Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

After the previous turmoil, the court and the people are working hard to recover, and Li Lingyuan and Xiao Yi also hope that the country can get back on track as soon as possible. However, the calm is only short-lived, and a new crisis is like a turbulent undercurrent, constantly surging in the dark.

Although the public discontent with the Queen's measures had been somewhat alleviated by previous events, some stubborn elements still harbored resentment and secretly colluded with foreign forces that had long coveted the prosperity of the country. Now, with the support of the insiders, they began to plan a large-scale invasion.

In some small border towns, unfamiliar faces began to appear. These individuals appeared to be ordinary merchants or refugees, yet their demeanor betrayed an unusual aura. They were covertly gathering intelligence, exploring their nation's military deployments, supply reserves, and public opinion. At the same time, they frequently engaged with disaffected civilian forces, relaying various messages and instructions.

At home, those colluding with foreign forces began spreading increasingly demagoguery. They claimed that the Queen's reforms not only undermined tradition but also angered the gods, arguing that the foreign invasion was divine punishment for the nation. These claims plunged already skeptical citizens into deeper fear and confusion, and social order gradually deteriorated. In some places, looting occurred, shops were vandalized, and merchants complained bitterly.

The court's intelligence department quickly noticed these anomalies, but the situation was already somewhat out of control. Xiao Yi urgently summoned the ministers to discuss countermeasures, and the atmosphere in the court was solemn.

"Your Majesty, the situation is critical now. The top priority is to stabilize the people's morale at home and strengthen border defense." An old minister said worriedly.

"But those rioters are misled by rumors and are full of hostility towards the court. How to stabilize the people's hearts is a difficult problem." Another minister added with a frown.

Li Lingyuan stepped forward and said, "We need to let the people know the truth about the foreign invasion and expose the conspiracy of those rioters colluding with foreigners. At the same time, we must quickly restore local order and ensure the basic livelihood of the people."

The imperial court dispatched troops to the chaotic areas to maintain order and protect the lives and property of the people. Soldiers patrolled the streets, stopped looting, and helped businesses reopen. Furthermore, the court deployed a large number of propaganda personnel to reach the people, explaining the ambitions of the foreigners and the evil deeds of the rioters. They posted notices detailing the names and crimes of those known to have colluded with the foreigners, clarifying to the people the true enemy.

However, implementing these measures was not easy. In some areas, propaganda workers were attacked and notices torn down. Those collaborating with foreign tribes, unwilling to accept defeat, organized mobs and clashed with imperial troops. The clashes resulted in casualties on both sides, escalating tensions.

Meanwhile, the situation at the border was not optimistic. Foreign armies began to gather at the border, their tents stretching for miles and their momentum was menacing. The border defenders were on high alert, but due to the previous domestic unrest, the supply of supplies and troops had been affected. Furthermore, the foreigners seemed to have discovered some weaknesses in the border defenses and were deploying them accordingly.

Xiao Yi decided to personally inspect the border to boost morale. Li Lingyuan stayed at the palace to stabilize the rear. Before leaving, Xiao Yi held Li Lingyuan's hand tightly and said, "Lingyuan, you must be careful while I'm away. The rear of the country is in your hands."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will guard this place and wait for your safe return." Li Lingyuan's eyes were full of determination.

Xiao Yi led an elite force to the border. Along the way, he witnessed the suffering of the people and became even more determined to defend his country. When he arrived at the border, the defenders cheered, their emperor personally coming to them, boosting their morale.

Xiao Yi inspected the border defenses and discussed battle plans with his generals. He discovered that the border's problems were even more serious than he had imagined. Some defenses were in disrepair, and weaponry was inadequate. Furthermore, due to infiltration by foreign forces, intelligence leaks were a possibility.

Xiao Yi immediately ordered the reinforcement of fortifications and the mobilization of additional weapons and supplies from within the country. He also assigned specialized personnel to investigate suspicious individuals in border areas to prevent intelligence leaks. In the military, he personally encouraged the soldiers, speaking of the nation's honor and the people's aspirations, stirring their enthusiasm.

At the palace, Li Lingyuan faced immense pressure. She was responsible for coordinating the distribution of supplies, intelligence gathering, and stabilizing public sentiment. She was constantly busy, with little time for rest.

