The light rain continued intermittently for another day, and by the next morning, the water had finally receded considerably.
However, most of the houses in the village collapsed, and those that didn't collapse became dangerous buildings that could collapse at any time.
The village chief didn't dare let everyone into the house. Instead, he found an open space at the edge of the village for everyone to stay temporarily, and then organized some of the able-bodied young men to go into the village to find food that could be eaten.
The women quickly built makeshift stoves.
Even just finding some rice and cooking some porridge can fill your stomach and restore some strength.
The porridge was indeed cooked, but there wasn't clean water in it; it contained sand and tasted terrible.
Su Jin distributed the few remaining pastries to some of the children while waiting for the soldiers who were late in arriving.
"Miss, let's go. We can't worry about the rest." The coachman advised Su Jin. Their carriage and luggage were still there, so they could leave.
Huaicha is under the jurisdiction of Mianzhen, which is ten miles away. If the government were proactive, they should have come long ago, but they didn't.
So when it will come, or even if it will come at all, is unknown.
"Let's go to Cotton Town!"
Su Jin made a quick decision. She went to the old village chief and said, "I'm going to Mian Town to check on the situation. If you hold on for just one more day, I will come back no matter what."
Su Jin could have easily ignored it, but her conscience prevented her from simply leaving.
Even if they couldn't deal with the government, they could still bring back some food for the villagers.
The old village chief's eyes filled with tears. "I'll go too. I'm the village chief. Even if something happens, it's my turn to step in."
There was absolutely no reason to let Su Jin go alone.
Although the old village chief is old, he really needs to speak up on this matter. Su Jin is an outsider, and even if she speaks, no one may listen.
So, Su Jin took the old village chief with her and headed straight for Mian Town.
At noon, they had arrived outside the town of Mian.
On the way, Su Jin was still thinking that Mian Town might have also suffered from the disaster and couldn't take care of it.
But when I arrived and saw it, my heart sank.
Such heavy rain naturally caused damage to Mianzhen, but Mianzhen is located on a relatively high and flat terrain, so the water was just a bit deep. After the water recedes, things will be back to normal.
Precisely because of this, the government should have realized that the surrounding villages would suffer even more from the disaster, and should have sent troops to screen and provide relief as soon as possible.
However, they remained completely still.
The government soldiers simply patrolled around, scolding those who hadn't cleaned the mud off the streets earlier.
The carriage stopped in front of the government office, and the old village chief stepped forward tremblingly to inform the guards that he wanted to see the county magistrate.
The guard at the gate recognized the old village chief and immediately changed his expression, cursing, "You old man, how dare you come to our government office! You've swindled so much money from us, what, you've spent it all, and now you want it back!"
The old village chief was forced to retreat repeatedly, and said urgently, "No, the village was flooded, everything was destroyed, and there is nothing left. I have come here today to ask the government to save us."
Upon hearing this, the guard chuckled gloatingly. "So that's how it is. What was your attitude when our magistrate begged you? Now you know to come begging to us? How laughable! Get out of here right now, or your old bones won't be able to take any more trouble if our magistrate finds out!"
The old village chief's chest heaved violently, filled with anger and rage. "If you don't do anything, I'll die right here today, and then we'll see how you explain yourselves!"
"Trying to scare me!" the guard chuckled. "What can we do? We'll just throw him into a mass grave, what else can we do?"
As he spoke, the guard poked the old village chief with the hilt of his sword, forcing him back step by step. "Come on, let me see you die!"
Mai Zizi, clinging to the carriage window, couldn't take it anymore and cursed, "You bastard!"
Su Jin's face also darkened.
The two ran over quickly. Su Jin grabbed the guard's sword hilt, while Mai Zizi supported the swaying, dizzy old village chief.
Su Jin waved her hand, forcing the guard back a few steps. The guard immediately shouted angrily, "Where did this troublemaker come from, daring to lay a hand on me?"
"Bullying an old man? What kind of soldier are you? Call the magistrate out here. I want to see which law he's followed to act so arrogantly!"
Su Jinxia's small figure was unusually upright, her beautiful eyes were solemn, and her whole body exuded a dignified aura, which was not something that an ordinary common woman could cultivate.
The guard became wary and gave another guard at the gate a wink, then hurried off to fetch the magistrate.
The county magistrate did not come out, but instead let Su Jin and the others go in.
Su Jin and the other two followed the guards inside.
The small county government office was built in a magnificent and newly constructed manner; the beams on the building were probably made from trees from the Western Hills.
Su Jin and the other two were led to a reception room, where the county magistrate, dressed in a brand-new splendid robe, sat at the head of the table. He was plump and had a ruddy complexion, and was indeed very well-nourished.
"Who is making a disturbance outside?" the magistrate asked, his voice carrying a hint of authority and an air of officialdom.
The old village chief stepped forward and explained the current situation of the village again.
The magistrate did not reply to the village chief, nor did he express his resentment towards the old village chief like the guards did. Instead, he turned his attention to Su Jinxia and Mai Zizi behind the old village chief.
These two women were exceptionally beautiful and possessed remarkable poise.
The woman on the left has fair skin and delicate features, with pure eyes that reveal obvious anger. She was clearly pampered and could not possibly be a village woman.
The woman on the right had deep eyes, with an unapproachable air that only those in positions of power possessed. The sword in her hand was exquisite and luxurious, clearly no ordinary item.
"May I ask who you two young ladies are, and what brings you here?" the magistrate asked tentatively.
"Who do you care who I am? Talk about village matters!" Mai Zizi was still angry and spoke rudely.
The magistrate slammed his fist on the table!
"What do you think this place is? This is the government office! Do you think you can just come and go as you please? Young lady, I advise you to watch your words. If you violate the laws of the court, don't blame me for arresting you."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
