Chapter 144: Famine Finally Overcome, Dual Success in Romance and Career

Walking slowly from a distance was none other than the current Grand Chancellor, and also Lin Shiya's mortal enemy responsible for her father's death—Qin Hui.

Lin Shiya clenched her fists so tightly that her fingernails nearly dug into her flesh.

A towering wave of hatred, like a surging tide, threatened to swallow her whole.

Yet she took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm.

She knew that the time for revenge had not yet arrived.

Qin Hui walked up to Lin Shiya with a hypocritical smile on his face. "You've worked hard, Official Lin. The disaster relief work has been handled quite well."

Lin Shiya looked at him coldly, offering no response.

"This subordinate has heard that the morale among the disaster victims is somewhat unstable?" Qin Hui asked, feigning concern.

"Thanks to the Grand Chancellor's blessing, everything is fine," Lin Shiya replied in an icy tone, dripping with sarcasm.

The smile on Qin Hui's face stiffened for a fraction of a second before returning to normal. "That's good, that's good. This old man has come today to see how the disaster recovery is progressing." As he spoke, he cast his gaze toward the farmland behind her.

What should have been a vast expanse of lush green wheat seedlings was now sparse and growing poorly.

A few displaced people sat lazily along the earthen ridges, murmuring complaints to one another.

Seeing this, Qin Hui frowned slightly. "It seems that the restoration of agricultural production is not going smoothly."

Ignoring his provocation, Lin Shiya turned around and addressed the victims. "I know that you have all endured this catastrophe, and your hearts are filled with fear and anxiety. But we cannot sink into despair because of this. We must pull ourselves together and rebuild our homes!"

Her voice was clear and resolute, echoing across the open fields.

Some of the victims raised their heads to look at her, a glimmer of hope igniting in their eyes.

However, the majority remained silent, their faces masked with numbness and utter despair.

A heavy sinking feeling gripped Lin Shiya's heart. She had traveled far and wide, contacting grain merchants across various regions to allocate seeds and farming tools.

Working tirelessly, she had gone in person to the fields to guide the displaced people in their farming.

Yet, due to the prolonged ordeal, some of the victims lacked confidence in the recovery of production.

They dragged their feet at work, and even gathered in private to grumble about the imperial court's relief measures.

"Sigh, what's the use of planting crops? We'll just end up being plundered clean by corrupt officials anyway!"

"Exactly! We ordinary folk just have bitter fates!"

Hearing these words, Lin Shiya felt a mix of helplessness and anger.

She knew these people were not truly lazy; rather, they were enveloped by a suffocating fog of despair.

Walking up to them, she spoke in a firm tone, "I know everyone is suffering, but we cannot abandon hope! As long as we unite as one, we will surely—"

"Official Lin," an aged voice interrupted her, "we are all old and can no longer endure such turmoil. You shouldn't waste your efforts on us anymore."

Lin Shiya looked at the elderly farmer before her, a complex swirl of emotions churning inside her. "Elderly sir..."

"I have lived for the better part of a lifetime; what kind of hardship have I not tasted? This disaster is more severe than any before it. We truly no longer have the strength to start over." As the old man spoke, two lines of aged tears rolled down his weathered, turbid eyes.

The surrounding victims chimed in, one after another, recounting their own grievances.

A profound sense of powerlessness washed over Lin Shiya as she looked at them.

She knew she had to do something to alter their mindset.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly said, "I know everyone is suffering greatly. But..." She paused, her gaze sweeping across the crowd before finally resting back upon the old farmer.

"Do you remember what you said to me the first time I came to the disaster-stricken area?"

Lin Shiya's voice echoed across the field, imbued with an unyielding strength.

The old man froze, a flicker of light seeming to pass through his hazy eyes.

He wracked his brain, and after a long moment, spoke slowly, "I said... I said I trusted the imperial court, I trusted Official Lin..."

