The Second World in Ancient Times

His Majesty was the first to break the silence: "My beloved, although our dynasty has found temporary peace, I know full well that the world is in an unpredictable state, and the road ahead will be fraught with difficulties."

I nodded slightly. "Your Majesty is absolutely right. But your Majesty, there is no need to worry. As long as you and I are firm in our beliefs, the ruler and his subjects are united, and the people are obedient, we can calmly deal with any difficulties and dangers."

His Majesty's eyes were blazing. "My beloved, I would like to start with military defense and then make plans to prevent other countries from coveting us again. Do you have any good ideas?"

I pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, in addition to conventional military training and armament expansion, we can establish a military early warning system. Much like modern radar monitoring, we can set up watchtowers and signal transmission stations at key locations along the border, manned day and night by well-trained soldiers. If any signs of enemy movement are detected, the news can be quickly transmitted to the capital and various military fortresses, buying more time for preparation."

The Minister of War bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, the construction of this watchtower and signal transmission station requires consideration of many factors, such as the concealment and visibility of the site, as well as the accuracy and timeliness of signal transmission. Please clarify this for Your Majesty."

I said, "General, we can choose a location on the top of a high mountain on the border or a hill with a wide view. We can also use the surrounding terrain and vegetation for camouflage to avoid being easily discovered by the enemy. Regarding signal transmission, we can develop a set of simple, easy-to-understand and difficult-to-crack signal codes. For example, different colored flags represent different enemy numbers and movements. Through the combination of beacon fires and flag signals, we can ensure that information is transmitted accurately. Furthermore, we should conduct regular training and drills for the soldiers to improve their signal recognition and transmission capabilities."

On the diplomatic front, the Foreign Minister offered his advice: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the current international situation is delicate. Although neighboring countries have temporarily subsided, the diplomatic game behind the scenes has never ceased. How can we, the ministers, seek greater benefits for our dynasty in the diplomatic arena and consolidate our position?"

I looked at the Foreign Minister. "Your Excellency, the art of diplomacy lies in weighing the pros and cons and forging alliances. We can establish strategic partnerships with distant powers, strengthening mutual dependence through cooperative agreements in cultural exchange, mutually beneficial trade, and military trust. For example, we could jointly carry out large-scale cultural exchange activities with a major power to showcase the cultural charm of both countries and enhance public goodwill. In trade, we could open markets to each other, lower tariff barriers, and promote economic prosperity for both sides. In the military, we could conduct regular joint military exercises, exchange military technology and tactics, and deter potential enemies. At the same time, we should use a combination of kindness and force towards neighboring small countries. To those friendly and willing to attach themselves to our dynasty, we would provide economic aid and military protection. To those wavering or harboring ulterior motives, we would demonstrate our dynasty's strength and resolve, deterring them from acting rashly."

Regarding the improvement of people's livelihoods, the Minister of Revenue said, "Your Majesty, after the war, although people's lives are gradually recovering, many are still suffering from injuries, illness, or loss of their homes. How to further improve people's livelihoods is a headache for us.

I said, "My lord, matters concerning the people's livelihood concern the foundation. First, increase investment in medical care, establish more medical clinics and pharmacies, and train professional doctors and pharmacists. We can set up medical schools to recruit students interested in medicine, impart modern medical knowledge and the essence of ancient medical skills, and let them practice medicine in various places after graduation to treat the people's illnesses and injuries. Secondly, launch a large-scale housing reconstruction project. For those who have lost their homes due to the war, the court will provide building materials and manpower support to help them rebuild their homes. Thirdly, encourage the people to develop side businesses, such as home crafts and small-scale farming. The court will provide technical guidance and sales channel support to increase the people's sources of income."

In the harem, I gathered the concubines and said, "Sisters, the stability of the country also requires the support of our harem. Although we cannot make decisions on national affairs in the court like His Majesty and the ministers, we can start with the things around us."

One of the concubines asked, "Your Majesty, what can we do?"

