Many voices echoed in the crowd, "We agree. Thanks to Yu Jiawulang and Miss Meng, our family can survive safely."

"To be a village head, one must be able to read and write. It just so happens that all the Yu family members can read and write, but other people cannot." Someone said.

Chen Gensheng's face became uglier as he listened to the villagers' words. He forced a smile and tried to fight for it again. "I have been the head of Qingyu Village for some years. Although I have been feeling unwell recently, I have worked hard over the years. In view of my efforts for the village in the past years, let me continue to be the head. I will correct my mistakes in the future and do my part as a village head."

The villagers looked at Chen Gensheng and then at Yu Mengshan. Yu Mengshan had a simple and honest character and had never had a quarrel with anyone in the village over the years. Their Yu family also knew how to treat patients. People were bound to get sick, and if a member of the Yu family became the head of the village, it would be much easier for them to seek medical treatment.

Moreover, a person's character can be seen more clearly in times of crisis like a flood. The Chen family is selfish and eager to escape, and they don't care about the lives of others. However, the Yu family can do the same. No matter how you look at it, it would be better for the Yu family to take the position of leader here.

"We would rather let the Yu family be the village head." The villagers discussed in whispers for a while and then spoke out together.

County Magistrate Gao looked at Yu Mengshan and made his final decision, "Since this is what the people want, then you, the second son of the Yu family, will take over the position of the chief."

Yu Ruhai lay on Yu Qiaoshan's back, his eyes brightened and he could not hide his joy. He quickly looked at Yu Mengshan and motioned him to say a few words to express his opinion, because the duck that was already in his hand could not fly away.

Yu Mengshan took a step forward, his face was not smug, he said calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, but I broke a leg. Fortunately, my daughter Meng gave me a prosthetic leg so I can walk now, but I am still different from ordinary people. I can only take care of myself. I want to do things for everyone, but I am powerless."

After hearing what Yu Mengshan said, Yu Ruhai choked in his chest, feeling a little disappointed. This second son was really disappointing. How could he expose his own shortcomings?

Yu Mengshan continued, "My elder brother Yu Qiaoshan is strong, honest, and easy-going. He is as literate as I am, and can help everyone with daily chores. I personally think that my elder brother Yu Qiaoshan is more suitable to be the village head."

The villagers looked at Yu Hanshan and started talking with their heads down. Everyone had forgotten that Yu Mengshan had difficulty walking, so it seemed that Yu Qiaoshan was indeed a better choice to be the village head.

The first and second branches of the Yu family are brothers. The fact that Yu Mengshan is willing to give in like this is enough to show that they have a deep brotherly relationship. After all, it is better than for the Chen family to continue to be the village head.

Wang Damao was the first to respond, "Uncle Qiaoshan is the village head, and our Wang family is willing to do so."

The others also nodded one after another, "We don't have any objections."

Yu Ruhai was afraid that something unexpected would happen again, so he quickly pinched Yu Qiaoshan. Yu Qiaoshan looked at County Magistrate Gao nervously, and when he saw the other's smiling expression, he said in a tense voice, "I will definitely... do my best."

County Magistrate Gao smiled amiably and said, "Many houses in the village have collapsed. Your new village needs to be properly resettled. The Qingzhou government has already drained the floodwaters from the Weiyuan Canal. You can arrange for people to dig some ditches to drain the water in the village."

Yu Qiaoshan nodded quickly.

The villagers couldn't wait to go back to their homes to take a look, so County Magistrate Gao asked the villagers to disperse, and the Chen family left dejectedly.

"Other villages around here have been hit hard by the disaster. I have to take people to other places to take a look. Fortunately, there are no casualties in your Qingyu Village," said County Magistrate Gao.

Yu Qiaoshan asked somewhat worriedly, "Sir, will this flood come again after it recedes?" The village cannot afford to suffer another such incident.

"It shouldn't happen." Gao Yunsheng said, "Young Marquis Gu of Annan Marquis's Mansion led people to build a dike in Xiangyuan and blocked the water level in Guling, Chanzhou, which saved Qingzhou from suffering a greater disaster. I got the news that Danzhou was severely affected by the heavy rain. Young Marquis Gu has led people to Qingzhou to release the flood. As long as there is no more heavy rain, after Danzhou releases the flood, Qingzhou should be fine."

Upon hearing this, the villagers who had not yet left felt relieved and hurriedly waded through the water back home to check the damage done to their homes.

After the disaster, the people were most concerned about food. Gao Yunsheng had not received any news of disaster relief from the court. It was not up to him, a small county magistrate, to decide whether to open warehouses for disaster relief. For now, he could only discuss with the wealthy families in the city to see if they could provide porridge and charity.

"Excuse me, sir, has the city of Changkui been flooded? Have any houses collapsed in Huaihua Lane?" Seeing Gao Yunsheng was about to leave, Yu Jiao asked politely.

Gao Yunsheng looked at Yu Jiao and said, "The flood in the city didn't affect much, it was only half a meter deep, the damage to the houses wasn't serious, and no houses collapsed in Huaihua Lane."

Yu Jiao thanked him and felt relieved that Liu Sanniang and her son were safe.

The disaster situation this time was indeed much less severe than she had predicted. It seemed that it was all thanks to Gu Yun and Master Liu. It was rare that they came from noble families and yet they cared so much about the people.

After watching Magistrate Gao and the yamen runners leave, Yu Qiaoshan carried Yu Ruhai on his back and said, "Let's go home."