The gazes of everyone were fixed on the imperial guard.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"The Southern Yue Protectorate reports urgently!"
"Heavy rains have fallen for several days, with fears of flooding!"
These few simple words sent everyone's hearts into their throats.
The territories under the Southern Yue Protectorate were newly incorporated into the Great Tang.
The land in places like Ai Prefecture (Vietnam) and Piao Prefecture (Myanmar), this vast expanse, saw its people only recently accepting Tang rule.
Educating them was a long process, but winning their hearts was an opportunity not to be missed.
Likewise, it was necessary to set an example for future generations.
"Summon the Duke of Yi Country at once!"
Li Shimin ordered the guard.
"Yes!"
The guard left the telegram and hurried out of the palace.
Qin Qiong had also returned to Chang'an with them. After all, after being away from home for so long, he needed to see his children.
Before long, Qin Qiong followed the imperial guard to the globe.
"Your Majesty!"
Li Shimin handed the telegram to Qin Qiong.
Qin Qiong had already heard the reason for being summoned from the guard who delivered the message, so after taking the telegram and glancing at it, he showed no surprise.
"Your Majesty, this minister requests permission to return home."
Li Shimin nodded slightly, then looked at Fang Er.
"Issue an order for all helicopters in the Western Regions to return!"
"Dispatch hovercraft to accompany them. You will go too."
"It is also time for you to visit Yizhou and Luzon."
Yizhou and Luzon were Fang Xin's fiefdoms, and indeed, he needed to see them.
The heavy rains in the south were likely due to a typhoon passing through. Regardless of the time, people were always powerless against natural disasters.
Not only that, but there were also some arrangements that needed to be made there.
Having accepted the task, Fang Er and Qin Qiong left the imperial palace together.
Upon exiting Chengtian Gate, Qin Qiong needed to inform his household first. He returned to the Duke of Yi Country's mansion alone, and would later rendezvous at Fang Family Manor.
Fang Er first went to Chang'an Bank and contacted Suyab City via telegram, summoning Xue Rengui and the others back.
Fang Family Manor was bustling with activity. Old Man Matou and the others followed Li Xiuning, introducing everything on the estate.
There were also some children gathered around Chai Yue, looking at Fang Xin in her arms.
"Anzhi went to court early this morning. He must be hungry. Come, Mother will personally cook for you today!"
Seeing Fang Er return, Li Xiuning sent Old Man Matou and the others away, and smilingly looked at her son-in-law.
She had stayed in the palace yesterday and came with Chai Shao this morning.
"Mother, we have to return to Shenyang. The Southern Yue Protectorate is likely to experience floods. Piao Prefecture and Ai Prefecture might be affected. His Majesty has asked me and the Duke of Yi Country to go there together."
Li Xiuning was stunned. "Piao Prefecture? Ai Prefecture?"
So many changes had occurred in the Great Tang over the years. She had only returned not long ago, so she didn't know where to begin explaining things to him.
Fang Er quickly explained, "They are the two small countries south of Southern Yue, which have now been incorporated into the Great Tang's territory."
"Then let's go back. State affairs are of utmost importance." Li Xiuning waved to Chai Yue, took Fang Xin from her arms, kissed the child, and walked ahead with him.
"Let's go, back to the mansion!"
The family of four embarked on their journey home.
About an hour later, Qin Qiong arrived. Chai Shao and his two sons were also summoned back by Fang Er.
Chai Zhewei looked at Li Xiuning with reluctance. "Mother!"
Li Xiuning gently stroked his forehead. "You must remain in Chang'an. His Majesty bears a heavy burden. Be clever about some matters."
Chai Zhewei nodded heavily. "Your son understands. Mother, please take good care of yourself."
Li Xiuning raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corner of his eyes and said with a smile.
"Alright, Mother is just going to Shenyang, not disappearing forever. If you miss Mother, tell His Majesty, and you can come visit."
After a simple farewell, everyone boarded the helicopters and set off for Shenyang.
Several days later, two helicopters appeared in the sky above the Southern Yue Protectorate.
Inside the cabin, both Qin Qiong and Fang Er frowned. The raindrops were turned into mist by the helicopter's rotors, and through the windows, they could see that many areas below were already deeply flooded.
Chai Lingwu, who had come along, complained, "Damn it, so much rainwater. If only it had fallen on Chang'an!"
"Damn it, some places are drought-stricken, and others are flooded!"
When the helicopters landed outside the Protectorate, Fang Er retrieved several umbrellas from the back of the cabin and distributed them, teaching them how to use them.
These had been exchanged previously, but there were few opportunities to use them.
"Whoosh~"
The umbrellas were opened, and everyone jumped out of the cabins in succession. Qin Qiong's guards were already waiting outside.
"Alright, let's talk back at the mansion!"
Qin Qiong waved to them.
The umbrellas were good, but they didn't have the mood to appreciate them at this moment. The flooded farmlands and villages were the most important matters.
On the way, he had already seen more than one village half-submerged from the air.
"Yes!"
Everyone escorted them back into the Protectorate.
"Go, call the Prefect!"
As soon as he entered the main hall, Qin Qiong handed the umbrella he was holding to a soldier standing by and said.
After the soldier left, Qin Qiong introduced him to the other generals who had accompanied them: "This is the Duke of Anguo."
"Your subordinate, Deputy Protector of Southern Yue, Nan Cheng!"
"Commander of the Green Mountain Army, Shi Jianguo!"
"Commander of the Green Forest Army, Ye Zhihai!"
"Greetings, Duke of Anguo!"
"You are excused."
Fang Er raised his hand to support them and then turned to sit beside Qin Qiong.
After they paid their respects, Qin Qiong looked at the three of them and said, "Tell me, what is the current situation?"
Deputy Protector Nan Cheng stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Reporting to the Protector, this rain began half a month ago."
"At first, it was just a light rain, and your subordinate and others thought it would be like usual, stopping after a day or two at most."
"But unexpectedly, the rain seemed to have no intention of stopping, and it only grew heavier. That's why your subordinate took it upon himself to send a telegram to Chang'an."
"These days, officials from various counties have been requesting aid."
"So far, four major rivers have breached their banks, and over a dozen lakes have overflowed."
"The four prefectures and seventeen counties under the Southern Yue Protectorate are almost all affected."
As Qin Qiong listened, his expression grew more solemn, and Fang Er couldn't help but gasp.
On the way, there were countless broken trees, indicating how strong the winds had been. The flooded farmlands and manors everywhere demonstrated the severity of this incident.
However, Fang Er had not seen any relevant records of these matters in his previous life.
Perhaps it was because, in true history, Piao Prefecture and Ai Prefecture were not the focus of the Great Tang at this time.
"Report~!"
The soldier Qin Qiong had sent out earlier ran in, holding an umbrella.
"Reporting to the Great Protector, the Prefect has arrived!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a short, plump man walked in, removed his straw cape, and cupped his fists to bow to Qin Qiong.
"Your subordinate Zhang Zhichuang, greets Protector Qin!"
ps: Asking for leave from everyone. Due to combined floods and epidemics, I've been confined at home for over two months. Tomorrow, I'll take the child out to fly kites. Please understand, thank you.