From cute to empress

Lan Xin's words interrupted my thoughts. I took the ginseng soup, but it tasted bland. Outside, the rain continued to fall, and my heart felt as heavy as the weather. This sudden flood, coupled with the previous locust plague and trade disputes with neighboring countries, had nearly wiped out all our years of hard work.

"Your Majesty, you haven't slept for a whole day and night. Please eat something." Lan Xin looked at me with concern, her tone full of worry.

I forced myself to cheer up, drank a few sips of the ginseng soup, put down the bowl, and walked to the window. The rain was lighter than before, and there seemed to be a hint of light in the distant sky, which also seemed to brighten my mood.

"How's the situation with Laonong Sun?" I asked.

"Your Majesty, Old Farmer Sun has already started replanting with the people. He said that fortunately you had ordered the storage of some grain seeds in advance. Now is a good time for sowing. As long as the rain is not too heavy, we should be able to have a good harvest this year." Lan Xin replied.

Hearing this, I felt a little relieved. Sun Laonong was a well-known farmer among the people. With his leadership, the people would surely be able to overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes.

"Where is Mr. Zheng's merchant fleet? Has it set off?" I continued to ask.

"Your Majesty, the merchant fleet of Mr. Zheng has already set off. I heard that they brought a lot of silk and tea this time, which should be able to be sold at a good price." Lan Xin replied.

I nodded. Mr. Zheng's merchant fleet is a vital source of income for us. This trade dispute with our neighbor was successfully resolved thanks to his mediation. Now that the merchant fleet is sailing again, I'm confident the nation's economy will soon recover.

Just as he was thinking, he heard hurried footsteps outside the door, and then the voice of Wang Bozhu rang out outside the door: "Your Majesty, I have something important to ask you!"

My heart moved, and I quickly said, "Hurry up and announce it!"

Wang Bozhu walked in hurriedly, with an unconcealable excitement on his face, but he seemed to be hesitant to speak.

"My dear Wang, what are you doing..." I looked at him in confusion.

"Your Majesty," Wang Bozhu took a deep breath, as if he had finally made up his mind, "Your Majesty, your Majesty, I have good news for you!"

Wang Bozhu's words were like a stone, stirring up a thousand waves in my heart. For a while now, bad news has been pouring in, and I haven't heard the word "good news" in a long time.

"What's the good news? Tell me quickly!" I asked anxiously, with a hint of anticipation and nervousness in my tone.

Wang Bozhu took a deep breath and an irrepressible smile appeared on his face. "Your Majesty, the strategy you proposed earlier regarding trade with overseas countries has begun to bear fruit! This time, while inspecting the coastal ports, I discovered quite a few merchant ships from overseas. They brought many rare and exotic items we have never seen before, and they are willing to pay high prices for our silk, tea, and porcelain."

I was delighted and quickly asked, "Oh? Which countries are these merchants from? Are they satisfied with our country's products?"

Wang Bozhu excitedly said, "Your Majesty, this time we have merchants from the Western Regions, bringing with them the finest gems and spices; and from Southeast Asia, bringing with them pearls, corals, and rare medicinal herbs. They are all full of praise for our country's goods, especially silk and tea, which are in short supply!"

I nodded with satisfaction. It seemed that the strategy of opening the sea ban despite pressure was correct. Now we have established more stable cooperative relations with overseas countries, and port trade is becoming increasingly prosperous. This is undoubtedly a huge boost to our country's economic development.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Wang Bozhu bowed. "Not only that, the business subsidy policy you implemented has also attracted more merchants to invest. Now many new shops have been built in the city, and the people's lives are much better than before."

I walked to the window, watching the gradually clearing sky in the distance, my heart filled with hope. After the storm, the sky has finally cleared, and our country will surely usher in an even brighter tomorrow.

"Lan Xin," I turned around and looked at Lan Xin who had been standing silently behind me, "Go get the one in the warehouse..." Before I finished my words, there was a sudden noise outside the door, mixed with the excited cheers of the people.

I walked quickly outside the palace and saw a group of people surrounding a middle-aged man in coarse linen, his face filled with joy. The man was none other than Zhao, the craftsman I had summoned to the palace to demonstrate the new agricultural tools.

"Your Majesty, look!" Craftsman Zhao excitedly ran up to me, holding a uniquely shaped farm tool in his hands. "I've finally fulfilled your request! This improved curved plow is not only lighter and more durable, but also saves manpower. One person can easily cultivate a large area of ​​land!"

