The Second World in Ancient Times

I was in my bedroom, reading memorials submitted from various places on the achievements of the New Policies, my heart filled with emotion, when His Majesty walked in, a smile on his face.

"My beloved, your new policy is truly brilliant! Today in the court, I heard the ministers report on the various changes in the country after the implementation of the new policy, and my admiration for you has grown even stronger." His Majesty said, holding my hand.

I smiled faintly. "Your Majesty, you are too kind. This is all thanks to your support and the concerted efforts of all the ministers. Without your Majesty's firm determination, this new policy would be difficult to implement."

His Majesty shook his head gently. "My beloved concubine, do not be modest. Every measure of this new policy, from economic diversification to educational reform, from the improvement of people's livelihood to the flourishing of culture, has been meticulously planned by my beloved concubine. With your unique perspective and wisdom, my beloved concubine has injected new vitality into my country. I know that without my beloved concubine, this country would never have prospered so rapidly."

I was deeply moved and said, "Your Majesty, I have only done my best, drawing on some... past experience and wisdom. It is my honor to share your Majesty's worries and serve our country." I almost said "modern experience" but quickly changed my tone.

His Majesty pondered for a moment and said, "My beloved, although the country is now prosperous, I know that this is far from enough. I would like to discuss the long-term future of the country with you. Do you have any ideas?"

I nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that, in terms of economy, we can further strengthen trade with overseas countries. We should not only export our dynasty's traditional treasures such as silk, tea, and porcelain, but also try to export some new technologies and cultural products. Just like modern international trade, through the exchange of technology and culture, we can enhance our dynasty's influence and competitiveness in the world."

His Majesty's eyes lit up. "My dear Consort, this is a brilliant plan. However, when it comes to overseas trade, many factors must be considered, such as the safety of shipping routes and trade agreements with other countries."

I said, "Your Majesty, ensuring safe sea routes will strengthen the navy and develop more advanced navigation technology and warships. Trade agreements with other countries will require the Foreign Minister to conduct in-depth negotiations with each country to obtain the most favorable terms. For example, a dedicated trade negotiation team could be established to study the needs and interests of each country and develop win-win trade plans. This is similar to modern international trade negotiations and naval support to ensure the smooth operation of overseas trade."

Regarding education, I continued, "Your Majesty, education should place greater emphasis on fostering an international perspective. We can send more students abroad to study advanced knowledge and technology from other countries, and invite renowned foreign scholars to lecture and exchange ideas with our dynasty. In domestic institutions, we should add courses in international politics, economics, and culture to help students understand the global landscape and cultivate pillars of our nation with a global perspective."

His Majesty said, "My beloved, this matter of studying abroad and inviting scholars requires a considerable amount of money and energy. How can we ensure that the students can learn real skills and not be influenced by the bad customs of other countries?"

I replied, "Your Majesty, financial support can be provided jointly by the court and the public. When selecting students, their moral character and learning ability must be strictly assessed. Furthermore, dedicated personnel should be assigned to accompany students abroad to oversee their studies and daily life. Scholars who come to our court to give lectures should also be reviewed for their knowledge and moral character beforehand. This is similar to modern regulations for studying abroad and international academic exchanges, ensuring the quality of international education."

In the cultural field, I said, "Your Majesty, the dissemination and exchange of culture must be deepened. In addition to the export of traditional opera, calligraphy, and painting, we can establish an international cultural exchange academy to recruit students from various countries to study our culture, while also allowing our students to interact with them. Within the academy, we can offer courses on studying different cultures to promote mutual understanding and integration. This would be like a modern international cultural and educational institution, promoting the exchange and development of diverse cultures."

His Majesty nodded and said, "My beloved concubine, these ideas are excellent. I believe that if this can be achieved, our dynasty will surely shine brightly on the world stage."

In the harem, when I was chatting with the concubines, I also mentioned the country's future plans.

One of the concubines said, "Your Majesty, you have planned so much for the country. It is truly a blessing for our dynasty."

I smiled and said, "Sisters, the future of this country is closely related to each of us. We in the harem must also constantly improve ourselves and contribute to the country's cultural heritage and harem harmony."

Another concubine asked, "Your Majesty, what can we do?"

I said, "Sisters, you can learn some foreign languages ​​and foreign etiquette so that you can communicate better when receiving the wives of foreign envoys. You can also participate in some cultural creation activities to showcase the cultural charm of our dynasty through your works. This is like a modern cross-cultural exchange and cultural communication ambassador, supporting the country's cultural diplomacy from the harem."

The concubines all expressed their willingness to try it.

At court, His Majesty addressed his ministers, "I have discussed the long-term future of our nation with the Empress, and she has offered many sound advice. I hope you, my dear ministers, will join me and the Empress in striving for the long-term stability of our nation."

The ministers knelt and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise and wise, and the Empress is virtuous. We will do our utmost to help you!"

As time went on, various plans were gradually implemented. The Foreign Minister arrived to report: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, during trade negotiations with overseas countries, our team successfully signed favorable trade agreements with several major powers. They are extremely interested in our dynasty's new technological products and cultural and creative products, which will greatly promote our dynasty's overseas trade."

I said, "Very good, sir. But you must pay close attention to the details of the trade process to ensure that both parties abide by the agreement."