"That's right!" Lin Shiya said with spirited conviction. "You said back then that you trusted the imperial court, and you trusted me! Now, I am standing right here. I will not give up on you, and you must not give up on yourselves!" With those words, she rolled up her sleeves, stepped into the muddy field, picked up a hoe, and began to till the earth.

Sunlight spilled over Lin Shiya, sweat dampening her garments, but she paid it no mind.

She swung the hoe down again and again, the fragrance of the damp earth mingling with the scent of perspiration, drifting through the air.

Watching her figure, the displaced people felt a deep emotional stir.

Never before had they witnessed an official who would personally roll up her sleeves and labor alongside them, caring so deeply for their hardships.

"Official Lin..." someone murmured.

"We'll do it too!" A young disaster victim stood up, walked over to Lin Shiya, and gently relieved her of the hoe.

"That's right! We cannot give up!"

"Let's work together!"

More and more displaced people joined the ranks of the laborers.

Across the fields, the rhythmic sound of swinging hoes rose and fell, resembling the notes of a moving melody, playing a symphony of hope.

Seeing this sight, Lin Shiya smiled with profound gratification.

The sun set in the west, casting a golden afterglow across the land.

Though exhausted from a day of toil, the people wore smiles upon their faces.

They gathered around the earthen paths, sharing the fruits of their day's labor.

A representative of the disaster victims walked up to Lin Shiya and said with deep gratitude, "Official Lin, you truly are our savior!"

Lin Shiya smiled lightly. "This is the result of everyone's joint efforts."

Just then, a yamen runner came running over in a breathless panic, his face completely drained of color. Panting heavily, he cried out, "R-Report to Official Lin, it's terrible! The border town... an epidemic has broken out!"

This sudden news struck the crowd like a thunderbolt.

The previously lively fields fell instantly silent, and an atmosphere of panic choked the air.

Lin Shiya's expression turned grave. "An epidemic? What kind of epidemic?"

"I-It's not clear yet... but... but several people have already died!" The runner's voice trembled, fraught with terror.

"Immediately dispatch men to seal off the border town! No one is permitted to enter or leave!" Lin Shiya made a prompt decision, her tone sharp and decisive. "Also, prepare the medical supplies at once; I am going to see for myself!"

A heavy stone dropped into Lin Shiya's heart, the word "epidemic" weighing down on her so heavily she could barely breathe.

Yet she quickly steadied her mind, forcing herself to remain calm.

In a matter of life and death, there was no room for panic.

She immediately instructed the runner, "Gallop back to the prefectural office at top speed, mobilize all physicians and medicinal herbs, and ensure they are delivered to the border town with the utmost speed! Furthermore, blockade all roads leading in and out of the town. Strictly forbid anyone from passing through—violators are to be executed on the spot!"

The runner accepted the order and dashed off. Lin Shiya turned her gaze to the representative of the victims, saying in a deep voice, "Old Chen, immediately organize all the villagers to set up quarantine zones. Ensure good ventilation, and prepare hot water and clean clothes."

Though filled with apprehension, the representative was infected by Lin Shiya's composure and nodded firmly. "Rest assured, Official Lin, I'll see to it right away!"

Seeing everyone spring into orderly action, Lin Shiya felt a slight release of tension.

Young Master Fang walked up to her, gently taking her hand to offer silent support.

Lin Shiya squeezed his hand back, feeling the warmth of his palm, which steadied her heart all the more.

"Shiya, you must take care of yourself," Young Master Fang gazed at her affectionately, his eyes full of worry.

Lin Shiya smiled slightly at him. "Rest assured, I will."

These few simple words surpassed a thousand utterances. The two exchanged a knowing smile; everything was understood without needing to be spoken.

Lin Shiya immediately set off for the border town.

Along the way, her mind raced with countermeasures.

Upon arriving at the town, the scene before her made her heart plummet.

