I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

The success of the Royal Lottery completely changed the financial landscape of the Great Liang Dynasty.

The silver in the national treasury, which was originally barely enough, has become piled up like mountains.

Xiao Jingshi kept his word and immediately allocated funds to begin repairing the canal.

This repair is not a minor dredging project, but a complete connection of the entire north-south water system of Daliang.

When the Minister of Works received the imperial decree, he was completely dumbfounded.

"Your Majesty, how much...how much does this cost?"

Sitting on the dragon throne, Xiao Jingshi said calmly, "I will give you two million taels of silver. Repair the canal within three years. If you fail, you can pack your bags and go home to farm."

The Minister of Works immediately knelt down.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty will certainly accomplish it!"

His heart was pounding. Two million taels sounded like a lot, but was it enough to build such a long canal?

Ye An'an smiled and said, "Your Excellency, there's no need to worry. This time, the imperial court isn't the only one funding the canal repairs."

"Merchants from various prefectures along the route will invest in the project. Once the canal is completed, they will have priority access and will also receive dividends from the toll fees."

"This is called 'joint venture between government and business'."

The Minister of Works was completely confused, but he knew that the Empress was never wrong.

Sure enough, once the news spread, merchants from all over the country went crazy.

They rushed to the Ministry of Revenue, eager to become shareholders.

Some people even took out 100,000 taels at once.

"Sir, I want to invest!"

"Me too!"

"Don't push! I was here first!"

For the first time, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue experienced what it felt like to be showered with money.

In just one month, the funds raised by the public exceeded three million taels.

With the addition of the two million taels from the imperial court, a total of five million taels was invested in the construction of the canal.

The entire Daliang area is a bustling construction site.

Tens of thousands of migrant workers, receiving wages from the imperial court, were full of enthusiasm.

They knew that once the canal was completed, their lives would be better.

At the same time, trade in Yong'an City is becoming increasingly prosperous.

The various tribes on the grasslands have become completely dependent on the goods from Daliang.

Their nobles now feel embarrassed to greet people if they don't wear fine Liang silk when they go out.

Their herders, every household now has a large iron pot and tea.

Some young people from certain tribes have even begun to learn to speak the Daliang language and write Daliang characters.

Princess Yuezhuo sent a letter.

The letter stated that the Black Wolf tribe wished to maintain a lasting friendship with Daliang and hoped to send members of their tribe to the capital to study.

Xiao Jingshi smiled after reading the letter.

"An'an, you're right. Trade is far more useful than war."

Ye An'an was feeding her two children, and without looking up, she said, "Of course. We fight to seize things, but if we could buy them for a cheaper price, who would want to fight?"

"Besides, people die in war, but you make money in business. Only a fool would choose the former."

Xiao Jingshi walked over and pinched her cheek.

"My empress is so clever."

Ye An'an slapped his hand away.

"Stop fooling around, the child is watching."

The little prince and princess were staring at their father and mother with their round eyes.

Xiao Jingshi laughed heartily.

He suddenly realized that this kind of life was really good.

There is no war, no intrigue, only family and a prosperous country.

This is what he wanted.

Three years later.

The canal in Daliang has officially opened to navigation.

That day, the entire capital city was on holiday.

People flocked to the canal to watch the first large ship, fully loaded with goods, slowly sail by.

The flag of the main beam hangs on the boat, fluttering in the wind.

Xiao Jingshi and Ye An'an stood on a high platform on the shore.

Behind them stood civil and military officials.

Before them stood a cheering populace.

"Long live Your Majesty!"

"Long live the Empress!"

The cheers rose in waves.

Xiao Jingshi held Ye An'an's hand, his heart filled with emotion.

Three years ago, he was still worried about three months' worth of military pay.

Three years later, the treasury of the Great Liang Dynasty was so full that it could readily provide one million taels of silver for disaster relief.

Three years ago, the Rouran tribe in the north was still eyeing us covetously.

Three years later, they had become the most loyal trading partners of Daliang.

Three years ago, there were still people in the imperial court who dared to challenge him.

Three years later, everyone was convinced.

All of this is because of the woman beside me.

He turned to look at Ye An'an.

"An'an, sometimes I wonder what I would be like now if I hadn't met you."

Ye An'an smiled.

"Then you must still be worried about money, and you might even have to outwit and outmaneuver those old fogies."

"However, you won't be too bad either. After all, you're the emperor."

Xiao Jingshi shook his head.

"No, without you, I am nothing."

"You have taught me what the true way of governing a country is."

"You have made me realize that the happiness of the people is the greatest wealth of a country."

Ye An'an listened to his words and felt a little emotional.

She has been in this world for almost five years.

From initial anxiety and unease to current composure and ease.

She changed the country, and the country changed her in return.

She once thought she was just a passerby.

But now, she considers this place her home.

She has a husband, children, and a career.

She also had a dream.

That is to make this country better.

"Jing Shi, do you know? Sometimes I think, how wonderful it would be if the Great Liang could truly achieve universal harmony one day."

"No war, no famine, no injustice."

"Everyone can have enough to eat, can read and write, and can live a decent life."

"That was the true golden age."

As Xiao Jingshi listened to her words, a hint of longing flashed in his eyes.

"That day will come."

"I believe that as long as we continue on this path, that day will surely come."

He paused, then added, "Moreover, I am already doing it."

"I hereby order the establishment of schools throughout the country. Whether they are boys or girls, as long as they are willing to study, the court will pay for their education."

"I also ordered the abolition of some unreasonable punishments to make the law more just."

"I want to make this country a place where everyone wants to live."

Ye An'an listened, her eyes welling up with tears.

She knew that the road ahead was long and difficult.

But she believed that as long as they kept going, they would definitely reach the end.

Nighttime, Kunning Palace.

Ye An'an sat by the window, looking at the starry sky outside.

She remembered many things.

I remembered the helplessness and confusion I felt when I first transmigrated here.

She recalled the first time she met Xiao Jing, and his cold and stern face.

I remembered all the ups and downs they had gone through together.

She remembered the day their two children were born; both she and he cried.

I remember the day Yong'an City opened for business; the entire capital was in an uproar.

I remember the smiles on the faces of the people when the canal opened to traffic today.

She suddenly felt that it was all worth it.

She murmured to herself, "Perhaps, this is the meaning of my coming into this world."

"It's not about changing history, nor about becoming a legend."

"It's simply so that more people can live a better life."

"If one day, the Great Liang Dynasty can achieve universal harmony, then my life will not have been in vain."

She smiled, turned around, and walked back to the bedside.

Xiao Jingshi had already lain down, but he hadn't fallen asleep yet.

He looked at her and said softly, "What are you thinking about?"

Ye An'an lay down next to him and leaned against his chest.

"I'm thinking about our future."

Xiao Jingshi hugged her tightly.

"Our future will definitely be bright."

"Because you are here."

Ye An'an closed her eyes, a smile playing on her lips.

Yes, with him there, there are children there, and there is this country.

Her future will definitely be bright.

And the future of Daliang will definitely be bright.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

The entire capital city was immersed in a peaceful atmosphere.

This country, which had once suffered from war, has finally ushered in true peace.