Su Muqing weighed the matter in her heart for a long time, finally deciding that the matter of childbirth was more important. Anyway, those dispatched personnel were still on their way. If absolutely necessary, she could wait until Sister Cuiping gave birth and then find an opportunity to come to Si’an Prefecture again.
Having made up her mind, Su Muqing, along with Huo Qiyuan and a few others, changed into ordinary civilian clothes, rode several motorcycles, and went to inspect the large tracts of open land around the city.
The first place they went to was the western suburbs of the city and the vast wasteland nearby, which had previously been used to quarantine those people.
In fact, the West District was originally a slum around the provincial city. The large area near the suburbs was extremely desolate, with not only old buildings but also a very dirty and dilapidated environment.
What made this place most disliked was that it had been used to accommodate patients before. Even though everyone had been cured, many people had died here.
The common people always felt that this place was too inauspicious, and many residents in the surrounding areas were considering moving. They would rather move to the southern suburbs further away to start anew than continue to stay here.
However, the environmental and architectural issues were not significant obstacles for Su Muqing and her companions.
She believed that after rectifying and rebuilding the West District, and constructing a few factories, there would be earth-shattering changes. Once the common people saw the development here, they would definitely not hold such prejudices anymore.
Huo Qiyuan walked back and forth many times at the foot of the West District mountain and suddenly felt that the plan to build a paper mill here was not well-thought-out enough. "We were talking yesterday about building a paper mill here, but Si'an Prefecture has been in drought for so long. I saw just now that the trees on the back mountain are almost completely withered. It seems that the paper mill cannot be built for now."
Su Muqing nodded in agreement. Traditional papermaking required the most trees. However, looking at the timber resources in Si'an Prefecture, they clearly could not keep up with the demand of the paper mill.
Food is the primary need of the people! The most important thing now is the livelihood of the common people. If they cannot even guarantee the most basic necessities, how can they have the leisure to consider other matters?
It takes a long time for a small sapling to grow into a towering tree. Therefore, the plan for the paper mill would likely have to be postponed for a long time.
Su Muqing also agreed with Huo Qiyuan's statement, as paper products were indeed not the most pressing concern at the moment. "Speaking of what the people in the city are most concerned about now, it should be the issue of grain. Why don't we organize everyone to reclaim land and plant crops, while also building food factories and farms? As for salary distribution, it will be the same as our previous process in Huaxia City, half paid in wages and half in supplies. This way, everyone can save some money, and their basic living needs will be guaranteed, which will make the common people more motivated!"
Huo Qiyuan also strongly agreed with Su Muqing's idea. Thus, the setting for the West District was temporarily decided. The two of them explained as they walked, and Leng Ren and the others recorded it.
After walking for several hours, the group only managed to survey two locations. They had planned to take advantage of the fact that it was not too late and continue to the outskirts of the South District for inspection.
However, halfway there, suddenly! A fierce wind blew, and dust filled the air, making it impossible to open their eyes. The sky, which had been clear just a quarter of an hour ago, was instantly covered with dark clouds, making it look as if it were about to rain.
Leng Ren frowned as he looked at the increasingly dark sky. "Why are there suddenly dark clouds all over the sky? Is it going to rain?"
"Rain? No way! Si'an Prefecture has been in drought for so long, how can it suddenly rain?"
"It's over. If it rains later, how will we get back to Yaojing?" Leng Kui was now very anxious. If it really rained, Yingba Tian would not be able to fly them back to Yaojing overnight.
Even if Old Eagle could fly back in the rain, the Prince would definitely not agree to have His Majesty rush back in the rain.
Based on his previous experience, after such a long drought in Si'an Prefecture, if it suddenly rained, it would likely rain for a long time. If they couldn't be flown back by Old Eagle tonight, they would have to drive for a long way back to Yaojing.
Leng Kui also hoped that Si'an Prefecture would rain, so that the common people could reclaim land and live new lives. He was just afraid that by the time he returned, his wife would have already given birth.
Childbirth was inherently a dangerous matter for women. What if Cui Ping during childbirth... The most skilled doctor in the world was Su Muqing. If Su Cuiping was not by her side during childbirth, Leng Kui could not rest assured.
Leng Kui silently prayed that heaven would allow it to rain tomorrow night, so that they could successfully return to the imperial city of Yaojing.
"Rumble~!"
Heaven did not hear Leng Kui's plea. After the strong wind, thunder and lightning began again in the sky. The back mountain, which was covered and pitch-black, was illuminated by lightning, appearing eerily pale.
Looking at this, it seemed that the God of Thunder and the Goddess of Lightning had been holding back for too long. Such a grand display for a thunderclap and lightning bolt made one think a celestial being was descending to undergo tribulation!
Before they could find shelter from the rain, suddenly, large raindrops began to fall. At first, it was drop by drop, and then it became heavier and heavier, like beads that had broken from a string, without stopping, until it finally turned into a downpour.
The group, braving the heavy rain, quickly ran into a dilapidated house to take temporary shelter. Leng Nuo randomly patted the rainwater off himself and complained, "With such heavy rain suddenly, how will we return to the别院 later?"
Leng Feng pouted and nodded, saying, "Looking at the fierce momentum of this rain, it's estimated that it won't stop for a long time! This is also good. With more rain, Si'an Prefecture will recover soon, otherwise, the land is too dry, and reclaiming it will be very difficult."
Leng Ren glanced at Leng Kui, who was looking anxiously out the door, and nudged Leng Feng and Leng Nuo, who were still discussing, with his elbow, signaling them with his eyes to stop talking.
Huo Qiyuan reached out to straighten Su Muqing's wet hair and looked at the pouring rain outside. "With such sudden heavy rain, Ba Tian's speed will definitely be affected. It seems you won't be able to rush back to Yaojing tonight. Why don't you drive back after the rain subsides a bit tomorrow? Traveling by land during the day is safer."
In fact, Su Muqing was not in a hurry to rush back at this particular moment. However, when she turned her head to look at Leng Kui, she saw him staring at her anxiously.
Su Muqing guessed that Leng Kui must be extremely anxious in his heart but did not dare to propose returning to Yaojing overnight. After thinking for a moment, she finally decided to travel overnight.
"It's fine if Ba Tian can't fly. Leave it in Si'an Prefecture. With it by your side, it will be convenient if you suddenly want to go somewhere. As for Leng San Ge and me, why don't we go back by water?"