The air was thick with a heavy medicinal stench and a nauseating smell of decay, while the groans of the sick echoed continuously, making one's hair stand on end.

Suppressing her discomfort, Lin Shiya plunged straight into the relief work.

Carefully observing the symptoms of the patients and combining them with her medical knowledge, she deduced that this was an acute infectious disease.

She made a decisive call: quarantine the patients, and categorize them for treatment based on the severity of their conditions.

She boiled medicinal herbs with her own hands, tending to the sick without sleep or rest while soothing their anxieties.

Young Master Fang remained constantly by her side, helping with miscellaneous chores and offering quiet, steadfast support.

Through their joint efforts, the epidemic was gradually brought under control, and the mortality rate among the patients began to decline.

"Shiya, you're exhausted. Please rest for a while," Young Master Fang looked at her with heartache, his eye rims reddened.

Lin Shiya shook her head, her gaze fixed resolutely on the distance. "I cannot rest. There are still too many people who need me."

Late in the night, Lin Shiya sat alone at her desk, turning the pages of medical texts.

The dim candlelight cast a glow upon her weary face, making her appear much thinner.

Suddenly, a rapid series of footsteps sounded from outside the door. Lin Shiya looked up to see Young Master Fang.

"Shiya," Young Master Fang said with a solemn expression, "I've just received news..."

Late in the night, Lin Shiya sat alone at her desk, turning the pages of medical texts.

The dim candlelight cast a glow upon her weary face, making her appear much thinner.

Suddenly, a rapid series of footsteps sounded from outside the door.

Lin Shiya looked up to see Young Master Fang.

Before his words fully faded, Lin Shiya's heart tightened.

She stood up swiftly, grasping Young Master Fang's hand, and asked urgently, "What news?"

Young Master Fang took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. "The epidemic in the border town has been brought under control, and the mortality rate of patients has dropped significantly. However..."

However what? Lin Shiya's heartbeat accelerated; she desperately wanted to know the answer.

"However, there is a problem with our grain reserves. Due to the impact of the disaster and the epidemic, much of the grain has been depleted. The new crops have yet to be harvested, and our stockpiles have hit rock bottom." Young Master Fang's voice was low, carrying a hint of anxiety.

Lin Shiya's brows knitted tightly together; she knew this was yet another severe test.

Yet she did not shrink back; rather, she grew even more resolute.

Looking at Young Master Fang, a steadfast light gleamed in her eyes. "We must take immediate action, allocate grain, and ensure the livelihoods of the displaced people."

Young Master Fang nodded in agreement.

The two quickly conferred and decided to head straight to the prefectural office, mobilizing the influence of grain merchants and local authorities to resolve the grain reserve crisis with all their might.

The next morning, Lin Shiya stood upon the newly thriving soil of the disaster area, gazing across the endless fields and the busy villagers, her heart swelling with pride.

Warm and bright sunlight bathed her form.

She knew that agricultural production in the region was gradually recovering, the epidemic had been brought under control, and the lives of the victims were slowly returning to the right track.

Young Master Fang walked up to her and said softly, "Shiya, you are truly amazing. Behind all of this is your hard work and dedication."

Lin Shiya smiled faintly, turning her head to look at him. "It is the result of everyone's collective efforts. But I know this is only the beginning. The path of reform in the imperial court is still long, and I have many things yet to do."

Her gaze was firm and filled with determination, as if telling the world that she would not stop here.

At that moment, an official hurried over, wearing an anxious expression. "Official Lin, the grain merchants refuse to cooperate! They claim that their grain reserves have bottomed out and they can no longer allocate any more supplies."

A heavy shadow fell over Lin Shiya's heart, but without a moment's hesitation, she made her decision. "Take me to them. I will make them understand that grain reserves concern the livelihood of the people, and there can be no delay whatsoever."

Young Master Fang tightly squeezed her hand, giving her silent backing.

Returning a firm smile, Lin Shiya strode forward to face the new challenge head-on.