My palace is full of female protagonists.

Since the establishment and official operation of Wenshu Monastery, Zhao Chengyu has clearly felt a significant reduction in the burden on his shoulders, a relief even more pronounced than when Gao Lingyan was Empress. Previously, a deluge of matters, large and small, that required his personal attention and decision-making left him breathless. He used to have Gao Lingyan's help, and later even the Crown Prince's assistance. Now, he's left alone in the Imperial Study. Fortunately, Wenshu Monastery had been established, and its work is now fully underway. Wenshu Monastery acts as a solid barrier, shielding him from most of the trivial and complex matters; many issues only require a report of the final results to him. Zhao Chengyu initially thought that Wenshu Monastery's role was limited to simplifying processes, eliminating redundancies, and making government affairs more efficient. However, he never expected that within just one month, it would resolve a major issue concerning national security in an unexpected way.

This achievement was not the work of the busy Prime Minister Gao or the resourceful Prime Minister Su, but rather the result of a low-profile official named Fang Hujie within the Wenshu Monastery. Fang Hujie was, in the eyes of others, merely an unassuming figure, someone who assisted everyone else.

Although his official position at Wenshu Monastery was merely that of a secretary, a seemingly insignificant role, this unique institution, with its mission to "share the emperor's burdens and solve his problems," broke down the conventional functional boundaries of officialdom. Here, every official was granted immense freedom and a strong sense of responsibility; as long as one had the ability, regardless of rank, one could shoulder heavy responsibilities. Especially during the days when Prime Ministers Gao and Su jointly presided over the administration, the atmosphere within Wenshu Monastery was tense and intense, with every man driven like "animals" to resolve the various problems facing the nation as quickly as possible.

Fang Hujie was also a shining star carefully selected by Lord Leng from among thousands of impoverished students, thanks to his discerning eye. Fang Hujie's family, the Fang family, lived in a remote village and had made their living by raising pigs for generations. While not destitute, they were never prominent either. In that era, when agriculture was fundamental and lineage was highly valued, pig farming was often looked down upon, considered a profession closely linked to "slaughter," lacking the benevolence and elegance admired by scholars and officials.

Fang Hujie grew up surrounded by pigsties. Those seemingly clumsy yet tenacious creatures taught him the meaning of resilience and respect—every life, regardless of size or status, deserves to be treated gently. The Fang family had raised pigs for generations, on a considerable scale, and the pigsties were always bustling with activity. From a young age, Fang Hujie's life wasn't just about burying himself in his studies; he also had to learn from his family how to care for these "family members," from feeding and cleaning to treating illnesses and preventing epidemics—every task required his personal attention. This unique experience not only honed his practical skills but also taught him patience and meticulousness, and how to find balance and solve problems in complex and ever-changing environments.

When Fang Hujie first stepped through the solemn and dignified gates of Wenshu Monastery, facing mountains of official documents and intricate interpersonal relationships, he felt no fear or confusion. On the contrary, the days and nights he spent with pigs in the pigsty, those seemingly ordinary yet challenging experiences, had become his most valuable assets. They provided him with a unique way of thinking and problem-solving methods, enabling him to always promptly identify the difficulties of others and offer solutions. However, unless asked, he would not interfere excessively, which earned him the gratitude of many.

One day, Wenshu Monastery received an urgent official document from the local authorities, reporting a sudden plague that had damaged vast tracts of farmland, killed a large number of livestock, and plunged the people into hardship. Faced with such an urgent and complex problem, many officials were at a loss, and a tense and anxious atmosphere filled Wenshu Monastery.

However, Fang Hujie remained remarkably calm. He recalled a similar epidemic he had encountered while working in the pigsty. Back then, through careful observation of the pigs' symptoms, patient analysis of the causes, and combining his family's pig-raising experience with knowledge learned from books, he successfully controlled the epidemic and saved the lives of the pigs. Therefore, he decided to apply this method to the real-world problem.

