It must be said that after leaving Kyoto, Prince An was like a fish leaping into the water—the sea was wide enough for the fish to leap freely.
He dealt with the local officials who were not doing their job and promoted his own people to higher positions.
They assembled their troops, formulated a battle plan, and launched a fierce and precise attack on the bandits outside Yi'an City.
Prince An knew that true peace and tranquility came not only from a clear and just court, but also from the guarantee of a peaceful and prosperous life for the people.
Therefore, he personally took to the field to boost morale, and under his leadership, the generals' morale soared, and their advance was unstoppable.
After several fierce battles, the bandit forces outside Yi'an City were defeated one by one.
Those villains who once ran rampant and oppressed the people have either surrendered and been brought to justice, or fled without a trace.
Prince An ordered that those who surrendered be educated and reformed, and given the opportunity to repent and start anew.
Those who are stubborn and unyielding will be severely punished as a warning to others.
This move not only eliminated a local scourge but also won the heartfelt support and gratitude of the people.
With the improvement of public security, Yi'an City gradually regained its former prosperity and vitality.
After leaving the capital, Prince An was finally able to release the pent-up frustration in his heart.
Along the way, Prince An originally planned to take the opportunity to wipe out those wicked bandits in one fell swoop.
Unexpectedly, the Red Lotus Cult members beat him to the punch and wiped out several bandit hideouts before he could.
Although the people dared not openly praise the Red Lotus Sect due to the government's suppression.
However, some people with ulterior motives compiled it into a storybook and spread it among the common people.
This operation took him a month to prepare, but it was finally successful.
"Your Highness, everything is arranged and we can depart at any time," Lu Er said to Prince An.
After resolving the bandit problem in Yi'an City, Prince An began his inspection mission for the next city.
Now I help Meng Zhelan organize medicinal herbs in her yard.
She only took a small portion of the dried medicinal herbs with her, donating the rest to the local Anjifang (a traditional medicine clinic).
Anjifang, jointly established by the emperor, Yinxianshanzhuang, and Qiyang Chamber of Commerce, set up resettlement points in various places.
The emperor even personally wrote the three characters "Anjifang" and had them engraved on a plaque to be hung above the gate of each neighborhood, to show his boundless imperial grace and concern for the people's livelihood.
Anjifang recruited local doctors to provide medical services. Meng Zhelan followed Prince An to various places and provided free medical services at the local Anjifang.
When high-ranking officials heard that Meng Zhelan was favored by the Emperor and Empress Dowager, they all paid generous sums to invite her to their homes for medical consultations, and the elixirs she refined were snapped up.
Originally, it was just to curry favor with Prince An, but unexpectedly, Meng Zhelan was indeed a skilled physician, and the pills she refined had remarkable effects after being taken.
So Meng Zhelan made a fortune wherever she went, but she used all that money to buy herbs from farmers and donated them to Anjifang.
These acts of kindness quickly became a popular story among the people, who regarded Meng Zhelan as a living bodhisattva who saved people from suffering.
She kept emphasizing that she took His Majesty as her role model because of his benevolence.
As Prince An spoke with her, he busied himself with his tasks. "Lan'er, give the letter to Lu Yi to deliver to the post station. He's quick on his feet."
Upon hearing this, Lan'er responded softly and gestured for Tian Tian to hand over the letter.
Meng Zhelan had been trying to find the Hidden Sect branch since that day without success, so she had to wait another half month.
After learning that her next stop was Sichuan, she wrote another letter to explain her next itinerary.
She always received letters from her father, but Xiaoxi did not, so she always thought that Xiaoxi was too busy to write to her.
When her father mentioned Xiaoxi in his letters, he always said she was busy, but he never said what she was busy with.
In fact, Meng Zhong had no choice; he knew that the letters he sent out would definitely be checked before being sent.
After all, Xiaoxi's whereabouts remained unknown, and the emperor and his men were keeping an eye on everyone connected to her.
He dared not tell Lan'er that Xiaoxi was missing, because if Lan'er found out, she would probably search for her at all costs.
Prince An also wrote to him, telling him to be careful with his words and actions.
He was relieved to learn from Xiaoxi's maternal grandmother that someone had gone looking for her.
He was transferred by the retired emperor to the Western Hills Villa to treat His Majesty.
He had no choice but to keep Xiaoxi's matter a secret from his daughter.
Meng Zhong didn't know why the emperor had recovered but didn't return to the palace, and others always thought the emperor was still unconscious.
Only the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager knew the truth. Those who wanted to come and visit the Emperor were persuaded to go back by the Emperor Emeritus on the grounds that the Emperor needed to rest.
Since the day the Holy Maiden appeared, the Red Lotus Cult has been preparing a grand procession of the Holy Maiden.
Red Lotus Sect Headquarters
Li Xi looked at the elaborate red dress in front of her with a worried expression.
She felt an intense aversion to wearing the dress to the parade, as if it were an instinctive reluctance to do such a thing.
Seeing that she hadn't changed yet, Situ Feng earnestly advised her, "Xiaoyue, this parade is also for your godfather's grand vision, and even more so to show the world the compassion and power of the Red Lotus Sect. You must remember that you are not only a saint, but also a guiding light in the hearts of thousands of believers."
Li Xi: "But, Big Brother..."
"No buts, the auspicious time is almost here. If the parade can't start on time, my godfather will be angry," he continued.
Li Xi's brows furrowed even more.
Her gaze lingered on the dazzling red dress, as if it were not merely clothing, but a shackle binding her freedom.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner struggle: "Brother, I understand that my responsibility is heavy. As a saintess, I have an obligation to serve the Red Lotus Cult. But, is a march really feasible?"
Upon hearing this, Situ Feng's expression turned slightly serious. "Xiaoyue, you may not know this, but there are often deeper meanings hidden beneath the surface of things in this world. The parade is a way for us to communicate with the public, to let more people understand us, and to join us."
"Oh well."
Li Xi changed her clothes and walked out of the room, and Sui Feng followed her.
Situ Feng instructed him, "You need to keep an eye on Miss Yue and make sure she isn't bumped into by others."
"Yes!" came the reply from Sui Feng.
The procession moved slowly forward, with large crowds gathering on both sides of the street. They watched the red-clad group with curiosity or awe.
Li Xi, dressed in a gorgeous and elaborate Red Lotus Cult saintess costume, stood on the float in the procession.
"Holy Maiden, please bless us!" a plea suddenly came from the crowd.
Immediately afterwards, more people began to kneel and pray for the protection of the Red Lotus Sect.
The followers distributed food to the people, and the chief protector at the front of the procession said loudly, "Everyone, we, the Red Lotus Sect, have gathered here today to pass on this power to every brother and sister in need."
In this turbulent era, hunger and hardship hang like dark clouds over the land, but we believe that as long as there is light in our hearts, hope will never be extinguished.
The crowd on the entire street chanted in unison, "May the Red Lotus Sect live forever!" When the officials who arrived heard the news saw this scene, they immediately tried to disperse the noisy crowd.
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