Qingshui County is located in a low-lying area and has long been at risk of dike breaches. Local people have spontaneously built fortifications to raise the dikes.
These young men were ambitious and eager to serve their country, so how could they simply walk away after seeing this?
Therefore, the four of them had been working with the local people to reinforce the dike for several days.
"Son, lunchtime!"
Under the drizzling rain, a man with a deeply lined face, wearing a raincoat, shouted in the rain.
"Dinner's ready! Dinner's ready!"
There were also people banging gongs on the side, as if afraid someone wouldn't hear them.
Li Qingyao looked up from the crowd, his handsome face covered in mud. He searched for them. After they joined, they would be assigned to different teams, and these past few days they would only see each other at lunchtime.
"Brother Yao!"
Hearing the shout, he turned around and saw Li Qingduan limping over.
"What's wrong?"
Li Qingyao quickly went over to help him up.
"Hey, I've been squatting on that pile of sand for too long, my legs are numb."
"Thank goodness you're alright, that scared me. Are you still holding up?"
"Of course, Brother Yao, don't underestimate us."
The two went to the dining area, where Li Qingyi and Bai Sha were already there. They greeted them wearily when they saw them arrive.
The meal consisted of plain porridge and steamed buns; the porridge wasn't very thick. This was all prepared by the local people themselves.
I was soaking wet, my hands and feet were practically rotting from being in the water, and they ached terribly. I even took off my shoes and threw them aside. Only after washing my hands with rainwater did I go to line up for food.
"Sir, has the county government responded yet?"
The line was orderly, and they soon got to the front of the queue. Li Qingyao took a bowl of porridge, picked up a piece of steamed bun, and walked to the side. At this point, the old rules of not speaking while eating or sleeping didn't apply.
"Sigh, no reply."
"Damn it! What does this magistrate mean? He hasn't given any orders; is he expecting the people to do everything themselves?"
Li Qingyi was furious. They had been here for several days and hadn't seen a single government official; it was all villagers who had organized themselves.
"The rain is getting heavier and heavier; it looks like we'll have to relocate the nearby villagers today."
Li Qingduan had been working on the other side of the dike; the rising water level was terrifying.
"Uncle, has anyone in the village already made arrangements?"
"It's all arranged. You kids are so kind. We locals are very familiar with floods. Luckily, we harvested more grain last year, otherwise we would have all fled long ago."
The old man sighed. They grew up by the river and suffered from floods every few years. It wasn't that they hadn't built fortifications, but they didn't know how to do it. The government didn't provide any assistance, so what could they do but run away? That's why their village was the poorest.
People can't be kept here, and land will be abandoned after two years of cultivation.
Li Qingyao and the others remained silent, while Bai Sha continued eating without saying a word.
There are many instances of government inaction, but it's only because these young masters are kind-hearted that they are willing to stay here and help the villagers with their work, doing so personally that even he is amazed.
The three of them were busy every day, sparing no effort. They not only spent money but also helped find solutions. They dared not eat their fill, fearing that the villagers would not have enough, and would go out and buy more themselves.
My clothes get wet and dry again, and I'm so tired every day that I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
There were no beds, only straw mats, and they slept in thatched huts built by the villagers. Several people squeezed together and that's how they got through a few days.
Bai Sha saw this and didn't hold back, working very hard as well.
The three of them finished eating in silence, scraping the porridge bowls clean with the bread crusts, to the point that they didn't even need to be washed.
We weren't full, but luckily we asked Baisha to buy some hard flatbread the day before. A few of us ate a few pieces and we were full.
Seeing the mud on the other person's face, they smiled, and their heavy mood eased a bit.
Gazing at the curtain of rain, the group was deeply troubled, unsure how many people would suffer as a result. They couldn't understand why the local people, so simple and honest, could be so heartless as to ignore them completely, offering no assistance whatsoever. Were they not afraid of being punished by the imperial court? Had they become so brazen as to act with impunity?
Li Qingyao couldn't understand it, but he secretly made up his mind that if he ever came to power, he would never let the people under his rule live like this.
The four of them went back and shared some hard flatbreads, then took a short break.
Before long, someone shouted for everyone to assemble.
These days, the villagers have tried everything they can, from raising the dikes to digging ditches to divert the water.
For the safety of the villagers, an evacuation is now underway.
"Children, let's go, let's go, take your things, we're going to higher ground."
"Don't linger! If this rain keeps going, the dam will burst tonight. Take what you can, and leave the rest behind!"
"Bring what you can, and forget about the rest!"
"Keep a close eye on the child! Don't lose him!"
Many people were banging drums and gongs, shouting at the top of their lungs. There was no other way; in the face of natural disasters, human life was the most important thing!
Li Qingyao and his companions mingled in the crowd, helping the elderly carry chickens and ducks, or helping to hold babies.
The people living here have long been accustomed to this kind of wandering, and their faces are filled with indifferent calm.
Li Qingduan turned back and looked at the small village where he had only lived for a few days, feeling extremely sad.
They are incredibly lucky, hundreds or thousands of times luckier than others.
The line moved slowly, like ants carrying food, heading towards the highest point.
Meanwhile, in Qingshui County, a massacre was drawing to a close.
Blood, blood was everywhere.
The magistrate of Qingshui County was trampled to death by rioters; he probably never imagined he would meet such an end.
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