"I've already sent people to investigate Yuanfu Prefecture and get in touch with Ximin and the others. Gongyi can rest easy for now."
Luan Xin clasped his hands in thanks.
Shen Tang took his hands and helped him up. "What are you thanking me for? We've been ruler and subject for years. Must we still bother with such empty courtesies?"
For the past two years, she had devoted all her energy to the Southwest. From the start of the war to the postwar reconstruction, she had hardly had a moment to rest. Most affairs throughout Kang Country were handled by Qi Shan, the key minister overseeing the state in the King's absence. Only the truly difficult matters were brought to her. With DingTalk in place, and the Kang Country Royal Court's practice of making inspection tours everywhere, the civil and military officials had no serious complaints.
Some were even glad things worked this way—they didn't have to attend Court Sessions so often, and could sleep in a little longer each day.
But things were different for local officials farther down the chain.
They weren't corrupt or neglecting their duties, but they had grown somewhat lax.
As soon as the situation in the Southwest stabilized a little, Shen Tang doubled back and caught them off guard with a surprise tour of the north, checking the past two years' records in various places. Officials summoned to report on their work had better weigh their options if they did poorly. This was one of the main reasons her workload had surged lately. Even her Literary Qi Incarnation, working around the clock, couldn't keep up, and the Imperial Physician had managed to diagnose her with kidney deficiency.
Her energy was limited, and she couldn't keep an eye on every place at all times.
That