Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan knew the severity of the crisis and that any delay could plunge the country into an irreparable situation. They stepped up their investigation into the traitor, not letting go of any suspicious details.

A tense atmosphere permeated the palace, with ministers suspicious of one another and each acting cautiously under the scrutiny of the others. Xiao Yi, on the one hand, reassured the ministers by claiming it was merely a routine security check, so as not to alert the traitor. On the other hand, he and Li Lingyuan personally directed the covert investigation.

Li Lingyuan, with her keen insight, began by studying the timing and related events of past palace secret leaks. She discovered that whenever the court was about to make a major military deployment or a crucial diplomatic decision, a minister would inadvertently offer strange suggestions. These seemingly innocuous suggestions subtly echoed the subsequent actions of foreign forces. This minister was Lord Su, the Minister of Rites. He had served at court for many years and was deeply trusted. He was gentle and courteous, and he handled relationships well with all parties.

However, suspicion is only the first step; without solid evidence, a conviction cannot be easily made. Xiao Yi arranged for his most trusted secret guards to closely monitor Lord Su, including his daily life, interactions with others, and correspondence.

The secret guards' investigations finally uncovered some key clues. Lord Su would regularly visit an abandoned temple outside the capital late at night. While seemingly deserted, the temple was secretly manned by foreign spies. After several days of surveillance, the secret guards intercepted a secret letter Lord Su was about to send, detailing the court's latest border defense adjustments and domestic troop deployments.

The evidence was irrefutable, and Xiao Yi acted decisively, ordering the arrest of Lord Su. In Lord Su's residence and office, the imperial guards uncovered more evidence of collusion with foreigners, including gold, silver, and treasures given by foreigners and letters promising high positions and generous salaries.

Lord Su was brought to the court. Faced with overwhelming evidence, he still tried to argue, but under Xiao Yi's harsh questioning and the evidence, he finally bowed his head. He admitted that he had been tempted by the interests of foreign tribes and betrayed the country and the court.

"Your Majesty, I...I was confused for a moment and was blinded by greed. I beg Your Majesty to spare my life!" Lord Su knelt on the ground, crying bitterly.

"Hmph! You are an important official of the court, yet you have committed such a treasonous act. Are you worthy of my trust and the people of the world?" Xiao Yi's eyes were wide open and he was furious.

The court was in uproar after the traitor Lord Su was dealt with. But Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan had no time to celebrate, because the attack from foreign tribes was imminent, and the rebellious forces at home were also ready to make a move.

Li Lingyuan knew that to stabilize the domestic situation, she must first appease the people and allay their fears. She personally took to the streets of the capital, explaining to the people that the court had uncovered the traitor and that the situation was under control. She also encouraged the people to unite and resist the impending crisis.

"My fellow villagers, we have experienced countless hardships and obstacles, but we have all survived. Although there are foreign enemies and rebels now, as long as we work together, nothing can defeat us!" Li Lingyuan's voice spread throughout the streets and alleys, and the people's emotions gradually stabilized.

On the military front, Xiao Yi restructured his border defense strategy. Based on intelligence leaked by traitors, he deduced possible foreign attack routes and strengthened defenses in the corresponding areas. At the same time, he deployed troops throughout the country to prepare for possible rebellions.

However, the foreign attack was more ferocious than expected. They united several tribes, forming a massive coalition army that attacked simultaneously from multiple directions along the border. The border defenders fought bravely, but due to the enemy's overwhelming numbers, their defenses were somewhat compromised.

Xiao Yi personally led his troops to the border to reinforce. Before leaving, he said to Li Lingyuan, "Lingyuan, I don't know when I will return. I leave the country to you. You must stabilize the situation. I will see you again."

"Your Majesty, don't worry, I will guard this place well. You must take care of yourself on the front line, I will wait for your triumphant return." Li Lingyuan had tears in his eyes and hugged Xiao Yi tightly.

