"Be careful after I leave. That Xiong Wanli is always bowing and scraping, but he's subtly manipulating people's hearts with his words and actions. Don't..."
At this point, Zhao Zhiyuan a bitter smile, "I've dragged you into this."
Meng Anci, "Look at you, so pathetic. I came here of my own accord, what's it to you? Don't worry, we'll definitely get through this."
Meng Anci knew in his heart that once he stepped into this job, half of his life was tied to the riverbank. But the stronger the wind, the more expensive the fish, which was also a golden opportunity to rise to the top and be promoted.
Thinking of this, he patted Zhao Zhiyuan on the shoulder heavily, "Go ahead and talk to them, I'll stay here and keep watch for you. If the flood situation changes even slightly, I'll send someone to inform you immediately."
Looking into his resolute eyes, Zhao Zhiyuan felt a little less guilty. "Alright, with you here, I can rest assured."
Meanwhile, Jin Shanyao stood on the embankment in the rain.
The river was becoming increasingly turbulent, and the water level visibly rose another inch. She probed the riverbed with her Spiritual Power, only to find that the river was already clogged with silt and sand, and the situation was far more dangerous than it appeared.
She withdrew her Spiritual Power and calculated with her fingers... This rain probably won't stop. Those two unlucky kids, Meng Anci and Zhao Zhiyuan, really seem to have encountered everything.
When she returned to the county government office, Zhao Zhiyuan and Yuan Shanjian had already left, while Meng Anci was still pondering the river map. Seeing her enter, he casually asked, "Auntie, where have you been? I haven't seen you all day."
"I went to take a look on the riverbank."
Meng Anci looked up. "Auntie, the river is dangerous. Don't go up alone. I'm worried about you."
Jin Shanyao a soft "hmm," and asked, "Where is Zhao Zhiyuan?"
"He went to Dingchuan Prefecture with Lord Yuan; they plan to release floodwaters in Yuhe County."
Jin Shanyao paused slightly, then smiled and asked, " Anci, your aunt has a question for you. If your carriage went out of control at a T-junction, and going left would kill one person, while going right would kill five, which way would you go?"
There is no optimal solution to this problem; choosing either option is a mistake.
Jin Shanyao smiled as she watched him struggle with his eyes downcast.
"Your auntie just wants to tell you that if you ever stand at a T-junction, no matter which way you choose, people will criticize you. Physical pain heals easily, but emotional pain is hard to erase. As the saying goes, public opinion is a knife that kills without drawing blood."
Meng Anci repeated these words to himself several times, his eyes suddenly turning cold.
Then let's make them so afraid they won't even dare to draw their knives.
Dingchuan Prefecture, Prefectural Government Office.
Zhao Zhiyuan and Yuan Shanjian rode through the night and arrived just as dawn was breaking. However, they were left waiting in the main hall for nearly an hour.
Yuan Shanjian got up and rushed towards the second hall, but was stopped by a yamen runner. "Please wait a moment, Lord Yuan. We have already sent someone to inform you."
Yuan Shanjian roared, "A whole hour to report this? Where has it gone?"
"Hey, I could hear your voice from way over there."
With a laugh, a portly middle-aged official slowly walked out, his brand-new official robes making Yuan Shanjian even more disheveled.
Chang Yi's gaze fell on Zhao Zhiyuan, and he asked with a smile, "And who is this?"
Zhao Zhiyuan bowed respectfully, "This humble official Zhao Zhiyuan, Principal Officer of the Water Bureau Ministry of Works of the Ministry of Works, pays his respects to Lord Chang."
" Lord Zhao, there's no need for such formalities," Chang Yi with a gentle smile. "May I ask what brings you two here?"
Yuan Shanjian, "I heard that many people starved to death in Yuhe County last year. Why don't I buy the crops in the fields in advance and then provide additional subsidies to the people..."
Chang Yi laughed heartily, " Lord Yuan, please speak frankly. Beating around the bush isn't in your nature."
Yuan Shanjian choked, then said stubbornly, "I want to release floodwaters in Yuhe County, so I came to discuss it with you."
Chang Yi took the teapot handed to him by the yamen runner and poured tea for the two of them while slowly saying, "I've said it so many times, I have no objection to the flood discharge. But County Magistrate Cui is getting old and his mind isn't very flexible; I'm afraid it'll be difficult to persuade him."
Yuan Shanjian frowned, "You, a prefect, can't even control a county magistrate?"
"Hey, you can't say that," Chang Yi waved his hand. "Although Lord Cui is my subordinate, Yuhe County is ultimately under his jurisdiction."
