They understood what she meant: that they, the students of the Gentleman's Academy, might also become its targets.
Xiao Zhixing looked outside again, his voice low and deep, “I know you all have ambitions and want to achieve great things. If the day comes when you really encounter it, think carefully: are you willing to be enslaved by it to obtain that empty glory, or are you willing to climb to the top with your own hands?”
Why did she suddenly reveal this? Besides testing them.
They were also worried that the Emperor System might cause trouble.
Because there is another subsystem host called Taishan that has not been found.
The Emperor System, being secretly monitored by her, could no longer generate new subsystems.
But Mount Tai can represent the main system in developing new forces and cultivating new personnel.
Even if the subsystem is developed well, it is possible to create a subsystem, but its functionality will be further reduced.
So she had to give them a heads-up.
These are all exceptional individuals; don't even think about taking shortcuts.
This also serves as a warning to them: she will not be lenient with anyone who dares to accept the subsystem binding.
Everyone fell silent, unsure of what they would choose when that day finally arrived.
At this moment, they naturally loathe that monster.
Everyone looked out at the pouring rain outside the temple, their hearts heavy.
The rain stopped in the latter half of the night, and when Ying Er went to investigate again early in the morning, the bridge was exposed. Although the bridge surface was washed away, the main body was still passable.
After crossing the bridge, Xiao Zhixing and his group parted ways with Su Anmin's family and immediately sped off towards Yuansha City.
As soon as they entered the city, the men Li Tongye had sent to look for them ran into them.
"Your Highness, the Prefect is waiting for you at the government office. The Hongshui River has already overflowed its banks."
With such a large city and the water rising so rapidly, there simply wasn't enough time to build a second line of defense.
On their way to the prefectural government office, they encountered families running to higher ground, where the low-lying areas of the city were already flooded.
Then the heavy rain started pouring down again, as if it wouldn't stop until it drove people crazy.
The torrential rains have been falling for six or seven days now, and the rain line has spread throughout the entire south.
Have residents in towns downstream of the dike breach been notified to evacuate?
Once the floodwaters are released from Yuansha City, the flooded areas will have to be abandoned; the priority will be to evacuate people and save their lives.
The man said, "The prefect inquires about various places every fifteen minutes, and seventy percent of the responses indicate that the evacuation is complete."
In the short time it took to say a few words, they arrived at the prefectural government office, where Li Tongye and his officials waited expectantly at the entrance.
“Lord Li, there’s no need for such formalities.” Xiao Zhixing dismounted, removing his raincoat and hat as he walked into the yamen without stopping. “Tell me about your progress.”
Li Tongye hastily accepted the gift and hurriedly followed her inside. "Your Highness, the dike breach you requested has been 70% opened. Reports from downstream counties, villages, and towns indicate that 90% of the people have been evacuated. There's still time."
Xiao Zhixing used his internal energy to dry the clothes. "I allow minor mistakes to exist, but I will never allow a large number of people to die due to the government's perfunctory work. Does Lord Li understand?"
With such a large-scale flood discharge, deaths are inevitable. There are always some stubborn people who will not listen, and if they are swept away by the flood, it cannot be blamed on the superiors.
But if the officials below are perfunctory and fail to actively help the people evacuate, she will show no mercy.
Under her murderous gaze, Li Tongye wiped the sweat from his brow and repeatedly clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "This humble official has inquired multiple times, and it is true that 90% have moved out. They dare not be perfunctory; there is absolutely no falsehood."
He also sternly warned his subordinates that if a major accident occurred and he, the prefect, was implicated, they would not have an easy time either.
Fortunately, thanks to the announcement in the Da Sheng Daily, even the most remote areas now know the news, and the people have spontaneously organized to evacuate.
As they were speaking, the rain intensified again, and the floodwaters that had overflowed into the city were almost submerging the steps of the government office.
In general, government offices in cities are built on the highest point in the area. If even the government offices are almost submerged, you can imagine how deep the water is in other places.
Everyone waited for Xiao Zhixing to give his final order.
Li Tongye dared not give the order for such a large-scale operation, fearing that his old body could not withstand the pressure.
Everyone looked at Xiao Zhixing.
"Has His Majesty's decree arrived?" Xiao Zhixing asked.
Li Tongye smiled wryly, "The imperial edict has not yet arrived."
He immediately sent the news of such a major event as breaching the dike to release floodwaters to the capital.
He knew that the capital was probably also watching and waiting, and if the rain lessened, the proposal would naturally be rejected.
Xiao Zhixing frowned, watching the rain pouring down from the eaves. It was too late.
If we wait any longer, Yuansha County and countless surrounding cities will be submerged and destroyed. This is the most prosperous, populous, and fertile central area of Huzhou.
Finally, she slammed her hand heavily on the map, "Issue my order: immediately breach the dikes and release the floodwaters!"
"yes!"
Countless eagles were released from the government office despite the torrential rain and flew to various places.
As soon as her order arrived, the soldiers guarding the breach shouted and used the explosive powder that had just been delivered to blow open the dam.
Boom, boom—
The raging floodwaters roared and breached the dikes, rushing downstream like a raging yellow dragon, leaving nothing but desolation in their wake.
The residents downstream who were the last to leave were moving away as fast as they could, even though they were reluctant to part with the houses and fields they had worked so hard to build.
It's a miracle that I survived.
"I still remember the great flood sixty years ago. The dikes were breached to release the floodwaters, but we weren't informed. People, houses, livestock—everything was gone. Our entire village was wiped out. My grandfather carried me to the top of a tall tree, and that's how I survived."
"So children, be content. Our prince loves his people like his own children. He told us to escape in advance. She's right. Natural disasters are unpredictable, but as long as people are alive, there is hope. We can earn back those material possessions sooner or later..."
An old man comforted his fellow villagers in this way.
So when they learned that the government would help them evacuate in advance, most of the people did not hesitate and obediently followed suit and left quickly.
Although human life is said to be as cheap as grass, who can not cherish their life?
Just as Xiao Zhixing's order was issued at the Yuansha County Prefectural Office, the imperial edict from Shengjing arrived.
She figured they should be arriving soon. As for the grumbling of certain officials surnamed Feng on Zhao Yunqi's camera, she would settle the score herself.
In his imperial edict, the emperor permitted the breaching of the dikes to release the floodwaters, and at the end, he scolded Li Tongye: "Since Prince Yuansheng has already given a solution, you are to obey his orders."
Li Tongye chuckled dryly. He was just afraid the emperor would blame him for not asking for permission. Hmm, could it be that Prince Yuansheng is really the emperor's daughter?
This is a question that every official asks themselves.
Xiao Zhixing also received an imperial edict, ordering her to take full charge of the flood relief efforts in Huzhou.
After carefully putting away the imperial edict, Xiao Zhixing issued a series of orders, knowing there was still much to be done.
First, we must get through the flood, then the epidemic, and finally, resettlement.
In short, there's never an easy time.
She assigned all the officials in the prefectural government and everyone in the Gentleman's Courtyard tasks. Everyone was busy in the rain, wishing they had two more pairs of legs.
"It's gone down! It's gone down!"
(Thanks to @凉茶加青梅 for the first donation!)
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