Imperial Edict

Through the curtain of rain, laborers had gathered on the riverbank. Many carried sandbags toward the breach. Qi Hongxin felt a little reassured and hurriedly called for an explanation. When Su Ziji arrived, soaked and covered in mud, his expression eased slightly. "What exactly happened?"

"Someone blew up the dam," Su Ziji answered without hesitation. He waved a hand, and a man from the Patrol Inspectorate came forward carrying a packet of gunpowder. "We found this below the dam."

Gunpowder in this age was unreliable, especially in the rain. Some charges were bound to have failed to explode. Su Ziji had sent men to search, and sure enough, they had found one.

One glance made Qi Hongxin sway with shock. Before anyone could help him, he steadied himself and forced a breath through clenched teeth. "Utter madness!"

After catching his breath, Qi Hongxin came to his senses. "What do you intend to do now?"

Chilled by the rain, Su Ziji's face was blue and pale, but his manner remained calm. He gave a cold laugh. "The dam was blown open and the water released, but two things are in our favor."

"First, the explosion wasn't large. Second, the water level was still low not long ago."

"Even with this downpour, we can keep it under control. Lord Qi, I'll stake my life on it: the water may look fierce now, but I'll have the breach filled before dawn."

"And within three days, I'll have the dam repaired!" Su Ziji declared, each word hard as iron.

"Good. Hearing that puts my mind at ease. You handle the flood; I'll handle the people." Qi Hongxin's face was livid, but he stood motionless as cast iron. "Flood control is a military matter now. If the embankment breaks again, or you fail to fill