The Emperor issued an order, and Eunuch Zhao hurriedly instructed others to prepare. The imperial procession began to ready itself in haste.
Just as the Emperor was about to board the Jade Chariot, a guard rushed over, holding an urgent message sealed with wax in his hand. He knelt on one knee, "Your Majesty, this is Minister of Revenue Zhao's memorandum, it has just arrived with utmost urgency."
The Emperor withdrew his foot from the Jade Chariot, turned around, and said, "Present it."
Eunuch Zhao quickly took the letter, broke the wax seal, removed the memorandum from inside, and handed it to the Emperor.
As the Emperor read the memorandum by the light of the Palace Lantern, his face changed in an instant.
"Your Majesty?" Eunuch Zhao noticed the Emperor's expression and suddenly became anxious.
The Emperor gripped the memorandum tightly and asked with a solemn face, "How many days has it been since this urgent message was sent?"
