Zhenfubao waved his hand and the warehouse was full of grain, and the whole family regretted it

This water control project consumed enormous manpower and material resources.

Almost all the able-bodied laborers from the villages in the southern border took part in the effort; even teenagers as young as fifteen or sixteen took the initiative to join in, helping to carry small pieces of stone, and delivering tools, water and food.

In terms of supplies, Bai Wanwan not only called on the reserves of the prefectural government, but also took the lead in negotiating with neighboring counties to transport a large amount of timber, ropes, and iron tools. At the same time, some bricks and stones from the brick factory were used first for dam construction.

The people all had a strong desire to completely control the flood.

Even though they were exhausted and had back pain every day, they would be full of energy again when they heard the calls from the construction site and saw the embankments and canals taking shape bit by bit. No one complained.

Looking at the bustling scene here, the county magistrates who rushed over all had tears in their eyes and were so excited that they could not speak coherently.

A dark-skinned county magistrate wiped his face and said in a trembling voice:

"Master Bai, I grew up in the southern border. You haven't seen the floods before!

Every time a flood hits, there are always few people in the village, and the good fields are all soaked into muddy ponds.

I remember how rich the southern border was in the past, but now it has been plagued by natural disasters every year, with fields destroyed and houses collapsed.

Many people couldn't bear it any longer and had to flee to other places with their belongings, never to return."

A tall and thin county magistrate next to him quickly responded:

"That's right! The village where I came from was washed away by floods ten years ago. My parents took me there and we escaped by begging for food along the way to survive.

If we had a solution like yours back then, our village wouldn't have been destroyed!"

"If it weren't for you, sir, tens of thousands of people would have died in this flood. You are our living Bodhisattva!"

Bai Wanwan listened and gently waved her hand, saying, "As long as the people can live in peace and have enough food to eat in the future, that's enough."

She pointed to the nearly completed dam and the crisscrossing canals and continued:

"Once the drainage and flood control project is completed, next year's flood season will not be as severe as this year.

Things will gradually get better, and the South will definitely return to its former glory."

In the past five years, she has devoted herself to the governance of the southern border, from improving water conservancy, reclaiming fertile land, to supporting workshops and prospering markets. The southern border, which once suffered from famine, has long since changed its appearance.

Rice waves roll on the ridges of the fields, the market is bustling with people, and the people live in sturdy brick houses, with a peaceful smile on their faces.

Bai Wanwan also shed her youthful appearance, and became a graceful figure, becoming the most respected Lord Bai in the hearts of the people in the southern border.

Bai Wanwan was reading a newly revised agricultural book in the government office when Zhiwei came in with a cup of hot tea and said softly:

"Miss, the imperial decree has arrived, and the Emperor has ordered you to return to the capital immediately.

You have been here for more than eight years, and the old lady and the others miss you every day. It is time for you to go back and visit them."

Bai Wanwan put down the book, a smile on her lips:

"Of course I have to go back. Now that the affairs in the southern border are settled, I will hand over the job to the new prefect.

After instructing the farmers on the precautions for winter planting, he set off for Beijing.

In the past few years, Madam Bai, Bai Yin and Bai Qiaoniang had come secretly many times. Every time they saw her wearing official uniform and living in a simply furnished house, their eyes would turn red when they held her hand.

When she was about to leave, she was even more reluctant to leave. Mrs. Bai kept repeating: "My child has suffered so much."

Later, Bai Wanwan couldn't bear to see them travel such a long distance and worry about them, so she sent a message back to the capital, saying that everything was fine in the southern border and asked them to wait with peace of mind and not to bother coming.

However, his younger brother Huo Zhixing was sent to the southern border by Zhao Qiaoniang.

When this child first came, he had the temperament of a little bully in the capital. He climbed trees to catch birds and went to the river to catch fish. He didn't listen to anyone, and even the old servants in the mansion couldn't control him.

But when he saw Bai Wanwan, the little bully was like a mouse seeing a cat. He immediately restrained his mischievousness, stood properly, and didn't dare to breathe.

Seeing his appearance, Bai Wanwan decided to let him stay by her side. She taught him to read some agricultural books and took him to the fields to watch farmers work.

In just a few years, Huo Zhixing lost his arrogance and became sensible and steady. He could also help with the chores in the mansion and became a capable little helper to Bai Wanwan.

During his time in the southern border, Bai Wanwan personally supervised and taught him his studies.

During the day he studied at the Mortal Academy. With his sister checking his homework and explaining difficult questions every day, he dared not slack off for even a moment.

He always ranked among the top students in the academy and was the first in every examination. When the teachers mentioned him, they all praised his intelligence and diligence.

In addition to literary subjects, he also studied riding and archery, etiquette and cuisine, and charioteering.

Bai Wanwan specially invited an experienced martial arts master to teach him riding and archery, and he went to the training ground to practice before dawn every day.

He draws the bow, aims, and releases the arrow in one go, and his horsemanship is superb. When he gallops on horseback, his posture is upright, and he looks quite youthful and heroic.

Seeing Bai Wanwan packed up the paperwork, Huo Zhixing walked lightly to the table and said in a clear voice, "Sister, are we going back to the capital?"

Bai Wanwan looked up at him, smiled and nodded:

"Well, the handover has been completed, and we will leave in a few days.

Why, you don’t want to go back to the capital?”

Huo Zhixing scratched his head, with a hint of smile in his eyes:

"Wherever my sister is, I'll be there too. It's just that I'm used to living in the Southern Territory and I'm reluctant to leave."

He looked out the window, his eyes set on the direction of the academy in the distance, his tone full of nostalgia:

"My classmates and friends in the academy, as well as my friends who practiced horse riding and archery with me on the training ground, have been as close as brothers over the past few years.

I always feel a little sad when I think about parting with them.

But it doesn't matter. When I have time later, I will go back to the South Territory to see them!"

Bai Wanwan chuckled and tapped his forehead lightly with her fingertips:

"Silly boy, they are all students from the Great Qi State. When the special examination begins next year, everyone will have to go to the capital to take the exam.

We'll naturally meet again when the time comes, why are you in such a hurry?"

Huo Zhixing was stunned for a moment, then he slapped his forehead, scratched his head and laughed:

"Yeah! How could I have forgotten this?

They all have to go to the capital by then, but won't they still have to accompany me?"

Bai Wanwan looked at him and nodded helplessly and amusedly.

As Bai Wanwan took Huo Zhixing and Zhiwei out of the government office, they saw that both sides of the street were already crowded with people.

The road from the government office to the dock was blocked by people from the southern border. There were even people standing on the roofs and walls, all of them with a reluctant look on their faces, their eyes fixed on her.

Upon seeing this, the accompanying guards immediately stepped forward to protect Bai Wanwan on both sides and asked in a deep voice: "Fellow villagers, what are you doing?"

A white-haired old man walked out of the crowd, holding a basket of eggs in his hand, his eyes red:

"Master Bai, you can't leave empty-handed!

These are the eggs my wife laid this morning. Please take them with you on your journey. They are a small token of our family’s appreciation.”