Requisition

"This is a huge project!"

"I can't take it anymore!"

"Digging a hole in the water? That's practically insane!"

"Brothers, is it really impossible for you to squeeze in?"

"Big mountain, is it really impossible to squeeze in?"

"This place is no place to escape; I can't hold my breath any longer!"

The King of Huainan's Household has two great cultivators, Da Shan and Xiao Shan, who are skilled in earth-moving techniques. They are both experts in the Divine Ability Realm, and their abilities are similar to those of Kong Zhong and others.

The two shook their heads repeatedly upon seeing the riverbed, indicating that not only was it difficult to continue descending, but the main reason was the excessive groundwater, which completely blocked their normal spellcasting and traversal.

"It's like you're putting a pile of mud in water and expecting us to use teleportation," Xiaoshan explained. "Although the mud is still mud, it changes after being mixed with water. Our spells don't work against water; only someone who can adapt to the water and soil can solve the problem!"

"So you're saying you're not used to the local climate?" Mao asked, grabbing his head. "You're not used to the Dongfang Shuo climate, but Dongfang Shuo was?"

"Yeah, Dongfang Shuo, how did you get in there?"

During the discussion in the main hall of the palace, everyone believed that the place Zhang Xuezhou could enter was not a difficult place, and that the many first-class guest ministers of the King of Huainan's Household could easily step into the Huaihe River Water Mansion.

But to everyone's surprise, after all their efforts, they hadn't even found the door.

This inevitably makes one question the meaning of life.

"I'm not used to the local climate," Zhang Xuezhou said sullenly.

"Show us what you've got," Mao urged.

"I'm sick. The water and soil I drank last night aggravated an old injury," Zhang Xuezhou said. "If I take something now, it could easily turn into a serious injury!"

"Ugh, what kind of terrible illness do you have!"

The location has been found, and Lei Bei been confirmed to be there, but no one can go down.

Of course, even if Zhang Xuezhou manages to get in again, it will still be the same as if no one else can.

"If we really want to keep digging like this, we'll have to divert the Huai River here," Tian You said seriously. "Diverting the river will reduce the constant erosion and allow for better drainage during the digging!"

"As long as you get things done, you can say whatever you want!"

Mao responded repeatedly.

In this matter, Mao was forced to respond actively.

He was the strongman mentioned by the King of King of Huainan, who was sent to do the digging work, but Mao saw no hope of the digging succeeding.

He was strong and highly skilled, capable of taking on the work of ten or even twenty people, but Mao could not ultimately do the work of hundreds or thousands of people.

If it involves altering the river channel, that would be a major undertaking.

Mao himself could dig it up, but it would likely take a year or two.

If Mao were to be tasked with river management for two years, he felt he would go insane.

He urged Tian You to quickly arrange for three to five thousand people to dig the river embankment.

"Where am I supposed to find three to five thousand people to do the work right now?" Tian You retorted. "Do you think people can just be pulled away whenever they want?"

"Those involved in spring plowing and planting cannot be moved, those involved in garrisoning cannot be moved, those involved in trading and selling goods cannot be moved, and the private soldiers of various mansions cannot be moved," Li Shangdao said. "Moving these people will affect people's livelihoods, and some people will come to argue with us. There will also be those who want to use this opportunity to pester Your Majesty and get a share of the spoils. Where will we find so many to share?"

"Only those currently engaged in construction or other manual labor can be reassigned," said Crown Prince Liu Qian. "These are the people who are already doing this kind of work, so transferring a portion of them back and forth won't have a significant impact!"

"Your Highness is right. Those blacksmiths and herb gatherers can take a break. After all, the iron is still there even if we don't forge it, and the herbs will grow a few more days if we don't dig them up!"

"That's right!"

"That's true!"

Crown Prince Liu Qian's suggestion naturally garnered much support.

But the Crown Prince's words were indeed plausible; if the work schedule for these personnel were to be delayed, manpower shortages would arise.

"It's a pity that over a hundred people mysteriously disappeared from Zijin Mountain," Zuo Wu said dejectedly. "If you had assigned fewer people when you were transferring them from Zijin Mountain, it would have prevented the area from becoming unusable!"

"Take 300 men from Zijin Mountain, 500 men each from Wuzhu Mountain and Xiashi Mountain, and another 700 men from the capital, making a total of 2,000," Liu Qian said. "Also, arrange for 100 men to take care of their food, drink, and lodging."

The Huai River is fifty or sixty li away from Shouchun City, but nearly a hundred li away from Beishan.

Modifying the river course in such a place is a major project, requiring strong logistical support even with sufficient manpower.

Food, drink, and accommodation are all important matters, and the safety of the personnel must also be taken into account.

After some discussion, more than a hundred soldiers were transferred to be responsible for patrols and guard duties.

"A monster has appeared in Xiashi Mountain. Should I transfer those people to another location?" Mao Bei asked in a low voice.

"This is feasible," Zuo Wu said, frowning. "Let's just hope it doesn't end up like what happened to our Purple Mountain!"

"That's really bizarre. That monster seems to be very picky about food. It knocked out my two medicine slaves, but didn't eat them; it just stripped them of their clothes..."

"Those two idiots must have been dealt with by the lame guy!"

Li Shang and Zuo Wu then chatted quietly to each other.

Finding it difficult to dredge the Huai River, the authorities prepared to mobilize two thousand laborers to dig the river embankment and divert its course.

This was supposed to be a normal matter for discussion, but Zhang Xuezhou's heart stirred upon hearing it.

Standing on the banks of the Huai River, he felt that things seemed to be gradually moving in a positive direction after many subtle changes.

Whether it's the Lady Yourong and others being transferred to the Huai River region, or other people being transferred, this will greatly reduce the difficulty for Zhang Xuezhou in finding people.

Perhaps at some point, he might have the opportunity to rescue Lady Yourong and the others.

"A blessed land, a favored place, a place of great fortune!"

He kept thinking to himself that, due to various factors, he seemed to have been blessed with some good luck again.

Especially after Lei Bei leaked, he was recruited to the King of Huainan's Household and almost infiltrated the upper echelons of the King of Huainan's Household.

Zhang Xuezhou could undoubtedly extract elements that were perfectly normal conversations for others to his advantage.

He pursed his lips, held the ginseng slice Li Shang had given him in his mouth, and felt much more at ease.

After the Yang Soul is destroyed, there is a repair period. During this period, Zhang Xuezhou will not only be unable to use the Yang Soul to perform tasks, but his physical strength will also be drained.

Although Zhang Xuezhou had already entered the Integration Realm, he was not much different from a True Spirit Realm cultivator at this time, making it difficult for him to use powerful Technique Method.

Without the Technique Method powers to carry out his plans, Zhang Xuezhou found that infiltrating these high-ranking officials in Huainan wasn't so bad.

Before the Huai River water palace is unearthed, these people will likely keep pestering him, and even official documents from the imperial court will hardly make Zhang Xuezhou leave.

Zhang Xuezhou was happy to stay here and look for opportunities, as he could occasionally pester Li Shang for some medicine to recuperate.

After considering all sorts of subtle ideas, Zhang Xuezhou inevitably joined the discussion.

"Everyone, if you can't unearth this Huai River water palace, then bury me inside it. I'll stay here with you until you find it!"

Zhang Xuezhou patted his chest and made a guarantee.

His sensible attitude pleased many people.

Before Crown Prince Liu Qian and the others could speak, Zhang Xuezhou readily agreed to their request.