Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

Although the dawn of national restoration has begun to appear, the road ahead is still full of thorns. Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan are well aware that with so much to be done, numerous difficulties are like endless mountains that lie before them, waiting for them to overcome together.

The first and foremost challenge was the financial crisis. Years of war had left the treasury nearly empty. Although victorious, the war's exhaustion had plunged the nation's economy into extreme weakness. The reconstruction of palaces and infrastructure, the resettlement and supply of the army, and the restoration and development of people's livelihoods all required enormous financial support. Xiao Yi gazed at the mountain of accounts and the meager treasury funds, his brow furrowed, lost in thought.

Li Lingyuan was equally worried. She discussed with the ministers in the court and tried to find a solution through traditional taxation. However, the people had already been impoverished after the war, and imposing additional taxes would undoubtedly kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, which would only make the already difficult people's lives even worse.

Xiao Yi pondered for a long time and proposed a bold idea: "Lingyuan, we can learn from the modern economic model and issue government bonds. We can encourage wealthy businessmen, nobles and gentry to subscribe and promise a certain interest return. At the same time, we can establish a special financial supervision agency to ensure the rational use of funds and the timely repayment of government bonds."

Li Lingyuan's eyes lit up, but he also had some doubts: "Although this plan is brilliant, how can we win the trust of the people and make them willing to subscribe to government bonds?"

Xiao Yi smiled faintly and said confidently, "We can hold a grand national debt issuance ceremony and invite people from all walks of life to participate. You can personally explain the purpose of the national debt and the country's development plan, demonstrating our determination and confidence in restoring our country. Furthermore, we can use some state-owned assets, such as the mining and operating rights of mines and salt pans, as collateral to enhance the credibility of the national debt."

With their meticulous planning, the national debt issuance ceremony was grandly held. Dressed in resplendent court robes, Li Lingyuan stood dignified on the podium, eloquently describing the nation's current situation and future plans. "My dear gentlemen, now that our nation is newly established, it's time to rebuild everything. Xiao Yijun and I worry day and night, devoting our lives to restoring our country and ensuring the people live and work in peace and contentment. This national debt issuance aims to raise funds for rebuilding our homes and developing the economy. All funds raised will be used to repair water conservancy projects, reclaim farmland, establish schools, and other initiatives that benefit the people. The state pledges its mines and salt pans, and we will not let you down. Once our national strength recovers, we will surely reward you generously."

The audience was moved by Li Lingyuan's words. Xiao Yi, on the side, explained in detail the benefits and risk protection mechanisms of the government bonds. The wealthy merchants began to subscribe. A respected veteran businessman stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty and Young Master Xiao are devoted to the country. We should do our part. We are willing to subscribe to 500 taels of government bonds to help the country overcome its difficulties." His encouragement spurred the public to respond, and the government bond issuance achieved initial success.

However, new problems arose. There was a severe labor shortage for infrastructure construction. The war had claimed countless young and able-bodied workers, and the remaining civilians, mostly elderly, weak, women, and children, were unable to undertake the heavy construction workload. Xiao Yi proposed recruiting refugees from neighboring countries to supplement the labor force, but this move sparked controversy among the court officials.

A senior official worriedly advised, "Your Majesty, the identities of these refugees are unknown. If they harbor evil intentions, civil unrest could ensue. Furthermore, our country is already struggling to take care of itself. How can we accommodate them?"

Xiao Yi patiently explained, "Your Excellency's concerns are not without reason, but we can establish a strict screening system and only recruit refugees with clean records, strong bodies, and skilled skills. As for resettlement, we can concentrate them in a specific area, manage them uniformly, and provide them with reasonable remuneration and living security. After the project is completed, if they wish, they can be granted household registration and become citizens of our country."

Li Lingyuan nodded in agreement. "To restore our nation, we must recruit talented individuals from all walks of life. If these refugees can be properly utilized, they will not only solve the labor shortage problem, but also inject new vitality into the country."

Notices recruiting refugees were posted in neighboring countries. Upon hearing the news, many refugees who had lost their homes in the war came forward to sign up. Xiao Yi personally participated in the review, selecting suitable candidates and organizing them to work on the construction of palaces, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.

