Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Shen Qingci frowned, her voice filled with disbelief:

"Huaiyuan Prefecture?"

"It seems that the only bandit stronghold near the capital with this scale is Black Wind Stronghold."

"But Black Wind Stronghold has been operating under the banner of acting on behalf of Heaven all these years, only robbing the rich to help the poor, and never killing ordinary people indiscriminately."

"They certainly wouldn't suddenly loot an entire prefecture, so why..."

Han Cao smiled coldly upon hearing this:

"Is Headmaster Shen quite empathetic towards the bandits?"

"In times of war and chaos, anything is possible?"

"You sit in the academy reading a few books of sages and think that everything in the world can be done according to the principles in those books?"

"Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Headmaster Shen, don't let yourself become foolish from reading too much."

"A bandit is a bandit. If they don't rob today, they'll rob tomorrow; if they don't kill today, they'll kill tomorrow. Do you expect them to sign a contract or put their fingerprint on something?"

"...Are you fucking rapping?" Chen Shao interrupted Shen Qingci before she could explode.

"Where did this information come from? Has anyone been sent to verify it?"

"An urgent dispatch from Huaiyuan Prefecture, delivered over 800 li, is currently at the Prime Minister's residence and will arrive shortly."

"How many bandits were there?"

Han Cao shook his head:

"Your Majesty, the tricky part of this matter is that the bandits live in the mountains and are constantly on the move, so it is impossible to know their numbers."

"After looting a village, they would retreat back into the mountains, and the government troops who chased them couldn't even find a trace of them. These kinds of bandits are the most difficult to suppress."

He kowtowed again, and said with deep sorrow:

"Your Majesty, human lives are at stake, and disaster relief is as urgent as putting out a fire. Bandit suppression and disaster relief must be coordinated simultaneously, and immediately!"

"Every 15 minutes of delay could mean the deaths of countless people."

"If we cannot save the people from their suffering, how can we, sitting high in the halls of power, face the people of the world?"

After hearing this, Chen Shao...

He fell into deep thought.

Judging from Han Cao's appearance, it can be concluded that the disaster is real.

But the timing of this disaster is too coincidental... something seems off.

Qin Ling Shuang had just agreed to infiltrate the Prime Minister's residence, so she would never do such a thing.

This is an intuition.

Although Qin Ling Shuang was a bandit, she was a born hero.

Who did it?

What is Han Cao's purpose?

Putting all that aside, Han Cao was right when he said that disaster relief is like putting out a fire.

How can one stand in the high halls of power if one does not offer assistance?

Regardless of whether it's a conspiracy or a scheme, this matter must be dealt with first.

Chen Shao subconsciously asked the officials:

"The disaster situation in Huaiyuan Prefecture is urgent, and bandits are rampant. My beloved ministers, who can share my burden and go to Huaiyuan to provide disaster relief and suppress the bandits?"

The ministers remained silent, their eyes downcast and their minds blank.

Chen Shao's gaze fell on the Minister of Revenue.

The latter was immediately startled.

"Your Majesty, since I took charge of the Ministry of Revenue, I have spent my days with accounts of money and grain, and have never led troops into battle."

"Sending me to suppress the bandits is tantamount to aiding the enemy."

Chen Shao looked away, but the official was even more decisive.

Kneel down directly:

"Your Majesty, my profession is criminal justice and litigation; examining cases and forensic examinations are my specialties. Suppressing bandits and providing disaster relief are not my areas of expertise!"

"Your Majesty, I only know how to repair city walls and dig ditches. There would be no use for me there."

Chen Shao suddenly realized something again.

Firstly, we didn't kill enough officials just now; what's the point of keeping these people around?

Secondly, this was Han Cao's open conspiracy.

He was forcing himself to go, and he was sending the Iron Fist Regiment there.

They were well-prepared to restore the monarchy in the capital.

Damn it, I'll deal with you all slowly!

Chen Shao pondered for a moment.

