Good luck with koi carp

"Master Chi, Prefect Bai sent someone to ask, are you still going to patrol the river dam today?" Lin Yanxiang strode in from outside and stood behind Chi Li who was standing in front of the window and asked.


The window was wide open, clearly reflecting the scene of heavy rain outside. Chi Li's eyes fell on the hazy rain curtain, and her voice was particularly crisp and clear: "Go."


"Then I'll go reply to Magistrate Bai right away."


Lin Yanxiang turned around and went out, while Chi Li also went to put her raincoat and bamboo hat on herself. It was raining so heavily that just holding an umbrella was useless, and it would also affect movement.


She walked out of the mansion that Magistrate Bai had temporarily arranged for them to live, and saw a few horses parked outside. Magistrate Bai was waiting there with a few subordinates.


"It's raining so heavily, why did Bai Zhifu come in person? You only need to send two subordinates who are familiar with the river dam to lead the way. I can lead the people to inspect the place myself. Bai Zhifu is in charge of the whole government and takes care of everything. It’s hard to disturb others while you’re waiting.”


Chili said polite words, but still got on his horse neatly. Lin Yanxiang and others who accompanied him also rode neatly on the horses they brought with them, doing a good job of escorting them.


"The protection of the river dam is related to the safety of the people of Minfu. As the prefect, I am very concerned about it. No matter how busy I am, I still go and take a look."


Magistrate Bai was telling the truth. He actually knew that the Minfu River Dam was a shoddy project. Every year during the flood season, he was worried that it would collapse, resulting in flooding and depriving the people of their livelihood.


It's just that the officials sent by the imperial court in the past were all lucky enough to escape. Seeing that the river dam was unimpeded, they just wanted to escape back to Kyoto. They were not willing to stay here to do anything. Some went too far and even wanted to. Stay here to make some money before leaving. For that kind of people, Magistrate Bai can only entertain them and send them away without expecting them to do anything for their Minfu.


Now Master Chi seemed to be a practical person. Even during the heavy rain, he insisted on inspecting the river dam regardless of the danger. Magistrate Bai wanted to follow him and have a look. If he was sure that this person was really capable. , then the two sides will cooperate to repair and strengthen the river embankment, which can be regarded as benefiting the people and can also increase his political achievements.


Maybe he can use this to offset his fault and avoid punishment?


That is to say, due to the remoteness of the area, Magistrate Bai could not find out Chili's identity. Otherwise, if he knew that she was a popular figure in front of His Majesty, given his character, he would have the shamelessness to come forward to please her.


But if this is the case, I am afraid that not only will it not win Chi Li's favor, but it will also make her unhappy.


Chi Li still appreciates those officials who are willing to do practical things for the people, so in fact, Magistrate Bai's current attitude makes her very satisfied.


Both parties had business to do, so there was no nonsense. After getting ready to set off, they galloped away with their horses and whips in mind, thinking about the Minfu River Dam.


Minfu is mountainous, with no major rivers flowing through it, nor is it close to the sea, but its water sources are extremely rich. For this reason, there are many springs and streams flowing down its mountains. One of them has the most abundant water source and the largest flow of water. The most violent rivers swell and burst their banks almost every year during the flood season, causing floods.


The local people suffered a lot from this. It was not until more than ten years ago that the imperial court sent King Xin to carry out water conservancy project construction. It took two years and an extra flood control dam was added around the stream that often burst its banks. This temporarily solved the problem. .


To be honest, because of this incident, King Xin even had a good reputation among the local people. However, these people did not know that the court allocated [-] yuan to build this dam, and it was expected that it would take three years to complete. In the end, King Xin It only cost less than one-tenth of the silver to get the job done, and the construction period was shortened by one year. Officials who were informed knew what the final result would be.


Everyone is surprised that the dike has persisted until now and has not collapsed. However, thinking about it, it has almost reached its limit now, otherwise the empress would not have let Chi Li bring so much money, which is enough to build another dike.


Chi Li had no expectations for the dam built by King Xin, but after going to the site to investigate, she was shocked to realize that the dam was even worse than she expected.


The people around him peeked at Chi Li's dark face, but no one dared to say a word.


They didn't expect it to be such a coincidence. Not long after they arrived on the embankment to explore, one of the locations seemed to be unable to withstand the blow of the heavy rain, and a small hole broke open.


