From cute to empress

Chapter 367 Green Hope

I clutched the report tightly, my palms wet with sweat. It clearly showed that while Crystal Energy had solved the problem of resource depletion, the environmental damage caused by years of overexploitation was becoming increasingly apparent. Desertification, climate change, and diminishing biodiversity... These problems weighed on me like heavy lead blocks, making me breathless.

"We only care about the present and forget more important things." I muttered to myself, my tone full of self-blame.

Zhen Youcai gently held my hand. His palm was warm and dry, giving me immense strength. "It's not too late to make amends now," he said firmly. "Mengmeng, do you remember the tree you planted when we first met?"

Of course I remember that tiny sapling, which has now grown into a lush tree, even bearing immature fruit. That was the hope Zhen Youcai and I shared, and it's also my hope for a better life in the future.

"What we need to do is to spread this kind of green all over the earth!" I took a deep breath, and the light of hope rekindled in my eyes.

Thus began a massive environmental campaign. We issued a series of laws to encourage afforestation, promote ecological agriculture, and strictly regulate polluting industries. To raise funds, I even ordered the auction of many priceless treasures in the imperial palace, investing all the proceeds in environmental protection efforts.

The people also responded enthusiastically to the call and joined the tree planting efforts. I often visited them incognito and was deeply moved when I saw them sweating profusely as they planted saplings on the barren land.

However, things haven't been smooth sailing. Some business owners, driven by their own interests, have been secretly disobeying our orders and releasing pollutants. Others, accustomed to a comfortable life and unwilling to give up their immediate gains, are resistant to our reform measures.

One day, I was reviewing memorials when a guard rushed in, knelt on the ground, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, it's bad... Something happened outside the city..."

"How can you be so flustered!" I put down the memorial in my hand, my brows unconsciously furrowed. "Tell me, what happened?"

The guard took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, there has been a conflict between the civilians outside the city and the law enforcement team..."

My heart sank. This was exactly what I was most worried about. Environmental governance comes at a price, and those accustomed to immediate gains will inevitably be dissatisfied.

"Get ready!" I immediately stood up and walked out quickly while instructing the guards.

Outside the city, the once barren land was now covered in fresh greenery, and a gentle breeze brought a breath of fresh air. However, this beautiful scene was completely destroyed by the chaotic scene before him.

The infuriated civilians surrounded the law enforcement team. Downed saplings lay scattered on the ground, and several members of the law enforcement team were injured, groaning in pain.

"Your Majesty is here!"

The crowd automatically parted a path, and I quickly walked to the center. I saw a ragged old man kneeling on the ground, crying out at the top of his lungs: "Your Majesty, you are the Lord of Heaven, please make a decision for us!"

"Old man, please tell me slowly, what exactly happened?" I asked softly, trying to slow down my tone.

The old man pointed to a completely deforested forest behind him and burst into tears. "We have relied on this forest for generations, but now the government wants to cut it all down and plant some kind of cash crop instead. Isn't this going to wipe out our livelihood?"

I then realized that local officials, driven by their pursuit of political success, were forcing residents to cut down the original forests and plant cash crops instead. These officials were only concerned with immediate profits, ignoring the long-term impact on the environment.

Anger instantly surged in my heart. I turned sharply to the official beside me and asked sternly, "Who gave you the right to act so recklessly?!"

The official turned pale with fear and stammered, unable to speak.

"Come here! Dismiss this man and investigate him!" I shouted angrily, then turned to face the people and said firmly, "I promise you, I will thoroughly investigate this matter and give you an explanation!"

Seeing my resolve, the people's anger gradually subsided. I ordered the injured law enforcement officers and civilians to be sent for medical treatment, and then, together with Zhen Youcai, I personally inspected the scene.

Upon returning to the palace, I immediately issued orders to severely punish businesses and individuals that failed to comply with environmental regulations, while also increasing investment in environmental protection projects. I am well aware that environmental governance is a long-term battle that requires tremendous effort and cost.

"Mengmeng, you've done a great job." Zhen Youcai held my hand, his eyes full of understanding and support. "I believe we can bring this land back to life."

I nodded, my eyes fixed firmly on the window. The sun was setting, and the sky was ablaze with fiery red clouds, as if foreshadowing a future filled with hope, slowly unfolding...

As time goes by, I am delighted to see that all our efforts have not been in vain.

The once gray sky has now become a brilliant blue, like a giant sapphire, dotted with white clouds. The long-lost sound of birdsong echoes in my ears again, crisp and melodious, as if praising this hard-won change.

