Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 406 The Passage of the Flood Peak

Shi Wanxia breathed a slight sigh of relief as she watched the crowd begin to move in an orderly fashion, but the weight on her heart did not lift.

She knew that the most difficult moments were yet to come.

It would be virtually impossible to evacuate all such a large number of people to higher ground before the floodwaters arrived.

"The rest of you, come with me to the riverbank!"

Shi Wanxia turned around, her gaze fixed on the ever-widening gap, her voice resolute.

"We must hold the riverbank to buy more time for the evacuation!"

She was the first to leap off the platform and rush towards the breach in the riverbank.

Behind her, the soldiers and the able-bodied men she had mobilized also picked up sandbags and stones, shouting as they followed in her footsteps.

The muddy floodwaters had already inundated the low-lying areas, and the cold rainwater mixed with mud splashed onto everyone.

Shi Wanxia stood near the breach, watching the surging floodwaters crash against the embankment, each impact causing the ground beneath her feet to tremble slightly.

"Quick! Fill the gap with sandbags! Watch your step, stand firm!"

While giving instructions, Shi Wanxia personally picked up a heavy sandbag and threw it forcefully towards the gap.

The icy floodwaters instantly submerged her calves, and the immense force nearly made her lose her balance. But she gritted her teeth, steadied herself, and continued to give instructions.

Seeing that she, a woman, was so fearless, the soldiers and militiamen were also filled with patriotic fervor. They all bravely stepped forward, carrying sandbags and struggling through the knee-deep floodwaters, continuously throwing sandbags into the breach.

The sounds of ramming, shouting, the roar of the flood, and the howling of the wind and rain intertwined, composing a tragic and heroic symphony of a race against death.

Shi Wanxia's figure appeared exceptionally small yet remarkably upright amidst the chaotic crowd. Her gaze remained steadfast, commanding everyone and supporting their beliefs with her composure and courage.

Shi Wanxia stood on the embankment, the cold rain already soaking through her official robes, flowing down her hair and the hem of her clothes, spreading out in patches of dark mud at her feet.

She looked up and was horrified by what she saw—the once gentle river had transformed into a roaring yellow dragon.

Giant waves crashed against the embankment like walls, each impact accompanied by the sound of mud cascading down, as if they could swallow up the last barrier protecting the city at any moment.

"Quick! Add another layer of sandbags!"

Shi Wanxia's voice had become hoarse from days of screaming, but it still carried an undeniable power.

She personally lifted the heavy sandbag, her arms bulging with veins from the excessive force, and her palms already blistered from the rough linen.

After the blisters burst, mud and blood soaked through the fabric, and every exertion brought excruciating pain.

But she dared not stop.

Behind him lay the safety of tens of thousands of people in Chuzhou City, and the lights of countless families.

As the disaster relief official sent by the imperial court, she is the backbone of this dam at this moment. If she falls, the spiritual pillar of this dam will collapse.

The soldiers and able-bodied men around him were also gritting their teeth and persevering. The rain blurred their vision, the embankment under their feet was slippery and difficult to walk on, and it took several times more effort than usual to carry each bag of sand.

Someone slipped and was instantly swept away by the flood, losing half a leg. People around rushed to pull them up, but were also pulled off balance by the force of the current.

"Hold on tight! Don't let go!"

Upon seeing this, Shi Wanxia quickly dropped the sandbag she was holding and rushed over to help.

It took several people working together to finally pull the person out of the water. The person choked on some muddy water and turned pale. As soon as he recovered, he struggled to move sandbags.

The water level was still rising. In just half an hour, the muddy floodwaters had risen from waist-deep to chest-deep.

The icy river water was bone-chilling, and prolonged immersion caused many people to lose sensation in their hands and feet, leaving them only able to mechanically repeat the actions of carrying and stacking with sheer willpower.

The anxiety in Shi Wanxia's heart was like a wildly growing vine, tightly binding her heart.

