From cute to empress

Chapter 256 Anxiety within the Palace Walls

"Someone!" I hurried to the desk and unfurled the border map, anxiously scanning every mountain, river, and stream, as if trying to imprint them deeply in my mind. "Where is General Zhen now? How is the battle going? Send a messenger quickly!"

My voice, trembling slightly with anxiety, echoed in the empty imperial study. Mr. Tian and the agronomist stood nearby, their expressions solemn. They knew I was concerned about the border war, and they understood that the nation's safety was closely tied to this battle.

"Your Majesty, please don't be anxious. The situation at the border is changing rapidly. Let's wait for the news from the messenger." Old Man Tian comforted. Although he was old, he was still in good spirits. Having experienced many ups and downs, he was the calmest among all the people at this moment.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my flustered emotions, and forced myself to focus on the memorial before me. These days, good news keeps pouring in. New farming techniques are being promoted across the country, bringing vibrant life to the once barren land, significantly increasing grain production, and greatly improving people's lives.

"Your Majesty, look!" the doctor of agronomy said excitedly, pointing to the lines of figures on the memorial. "This year's autumn grain harvest has doubled compared to last year. The people are saying this is a sign from heaven!"

I took the memorial and examined it carefully, a smile of satisfaction spreading across my face. Every bit of this joy is inseparable from the hard work of Mr. Tian and the agronomy doctor, and even more so, from the farmers who dared to try new technologies.

"Your Majesty, I request to see you!" A loud voice sounded outside the door.

"Xuan!" I looked up and saw Businessman A walking in quickly with a joyful smile on his face.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! The farmland I invested in has yielded a bumper harvest this year. The people are grateful to Your Majesty for his kindness and for promoting this new technology!" Merchant A said excitedly, pulling out a stack of banknotes from his pocket. "I am willing to donate all the profits from this operation to the national treasury for further promotion of this new technology!"

I looked at this once shrewd businessman in front of me with satisfaction. The light in his eyes is no longer a simple pursuit of profit, but more of a responsibility to the people and expectations for the future.

"Well, I thank you on behalf of the people of the world!" I took the banknote and said solemnly, "I believe that with more people like you who care about the people, we will be able to overcome all difficulties and make our country more prosperous!"

At this moment, a guard rushed in, knelt on the ground, and shouted loudly: "Report! Urgent news from the border!"

My heart sank, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. Could it be… I stared intently at the letter in the guard's hand, as if it were a heavy burden, weighing me down and making me breathless.

"Send it over quickly!"

The guard held the letter high above his head, his hands trembling. I practically snatched the envelope, trembling as I opened it. Lines of familiar handwriting came into view, and my heart, as the contents unfolded, experienced a dramatic ups and downs, from the peak to the valley, then back to the peak.

In the letter, Zhen Youcai described the battle situation on the border in detail. The enemy was advancing with great force, attempting to exploit the country's lack of manpower during the promotion of new agricultural techniques to launch a surprise attack on border towns. He led his men in a tenacious resistance, but due to the enemy's overwhelming numbers, the situation was extremely critical.

Reading this, I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my flesh, yet I felt no pain. Zhen Youcai's resolute face emerged in my mind, and I silently prayed for his safe return.

The letter went on to state that at the height of the battle, Zhen Youcai, with his quick wits, took advantage of the unique geographical conditions and set up a strategy of false alarm, successfully confusing the enemy and buying precious time for the arrival of reinforcements. Ultimately, the enemy army was severely defeated and completely routed.

"Good! What a great Zhen Youcai!" I couldn't help but applaud, and the huge rock hanging in my heart finally fell to the ground.

"Your Majesty, this letter..." Old Man Tian pointed to the corner of the letter paper, where a line of small words was written in a beautiful handwriting.

I quickly lowered my head to take a closer look, and saw that it said: "The new policy benefits the people, the military and the people can use their support, the border is stable, don't worry."

A simple line of words contains thousands of words, and my eyes can't help but become moist.

At this time, another guard hurried in to report: "Your Majesty, County Magistrate B requests an audience!"

"Pass it on!" I suppressed my inner excitement and tried to calm myself down.

Magistrate B hurried into the imperial study, his usual arrogant demeanor gone. He dropped to his knees with a thud, his voice choking with sobs as he declared, "Your Majesty, I am guilty! I was previously ignorant and obstructed the implementation of the new policy, nearly causing a disastrous mistake. Now that I have seen the fruits of the new technology with my own eyes, I realize how utterly wrong I was! I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

I quickly stood up and helped him to his feet, saying gently, "Admitting one's mistakes is the best path to improvement. I'm deeply relieved that you've found your way back. Get up. From now on, you and I, as ruler and subject, will work together to create a prosperous world!"

"I will do my best to assist Your Majesty!" County Magistrate B said excitedly.

