I am willing to go.

(I would like to express my gratitude to readers like "I am a Little Thirsty" and "Watch Me Chat Seductive" for their support of the Grand Pope. Thank you!)

Afterward, Hua Tuo, claiming the Grand Pope had just awakened and needed rest, cleared the room of all irrelevant personnel. He left, leaving only Xu Shu, Mao Jie, and Zhao Yun inside to report, with Physician Wang and Xiao Cui attending nearby.

Mao Jie was the first to provide Luan Yi with a brief update on the state of Jinan State following the battle against the Yellow Turban rebels led by Zhu Ying.

In summary, everything was well. In the aftermath of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Jinan State had become a rare sanctuary within the heart of the Great Han Empire. The only issue was that with chaos erupting in the surrounding regions, a massive influx of refugees from Qing, Xu, Yan, and Yu provinces had poured into Jinan. Among them were many followers of the Holy Mother Church, which caused no small amount of trouble for the public order in the various counties of Jinan.

Luan Yi replied: "We must treat the refugees well. Jinan State currently has sufficient financial resources, materials, and grain reserves. You may instruct the officials of each county to open the granaries and distribute grain to meet the refugees' needs for food and warmth, provided that preparations for defense and potential famine are maintained. Furthermore, have the church’s textile workshops accelerate the production of tents to be distributed to the refugees free of charge for their accommodation."

He also advised Mao Jie to take a portion of funds from the state treasury to implement a "work-for-relief" program. By hiring refugees to build roads, dig canals, and construct embankments, they could earn their keep rather than relying solely on government handouts. This approach, based on the philosophy of "teaching a man to fish rather than giving him a fish," would impart skills and provide employment, laying a foundation for them to settle in Jinan permanently.

Upon hearing this, Mao Jie immediately grasped the brilliance of the disaster relief method. He murmured softly, "Teaching a man to fish rather than giving him a fish? Brother Yi, this method is truly ineffable."

Luan Yi waved his hand modestly and cautioned Mao Jie further: "Brother Mao! Additionally, we must never rely solely on official donations as the previous government did. We must learn to use the church as a medium to mobilize the strength of the masses. Encourage the believers among the local gentry to contribute money and grain, working together to perform good deeds and help the refugees overcome their hardships."

"They are already doing that!" Zhao Yun answered with a grin. Over the past several years, Zhao Yun had visited many places and encountered numerous powerful clans and gentry. In his eyes, these people were synonymous with stinginess and greed. This perception only changed when he arrived in Jinan and witnessed the local elite. Not only did they not exploit the people, but they were also incredibly generous. Apart from the fact that land rents were much lower here than elsewhere, whenever a neighbor suffered a disaster or difficulty, they would organize help or provide funding.

What was even more astonishing was that these elite families competed with one another to see who could perform the most charitable acts. According to them, the more good deeds one performed, the more the Holy Mother would delight in them, and the better the land and the greater the wealth she would prepare for them in Heaven. Earthly wealth lasts only a century, while heavenly abundance is eternal. Trading a fleeting moment for an eternal reward was a bargain.

Because of this, when the refugees flooded into Jinan, the local gentry did not need to be summoned; they set up porridge stalls outside their own gates, serving food and clothing to the refugees with great enthusiasm. Some even cleared out their own private villas to accommodate the disaster victims. Zhao Yun was left speechless, exclaiming that the Holy Mother Church was truly a miracle.

Hearing Zhao Yun’s account of the gentry aiding the refugees, Luan Yi smiled proudly. "That is exactly it! What is 'Universal Harmony'? It is when officials, scholars, merchants, and farmers work together in unison. That is Universal Harmony. Jinan State is not far from that ideal!"

Zhao Yun, Xu Shu, and Mao Jie nodded repeatedly, while silently pondering: Universal Harmony... Jinan State has achieved it, but what about the world? It is in total chaos. If the nine provinces of the Great Han were like Jinan State, would the glorious era of the Han not be inevitable?

"By the way, how have the thirty thousand surrendered Yellow Turban soldiers been settled?" Luan Yi asked Xu Shu.

Xu Shu replied: "The thirty thousand surrendered troops have been dispersed among seventeen counties. Six thousand remain in Licheng County, while the others have been allocated between one thousand and three thousand each. They have been settled on 'Holy Fields' to engage in farming. Over five hundred soldiers with carpentry or masonry skills have been sent to work in the church factories. Mao Jie has also sent many divine servants to integrate among the surrendering troops, working with local believers to ensure their early conversion to the Holy Mother Church."

Furthermore, Xu Shu told Luan Yi that the thirty thousand surrendering soldiers, grateful that Luan Yi had not prosecuted them according to the harsh Han laws, were behaving themselves. Some had even expressed a desire to bring their families to Jinan.

Luan Yi paused and said, "Tell them that with the current turmoil, long-distance travel is unsafe. They should not bring their families for now. Once the Yellow Turban rebellion is quelled, Jinan State will welcome them to bring their entire families here to settle permanently."

Xu Shu nodded and acknowledged the order.

"Zi Long, after I fell into the water that day, what happened to Zhu Ying? Was he captured alive or executed?"

"Reporting to the Grand Pope, he was captured!" On that day, when Luan Yi fell into the water, Zhao Yun was seized with anxiety and charged straight at Zhu Ying. Zhu Ying had tried to lash out in desperation, but he was no match for Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun easily dodged his strike and, with a casual swing of his spear shaft, struck Zhu Ying on the forehead, knocking him unconscious. The accompanying cavalry dismounted and bound him tightly, resulting in his capture. "Grand Pope, I was just about to ask how you wish to dispose of this dog, Zhu Ying?"

