Chapter 41

The benefit of the rule 'do not look directly at the Emperor's face' became apparent at this moment. Ji Weiqiu boldly leaned over to look, and no one could discover it.

Prime Minister Gu addressed the matter of the drought occurring in parts of Jiangnan. He discussed how Jiangnan's water conservancy was currently in disrepair, mostly relying on the spontaneous efforts of the common people. However, Jiangnan was inherently rainy, and droughts were rare, leading to the water facilities falling into disrepair over many years. He advocated for rebuilding the water systems, digging Du Wells, repairing the network of waterways and pools, and constructing reservoirs.

It sounded quite easy, but even Ji Weiqiu knew this was not a simple matter. Du Wells were one thing; no matter how difficult, it was just digging a well. That area was not short of groundwater. An experienced well-digger with a few apprentices could finish in as little as two or three days, or at most ten days to half a month. But the network of waterways and pools was not a simple thing at all.

Take the Yangtze River as an example. The Yangtze River crosses Jiangnan and flows into the East China Sea. The so-called 'zongpu' (vertical waterways) are rivers excavated or dredged at intervals along the Yangtze, called 'pu'. Then, along these 'pu', another river is excavated or dredged at intervals, connecting them in pairs, which are the 'hengtang' (horizontal pools). Ultimately, this encloses a square piece of land in the middle, forming a grid like the character '井' (well). The silt obtained from clearing the river channels would then be used to reinforce and raise the embankments, making the riverbed wide and deep, allowing water to flow unobstructed. If a flood peak were to occur, these waterways and pools could share the water volume, preventing the dikes from bursting. In case of a drought, the high and thick embankments would be more conducive to storing water resources, and the dry season would no longer be a problem.

To put it simply, Prime Minister Gu wanted to first build dozens of artificial rivers in the hardest-hit Yunzhou, then extend the project to the entire Jiangnan, and finally to all prefectures with suitable conditions.

Even in modern times, with excavators and tunnel drills, building a moat would take years. In Nanzhu, it would rely entirely on manual labor, with some oxen, horses, and mules at best. How long would that take to dig? That wasn't the main point. The main point was, where would the manpower come from, and where would the money come from? As for trivial matters like which family's land would be requisitioned for repairing rivers and dikes, and which family's foundation would be damaged, Ji Weiqiu didn't even want to mention them. That was the officials' business.

Nanzhu had only just caught its breath after Ji Su's accession to the throne. The past few years had seen favorable weather, and Ji Su was not one to build imperial villas, so the national treasury had a surplus. Rebuilding one Yunzhou might not be difficult, but to rebuild the entire Jiangnan Prefecture... that would be very difficult, not to mention the entire country.

Ji Weiqiu straightened up, feeling a strange sensation—'Since this matter was brought up in court for discussion, it means Ji Su thinks it is feasible... He isn't planning to make Prime Minister Wang bear this responsibility, is he?'

The logic was simple. The mess was made by Prime Minister Wang's nephew, so it was reasonable for Prime Minister Wang to clean it up.

Jiangnan had always been a good place, with abundant produce and favorable weather. Being a county magistrate in Jiangnan was a lucrative post, with plenty of political achievements and illicit gains to be had. As long as the official wasn't a complete idiot, serving two or three terms peacefully in Jiangnan, and with some connections, promotion was practically guaranteed.

The magistrate of Yunzhou, Wang Liuyao, was such a person. Ji Weiqiu had investigated him. He was a native of Yanjing, the third son of Prime Minister Wang's full-blooded younger brother. He became a Jinshi in the third year of Zhongyuan, served as an investigating judge in the Dali Temple for three years, and was transferred to Yunzhou to be the county magistrate in the sixth year of Zhongyuan. He was now at the end of his second term. If it weren't for this drought, he would have been promoted next year.

The ministers discussed animatedly. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Eunuch Qingxi stepped forward slightly. The moment he moved, the court officials seemed to sense something and quieted down. Ji Su said calmly, "My dear ministers, you may each express your views."

Immediately, someone stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "Your subject, Zhao Ming of the Ministry of Revenue, has a memorial to present!"

Ji Su nodded. Lord Zhao then said, "I venture to ask Prime Minister Gu, water conservancy is inherently a measure that benefits the country and its people, but droughts in Jiangnan are rare. How much would such a large-scale project cost? How much will this disaster relief cost? Lujiang, Bihe... several prefectures are plagued by droughts and bursting dikes year after year. Why does Prime Minister Gu ignore these prefectures and instead focus on managing Jiangnan?"

