Chapter 051 Is it appropriate for me to laugh so hard?

This time we spent in the water longer than before. From time to time, there were bubbles on the water surface. I guess it was the official from the Tiangongsi taking a breath.

Finally, under everyone's watchful eyes, the three of them resurfaced, but the place where they surfaced was more than ten feet away from when they went into the water.

However, with the guidance of bubbles, the imperial guards followed all the way and were already waiting on the shore.

Everyone worked together to lift them out of the water, and the official in the middle looked very unhappy.

That would be fine, after all, Tiangongsi made such a big mistake.

But upon closer inspection, one can see that not only that, but there is also uncontrollable fear, his pupils are unfocused, his gaze is wandering, and he looks dazed, as if he has lost his soul.

As soon as he got ashore and the imperial guards who were supporting him were about to let go, he fell forward, his legs completely without any strength.

If the imperial guards had not been quick enough to catch him again, he would have fallen to the shore.

Everyone saw his frightened look and looked at Zhao Yong and Tie Niu in confusion, but the two men just led people into the water and swam along the rock formation for a while, and they didn't understand why he was doing that.

The matter was of great importance, so no one asked any questions and simply stopped him from walking. They just set up a carriage and ran towards the army formation.

When he came in front of Meng Jian, the official struggled violently, but as soon as he let go, he knelt on the ground:

"This isn't right... There's something fishy about this!"

Meng Jian frowned, waved his hand to let people retreat, and then gathered his true energy to form an invisible wall around him.

He grabbed the official's collar with one hand and pulled him up, staring directly at him and saying, "Speak!"

This method had a shocking effect on the mind. The official was still in a trance, but he subconsciously answered: "Three-in-one soil, it's three-in-one soil!"

Meng Jian sucked in a breath of cold air when he heard this. A chill ran down his spine and straight to his brain, making his scalp numb in an instant.

He pulled the official closer and used the same trick again, "Are you sure? It must be cement?"

"Yes, yes! Your humble servant... Your humble servant will never be wrong!"

Using his true Qi to seal his mouth, Meng Jian brought him to the Princess and said, "Your Highness, please excuse me for a moment."

Qin Zhaoqiong knew that something big had happened. If it was just a solid rock layer, Meng Jian's expression would never be so solemn.

She nodded immediately, "Everyone, move ten feet away."

The military formation was adjusted and expanded far outside, leaving only her, Meng Jian and the official in the middle.

Meng Jian used his tricks again to seal off the surrounding space to ensure that their conversation would not be leaked at all.

"Your Highness, according to him, the underwater layer isn't some special rock formation, but cement!"

Even though he was mentally prepared, Qin Zhaoqiong was still stunned when he heard this.

Sanhe clay, how could it be Sanhe clay? That's the main material for building embankments!

Although Qin Zhaoqiong would not do everything herself, dredging was a matter of great importance, so she would personally take charge and inquire about all matters, big or small.

When determining the flood discharge point, we also considered it repeatedly.

Old tea farmers, the Mingyan County Magistrate, yamen runners and even the county annals all recorded that this area was originally dotted with continuous caves of various sizes.

The rock is not very hard and has a lot of hollows, which are now filled with mud, sand, tree roots and the like, which are very conducive to drilling through. We chose this place after considering many factors.

Before the mud dragon burst, this place was not a river or lake, so it was impossible to build a dam.

But who else would use so much cement in a cave? What was the purpose?

Qin Zhaoqiong's thoughts raced, but he couldn't find a clue for a while.

The weirder it is, the more surprising the reason behind it may be.

Just using the materials for building dikes and controlling floods is a fatal disaster. Who would dare to take such a risk?

The matter needs to be investigated, but the most urgent task is dredging.

"Immediately send people into the water to find out the area covered by the cement and its thickness to see if there is still a possibility of flood discharge from this point."

Since cement mortar is the main material for building embankments, one can imagine how strong it is.

If the coverage area is not large, there may be a way to circumvent it. If that is not possible...

Reselecting flood discharge points, planning waterways, and relocating downstream villages will require a tremendous amount of work, and it is still unknown whether we can catch up.

Thinking of this, Qin Zhaoqiong clenched his fists. "This matter cannot be covered up. Drive away all the outsiders and strictly control the leak."