On the border battlefield, Xiao Yi's arrival greatly boosted morale. He led the charge alongside his soldiers. Using clever tactics, he commanded his troops in a resolute resistance against the foreign coalition. At a crucial mountain pass, the enemy attempted to break through the defenses. Xiao Yi personally led an elite force to hold the pass, repelling multiple enemy attacks.

"Soldiers, behind us are our homes and our loved ones. We cannot let the enemy advance a single step!" Xiao Yi's shouts echoed throughout the valley. The soldiers' blood boiled, and they all fought to the death.

Under the stubborn resistance of the imperial army, the offensive momentum of the foreign coalition forces was gradually curbed. However, the enemy did not give up. They changed their strategy and began to plunder towns and villages in the border areas in an attempt to disrupt the rear of the imperial army.

Xiao Yi was caught in a dilemma. If he divided his forces to protect towns and villages, the border defenses would be undermanned; but if he left them unprotected, the people would suffer a devastating disaster. After careful consideration, Xiao Yi decided to dispatch some highly mobile cavalry units to harass the enemy's marauding forces, while at the same time ordering the people of the border towns and villages to temporarily move inland.

Domestically, Li Lingyuan also faced enormous challenges. Rebellious forces launched riots in several cities, attacking government offices, looting supplies, and attempting to disrupt social order. Li Lingyuan commanded the army to swiftly suppress the rebellion. She adopted a strategy of divide and conquer, severely punishing the rebel ringleaders while adopting a lenient policy towards ordinary people who had been misled.

In handling the rebellion, Li Lingyuan demonstrated remarkable wisdom and courage. She delved deeply into the root causes of the rebellion and discovered that the harsh policies and corruption of some local officials were a major factor in the people's deception. Thus, while suppressing the rebellion, she also disciplined these problematic officials, alleviating the burden on the people and winning their hearts.

After a period of fighting, the situation on the border gradually stabilized, and Xiao Yi successfully repelled the large-scale attack of the foreign coalition. However, the imperial army also suffered heavy losses and needed time to rest and recuperate. Meanwhile, the rebellion at home was largely quelled, but the restoration of social order still required considerable work.

During this difficult time, the alliance states, witnessing the court's ability to persevere in the face of such a massive crisis, began to reassess their relationships. Some states, previously on the sidelines, decided to strengthen their alliances, sending troops and supplies to help the court resist the foreign invaders.

Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan expressed their gratitude for the aid from various countries, and they used this aid to speed up the reconstruction of border defenses and the restoration of the country. At the palace, Xiao Yi held a celebration banquet to honor the soldiers and officials who performed outstandingly during this crisis.

"We were able to overcome the difficulties this time thanks to everyone's concerted efforts. But we cannot let our guard down. Foreign races are still watching us covetously. We must continue to strengthen our own strength and defend our country." Xiao Yi said at the banquet.

Li Lingyuan also proposed a series of new national development plans at the banquet, including strengthening military training, reforming the education system, and promoting economic development. The ministers expressed their support, knowing that only a strong country can truly resist foreign enemies.

In the days that followed, the imperial court methodically advanced various tasks according to the new development plan. Border fortifications were further strengthened, military training became more rigorous, and new military equipment was continuously developed and deployed. In terms of education, the imperial court established more institutions to cultivate talents of all kinds and provide intellectual support for national development. Economically, both commerce and agriculture flourished, new trade routes were opened, and agricultural production increased significantly.

However, Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan were not carried away by their temporary victory. They knew the foreigners would not give up easily, and the challenges ahead remained enormous. They continued to strengthen their intelligence work and closely monitor the foreigners' movements. At the same time, they reflected on the problems exposed by this crisis and further improved the country's systems and management.

On a quiet night, Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan came to the palace garden again. The moonlight was like water, pouring down on them.

"Your Majesty, although we have overcome the crisis this time, the price we paid was too high. We must make the country stronger to prevent similar tragedies from happening again." Li Lingyuan said worriedly, looking at the bright moon in the sky.

"Lingyuan, you are right. We cannot let the people suffer such hardships again. We must take one step at a time and ensure that the country can stand firm in the face of any storm." Xiao Yi held Li Lingyuan's hand with a firm look in his eyes.