From cute to empress

As night fell, the candlelight flickered in the hall, yet the atmosphere was as cold as frozen frost. Zheng Fushang, Sun Laonong, and Wang Bozhu hurried over, their faces filled with unconcealed anxiety.

"My dear ministers," I took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone, "I believe you all know about the attack on the 'Sea Sail'..."

Before I could finish my words, Wang Bozhu fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Your Majesty, I spent all my fortune building the 'Sea Sail'! Now that the ship is destroyed and everyone has died, how can I not be heartbroken?"

I quickly stepped forward and helped him up. "My dear Lord Wang, please accept my condolences. I will thoroughly investigate this matter and give you an explanation!"

Zheng Fushang frowned and said worriedly, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. If it is not handled properly, it may lead to war between the two countries! The national treasury is empty now. If war breaks out again, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

Sun Lao Nong also echoed: "Yes, Your Majesty, the people have been suffering from years of war. If there is another war, I am afraid..."

Looking at their worried expressions, I felt a mixture of emotions. Yes, the Great Wei of today is no longer the mighty it once was. The treasury is empty, and the people are struggling. This sudden disaster is like the straw that broke the camel's back, making the already precarious nation even more precarious.

"My dear ministers, rest assured," I took a deep breath and said firmly, "I will do my utmost to protect the people of Wei!"

At this moment, hurried footsteps were heard outside the palace. A guard hurried in and knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, General Zhen Youcai of Zhenbei has a letter from General Zhen!"

My heart moved, and I quickly said, "Present it quickly!"

The guard presented the letter, and I eagerly opened it. Familiar handwriting greeted me. Zhen Youcai detailed the war on the frontier and expressed his support for me and his loyalty to the country. He concluded, "I am willing to fight for your majesty, even if it means death!"

I read this letter over and over again, and a warm feeling welled up in my heart. In this turbulent time, I am grateful that they are here, and I am grateful that I have not given up hope!

"My dear ministers," I put down the letter and swept my gaze across the crowd with determination. "We will definitely overcome this disaster! Pass the order down. Immediately organize the people to fight the disaster and save themselves. At the same time, allocate supplies to support the affected areas!"

"Yes, sir!" everyone responded in unison.

I gazed at the dark night sky outside the temple, praying silently in my heart, hoping that dawn would come soon... My eyes fell on the letter from the frontier, and my heart suddenly moved...

I stayed up all night.

At daybreak, I summoned the Minister of Revenue and ordered him to immediately open the treasury and allocate food and medicine to the disaster-stricken areas. I also ordered the conscription of civilians to repair dams and houses and resettle the victims.

The entire palace was bustling with activity, maids and eunuchs running back and forth, relaying my orders. I reviewed memorials and handled government affairs, never slacking off for a moment.

"Your Majesty, you haven't slept all night. You should take a rest." Lan Xin, who served me personally, brought me ginseng soup and said with concern.

I took the ginseng soup, but couldn't swallow a single sip. My heart was filled with worry. The people were suffering, the treasury was empty, and foreign enemies were eyeing us covetously. The burden on my shoulders was as heavy as a thousand pounds.

"Lan Xin, I can't sleep." I put down the ginseng soup, walked to the window, and looked at the busy crowd in the distance. "I am the Son of Heaven, the people's support. Now that they are suffering such a great disaster, how can I rest in peace?"

Lan Xin's eyes welled up with tears and she silently stepped aside.

At this time, Wang Bozhu requested an audience. I quickly summoned him and eagerly asked, "Lord Wang, is there any progress on the 'Sea Sail' incident?"

Wang Bozhu was delighted and said with a folded hand, "Your Majesty, I have reached an agreement with the foreign merchants. They admit that they accidentally damaged our merchant ship and are willing to compensate for all losses."

I breathed a sigh of relief and said with satisfaction, "Thank you for your hard work, Lord Wang! You handled this matter properly and avoided a war. This is truly a great achievement!"

Wang Bozhu bowed his head humbly and said, "This is all due to your Majesty's wisdom and bravery. I have only done my humble part."

I nodded, but I didn't completely let my guard down. I knew this was only temporary peace, and the real test was yet to come.

"Lord Wang," I said after a moment's hesitation, "I intend to send you to Jiangnan to urge local officials to provide disaster relief and appease the people. Are you willing?"

"I will not refuse even if I die!" Wang Bozhu knelt down and accepted the order without hesitation.

After seeing Wang Bo off, I looked out the window again. The rain had stopped, the sky gradually cleared, and a rainbow stretched across the sky, as if foreshadowing that after the storm, there would finally be light.

My eyes fell on the fields, where a group of busy figures caught my attention...

