will study the origins, development, and inheritance of our dynasty's culture. For example, we will delve into the cultural connotations behind poetry and songs, and the evolution of ritual systems. We will also compile our research findings into a volume for dissemination within the Imperial Harem and the court, and also for use as material for international cultural exchange. This is similar to modern cultural academic research and the compilation of research results, making cultural heritage more systematic."

The concubines nodded one after another: "Your Majesty, we will study hard and live up to your expectations."