Hunting system, and I ended up becoming the empress!

Accept or resign?

If she declined, things would be simple. It would show that she had no ulterior motives and it would also prove that the emperor really favored her.

It also allows the old ministers to put their minds at ease.

It also avoids criticism or possible pitfalls in the future.

But who is she, she actually wants to accept it more.

It is easier to die of starvation than to die of overeating. How great it is to have real power in your hands.

Even if she was accused of harboring evil intentions, forcing the throne, and being greedy for power, she wanted to accept it.

Again, she will prove herself worthy of the position.

Zhao Yunqi dared to give it, so why didn’t she dare to accept it?

Xiao Zhixing played with the bracelet and finally made a decision.

I'm busy now, let's talk about that matter after the imperial edict arrives.

Although there were few deaths after the earthquake, epidemic prevention remains a top priority.

Bai Su came in person, and with Xiao Zhixing in charge, a strict disinfection plan was implemented.

At the same time, reconstruction work has been initiated in the disaster-stricken areas.

The common people in ancient times asked for very little. When they knew that the government was helping them build houses, they were all grateful and would join in to help.

Xiao Zhixing stayed in Heiwu County for twenty days.

Temporary resettlement of disaster victims, post-disaster construction, disaster damage statistics, epidemic prevention, resumption of work and production, etc.

She led everyone to make arrangements one by one, and decided to use this practical opportunity to compile a disaster prevention manual.

From the initial prediction to advance resettlement and evacuation to post-disaster disposal, every key point.

How to do it, who will do it, who is responsible, what to do.

Write down every detail so that it can serve as the official guidance document for future natural disaster relief.

During this period, on the tenth day, Duke Li and Zhang Shanhai arrived in Heiwu County on express horses with the emperor's edict.

When Duke Li announced the reward decree in public, even the dumbest officials felt uneasy.

Xiao Zhixing and Duke Li looked at each other, and there was a clear expectation in each other's eyes.

Xiao Zhixing smiled and reached out to take the imperial edict, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Duke Li let go of his hand in shock and looked at her deeply. He also couldn't understand what Xiao Zhixing was thinking.

I just thought she would refuse.

Isn't she afraid of being criticized by the world for her actions because of her achievements that surpass her master?

Xiao Zhixing smiled and gave the imperial edict to Li Wenxiu. "Duke Li and General Zhang have come a long way and worked hard. First, wash up, eat a hot meal, and have a good night's rest. Tomorrow we will discuss disaster relief."

Duke Li collected his thoughts and said with a smile, "During the journey, Beizhou has opened my eyes. Your Majesty handled the earthquake properly and took precautions in advance to shock the world. The silver we sent here is a consolation to the victims."

No one died, just houses and fields were destroyed. However, some misers in the court even said that there was no need for disaster relief.

He was dismissed from office by the emperor.

Especially at this time, the imperial court should do something to improve its reputation.

Therefore, Duke Li actually brought 300,000 taels of silver.

Xiao Zhixing cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise and has really helped alleviate the suffering of the people of Beizhou. With these silver coins, they will be able to get through this difficult time temporarily."

It costs money to build houses, till fields and repair homes. The money from the court can also help people improve their lives.

Zhang Shanhai brought two thousand people, and there were escorting officers and soldiers behind them.

When they got here, they thought they had completed their mission, but they were all pulled to the scene by Xiao Zhixing to help the people clean up the rubble together with the Beizhou officers and soldiers.

Zhang Shanhai sighed: "At first, everyone was reluctant, but when the people regarded them as great benefactors, they came to their senses and worked harder."

Xiao Zhixing smiled and said, "My Beizhou officers and soldiers come from the people, so it is natural for them to give back to the people. This is called the close relationship between the army and the people."

Duke Li seemed to be thinking about something.

So this is why the orders are strictly enforced throughout Beizhou and the people cooperate with the officials so well?

Before leaving, His Majesty asked him to take a look at the real situation in Beizhou, so even though he was in a hurry, he carefully observed along the way.

