From cute to empress

Chapter 138 A bright future

"It's too late!" Zhen Youcai pointed to the distance and said in a heavy voice, "Look!"

I followed his gaze and saw in the distance, a larger flood roaring towards us, as if to devour everything. Fear was written on everyone's face, and a commotion broke out among the crowd.

"Calm down! Everyone, calm down!" I tried my best to calm myself and shouted, "Everyone, don't panic. Follow our instructions. We will definitely get through this!"

"But, my lady, the flood is coming, we..." Wang the migrant worker's voice trembled and his eyes were full of despair.

"Believe me!" I looked at him firmly, then glanced around at the panicked civilians and exhausted soldiers. "We've tried our best. If we just hold on a little longer, reinforcements will arrive soon!"

Before he could finish his words, there was a loud crash, as if something had collapsed. Then, a powerful torrent of water rushed in from afar, colliding violently with the flood crest that was about to submerge us.

"That's..." I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

"It's the flood gate! The flood gate is open!" Craftsman Li shouted excitedly, his face full of disbelief.

Only then did I notice that at the source of the flood, a huge gap appeared in the originally calm water surface, and a raging flood was pouring out from the gap, splitting the flood that was originally rushing towards us into two, and the water level was obviously weakened a lot.

"Who opened the floodgates?" I asked anxiously.

"It's... it's me!" A trembling voice rang out from the crowd. I turned and saw Master Li stumbling towards me, a trace of guilt on his face. "I acted on my own initiative and activated the pre-set flood discharge mechanism. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Before I could even open my mouth, Zhen Youcai grabbed hold of Master Li and said excitedly, "Master Li, you did the right thing! You saved all of us!"

Only then did I realize how risky Li's decision to activate the floodgates was. A single mistake could have caused an even greater disaster. However, he resolutely chose to take the risk to save the people. I deeply admire his courage and commitment.

"Craftsman Li, you did a great job. Thank you on behalf of all the people!" I said gratefully.

Craftsman Li lowered his head in shame. "Your Majesty, I'm only doing my best. When I built this floodgate, I anticipated a situation like today's, so I set up this emergency mechanism, hoping to leave the people with a glimmer of hope."

I held Craftsman Li's hand, my eyes full of admiration: "Craftsman Li, you are truly a blessing to the people! If it weren't for you, the consequences would be disastrous!"

Zhen Youcai also patted Li Gongjian's shoulder excitedly and said, "Don't worry, old man. We will report your achievements to the court and commend you for your achievements!"

But Craftsman Li waved his hand and said, "Saving people in distress is my duty. I dare not take credit for it."

I look at this elderly man, who still cares deeply about the people, with a heart full of respect. He has dedicated his entire life to the people, seeking no fame or fortune. This spirit is exactly what our country needs most.

As the flood gradually receded, the affected people began to return home. Looking at their ruined homes, their faces were filled with sadness and despair.

"Don't lose heart!" I shouted. "We will help you rebuild your homes!"

When the people heard my words, hope shone in their eyes again. They all knelt on the ground and kowtowed to me in gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!"

I quickly stepped forward to help an elderly man up and said softly, "Old man, please get up quickly. This is what we should do."

Just then, I suddenly heard a loud noise.

"My Queen! My Queen! Wang the migrant worker..."

I looked in the direction of the sound and saw Wang the migrant worker lying on a stretcher with a pale face, gasping for breath.

"Wang the migrant worker, what's wrong with you?" I hurried to him and asked anxiously.

Wang the migrant worker weakly opened his eyes and looked at me, his lips trembling slightly: "My Lady... I..."

"Don't talk, get some rest first." I said distressedly, turning to the guards and ordering them to "Call the imperial physician!"

The imperial physician arrived quickly and examined Wang Mingong carefully. Then he shook his head and said to me, "Your Majesty, Wang Mingong...is seriously injured. I'm afraid..."

My heart sank suddenly and an ominous premonition came over me.

"How could this happen..." I murmured to myself, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably.

