Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 397 Heading to Disaster Relief

She took a deep breath. Now that she had come to this era and put on this official robe, she couldn't live like a coward.

She recalled the saying from modern textbooks, "An official should bring benefits to the people in his jurisdiction," and gritted her teeth: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go."

These words caused a stir throughout the room. The ministers on the ground all looked up at the young female official, their eyes filled with shock, doubt, and even a hint of anticipation.

Shen Yuxi was also somewhat surprised. He had only intended to give these veteran officials a warning, but he hadn't expected Shi Wanxia to take on this hot potato.

He stared at her for a long time, then suddenly smiled. The smile softened the fierceness between his brows and showed a hint of relief: "Good! As expected of the person I chose! Shi Wanxia, ​​you have this courage. I didn't misjudge you."

He stood up, the hem of his dragon robe sweeping across the ground with a soft sound: "What manpower or supplies do you need? Just name it."

"You can also mobilize officials from the south."

"In short, I only want one result—the grain must be delivered and the people must be settled."

Shi Wanxia quickly calculated in her mind. As a woman who had just arrived and was going to such a dangerous place, she simply couldn't do without reliable assistance. Two names immediately popped into her mind.

“Your Majesty, I dare not ask for too much,” she said respectfully, “I only ask that two people be taken with me.”

"You said."

“Cui Zhihao, the chief clerk of the Ministry of Works, and Lin Yiyu, the heir of the Duke of Fuguo’s mansion.”

Choi Ji-ho is calm, capable, and meticulous. More importantly, he has worked in the south and is familiar with the local customs and culture.

Lin Yiyu is an expert in engineering and construction. The Luomapo Road has been destroyed, and we need someone like him to find a way to clear it.

Shen Yuxi said almost without hesitation: "Approved. Cui Zhihao and Lin Yiyu will be transferred immediately and placed under your command."

"The three of you will depart early tomorrow morning. I will have the Ministry of War send a personal guard to escort you."

He paused, then added, "All prefectures along the route must fully cooperate upon seeing this token."

Yu Heng handed her a black token engraved with dragon patterns. It was cold to the touch, heavy, and carried an unquestionable authority.

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

Shi Wanxia took the token with both hands and slammed her forehead heavily on the ground.

When I left the Imperial Study, it was already dark outside.

The evening breeze was cool, causing the wisps of hair on her forehead to flutter.

Shi Wanxia gripped the token tightly in her hand, her palms slightly sweaty.

She knew that from the moment she accepted this imperial decree, her life trajectory had been completely changed.

What awaits her ahead are the raging floods of the south, deeply entrenched forces, unknown dangers, and... a journey destined to be extraordinary.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, three carriages were already parked outside the Zhuque Gate.

Shi Wanxia was dressed in a plain-colored outfit, her long hair tied up high. She looked less feminine and more capable and efficient.

She stood by the car, watching the two figures gradually approaching in the distance, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

Wearing a dark blue long robe, Cui Zhihao walked steadily. When he saw Shi Wanxia, ​​a hint of worry flashed in his eyes, but it quickly turned into a gentle smile: "Lord Shi, are you ready?"

"Brother Cui, thank you for your trouble."

Shi Wanxia went to greet him. She hadn't seen Brother Cui when she returned home yesterday, so she figured he must have gone to settle his parents.

She could understand his parents' opposition to their relationship, given the vast difference in their social status.

However, even so, Brother Cui never looked down on her because she was a woman; on the contrary, he often gave her pointers on the ways of the palace.

"Serving the country is my duty."

Choi Ji-ho's gaze fell on the token at her waist, then looked at her slightly thin shoulders, and said in a low voice, "The south is dangerous, be careful in everything."

Shi Wanxia felt a warmth in her heart. Just as she was about to speak, she heard a hearty laugh: "Sister Shi, Brother Cui, thank you for waiting!"

Lin Yiyu came running over, panting, carrying a large toolbox on his back. His face was smeared with ink, making him look somewhat comical.

"I drew a topographical map of Luomapo last night and almost overslept."

"Sister Shi, why didn't you call me when you went out?"

Shi Wanxia's eyes darted around. She had really forgotten. She was so focused on seeing Brother Cui that she had completely forgotten about him.

He wiped his face and pulled out a roll of blueprints as if presenting a treasure. "Look, this is a copy I made based on old files. Although there may be some changes, it's still better than being completely clueless."

Shi Wanxia took the blueprints and unfolded them. The mountains and rivers were clearly marked, and the terrain of Luoma Slope was marked with different colors to indicate the degree of danger, showing that a lot of effort had been put into it.

"Xiaoyu is so thoughtful."

"That's natural,"

Lin Yiyu patted his chest, "We're going to save lives this time, so we can't be careless."

Shi Wanxia withdrew her gaze and smiled: "I was thinking about the disaster situation in the south. I wonder how it is now."

"Do not worry,"

Choi Ji-ho handed her a cup of hot tea.

"Although the imperial relief grain has not yet arrived, local officials should have emergency measures in place."

"If we hurry on our way, we'll catch up eventually."

His voice was calm and gentle, like a reassuring pill, which calmed Shi Wanxia's restless heart.

She took the teacup, her fingertips touching the warm cup, the warmth spreading from her fingertips to her heart.

As the three were talking, a squad of armored guards marched in neat formation. The captain at the head of the squad clasped his hands and said, "This humble general is Zhao Hu. By order of His Majesty, I am here to escort the three gentlemen to the south. The carriages and horses are ready, and we are ready to depart at any time."

Shi Wanxia nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Commandant Zhao. Let's set off."

The carriage slowly drove away from the capital. Shi Wanxia lifted the curtain and watched the familiar city walls gradually disappear into the distance, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

She didn't know when she would return, nor what awaited her.

"What are you thinking about?"

Choi Ji-ho's voice came from the other side.

He and Shi Wanxia rode in the same car, but Lin Yiyu thought they were too "dull" and went to squeeze into a car with Zhao Xiaowei.

"Brother Cui,"

She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you think those local officials might not cooperate with us?"

After all, she was a female official, and she was parachuted in; those deeply entrenched local powers might not necessarily respect her authority.

Cui Zhihao was silent for a moment, then said, "It's hard to say. The south is mostly occupied by powerful families, especially Chuzhou, where there are many former subordinates of the former Prince Rongyang."

"This flood might be an opportunity for some people to cause trouble."

He looked at Shi Wanxia with a serious expression, "But don't worry, with His Majesty's token, they won't dare to be too presumptuous on the surface."

"If we encounter any difficult problems, we'll figure out a solution together."

Shi Wanxia looked into his deep eyes, which held no trace of contempt or perfunctoriness, only genuine concern.

A warmth welled up in her heart, and she nodded vigorously: "Yes."

As you head south, the terrain gradually lowers, and the humidity in the air becomes increasingly high.

At first, the roads were just muddy. But when we reached Qinghe County, which was three days' journey from Chuzhou, we could see large areas of flooded farmland. Occasionally, a few disaster victims carrying their belongings walked with difficulty on the road, their faces pale and thin.