Some ministers expressed doubts about Li Lingyuan's abilities, believing a woman couldn't shoulder such a heavy responsibility. However, Li Lingyuan proved herself capable. She rationally allocated supplies, prioritizing the needs of border troops. Furthermore, she established a more rigorous intelligence network, leveraging civilian resources to stay abreast of domestic developments.

To reassure the people, Li Lingyuan once again reached out to the people. She visited the hardest-hit areas and helped them rebuild their homes. She organized charitable events, distributing food and daily necessities to the needy. She also held various cultural events among the people, promoting the nation's traditional culture and national spirit, and fostering a sense of unity and hope among the people in their difficult times.

However, those collaborating with the foreign tribes did not cease their sabotage. They also planted spies within the palace, attempting to obtain confidential court information. On one occasion, Li Lingyuan's itinerary was leaked, and she was attacked while traveling to a village. Fortunately, the guards bravely protected her, and Li Lingyuan escaped.

This incident made Li Lingyuan realize that the palace was not safe either. Together with the head of the palace guards, she conducted a thorough investigation of the palace personnel. After some effort, they uncovered several traitors and eliminated the hidden dangers within the palace.

At the border, Xiao Yi's preparations were underway. But the foreign tribes, seemingly aware of the imperial court's actions, accelerated their invasion. One night, the foreign tribes launched a small, exploratory attack. The border guards, awakened from their sleep, quickly engaged in battle.

The battle was fierce. The foreign soldiers were brave and ferocious. They used the cover of darkness to attempt to break through the border defenses. Although the defenders fought bravely, their inadequate preparations left some gaps in their defenses. At a critical moment, Xiao Yi personally arrived at the front lines to command the battle. His presence boosted the morale of the defenders, who stabilized their position and repelled the foreign attack.

Although this battle was only a minor incident, it made Xiao Yi realize that the invasion of foreign tribes was imminent and they must prepare for a full-scale battle as soon as possible. He sent an urgent letter to the country, requesting the court to mobilize more troops and supplies as soon as possible.

Upon receiving the letter, Li Lingyuan sprang into action. After consulting with her ministers, she decided to mobilize troops from across the country and collect supplies from the public. However, this process presented a new challenge. Corruption and withholding of supplies by some local officials created difficulties in their allocation. Upon learning of this, Li Lingyuan severely punished these officials and adjusted the allocation plan.

Upon learning of the border battles, the common people began to realize the seriousness of the foreign invasion. Some who had been bewitched began to awaken and offered assistance to the court, some donating their own supplies and others signing up for military service. In the face of this crisis, the nation gradually demonstrated the power of unity.

However, those collaborating with foreign tribes continued to operate covertly, attempting to undermine the unity between the people and the court. In some areas, they spread rumors that the court was collecting supplies to satisfy its own selfish desires and that the people who joined the army were simply going to die. These rumors once again caused some unrest among the people.

Upon learning of this, Li Lingyuan decided to intensify her propaganda efforts. She personally wrote notices explaining to the people that the court's actions were intended to protect the nation and its people. She also organized soldiers returning from the border to tell the people about the brutality of the foreign invaders and the critical situation on the border. These measures gradually dispelled the rumors, and more and more people responded to the court's call.

During this process, Li Lingyuan also paid attention to the families affected by the war. She established a special pension agency to provide living security and psychological comfort to the families of fallen soldiers. She also arranged temporary housing and daily necessities for those displaced by the war.

As time went on, the court's preparations gradually improved. Border garrisons received adequate manpower and supplies, and their fortifications became stronger. Domestic morale also stabilized, with the people rallying around the court, ready to jointly resist foreign invasion.

However, the foreign powers were constantly adjusting their strategies. Knowing that a direct assault on the border defenses would likely result in heavy losses, they began to plot new plots. They sought to bypass the enemy by attacking the country's coastal areas, catching the imperial court off guard. At the same time, they continued to incite discontent within the country, attempting to undermine the country's defenses from within.

Although Xiao Yi and Li Yuanling were fully prepared, facing the new conspiracy of foreign races and the complex situation, they knew that the real test had just begun. The fate of the country and the nation was facing an unprecedented challenge, and they must respond with greater caution and determination. In this moment of impending storm, the entire country was nervously waiting for the battle that would decide life and death.