As the midsummer of July arrived, Shangjing seemed like a steaming oven being roasted over a blazing fire, so hot that people wished they could soak in water.
"It's been over a month since it last rained. I'm afraid there might be a drought this year again," Song Ci complained about the oppressive heat as she was assisted to the Water Pavilion by the lake to cool off. Her gaze fell on the cracked ground, and her brow furrowed.
Nan Shan replied, "That's unlikely, it's only been over a month."
Nanny chided, "Over a month without rain can cause significant loss for many farmers, especially when the crops are nearing harvest but lack irrigation. What do you think the latter half of the year will be like? People will surely be hungry."
Song Ci agreed, "If there's just a drought, we can hope for rain quickly, plant another crop, tighten our belts, and get through it. But the real fear is if this drought is followed by another extreme disaster; that would be catastrophic."
