Crown Prince of the Empire, I quit!

After finishing all this, Qin Ming slowly sat back at his desk, picked up the report on the Qilian Mountain Iron Mine again, and wrote in red ink:

"Order the Supervisor of Works and send out master craftsmen to conduct an on-site survey. If abundant ore is found, an 'iron official' will be established in Liang Province to smelt and forge iron on site for military and civilian use. This is a top priority for strengthening the western frontier, so proceed with swift action."

Atop Liangzhou City, the dark black dragon flag fluttered, overlooking the gradually revitalized frontier city. Qin Ming, ruling from this spot like a deity entrenched in the western frontier, used an iron fist and precise decrees to simultaneously address the trauma of war and forge a new order. However, the empire's territory was too vast, and the central government's operations could not long rely on the remote control of a single emperor. As Meng Zhi's "Shadow Chasing Cavalry" returned with Wu Wei's head and letters of surrender from the remnants of the Qiang tribe, temporarily submitting the vast territory west of the Qilian Mountains to the Daqian army, the urgency from the heart of the empire grew increasingly urgent.

On the imperial desk, a swift, eight-hundred-li-mile document, signed jointly by the Prime Minister and the Privy Councilor who remained in the capital, lay above all the military reports from the western border. The document, respectful yet tinged with a subtle anxiety, detailed how, while His Majesty had managed to maintain government during his absence, numerous crucial matters crucial to the nation's survival, such as maintaining the smooth flow of grain transport in the southern borders, this year's imperial examinations, the review of autumn decisions in various regions, and relief efforts for the northern prefectures and counties affected by this spring's cold snap, had accumulated and required no resolution without His Majesty's intervention. Between the lines, the ministers subtly expressed their earnest plea for His Majesty's swift return.

Qin Ming put down the document and scanned the map of the western border again. Liang Province had been secured, Hexi had been initially pacified, and the Qiang had been severely weakened, precluding large-scale border raids in the near future. The Anxi Protectorate had been established, with Meng Zhi in charge, providing sufficient deterrence against the other Hu tribes. While remaining in the western frontier would further consolidate rule, the potential risks of stagnating the core of the empire might far outweigh the temporary unrest in the western border.

"Send the order." His voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable determination. "In three days, he will depart for the palace. Meng Zhi will be temporarily appointed Grand Protector of Anxi, in charge of the military and political affairs of the western border. He will be given authority to act at his discretion. He will continue to eliminate scattered bandit remnants, pacify refugees, open trade routes, and stabilize border defenses. He is not to provoke border conflicts without permission."

"Also, I hereby order the officials of Liang, Gan, and Su prefectures and counties: The new policies and measures to comfort the people were personally formulated by me. Anyone who pretends to obey them but secretly disobeys them, mistreats the people, or exploits them will be executed first and reported to me later!"

"Here!"

Three days passed in a flash. On the day of the emperor's return, the streets of Liangzhou were deserted. Citizens spontaneously poured into the streets, carrying baskets of food and drink, and knelt by the roadside. Many elderly people wept and chanted "Long live the emperor." They expressed their gratitude for the emperor's kindness in expelling the Qiang invaders, recovering their homes, reducing taxes, and providing relief to the victims. Qin Ming sat upright atop the dark, black imperial carriage, his armor removed for a casual uniform embroidered with dragon patterns. His expression was calm as he glanced over the sincere, frightened faces, nodding slightly but not lingering.

Under the escort of the elite Black Armored Army, the imperial carriage slowly passed through the gates of Liangzhou and embarked on the official road back east. Behind him lay the city and its people, gradually recovering their vitality; ahead lay the long and uncertain journey home and the mountain of state affairs that awaited his attention.

The imperial carriage did not pursue speed blindly, but maintained the majesty of an emperor, marching during the day and stopping at important prefectures and counties at night. Qin Ming used this part of the journey to inspect the post-war local governance and the recovery of people's livelihoods along the way.

What I saw was a mixture of joy and sorrow.

Fortunately, news of the Emperor's personal visit to the Western Frontier and his great victory had already spread throughout the land, profoundly deterring local scoundrels and corrupt officials. Wherever he passed, prefectural and county officials trembled with fear and exerted themselves to the utmost. The efficiency of tax collection, case trials, and river repairs, among other tasks, increased significantly, and the common practice of buck-passing and procrastination was completely swept away. His Majesty's remarkable military achievements in the Western Expedition served as an invisible spur, urging the entire empire's bureaucracy to function efficiently.

The worry was that the wounds of war and years of corrupt governance would not heal overnight. Passing through a county in Longyou, a spring famine struck. Despite imperial decrees for relief, implementation was plagued by embezzlement by officials and collusion between powerful officials. The common people wore pale faces, and upon seeing the imperial carriage, they could only kneel in fear, daring not to speak. After Qin Ming arrived at the camp, he immediately dispatched secret Tingfeng Guards to investigate. Overnight, the county governor, the warehouse official, and several other officials were imprisoned, their homes confiscated, and publicly displayed. Relief grain was immediately redistributed. This drastic measure terrified the county officials, causing their efficiency to soar.

Such incidents occurred frequently along the way. Qin Ming was like a supremely skilled physician, moving across the vast body of the empire, precisely removing newly discovered or already latent rot and lesions along the way. His very presence was the most effective deterrent and medicine.

On this day, the imperial carriage arrived at Luozhou, the last major city outside the capital. The governor led all the civil and military officials of the city to welcome the emperor at the Ten-Li Pavilion. The ceremony was grand and solemn.

However, after Qin Ming settled into the palace, he did not immediately summon local officials. Instead, he stood alone on a high tower in the palace, gazing out at the fertile fields and bustling city walls on both sides of the Luo River. The sun was setting, smoke curled from cooking fires, a scene of peace and tranquility. But his deep, unfathomable eyes narrowed slightly.

"Shadow Seven."

"Here." A figure appeared quietly.

"Luozhou City is so 'clean,'" Qin Ming said flatly. "Every county along the way has its share of problems, but Luozhou is the only place with a harmonious government, abundant granaries, no backlogs, and no complaints from the people... It's like a paradise on earth."

"Your Majesty, be wise," Ying Qi whispered. "Wang Yun, the governor of Luozhou, is from the Wang family of Taiyuan and has a long-standing reputation for integrity. However... from what I've heard along the way, Luozhou's taxes are the heaviest in the capital, but the methods used... are more covert. Last year, a farmer was forced to sell his daughter because he owed a 'river repair donation.' The daughter then drowned herself in the river. The old man went to the capital to file a complaint, but... he has disappeared."

A cold light flashed in Qin Ming's eyes.

"A good reputation?" A cold arc appeared on his lips. "I, the one thing I distrust the most is the word 'good reputation'. Prepare yourself. I want to see how many evil spirits and demons are hiding beneath this 'prosperous age' of Luozhou."

That night, the Luozhou Palace was ablaze with lights. Governor Wang Yun led a host of officials in a lavish banquet to welcome His Majesty. Throughout the feast, Wang Yun behaved gracefully and spoke respectfully, presenting a clear and flawless report on government affairs, projecting the image of a capable and competent official. The officials echoed his praises, painting Luozhou as a paradise on earth.

Qin Ming sat in the main seat, listening expressionlessly. Occasionally, he asked about details such as taxes, prisons, and grain transport. Wang Yun answered fluently with detailed data, which seemed to be flawless.

Halfway through the banquet, a faint noise was heard outside the palace.

Wang Yun frowned slightly and was about to stand up to investigate, but Qin Ming raised his hand to stop him. "It's just a minor disturbance. Why bother with the governor going there in person? Let the guards handle it."