I said, "Sisters, you can organize yourself and visit the people affected by the disaster, providing them with clothing, food, and medicine. Furthermore, you can promote frugality within the harem, reducing unnecessary expenses and using the savings to support national development and the people. At the same time, we can teach the palace maids some handicrafts so that they can acquire a skill and become self-reliant after leaving the palace."

As plans progressed, news arrived from the border: "Empress, according to your instructions, the border watchtowers and signal transmission stations have been initially completed. The soldiers have undergone training and are now proficient in signal transmission. Recently, a small group of enemy troops were spotted roaming near the border, but thanks to our timely warning and strengthened defenses, the enemy, seeing no opportunity to exploit, has quietly retreated."

I said with relief, "Excellent! Keep on guarding and don't let up even a little bit."

On the diplomatic front, the envoy reported, "Your Majesty, we have reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with a distant powerful nation. They are very interested in the cultural exchange and trade cooperation program proposed by our dynasty, and the two sides are currently discussing the specific details of the cooperation. At the same time, seeing our dynasty's friendly relations with the great powers, the surrounding small nations have become more respectful and have expressed their willingness to maintain friendly exchanges with our dynasty."

I said, "This is good news, but we still need to be cautious in our diplomatic affairs and ensure that every agreement is in line with our interests."

Regarding livelihood improvements, local officials reported: "Your Majesty, the local clinic has begun accepting patients, and many people have received treatment for their injuries and illnesses. Housing reconstruction is also progressing smoothly, and the people are actively participating in it. Sideline businesses such as home handicrafts and small-scale farming are also gradually emerging, and people's lives have improved significantly."

I said, "This is the result of everyone's joint efforts. We must continue to pay attention to the needs of the people and adjust policies in a timely manner."

However, the development process has also presented some new challenges. Military early warning systems occasionally experience signal misjudgment; cultural differences lead to misunderstandings and conflicts in diplomatic cooperation; and in improving people's livelihoods, medical clinics sometimes run low on medicinal materials, and housing reconstruction projects face funding shortages.

I said to the military minister, "General, signal misjudgment must be taken seriously. We can establish a signal review mechanism. When a soldier sends a signal, the adjacent watchtower will review and confirm it to ensure the accuracy of the information. At the same time, we should conduct regular inspections and maintenance of signal transmission equipment to avoid misjudgment due to equipment failure."

He said to the Foreign Minister, "Your Excellency, problems arising from cultural differences are inevitable. Before launching cultural exchange activities, we can organize scholars and cultural envoys from both sides to conduct in-depth cultural discussions to understand each other's cultural taboos and customs, and formulate corresponding exchange rules and response plans. When misunderstandings arise, we should communicate and explain them in a timely manner and resolve conflicts with a sincere attitude."

He said to the Minister of Revenue, "Sir, the shortage of medicinal materials in the clinic can be solved in many ways. On the one hand, we can encourage the private collection and cultivation of medicinal materials, and the court will provide certain subsidies and purchase guarantees. On the other hand, we can develop medicinal material trade with neighboring countries and import scarce medicinal materials from our country. As for the shortage of funds for house reconstruction, we can encourage wealthy private households to donate, and the court will provide corresponding honors and policy benefits. At the same time, we can rationally allocate treasury funds to prioritize projects to protect people's livelihoods."

Your Majesty and I are always paying attention to the country's development trends in the palace, constantly adjusting strategies and solving problems.

His Majesty said, "My beloved, I know the road to protecting this country is long, but with you by my side, I have endless confidence and courage."

I responded, "Your Majesty, I stand hand in hand with you. No matter how fierce the storm, we will protect the peace, prosperity, and tranquility of this country, and make our dynasty a legend that will be passed down through the ages."

Facing new challenges, I considered the innovative applications of science and technology in military, diplomatic, and public welfare. I spoke to a minister skilled in mechanical engineering and other arts, saying, "Sir, the power of science and technology cannot be underestimated. In the military, we can develop new signal jamming and anti-jamming equipment to prevent the enemy from deciphering our signals. We can also develop lightweight defensive weapons, such as small crossbows and catapults, to enhance individual soldiers' combat capabilities. In diplomacy, we can utilize modern communications technology, such as a high-speed communication network combining carrier pigeons and post stations, to ensure the timely transmission and communication of diplomatic information. In public welfare, we can invent simple irrigation tools and grain processing equipment to increase agricultural production efficiency and improve people's lives."

