Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!-Chapter 343 - 335: Flood Alert

Originally, Aunt thought these peppers could easily burn the stomach, and if they were refined into defensive weapon powder, they would undoubtedly be more effective than firearms and daggers.

She only put a little in, yet they were already in such pain.

Even the doctor diagnosed without finding any toxins.

Ruan Mian anticipated they were being directed by someone, but the other party wouldn’t easily reveal their intentions.

Those targeting her could only be a few individuals.

Either Wen Qiang or Qin Fu and others.

As for others who oppose her, the likelihood of proactively doing harm is smaller.

Such lowly tricks, though they don’t harm her much, become hard to shake off like sticking plaster if they happen frequently.

They were using these vagrants to commit evil, likely to strike again, and again.

Thinking of this, Ruan Mian immediately gathered some shopkeepers of businesses owned in Wuheng City, including fabric shops and Mulberry Garden, as well as the heads of grain planting bases, reminding them to be wary of unfamiliar faces during this period.

If anything happens, they should inform her immediately.

Not only here, but in the next two days, she went to the garrison and met with her elder aunt, speaking of these matters, prompting Aunt to rise abruptly.

"It’s definitely that villain Wen Qiang, harming your brother repeatedly, still holding grudges, using secret plots with Qin Fu to harm us."

"Mianmian, since they are using underhanded means, we shouldn’t let them bully us."

"I have already figured out your firearms. I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but I had Mao’er help replicate them previously, though the gunpowder material was the same as our first attempt, it’s less powerful, but still threatening."

"What are we afraid of? Only fools should be afraid of us!"

"Why don’t we now find some reliable people to investigate Qin Fu’s background, what do you think?"

Aunt’s words aligned perfectly with Ruan Mian’s thoughts.

She was already considering this.

Originally, Qin Fu colluded with Wen Yuan, being a member of the Fifth Princess’s rebellion party.

Trading official positions, exploiting the people, committing every possible evil; someone like him deserves punishment even without provoking us!

Probe ahead, hopefully, to eliminate him in one stroke later.

Aunt, staying long in the garrison, succeeding in the medicinal trade, could easily recruit reliable spies.

So Aunt would pay extra attention to this matter.

After discussing this, Ruan Mian had just returned to her house, drenched from the increasingly heavy rain.

Cui Zhu hurriedly brought dry clothes for her to change into.

At this moment, Yun Xiu urgently knocked on the door, barging in regardless of their consent.

Seeing Ruan Mian wiping her loose hair, his face reddened, he quickly averted his gaze, swiftly delivering a message.

"Sister Mianmian, the water-fetching vehicle on the riverbank was toppled by the rising waters."

Cui Zhu and she were both shocked.

"Toppled? Was it due to the Linfen River’s rising levels?"

"A few days ago, it only rose slightly, but consecutive days of heavy rainfall caused it to surge, flooding large areas of the riverbank. I noticed the government office already has people stopping the water in the canal; we can’t allow it to keep rising, flooding the canal and inundating our wheat fields."

Ruan Mian was also surprised by the exaggerated rise of the Linfen River.

Upon careful thought, it was understandable.

After such prolonged rain, especially in the last two days of constant downpours, a rapid surge was a matter of time.

Since Lord Lin was already on-site, she quickly dried her hair by the fire and hastily dressed to head to the riverbank.

At that moment, the rain hadn’t stopped, and even under an oiled-paper umbrella, half of her body was drenched.

Fortunately, it wasn’t too cold, so one could endure it.

Upon reaching the riverbank, she found Lord Lin had rolled up his trousers, wading into the river to guide workers.

The previously constructed water-fetching vehicle was now in ruins, its main body washed away by the floodwaters.

Ruan Mian had previously explored the terrain around Wuheng; while Jinsha Village was safe on Longchang Mountain, Wuheng City was close to the Linfen River shore.

If the wheat fields were submerged, it could impact the city.

Moreover, upper Linfen River was in Yu Zhou; their flooding meant similar conditions in Yu Zhou.

As she prepared to converse with Lord Lin, she noticed released birds and beasts overhead circling in large numbers.

Sensing something amiss, she found an excuse to withdraw to a spot less noticed by others, touching the Jade Bracelet to summon the Little Spirit Beasts inside.

Various insects and butterflies surged forth, subsequently queried about unstable weather and signs of disaster.

Creatures scattered in fields and weeds, upon witnessing them, Ruan Mian realized her suspicions were likely correct.

Floods could continue to rise, with Yu Zhou being the first disaster area upstream before Wuheng.

Moreover, the flood levee was specifically built years ago on Yu Zhou’s Linfen River section to prevent city flooding.

At the time, Wuheng City downstream was undeveloped and barren; breaches weren’t worrying, with flood diversion ensuring Yu Zhou’s safety.

However, times have changed; a breach at Yu Zhou would ruin Wuheng City.

The commotion among the spirit beasts determined a disaster warning.

As a precaution, Ruan Mian promptly sought Lord Lin to share her concerns.

Lord Lin gazed up at the sky, visibly worried.

"Although such is the case, records have never mentioned a major flood of the Linfen River, besides severe flooding reaching city limits seems improbable..."

"Lord, Yu Zhou’s levee suggests past flooding events. Furthermore, the unrelenting rain has quickly raised water levels in two days; continued days like this make upstream breaches inevitable."

"Instead of gambling against nature, fearing severe consequences and too late corrections, wouldn’t proactive evacuation hold peace of mind?"

Lord Lin pondered her words intently, they held much weight.

If a significant flood occurred, rescue would be impossible.

"But Miss Ruan, evacuating city residents and nearby villages is challenging; warehouses have limited provisions and funds. Moving many households, where to evacuate, what they eat or drink, the government can’t supply!"

"If I report it to the court immediately, even with allocated funds, it will take considerable time; our suspension won’t suffice alone. Yu Zhou has more villagers near Linfen River, better I send a message to their government office and inquire about their response."

Express deliveries every two to three days as the letter transmited both ways.

Ruan Mian already made preparations.