The polluted rivers have gradually regained their former clarity. Fishes happily jump on the shimmering water, and the banks are shaded by green trees and blooming flowers, creating a breathtaking beauty.

The once bare hills are now covered with lush forests. The trees greedily breathe in the fresh air, transform sunlight into life energy, and bring vitality to this land.

The people laughed and toiled in the fields. They sowed the seeds of hope, eagerly anticipating the harvest. Children ran and played on the grass, their clear laughter like the most beautiful music in the world.

"Mengmeng, look, our efforts have not been in vain." Zhen Youcai stood beside me, pointing to a patch of fresh green in the distance, a gratified smile on his face, "This land is slowly recovering its vitality."

I nodded, my heart filled with joy and hope.

However, just as we were immersed in this joy, a sudden disaster struck without any warning.

One night, I was reviewing memorials when I suddenly felt an earthquake. Then, the palace shook violently, dust fell from the beams, and teacups on the table were knocked to the ground.

"There's an earthquake! Protect His Majesty!"

I could hear the panicked shouts of the guards as I was escorted by them, stumbling out of the palace.

The scene before me stunned me.

The once bustling city was now reduced to ruins, with collapsed houses, broken roads, and cries of help everywhere.

The sky was shrouded in smoke and dust, and the air was filled with a pungent smell. I saw a raging fire in the forest in the distance, with flames rising into the sky and thick smoke billowing, as if it was about to swallow up the whole world.

"How could this happen..." I muttered to myself. Everything in front of me made me feel extremely shocked and terrified.

"Your Majesty, now is not the time to be sad. We must organize a rescue immediately!" Zhen Youcai's voice sounded in my ears, pulling me back from my shock.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. Now was not the time to be sad. I had to pull myself together and lead my people through this difficult time!

However, just as we were about to start the rescue work, an even more terrifying news came...

"Your Majesty, it's bad! Flood... flood is coming!"

I suddenly looked up and saw a huge wall of water rushing towards us in the distance...

The wall of water roared and surged with overwhelming force, like a behemoth from ancient times, ready to devour everything in the world. I had never witnessed such a terrifying sight before. For a moment, I froze in my tracks, my mind blank.

"Your Majesty! Hurry!" Zhen Youcai grabbed my hand and pulled me away. We ran as fast as we could, the deafening roar of the flood and the desperate cries of the people behind us.

The flood came so fast that we had no time to escape. The massive waves instantly submerged the entire city. I felt the world spinning before my eyes, and then I lost consciousness...

When I woke up again, I found myself lying on a high ground, and Zhen Youcai was anxiously guarding my side.

"Mengmeng, you finally woke up!" When he saw me wake up, an expression of relief immediately appeared on his face.

I struggled to sit up, looking at the devastation before me, a wave of sadness welling up in my heart. The floodwaters receded, leaving behind only broken walls and a devastating mess. The air was filled with the stench of decay, making me sick.

"This...is this the result of our efforts?" I muttered to myself, my voice full of powerlessness and despair.

Zhen Youcai hugged me tightly in his arms and comforted me softly, "Mengmeng, don't be like this. This is not your fault. We have tried our best, haven't we?"

I leaned weakly on his shoulder, tears streaming down my face. This sudden disaster had wiped out all our efforts and ruthlessly extinguished the hope we had just ignited.

"Your Majesty, General, please accept my condolences." A compassionate voice came from the side. "Perhaps all this is God's punishment for us. We should not try to change it..."

I suddenly raised my head and interrupted him, "No, I don't believe this is God's will! We are not wrong, the ones who are destroying the environment are wrong! Not even God can stop us from pursuing a better life!"

I stood up and looked into the distance with a determined gaze. There used to be our home and everything we tried so hard to protect.

"Zhen Youcai, pass the order down and gather all officials to discuss post-disaster reconstruction overnight!"

"Mengmeng..." Zhen Youcai looked at me worriedly. He knew that my heart was still full of sadness and fear, but he knew even more that I would not be defeated by the difficulties before me.

"Don't worry, I'm fine." I gave him a strong smile, "We will rebuild our home, and we will bring life back to this land!"

I took a deep breath, looked at everyone present, and said in a firm and powerful voice:

"This disaster has made us realize even more profoundly that protecting the environment is urgent! We must learn lessons, sum up our experience, and carry out environmental protection work to the end..."

Before I could finish my words, the meteorologist came running over in a panic, his face pale and his expression panicked. "Your Majesty, something terrible is happening. The sky... the sky..."