In Chang’an City, after Empress Wu finished her court session, she soaked in the hot spring pool to relax.

Her maid, Su Wan’er, attended to her carefully, preparing all the memorials for the day.

If Empress Wu wanted, Su Wan’er would immediately read them to her.

With her eyes closed, Empress Wu rested for a moment and suddenly asked Su Wan’er, "Are there any memorials from Shu State?"

Su Wan’er picked up the top one and smiled knowingly, "Yes, one each from Governor Wu Youren and the Eagle Eye Guards."

She opened one and read to Empress Wu, "Recently, the Demon Clan has roamed freely in Shu State, causing disaster victims to gather in increasing numbers. Over a thousand people have been displaced, continually arriving outside the North City of Shu State. On one hand, I have opened the granaries to distribute food; on the other, I have contacted the city’s gentry to actively raise donations for the disaster victims. We have now preliminarily resolved the living issues of the victims; I believe once the Demon Clan is subdued, the victims will safely return to their homes. Additionally, during the disaster relief, the Chief Instructor of the Militia, Long Fei, has made diligent efforts, publicly praising this as the benevolence of the Emperor and Empress, thus instilling gratitude towards the Imperial Court among the victims. This person harbors national aspirations and should receive a small reward to manifest the heavenly grace."

Empress Wu chuckled lightly, "That Wu Youren, probably half of it is false, right?"

Su Wan’er opened another memorial and said, "The Empress guessed correctly, according to the report from the Eagle Eye Guards. For Shu State’s disaster relief, only Long Fei wholeheartedly provided aid, setting up porridge sheds outside the North Gate to treat the disaster victims. Upon seeing this, the Governor directly dismantled the official porridge sheds, pushing all responsibilities onto Long Fei alone."

Empress Wu nodded, "My cousin, his vision is too narrow, hasn’t changed over the years."

Su Wan’er asked, "Does the Empress want to reward this person?"

Empress Wu asked her, "What do you think Long Fei is aiming for? He is a cultivator, possesses powerful mana, and has the ability to make money, why should he toil for the disaster victims?"

Su Wan’er shook her head, "I cannot guess."

Empress Wu said, "That’s what makes him terrifying! When a person cannot be seen through, that person is more frightening than those obvious enemies. However, he’s done so much for the Imperial Court, he indeed deserves a reward, lest others say we are ungrateful, disheartening the populace."

Su Wan’er nodded and asked, "How should he be rewarded?"

Empress Wu instructed, "He is a cultivator and doesn’t care about worldly fame. We shall bestow upon him the title of Great Mercy and Great Virtue Master, and let the official newspapers promote him well, providing a role model for those in the Cultivation World."

"Understood!"

Su Wan’er nodded, immediately drafted the document, and had it sent out.

After the Empress personally issued the command, all the official newspapers in Chang’an City mobilized, hearing the name Long Fei for the first time.

They dispatched reporters to the south, to Shu State, to cover the story.

The Imperial Court specially prepared a golden plaque, beating drums, and sent it to Shu State with great fanfare.

Chang’an City was in an uproar, not only the secular world, but even those in the Cultivation World learned of a cultivator doing what the governor should have done in Shu State—leading a group to save the victims and serve the people.

In Chang’an Academy, some praised Long Fei as a peerless patriot.

Others speculated that Long Fei was merely seeking fame, finally catching the Empress’s attention, ensuring unlimited future prospects.

Some opportunists were already preparing to imitate Long Fei, going to Shu State to gain reputation for themselves.

Some were sincerely moved, gathering a large group of students in the academy, ready to go to Shu State as volunteers to help.

In Chang’an City, at the Dragon Martial Guard, The Great General’s Mansion.

The Dragon Clan Leader learned of the news from the official newspaper and even sent people to inquire, thinking Long Fei was one of their Dragon Family members.

But after checking the clan genealogy, they found no disciple named Long Fei within the family.

Chang’an City has four routes of Imperial Army, Dragon Martial Guard, Tiger Guard, Black Tortoise Guard, and Feathered Forest Guard, besides the Imperial Thousand Cattle Guard.

These five guards correspond to Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, Vermilion Bird, and Kylin of the five elements.

Kylin resembles a bull, hence the name Thousand Bull Guard, specially guarding the palace’s forbidden area.

The other four guards defend the four sides of the Capital City.

The Dragon Family is the head of the western Dragon Martial Guard, with successive generations serving as Great Generals from the family.

Dragon Family members are mostly high-ranking military leaders.

After clarifying, the Dragon Clan Leader was somewhat disappointed.

However, he summoned his granddaughter and entrusted her with a secret mission.

That is to investigate Long Fei’s identity, and find a way to incorporate Long Fei into the Dragon Family genealogy.

Judging by the current situation, the Empress is quite satisfied with this person.