As soon as these words were spoken, many court officials echoed their agreement. "I believe Lord Zhao's words are reasonable. Since we are to build water conservancy projects, why not in Lujiang and Bihe? Could Prime Minister Gu explain this to us?"

Ji Weiqiu applauded in his heart. 'Sharp, so sharp. I wonder how Prime Minister Gu will answer this?'

Prime Minister Gu, however, was perfectly composed. He smiled and said, "Lord Zhao's words are reasonable. I advocate for rebuilding Yunzhou's water conservancy for two reasons. First, Yunzhou has just suffered a great disaster, and many of its people have scattered. When the court's disaster relief funds and grain arrive, the people will naturally return to their homes. However, there are still four or five months until next year's spring plowing. Where will the people get their food and provisions during this time? The able-bodied men are idle at home with nothing to do. Rather than letting things be, it would be better to take this opportunity to repair the waterways and build pools, providing work as a form of relief. This will both benefit Yunzhou for ages to come and allow the people to earn their family's keep, killing two birds with one stone."

"Second, although this is a project for the ages, it is indeed taxing on the people and the state. Take Lujiang as an example. Lujiang is often troubled by floods and is vast and sparsely populated. If we were to start water conservancy projects in Lujiang now, not to mention the strain on the national treasury, even if it took ten or twenty years to complete, who knows how long it would take for the region to recover? Yunzhou is merely a single zhou, whereas Lujiang is an entire prefecture. Rebuilding Yunzhou's water systems would require, at most, a helping hand from Jiangnan. But rebuilding Lujiang would require the strength of the entire nation to support. How can the two be compared?"

Prime Minister Gu spoke eloquently. Having said this, he couldn't help but look at Lord Zhao from the Ministry of Revenue. "Lord Zhao should know best, which is easier to rebuild, Yunzhou or Lujiang?"

After listening, Ji Weiqiu couldn't stop himself from blurting out a word: "Bad..."

He managed to swallow the following 'ass' in time, not daring to actually say it out loud. If he dared to say 'badass' in front of Ji Su, he would be done for.

After this series of combination punches, Lord Zhao Ming from the Ministry of Revenue was left speechless. The court officials asked Prime Minister Gu a few more questions, to which he answered fluently. Ji Su said, "Prime Minister Liu, what are your thoughts?"

Prime Minister Liu stroked his small mustache and said, "I believe Prime Minister Gu's proposal benefits the country and the people! Natural disasters are rare in Jiangnan. The people of Yunzhou would naturally be more than willing to build water systems for their own home. If it were a time of favorable weather, who would be willing to perform such hard labor? I believe it is worth a try!"

'Prime Minister Liu is so honest,' Ji Weiqiu thought. 'This is indeed a very crucial condition.' If the weather were favorable, the able-bodied men in a family wouldn't even have enough time for their own farming, so who would go and build water systems for the state? Digging rivers is not a pleasant job; one moment of carelessness could lead to death. But now, in the wake of a disaster, it has become a job that can save lives. Moreover, it's for their own hometown. People nowadays value returning to their roots, wishing for hundreds of sons and thousands of grandsons to live on this land. Building a happy future for their descendants—at least this hope is well-founded.'

After Prime Minister Liu finished speaking, it was Prime Minister Wang's turn. Ji Weiqiu was waiting for Ji Su to ask Prime Minister Wang, so that he could take over the project. Unexpectedly, Ji Su opened his mouth and asked, "Prince of Rui, what are your thoughts?"

Ji Weiqiu had listened to the entire discussion this time, so he wasn't flustered at all. "I believe Prime Minister Liu hit the nail on the head. Building water systems will inevitably occupy the common people's farmland. In normal times, if perfectly good rice paddies were to be bulldozed by the court, dissatisfaction would surely arise. But now, with the great drought in Yunzhou, not a single grain remains. Even for the sake of future generations, the people would be willing to give up this bit of land."

'These words follow Prime Minister Liu's line of reasoning, so no one should come to attack me,' Ji Weiqiu thought. But then, a Censor moved his feet. Ji Weiqiu's heart panicked. 'It's over,' he thought. 'A Censor has come out. What is he going to criticize me for? Scolding me for not having a compassionate heart?'

