Chapter 447 Extra Chapter: Second Mistress
Outside the city, the mud underfoot had become so slippery it was like a thin soup.
Despite wearing a raincoat and carrying an umbrella, Liu Wenshu was still soaked to the bone, trudging along with the water.
"Sir, if this rain continues, the dam we built before might not be able to hold up."
His men followed him, running from village to village, and finally managed to gather everyone together.
Liu Wenshu looked up but couldn't see the sky clearly. "First, we evacuated the villagers, and then we brought people to reinforce the area."
If the situation can't be contained, there can't be any casualties.
"Sir, the village chief has gathered everyone in the village together, but these villagers refuse to move no matter what we do!"
Another official rushed over in a panic.
Their immediate superiors are all here; how could they dare to sleep at home? They've all come to do business.
Despite the heavy rain, they were running around here, and the villagers treated their kindness with contempt.
Liu Wenshu frowned. "I'll go and see for myself."
When they arrived, they discovered that his men had forcibly taken the people away, and the people were rising up in resistance.
Liu Wenshu was in a real bind. He stood on a rock and shouted at the top of his lungs.
They are not being forced to relocate; they are only being temporarily moved. Once the dam is reinforced, they will be moved back.
Upon hearing the arrival of the leading official, you few mustered your courage and began to shout.
“We’ve lived here for decades. You’re just going to move out like that? What will happen to our pigs and chickens? Where will we move the elderly and children?”
This opening was like a breach, and everyone began to express their dissatisfaction.
"That's right, where are we supposed to move to? Our entire life's work is here. You can't force us ordinary people to our deaths just because you're an official!"
The people blocked the road, and they all said the same thing: they would rather die than let the matter be carried out. Even those who originally planned to leave gave up the idea.
"Fellow villagers, listen to me, the most important thing is to be alive..."
Liu Wenshu's voice was almost hoarse from shouting, but unfortunately no one listened to him.
"Sir, Xiao Yangzi just brought news that the dam can't hold on any longer. We need to leave immediately, everyone!"
Liu Wenshu's eyes turned red. "Take them away! Take them all away by force. If anyone dares to resist, beat them all before you leave!"
With so many people present, and the official intending to use force, they all picked up their farm tools.
Just then, a very jarring gong sounded from the side.
The resounding booms stunned everyone into standing still.
A burly figure stood on the crooked tree and shouted, "Listen up, everyone! Our lady said that you must follow Lord Liu immediately. She will compensate for all the losses, and each household will receive an additional two taels of silver!"
"Listen up, everyone! Follow Lord Liu immediately..."
Liu Wenshu recognized the person in the tree; wasn't that Ye Cao's maid?
Where is she? She came too?
Liu Wenshu looked left and right, but didn't even glance at the leaves and grass, and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Really? You're not kidding us, are you?"
Everyone was stunned when they heard this. Although they could eat their fill now, an ordinary family could only save two taels of silver a year. Would they really compensate for all the losses and also give them two taels of silver in return?
"Of course it's true. Our lady is the Empress's own sister and the wife of the Consul of Jingzhou. How could she lie about what she says!"
Liu Wenshu was taken aback; he was the consul of Jingzhou.
"What's your wife's name?"
"Leafy grass".
"As you all know, the current Empress's surname is Ye. My wife is the Empress's older sister!"
"When it comes to collect the money, the whole family must go; no one, young or old, can be missing!"
One of the bolder men gritted his teeth and said, "Go! If you dare to lie to us, we're not to be trifled with!"
Once someone started, everyone began to run, afraid that if they arrived late, there wouldn't be any left, which was a benefit worth two taels of silver.
Moreover, they'll compensate for all the losses at home. If we ask for an extra chicken or a pig, no one will know, right?
The officials who accompanied Liu Wenshu were stunned. "So many people, Second Madam, what is this...?"
Ye Cao is now known as Er Niangzi.
With so many people, and each household contributing two taels of silver, how much money would that be! Even Lord Liu wouldn't have such a large sum.
"Sir, let's retreat first."
Liu Wenshu breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the villagers evacuate. "Let everyone go first, I'll go check again."
Just then, he seemed to vaguely hear a cry of surprise.
It was instantly submerged by the huge, rapid current.
"Second Madam, the master is still at the foot of the mountain and hasn't left yet."
The maid who had been banging the gong earlier found Ye Cao, panting heavily.
Ye Cao's eyes reddened as she looked at the flooded area. "Why didn't you bring him back with you!"
The grass ran like crazy.
"Second Mistress, where are you going?" someone shouted.
The people overheard were saying, "Is Second Sister's surname Er? That sounds so strange, who has the surname Er?"
When they went to the city, many people patronized Ye Cao's business and knew that she was helpful and could even buy medicine on credit for those who were too poor to afford it.
It's not that the leaves and grass are stingy, it's just that human nature can be too wicked sometimes.
"What nonsense are you talking about? He's just surnamed Ye and is only the second child in his family. What's wrong with your brain?"
"Surname Ye? My God, could she be the Empress's sister who just shouted out?!"
"My God! The flood really came! We just left!"
...
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