There was a saying that things depended on human effort. Often, only by truly settling down and earnestly doing something could one come to understand it.
During his time following Chu Hang, Yu Ziye had initially even harbored thoughts of putting obstacles in his way. Later, he genuinely settled down to learn with humility, and increasingly found himself able to think from the perspective of someone actually doing the work.
Sometimes an unexpected opportunity brought about a tiny change, which might then gradually alter an entire life. Yu Ziye was showing just such a tendency.
So when the imperial edict arrived in Deng Province, Yu Ziye understood both the emperor's intentions and Chancellor Chu's helplessness, while also feeling an inexplicable, pent-up anger.
It seemed that this very edict had cast a shadow over everyone in the Deng Province Office, from officials to clerks and runners, dampening their motivation to work.
Moreover, the Drought-Relief Canal had already connected many critical routes across the multiple provinces of the Two Circuits. Yet Heaven refused to cooperate. Without enough water, what use were canals?
Inside the office, Chu Hang sat alone behind his desk, the imperial edict resting before him. He had stayed there for an entire day and night.
An invisible pressure seemed to fill that room, making the officials and runners throughout the Deng Province Office reluctant to approach it.
The eunuch who had come to deliver the edict had received no personal reply from Chu Hang and dared not simply leave. Yet each time he tried to seek Chu Hang out, he found himself unable to muster the courage to approach that office.
Perhaps the emperor had intended to make Chu Hang admit that he, too, could fail. He had not expected Chu Hang to give no answer at all.
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