The minister said, "Your Majesty, this research and development requires a lot of manpower, material resources, and time. Moreover, the craftsmen's knowledge reserves are limited, making research and development quite difficult."

I said, "Your Excellency, we can gather skilled craftsmen and scholars from across the country and pool our efforts for research and development. To address the artisans' lack of knowledge, we can organize training courses, with scholars from the court imparting relevant knowledge and principles. At the same time, we can establish a science and technology reward system, offering generous rewards to teams or individuals with significant inventions and innovations to stimulate their enthusiasm for research and development. This would be similar to the modern science and technology R&D team formation and incentive mechanisms that promote scientific and technological progress."

In the harem, I organized the concubines to learn some basic science and technology knowledge so that they could promote the importance of science and technology to the nation when communicating with their families. I told them, "Sisters, by learning this knowledge, we can help our families pay attention to the development and application of science and technology in their local communities. This is like the modern-day spread of family science and technology education awareness and its impact on society, transforming scientific and technological concepts from the harem to the general public."

A concubine replied softly, "Your Majesty, I will study hard and make my father and brothers at home aware of the importance of science and technology to the country, and encourage them to help promote scientific and technological innovation in the countryside."

Another echoed, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I am willing to do my best to spread this technology and spread its seeds among the people."

In the process of continuous development of the country, I have fully applied modern thinking, knowledge and experience, and actively operated between the palace and the court. From military technology to diplomatic communication, from improving people's livelihood to assisting the harem, I have tried my best to introduce modern concepts and methods, hoping to enable the country to have stronger response capabilities in the face of various challenges and move steadily towards a more glorious future. I will also leave my own unique mark of struggle in this long river of history and contribute all my strength to the country's rejuvenation and development.

While encouraging scientific and technological research and development, I also considered the crucial role of education and talent cultivation in the nation's scientific and technological development. I told the Minister of Education, "Your Excellency, scientific and technological innovation is inseparable from the cultivation of talent. In universities, we should place greater emphasis on science and engineering, establishing specialized laboratories and practice bases so that students can conduct practical experiments and operations while learning theoretical knowledge. For example, we could establish astronomical observatories so that students studying astronomy can observe the stars and verify theories; we could establish chemistry laboratories so that students can conduct chemical reaction experiments and explore new substances and processes. Furthermore, we could select outstanding students to study advanced science and technology abroad, so that upon their return, they can become the backbone of scientific and technological research and development. This, like the construction of a modern science and technology education system and the international exchange of talent, provides a continuous source of power for national scientific and technological development."

The Minister of Education said, "Your Majesty, this requires a huge amount of financial investment and support from teachers. It is also difficult to ensure that students can apply what they learn and transform what they learn into practical scientific and technological achievements."

I said, "Sir, funding can be jointly provided by the imperial court, wealthy private households, and business groups. Renowned scholars and craftsmen from home and abroad can be invited as visiting professors to strengthen the teaching staff. In the teaching process, we should focus on combining practice with theory, establish science and technology project competitions, and allow students to hone their abilities in the competitions and apply their knowledge to real-world projects. At the same time, we should establish a platform for the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements to help students bring their inventions to market and realize their value. This is similar to the modern mechanism of raising funds for science and technology education, recruiting teachers, and commercializing achievements, promoting the coordinated development of education and science and technology."

In the harem, I also organized science and technology education activities for the concubines, such as small science and technology lectures and demonstrations of small scientific inventions, to enhance their interest and understanding of science and technology. I told them, "Sisters, by participating in these activities, we can foster an atmosphere of scientific learning in the harem and contribute to the nation's science and technology education. This is just like the supporting role of modern women in promoting science and technology education and spreading culture, contributing to the nation's scientific and technological development from the harem."