Xiao Tuan left the villa contentedly, carrying the "secret plan" passed down by his parents.
When he arrived, his heart was filled with "sweet troubles"; but when he left, his steps were light, and his brows were full of the confidence and composure of an emperor. He knew that with the "imperial package" of his father's "prestige" and his mother's "favor" by his side, the little storms in the court were no longer a threat.
On the way back to the palace, dusk was falling and the lanterns were just coming on.
Sitting in the imperial carriage, Xiao Tuan did not close his eyes to rest, but instead lifted the curtain and quietly watched the night view of the capital city rushing past outside the window. What he saw was a magnificent and prosperous picture of a golden age, painted by his parents.
The first place the carriage passed was the brightly lit "Royal Academy of Sciences".
Even though it was late at night, the courtyard, which represented the pinnacle of wisdom in the Great Xiao Dynasty, was still bustling with activity. Through the bright glass windows (one of the latest research achievements of the Academy of Sciences), Xiao Tuan could clearly see a large number of scholars gathered inside, including elderly people with white hair and young people in their prime. What was even more striking was that there were quite a few female scholars dressed in the attire of female officials.
They were gathered around a huge sand table, arguing heatedly about something. Xiao Tuan, with his sharp eyes, immediately recognized that the focus of their discussion was the blueprint that had been urgently sent by the Jiangnan branch a few days ago—a "new-style waterwheel" designed by a genius from the orphanage named "Xiao Bao".
The design was ingenious and ahead of its time; it was said to increase the efficiency of irrigation by a full five times! Even the most senior scholars in the Academy of Sciences were amazed and repeatedly marveled at it.
Looking at those faces shining with knowledge, Xiao Tuan couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. If it weren't for his mother's strong advocacy in establishing the Academy of Sciences, breaking down barriers of gender and background, and attracting talents from all over the world, how could we have such a prosperous and scientifically advanced scene today?
The car continued on its way and entered Dongzhimen, the most bustling commercial street in Beijing.
Unlike the hustle and bustle of the day, Dongzhimen at night presents a completely different lively scene. All sorts of lanterns hang along both sides of the road, illuminating the entire street as bright as day. Shops remain open, restaurants are packed, and the sounds of storytelling and opera performances fill the air. The air is filled with the aroma of various foods, making one's mouth water.
Xiao Tuan took a deep breath, and his keen "golden finger for food" immediately captured countless flavors of happiness.
There's Grandma Wang's freshly cooked "Osmanthus Sugar Lotus Root" sold on the street corner, a taste of home that travelers long for most; there's "Fu Man Lou's" newly launched signature dish, "Western Region Roasted Whole Lamb," a comfort to merchants from afar in the capital; and there are bowls of steaming hot and sour noodles at roadside stalls, the favorite late-night snack for students studying hard late into the night.
He knew that this thriving "night economy" was largely due to him.
Since ascending the throne, he has leveraged his talent for "seeing" hidden delicacies across the land to vigorously promote trade routes and the exchange of culinary cultures. Countless previously unknown rural delicacies have been discovered, driving local economic development and greatly enriching the dining tables of ordinary people.
Today, Da Xiao has long since realized the ultimate ideal of "food is the first necessity of the people"—not only should people be well-fed, but they should also eat well! The people live and work in peace and contentment, their faces beaming with satisfied smiles. This is the truest reflection of a prosperous age.
As the carriage slowly drove by, Xiao Tuan's gaze was drawn to a brightly lit building not far away.
That was the "Capital Girls' School".
Unlike the heated debates at the Academy of Sciences, the girls' school was filled with the sounds of students reading aloud and cheerful laughter. Although curfew had passed, the lights here were allowed to stay on until late at night.
Xiao Tuan could vaguely hear a group of sixteen or seventeen-year-old girls sitting together, confidently discussing something.
“…I believe that the most crucial aspect of the ‘Goddess Dowager’s’ three disaster relief policies was not ‘work relief,’ but rather ‘issuing disaster relief bonds’!” A clear, resounding voice declared. “The former is a tactic, addressing the immediate crisis; while the latter is a principle, pioneering the use of private capital. This is true foresight!”
Another voice immediately retorted: "I disagree! I believe the fundamental issue is that the government takes the lead in establishing resettlement sites for disaster victims! For the first time, it elevates the resettlement of disaster victims from a spontaneous act of kindness by the people to the level of national responsibility! This reflects the benevolence of 'putting the people first'! Only the benevolent can be invincible!"
The heated debate was full of intellectual sparks.
Xiao Tuan listened quietly, a knowing smile appearing on his face.
These confident, intelligent girls with independent thinking were unimaginable a decade or so ago. Back then, their fates might have been confined to the small confines of the inner quarters of the home.
Now, they can study, participate in politics, and pursue their ideals. Their future is full of endless possibilities.
All of this stemmed from his mother, the legendary woman revered by women all over the world as the "Goddess Empress Dowager".
She opened a door to a new world for women of this era.
The carriage slowly drove into the palace and finally stopped in front of the East Palace gate.
Xiao Tuan stepped down from the carriage and looked up at the magnificent palace where he had grown up. Behind him stretched the entire bustling and vibrant capital city.
He knew how this magnificent picture of a prosperous era before him was depicted.
It was his father, the iron-fisted emperor, who used swift and decisive measures to clear away all obstacles inside and outside the court, laying the most solid foundation for this picture.
It was his mother, the benevolent Empress Dowager, who, with wisdom beyond her time and boundless compassion, painted the warmest and brightest background on this picture.
One firm, one gentle; one authoritative, one benevolent.
None of them can be missing.
He, Xiao Tuan, is the luckiest inheritor of this painting.
An unprecedented and immense pressure, accompanied by unparalleled reverence, welled up in his heart.
Maintaining the status quo is harder than creating something new.
His father and mother have created such a glorious era for him. Can he protect this legacy? Can he make this magnificent picture even more splendid?
Xiao Tuan stood on the jade steps in front of the palace, the night wind blowing his dragon robe, making it flutter.
He slowly, very slowly, clenched his fist.
A blazing fire ignited in his eyes, a fire that rivaled his father's—the ambition and aspirations of a new generation of emperors!
His father and mother created a prosperous era, and he, Xiao Tuan, will push this prosperous era to an unprecedented peak!
A truly immortal dynasty where all nations paid tribute and the world submitted!
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