Chapter 1548: Chapter 1465: A Massive Undertaking

Tang Mo set down a report, removed his glasses, and said, “The data looks quite good, but we must be wary of those below us fabricating information for their political achievements. We need to investigate carefully; there must be no errors.”

He had to review numerous reports every day, leading to some degree of nearsightedness. Although he had a professional medical team and followed their advice to maintain his eye health, he still had to wear glasses.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Chu Muzhou, who had just returned from inspections in Fengjiang, nodded.

The reports from the Great Tang Empire seem extremely accurate at present. Compared with similar reports from other countries, they could be described as data-rich.

In the past, Chu Muzhou observed that officers in the Dahua Empire adjusted their reported data by as much as fifty percent.

What does this mean? Essentially, if there was good news, it had likely been exaggerated by fifty percent; if it was bad news, they’d add another fifty percent to the grim reports…

Of course, this is a discipline. Specific problems require specific analysis, and situations demand specific judgments: if benefits are to be gained, bad news might be exaggerated; if they fear accountability, good news might be reported humbly.

For example, in wartime, if the opponent is perceived as weak, the data is often inflated to capture achievements and gain rewards. But if the foe is tough, they’ll downplay successes to avoid conflict.

In peaceful environments, if a calamity occurs due to human actions and accountability is needed, reports might be understated to minimize blame; if it’s a natural disaster where aid can be sought, they’ll exaggerate to secure more funds.

Overall, this is an acquired skill. Chu Muzhou took over ten years to gradually comprehend the tactics of those below, helping him see through falsified data and identify various issues occurring across Dahua Empire’s regions.

Now it’s different, the data in the Great Tang Empire’s reports has become very detailed, with likely errors being substantially minimized.

Reading these reports and looking at their data, sometimes Chu Muzhou couldn’t help but think that even a group of incompetents, supported by such comprehensive and accurate data, could govern the Empire well.

In the past six months, the Great Tang Empire has seen a significant increase in grain production. The data looks promising, and Tang Mo, pleased, had a bigger lunch, which made him speak with a sunnier tone when he met with Chu Muzhou in the afternoon.

However, due to the vast territory of the Great Tang Empire, good news is often accompanied by some bad news.

Such are worries unique to large nations—those with less extensive lands can’t understand this struggle: news from Lighthouse Country, Huaxia Bunny, and Maoxiong often reports disasters, whether typhoons or earthquakes, hardly enjoying peaceful days.

While smaller countries have simple and clear weather forecasts; they might end by casually mentioning nationwide rain.

Tang Mo put down the grain production report and picked up another report about earthquake disasters, asking, “How’s the situation being managed at Hidden Sword Gorge?”

Chu Muzhou had previously inquired about this issue in Fengjiang, even reallocating food from regions like Fengjiang, Xiajian, and Wanliang to assist the disaster area. That’s why Tang Mo asked Chu Muzhou about it, since he had just returned as a high-ranking Empire official from the vicinity of the incident.

“As of yesterday, there were 1,900 casualties… the disaster over there is quite severe. The finance department has already allocated 25 million gold coins in relief funds, and additionally, the local military has deployed 30,000 troops…” Chu Muzhou was indeed aware of the whole situation, providing precise data right away.

He proceeded to describe the food transportation efforts, simultaneously mentioning the 8th Corps under Luo Xiao, which had redeployed parts of the military back to Sword Pavilion and other areas to aid local post-disaster reconstruction.

Finally, he summarized the grim situation in that region with a sigh: “However, the damage is extensive; over ten thousand residences have collapsed, and many infrastructures have been destroyed, posing significant challenges.”

Tang Mo was satisfied with Chu Muzhou’s response, nodding slightly, “Ensure that civilians can access food and help them quickly build housing or arrange temporary shelters. If we delay here, people will starve and some may perish, which I do not wish to see.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Chu Muzhou promptly agreed.

Immediately, Tang Mo added, “Also, ensure medicine supplies are secured.”

“Understood,” Chu Muzhou continued to respond.

Soon after, Tang Mo recalled the most crucial transportation node over there, “By the way, has the Hidden Sword Bridge been affected? Send an expert group to inspect the bridge structure. If there are problems, repair it immediately; or build a new bridge if necessary, we can’t afford to joke about such matters.”

Even though the Great Tang Empire was constructing second and third bridges over Hidden Sword Gorge, they were not yet fully connected, so the previously built bridge remains the sole connection across Hidden Sword Gorge.

The recent earthquake halted construction on the unfinished bridges, elevating the status of the completed first bridge.

“Yes! I’ll arrange it right away,” Chu Muzhou agreed once more.

Tang Mo, concerned about negligence from the lower ranks, advised again, “Remember, if we open a gap here, it will become a fissure below; if a fissure occurs below, it will turn into a chasm among the people! Once we separate from the people, our Empire is doomed.”

Though he didn’t need to be so meticulous, years of habit compelled him to inquire about more matters within his capacity.

“I understand,” Chu Muzhou nodded continuously. He was highly satisfied with Tang Country’s management style and admired Tang Mo’s genuine concern for the people. To him, a Monarch who consistently loves the people like his own and prioritizes their benefits will surely become recorded in history as an emperor.

In Chu Muzhou’s view, enabling the people to eat sufficiently, succeeding in external wars without defeat, and overseeing an Empire thriving under Tang Mo, the founding Monarch, already marked him as a great emperor.

If such an emperor isn’t worth following or upholding, Chu Muzhou doesn’t know what kind of emperor deserves loyalty. Therefore, he felt no guilt for forsaking Dahua and was filled with the ambition to assist a wise ruler in shaping the world.

——–

Exhausted yesterday, not in the state today. Only two updates, postponed updates will be forthcoming, apologies.