Chapter 107: Forecast of a Great Flood

"Congratulations, Cai Duke, you have recovered well; from now on you only need to rest for a while and you will be healed."

Inside Cai Duke's residence, Chen Yan, after examining Du Ruhui's condition, found that he is now essentially unhindered; he only needs to wait for the wound to heal to be fully recovered.

He then instructed, "However, although your condition has improved a lot, you still must not be careless."

"In the coming period, you no longer need to eat thin foods; just follow a normal light diet."

Cai Duke's lady, overjoyed at the words, thanked repeatedly: "Zi An, nephew, today no matter what, you must stay in the residence so that we can properly entertain you."

Du Ruhui, upon learning he was no longer seriously injured, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Indeed, today you must stay; otherwise my heart cannot be at ease."

Du Gou, with an enthusiastic smile, grabbed Chen Yan's arm and said, "Marquis of Weinan, it just so happens that this morning I slaughtered a cow at my residence; please wait a moment, I will immediately order the rear kitchen to prepare the beef."

"You cannot decline this time."

Chen Yan gave a helpless smile, nodded, and agreed.

Du Ruhui's family was overly enthusiastic; he had already refused once, and this time it was truly hard to turn down.

Fine, let's just treat it as a meal out.

The three members of the Du Family, seeing his agreement, instantly smiled with delight; Du Gou said a word, then hurried out to have the rear kitchen prepare the food.

Mrs. Xiao then summoned a servant to serve tea.

"Here, Zi An, nephew, this tea is the one His Majesty sent last time."

"I heard His Majesty say that this tea also originated from your residence, so it should suit your taste."

"Alright, thank you, Mrs. Xiao; I shall not be polite then."

Chen Yan lifted his teacup, took a small sip, and began a casual chat with Mrs. Xiao.

While the two were talking, Du Ruhui, lying on the bed and looking much better, hesitated briefly and asked, "Zi An, how long will it take for this wound to heal?"

Mrs. Xiao, hearing this, raised an eyebrow and said, "Sir, you are now bedridden; it's hard to get a chance to rest for a while—why must you constantly worry about court affairs?"

"All year there have been hardly any idle days; even without illness, one ends up getting sick."

As the wife who has accompanied Du Ruhui for many years, how could Mrs. Xiao not understand what Du Ruhui is thinking?

If it were a minor ordinary ailment, Mrs. Xiao would be too lazy to bother, leaving it to Du Ruhui.

However, the last time Du Ruhui's life was in danger, it truly terrified Mrs. Xiao.

Du Gou had only recently entered the court, and their younger son was still small; if Du Ruhui were to die, she truly would not know what to do.

To be honest, even during the three days after Du Ruhui's surgery, Mrs. Xiao had nightmares every night and was often startled awake at midnight.

At those moments, she always felt a lingering fear, while also feeling grateful that Du Ruhui had a strong life and that Chen Yan's methods were extraordinary.

Du Ruhui forced a bitter smile, "Madam, you know I am not unaware; I hold a high position—being away a few days is fine, but if I am gone too long, I truly worry about what chaos might arise."

Mrs. Xiao still held her stance: "Afraid of what?"

"Is there no one else in the court besides you?"

"Lord Fang and Lord Changsun are not living off dry rice; you should still focus on restoring your health."

Du Ruhui opened his mouth, about to speak, when Chen Yan suddenly said, "Mrs. Xiao is right; regardless, keeping the body healthy is the most important."

"Cai Duke, your wound cannot be rushed; given the current situation, it will probably not be fine in less than a month."

"As for court matters, I heard Lord Fang seems to be temporarily assuming your duties; you can rest assured."

Mrs. Xiao, seeing Chen Yan also supporting her, smiled, "Exactly, after all you and Lord Fang are close; I trust he will understand you."

"Alas, Zi An, there are things you do not know."

"Last year the Tang Dynasty barely survived a great drought; at the same time the Eastern Göktürks faced heavy snow, and His Majesty sent the Duke of Dai to lead troops against the Göktürks, making court affairs extremely busy."

"Brother Fang is already very busy; if my responsibilities are added, over time I fear Brother Fang cannot endure."

Chen Yan thought for a moment and replied, "Actually it's not a big deal; attacking the Eastern Göktürks, the Tang Dynasty already has favorable timing, terrain, and people, so defeat is impossible."

"It should take only a few days for the Duke of Dai's good news to reach Chang'an; Cai Duke need not worry about this."

"If you ask me, you'd better focus on restoring your health; only then will you be ready to face the coming great flood."

"...... Hmm?" Du Ruhui, who had been silently nodding in agreement with Chen Yan's words, heard the last sentence and was momentarily taken aback.

Great flood?

Flood?

Mrs. Xiao, however, reacted a step faster than Du Ruhui, and said blankly, "Zi An, nephew, you must not speak such words recklessly."

"If it spreads, court ministers would likely accuse you of alarmist talk."

Du Ruhui said nothing, his face showing doubt, "Zi An, could you be like the Grand Historian, able to foresee the future?"

"Well… of course not." Chen Yan shook his head, laughing, "I don't have the Grand Historian's ability, but I can observe natural patterns."

"Last year there was a severe drought; the sky dripped rain that never fell, and in winter there was a sudden heavy snow."

He paused, his voice deepening: "As the saying goes, extreme drought leads to flood, snow melt becomes flood; now that spring has just arrived, logically the weather should not be this warm."

"All of this foretells that after spring, during the summer period, there will inevitably be torrential rain."

"By then, regions like Jiangnan near the lower reaches of the Yangtze will naturally experience floods."

A flash of astonishment crossed Du Ruhui's eyes; he wanted to rebut Chen Yan.

But his mind kept recalling that day Li Shimin said how outstanding Chen Yan was, and also recalling historical records that after each great drought, some regions indeed experience sudden heavy rain, causing floods.

He had to believe it, at least partially.

Sss~

Du Ruhui, with a worried frown, asked, "What should we do then?"

"Zhenguan has only reached its fourth year, yet the disasters are countless."

Finally, hoping that Li Jing could defeat the Eastern Göktürks and bring back some good news, now he is told that this year a flood disaster will occur.

This…

Du Ruhui no longer knows what to say.

Chen Yan said in a comforting tone: "So, Cai Duke, you ought to take good care of your health; you look busy now, but actually you're not."

"The busyness is still waiting for you later."

Madam Xiao: "......"

Du Ruhui: "......"

The couple both fell silent, their foreheads full of black lines.

Who...... taught you to comfort people like this?

Without waiting for them to speak, Chen Yan seemed to recall something, slapped his forehead and said: "Oh, right, the Great Flood isn't the main point yet."

"After the Great Flood, it's highly likely to breed plague; by then, there will be even more places that need you."

Du Ruhui: "......"

"......"