The Minister of Education also said, "Your Majesty, the selection and dispatch of students for overseas study is progressing smoothly. Many foreign scholars have agreed to come to our court to give lectures. Internationalized courses at domestic institutions are also being prepared."

I said with relief, "This is great news. We must ensure the quality of all educational activities so that students can truly benefit."

During the preparations for the Cultural Exchange Academy, the Minister in charge of cultural affairs said, "Your Majesty, the site selection and faculty recruitment for the academy are all proceeding in an orderly manner. However, the compilation of textbooks and the curriculum still need further improvement."

I said, "Sir, the compilation of textbooks can involve cultural experts from various countries and scholars from our country. The curriculum should take into account the characteristics and communication needs of different cultures. This is just like the compilation of international cultural textbooks and curriculum design in modern times, creating a high-quality cultural exchange platform."

Your Majesty and I closely monitor the progress of various affairs in the palace. We support each other and jointly address various issues. Whether discussing major national policies or handling the trivial matters of the harem, we are united in purpose and effort.

His Majesty often said to me, "My beloved, with you by my side, I am confident in the future of this country. I will work hand in hand with you to ensure the eternal prosperity of our dynasty."

I responded, "Your Majesty, I am willing to follow you through thick and thin, and dedicate everything to the long-term peace and stability of our country."

In planning and developing the nation's long-term future, I draw on modern thinking, knowledge, and experience to work closely with Your Majesty, actively coordinating efforts within the imperial court and the imperial court. From expanding overseas trade to internationalizing education, from deepening cultural exchanges to supporting cultural diplomacy within the imperial harem, I strive to introduce modern concepts and methods, hoping to ensure our nation's continued success on the world stage and its emergence as a great and influential nation. I will continue to write my own glorious chapter in this long history, working tirelessly for our nation's rise and prosperity.

While promoting the development of the School of Cultural Exchange, I was reminded of the importance of scientific and technological research and development collaboration in enhancing a country's innovation capabilities. I spoke to a minister skilled in mechanical engineering and other arts, saying, "Your Excellency, on the international stage, scientific and technological research and development collaboration is key to enhancing a country's innovation capabilities. We can jointly establish research laboratories with other countries and conduct major scientific and technological research projects. For example, in the medical field, we could collaborate on developing new drugs and treatments, and in astronomy, we could jointly explore the mysteries of the universe. This is like modern international scientific and technological cooperation projects, sharing resources and achievements to accelerate scientific and technological progress."

The minister said, "Your Majesty, this scientific and technological research and development cooperation requires solving many problems such as intellectual property rights and technical confidentiality."

I said, "Sir, before any collaboration begins, a detailed agreement must be signed to clarify the rights and obligations of all parties. A strict confidentiality mechanism and intellectual property protection system must be established to ensure fair and smooth cooperation. This is similar to modern scientific and technological cooperation agreements and intellectual property management, which guarantee the healthy development of scientific and technological research and development cooperation."

In the imperial harem, I organized the concubines to learn about science and technology and the concept of scientific cooperation so that they could spread awareness of scientific cooperation in their interactions with their families. I told them, "Sisters, by learning this, we can help our families pay attention to opportunities for scientific cooperation at the local level. This is like modern family science and technology education and its impact on society, fostering an atmosphere of scientific cooperation from the harem to the grassroots."

The concubines responded one after another: "Your Majesty, we will study hard and contribute to the national scientific and technological cooperation."

In the process of the country's continuous development, I have fully utilized modern thinking, knowledge and experience, and actively operated between the palace and the court. From scientific and technological cooperation to cultural exchanges, from overseas trade to educational reform, I have worked hard to introduce modern concepts and methods, hoping to enable the country to maintain its leading edge in all aspects and stride towards a more glorious future. I will also continue to leave my own unique mark of struggle in this long river of history and contribute all my strength to the country's revival and development.

While encouraging scientific and technological research and development collaboration, I also considered the fundamental role of ecological and environmental protection in national sustainable development. I addressed the Minister of Revenue, "Your Excellency, national prosperity cannot come at the expense of the environment. We must prioritize ecological and environmental protection, enact strict environmental regulations, and limit overexploitation and pollution emissions. For example, we should rationally plan mining operations to ensure vegetation restoration, and protect rivers and lakes by prohibiting the indiscriminate discharge of wastewater. This, like modern environmental protection policies and ecological restoration projects, will achieve national sustainable development."

The Minister of Revenue said, "Your Majesty, the enforcement and supervision of these environmental regulations requires a great deal of manpower and resources."

I said, "Your Excellency, we can establish a dedicated environmental law enforcement team and strengthen training and equipment. Regarding resources, the court can allocate special funds, or we can encourage the participation of non-governmental environmental protection organizations, through donations and volunteer services, to jointly protect the country's green mountains and clear waters. This is similar to the construction of a modern environmental law enforcement system and a public environmental participation mechanism to promote ecological and environmental protection."

In the harem, I also organized the concubines to participate in environmental awareness campaigns. I told them, "Sisters, we can create environmental posters and write short stories about environmental protection to spread environmental awareness within the palace and among the public. This is like a modern environmental awareness campaign, speaking out for ecological protection from a female perspective."