The first feeling is: the top and the bottom are united, and the officials and the people are like family!

Broad and flat roads, contented and calm people, and officials who are close to the people.

These are just the tip of the iceberg.

What impressed him most was that he saw a group of village heads besieging the mayor of a certain town.

He was also nervous that a riot was about to break out between the two sides.

Unexpectedly, the young mayor lifted his robe and sat on the ground to discuss the matter with everyone on the spot, explaining the whole story to them in detail.

There were countless people surrounding him, and they raised their hands to ask questions after listening.

The young mayor explained and responded one by one with a smile.

The people received a satisfactory answer and naturally stopped causing trouble.

The last storm subsided.

Seeing this, Duke Li quietly pulled over an old man to ask, "Your mayor is so young, do you also obey him?"

Unexpectedly, the old man looked him up and down warily and said unhappily: "You must be from another place, how dare you question our mayor."

Duke Li: "Uh... Brother, you have sharp eyes. I am just curious."

The old man chuckled, "No wonder you're the one here. Our Beizhou is different from yours."

"Why is it different?"

"Because our mayor was selected through a statewide exam. After passing the exam, he still had to go through an interview and internship. Even though he's only 19 years old, he's a very capable person."

The old man was proud, "But if he didn't have the ability, our prince wouldn't use him."

"The first thing that our officials should practice is to learn from the prince's behavior, go deep into the people, and talk to us."

"What's it called... something about going deep into the grassroots."

Duke Li kept these four words in mind and gained a better understanding of them along the way.

"Duke Li, I heard that Wen Xiu and Miss Li Ningxiu broke off their engagement?"

At the welcoming banquet, Xiao Zhixing's words brought him back to his senses.

Duke Li nodded, "Perhaps the two sides are not destined to be together."

"Really? I heard that there are thousands of girls in Shengjing who admire Wen Xiu. I think he will be able to find a new wife soon."

Duke Li was secretly alert. What did it mean?

Why would Xiao Zhixing pay attention to this matter? Is there any underlying reason?

Duke Li racked his brains but couldn't understand why Xiao Zhixing was so bored and concerned about Li Jun's marriage.

Of course, he didn't dare to think too much about the outrageous thing that Xiao Zhixing might have fallen in love with his own son.

He just thought that his son's marriage must have involved her in some way, so it attracted attention.

Xiao Zhixing smiled and said no more.

Her actions made Duke Li even more uneasy. He decided to think it over carefully when he returned and arrange his son's marriage as soon as possible.

He is not pursuing a match between the two families now, he just hopes that his son can get married soon and safely so that he can feel relieved sooner.

Xiao Zhixing then said to Zhang Shanhai, "I heard that Lord Jiang Bozhou is going to retire due to a recurrence of an old injury. There is no other leader of the Imperial Guard except General Zhang. I would like to congratulate General Zhang first."

Zhang Shanhai said: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. There are countless people in the court who are better than me. I dare not speak so arrogantly."

Xiao Zhixing picked up the wine glass and asked, "But does General Zhao Bupi have that intention?"

Zhang Shanhai was secretly shocked. He didn't expect that Xiao Zhixing, who was far away in Beizhou, would pay attention to such things.

Zhao Bupi was a nephew of the Emperor Zhao from a side branch of the family, and was still considered a royal relative.

He is now the leader of Shengjing's internal defense force, and is more than qualified to be the leader of the Imperial Guard.

Zhang Shanhai is actually Zhao Yunqi's adopted son, who was adopted verbally.

These two people are equally matched, with a fifty-fifty chance.

Xiao Zhixing didn't say anything more. Duke Li was here, so she mentioned that if Zhang Shanhai was interested, he would naturally come to find her.

The three of them simply set up rules for disaster relief.

Detailed arrangements began the next day, and Xiao Zhixing stayed in Heiwu County for another ten days.

The two were sent away on the ninth day, and the night before, Zhang Shanhai came to see her secretly.