I took the curved plow and examined it carefully. This one was even more finely crafted than the one Craftsman Zhao had shown me before. The plowshare was inlaid with a thin layer of metal, making it look sharper and more durable.

"Good! Good! Good!" I praised repeatedly, a warm feeling welling up in my heart. Ever since I issued the policy to encourage agricultural tool reform, skilled craftsmen from all over the country have offered their suggestions and ideas, and now we are finally seeing the results.

"Craftsman Zhao, you have made great contributions to the country. I will reward you well!" I said happily.

"Your Majesty, this is what I should do." Craftsman Zhao smiled naively. "As long as I can help the people live a good life, I'm willing to die!"

I was deeply pleased and immediately ordered the nationwide promotion of Zhao's new agricultural tools and allocated funds to support his continued research on more advanced agricultural technologies.

To celebrate the country's recovery from the disaster and the phased success of economic reform, I decided to hold a grand celebration in the palace.

On the day of the banquet, the entire palace was festooned with lights and vibrant colors, a scene of extraordinary activity. I, dressed in gorgeous palace attire, entered the magnificent palace, surrounded by civil and military officials.

In the main hall, merchants, farmers, and craftsmen from all over the country gathered together. Some of them were businessmen who made outstanding contributions to post-disaster reconstruction, some were skilled craftsmen who developed new agricultural tools, and some were officials who achieved remarkable results in promoting new technologies.

I raised my glass and expressed my gratitude and respect to everyone.

"My dear ministers, today we gather together to celebrate our country's victory over difficulties and the renewed vitality of the economy! This is inseparable from the hard work and efforts of each and every one of you!"

My eyes swept across the faces filled with joy and pride, and my heart was filled with emotion.

"I believe that with everyone's joint efforts, our country will become stronger and stronger, and the lives of the people will become better and better!"

After the banquet, I went to the Imperial Garden for a walk alone.

The night sky was dotted with stars and bursts of laughter came from afar, but my mood was inexplicably heavy.

"Lan Xin," I stopped and turned to look behind me, "Tell me, can this peaceful and prosperous era really last forever?"

Lan Xin was about to answer when suddenly, a guard ran in with a panicked look...

The bustling joy of the banquet still lingered in my ears as I strolled through the Imperial Gardens. A cool breeze blew past, but it couldn't dispel the lingering heaviness in my heart. Beneath this scene of prosperity and peace, did an unknown crisis lurk?

"Lan Xin," I paused, the moonlight falling on my face, reflecting a sense of loneliness. "Tell me, can this peaceful and prosperous era really last forever?"

Lan Xin seemed about to say something, but was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps. A guard ran in panicked, knelt before me, and presented me with a letter with trembling hands.

"Your Majesty...urgent news from the border!"

My heart sank as a sense of foreboding washed over me. Without caring about anything else, I quickly opened the envelope. The few words on the letterhead resounded like thunder in my ears.

"The border is in danger, the enemy is invading, and General Zhen... is seriously injured..."

The letter slipped from my hands, and I felt my blood freeze. Zhen Youcai, the man who was always full of energy, the man who smiled and said to me, "I'll take care of everything," the general who fought bravely for his country and made great military achievements, was actually... seriously injured!

My mind was blank, my ears were buzzing, as if the whole world had lost its sound. I don't know how long it took before I found my voice, but it was horribly hoarse.

"Pass the order down and summon all ministers immediately to discuss the matter in the court!"

I suppressed my inner anxiety and worry and tried to remain calm. Now is not the time to be sad. The country is in danger. I must pull myself together and shoulder the responsibilities of an emperor.

However, the arguments in the court made me feel upset.

"Your Majesty, the journey to the frontier is long and the war situation is changing rapidly. You must not take risks lightly!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, why not send an elite force to provide support first, and then make plans after the situation stabilizes."

The ministers, one after another, have urged me to prioritize state affairs and not let my emotions get the better of me. Their concerns are not without reason, but how can I remain in peace in this deep palace and ignore Zhen Youcai, who is far away in the frontier, his life or death uncertain?

"Enough!" I stood up suddenly, my tone firm. "The enemy is invading with all their might, and fighting on the border is urgent. I have made up my mind, and I will leave for the border immediately!"