Late at night, I sat alone in the imperial study, reviewing a mountain of memorials. Outside the window, the moon was bright and the stars twinkled, but my thoughts drifted far away.

"Your Majesty, it's late at night, you should rest." Old Man Tian came in with a bowl of ginseng soup and advised softly.

I took the ginseng soup, took a sip, put the bowl down, walked to the window, looked at the bright moon in the sky, and muttered to myself, "I wonder if he is okay now?"

"Your Majesty, are you worried about General Zhen?" asked Old Man Tian kindly.

I turned to look at him, smiled faintly, and picked up a white handkerchief from the desk. I gently unfolded it, revealing several lines of powerful calligraphy—Zhen Youcai's own. He had embroidered this handkerchief himself some time ago, every stitch imbued with his affection. Seeing this familiar handwriting again now, a warmth welled up in my heart.

"It's bitterly cold at the border, but I'm doing fine. Don't worry. I hope Your Majesty takes good care of himself. We'll talk again when I return victorious..." In his letter, he continued to report good news but not bad news, never mentioning the hardships of war. He simply assured me that he was doing well and asked me not to worry. Between the lines, his concern and longing for me, as well as his hidden love, were revealed.

I picked up my pen and dipped it in ink, then wrote on the Supa: "When you return triumphantly, we will enjoy it together..." I paused here, and the golden rice fields and the joy of the harvest emerged in my mind, so I picked up my pen and wrote "Let's enjoy the golden autumn together."

This isn't just a promise to him; it's also my promise to the people, and even more so, my hope for the future. I believe that with his protection and the people's support, we will be able to create an even better future!

I handed the Supa to Mr. Tian and instructed him, "Give it to the messenger and have him deliver it to the border as quickly as possible."

"I obey your command." Old Man Tian took the Supa and bowed as he retreated.

I looked at Mr. Tian's departing back, my heart full of anticipation, looking forward to the day when I would meet him again.

Although the implementation of the new policy experienced some setbacks, it ultimately achieved great success. Looking out, the once barren fields were now a sea of ​​golden yellow, and the heavy rice ears bent the stalks, heralding a bountiful harvest this year.

Seeing the happy smiles on the faces of the people, I felt a sense of accomplishment. To celebrate this hard-earned victory, I decided to hold a grand harvest ceremony to honor those who have contributed to agricultural innovation.

When the news spread, the whole country was in jubilation. The people spontaneously organized themselves to prepare the necessary items for the celebration, and the scene was full of joy and happiness.

However, on the eve of the celebration, news suddenly came from the palace...

However, on the eve of the celebration, a negative rumor about the new technology quietly spread among the people, laying the groundwork for the next chapter of challenges. I was originally immersed in joy, but an urgent memorial brought me back to reality.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty..." I hurriedly opened the memorial, and the trembling handwriting of County Magistrate B caught my eye. The memorial stated that a rumor had recently spread among the people that while new technologies might increase yields in the short term, they would deplete the soil's fertility, leading to a total crop failure the following year. It could even alter the soil's texture, turning it into saline-alkali land, making it uncultivable.

"Ridiculous!" I slammed the table and stood up, seething with rage. These rumors are pure nonsense! Doctor Agronomy, Mr. Tian, ​​and I, along with others, have dedicated countless hours and scoured the fields to promote this new technology, gradually gaining the people's trust and acceptance. Now that a good harvest is in sight, these rumors are like venomous snakes, intent on destroying all our efforts!

"Come! Summon County Magistrate B, and..." I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Also, the agronomy doctor, Mr. Tian, ​​and the officials and civilian representatives involved in promoting the new technology, come to the palace immediately!"

I must find out as soon as possible where these rumors come from and who is spreading them maliciously behind the scenes!

For the next few days, I barely slept. News from all sides came to my desk. After careful analysis and investigation, the source of the rumors seemed to point to a neighboring country—a country that had always had its eyes on us.

"Their purpose is to ruin our harvest celebration, disturb the people's hearts, and plunge our country into civil unrest so that they can take advantage of the situation!" County Magistrate B said indignantly.

"Your Majesty, we must not let them succeed!" Old Man Tian said excitedly, "New technology is our hope, we must not let these rumors destroy it!"

Seeing their determined eyes, a burning fire ignited within me. I would never let those scoundrels succeed! I wanted everyone to know that new technology is our future, and no one can stop us from moving forward!

The harvest celebration was held as scheduled. I dressed in my best attire and attended the event. The people sang and danced, celebrating the harvest. However, a shadow always loomed in my heart, because I knew that the enemies hiding in the shadows would not give up easily.

At this moment, an anxious voice suddenly rang out: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Please make a decision for me!"

I looked in the direction of the sound and saw a ragged peasant woman kneeling before me, crying out at the top of her lungs. Behind her followed several other people with equally frightened expressions.

My heart sank, and an ominous premonition came over me...