Although Luo Fu claimed she hadn't found a suitable house and hadn't moved out, in reality, she hadn't asked anyone to find her a suitable place.

She felt that she could win over Song Qingyuan, keep him calm for now, and maybe they could remarry later.

But she didn't expect that Song Chengzhang would get angry and want to drive her out of the mansion!

"No! Father-in-law, you can't do this to me!" she cried and pleaded.

“My son already gave you a letter of divorce, and allowing you to stay in our mansion temporarily was already giving you leeway. Now that you've caused such a disgraceful incident, our Song family simply cannot tolerate such a big shot like you! If you don't leave today, I'll have someone help you!”

"No! You can't!" Luo Fu screamed. If she were kicked out like this, she would become the laughingstock of everyone! In desperation, she cried out, "I'm pregnant! I can't leave the Song family!"

Song Chengzhang was taken aback. Song Qingyuan had been reluctant to part with her anyway, but hearing her say that made him happy. After all, he was already this age and still had no children, while his peers already had children who could run and jump.

Luo Fu looked at Song Qingyuan pleadingly, and Song Qingyuan said, "Father, I have no children yet. This child was hard-won, so let's keep her!"

Song Chengzhang pondered for a moment and said, "She can't stay in the manor. Since she's pregnant, send her to the estate to rest and recuperate, and have someone take good care of her!"

Luo Fu opened her beautiful eyes wide and watched Song Chengzhang's departing figure, then clenched her fists.

Song Qingyuan looked at her and said, "The situation outside is tense right now. Listen to your father for now. Go to the estate to rest during your pregnancy. Once the baby is born, I will bring you back. As for the prince, I will plead for him. You will still be my legal wife then."

Luo Fu looked at him, her beautiful eyes filled with tears. Her originally strong and shrewd face appeared even more gentle and obedient because of this expression, which filled Song Qingyuan with a sense of satisfaction.

It's so satisfying to have a strong woman bow down and submit to you.

He can only find some confidence in women these days.

When Song Yaozhu heard the news that Luo Fu had been sent to the estate by the Song family, she raised an eyebrow.

"Is she really pregnant?" The timing is too coincidental.

If she were pregnant, she should have sensed it long ago. If she had said so when she was divorced, Song Qingyuan might not have divorced her.

Now that she's about to be kicked out of the Song family, she's revealed that she's pregnant, which is just... Besides, she even had someone beat her up last time. The fact that this child is still alive is practically a sign that she was destined to have this child.

"Have you called a doctor to take a look?"

"I haven't heard of calling a doctor."

Uh... the Song father and son are really adorably simple-minded. They just believe whatever Luo Fu says?

"Have someone keep an eye on Luo Fu and see what she does next."

"Your cheap brother has really married a good wife," Xie Liwei said sarcastically.

Song Yaozhu scoffed, "He deserves it. His previous sister-in-law was such a good person, but he didn't cherish her. This new sister-in-law is his retribution."

Xie Liwei nodded in full agreement, saying that one should marry someone like his older sister.

The matter concerning the Song family has come to a temporary end. It is already the end of July, and the summer heat has reached its peak. Many families in the capital are already suffering from the heat and are complaining.

Some of the beggars outside have even died from heatstroke.

Song Yaozhu had a stall for distributing heatstroke remedies added to the porridge distribution area, and more ice blocks placed in shops throughout the capital to help people cool off. But even so, quite a few people still died of heatstroke.

It was at this time that Yu Gong's letter arrived in the capital.

Lord Yu is in the southern border region, and this letter describes the situation there.

"Yunzhou is experiencing a severe drought." Xie Liwei's expression was grave. Whether it's a severe drought or a severe flood, it's a headache for those in power.

But they have no rights.

Throughout history, disaster relief and rescue have always required concerted efforts and unity of purpose. However, the court of the Great Chen Kingdom was clearly not like that. It was already a sign of humanity that the local officials did not take the opportunity to plunder the spoils.

After a long silence, Song Yaozhu finally uttered two words: "There's no one available."

Isn't it true that there's no one available?

With Liu Jiaci in the Ministry of Revenue, procuring disaster relief grain was not a problem. The key question was, who would escort the grain?

Should we continue recruiting escort agencies as before? Back then, in peaceful times, transporting grain and supplies could earn money and even offer a chance to gain favor with the emperor. But with a major disaster, who can guarantee those escort agencies won't have ulterior motives?

If these people embezzle this grain and hide in a ravine for a few years, who will be able to find them?

Who would be willing to waste time and energy searching for that?

"The disaster in Yunzhou means that food prices will not be cheap for the next two years."

Previously, the Jiangzhou floods nearly plunged the entire Da Chen region into riots due to soaring grain prices. Now, with the drought, the people are likely to suffer even more.

"The grain supply is good, but what about the water?"

That's the key point.

Without water, the crops in the fields certainly won't survive. Not only will the plants not survive, but the animals and people won't either.

"We can only borrow from surrounding towns." But this is no easy task.

If the disaster victims flock to other towns, it will cause overcrowding in those towns as well. It might even lead to a repeat of the tragic events that occurred when the Qin King was granted fiefdoms.

"The priority right now is to evacuate the disaster victims and arrange for other cities to take them in."

“That’s what they say, but how will those cities accept them? And what about the troops stationed in the southern territories? If they leave, what will happen to the southern border defenses? We can’t just let them abandon Yunzhou and retreat.”

Even if it's just for the sake of those stationed troops, they have to find a way to get the water over there.

Xie Liwei pondered for a moment, then took down the map of Da Chen from the bookshelf and laid it flat on the table.

“Jiangzhou is prone to flooding all year round. One reason is its terrain. Although it is located on a plain, it is low-lying, making it difficult for water to drain. In addition, the rainy season brings too much rain, and over time, the Yujiang River, which passes through Jiangzhou, will breach its banks.”

"The Yujiang River embankment is repaired every year and raised higher each year, but the effect is what it is. It's better to dredge than to block; we still need to divert the water downstream."

At this point, the two reached a consensus—to repair the river channel.

But this matter may seem like just three words, but to put it into practice, it requires every official and every citizen of Dachen to take action.

This process will involve a great deal of interests and will also present significant obstacles.

The two fell silent, staring at the map of Da Chen, saying nothing.

At least, it would be difficult to do so in the Great Chen Dynasty under the rule of Yuwen Wuji.

"We're still short-staffed!" Song Yaozhu lamented, "We're desperately short-staffed!"

Xie Liwei stroked his forehead. "There are people skilled in water conservancy projects, but no one who can assist him."

Those who assist him are those who are able to overcome opposition and help him complete the entire project.

If no one stands in front of this person, clearing away obstacles and providing him with the space to unleash his abilities, then even if this person possesses the power to change the lives of all the people in the Great Chen Dynasty, he will be unable to do so.

After a long silence, Xie Liwei couldn't help but sigh, "We're still short-handed..."