She knew that this couldn't go on; the floodwaters were flowing far beyond expectations, the pressure on the dams had reached their limit, and they could collapse at any moment.

Once the dikes are breached, the floodwaters will rush into Chuzhou City like a runaway horse, causing utter destruction.

She suppressed her fear and scanned the embankment with sharp eyes, directing people to reinforce the weakest points.

Her hands were already white and swollen from being soaked in the water, and her wounds were soaking in the sewage, causing excruciating pain, but she didn't even have time to frown.

Just then, a heart-stopping roar came from upstream, drowning out the sound of rain and flowing water.

"Oh no! It's a flood peak!" someone exclaimed in alarm.

Shi Wanxia suddenly looked up and saw a taller and more turbid wall of water, like a roaring beast, carrying a large amount of sand, rocks, broken wood and even animal carcasses, rushing down from upstream and surging towards the dam with great force.

The broken logs floating on the water are like sharp swords, moving rapidly with the flood, and could crash into the dam at any moment.

"Quick! Everyone back up! Watch out for floating debris!"

Shi Wanxia shouted sharply, while rushing towards what looked like the most dangerous spot.

The impact of the flood peak far exceeded expectations. Giant waves crashed heavily against the embankment, and the immense force caused the entire embankment to tremble slightly.

The mud and sand were washed down, and a corner of the sandbags that had just been piled up was instantly washed away, and the muddy floodwaters rushed in through the breach.

"Block it! Block it now!"

Shi Wanxia roared and was the first to grab a huge sandbag and rush toward the gap.

However, in the face of the overwhelming power of nature, human beings appear so insignificant.

Giant waves crashed in again and again, constantly impacting the weak points of the dike, and the breach gradually widened.

Many people were terrified by the sight, their fear overriding their reason as they watched the approaching floodwaters and the ever-present threat of the collapsing dikes.

"It's no use! We can't hold out! Run!"

Someone shouted, and immediately someone dropped the sandbags they were holding and turned to flee to the high ground behind them.

"No one is allowed to run!"

Upon seeing this, a fierce glint flashed in Shi Wanxia's eyes.

She knew that if morale collapsed at this moment, the dam would inevitably crumble immediately.

She reached behind her back and pulled out the dagger that Lin Yiyu had given her before he left. The dagger was exceptionally sharp and gleamed coldly in the dim rain.

She caught up with the fleeing man in a few steps, and with a flick of her wrist, slammed the hilt of her dagger into the back of his knee.

With a cry of pain, the man lost his balance and fell heavily into the mud.

"Issue my order!"

Shi Wanxia held a dagger, the tip pointing in the direction of the fleeing enemy, her voice carrying a chilling coldness amidst the torrential rain.

"This is a matter of life and death. Holding the dike is to protect the lives of tens of thousands of people in Chuzhou City!"

"Anyone who dares to desert their post or abandon their duty will face the dagger in my hand and not be so ruthless!"

Her gaze was like lightning, sweeping over everyone whose faces showed fear: "Reinforce the dike! Organize people to fill it with sand! Fill the gaps with bundles of straw and boulders! Anyone who dares to take another step back will be a role model!"

As she spoke, she stepped on the back of the man who had fallen, her eyes resolute.

This sudden show of force shocked everyone.

Seeing Shi Wanxia's slender yet upright figure standing firm in the flood, and looking into her bloodshot yet exceptionally determined eyes, many people's fear was gradually replaced by guilt and courage.

Yes, their homes and loved ones are right behind them, how could they run away?

"Let's fight it out! Let's battle the flood!"

A burly man roared and picked up the sandbag again.

"Yes! We can't let Lord Shi risk his life alone!"

"Hold the dikes! Protect our homes!"

Shouts rose and fell. People rallied and, risking being swept away by the flood, continuously transported sandbags and bundles of straw to the breach.

Some people were hit by floating broken logs, bleeding profusely, but after a quick bandage, they immediately returned to the fight.

When someone collapses from exhaustion, someone else immediately steps in to take their place.