From cute to empress

Chapter 135: The Starry Sky

The carriage jolted. I opened the curtains and watched the scenery pass by, my thoughts drifting back to a few days ago. The timber shortage weighed on me like a boulder, suffocating me. Fortunately, Zhen Youcai found replacement wood in time, and County Magistrate Sun worked overtime to repair the mountain road, allowing the project to proceed.

Looking at the majestic school before me today, I am filled with emotion. Who could have imagined that just a few months ago this place was a wasteland, yet now, a palace of knowledge, carrying hope, has risen from the ground? All of this is inseparable from the hard work and dedication of everyone.

"Your Majesty, the auspicious time has arrived. We can begin." County Magistrate Sun walked up to me and said respectfully.

I nodded, took a deep breath, and walked up to the stage. The audience was packed, the people watching with joy, and the children, with their eyes wide open in curiosity, their faces filled with a thirst for knowledge.

"Today marks the grand opening of the xx School." I looked around and said aloud, "This school carries our hopes for the future and the dreams of all children. From today on, all children, regardless of their background or status, can learn knowledge here and change their destiny!"

Thunderous applause suddenly broke out from the audience, people cheered and their faces were filled with happy smiles.

After the opening ceremony, I walked into the classroom and saw rows of neatly arranged tables and chairs. The children were sitting upright, looking at me with burning eyes.

"Hello, students. I'm your teacher, Niu Mengmeng." I greeted the children with a smile. "From today on, I will learn and grow together with you."

I picked up the book and began to explain the knowledge in it to the children. From astronomy and geography to history and culture, from poetry and songs to arithmetic and geometry, I used the simplest language to sow the seeds of knowledge in their hearts. The children listened with great interest and asked various questions from time to time. The classroom atmosphere was very lively.

Looking at the children's eager eyes, I am filled with hope. I believe that in the near future, these children will become the pillars of our country.

"Mengmeng, look!" After class, Zhen Youcai pointed to a vacant lot next to the school and said excitedly, "I plan to turn that place into a martial arts training ground to teach the children martial arts to strengthen their bodies. What do you think?"

I followed his gaze and saw… I followed his gaze and saw that the open space, though overgrown with weeds, was quite large, large enough to accommodate a hundred or so people practicing. I smiled and nodded, "That's a good idea! Proficiency in both civil and military matters is what we aim to cultivate in talent!"

Zhen Youcai, upon receiving my affirmation, immediately became excited, as if injected with chicken blood. He rolled up his sleeves and enthusiastically began planning the martial arts training ground: "We can set up a weapons rack over here, a fighting arena over there, and... we need to plant a few trees for shade..."

Seeing him so full of energy filled my heart. He was always like this, full of enthusiasm and drive, as if he had endless energy, and he could always quickly turn my ideas into reality.

Within a few days, a spacious and tidy martial arts training ground was built. Zhen Youcai not only personally taught the children martial arts, but also invited veterans to teach them the techniques of swords, guns, sticks, and other weapons. The children were all in high spirits, their enthusiasm for martial arts high. Watching them sweat profusely, I felt as if I saw the future eagles protecting our country, soaring in the sky.

The school is growing rapidly. In addition to basic academic courses, we've also opened practical courses in crafts, farming, and medicine. To my surprise, Li the Craftsman and Wang the Migrant Worker offered to volunteer as teachers. They said, "Although we may not have a high level of education, we have a lot of skills. We hope to pass on these skills to the children so that they can become self-reliant and build their own homes in the future!"

Craftsman Li demonstrated the making of various ingenious instruments using materials like wood and bamboo. The children were captivated and eager to try their hand at making them. Worker Wang cultivated a vegetable garden behind the school and taught the children how to sow, water, and fertilize. Through their labor, the children experienced the joy of harvest and learned the importance of cherishing food.

Watching the school flourish, I felt a sense of accomplishment. At this moment, County Magistrate Sun came running over, a look of embarrassment on his face: "Your Majesty, Landlord Zhao...he's here again..."

"Landlord Zhao? What is he doing here?" I frowned slightly, feeling somewhat unhappy when I remembered the last time he brought people to obstruct the construction of the school.

Magistrate Sun wiped the sweat from his forehead and said cautiously, "He said... he said he wanted to see how the school was progressing, and he also wanted to... donate some silver..."

I was a little surprised. How could this landlord Zhao, who was usually very stingy, suddenly become so generous? I signaled to Magistrate Sun to bring him in.

