Even when being punished, they still show off their affection.
Since returning from the Lantern Festival, Tang Feng had been diligently studying the flood problem in Daze. Every year from April to September is the flood season, which should be the time for planting and harvesting. Tang Feng sighed, "Doesn't that mean the crops can't be planted and the grain can't be harvested? How are the people of Daze coping?" He spread out the drawings Zhou Ziliang had made again, recalling what Zhou Ziliang had said to him. Based on the size of the Luoxi River flood, he could judge that the Wuji Mountain range must be quite high and have steep slopes. This would give the large amount of snow and ice that accumulates on the mountaintop ample time to melt as it flows into the main river, resulting in increased water volume. In addition, the mountain's movement was significant. The water flowing down from the mountaintop is turbulent, and the sharp bends at the foot of the mountain prevent it from following the river's course. With constant flooding, wouldn't this area become an alluvial plain? If the water volume could be controlled, this area would be a good planting region. But what about the other two rivers that flooded? Tang Feng shook his head. It seemed that to actually solve this problem, he had to go to the local area to investigate; otherwise, he couldn't determine the cause based solely on the maps. However, he was fairly certain that his guess about the Luo Xi River was about 80-90% correct, so he had a rough idea of the corresponding policies. Tang Feng got up, put away the maps, and went to the next room. "Zhou Ziliang! You... do you have something to do today? Could you accompany me to Wanjuan Pavilion? I have some ideas and want to discuss them with Old Master Fang." Tang Feng hadn't expected to go to Zhou Ziliang, but he made an excuse for himself: it's alright, we're brothers, asking for his help is just a matter of courtesy! Besides, that old man Fang doesn't look like someone to be trifled with. If I say the wrong thing and offend him, Zhang Mobai's mediocre skills are no match for me. I'm only seeking his help to save my life.
Just as Tang Feng was making excuses for himself at the door, Zhou Ziliang opened it, his eyes showing a hint of surprise. "I have nothing to do today. If you want to go, I'll go with you."
The two walked side by side in silence. By the time they reached Wan Juan Ge, it was almost noon. Tang Feng knew that Fang Zihui wouldn't open the door whether he knocked or not, so he simply called out from the doorway, "Mr. Fang, we're coming in." As soon as Tang Feng pushed open the door, he saw that the bookshelves, which had been neatly arranged just a few days ago, were now in disarray. Zhou Ziliang followed behind Tang Feng, bending down to pick up a few books from the floor and put them back on the shelf. "It seems Mr. Fang hasn't been idle these past few days."
"I'll go check the attic again." Tang Feng had walked around the Wanjuan Pavilion but hadn't seen Fang Zihui, so he went up to the attic to look for him. "Old Master Fang, are you there? Old Master Fang... have you been drinking again?" Tang Feng lifted his robe, tiptoed over, and pinched Fang Zihui's nose. "Old Master Fang, wake up, I've found a way to control the flood."
Fang Zi groggily sat up, glanced at Tang Feng, and said, "What, it's you again? Get out, get out. Don't keep disturbing my sleep." She then tried to lie back down.
Tang Feng quickly grabbed Fang Zihui's arm. "I really have a solution! Please listen to it first! If it doesn't work, you can go back to sleep." Fang Zihui, unable to resist Tang Feng's pull, got up, scooped a ladle of water from the nearby water vat, and took a sip. "Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! I really can't do anything with you, kid!" Tang Feng chuckled, opened the blueprints from his pocket, and pointed to the bend in the Luo Xi River. "I believe the flooding of the Luo Xi River is unrelated to the Three Rivers Flowing in Parallel. Although the Three Rivers Flowing in Parallel have a large volume of water, it's not the cause of the flooding. This bend is where the upstream current is rapid, and the bend is sharp, preventing the river from reacting properly, thus causing the flooding. My idea is to carve an opening in the ridge of the mountain to divert some of the Luo Xi River's water."
Fang Zihui interrupted him, "You're telling me you want to carve into the mountain? Who do you think you are! Your analysis before was correct, and now you're telling me you plan to carve into the mountain? Yes, even if the people work day and night, do you know how many years it would take? I estimate it wouldn't even take twenty years!" Fang Zihui felt that Tang Feng's analysis wasn't without merit, but his proposed solution was somewhat outrageous.
Tang Feng had anticipated that his idea would be rejected, so he didn't reply. He got up and went downstairs. Fang Zihui thought she had dampened Tang Feng's enthusiasm and felt a little guilty, but she hadn't even finished feeling guilty when she saw Tang Feng return, holding a palm-sized stone in her hand. Fang Zihui stared at the stone and said, "What? You're going to kill me to silence me just because I don't agree with your proposal?"
Tang Feng rolled his eyes, thinking, 'This old man has paranoia! Is it really necessary?' Tang Feng threw the stone he'd picked up into the brazier, poked at the charcoal, then sat down to wait until the stone was red-hot. He then took it out and threw it into a water vat. The red-hot stone instantly cooled down upon contact with the cold water, turning into a black stone. Tang Feng retrieved the stone and, in front of Fang Zihui, threw it on the ground. The stone, having been burned and subjected to the cold extraction method, instantly became extremely brittle, shattering into pieces the moment it hit the ground. 'I plan to dig a large cave here, fill it with firewood, and burn it for several days and nights. Then, I'll pour river water into it. The burned areas will easily detach from the stone. I've calculated the time; it should be completed in about one or two years. Furthermore, this new river channel will be deeper than the old one, so that the people will have water to use regardless of whether it's the flood season or any other time.'