At this moment, he heard Ji Su say, "What the Prince of Rui says is reasonable. Prime Minister Wang, what are your thoughts?"

Prime Minister Wang paused, then stepped out from the ranks, cupped his hands and said, "I believe it is most appropriate."

Ji Su looked at him with great interest. "Then in Prime Minister Wang's opinion, who can take on this responsibility?"

Prime Minister Wang raised his head to look, his gaze meeting Ji Weiqiu's. For a moment, Ji Weiqiu thought Prime Minister Wang was going to say that he, the Prince of Rui, was the most suitable person for this thankless job. Unexpectedly, Prime Minister Wang lowered his head and said, "I have a candidate in mind."

Ji Su said, "Speak."

Prime Minister Wang's expression was solemn. "I believe the prefect of Jiangnan Prefecture, Wang Liuzhao, is worthy of this task."

Ji Weiqiu blinked. 'No wonder Ji Su wanted to kill Prime Minister Wang in the end. Look at what he's doing, absolutely no attempt to avoid suspicion. Isn't Wang Liuzhao Old Man Wang's own eldest son?! The father is a Vice Grand Secretary in the Grand Secretariat, the son is a prefect in Jiangnan, and the nephew is a county magistrate under his brother. Good heavens, is this the power of the great clans?'

Ji Su asked, "What do my dear ministers think?"

Of course, no one had any objections. What objections could there be? From a certain perspective, Yunzhou was originally under the jurisdiction of Jiangnan Prefecture. As Prime Minister Gu said, Yunzhou was not large, and at worst, Jiangnan would just lend a hand, and these dozens of large and small rivers would be completed. If Yunzhou recovered, it would also be a political achievement for Jiangnan Prefecture. If someone else were sent, someone not related to these two brothers, they would be constrained at every turn. Who would be willing to do the hard work for others to reap the benefits?

Besides, this matter of repairing rivers benefited the country and the people, but not the great clans! Today, the Wang family's land is occupied; tomorrow, the Zhang family's land is in the plans. This family has a feud with that family, and another one comes to ask why the XX family's land is less affected. If an unfamiliar person were sent, they would surely run into countless troubles.

A grand court session thus concluded amidst shouts of 'The Emperor is wise.' Ji Weiqiu followed Ji Su into the rear hall. When he saw a seat, he plopped down into it and let out a long sigh of relief.

He massaged his own shoulders, his legs feeling weak—he had been standing for over an hour! Without moving much! What was the difference between this and being punished to stand still?

'Tomorrow, I must go by myself! Although my position is near the front, it's also to the side! If I shift my feet a little, surely no one will pick on me for it.'

Eunuch Xiao Zhuo ran over quickly, bowing and scraping as he massaged Ji Weiqiu's shoulders. "Let this slave do it, let this slave do it..."

Ji Weiqiu ordered, "I'm so hungry, prepare some tea and pastries... Imperial Elder Brother, are we going to the Imperial Study later?"

Ji Su's gaze was indifferent. Holding a cup in one hand, he said to Eunuch Qingxi, "Serve the Prince of Rui some more tea."

Eunuch Qingxi came over with the tea. Ji Weiqiu had genuinely not had a drop of water for over an hour and immediately drank it all. Only then did Ji Su say, "Still not getting up?"

Ji Su had not sat down; he had been standing the whole time. The only one sitting was Ji Weiqiu.

Ji Weiqiu could only stand up. He took a few steps to Ji Su's side and sighed softly.

Ji Su led him slowly back, asking, "Why the sigh?"

Ji Weiqiu: "I feel that Imperial Elder Brother and I are two extremes..."

"Hm?"

"Imperial Elder Brother sat for over an hour and just wants to get up and walk around to loosen his muscles and bones. I stood for over two hours..." Ji Weiqiu's eyes were full of resentment. There was no need to say the rest; everyone understood.

He had stood for over two hours, and he just wanted to sit and rest for a while!

Eunuch Xiao Zhuo was scared to death, wishing he could cover Ji Weiqiu's mouth. 'My ancestor! Please stop talking! The Emperor hadn't even sat down, and you sat down without even asking! It would have been one thing if the Emperor hadn't said anything, but you just had to bring it up! Are you afraid the Emperor won't punish you?!'