Don't underestimate the stone man's one eye; it can stir up the Yellow River and cause the world to rebel.

This is a folk song spread by Han Shantong, Liu Futong, and others during the late Yuan Dynasty, similar to the one about "Chen Sheng Wang". The only difference is that Chen Sheng and Wu Guang stuffed silk handkerchiefs into the bellies of fish, while Han Shantong and his group used a one-eyed stone figure.

The constant floods caused considerable concern among the Yuan Dynasty rulers. Towards the end of the Yuan Dynasty, under the leadership of Toqto'a, efforts began to manage the Yellow River. However, this also objectively led to a major uprising, as river management was extremely difficult, resulting in countless laborers dying and being left hungry and cold.

In Zhu Yunying's memory, the Yellow River estuary was located at the confluence of the Bohai Sea and Laizhou Bay. However, the Yellow River estuary today is not what Zhu Yunying remembered at all.

The Yellow River's course has changed several times throughout history, naturally leading to changes in the Yellow River's estuary.

Since the Song Dynasty, the Yellow River's course shifted southward, entering the old courses of the Si River and the Ji River, thus forming new southern and northern branches. The Yellow River then took over the Bian River's course and flowed south, before entering the Huai River via the Wo River, thus completely taking over the Huai River and flowing into the sea.

Since the Yellow River diverted its course from the Si River to flow into the Huai River, it has frequently split into several branches whenever it breaches its banks, with each branch becoming the dominant one, resulting in a highly turbulent river channel. This is often manifested in the dry season when one branch dominates, while in the flood season, several branches diverge and flow into the sea via the Huai River.

At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Jia Lu managed the Yellow River, diverting the river from Huanglinggang in Yifeng to Hazhikou in Guide, thus diverting the main channel of the Yellow River towards Guide and out of Xuzhou.

So far, the course of the Yellow River seems to have remained largely unchanged, but many people are aware that the Yellow River causes significant flooding.

Compared to Yu Xin's anxieties and worries, Yan Zhenzhi was full of vigor. Although he was old, he hadn't lost his ambition and drive; on the contrary, because of his age, he actually wanted to seize the time to do things.

During this time, Yan Zhenzhi has been quite busy. Ever since he decided to take on the important task of managing the Yellow River, he has been making preparations. During this period, he has also discussed with many colleagues and has come up with some ideas.

Yan Zhenzhi's true thought was that he would not fight a battle he was not confident of winning. He was also very clear that persuading the emperor would not be a simple matter.

Even though it seems that Emperor Yingshi also intends to manage the Yellow River, such a time-consuming and laborious project cannot be accomplished simply by Emperor Yingshi trusting Yan Zhenzhi. It requires Yan Zhenzhi to come up with convincing plans and strategies.

After all, although the Yellow River seems to cause some floods every year now, they are not fatal. Compared to the Yellow River floods at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, if the Ming Dynasty turns a blind eye, it can easily get away with it. If there is any real trouble, it will be the trouble of future generations, and will not have much to do with this generation.

Upon seeing Yan Zhenzhi, Zhu Yunying immediately said, "Grand Master, please offer a seat to our Minister Yan."

Yan Zhenzhi immediately expressed his gratitude, though he didn't seem particularly excited. "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

"Alright then," Zhu Yunying said with a sigh, looking at Yan Zhenzhi. "You're already this age. Most people are thinking about enjoying their grandchildren, but you insist on finding things to do. If you keep messing around like this, I'm afraid you'll die out there."

Yan Zhen felt only closeness from the emperor's intimate words. "Your Majesty, if I could die on the Yellow River dike, it would be a worthy death. I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid of holding a position without doing anything, failing the court's salary, and failing Your Majesty's appreciation."

"What you're doing is good; you've accomplished a lot for our Ming Dynasty." Zhu Yunying looked at Yan Zhenzhi and said seriously, "You should think this through carefully. If you really want to manage the Yellow River, you should be prepared to die on the Yellow River dike."

Yan Zhen knelt down and said excitedly, "Your Majesty, everyone must die! If I can die on the road to governing the Yellow River, I will die a worthy death!"

Looking at Yan Zhenzhi, Zhu Yunying said, "Since you are determined to die, we won't stop you. We'll grant your wish. Is that alright? Isn't this creating a beautiful story of a ruler and his minister? Who knows, people might say that Emperor Yingshi of the Ming Dynasty mistreated his old minister!"

Yan Zhenzhi, who disliked horses, also spoke up, "Your Majesty, if I were to die out there, I would absolutely not blame Your Majesty. Nor would my household! It is my honor that Your Majesty has entrusted me with such a heavy responsibility!"

"You," Zhu Yunying sighed, "Alright, you really want to do this, and we really want to govern. We don't care what outsiders say, as long as we've accomplished these great things. This benefits the country and the people, and it brings blessings to all."

Looking at Wang Chengen, Zhu Yunying said, "Go to the Qianqing Palace and invite His Majesty the Retired Emperor over. Then go to the Dabentang and summon the Crown Prince."

Wang Chengen listened attentively to the imperial decree, while Zhu Yunying continued, "Go and convey the decree that the Empress, the Imperial Noble Consort, and the Princess personally cook for me to hold a banquet in the Wuying Hall!"

Yan Zhenzhi immediately knelt down, weeping bitterly, and said, "Your Majesty, I would never dare..."

Zhu Yunying smiled and stood up, helping Yan Zhenzhi to his feet. He said, “Since you are prepared to die in the Yellow River, we will not be stingy with formalities. If you live a long life, we may have to summon all the people of the land to celebrate your birthday. If you die in the Yellow River, I will order the Crown Prince to mourn you and the imperial family to carry your coffin. That is all we can do.”

In this era, the cost of winning people's hearts sometimes seems relatively low. However, such methods can be very effective, even exceeding many people's expectations.

You treat me like a national hero, and I will repay you with the same respect!

This is also a gene ingrained in the bones of countless Han people, and it has been so from ancient times to the present.

Even though Yan Zhenzhi is now the Minister of Works, a first-rank official, he is still not immune to worldly temptations in some matters. The lucrative promises made by Zhu Yunying filled Yan Zhenzhi with immense gratitude, making him wish he could immediately throw himself onto the Yellow River embankment.

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