"Rich farrs and wealthy households, after three generations of farming and studying, only hope to produce a scholar. Otherwise, they marry the daughters of landowners and rchants."
"With support, they’re less likely to sell their assets in tis of disaster, thus paving the way for further advancent."
"We have all co this way."
"Indeed!"
"Just as reason dictates."
"..."
Everyone nodded in agreent.
"dicine isn’t sought at the door, and teachings aren’t lightly passed on." Seeing Zhang Mingrui’s dejected expression, Fang Zheng whispered:
"The Daoist also ntioned that everyone has their own karma and cause; protecting this physical body of ours is enough."
"As for the outside world..."
"Let flowers bloom, let trees bear fruit, leave it be."
Zhang Mingrui looked up.
"Young Master Fang’s words indeed possess zen wisdom."
He smiled, looking toward the door:
"It’s raining."
"Yes." Fang Zheng turned his head, his gaze serene:
"It’s raining."
Light rain descended from the sky, wrapping everything in a thin veil, as a group of well-fed and contented children danced in the drizzle, drawing shouts from the adults.
"Master!"
"Master!"
At that mont, a servant hurriedly ran in, panic written across his face:
"It’s not good, the South Dam is about to collapse!"
"What?"
Everyone at the table turned pale.
*
*
*
"Huishui flows east to west, connecting the vast East Sea above and the northwestern mountains below. The water rushes urgently; dikes must be set every few distances to prevent flooding."
As the rain intensified, Zhang Mingrui walked along the dam, holding an umbrella, his brows furrowed:
"If this section of the dam really collapses, it’s more than just a disaster for so villages. The people across multiple counties within the entire prefecture will suffer."
"It might even affect other areas."
"There should be a flood discharge outlet, right?" Fang Zheng spoke up:
"When the water is excessive, opening the sluice to divert it to the reservoir might relieve the situation."
From their vantage point.
The torrential water was already approaching the dam’s warning line, with tides rolling, occasionally surging over, splashing those on the dam.
"Is the reservoir full?"
Master Zhou’s face was bitter:
"Besides, that’s where several officials from the Imperial Court have their estates. Even if Gu’an County floods, I fear no one dares to continue diverting water there."
The landlords and masters nodded one after the other.
During a disaster year, they can indeed buy land cheaply, yet if the dam collapses, their manors and old hos are equally unprotected.
Years of foundation washed clean.
Naturally, they are equally unwilling.
"This soil..."
Zhang Mingrui’s eyes moved slightly, squatting down to grab a handful of earth, only to, with a bit of force, pull out a string of straw.
Looking at the straw, he couldn’t help but appear astonished:
"What’s going on here?"
There were strict requirents for dam reinforcents — stones, ramd earth, standards — precisely because deviation from the standards makes it tough to resist floods.
Nobody ever heard of using straw to fill a dam.
"This..."
Landlord Qi’s eyes flickered as he murmured:
"It’s just like this — the silver allocated by the Imperial Court is limited. It’s impossible to build a proper dam, so straw is used to fill it as a facade."
"Moreover!"
Soone added:
"The soil used for dike building is also crop soil. Suitable soil must be transported from tens of miles away, while crop soil is close by."
"And the bluestone, forrly three layers, becos two; two layers beco one. But if the water flow is stable, it can hold."
Zhang Mingrui turned pale, his wrist trembling, the oily paper umbrella swept away by the wild wind, his body drenched by the cold rain.
"Forget it."
Fang Zheng shook his head:
"Let’s go."
"No."
Zhang Mingrui gritted his teeth:
"If the dam collapses, untold numbers of people will suffer. Gentlen... perhaps we should all go see the Minister of Water."
"This..." Master Zhou’s face changed:
"I just realized, there’s a matter back ho I must attend to. I’ll be leaving first."
"Qi also has business to attend to..."
"Let’s go together, let’s go together."
In the blink of an eye, everyone dispersed.
Zhang Mingrui looked disappointed, hoping as he turned."
"Brother Fang?"
"Don’t look at ." Fang Zheng shook his head:
"Whether the dam collapses or not, it has nothing to do with ."
"Let’s go!"
"All right." Zhang Mingrui gritted his teeth, stomped his foot:
"If you all don’t go, I’ll go by myself!"
"Going won’t help." Fang Zheng was speechless; pondering before he continued:
"Minister of Water, Lord Wang is not one to be easily provoked. Whether you can leave after going remains to be seen. If you truly wish to resolve the issue, you’d better seek out Lord Yan."
"Lord Yan is set to be promoted in a few months. He definitely doesn’t want water problems in his jurisdiction before that."
"Exactly."
He cautioned:
"This matter has nothing to do with Fang."
"Lord Yan?" Zhang Mingrui, also intuitive, had been impulsive from anger earlier, montarily confused about the root of the problem.
Upon hearing this, he nodded:
"Let’s go, back to Gu’an County!"
......
"Flood?"
In the County Governnt Office’s back hall.
Lord Yan furrowed his brows as a woman gently massaged his temples with slender fingers, dispelling his worries:
"Truly one wave after another, never a mont’s peace. Next ti, co what may, I’m not assuming office as a local magistrate."
"My Lord."
A servant reported:
"Minister of Water, Lord Wang, and Santai County’s Lord Li have arrived."
"Invite them in."
Lord Yan stood up, waving the maid away, straightened his attire, and moved forward to greet them.
"Lord Wang!"
"Lord Li!"
"Lord Yan, how have you been?"
The three exchanged greetings, seated after formalities.
"I hear that Lord Yan has a path toward promotion. Worthy are students of that noble person; I am ashad to fall short." Lord Li remarked:
"I, Li, first congratulate Lord Yan."
"You’re joking, you’re joking." Lord Yan lightly waved:
"The assessnt hasn’t passed yet, the conclusion remains uncertain. Moreover, the people of Gu’an County are honest; its citizens, kind. I can’t bear to leave."
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