Luan Yi crossed his hands, his thumbs circling his palms. He pondered for a moment and said, "I have my own plans. When the time is right, I will have him executed!"

"The time?" Zhao Yun was confused. He wondered to himself: What kind of timing is needed to chop off a head? However, he understood that Luan Yi had his reasons, so he did not press further.

At that moment, there was a creaking sound at the door. Everyone in the room looked up to see a beautiful figure fluttering into the room with the sunlight. Her exquisite face drew the gaze of everyone present.

Mao Jie was staring in a trance when he suddenly felt a piercing pain in his shoulder. "Ouch!" Turning his head, he saw Zhao Yun gripping his shoulder tightly. As the brother-in-law of Zhao Yun, he immediately understood that his brother-in-law was punishing him on behalf of his sister, Zhao Yu. He quickly laughed it off, changed the subject, and took his leave.

Once Mao Jie left, Zhao Yun, not wanting to linger and disturb Luan Yi’s affairs, stood up to leave as well. After taking two steps, he noticed that Xu Shu was still standing there, looking bewildered and slow-witted. He reminded him, "Bishop Xu, I recall... you still have an intelligence report that you haven't finished writing, do you not?"

Xu Shu blinked. "Hmm?" Then he suddenly realized. "If not for Zi Long's reminder, I nearly forgot. There is indeed a report. And the memorial regarding our recent victory has yet to be penned. Ah, my mind is full of matters. Brother Yi, rest well. I shall come to see you another day!" With that, he turned and scurried away without looking back.

Seeing Xu Shu’s embarrassed state, the young lady of the Zhen family burst into laughter. Her smile was so radiant that it could be described as enough to topple cities and kingdoms.

Luan Yi was instantly captivated, sitting half-upright in bed, staring straight at her. The young lady of the Zhen family, feeling his gaze, turned bright red, her heart pounding. She lowered her head, nervously twisting her skirt to ease the tension.

Xiao Cui, who was standing in the corner, looked from one to the other and broke the silence with a cough.

Luan Yi composed himself and asked softly, "By the way, I haven't had the chance to ask what this young lady's name is?"

The young lady was lost in thought and did not hear him clearly. She hummed, "Hmm?"

Xiao Cui chimed in impatiently, "My master is asking for your name!"

"This humble one is Zhen Mi. Greetings, Grand Pope!"

Zhen Mi, the Goddess of the Luo River? So it really was her. No wonder she was so stunning.

After she stated her name, Zhen Mi felt a pair of burning eyes scanning her from head to toe. That gaze was like the scorching sun of midsummer, making her face flush with heat and causing her great agitation.

"Was the journey to Jinan smooth?" As soon as he asked, Luan Yi wanted to slap himself. The caravan had been raided, and she had nearly lost her life—how could it have been smooth?

"Not very!" Zhen Mi said, lowering her head. "The Yellow Turban rebels are rampant in Jizhou. My Uncle Po and I took many detours and lost much time avoiding the rebels before arriving in Henan. But I never expected..." She did not say more, as Luan Yi already knew what happened next.

"Oh..." Luan Yi responded foolishly, not knowing how to continue. Feeling the awkwardness, he racked his brain for a topic. He realized that while he was usually quite eloquent, he could not find a way to start a conversation—a situation that had never happened when interacting with Diao Chan or Cai Yan. When he was with Diao Chan, she was usually the talkative one, and she would lead the conversation while he listened. With Cai Yan, they often discussed poetry, songs, and life reflections, which were their shared interests, allowing for easy conversation.

Wait, shared interests?

Luan Yi finally knew what to say to the beauty before him. "Um... so... have you visited the church yet?"

Sure enough, Zhen Mi smiled brightly and nodded. "I have! It is truly magnificent, much larger than the church in Yecheng! And the Yecheng church does not have so many murals; almost all the stories from the scriptures are depicted there. I heard that those murals were painted by Master Mao... oh no, I should call him His Eminence, the Cardinal!"

"Oh? You also appreciate Brother Mao's brushwork?"

"It is quite good! However, I feel that the Grand Pope's calligraphy is even better than Master Mao's. Master Mao's writing is a bit too delicate, while the Grand Pope's writing possesses more masculine strength."

Usually, Luan Yi detested flattery. But today, it felt different; this "slap" of praise felt quite comfortable. "You are too kind, Miss Zhen. Brother Mao has practiced calligraphy since childhood, and his foundation is enough to leave his name in history. My own writing is barely passable and cannot compare to his at all."

"The Grand Pope is too modest!"

Luan Yi asked again, "By the way, have you enjoyed the beautiful scenery in the city? Have you been to the Three Springs, Daming Lake, Lotus Lake, or Mount Li?"

Zhen Mi replied modestly, "I have just settled in and have not yet found the time."

"Since you are in Jinan, these places are a must-see." A feeling of unexpected joy welled up in Luan Yi’s heart. "How about this? When I am finished with these pressing matters, I will accompany you for a visit."

"This..." Zhen Mi’s face turned bright red again. Her heart was pounding like a drum. What was this? Was it an invitation for a tryst? The more she thought, the more shy she became, unable to even speak.

"Is the young lady unwilling to go with me?"

Zhen Mi looked up quickly and replied loudly, "No..." She licked her parched lips, "I am willing to go."