He stood up, his voice clear and resonant, drowning out the refusals and excuses that filled the hall.

"Since all of you ministers are unable to attend to this matter, I will go myself."

"I will personally lead the expedition and take full charge of disaster relief and bandit suppression, so as to give the people an explanation."

"Court adjourned!"

......

After the court session ended, Chen Shao went straight back to his palace.

Eunuch Wei was waiting outside the screen, holding a set of dark blue robes.

She began helping him change into casual clothes.

Muttering to himself:

"With His Majesty personally leading the expedition, this old servant feels as if his heart is being gripped by someone."

"Why don't you go?" Chen Shao asked as he took off his clothes.

"This old servant really wants to go, but this old servant doesn't have the ability."

Chen Shao nodded. That was true; Eunuch Wei's loyalty was the highest.

There will be no words spoken against one's conscience.

Eunuch Wei suddenly screamed with excitement:

"Wow, Your Majesty is truly a hidden dragon that rises with the wind in a single day, soaring twenty miles high!"

"Don't spout such nonsense! Time is of the essence, hurry up and change your clothes."

Chen Shao opened his arms.

At that moment, Shen Qingci rushed in.

She saw Chen Shao changing clothes through the screen.

He silently praised it in his heart.

His Majesty is a cautious man; even when Eunuch Wei helped him change his clothes, he still carried a sword at his waist.

So young, yet so mature—impressive, truly impressive.

Eunuch Wei spotted her and shouted through the screen:

"Oh, Lord Shen, His Majesty is changing his clothes. Could you please excuse yourself for a moment? Do you really have to take advantage of me?"

Shen Qingci ignored him.

"His Majesty."

Why did you make this decision?

"Nobody's here."

Chen Shao gave a casual reply.

This sentence instantly sparked Shen Qingci's talent.

She started cursing:

"Those good-for-nothings! They scramble to embezzle and prey on the people on ordinary days, but when it comes to serving the country, they all run away faster than the last."

"The dynasty has been trying to cultivate scholars, and this is the kind of trash they've produced!"

"Have they forgotten the lesson of Shuangmu City, forcing the emperor to personally lead the expedition?"

Chen Shao's face darkened. "I am I, and the retired emperor is the retired emperor."

"Your Majesty, although I have never led troops before, I have read military books and know how to manage supplies. I am especially an expert in disaster relief."

"Back in the day..."

Shen Qingci began to recount his great achievements.

As they talked, the hall quieted down.

She quickly turned around.

But she saw Chen Shao and Eunuch Wei standing right next to her, both looking at her with puzzled expressions.

"Let's go, Lord Shen, I have already mustered the troops."

Shen Qingci was taken aback: "So fast?"

"No! No way! We can't touch Lord Yu's side. Helian Xiong is currently wandering around in the north with five thousand cavalry. If the Iron Fist Regiment makes a move, Han Cao might do something like inviting a wolf into the house."

"We have no choice but to recruit locally..."

Chen Shao waved his hand to interrupt, "The only soldier I appointed is you."

Shen Qingci almost jumped up.

The panic on that oval face was visibly palpable.

It's not that they're worried about their own safety, but rather that they're being too frivolous.

Isn't this just delivering food?

"You, me?" She could hardly believe it.

"This is the only way."

"No, it doesn't matter if I, Shen Qingci, die, but if anything happens to you, Chen Yuan will definitely..."

Before she could finish speaking, Chen Shao had already walked away.

"If you don't chase after them, you don't need to go."

......

A moment later, Shen Qingci finally understood what it meant to be with a ruler as if he were a madman.

Chen Shao personally drove the donkey cart to take her.

The two were hurrying towards the city gate.

Now that things have come to this, she has nothing to say.

Just as the donkey cart left the city gate, a tall, slender figure stood with his arms crossed under an old locust tree by the roadside.

The man was dressed in a blue robe and had a handsome face.

It was Qin Ling Shuang, disguised as a man.

(Thanks to the bored book reviewer for the update reminder.)