A short while later, Landlord Zhao walked in, surrounded by a group of people. He was dressed in new clothes today, his face beaming with smiles, completely devoid of his previous arrogance. He bowed respectfully, then pulled a stack of banknotes from his sleeve pocket and presented them to me with both hands: "Your Majesty, I was blinded by the importance of this and hindered the construction of the school. I deserve death! I have come to apologize today. This small amount of money will be used to purchase some tables, chairs, and benches for the school. Please accept it, Your Majesty!"

I took the note and said calmly, "Admitting one's mistakes is the best way to improve. I'm very pleased that you understand the importance of education."

After hearing what I said, Landlord Zhao's smile widened. He rubbed his hands and said in a slightly flattering tone, "Your Majesty, I... I also want to do my bit for the school. I wonder..."

I understood what he meant, so I said, "If you're really interested, you could help oversee the quality of the construction, ensuring that every corner of the school is durable and provides a safe and comfortable learning environment for the children."

When Landlord Zhao heard this, he was overjoyed and nodded in agreement.

From that moment on, Landlord Zhao truly became a changed man. He arrived at the school early every day, carefully overseeing the progress of the project and meticulously focusing on every detail. He also frequently paid out of his own pocket to purchase school supplies for the children and even hired craftsmen to build a small library within the school.

Everyone was surprised by Mr. Zhao's transformation, and people were saying that he must have been inspired by His Majesty and had come to his senses. I was also very pleased. I was sincerely happy to see that he had been able to reform himself and devote himself to the children.

Thanks to everyone's concerted efforts, the school was finally completed. Looking at the spacious, bright classrooms, overflowing with books, I was filled with joy. To celebrate, Magistrate Sun and Mr. Zhou organized a unique quiz competition, and the children enthusiastically signed up to showcase their talents.

"Excuse me, what is the most important thing in governing a country?" County Magistrate Sun asked loudly.

A child stood up and answered loudly: "The people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the least important!"

His answer won a lot of applause. The children's faces were filled with confident smiles. Their thirst for knowledge and their vision for the future infected everyone present.

As night fell, Zhen Youcai and I walked side by side on the way back to the palace...

As night fell, Zhen Youcai and I walked side by side back to the palace, the joyful laughter of children echoing behind us. Looking back, the school was brightly lit, illuminating the children's eager eyes and our shared hopes.

"Seeing them is like seeing the hope for our country's future." I sighed softly, my tone full of relief.

Zhen Youcai shook my hand, his deep gaze revealing determination: "Yes, knowledge is power. Only when children learn well can we build a stronger country and the people can live and work in peace and contentment."

I nodded, thinking of the completely different attitude of Landlord Zhao before and after, and I couldn't help but sigh: "The power of education is truly great. Even someone as stubborn as Landlord Zhao is willing to devote his whole heart and soul to the school."

"That's because Your Majesty set an example and moved him." Zhen Youcai said with a smile, "The people have sharp eyes. Your Majesty cares about the people and is wholeheartedly working for them. Everyone can see it and will follow your example."

I smiled and didn't respond. Everything I do is simply to make this country a better place and give its people a better life. This is also the common wish of Zhen Youcai and me.

"By the way," I suddenly remembered another important thing, "how's the water conservancy project going? Last time you received a letter from Craftsman Li, he said it was almost finished?"

Zhen Youcai nodded and said, "Yes, it should be in the next few days. I have arranged for the people to irrigate the land as soon as the project is completed."

"Great!" I couldn't hide my joy. "This is a matter of great importance to the people's harvest. We have to go and see it for ourselves."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away." Zhen Youcai said, then turned around and was about to leave.

"Wait," I held his hand, "Don't be so anxious, it won't be too late to go tomorrow morning."

Zhen Youcai looked at me doubtfully, but I just smiled mysteriously: "Tomorrow is a good day. Let's go together to witness a miracle happen."

He looked at me with questions in his eyes, but I just smiled and shook my head without saying anything more.

The next morning, Zhen Youcai and I, accompanied by our guards, traveled light and simply to the site of the water conservancy project. From afar, we could see a majestic dam spanning the river, a majestic sight.

"Your Majesty, we're here." Craftsman Li's face was covered in dust, but his eyes sparkled with excitement. He pointed to the dam in the distance and said excitedly, "Once the gates are opened, the river water will flow through the ditches to the fields. Then..."

I nodded, motioning for him to continue. However, before he could finish, a panicked shout suddenly came from a distance, breaking the original silence.

"Oh no! Something's wrong!" A migrant worker covered in mud crawled over and shouted in panic, "The dam... the dam... something's wrong..."