Su Ran wore a grave expression, keenly aware of the critical situation. With lightning speed, he summoned the empire’s most influential ministers and resourceful advisors to an emergency meeting, gathering them to deliberate on a strategy to resolve the crisis threatening the very fate of Great Qing.
"My esteemed officials," Su Ran began, his gaze sharp and piercing as he swept it across the room, his eyes filled with both determination and expectation. "Our cunning enemy is once again stirring in the shadows, like a wolf lurking in the dark, desperate to disrupt the peace of Great Qing and shake the foundations of our nation. Do you have any sound strategies to break this deadlock?"
An elderly minister of high standing and great virtue stepped forward with a steady gait. After bowing respectfully, he said slowly, "Your Majesty, in my view, the most urgent priority is to pacify the hearts of the people and stabilize the foundations of the state. Rumors are spreading through the populace like a plague, bewitching the common folk and causing widespread anxiety. Your Majesty should intensify the crackdown on these fabrications. Select capable and upright officials to reach into every corner of the realm, to speak heart-to-heart with the people, and to patiently and thoroughly explain the true intentions behind our policies. Let them pierce through the fog of rumors and see the truth for themselves, so they are not led astray by those with ulterior motives."
Chapter 113