From cute to empress

Chapter 261 Post-disaster Comfort and Reconstruction

"Are you ready?" Zhen Youcai stood in front of the sluice gate and turned around to ask me.

I took a deep breath and nodded. The wind blew his cape off his shoulders, making it rustle. I saw a determined light flashing in his eyes, which dispelled the haze and ignited the hope in my heart.

"Open the gate!" Zhen Youcai gave an order, and the soldiers around him worked together to push the heavy gate.

With the rumbling sound of water, the rainwater that had accumulated in the fields rushed out along the newly built drainage canals and merged into the distant river. The water level in the farmland, which had once been flooded, dropped visibly.

On the ridges of the fields, the anxiously waiting farmers saw this scene and suddenly burst into deafening cheers.

"Great! The water has receded! The water has receded!" Farmer C excitedly grabbed my hand. Her hands were rough but warm, and I could feel how real her joy was at that moment.

"Thanks to Your Majesty and General Niu! You saved our crops and our lives!" Old Farmer Tian was so moved that he burst into tears. Others also knelt down and kowtowed to us to thank us.

I quickly helped Mr. Tian up and looked at the fields that had been saved after the disaster, my heart filled with emotion. This new irrigation system was the product of countless hours of hard work by us, the doctor of agronomy, and the craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry, who worked day and night.

"Everyone, hurry up! This is what we should do," I shouted. "The most important thing now is that we must hurry up and replant disaster-resistant crops in order to minimize the losses!"

As soon as I finished speaking, I felt dizzy, my vision went black, and my body fell backwards uncontrollably...

"Mengmeng!"

……

I was half asleep when I heard someone calling me, the voice was anxious and worried. I tried to open my eyes, but my eyelids felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.

"How is His Majesty? Why hasn't he woken up yet?"

"Doctor Tian, ​​come and take a look!"

Who is speaking? I try to discern, but in vain.

"Her Majesty fell into the water, caught a cold, and was overworked, which is why she fell into a coma. Fortunately, she was found in time and is not seriously injured. Let her rest well, and she will wake up soon."

I felt a warm, dry hand gently holding my cold fingers. I wanted to respond, but no sound came out.

"Mengmeng, don't worry, I'm here, you can rest in peace..."

Who is it? Who is whispering in my ear? His voice is so familiar, so reassuring...

I wanted to know who he was, I wanted to tell him, don't worry, I'm fine...

I tried hard to open my eyes, but I couldn't escape the darkness...

As consciousness gradually returned, my eyelids felt heavy, as if something were pressing down on them. After several attempts, I finally opened my eyes. Through my blurry vision, I saw the carved bed curtains and smelled the faint aroma of medicine, realizing that I was lying on the bed in the bedroom.

"Your Majesty, you finally woke up!"

"Great, Your Majesty is awake!"

I heard a joyful voice in my ears, and when I turned around, I saw it was the maid, Doctor Wada.

"How long...have I been unconscious?" I struggled to get up, but felt weak all over.

"Your Majesty has been unconscious for a whole day and night," Doctor Tian hurried forward to support me, saying worriedly, "You've been working so hard to save the country, disregarding your health. You should rest well and leave these tasks to others."

"No, I have to go and see what the disaster situation is like now. Have the affected people been resettled?" I was concerned about the disaster and was not willing to rest in peace.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. General Zhen is back and is now directing disaster relief efforts in the fields!" said the maid.

"What? You said Youcai is back?" I sat up suddenly and asked in surprise.

"Yes, the general heard that the disaster here was serious, so he rushed back without stopping." The maid replied.

A wave of warmth welled up in my heart. He always appeared by my side when I needed him most. Ignoring my frail body, I immediately stood up, quickly changed my clothes with the help of my maid, and headed towards the fields.

As I reached the edge of the field, I saw a familiar figure standing not far away, directing soldiers to move supplies and clear ditches. He stood tall and straight, his voice resonant and full of power, as if he could dispel any gloom.

"Talent!" I couldn't help but exclaim.

He turned around when he heard the sound, and when he saw me, a surprised smile immediately appeared on his face. He walked towards me in two steps, "Mengmeng, you're awake!"

"Why are you back? Have you dealt with the border issues?" I asked with concern as I looked at his exhausted appearance.

"Things are stable over there for now. I was worried about you, so I rushed back." He held my hand, his eyes full of concern. "I heard you fainted, and I was worried sick."

"I'm fine. Sorry to have worried you." I shook my head and turned to look at the people busy at work. "What's the current disaster situation?"