During the construction process, Xiao Yi introduced modern engineering management concepts and techniques. He drew detailed engineering drawings, developed rational construction plans and processes, and employed a collaborative approach to improve efficiency. He also focused on oversight and inspection of project quality, ensuring the durability of each project.

However, the revival of cultural education also faced enormous challenges. Prolonged wars had destroyed many precious texts and documents, and scholars had been scattered, nearly extinguishing the legacy of education. Li Lingyuan, deeply concerned, ordered a nationwide search for surviving texts and scholars, offering generous rewards and prestigious positions to encourage them to return to the world and teach.

Xiao Yi, drawing on his modern knowledge, organized and compiled new textbooks. He adapted modern scientific knowledge, history, culture, and ideological concepts to suit the social environment and cognitive level of the ancient world. For example, he incorporated simple mathematical calculations, astronomical and geographical knowledge, and medical and health knowledge into the textbooks, cultivating students with comprehensive literacy.

To raise public awareness of education, Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan personally visited schools across the country to give lectures. Their presence inspired students, and parents, realizing the importance of education, actively enrolled their children. For a time, schools across the country were filled with the sound of reading, and cultural education gradually began to recover.

In terms of agricultural production, due to the devastation of war, large amounts of farmland were left barren, water conservancy facilities were damaged, and there was a shortage of farm tools and livestock. Farmers were powerless to manage their land. Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan went deep into the fields to investigate the actual situation. Based on modern agricultural knowledge, Xiao Yi proposed a series of improvement measures.

He instructed farmers to improve soil quality, using crop rotation and fallowing to restore soil fertility. He also introduced new crop varieties, such as high-yield wheat and drought-resistant corn, to enrich the crop variety. He also organized craftsmen to repair water conservancy facilities, building irrigation channels and dams to ensure water supply for farmland.

To address the shortage of farm tools and livestock, the government provided subsidies to encourage blacksmiths to forge farm tools and merchants to import livestock from surrounding areas. Xiao Yi also personally designed some simple and practical farm tools, such as new plows and seed drills, to improve agricultural production efficiency.

In terms of business development, although some funding channels had been opened up through the issuance of government bonds, the domestic business order was in chaos, the market lacked regulations, unscrupulous merchants were rampant, and prices soared. Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan decided to rectify the business order.

They enacted strict business regulations to regulate market transactions. They established specialized market regulatory agencies to combat counterfeiting, price gouging, and other illegal activities. At the same time, they reduced business taxes to encourage businesses to operate legally and engage in fair competition.

Xiao Yi also proposed the idea of ​​establishing commercial blocks, centrally planning various shops for easier management and shopping. Within the commercial blocks, public facilities such as warehouses, inns, and teahouses would be set up to provide a convenient business environment for merchants.

In terms of diplomacy, although the restored nation has gradually gained a firm footing, neighboring countries still have doubts about it, and some even attempt to take advantage of its unstable foundation to provoke and invade. Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan are well aware of the importance of diplomatic relations and decide to take the initiative to resolve the diplomatic crisis.

They dispatched eloquent and resourceful envoys to various countries. These envoys, bearing generous gifts and messages of peace and friendship, explained the nation's policies and its desire for peaceful coexistence after its restoration. Simultaneously, Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan actively prepared military defenses at home, demonstrating the nation's strength and resolve and discouraging neighboring nations from making rash moves.

Faced with the harsh diplomatic conditions proposed by some countries, Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan calmly analyzed and weighed the pros and cons. While adhering to the bottom line of national interests, they responded flexibly and, through negotiation and consultation, reached a series of diplomatic agreements with various countries, gaining external space for the country's peaceful development.

Through the tireless efforts of Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan, each obstacle in the restoration process was overcome. From the ruins, the nation gradually rose, brimming with vitality. The people's lives improved, and they were filled with hope for the future. The bond between Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan deepened during this shared struggle. Supporting and understanding each other, they became the most important pillars of each other's lives, continuing to lead the nation steadily towards prosperity.