Summer weather can change in an instant.
One moment the sky was clear and blue, and the next it suddenly started pouring rain.
Qin Zhaoqiong's face was ashen. She strode to the door and flung open the curtain.
I stretched out my palm, and large raindrops pounded down, stinging me a little.
The rain poured down from the sky, and a layer of white mist immediately rose from the river. The calamus on the bank was knocked askew by the rain arrows.
Meng Jian, who was guarding the door, also looked unwell. He did not use his true energy to block the flow of energy, but in just a few breaths, he was completely soaked inside and out.
Although they know the flood season is not over, everyone hopes that the good weather can last for a few more days.
Unexpectedly, after just one day of sunshine, a torrential downpour started again.
Qin Zhaoqiong pursed her lips, immediately ordered someone to light the oil lamp, and returned to her seat at the table.
"Go on, get to the point."
The old magistrate was also uneasy, but seeing the prince so calm, he quickly composed himself and continued explaining.
But as the rain pounded on the tent, I couldn't help but raise my voice.
After talking for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, until his throat was dry, he finally managed to explain the waterway situation in Longmen County, focusing on the key points.
The downstream section of the Yuchuan River is quite wide, especially since the Jiuqu Huilongtan section was demolished to widen the canal for transport.
The chief engineer of the Tiangong Division explained that extensive surveys were conducted when this plan was finalized.
Huilongtan is indeed a natural flood discharge area, but it has not been flooded for more than ten years, which has wasted the waterway.
Moreover, the ability to withstand disasters is improved after expansion, and the expansion strategy was decided after careful consideration.
On the contrary, in some areas of the upstream river section, the river is narrow and winding, but many ditches and tributaries are built to alleviate the problem before flowing into the downstream.
Qin Zhaoqiong had a general idea of what was going on, but after an incense stick's time, the rain showed no sign of letting up.
"Someone, bring some raincoats for these gentlemen."
"yes!"
"The water situation is urgent. We request that Magistrate Lu accompany the army and work for another day or two."
Longmen County is the last key point in Hanoi Prefecture. Once the water situation there is sorted out, we can rest assured. Only Bailu Prefecture remains, so Qin Zhaoqiong is on tenterhooks.
Lu Zhaochuan had no objection. He could see that the Princess was genuinely concerned about Longmen County, so he immediately accepted the offer.
Before long, the entire army set off, heading upstream along the main channel of the Yu River.
Upstream is the Fish Scale Embankment, which is one of the narrow waterways that Qin Zhaoqiong had previously observed.
The river meanders like a goose's neck, so dams were built to straighten it, making the tributary wider and easier for boats to navigate.
But now a huge rock has been placed across the tributary, and sandbags have been used to fill the gaps underneath, effectively cutting off the flow.
The water level difference between the upstream and downstream of the fish-scale dike has reached 10 feet, and it looks like it is in imminent danger.
With torrential rains now falling and water levels rising further, the river is in danger of capsizing soon.
Inside a thatched hut a hundred feet away, a man in white stood gazing into the distance, untouched by wind and rain.
Beside him was a middle-aged man, dressed in coarse linen clothes with his trousers rolled up; at a glance, he was dressed in the most ordinary attire for the riverbank.
However, his skin was fair and tender, his palms were free of calluses, and his upright posture did not resemble that of a manual laborer who did rough work all day.
"Young Master Yan is truly a diviner; he actually predicted that there would be a downpour this afternoon."
Yan Wujiu stood with his hands behind his back and didn't say a word.
The middle-aged man came from the noble family of Fengjing. Although he did not hold an official position, he was actually a trusted advisor and represented the noble family in public.
The addition of bran to disaster relief grain sparked public outrage; upstream floodwaters were blocked; and the unpredictable methods of weather forecasting...
He dared not put on any airs of a high-ranking official in the capital when facing the person beside him.
"Young Master Yan broke the deadlock with a slight move and by taking advantage of the opportune moment, which is far superior to our secret actions."
Once this matter is resolved, I will truthfully report your merits to the young master, and I anticipate a generous reward."
Since it concerned his lord, Yan Wujiu could no longer remain silent, and said lightly, "Then thank you very much."
"Not at all, it's all what I should do."
According to Yan Wujiu, the torrential rain is not going to stop anytime soon.
If the water level rises further, it will rush out of this narrow, winding channel all at once, inevitably creating waves that will affect the downstream areas.
With villages submerged and many people affected, coupled with widespread discontent over the bran issue, they didn't even need to do anything shady. They only needed to report the truth to the emperor, and most of the credit for the princess's disaster relief would be lost.
Therefore, it would be impossible to smoothly introduce the idea of an heir apparent after returning to the capital; at the very least, it would have to be postponed.
It truly was a decisive victory in one battle. The first half of the flood control efforts were completely ineffective, allowing them to lower their guard, and now the situation can be easily broken.
Just then, the two rushed over despite the torrential rain.
The leader was a strong and burly man, none other than Liu Bo, the head of the Longmen County branch of the Canal Gang.
The man he was supporting had white hair and beard, a hunched back, and looked to be over sixty years old.
The two entered the thatched hut and immediately felt a sense of warmth, which also kept the rain out.
Liu Bo's eyes darkened slightly, and he immediately bowed to conceal it.
The old man, oblivious to anything amiss, knelt down, panting heavily.
Yan Wujiu lowered his eyes. "Is this the person?"
“Yes,” Liu Bo replied, “Uncle Hu made his living on the water all his life. He used to be the chief priest of the river sacrifice and was very prestigious among the older generation of the canal gang.”
Uncle Hu knelt on the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably.
His son and daughter-in-law both died in the water two years ago, leaving behind only a young grandson.
But misfortune never comes singly. His health couldn't hold up any longer, so he asked someone to go to Wan'an Hall to ask the owner to diagnose him. All he got was some medicine to keep him alive.
Seeing that his energy was waning day by day and not knowing who to entrust his children to, Liu Bo took the initiative to come to his door.
Hu Bo knew it was a capital offense, but Liu Bo promised to send his young grandson to an academy in another county for his early education.
The household registration was changed and registered under the name of a local gentry to avoid any association.
In the future, from studying and learning to read and write to taking the imperial examinations and getting married, all expenses will be borne by noble people. The only price will be this crippled life.
When he received a letter and saw the crooked, large characters on it, Uncle Hu felt completely at ease.
"I will fulfill my promise once I have done what I am supposed to do."
"Thank you so much, sir! We are deeply grateful for your great kindness!"
Uncle Hu kowtowed twice before standing up with Liu Bo's help.
"Go on, don't be late."
"yes."
The two arrived and departed in haste, but the staff member beside them frowned.
"Young Master Yan, what is the meaning of this arrangement? How come I have no idea?"
Yan Wujiu turned around and stared at him, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
"Your Highness's methods are still too mild. The Empress is determined to establish the Crown Princess as the heir. What difference does it make if it takes a while?"
"you!"
If someone dared to criticize the emperor's methods, their advisors would surely have given them a severe scolding in Fengjing.
However, the current layout of Longmen County is entirely the work of Yan Wujiu, and he has no means to control it.
The unease in his heart grew stronger, yet he refused to back down from the other person's gaze, asking, "What exactly do you want?"
Yan Wujiu ignored the threat, and the smile on his lips widened even further.
"I am worried for Your Highness. When will you finally get what you want?"
Why not take this opportunity to solve the problem once and for all? What do you say?
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