The dead branches and leaves used for filling inside were exposed.


And after years of corrosion, many of these dead branches and leaves have rotted away, making the dam look like a hard masonry shell, but it is completely empty inside.


How can such a fragile embankment withstand fierce floods?

As if in response to their words, the dam broke again, and streams of water continued to pour into the hollow interior through the breach. After a while, more water rushed out from another breach. Dead branches and leaves.


Chili's face has become quite terrifying.


She originally thought that no matter how much King Xin cut corners, he would at least fill the inside of the dam with gravel and sand, or at the worst it would just be filled with dirt. Money, his heart is so dark that he has nothing to do with it, and he just randomly gets some dead branches and leaves to fool around with it.


Because even harvesting large amounts of straw requires money, right?

Chi Li, who was so angry that she had nothing to say, even felt that the empress had been too merciful to him when she killed King Xin neatly. His crime was not an exaggeration even if he was cut into pieces with a thousand knives.


However, it was useless to be angry anymore. The heavy rain was still falling. Based on Chili's ability to observe the sky, she could tell that the rain would not stop in the short term.


The water level in the river has been rising. This time, the river embankment may really not be able to hold on.


"Prefect Bai, do you have a map of the entire Min Prefecture?" Chi Li turned to ask Prefect Bai seriously.


Magistrate Bai nodded: "Yes, the map is stored in the government office. If Mr. Chi wants to see it, he has to go back to the government office with me to see it."


Maps are very important military strategic items and cannot be viewed casually, let alone leaked. If Chili had not been the Imperial Envoy, her request would not have been allowed.


But it was precisely because he saw Chi Li's attitude that Magistrate Bai realized the seriousness of the matter. He couldn't help but asked tentatively: "Master Chi, do you think that this year's river embankment...can't hold up?"


"It's not what I think, it's a fact." Chi Li pointed to the sky and said: "To be honest with Bai Zhifu, I know how to read some Feng Shui weather conditions. I can tell that this rain will probably not stop for five days and five nights. , and the rainfall will become heavier and heavier. When the water accumulates for so many days, just this dike filled with dead branches and leaves, do you think... can it hold up?"


When Magistrate Bai heard this, his expression immediately changed, and he immediately turned around and sternly ordered his subordinates: "You guys, go immediately and notify the people in nearby counties and counties to evacuate immediately and try to get to higher ground."


"Yes." The subordinate followed the order and left. Magistrate Bai looked back at Chi Li with eager eyes: "Since Mr. Chi asked me for a map, there must be a solution, right?"


"I have a method. If it works, it will not only be able to postpone the disaster during this flood season, but it may also be possible to use the power of the flood to break away the boulder blocking the road, thereby opening up the passage between Minfu and other places." Chili said : "But I don't know enough about the topography of Min Mansion, so I don't know if this method is feasible."


"I understand the topography of Min Mansion. Master Chi, would you like to know where the topography is?" Bai Zhifu suppressed his excitement and asked.


Hearing this, Chi Li picked up a dead branch from the ground and handed it to Magistrate Bai: "Prefect Bai, could you please draw all the terrain from the river to the boulder blocking the road? The more detailed the better, just draw it on the ground. It doesn’t matter if it’s washed away by the rain, I can remember it.”


Maybe it was the certainty and confidence in Chili's words that gave Magistrate Bai confidence, or maybe it was because the situation was critical and he didn't have time to think, so almost as soon as he received the order, he took the branch from Chili's hand and squatted down. Draw a nearby map directly on the ground.


Lin Yanxiang and others consciously turned their backs and refused to look. Even the map, which looked like random scribblings in the rain and had no shape at all, was not something they could look at.


Chili, on the other hand, used her super memory and spatial construction abilities to construct a 3D terrain map in her mind along Bai Zhifu's strokes, which corresponded one by one to the real terrain she had seen before.


In fact, Chi Li had already surveyed the specific terrain on the way here. She couldn't help but know that this river was very far away from the artificial mountain road blocked by boulders, and they also formed a downward trend with each other. If the river burst its banks, it would be The water flooded not only various parts of Minfu, but also the mountain road.


At the end of the mountain road, there are no human settlements, and there is a large river flowing not far away. If her plan can come true, then not only will the huge boulder washed out by the water not hurt people or buildings, but those who will be affected along with it will also not be hurt. The water washed out can also be smoothly merged into the river and discharged into the sea together.