If we want to keep it secret, we can only mobilize a few people, but we can't take care of those things now.

"The Imperial Guards and the Heavenly Works Division will enter the water together. If this proves unsuccessful, immediately find the next flood discharge point."

"Mobilize the garrison troops and yamen runners. If there is any change, forcibly relocate the people downstream. Those who disobey the order or resist and refuse to move will be punished."

A kind heart cannot command an army. Compared with flood discharge and dredging, the financial losses of the downstream villagers are no longer within her consideration.

In the face of the general trend, everyone must give way to disaster relief.

"Also, summon Junior Secretary Gu of the Wanhu Division, General Wang of the Tiangong Division, the Fifth Prince, the Magistrate of Mingyan County, and the old tea farmers who are familiar with the terrain to discuss matters."

"Yes!" Meng Jian immediately accepted the order. The situation was critical and he was about to make arrangements immediately, but then he heard the princess say:

"Wait!" Qin Zhaoqiong bit her lip, "Take Zhaoyue and the maidservant with her."

Meng Jian's movements were slightly delayed, but only for a moment. After clasping his fists, he immediately went down to make arrangements.

Soon, two hundred imperial guards who were good at swimming were separated from the army, and almost all the officials of the Tiangong Division were arranged to go into the water for measurement.

However, the "observation group" a hundred feet away was driven away, saying that the matter was of great importance and the place was no longer safe, and they were ordered to return to the camp and wait for a while.

Only Qin Zhaoyue and Sui Mo were left behind.

Qin Zhaoyue secretly asked Suimo, but according to her, Meng Jian used some means to block her from eavesdropping, so she didn't know what was said after she came ashore for the second time.

However, judging from his expression and the current arrangements, one can guess that something important must have happened.

Soon, a team of more than 200 people went into the water.

At the same time, a central military tent was set up by the lake, with Princess Qin Zhaoqiong sitting in the main seat, and the people she mentioned entered the tent one after another.

Qin Zhaoyue and Sui Mo were the last to arrive. Meng Jian personally opened the curtain for them, and then used his true energy to seal off the surroundings again.

It was obvious that the princess was only the deputy envoy for disaster relief, but she sat upright in the main seat. The chief envoy, Gu Tingyun, stood on the left with his hands in his pockets, looking nothing out of place.

Gu Tingyun has gotten used to it these days.

It was fine before arriving in Mingyan County, as all matters had to be decided by him.

But when it comes to flood discharge, they don’t even install it.

Logically speaking, he was just a junior official, a second-rank official, and the princess was not the crown prince, so this shouldn't have happened.

But just before leaving Beijing, their Wanmin Division had arrested a young official who was guilty of corruption and abuse of power. How dare they still fight for power?

Bah! Gu Tingyun is not stupid, so he just needs to be obedient this time.

The eldest princess at the top did not give any preparation and directly explained that there was cement in the underwater cave.

The county magistrate, the chief clerk, the county lieutenant, the old tea farmer, and Director Wang of the Tiangong Division all had surprised expressions on their faces, obviously shocked by the news.

Meng Jian seemed to be guarding the tent door and could only see the backs of most people, but in fact, his true energy enveloped them and he was observing all the details.

Judging from the feedback, these people's expressions did not seem to be fake, and they looked as if they were truly unaware.

"How could this be? How could there be mortar? This... this shouldn't be possible!"

The county magistrate was stunned, and his reaction was exactly the same as that of the Tiangongsi official who went into the water. They were both in disbelief.

Qin Zhaoyue was standing near the door, and his face suddenly darkened when he heard the news.

Meng Jian saw this and thought of the miracles she had shown when purifying water and curing diseases before, and for a moment he felt a glimmer of hope for her.

Although it sounds outrageous, maybe... she could have some novel ideas?

"Sixth Prince, have you thought of anything?"

Qin Zhaoyue nodded. "What is Sanhetu?"

Meng Jian almost stumbled, "Don't you know why you look so ugly?"

Qin Zhaoyue curled her lips, glanced at him as if he were a fool, and muttered softly:

"They all look like their father has died. Is it appropriate for me to laugh so hard?"

Meng Jian: ...

That makes so damn sense!