He first summoned relevant officials to inquire in detail about the specific situation of the epidemic, including its spread, scope of infection, and the prevention and control measures already taken. Next, he conducted in-depth research into the geography, climate, crop cultivation in the border regions, as well as the local people's lifestyles and beliefs, attempting to find the root cause of the outbreak.

After gathering sufficient information, Fang Hujie proposed a comprehensive solution: on the one hand, he suggested that the imperial court send professional medical teams to the border regions to treat infected people and thoroughly disinfect the source of the epidemic; on the other hand, he suggested that local officials organize health education for the public to raise their awareness of epidemic prevention, while also adjusting the planting structure of crops to reduce economic losses caused by the epidemic.

The plan was quickly approved by Prime Minister Su after it was proposed, and it was implemented swiftly and effectively in the border regions. Soon after, the epidemic was brought under control, and life in the border regions gradually returned to normal.

Standing in the courtyard of Wenshu Monastery, Zhao Chengyu gazed at the gradually calming scene of bustling activity in the distance, a surge of indescribable surprise and emotion welling up within him. He never imagined that this widespread and troublesome livestock epidemic would be resolved so comprehensively and swiftly in this seemingly peaceful and tranquil place, Wenshu Monastery. He recalled the initial outbreak of the epidemic, when panic gripped the land, livestock died in large numbers, the economy was damaged, and the people suffered immensely. Although the imperial court had tried its best to respond, the results were minimal. Now, all of this seemed to have quietly changed with the intervention of Wenshu Monastery.

Zhao Chengyu pondered to himself, even the once-sensational livestock epidemic of yesteryear had dragged on for a year or two, only gradually subsiding thanks to advanced medical technology. Now, however, a seemingly unknown secretary at Wenshu Monastery, Lang Fanghujie, had managed to quickly organize the monastery's officials, formulate a series of effective countermeasures, and swiftly implement these methods across various regions. This not only demonstrated Fanghujie's exceptional leadership and adaptability but also highlighted the efficiency and pragmatism of Wenshu Monastery as a think tank for the imperial court. In this turbulent era, such actions were undoubtedly extremely commendable.

The following morning, sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the glazed tiles of the capital city with dazzling brilliance. Zhao Chengyu, dressed in his court robes, embarked on his journey to the Golden Palace. Before departing, he specifically instructed Xiao Kuangzi to prepare a brand-new red official robe as a gift for Fang Hujie. This was not only an acknowledgment of Fang Hujie's achievements but also an affirmation of his contributions to the court and the people.

Xiao Kuangzi accepted the order and soon returned with the official robe, running all the way to Fang Hujie's residence. Fang Hujie had somewhat anticipated this, but seeing the robe in Xiao Kuangzi's hands still filled him with nervousness and excitement. He knew this was more than just a garment; it was the Emperor's affirmation and reward for his achievements.

However, when Fang Hujie stepped into the Golden Palace in his new official robes, he was still so nervous that his whole body stiffened, like a bamboo figure controlled by strings, every movement appearing so awkward and uncoordinated. His appearance drew snickers from many officials, and some even whispered among themselves, thinking that he was just a country bumpkin, unfit for such a refined position.

Zhao Chengyu sat beside the dragon throne, taking in the entire scene. He couldn't help but recall his own first day here, attending the morning court session. Back then, he too had been so nervous he was restless, his head throbbing, as if the whole world was against him. Therefore, Zhao Chengyu deeply empathized with and understood Fang Hujie's nervousness and discomfort.

Seeing this, Zhao Chengyu smiled gently and said in a mild and encouraging tone, "Lord Fang, there's no need to be so nervous. You're new here, and your performance is already quite commendable. Today, the Emperor wants to reward you. If you're too nervous to speak, wouldn't you be letting down this honor? How about this, don't thank him. After you receive the reward, go outside and wait for some fresh air to relax. Don't get sick from being so nervous, that wouldn't be good."

The Emperor's words were like a warm current, soothing Fang Hujie's tense and uneasy heart. He glanced gratefully at the Emperor, his expression still somewhat stiff, but his eyes now held a hint of determination and confidence. After the performance, as Zhao Chengyu had instructed, he went outside the hall, took a few deep breaths of fresh air, and his tension and unease gradually dissipated.

