Chapter 052: A series of bad news

After some explanation, Qin Zhaoyue understood what mortar was. To put it simply, it was lime, clay and sand.

Of course, building a dam is not that simple.

In addition to the strict ratio, a lot of extra things are added.

Sometimes, the recipe may be adapted to local conditions, and glutinous rice paste, tung oil, animal blood, plant fiber, etc. may be added to enhance performance.

Qin Zhaoyue did not underestimate the wisdom of the ancients. Anyway, it was right to associate it with concrete.

Strong and moisture-proof, especially the integrated construction has a strong advantage in overall defense.

Qin Zhaoyue's physics is average, and ninety-nine percent of it is attributed to his high school teacher. Probably, possibly, perhaps there is an arc or something, and the force will be dispersed.

That's pretty much it. No wonder the battering ram failed to succeed in one fell swoop. It seemed like it hit a dam.

Facts are irrefutable, no matter how unbelievable they are.

Qin Zhaoyue's face was as gloomy as water. "Tell me, why is there a dam wall made of cement in the cave?"

"This..." The county magistrate knelt down with a thud, "Your humble servant... Your humble servant doesn't know!"

Not to mention why the dam wall was built in the cave, the use of cement mortar alone is wrong.

The fact that it didn't break under the blows of the battering ram meant it was definitely not an ordinary formula used to build houses. Maybe... maybe it was used to build dams!

He was accused of misappropriating flood control materials, and the pressure of this accusation alone was too much for him to bear.

Qin Zhaoqiong stared at the county magistrate's face. Like Meng Jian, he couldn't see any flaws and couldn't tell whether he was telling the truth or not.

"What's so special about this place? Don't miss any details."

The county magistrate was thinking about how to escape punishment, but he was so terrified that his mind went numb and he couldn't think of anything.

He was useless, so the old clerk of the county government stood up for him.

"Your Highness, to be honest, there is nothing special about this cave.

The terrain is continuous, with large holes nestled within small ones, and I heard there are abysses and underground water, but it's of little value."

"Years ago, there were occasional reports of explorers entering the cave and disappearing, but everyone later realized how dangerous this place was, and no such cases have occurred in recent years."

The old chief clerk had a white beard and was a native of Mingyan County, so his statement was quite convincing.

Qin Zhaoqiong noticed that the old tea farmer looked strange and asked, "If you have anything to say, just say it."

The old tea farmer quickly bowed and said, "Master Zhubu is right, but our tea mountain is a little closer, and I have heard some bad rumors about the cave."

He did not dare to delay and told the rumor immediately.

It is not surprising. There are many strange stories in places with poor mountains and bad waters, and this cave is no exception.

It is said that travelers passing by can often hear strange noises there. Some say it is the sound of wind chimes, some say it is the whimpering of a female ghost demanding her life, and some say it is the sound of ghosts from the underworld banging on the door... There are many different opinions.

In addition, people disappeared from time to time, and the rumors were quite fierce for a while. The most exaggerated one was that there was a gate separating life and death in the abyss under the cave, leading directly to the underworld.

The reputation spread, and everyone knew that this place was dangerous. Fewer people came here, and gradually the rumors died down.

Legends about ghosts and gods are not surprising. Qin Zhaoyue has also read several vernacular novels of this dynasty, and stories about various monsters and strange stories are not uncommon.

However, these rumors were linked to the cement used to build the embankment, which made her wonder if someone had done it on purpose in order to drive away other people so that they would not dare to set foot here again.

She thought of it, and Qin Zhaoqiong and Meng Jian also thought of it.

"When did this rumor become popular?"

The old tea farmer frowned and thought for a while before speaking uncertainly, "About seven or eight years."

In the past seven or eight years, if someone really was planning something here, they would have achieved their goal.

Qin Zhaoqiong secretly took note of it, hoping to find out more about it after the disaster relief was over, but this information was of no help at the moment.

He warned a few people not to leak the information about Sanhetu, and waved his hand to let them leave.

There were only seven people left in the tent: the eldest princess, the fifth prince, Meng Jian, Gu Shaosi, General Wang, Qin Zhaoyue and her maid Suimo.

No one spoke because they needed to wait for the results of the underwater exploration before making a decision.

When the time came for the breakers to be free, it seemed strange that the broken ink was still there.

Even the Princess Chang and the Fifth Prince didn't bring any attendants or guards, so why would the Sixth Princess bring a maid?

But it was obvious that no one who knew the truth would explain, while Qin Zhaoyue and Sui Mo were both very calm.

There was also the matter of dredging, and although it felt strange, no one wanted to get into trouble at this time.

After waiting for about two incense sticks, the imperial guards finally came to report.

"Your Highness, the earthen wall in the cave is about thirty to forty feet long, covering the previously designated flood discharge point.

Not only that, according to calculations by the Tiangong Division, the thickness is at least five meters!"

The main tent was filled with dark clouds, and everyone understood what this meant:

All previous flood discharge plans are invalid!

The five-zhang-thick cement mortar has reached the level of the main embankment of ordinary rivers.

No wonder the mud dragon coming from the tea mountain stopped here, it turned out that there was such an earth wall blocking it.

General Manager Wang wanted to bury his head in his chest. His Tiangong Division had no choice but to bear the brunt of this matter.

With cold sweat dripping down his back, he knelt without hesitation, "Your Highness, we will...we will immediately survey the new flood discharge point!"

The four words "offset sins with merits" kept circling in his mind and on his lips, but he never dared to mention them again.

The eldest princess is often in the army, and she is subject to military law at any time.

What's more, he committed such a serious crime. Even if he was dragged out and beheaded now, I guess no one would plead for him.

Qin Zhaoqiong was so angry that his chest heaved and his face looked as ugly as it could be.

This not only involves disaster relief and the lives of people in various states and prefectures, but also involves a major dispute in the court.

The Queen Mother sent her here, accompanied by Wan Min Si, who had just made a big mistake, and the fifth royal brother who had never fought for anything. The meaning is self-evident.

With earnest hope, he wanted her to gain credit for disaster relief and lay the foundation for her position as crown prince.

But something went wrong in the first step of dredging. If it was delayed and the news got back to the capital, even the Queen Mother wouldn't be able to stop them from talking.

Things have already happened, and Qin Zhaoqiong has no intention of backing down.

It seems that finding a new flood discharge point is the only way, but his eyes uncontrollably fall on the sixth sister at the door.

I have already created two surprises, this time... is it possible?

Just as the eldest princess was about to speak, she suddenly heard a sound and was stunned on the spot.

Meng Jian at the tent door had already reacted and suddenly lifted the curtain.

Dadada...

Qin Zhaoyue was so familiar with this voice that he once needed it to fall asleep:

Rain hitting the tent!