"The losses were much smaller than expected, thanks to your advance preparations. The newly built irrigation system has been very effective," he said, pointing to the land being re-cultivated in the distance. "Now the most important thing is to replant as soon as possible. I've arranged for people to purchase seeds from neighboring counties. I'm confident production will resume soon."

I nodded and saw that Mr. Tian and the agronomy doctor were discussing something in the field not far away, so I said, "Let's go over and take a look."

"Uncle Tian, ​​Doctor, what are you discussing?" I walked over and asked.

"Your Majesty, General, look," Mr. Tian said excitedly, pointing to the rice seedlings on the ground. "We've discovered a new planting method that can effectively increase the survival rate of rice seedlings!"

I looked in the direction that Mr. Tian pointed, and saw rows of lush green seedlings, growing much better than the ones next to them.

"Oh? How is this done?" I asked curiously.

"It's intercropping and crop rotation," the silent doctor of agronomy adjusted his glasses and explained, "We planted some legumes between the original crops. This not only makes full use of the land, but also improves soil fertility and enhances drought resistance."

"Intercropping? Crop rotation?" Although I don't know much about agriculture, I have vaguely heard these words mentioned, but I just don't know the specific operation methods.

Farmer Tian, ​​standing nearby, seemed to see my confusion and enthusiastically explained, "Your Majesty, you might not know this, but intercropping is..." He gestured with his hands as he spoke, "We plant different types of crops together, like sorghum and mung beans. They have different nutrient requirements and growth cycles, so we can fully utilize sunlight, water, and soil nutrients, promote each other's growth, and reduce pests and diseases."

"As for crop rotation," the agronomy doctor continued, "it's about planting different crops each year, for example, wheat this year and soybeans next year. This can effectively prevent the decline of soil fertility and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases."

I listened to their explanations, and although I still didn't fully understand what they were saying, I also understood the benefits of these methods.

"These methods are truly amazing!" I exclaimed sincerely. "With these methods, we can ensure a good harvest even in the face of disasters!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Rich Merchant A suddenly stepped out of the crowd and said excitedly, "I have witnessed the results of these new technologies with my own eyes, and I believe this will be an agricultural revolution! I am willing to increase investment, establish demonstration fields, and promote these new technologies so that more farmers can benefit!"

"Okay!" I agreed without hesitation. "I believe that with everyone's joint efforts, we will be able to overcome the disaster and rebuild our homes!"

Looking at the hopeful faces before me, my heart was filled with emotion and hope. Suddenly, my gaze fell on a middle-aged man in official uniform, standing at the edge of the crowd. He lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought. I recognized him as Magistrate B from a neighboring county, who had also come to help during this disaster. I was about to approach him to ask, but as if making a decision, he suddenly raised his head and strode towards me...

County Magistrate B walked quickly to me, plopped down on his knees, and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, I am guilty! I was previously prejudiced against these new technologies, thinking they were all flashy and useless. I didn't promote them vigorously, which led to the serious damage to our county. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

I quickly helped him up and said gently, "Admitting one's mistakes is the best path to improvement. I'm glad you recognize your mistakes. Now the important thing is how to make amends and promote these new technologies to benefit the people."

County Magistrate B stood up and said with a firm look in his eyes, "Your Majesty, rest assured. When I return, I will organize agricultural technology training throughout the county so that all farmers can learn these new technologies and improve their scientific planting skills!"

"Okay!" I nodded approvingly, "I believe you can do it well!"

Seeing County Magistrate B's resolute attitude, I felt relieved. I believe that with the support of these local officials, the promotion of new technologies will be smoother.

At this time, the peasant woman C, who had been silent all this time, stepped forward timidly and said in a half-fluent language: "Your Majesty, I, I also want to learn..."

I looked at this weathered peasant woman and a kind smile appeared on my face. "Okay, of course you can learn! Not only you, but all farmers who want to learn must learn! We must give everyone the opportunity to learn new knowledge and master new technologies!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the farmers around me cheered excitedly. They looked at me with eyes full of gratitude and admiration.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

"Long live your Majesty!"

The cheers that rose one after another echoed over the fields for a long time...

Night fell, and the stars twinkled. I stood in front of my makeshift tent, gazing at the twinkling stars in the distant fields. Those were farmers working in the fields, preparing for the upcoming sowing. Zhen Youcai walked over to me, gently took my hand, and said softly, "Mengmeng, look, all of this is your fault..."