Year Thirteen of Yanhuang, summer.
The sovereign used the lot-drawing method to select officials to inspect three regions of the Central Continent.
Ever since Shen Tang had secretly purged the great clans connected to the Assembly of Gods in accordance with the Clan Genealogy, the Central Continent had remained a thorn in her side for a long time, with resistance against Kang and one uprising after another. But Shen Tang knew the art of sowing discord. She had struck at the roots, depriving the rebels of the people's support. Once the common folk of the Central Continent began living decent lives, they would naturally know who the vermin were.
After years of killing, she had more or less wiped them all out.
The economy across the Central Continent had gradually recovered, and prosperity had returned.
"...The Central Continent already possesses exceptionally fertile land and a deep cultural heritage built up over the years. Once the hidden threat of unrest is eliminated and people can settle down to develop, catching up is only a matter of time." Shen Tang had carefully reviewed the memorials submitted by officials from the three regions. On the surface, she sent people to inspect their account books from the past several years; in private, she also ordered people to make discreet inquiries throughout the regions and check for discrepancies.
So far, she was fairly satisfied.
Just as the officials in the three regions being inspected thought they might enjoy a good year, an accident occurred: local wandering knights had stirred up a huge mess!
"Y-you, you, you—what did you say?"
The official who received the news clutched her head and let out a shriek.
The messenger was also pale with fright, his legs trembling and his scalp prickling, but he still managed to repeat himself with