This time the dive lasted longer than before, and bubbles were occasionally seen bubbling on the surface, presumably because the official from the Heavenly Works Department was taking a breath.
Finally, under the watchful eyes of everyone, the three resurfaced, but the place where they surfaced was about ten feet away from where they went underwater.
However, guided by the bubbles, the Imperial Guards followed along and were already waiting on the shore.
Everyone worked together to pull them out of the water, and the official in the middle looked extremely grim.
That's fine, considering the huge blunder the Heavenly Crafts Bureau made.
Upon closer inspection, however, it was discovered that there was more than that; there was also an uncontrollable terror, with unfocused pupils and wandering gaze, appearing as if he had lost his soul.
As soon as he reached the shore, the imperial guards who were supporting him were about to let go when he suddenly fell forward, his legs completely powerless.
If the Imperial Guards hadn't reacted quickly and managed to get back on the ground, he would have been slammed onto the shore.
Everyone saw his terrified appearance and looked at Zhao Yong and Tie Niu in confusion, but the two of them only led people into the water and swam along the rock strata for a while, and they did not understand why he was like this.
The matter was of great importance, so no one asked any questions. They simply stopped him from walking and carried him directly towards the military formation.
When he reached Meng Jian, the official struggled violently, but as soon as he let go, he knelt on the ground:
"This isn't right...something's fishy!"
Meng Jian frowned, waved for the others to leave, and then channeled his inner energy to form an invisible wall around himself.
He grabbed the official's collar with one hand and pulled him up, staring directly at him and using his inner energy to infuse his ears, "Speak!"
This method had a mind-shaking effect; the official was still in a daze, but subconsciously opened his mouth and answered, "Sanhe soil, it's Sanhe soil!"
Upon hearing this, Meng Jian gasped, a chill running down his spine and into his brain, instantly making his scalp tingle.
He pulled the official closer, using the same tactic again, "Are you sure? Is it definitely rammed earth?"
"Yes, yes! This official... this official would never be mistaken!"
He sealed the man's mouth with his inner energy, and Meng Jian brought him to the Princess. "Your Highness, please allow me a moment to speak."
Qin Zhaoqiong knew that something serious had happened. If it were just solid rock, Meng Jian's expression would not be so solemn.
She immediately nodded, "Everyone, step back and stay at least ten feet away."
The military formation was rearranged, extending far outwards, leaving only her, Meng Jian, and the official in the center.
Meng Jian once again used his methods to seal off the surrounding space, ensuring that their conversation would not be leaked in the slightest.
"Your Highness, according to him, what's underwater isn't some special rock formation, but rather a mixture of soil, rock, and cement!"
Even though she was somewhat prepared, Qin Zhaoqiong was still stunned when she heard these words.
How could it be just rammed earth? That's the main material for building dikes!
Although Qin Zhaoqiong doesn't do everything herself, the dredging is a major undertaking, so she personally oversees it and takes charge of all matters, big and small.
When determining the flood discharge point, we considered it repeatedly.
Old tea farmers, the county magistrate of Mingyan, the yamen runners, and even the county annals all record that this area was originally dotted with a series of karst caves of varying sizes.
The rock is not very hard and has a lot of hollows. It is currently filled with mud, sand and tree roots, which are very conducive to drilling through it. This location was chosen after careful consideration.
Before the mud dragon collapsed, this place was not a river or lake, so it would have been impossible to build a dam here.
But besides that, who would use such a large amount of mortar in a cave? What would their purpose be?
Qin Zhaoqiong's thoughts raced, but she couldn't find a clue.
The stranger something is, the more surprising the reason behind it may be.
Just the act of using the materials for building dikes and controlling floods is a death sentence; who would dare to defy such a great order?
The matter needs to be investigated, but the most urgent task is to dredge the ditch.
"Immediately send people into the water to find out the area and thickness of the soil covering the area, and whether there is still a possibility of flood discharge from this point."
Since rammed earth is the main material for building dikes, its sturdiness is self-evident.
If the coverage area is small, there might be a way to bypass it; if not...
Choosing a new flood discharge point, planning waterways, and relocating downstream villages will require a great deal of effort, and whether it can be completed in time is still unknown.
Thinking of this, Qin Zhaoqiong clenched her fists. "This matter cannot be covered up. Drive away all irrelevant people and strictly control the leakage."
If secrecy is to be maintained, only a small number of people can be mobilized; at this point, such considerations are no longer relevant.
"The Imperial Guards and the Imperial Workshop will go into the water together. If things don't go well, they will immediately find the next flood discharge point."
"Mobilize the garrison and yamen runners. If they are replaced, the people downstream will be forcibly relocated. Those who disobey the order or resist relocation will be punished according to their crimes."
A compassionate leader cannot command an army; compared to flood control and dredging, the financial losses of downstream villagers were no longer within her consideration.
Faced with the overwhelming situation, everyone must give way to disaster relief.
"In addition, I summoned the Junior Officer of the Ten Thousand Households Bureau, the Chief Administrator of the Heavenly Works Bureau, the Fifth Prince, the Magistrate of Mingyan County, and the old tea farmer who is familiar with the terrain for a meeting."
"Yes!" Meng Jian immediately accepted the order. The situation was critical, and he was about to make arrangements when he heard the eldest princess say again:
"Wait!" Qin Zhaoqiong bit her lip. "Bring Zhaoyue and her maid along too."
Meng Jian hesitated slightly, but it was only for a moment. After clasping his hands in greeting, he immediately went to make arrangements.
Soon, two hundred Imperial Guards skilled in swimming were separated from the army, along with almost all the officials of the Heavenly Works Bureau, to go underwater to take measurements.
However, the "observation group" a hundred feet away was driven away, told that the matter was of great importance and that the place was no longer safe, and ordered to return to the camp to wait.
Only Qin Zhaoyue and Suimo were left behind.
Qin Zhaoyue secretly asked Suimo, but according to her, Meng Jian used methods to prevent eavesdropping, so she did not know what was said after they went ashore for the second time.
However, judging from their expressions and the current arrangements, it's clear that something significant must have happened.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
