Zhao Xian's words were true, but Wang Lizheng still didn't understand his meaning, so he spoke up:

"But there's no need to build any docks in the village's river. During the dry season, the river might dry up."

There's still water in the river now, but in two months these small waterways will dry up completely, and then even small boats won't be able to navigate them.

"Uncle Lizheng didn't understand what I meant. This is what I was thinking: could we dig a canal to Yingkou Town and connect it to the big river in Yingkou Town?"

In this way, some merchant ships can sail directly into Shuixian Village, and Shuixian Village will have waterways connecting it to various parts of the Great Northern Dynasty. This will accelerate the development of Shuixian Village, and we can then consider constructing the third phase of the village's market.

This time, the village head understood and couldn't help but get excited. He had never even dared to think of building a canal from Shuixian Village to Yingkou Town.

However, Zhao Xian thought that if a canal were built connecting Shuixian Village to Yingkou Town, the development prospects of Shuixian Village would be immeasurable.

Thinking of this, the village head excitedly spoke up:

“I understand what you mean. You mean that if we build a canal from our village to Yingkou Town, the disaster victims will have something to do.”

"Yes, that's my idea. What do you think, Uncle Village Head?"

"Of course, today's sweet potato harvest is plentiful, and the village market is booming. Providing food for the disaster victims is not a problem."

Furthermore, the village has a lot of funds in its accounts, and I'd like to use this money to do something for the village. Building a canal to connect the village to the outside world would be the best option.

“Alright, since Uncle Village Head agrees to build the canal, then it’s settled. This way, we’ve not only done something great for the village, but we’ve also solved the survival problem for the disaster victims in Dezhou.”

"Let's go over there now and tell these disaster victims that building a canal in Shuixian Village will not only solve their survival problems but also provide them with income. I believe they will take this matter seriously."

The disaster victims were still standing there waiting for a reply. They saw that Zhao Xian and the village head had finished their discussion, but they didn't know how it went.

"Fellow villagers, we have just discussed that the village is preparing to build a canal that will run from Shuixian Village to Yingkou Town, and will be about 50 or 60 li long."

This canal is simply a matter of deepening and widening a small river channel. It's not particularly difficult to build. If you were to build it, it would probably take about six months.

If you are willing, Shuixian Village can provide you with food and lodging, and pay you thirty copper coins a day. In this way, each of you can save up five taels of silver in half a year.

With this money, you can build the house, and you should have no problem living there from now on.

Upon hearing this, the disaster victims cheered immediately. Now, not only would they no longer go hungry, but they would also be able to earn money.

Prefect Huang was very pleased to see that Zhao Xian had found a way to repair the canal for these disaster victims, and in this way, the problem of refugees in Dezhou was solved.

"Thank you, Lord Shaoqing. Your decision has been a great help to Dezhou."

“Prefect Huang, you’re too kind. The disaster victims are going to Shuixian Village to build the canal. They are helping themselves and also helping Shuixian Village with its development,” Zhao Xian said.

After discussion, Zhao Xian and Wang Lizheng went back to prepare, while the Dezhou government was responsible for gathering the disaster victims and sending them to Shuixian Village three days later to build the canal.

After Zhao Xian and the village head returned to Shuixian Village, they immediately began preparations. The village head was responsible for leading people to survey the terrain and take measurements along the way, while Zhao Xian went to the county government office to find Magistrate Cao.

When Magistrate Cao saw Zhao Xian's visit, he immediately went out of the county office to greet him.

Zhao Xian is currently a fourth-rank vice minister in the Ministry of War, which can be said to be a high-ranking and powerful official, while Magistrate Cao is still a seventh-rank county magistrate. Although he has received many rewards in the past two years, his official rank has not been promoted.

After settling down, Zhao Xian explained his purpose. When Magistrate Cao heard that Zhao Xian wanted to build a canal from Shuixian Village to Yingkou Town, he immediately became interested.

According to Zhao Xian's plan, the canal will be built within the territory of Zhengyang County. Once the canal is successfully built, it will greatly improve the county's transportation, benefiting not only the locals but also Magistrate Cao.

The magistrate of Cao County immediately expressed his strong support and willingness to provide all assistance for the construction of the canal.

Since this canal construction involves widening and deepening the existing waterway and does not involve any demolition issues, things are relatively easier to handle.

Three days later, the village head's survey of the river channel was completed, and the laborers to build the canal were in place, officially launching this massive project.

After Zhao Xian had arranged these things, there were only half a month left until the Chinese New Year.

At that very moment, in the capital, Minister of War Cheng hurriedly went to the palace to see the emperor and report important matters.

The emperor received Lord Cheng in the imperial study. Seeing his hurried manner, the emperor knew that nothing good could come of it.

“Minister Cheng, you seem so flustered. Is there some problem with Lou Ye and Lan Wei?”

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. Some time ago, Your Majesty ordered me to send someone to Louye and Lanwei to investigate the situation. After so long, the person who came to gather information has finally returned."

"What information have they gathered?" the emperor asked urgently.

"It seems the rumors circulating among the people are true. Ma Yuanhao of Louye and Huang Liang of Lanwei do indeed intend to rebel and want to establish themselves as kings."

According to those who returned, both Ma Yuanhao's and Huang Liang's forces had more than 3,000 men each, which was quite a large force in the area and was still growing rapidly.

They recently purged the local government, and the government offices established by the imperial court in both places no longer exist. They imprisoned all the local officials and blocked the news.

If the imperial court hadn't sent people to investigate, news of what was happening there might have taken much longer to reach us.

The emperor was greatly surprised and quickly summoned all the court officials to discuss the matter.

The civil and military officials of the court arrived quickly, and the emperor instructed Minister Cheng to report the information he had obtained from Louye and Lanwei.

The ministers were astonished to hear this, as they had never imagined that the rumors circulating among the people were true.

It's entirely understandable that the local forces of Louye and Lanwei have rebelled. If the original Xi Xiao Taiyuan's forces hadn't been wiped out beforehand, he might have rebelled long ago.

Ma Yuanhao of Louye and Huang Liang of Lanwei, these two forces may have been worried about being wiped out by the imperial court, so they took action in advance.

Their choice of this time to rebel must have been well-considered.

Firstly, the Northern Dynasty had just experienced a war, and the Central Plains region had suffered a major disaster, leaving them with little energy to inquire about matters in the Northwest Frontier.

Winter had already arrived, and the roads leading to the northwestern frontier had been blocked. If the imperial court were to send troops to attack, this season would certainly not be an option.

Even if the imperial court launches an attack, it will have to wait until after spring arrives next year. During this time, they can use the opportunity to accelerate the development of their own power and contend with the Great Northern Dynasty.

Since they chose to rebel, it means they already possess sufficient strength and are not worried about the court sending troops to attack them; they should be prepared.