May 15th.

At this point, twenty-four days had passed since the earthquake, and Liu Hong had also stayed in Zhao County for twenty-four days.

The story of the emperor personally visiting the disaster area and leading hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians to resist the natural disaster has been widely publicized by newspapers, students, and storytellers. It can be said that everyone knows it, and all the people in the world are moved and sing its praises.

At this moment, the positive image of the emperor, the court, the army, and the government has become even more deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people, and they have truly gained the trust of the people.

In academic circles, the emperor's remarks also quietly gave rise to a pragmatic idea of ​​"putting the people first".

Zhang Jiao of the Taiping Sect, influenced by the emperor's belief that "human will can overcome heaven," immediately modified the Taiping Sect's reverence for heaven and began to revere people. The emperor's position also changed from being appointed by heaven to being established based on the people.

The meaning is: the emperor comes to protect the people, not to oppress them; the people need the emperor, so the emperor appears; whoever makes the emperor's people suffer injustice, the emperor will stand up for them; this is true for Goguryeo, for the Xiongnu, and for Heaven itself.

Perhaps because the emperor was there, the post-disaster recovery process in Zhao County was very fast.

The ruins in the city have been basically cleared. With the addition of medical students, the injured in the disaster area have received good treatment, breaking the saying that a major disaster is always followed by a major epidemic.

The conscripted laborers and civilians, led by the engineering students, began rebuilding their houses.

People from the Royal Trading Company also came to the disaster area and began to prepare for the construction of factories and workshops, which would be enough to ensure that the affected people could have a stable livelihood.

After confirming that everything was in place, Liu Hong ordered the army to set off and prepare to return to the capital.

The next morning, while it was still dark, tens of thousands of people in Zhao County woke up early and spontaneously rushed to the emperor's temporary palace to see him off.

It was called a palace, but it was really just a slightly larger tent.

Liu Hong was still fast asleep at this time, and Dian Wei, who was waiting outside, did not go in to report. Of course, the people would not allow him to go in to report either.

The emperor has worked tirelessly for the people for so many days; he deserves a good rest.

Listening to the snoring coming from inside the tent and looking at the densely packed people in front of them, Dian Wei and the guards around him were deeply moved.

Time passed slowly until dawn. The eight thousand Imperial Guards soldiers who had participated in the disaster relief had assembled and lined up outside the emperor's palace.

The people lined both sides of the road to see them off, forming a long procession that stretched all the way outside the city. Seeing the soldiers' tired faces, everyone felt heartbroken.

An hour later, Liu Hong finally woke up. Looking at the sunlight reflecting through the tent opening, Liu Hong sat up and couldn't help but stretch.

Upon hearing the commotion, Zhang Rang hurriedly ran into the tent and began to help the emperor dress.

"Zhang Rang, what time is it now?"

"Your Majesty, it is now 7:45 AM."

"Oh? It's so late?" Liu Hong was slightly taken aback, then frowned. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"

"Your Majesty, this is the first time you've slept so soundly since you arrived in Zhao County. This servant cannot bear it..."

As he spoke, Zhang Rang's nose tingled, and he couldn't help but wipe away his tears.

"Alright, you've been to the battlefield yourself, why are you acting like a woman? What are you crying about?"

Although Liu Hong's words carried a hint of disdain, his gaze towards Zhang Rang was gentle.

During these days of disaster relief, Zhang Rang not only took care of himself, but also supervised the soup kitchens and inspected the distribution of medicinal materials. He worked hard and was no less busy than the soldiers.

Soon, after getting dressed, Liu Hong walked out of the tent.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

As soon as he stepped out of the tent, a series of orderly sounds reached Liu Hong's ears.

"This is......"

Looking at the dense crowd of people on both sides of the road, Liu Hong was slightly taken aback.

Zhang Rang, who was behind him, stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the people have come here to see you off since they learned that you are leaving."

Liu Hong nodded and stepped forward, meeting the respectful and grateful gazes of the people.

"Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After the crowd of people stood up, several elderly people with white hair walked over shakily with the help of young people. Four young people followed behind the elderly people, holding a white cloth about three meters long and two meters wide.

Liu Hong looked up and saw that the white cloth was covered with densely packed small characters, but he couldn't make out what they said.

When the emperor approached, the old men stubbornly pushed the young man they were helping aside and bowed to Liu Hong.

"Your Majesty, we old men were all carried out of the ruins by your soldiers. Without you, we would have lost our lives long ago."

Liu Hong smiled and said, "Old man, you are mistaken. The parents of those soldiers are also citizens of the Han Dynasty. They are not only my soldiers, but also the sons and daughters of the Han people."

When the people are in trouble, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) should naturally step forward.

"Your Majesty is right. The soldiers are all excellent. With these brave soldiers around, we have nothing to fear."

As he spoke, the old man's eyes reddened, and two streams of tears flowed from the corners of his eyes.

As the soldiers around them listened to the conversation between the emperor and the old man, they unconsciously straightened their chests, and a flush appeared on their dark and resolute faces.

They love the affectionate title of "People's Liberation Army soldiers," and for this title, they are willing to fight without fear of death and protect others without hesitation.

"This is a petition written overnight by all the people of Zhao County. Every single person's name is written on it. We hope Your Majesty will accept it."

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