While trying to save others, migrant worker Wang was crushed by a collapsed house. Although he was rescued in time, his injuries were serious and he was in critical condition.

I held Wang Migong's cold hand, my heart filled with sadness and guilt. He had been trying to save someone, and this was how he ended up, and I, as the ruler of a country, was powerless to do anything.

For the next few days, I stayed by Wang's side, caring for him personally. I wiped his body and fed him medicine, hoping that my sincerity and care could bring him a sense of warmth.

However, Wang's condition worsened day by day.

"My lady... I'm... sorry..." Wang said intermittently, "I... failed to... complete... your... request..."

"No, you've tried your best, Wang the migrant worker. You've done a great job..." I choked up and said, "Don't talk anymore. Have a good rest..."

Two lines of clear tears flowed from the corners of Wang Migong's eyes. He raised his hand with difficulty, wanting to touch my cheek, but finally let it drop weakly.

"My Lady..." Wang the Migrant Worker's voice grew weaker and weaker. "You... must... be careful... Zhao... Zhao..."

"Zhao what? Wang the migrant worker, please tell me clearly, Zhao what?" I asked anxiously.

But Wang the migrant worker had already closed his eyes and left this world forever.

Wang's words were like a bolt of lightning, splitting my chaotic thoughts. Zhao? What was he looking for? Could it be the landlord Zhao? I had previously ordered him imprisoned for obstructing the construction of the water conservancy project. Could he have escaped during the chaos? What else had he done to Wang?

All sorts of speculations raced through my mind as I clutched Wang Miangong's cold hand, my heart swirling with grief. He'd worried about my safety until his final moments, and yet I couldn't even comprehend his last words.

"Someone come! Check it out immediately! I want to know what Wang the migrant worker wanted to say before he died!" I suppressed my grief and gave orders to the guards around me.

The guard took his orders and left, but my eyes fell on a cowering figure not far away. It was Landlord Zhao, disheveled and ragged, yet he had miraculously survived. What surprised me even more was that he was working with several civilians to salvage supplies from the rubble.

I signaled the guards to bring Landlord Zhao to me.

"I, the criminal Zhao Youtian, kowtow to Your Majesty!" Landlord Zhao knelt on the ground, trembling all over.

"Why are you here?" I asked coldly, staring at him sharply.

"Reply...Reply to Your Majesty," Landlord Zhao said tremblingly, "When the flood...when the flood came, the criminals...the criminals were among them...Luckily...Luckily, Brother Wang...no, Hero Wang...he put aside past grudges and risked his life...risked his life to rescue the criminals..."

He described the scene when the flood came in fragments. It turned out that the place where he was imprisoned was also flooded, and it was Wang the migrant worker who risked his own life to rescue him.

"Wang Yingxiong, he... he's such a good man..." Landlord Zhao burst into tears. "Before... before, I was blinded by greed and did many wrong things... Now... now I have come to my senses. I beg Your Majesty... Your Majesty to show mercy..."

I looked at him in silence, a mixture of emotions. Wang the migrant worker demonstrated forgiveness and mercy with his life, and Zhao the landlord also found redemption at the critical moment of life and death.

"In recognition of your contribution to this disaster relief effort, I pardon your previous sins," I said in a deep voice. "I hope you can reform yourself and do more good deeds for the people in the future."

Upon hearing this, Landlord Zhao felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He fell to the ground and kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty! I will repent and serve the people wholeheartedly, even until my death!"

After the flood, much needed to be done. County Magistrate Sun and local squire Zhou organized a commendation ceremony to honor all those who participated in the rescue efforts. Wang the migrant worker's heroic deeds moved everyone present. I posthumously conferred the title of "Marquis of Righteousness and Bravery" on him and gave his family a lavish burial. Zhen Youcai and I became heroes in the hearts of the people for our outstanding contributions to flood relief efforts.

However, just as everyone was immersed in the joy of victory, a fast horse galloped over, breaking the peace. The messenger jumped off the horse, holding a letter with a red wax seal in his hand, and ran towards Zhen Youcai in a panic.

"General, urgent news from the border!"