Chapter 67 A Strong Feeling of Love
Both Vice Minister Song and Zhao Hong looked at Song Hui with surprise.
"If we don't repair it in time, are we just going to watch the Yellow River burst its banks? This is no joke."
Song Hui smiled, pursing her lips.
"We need to make it breach the dam. If it doesn't breach, how can we demonstrate your achievements?"
As soon as he finished speaking, seeing that both Vice Minister Song and Zhao Hong looked astonished, he changed his wording.
"Think about it, the Imperial Observatory has posted a notice saying that the next seven days will be sunny. At this time, you submit a memorial saying that the dike will burst on the night of the 29th."
Leaving aside the fact that this is tantamount to openly opposing the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, do you think His Majesty and the court officials trust the Imperial Astronomical Bureau or you?"
Zhao Hong pursed his lips, his expression gradually calming down from his earlier excitement.
"Naturally, we trust the Imperial Observatory."
After all, weather divination was the forte of the Imperial Observatory, and they couldn't produce any solid evidence. They couldn't just tell everyone that Song Hui had received divine guidance, could they?
Such a thing is not only unbelievable, but it would probably also arouse the royal family's suspicion.
Even he himself only gradually accepted and believed that Song Hui really had such a miraculous experience after experiencing several events to verify it.
Song Hui said, "So even if you submit a memorial, you still can't prove that what you say is true."
Moreover, even if His Majesty chooses to trust us, repairing the dikes requires coordinating with the Ministry of Revenue and various departments of the Ministry of Works, which is no easy task.
That would only make you resentful of other government departments.
After a long silence, Zhao Hong asked, "In your opinion, Madam, how should this matter be handled?"
Song Hui replied without hesitation, “In his last memorial, Father said that he felt guilty and proposed to go to a temple to reflect on his mistakes and live a quiet life for several months.”
His Majesty is a Buddhist, so he will surely agree to Father's memorial.
On the 27th, my husband will personally escort my father to a temple in the capital. On the morning of the 28th, a torrential rain will begin, and my husband can pretend to be stranded in the capital by the rain.
Then, worried that a sudden downpour would affect the people, he took the initiative to inspect the dike and discovered that there was a problem with the dike.
While sending messengers back to the capital to report the matter, he and his father organized the emergency evacuation of the local people to safety.
Having spent many years in the court, Vice Minister Song's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"This is a good idea. We discovered the breach in the dam in time and made a judgment based on the situation of the heavy rain. It is reasonable and well-founded, and can avoid too much explanation."
Organizing the people to evacuate to safety, and ensuring no casualties after the dike breach, is a great achievement for us.
"Hui'er's idea is brilliant!"
Zhao Hong was still somewhat hesitant.
"But we knew the dam was going to break. If we had given them an earlier warning, wouldn't we have been able to save more lives and prevent more property damage?"
Vice Minister Song sighed and patted Zhao Hong on the shoulder.
“My dear son-in-law, I understand you. When I was your age, I was also focused on studying the classics for many years and always wanted to make a name for myself.”
But go out and try it. Find a few ordinary people, tell them the dike will breach in a few days, and tell them to leave with their families. See if they believe you then.
"They won't believe you, they might even call you crazy! So if you really want to achieve something, you have to get to a certain position first."
Only when we hold the power of discourse, when our words carry weight, can we accomplish anything.
Vice Minister Song spoke earnestly.
Zhao Hong thought about it and realized that his father-in-law's words were not without reason.
He came from a poor family and had a very difficult journey. Without Song Hui's help and advice, it would have been difficult for him to rise to the position of a high-ranking official in the capital in just a few years.
"Then let's arrange it according to your father-in-law and wife's wishes."
Vice Minister Song rubbed his hands together impatiently.
"I will immediately write a memorial to His Majesty, requesting permission to go to a temple for ascetic practice."
"The son-in-law grinds the ink for his father-in-law."
Vice Minister Song picked up his pen, then turned to look at Song Hui, his expression showing a moment of hesitation.
"Hui'er, how confident are you about the dam breaking?"
Song Hui looked completely certain.
"I am absolutely certain that the dikes in China will break. Father, believe me."
Vice Minister Song made up his mind.
"Okay, I believe you."
The father-in-law and son-in-law came to the study to discuss the memorials and detailed plans. Song Hui pulled Zhang back to the inner courtyard to talk.
"Mother, how much money do you have left?"
Still reeling from the shock of hearing about the breach of the dike, Madam Zhang subconsciously said, "I only have about ten thousand taels of silver available."
"Have all the funds in the shop been transferred out?"
"In the shops? I only have six shops left. I've transferred all the funds out, and I estimate it adds up to about 50,000 taels."
"Mother gave me all the money."
When Zhang came to her senses, she was startled.
What do you need so much money for?
Song Hui lowered her voice, her eyes filled with barely suppressed excitement.
"Buy grain."
"Mother, think about it. Once the dikes of the Red Land are breached, many places will inevitably suffer from disaster. Not only will the crops in the fields yield nothing this year, but the water in the fields will not be able to drain, so there will be no way to plant another crop."
At that time, grain prices will inevitably soar, and may even increase tenfold or twentyfold or more.
If we buy 50,000 taels of grain now, we could potentially make more than 200,000 taels in profit by reselling it.
Madam Zhang was tempted, but she was also a little afraid of having to take out so much silver all at once.
"How about I discuss this with your father?"
"Father will definitely not agree to this, and it will not be good for his official reputation if word gets out."
I've also entrusted someone else to do this. We'll do it secretly, so that even if Father wants to say something after we make money, he won't be able to."
Seeing that Zhang was still hesitant, Song Hui was somewhat displeased.
"I'm only telling you about this sure-fire business because I care about you, Mother. If you still hesitate, I won't take you with me."
I've already used all the money I could from my dowry shop, so Mother, please don't be envious if I make money."
He then made a move to leave.
Madam Zhang quickly pulled her back.
"No, you take your mother with you. I'll go find the shopkeeper right now and have them gather the funds."
Then he reassured himself, "Anyway, this money all came from Song Yi's dead mother's shop. If we really lose it, we can just pretend we never made any."
Song Hui disliked hearing this very much.
"Mother, what do you mean? I already said it's a sure thing, you can't lose money. Follow me, and you can just wait to count your money."
Zhang smiled.
"Okay, Mom is waiting to make a fortune."
The Marquis of Anping's residence.
He looked at Li Nanke with a surprised expression.
"Who do you want me to write to? The prefectural government office in Xinyang?"
Li Nanke nodded.
“My maternal grandmother was originally a merchant from Xinyang. She and my maternal grandfather got married in Xinyang, so the real dowry list of my maternal grandmother should still be on file in the Xinyang government office.”
He keenly perceived the key point.
"The real dowry list? You mean the dowry list that Madam Zhang gave your mother back then was fake?"
When the Marquis of Anping's family arranged the marriage with the Song family, Madam He was still in good health, and she personally handled all the affairs.
When they met at the in-laws' meeting, Madam Zhang presented Song Yi with a dowry list in front of many ladies, saying that it contained all the dowry left by Song Yi's birth mother.
It consists of only two shops and one hundred acres of mountain land.
Madam Zhang added, “Although our family is not wealthy, we cannot let you suffer. You and your sister will each receive fifty mu of the best paddy fields.”
Zhang's words drew praise from the ladies present, who all commended her for treating her stepdaughter like her own, for her kindness, love, wisdom, and understanding.
At that time, the Song family had only been in Bianjing for a short time, and Zhang Shi quickly gained a foothold in the circle of ladies in Bianjing by virtue of this reputation.
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