Fang Zi listened to Tang Feng's words and fell into deep thought. After a long while, she finally uttered a sentence: "Then... if it's not about the three rivers flowing in parallel, then why are the other two rivers also flooded?"
Tang Feng shook his head. "I haven't been to the disaster area; it's all my speculation."
To be honest, Fang Zihui really admired Tang Feng. At such a young age, he cared deeply about the people. Fang Zihui had previously thought Tang Feng was just talking, but he actually came with a proposal and spoke eloquently about it. "With your little body, can you even get to the disaster area? I'm not your father; I have no obligation to take care of you."
"You don't need to worry about me, just take me there." Actually, Tang Feng wasn't one to meddle in other people's business, but this time was different. Perhaps it was the court's disregard for human life, or perhaps it was the countless corpses of the people of Daze that made Tang Feng feel that he couldn't stand idly by. Fang Zihui sighed, "Since you insist, I can take you there, but how could Lishan Academy let you go?"
"You don't need to worry about this, I'll handle it," Tang Feng said, then stood up. "The flood season is in a month, I'll resolve it as soon as possible." By the time Tang Feng came out, it was almost afternoon. Zhou Ziliang was sitting on the old locust tree by the door. Seeing Tang Feng come out, he jumped down. "How did the talk go?"
Tang Feng nodded. "It went fairly smoothly! I need to go see Master Chen first thing tomorrow morning to ask for leave; I'm going to Daze!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ziliang suddenly grabbed Tang Feng's wrist and said earnestly, "Do you know what the situation is like in Daze? Mountain roads have collapsed, rivers are raging, and people are suffering terribly. You've never seen anything like this before. What if something happens to you? You stay at the academy; I can go in your place." It wasn't that Zhou Ziliang looked down on Tang Feng. Although he himself had never been to Daze, he had heard quite a bit of news about it reaching Xiling. Most officials who had been to Daze would resign and retire to the mountains, never to be involved in politics again. Besides, the floods in Daze were merciless. What if Tang Feng fell ill or was injured there?
"No, I don't think so!" Tang Feng smiled. "We're almost the same age, and you've probably seen more of the world than me. Besides, how will the problem be solved if I don't go?" Zhou Ziliang wanted to persuade him further, but ultimately couldn't resist Tang Feng's determined mind, so he sighed, "Alright! Since you insist, let me go with you! I'm worried about the high and dangerous mountains."
"What! You want to take leave to go to Daze?" Master Chen was furious when he saw Tang Feng kneeling before him. He had never liked Tang Feng, and now, hearing that Tang Feng wanted to leave the academy to go to Daze for disaster relief, all his previous dissatisfaction erupted. "You're abandoning your studies at the academy to go to disaster relief? How do you think the disaster will improve if you go? Let me tell you, the imperial court has sent over a dozen officials to Daze, and every single one of them is more capable than you. Besides, you're ignoring your promising future to get involved in this mess. I think you're hopeless, you've gone mad! Guards! Tang Feng has no respect for his elders and no interest in his studies. According to the academy rules, he should be given a hundred strokes of the cane and then made to kneel in the ancestral hall to reflect on his actions!"
Tang Feng was stunned. He had only come to ask for leave, but he was being treated like a wicked student. By the time he realized what was happening, the servant had already forced him to kneel down. "The teacher says the student has no interest in his studies, but is the teacher even qualified to be a teacher?! Lishan Academy is supposed to be a place that benefits the country and educates people, but you tell me that future prospects are more important than disasters. Then I'd like to ask, what kind of books are being taught here? What kind of people are being nurtured here?!" As he spoke, the stick began to fall heavily on his head, but the expected pain did not come. Tang Feng opened his eyes and saw Zhou Ziliang holding him tightly in his arms. Tang Feng grabbed Zhou Ziliang's sleeve, trying to make him leave. "Are you sick?! Why are you bothering me? Doesn't it hurt when you hit me?!" Just then, Dean Yan walked in. "Teacher Chen, have mercy!"
"Dean Yan... Dean Yan!" Upon seeing the dean arrive, Master Chen quickly rose and bowed. "May I ask what brings you here?"
"Brother Zihui came to talk to me and said that Tang Feng has come up with a good plan for flood control and wants to go to the Great Marsh to implement it. The child is so young, yet he is bringing benefits to the people. He is a blessing to Yanyun! You should let the child go!"
"This... alright!" Although Master Chen was extremely unwilling, out of respect for the dean, he breathed a sigh of relief, scolded Tang Feng a few times, and then let them go back.
"Why did you shield me from the blows? It's not like I haven't been beaten before!" Tang Feng frowned as he applied medicine to Zhou Ziliang's back. Dozens of blows had left it bruised and swollen, with blood seeping out. Tang Feng felt pain just looking at it.
“It’s different,” Zhou Ziliang shook his head. “The servants at home might be more lenient because you’re the young master, but the academy won’t.” Zhou Ziliang pulled Tang Feng to his side, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the ointment off Tang Feng’s hands. “Besides, if I were to apply the medicine myself, I would feel bad.”
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