Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

After the war, the country was devastated. Li Lingyuan and Xiao Yi knew that the most urgent task was to restore order, allow the people to recuperate, and get the dynasty back on track.

Li Lingyuan, clad in a dragon robe, sat in the imperial court, her gaze firm and imposing. She issued one decree after another, beginning with a general amnesty. Except for the core conspirators involved in the rebellion, all other accomplices received reduced sentences, as appropriate, to reassure the people. She also issued tax reductions, granting a three-year exemption to areas severely affected by the war. She also opened granaries to distribute grain to the victims, ensuring that the displaced, starving, and cold people had food to eat and shelter to live in.

In between these busy days, Li Lingyuan occasionally drifted into memories of the past. It was an autumn evening, drizzling with rain. The cold raindrops pattered against the palace tiles, making a crisp sound. The entire palace was shrouded in a hazy mist, permeated by a sense of loneliness and coldness. She remembered the confusion and fear she felt when she first arrived in this era. Back then, she was just an ordinary soul, but fate had cast her into the unfamiliar and dangerous midst of dynastic strife. She had struggled within the maelstrom of palace power struggles, each step a delicate one, a single misstep that could have shattered her. She often wondered why she had come here, and how she could survive in such a precarious environment. It was then that Xiao Yi, like a ray of light, entered her world. They met by chance on a palace path, where the maple leaves lining the path, wet from the rain, shone a deep crimson. Xiao Yi's eyes were filled with determination and warmth. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, with only the sound of falling raindrops and the sounds of each other's breathing. Li Lingyuan felt an indescribable feeling of being moved and relieved, as if she had grabbed a lifeline in the darkness. She knew that this man might become her most important support in this era.

Xiao Yi personally led his troops throughout the city, assisting the government in maintaining law and order and apprehending any remaining rebels. He enforced strict military discipline, strictly prohibiting his soldiers from disturbing the civilian population, and wherever he went, he committed no offense. In some cities, he organized his soldiers to help civilians rebuild their homes, carrying bricks and stones and repairing their houses. The people were filled with gratitude, and their trust in the imperial court grew. As Xiao Yi watched the people rebuild their lives, his thoughts drifted back to the past. It was a bitterly cold winter day, with heavy snow falling, blanketing the world in a blanket of white. He and Li Lingyuan were trapped by enemy forces. The wilderness outside the city was dead silent, filled only by the whistling wind and the shouts of the enemy. Xiao Yi was terrified, knowing he had a heavy responsibility to protect Li Lingyuan and must not let her come to any harm. Though a woman, Li Lingyuan possessed the courage and wisdom of a man. She calmly discussed a plan for a breakout, her eyes gleaming brightly against the white snow. Looking at her determined expression, Xiao Yi felt both admiration and pity. He secretly vowed to protect her no matter what. Her every smile, every word and every action were deeply imprinted in his heart, becoming the softest and most solid source of strength in his heart.

To revive agricultural production, Li Lingyuan convened agricultural officials to discuss measures to encourage farming. She ordered the distribution of high-quality seeds and tools and dispatched experienced farmers to various locations to teach advanced farming techniques. Soon, farmers began to work in the fields again. Barren land was gradually reclaimed, and tender green shoots broke through the soil, as if expressing hope for rebirth.

Commerce also gradually recovered with the support of the imperial court. Li Lingyuan reduced commercial taxes across the country, encouraging merchants to circulate and trade, and unblocking blocked trade routes. Once deserted markets became bustling again, with goods circulating and coins jingling, injecting new vitality into the dynasty's economy.

In terms of education, Li Lingyuan placed great emphasis on cultivating talent. She ordered the restoration of schools destroyed by war and recruited talented individuals to serve as teachers. Regardless of social status, anyone with talent and learning could enter the government. Students from all over the country flocked to the capital, and the academies were filled with the sound of reading, and a cultural atmosphere flourished once again.

Xiao Yi also undertook drastic reforms in the military. He was well aware that the rebellion had exposed numerous shortcomings in the army, so he eliminated the weak and infirm and recruited strong and brave young men, strengthening military training and improving the soldiers' combat effectiveness. He also developed new weapons and refined tactics and formations, making the dynasty's military even more powerful, capable of responding to any external threat.

Over time, under the governance of Li Lingyuan and Xiao Yi, the dynasty gradually regained its vitality. The people lived and worked in peace and prosperity, and the streets were filled with laughter and joy, a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. Literati composed poems and couplets, praising the peaceful and prosperous times. Artisans meticulously crafted countless exquisite works of art.

Throughout this process, Li Lingyuan and Xiao Yi's bond deepened. They often strolled hand-in-hand through the palace gardens, admiring the spring blossoms and autumn moons while discussing statecraft. Li Lingyuan was grateful for Xiao Yi's assistance and support, while Xiao Yi respected Li Lingyuan's wisdom and courage. Together, they worked tirelessly for the prosperity of the dynasty.