He got up, walked to the desk, picked up a pen, and said, "Here's what I'll do. I'll write you an official document to prove that I've agreed to this matter. You can take it to him and show it to him."
Yuan Shanjian chuckled in exasperation, "What use is this official document of yours?"
Chang Yi paused, pen in hand, feigning helplessness, "So, do you still want it or not?"
"Yes, yes, write it quickly."
Chang Yi writing the official document and handed it to Yuan Shanjian. Before he could even speak, Yuan Shanjian grabbed Zhao Zhiyuan and left without looking back.
Enraged, he slammed his pen on the desk. "What kind of creature dares to flood my territory!"
If it weren't for Chancellor Cai's instructions to use the flood control issue to get rid of Zhao Zhiyuan, he wouldn't bother with this pretense. He might as well take this opportunity to deal with Yuan Shanjian as well.
Yuan Shanjian, unaware of Chang Yi's scheme, simply led Zhao Zhiyuan on horseback to Yuhe County at full speed.
On the way, Zhao Zhiyuan seized the opportunity to ask, " Lord Chang is clearly just giving us the runaround. If we go like this, we'll probably return empty-handed."
"Whether it's a perfunctory response or not, the imperial court's procedures still have to be followed. County Magistrate Cui is weak-willed and timid; if we go together to plead, perhaps there's still a glimmer of hope."
Zhao Zhiyuan said no more. After two more days of travel, the rain was getting heavier and heavier. By the time the two arrived at the Yuhe County, they were soaked to the bone.
Yuan Shanjian and County Magistrate Cui started arguing after exchanging only a few words.
Yuan Shanjian so angry that his face turned red. " Lord Cui, the flood season came suddenly and fiercely. The dikes simply can't hold up. There's no other way but to release the floodwaters!"
"I'll say it again," Cui Xiang replied curtly, "You can let this water drain wherever you want, but it absolutely cannot drain into the territory of my Yuhe County."
Yuan Shanjian suddenly stood up, "Why can't you understand? Yuhe County is located in the middle reaches of the river, which is the most suitable place for flood discharge. As long as the dike is breached..."
"Blow up the dam?" Cui Xiang gripped the armrest of his chair, his face ashen. " Lord Yuan, you make it sound so easy. You are the prefect of Pingcheng Prefecture. If something really happens, the blame won't fall on you."
But what about me? I'm just a lowly county magistrate. Unauthorized opening of the floodgates to release water is a capital offense! Would you take responsibility? Could you bear that responsibility?"
"If I were to take your life, would you be able to save your head?"
Zhao Zhiyuan slowly stood up and walked to Cui Xiang.
" Yuhe County has mostly saline-alkali land, and the people are struggling to pay their taxes. If Lord Cui were willing to lead a team to relocate the people, not only could the people in the middle and lower reaches of the river be saved, but compensation and tax reductions could also be secured for the entire county. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Cui Xiang said firmly, "My people don't want any compensation; what they want is for their fertile land not to be destroyed."
Yuan Shanjian so angry he wanted to fight, "If the people of your county live, the people downstream will all die!"
He had brought up this matter two years ago, but the old man stubbornly refused. He thought that with the Ministry of Works officials vouching for him this time, he would be able to persuade him, but he was still so obstinate.
"The relocation costs and farmland losses of your county will all be covered by Pingcheng Prefecture! I will bear all the responsibility for opening the floodgates and releasing the floodwaters. Is that not enough? If you don't believe me, I'll sign and put my fingerprint on it right now!"
Yuan Shanjian spoke, he grabbed a piece of paper, wrote down a letter of responsibility, and after thinking for a moment, pushed Zhao Zhiyuan forward. Zhao Zhiyuan read the contents, signed his name without hesitation, pressed his fingerprint, and then handed it back to Cui Xiang.
" Lord Cui, is this alright now?"
Cui Xiang clutched the death warrant, his heart pounding. He never imagined that Yuan Shanjian and Zhao Zhiyuan would actually dare to sign such a document, which was tantamount to execution.
Looking at Zhao Zhiyuan's dripping hair and his clothes soaked and clinging to his body, his originally resolute decision began to waver slightly.
But now, there's no turning back.
After struggling for a long time, Cui Xiang gritted his teeth and said, "Fine... I'll order the evacuation of the people right now. Not a single penny less in compensation, or don't blame me for hanging myself in front of your government office!"
Yuan Shanjian a long sigh of relief and laughed loudly, "Don't worry, you won't be shortchanged by a single penny!"