Xuanyuan Zhan's words greatly excited the people.
"A year or two, isn't that fast!"
"That's great! If all the rivers and ditches in the north and south are dug through, will we still have to worry about not having water in the future?"
"Great! The drought in our north can finally be completely resolved."
A commoner looked at Xuanyuan Zhan and asked, "Your Highness, is our Baichuan River also part of the north-south waterway? Did you come to dig our Baichuan River to connect the north-south waterway?"
Xuanyuan Zhan nodded: "Yes, we chose the Baichuan River after a long time. The Baichuan River can connect the Beiliang River in the north and the Bailong River in the south. The Baichuan River is indeed a link in the north-south waterway. Of course, my choice to connect the Baichuan River and the Beiliang River first is also to give the people of the north a chance to breathe."
Xuanyuan Zhan did not choose to deceive; he spoke the truth, reflecting his true feelings.
The people of Baichuan also felt Xuanyuan Zhan's sincerity.
What could they say about a leader who genuinely cared for the people? Even if he was acting in the interests of the people of the North, they had no reason to complain.
Xuanyuan Zhan looked at everyone and made a promise again: "I assure you all that the north and south waterways will be connected soon and will not affect the water supply of the people of Baichuan. If Baichuan City is indeed affected by the drought, I assure you all that I will not abandon Baichuan City. The people of Baichuan City will receive the same treatment as the people of the five northern cities!"
The people of Baichuan looked at each other, and all chose to believe Xuanyuan Zhan's words.
Even those who were not from the North had heard of the Holy King's actions during his visit to the North, and he did not do anything that harmed the interests of the people.
Everything he does is for the benefit of the people of the North. If they don't trust such a leader, then who can they trust?
Seeing that the people chose to believe him, Xuan Yuanzhan was also moved and said loudly, "What I want is never for the North to be free from disasters. What I want is for the entire South, the entire North, and even our entire Eastern Chu to be free from disasters. What I want is not the peace and tranquility of one region's people, but the peaceful and prosperous life of all the people of Eastern Chu."
Xuanyuan Zhan's words also deeply moved the people, who spontaneously shouted, "Your Highness's love knows no bounds! Long live Your Highness!"
The northern people and soldiers who were digging the canal behind them were also moved and shouted, "Your Highness's love is boundless! Long live Your Highness!"
The deafening shouts echoed even more loudly across the wide river. Xuan Yuanzhan waved his hand with a smile: "Alright, stop flattering me, get up!"
Fang Su led the people to get up.
The people were still excited.
"Your Highness, we are truly sincere."
"We are truly sincere, but no leader has ever cared for us ordinary people like this before!"
"Yes, Your Highness, you are so kind to us."
"Your Highness, could we also help dredge the riverbed?"
A suggestion made by a commoner was immediately accepted by others.
"Yes, the sooner we can dig the canals from north to south, the sooner we in the north can get rid of the drought. This is something we've been dreaming of!"
Xuanyuan Zhan was pleased to see that everyone was willing to help dig the river channel: "That's great. All the people who are willing to come and dig the river channel will be provided with two meals a day and a wage of ten copper coins."
Upon hearing that they would be paid back their wages, the people waved their hands repeatedly.
"Your Highness, we don't want wages, just provide us with two meals a day."
"Yes, this river channel is for the benefit of all the people in the north, how can we ask for wages!"
"We can't ask for wages; we came to dig the riverbed voluntarily."
Seeing the people's enthusiasm, Xuanyuan Zhan raised his hand and said, "Stop talking, the wages are a must, ten copper coins per person per day."
Xuanyuan Zhan then looked at Fang Su and said, "Prefect Fang, go back and post a notice, and write down the promise I just made to the people of Baichuan City in the notice to reassure them. Also, write down that you are recruiting workers for the river, with two meals a day and a wage of ten copper coins. We are looking for healthy young men aged eighteen to fifty."
Fang Su, realizing he had deliberately brought people to cause trouble, immediately bowed in shame: "This humble official is ashamed. This humble official will go back and write it now."
"Wait a minute." Xuan Yuanzhan remembered something and called him back: "Please go to the other surrounding cities and post a notice to help me recruit more people. The sooner the north-south waterway is opened, the sooner the people in the north can get rid of the disaster."
The more river channels are dug, the better.
Wages are not the main issue; the real problem is the lack of rice and grain. If the number of workers increases, the supply may become even more insufficient.
However, we can find other solutions to the rice problem later.
"Yes, I will take care of it right away."
Fang Su bowed and then went directly back to Baichuan City.
Almost all the people he brought stayed behind to help dig the river channel.
Xuanyuan Zhan instructed the soldiers to write down all their names so that it would be easier to pay them their wages later.
Xuanyuan Zhan stayed on the river for three days, eating and living with the people and soldiers, and spending most of his time digging the river with them.
The people, watching Xuan Yuanzhan digging even harder than they were, felt as if they were dreaming.
"Do you really think he's a prince? How come he handles these things with more ease than we do!"
"Why not a prince? Look at his appearance and temperament. Apart from the Tian family, who else could have such a divine appearance and temperament?"
"That's true, he looks so noble, like a prince!"
"This prince is too kind! He not only thinks of us in every way, but he also helped dig the canal. He's been eating the same food as us these past few days!"
"Alas, if all rulers in Eastern Chu were like this, we common people would be so blessed!"
"I heard that this prince is the emperor's illegitimate son, and the emperor is very fond of him. I wonder if he will pass the throne to him!"
"If he becomes emperor, I'll be the first to support him!"
"I also support it. It is a blessing for us common people to have such an emperor who cares for the country and its people!"
"Don't talk nonsense! Criticizing royal matters is punishable by death! Get to work!"
Xuanyuan Zhan couldn't hear what these people were saying; he was focused on digging the riverbed.
"Your Highness."
The sound of horses' hooves came from afar. Xuan Yuanzhan looked up and saw Ye Feng and Ye Yun.
Xuanyuan Zhan dropped the shovel and leaped to the other side.
His brief display of skill instantly amazed the surrounding crowd.
The prince is not only handsome and has a great temperament, but he is also so good at martial arts!
Even in the imperial court, such a person would be considered exceptionally talented.
When Ye Feng and Ye Yun arrived in front of Xuan Yuanzhan, they immediately pulled on the reins, jumped off their horses, and bowed to Xuan Yuanzhan together, saying, "Your Highness."
Xuanyuan Zhan went to the river to wash his hands, then lowered his rolled-up sleeves before sitting down on a nearby tree stump: "What's the situation in the North?"
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