If they manage to bring him into the Dragon Family, during future political changes, the family would have an extra card to play.

Not only the Dragon Family, but the other four major families also dispatched people to investigate upon hearing of this person.

For a time, silent and unknown, even the rampage of the Demon Clan did not alarm the Great Tang Empire, but Shu State has become the hot topic of the Great Tang Empire.

In the refugee camp, half a month has passed, and hundreds of thousands of men and women have officially been employed by the Shu King, becoming the first generation of workers in Shu State.

They were previously all farmers in the fields, relying on farming and silkworm rearing, living their small lives.

But unfortunately, with the arrival of the Demon Clan, all these people’s livelihoods were cut off.

When the Shu King posted the announcement of their wages, the entire refugee camp erupted.

The notice read, "Hiring experienced, strong bricklayers, three meals a day provided, ten copper coins per day.

Hiring valiant militia soldiers with a cultivation level and strength, three meals a day provided, one hundred copper coins per day."

"Hiring experienced, skilled workers familiar with manual tasks, open to all genders, three meals a day provided, twenty copper coins per day."

"..."

The notices were varied and new hiring sectors appeared every day. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

A group of refugees, upon seeing the wages offered, were excited, never expecting they could make money here.

It’s known that in the past, working on farms would bring them a surplus of just over a thousand copper coins annually.

This was during good years; in times of natural disasters, they often faced deficits, relying on borrowing money from landlords to survive.

Now, earning ten copper coins a day — three hundred copper coins a month — was far better than farming.

The refugee camp suddenly became less filled with complaints and cries, and every day, people were waiting for the Shu Royal Mansion’s recruitment.

Compared to the past, this place turned into a large talent recruiting market.

A group of reporters from the Capital City came over, initially expecting the refugee camp to be a living hell — starved skeletons scattered, corpses strewn, with a repulsive stench and filth everywhere.

Yet to their surprise, upon arrival, they first saw a group of people cutting wood to clear land, repairing roads, diverting rivers into canals, reclaiming land, and enthusiastically constructing this place.

Rows of newly erected wooden house frames had already formed, the street planning was neat and orderly, almost like a newly built city.

Governor Wu Youren hadn’t come here for a long time, and he was shocked by the situation.

In front of the reporters, he naturally had to conceal his surprise, even claiming the credit for himself, saying, "Everyone look, this is the new home we have prepared for the victims. Here they can live in clean houses, eat full meals, and even work to earn money, better than the days these victims lived before. This is our new policy for Shu State, our attitude facing disaster. We guarantee, absolutely not a single person will starve to death in our jurisdiction. We guarantee that these victims can safely escape the calamity and return home."

"The lord is truly a pillar of the Great Tang!"

"The lord can absolutely be regarded as a model official of the Great Tang!"

"I must write down the lord’s feats, let the people all over the world know his governance measures, let the world learn from him!"

"..."

The reporters praised him one after another, some even flattering him scribbled drafts right away.

The headline was "Shocking the Great Tang, Shu State Refugee Camp Impressions!"

"Three billion people shocked, the refugee camp turned out to be like this!"

"..."

Some even pulled out special Image Retention Stones to take photos of Wu Youren.

These images can be printed onto templates using special heating methods, and then copied onto paper, already quite popular in the journalism world.

Wu Youren, in a satisfied manner, held his head high and stuck out his big belly, posing in several styles.

They were busy outside the refugee camp for quite a while, not even entering before Wu Youren invited them to the government office in Shu State City to drink.

However, some civilian reporters from Heavenly Mystery Pavilion didn’t have the privilege of Wu Youren’s reception; thus, they entered the refugee camp in groups and began conducting thorough interviews.

Some met Long Fei, and at Long Fei’s suggestion, even joined the refugees in labor.

News from both sides continuously flowed back to Chang’an City, allowing citizens of Chang’an City to hear for the first time that a major Demon Calamity occurred in Shu State, leaving millions homeless.

Empress Wu also received various newspapers, and seeing the exaggerated praise for Wu Youren, she angrily threw the papers to the ground, ordering severely at maid Su Wan’er, "You tell Wu Youren to hold back a bit. What time is it now that he draws all the people’s attention to himself? Public opinion will surely attack, saying if the government is so honest and dedicated, why hasn’t an army been sent to exterminate demons, allowing the Demon Clan to rampage in Shu State? By then, the Imperial Court can’t avoid facing these pressures. In this situation now, tell him to behave for me. Let those who did these things enjoy the honor; don’t hog the spotlight every day."

Su Wan’er nodded and went to do it immediately.

The news spread to Shu State, and Governor Wu Youren turned green.

He obediently stayed at home behind closed doors, claiming to be researching methods to eradicate the Demon Clan seriously, pushing all official journalists to the refugee camp, letting them interview Long Fei.