After a brief explanation, Qin Zhaoyue understood what "three-in-one soil" meant; simply put, it's lime, clay, and sand.
Of course, building a dam is not that simple.
In addition to the strict proportions, a lot of other ingredients are added.
Sometimes, depending on local conditions, ingredients such as glutinous rice paste, tung oil, animal blood, and plant fiber may be added to the formula to enhance its properties.
Qin Zhaoyue did not underestimate the wisdom of the ancients; she simply made the connection to concrete.
It is sturdy and moisture-proof, and its integrated construction gives it a strong advantage in overall defense.
Qin Zhaoyue's physics was mediocre, and she had forgotten 99% of it from her high school teacher. Perhaps, maybe, there was some arc or something, and the force would be dispersed.
That's roughly the gist of it. No wonder the battering ram failed to achieve its goal; it just hit a dam.
The facts are irrefutable, no matter how unbelievable they may seem.
Qin Zhaoyue's face was ashen. "Tell me, why are there dams made of rammed earth in the cave?"
"This..." The magistrate knelt down with a thud, "This humble official...this humble official did not know!"
Putting aside the question of why a dam wall would be built in a karst cave, the very fact that it was made of rammed earth is suspicious.
The fact that it didn't break under the hammer blows of that battering ram means it's definitely not a common formula used for building houses. It might... it might be a formula used for building dams!
Misappropriation of flood control resources—just that one accusation alone is enough to make his neck ache.
Qin Zhaoqiong stared intently at the magistrate's face, but like Meng Jian, she couldn't see any flaws and couldn't tell whether he was telling the truth.
"Don't overlook any special details about this place."
The magistrate was preoccupied with the idea of exonerating himself, but in his fear and trepidation, his mind went blank and he couldn't think of anything.
He was useless, so the old clerk of the county government stepped forward.
"Your Highness, to be honest, this cave is nothing special."
The terrain is continuous, with large caves nested within smaller ones, and I've heard there are abysses and groundwater, but it's not particularly valuable.
"Years ago, there were occasional reports of explorers going into the cave and then disappearing, but later everyone knew that the place was dangerous, and there have been no similar cases in recent years."
The old registrar had a long white beard and was a local of Mingyan County, so his account was quite credible.
Qin Zhaoqiong noticed that the old tea farmer's expression was strange, and asked him, "Please speak freely."
The old tea farmer quickly cupped his hands in greeting, "The registrar is right. It's just that our tea mountain is a bit closer, and we've heard some rumors about the caves being bad."
He didn't dare delay and immediately told them the rumor.
It's not surprising, as strange tales often circulate in remote and desolate places, and this cave is no exception.
It is said that passing travelers often hear strange noises, some say the sound of wind chimes, some say the wailing of a female ghost demanding death, some say the sound of underworld ghosts banging on doors... There are many different opinions.
In addition, people went missing from time to time, and for a while the rumors were quite rampant. The most exaggerated ones were that there was a gate between life and death in the deep abyss of the cave, leading directly to the underworld.
As the reputation spread, everyone knew this place was dangerous, so fewer people came, and gradually the rumors faded away.
Legends of ghosts and gods are not strange. Qin Zhaoyue had also read several vernacular stories from this dynasty, and various accounts of monsters and strange tales were not uncommon.
However, the connection between these rumors and the rammed earth used to build the dike made her wonder if someone was doing this on purpose to drive others away and prevent them from easily setting foot in this place again.
She had thought of it, and so had Qin Zhaoqiong and Meng Jian.
"When did this rumor become popular?"
The old tea farmer frowned and thought for a moment before speaking somewhat uncertainly, "It's been about seven or eight years."
If anyone had been plotting something here seven or eight years ago, they would have likely already achieved their goal.
Qin Zhaoqiong secretly noted it down, hoping to find some information after the disaster relief was over, but this information was of no help at the moment.
He warned the group not to leak the information about the Sanhetu soil, then waved for them to leave.
Only seven people remained in the tent: the eldest princess, the fifth prince, Meng Jian, Gu Shaosi, Wang Zongzhi, 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.
It seemed strange that the shards of ink remained in the room after the space was empty.
Even the eldest princess and the fifth prince didn't bring any attendants or guards, so why should the sixth princess bring a maid?
But clearly, none of those in the know would offer an explanation, while Qin Zhaoyue and Suimo remained completely calm.
With dredging work piling up, it felt strange, but no one dared to mess with them at this time.
After waiting for about two incense sticks' worth of time, the Imperial Guards finally came to report.
"Your Highness, the earthen wall inside the cave is about thirty or forty feet long, covering the previously designated flood discharge point."
Moreover, according to calculations by the Imperial Craftsmen, the thickness is at least five zhang!
The main tent was shrouded in darkness, and everyone understood what this meant:
All previous flood discharge plans are now invalid!
The five-zhang-thick layer of rammed earth has reached the level of a typical main embankment of a river.
No wonder the mud dragons surging from the tea mountains stopped here; it turns out there was such an earthen wall blocking their way.
General Manager Wang wished he could bury his head in his chest; this matter was the responsibility of the Heavenly Crafts Department, and he would be the first to bear the burden.
Cold sweat poured down his back, and he knelt down without hesitation. "Your Highness, we...we will immediately survey new flood discharge points!"
The phrase "to atone for one's sins with merit" swirled in my mind and hovered on my lips, but I never dared to mention it again.
The eldest princess often served in the military, and she was the kind of person who would be subject to military law at the drop of a hat.
Moreover, having committed such a serious crime, even if he were dragged out of the tent and beheaded now, it's unlikely anyone would plead for him.
Qin Zhaoqiong was so angry that her chest heaved, and her face looked extremely ugly.
This not only involves disaster relief and the lives of people in various prefectures, but also a major power struggle in the imperial court.
The Empress sent her here, accompanied by Wanmin Si, who had just committed a grave error, and her fifth brother, who had never been one to cause trouble. The meaning behind this was self-evident.
In high hopes, they wanted her to seize credit for disaster relief and lay the foundation for her succession.
However, if a mistake is made in the very first step of dredging, and this delays a major event, the news will likely reach the capital, and even the Empress Dowager will be unable to silence the gossip.
Since the deed had already been done, Qin Zhaoqiong had no intention of backing down.
It seemed that finding a new flood discharge point was the only solution, but my gaze involuntarily fell on my sixth sister at the door.
Having already created two surprises, is it possible this time...?
Just as the princess was about to speak, she suddenly heard a sound and immediately froze on the spot.
Meng Jian, who was at the tent entrance, had already reacted and suddenly lifted the tent flap.
Da da da...
Qin Zhaoyue was very familiar with this voice; at one point, she needed it to fall asleep.
Rain is hitting the tent!
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