Zhao Chengyu's gaze slowly swept across the court, landing on Fang Hujie before turning to Lord Leng. A gentle smile played on his lips as he continued, "Lord Fang was recommended to the court by Lord Leng, who has a discerning eye. Lord Leng's contribution is invaluable and he naturally deserves a reward. Furthermore, in this anti-epidemic campaign, Prime Minister Su's overall planning and strategic brilliance are also indispensable and deserve commendation."

Upon hearing this, a murmur rippled through the court. Officials whispered amongst themselves, praising Zhao Chengyu's impartiality and keen insight. Then, not only Lord Leng and Prime Minister Su, but all the ministers involved in the epidemic control efforts and serving in the court, followed protocol, respectfully rising to their feet and bowing deeply in Zhao Chengyu's direction, saying in unison, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

The synchronized movements and the heartfelt expressions of gratitude stirred an unprecedented sense of emotion and responsibility within Zhao Chengyu. For the first time, he truly felt that he was not merely the ruler of a nation, sitting in this magnificent palace surrounded by people, but also the navigator carrying the hopes and dreams of countless people, and the guardian of countless lives on this vast land.

Looking at the hundred or so officials before him, each face etched with loyalty and expectation, Zhao Chengyu's thoughts drifted away. He recalled his own journey since his transmigration, the confusion and unease he felt upon first ascending the throne, and how he had come to be able to calmly handle state affairs, strategize effectively, and win battles from afar. It had not been an easy journey.

At this moment, he realized even more deeply that as an emperor, one must not only possess extraordinary wisdom and courage, but also a benevolent heart, be able to empathize with the people's sentiments and listen to their opinions, in order to truly benefit the people and make the country prosperous.

"All of you, rise." Zhao Chengyu's voice echoed in the court, carrying a subtle but firm strength.

However, the situation outside the palace walls was far more complex and volatile than imagined. The place where this livestock epidemic was raging was located in the remote frontier of Yuyao County, a remote place with harsh natural conditions and scarce medical resources. When Crown Prince Zhao Chengyu received the urgent report from the frontier, before he could even read it carefully, it was snatched away by the anxious Consort Zhen.

Consort Zhen's beautiful brows furrowed as she quickly scanned the report. She then spoke slowly, her voice tinged with worry and resolve: "In truth, we doctors had long anticipated this day. After all, an epidemic cannot simply disappear; it will inevitably involve several waves of change. If a large number of people die, even with proper burial, the decomposing corpses will still pollute the land, affecting innocent livestock. Moreover, these livestock, now without their owners' care, roam freely and are highly susceptible to infection, becoming a source of the epidemic's spread. Now that Prime Minister Su has a plan, our immediate priority is to implement it swiftly."

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Zhao Chengyu's eyes revealed a mixture of approval and seriousness: "You're right. Fortunately, the rescue team was not disbanded this time, and there is no longer any worry about a monopoly on the supply of medicines. This has indeed reduced our burden considerably. However, the border regions are characterized by complex customs, and we're afraid that implementing this will be fraught with difficulties."

Consort Zhen, however, did not relax. She gently shook her head and continued, "But livestock diseases are ultimately different from human diseases. When people face human diseases, they know to look for medicine and are afraid of infecting their families. However, when faced with livestock diseases, many people often take chances, thinking that as long as they do not eat the dead animals, they will be fine. Some people are even reluctant to cooperate with the culling operation because they are reluctant to give up their only source of meat or hope that the sick chickens and ducks will continue to lay eggs. In their view, as long as the disease does not directly threaten them, there is always room to escape."

At this point, Consort Zhen's tone became even more resolute: "That's why we doctors have reached a consensus that if livestock diseases are not controlled in time, their harm will be no less than that of human diseases. Therefore, I still need your support to allocate some troops to deter those hesitant people with force. Only in this way can we ensure the smooth progress of the extermination operation and prevent the further spread of the disease."