I put down the memorial in my hand and rubbed my sore eyes. Lan Xin saw me and quickly stepped forward to gently massage my temples.

"Your Majesty, you should rest." Lan Xin said distressedly, "You have been sleepless for several days. If you continue like this, your body will collapse."

I know Lan Xin is right, but how can I rest in peace? This sudden flood has made the already empty treasury of the country even worse. The people are displaced and the fields are flooded. As the emperor, how can I sit back and do nothing?

I forced myself to review the pile of memorials. At this moment, a young eunuch rushed in, knelt on the ground, and shouted, "Report! Your Majesty, Sun Laonong requests an audience!"

Old Farmer Sun? I was slightly taken aback, then remembered that he was a well-respected elder among the people, well-versed in agricultural farming. I hurriedly said, "Hurry up and announce it!"

After a while, a gray-haired, hunched old man, supported by his family, walked into the imperial study. Although he was old, he was in good spirits, and his cloudy eyes sparkled with wisdom.

"Your Majesty, this old minister pays homage!" Old Farmer Sun knelt down tremblingly, and I hurried forward to help him up.

"No need to be so polite, old man. Please stand up quickly." I asked with concern, "I wonder what important matter has brought you to the palace today?"

Old Farmer Sun raised his head, a determined light flashing in his cloudy eyes. "Your Majesty, I cannot bear to see the people suffer, so I have come to offer my ancestral method of locust control, hoping it will alleviate your majesty's urgent need!"

I was shocked and quickly took the lucky bag that Old Farmer Sun handed me. I opened it and saw that it was densely packed with records of various methods of locust control, from prevention to control, no matter how big or small, which was obviously the result of Old Farmer Sun's years of hard work.

I was deeply moved. I held Old Farmer Sun's hand tightly and said excitedly, "Old man, you are so kind. I..."

Before I could finish my words, another young eunuch rushed in, knelt on the ground, and shouted loudly: "Report! Your Majesty, Zheng the rich merchant requests an audience!"

I took a deep breath, suppressed my anxiety, and said to the young eunuch, "Announce."

Rich Merchant Zheng quickly entered the imperial study. He was dressed in plain clothes today, and his expression lacked his usual shrewdness, instead carrying a heavy look. "I, Rich Merchant Zheng, pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"Boss Zheng, please stand up." I gestured for him to stand up and asked, "I wonder if Boss Zheng is here to help with disaster relief?"

Rich Merchant Zheng sighed and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. I have come here to contribute ten thousand taels of silver and a thousand dan of grain to the disaster area to alleviate its urgent needs."

My heart warmed. Mr. Zheng's generosity was undoubtedly a timely help. I was about to express my gratitude when another eunuch hurried in with an announcement: "Your Majesty, the ship owner Wang requests an audience!"

Wang Bozhu was a renowned ship merchant in Jiangnan, possessing a fleet of hundreds of vessels and possessing considerable wealth. A glimmer of hope rose in my heart, and I hastened to summon him to an audience.

Wang Bozhu hurried into the imperial study. As soon as he saw me, he knelt on the ground and said in a loud voice, "I am willing to donate all my cargo ships to transport disaster relief supplies. I will personally lead the fleet and work tirelessly to ensure that the supplies are delivered to the victims in a timely manner!"

I stood up excitedly, looking at these subjects who stood up for their country and their people, my heart was filled with emotion and strength. Sun Laonong's method of controlling locusts, Zheng Fushang's generous donation, and Wang Bozhu's unwavering determination all gave me hope and the confidence to overcome difficulties!

I took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "I am deeply gratified by your patriotism! This disaster is a test from heaven, but I believe that as long as we unite as one, we will surely overcome all difficulties!"

I paused, my gaze sweeping resolutely across the room as I spoke loudly, "Pass on my decree. From this very day forward, the entire nation will mobilize to combat the floods and provide disaster relief! Sun Laonong, for his valuable advice, shall be granted the title of 'Marquis of Huimin'. Zheng Fushang and Wang Bozhu, for their generosity, are truly commendable for their loyalty and righteousness. I am deeply gratified! All officials and civilians who have participated in flood control and disaster relief will be rewarded accordingly!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the entire Imperial Study erupted in enthusiastic cheers. I knew this wasn't just an expression of support for me as the Emperor, but also a display of confidence in overcoming the disaster and a hopeful anticipation for the future.

I gaze out the window, silently praying that after the storm, there will surely be a rainbow. And I, my subjects, my country, will lead an even brighter tomorrow.

At this time, Lan Xin tiptoed in, placed a bowl of steaming ginseng soup next to me, and said softly, "Your Majesty, it's time to eat..."