This process only requires a little bit of luck and should not cause any casualties.


Chi Li was conceiving and perfecting the seemingly whimsical plan in her heart, while imagining how they would implement it.


After Magistrate Bai had drawn the map, she immediately made arrangements: "Captain Lin Qian, could you please lead the soldiers to the center of the hillside ahead and dig deep ravines? Magistrate Bai, could you please arrange more people?" , block this place, this place, and the depression here, and be determined not to let a trace of water leak out. In addition, you send a person with my token to the Minfu garrison and ask for a catapult to be dispatched there. …”


Chili's plan is actually very simple and crude.


The bursting of the banks of this river is definitely unavoidable, so it is better to divert the large amount of water in the river to other places to avoid washing away the areas where people live, and at the same time, use it to guide large quantities of water into the river. The long and narrow mountain road blocked by a huge boulder relied on the huge impact of the water flow to push the boulder away.


It just so happens that the boulder blocking the road is round in shape, but it's just too big to be pushed by human power. However, it is not impossible to stop it with the help of natural power.


If it really doesn't work, the worst case scenario is that Chi Li will cheat secretly and use spiritual power to control the water flow despite the risk of being backlashed by the heavenly law in this world to ensure the smooth implementation of this plan.


So in the final analysis, she only dared to take such risks because of her skill as a skilled person. Otherwise, no one else would have dared to do such a thing.


It will rain for a few more days, and the river bank will not be washed away in a short while. Taking advantage of this time, the entire Min Mansion was mobilized almost intensively. The people accepted the persuasion of the government and carried their valuables for the time being. Move to higher ground and seek shelter.


There are many mountains here, and high places are not difficult to find. Just find a mountain and climb up. Some people even have relatives living in the mountains, so they simply go to their relatives in the mountains.


Others dug ditches and blocked the river. The project was not completed until a new channel was opened between the river and the mountain road that was occupied by the river for the flood to pass through.
At this time, four days had passed since the heavy rain fell.


The scumbag embankment can no longer hold up and is cracked and deformed in many places.


rumbling...


The sound of the cart's wheels crushing the ground was like thunder, which showed how heavy the thing was. A soldier with three thick ropes tied around his waist stood behind the trebuchet that was pushed to the center of the river, waiting for other companions pushing the cart. After everyone ran to a safe place, they operated the trebuchet as if they were dead, aimed the boulders on it as cannonballs at the river embankment that was about to collapse, pressed the button, and fired!


Boom - boom!


The already fragile river dam suffered a heavy blow and began to break. Countless water poured down and opened a larger gap in the already broken river dam.


"Quick, quick, pull people, pull people, pull people back!"


Under Lin Yanxiang's hoarse command, everyone took the time to pull the rope and drag the soldier back as quickly as possible before the water came over.


Even though they had used their greatest strength and fastest speed, the soldier was still submerged by the turbulent water. The pulling force under his hands suddenly increased, but no one gave up. Everyone worked together and worked hard, and finally it really happened. Seeing a figure emerging from the water, they all got excited and continued to exert their efforts. After a lot of effort, they finally pulled the person up safely.


"Quick, quick, where's the military doctor? Come here and see if the military doctor is okay?"


An old doctor with strong steps was pulled over and squatted down to examine the soldier who was knocked unconscious by the turbulent water: "He is still alive, but he has suffered some skin injuries. He can just go back and apply some medicine to recover for a day or two."


After hearing this, everyone felt happy for him.


In fact, when they selected the person, they had already prepared that the person might not come back. They didn't expect that not only would the person be alive, but he would not be seriously injured at this time. This was really a blessing.


Chi Li, who was standing nearby, withdrew the ray of spiritual power that had been separated, and focused on controlling the water flow, not letting it deviate from her plan, guiding them to continuously pour into the mountain road and hit the boulders.


Due to the narrowness of the mountain road, the large amount of water flowing into it flows faster, the water level is higher, and the impact becomes more powerful.


A large amount of rumbling flood water poured down, with a posture that wanted to destroy everything, and washed hard on the surface of the boulder. Once, twice, the surrounding fine sand and gravel were washed away with the agitation of the water. The boulder slowly loosened with the impact.


After slowly accumulating to a critical value, it suddenly resembled a sphere being blown out of a narrow pipe. With a loud bang, it started its rolling mode in the turbulent water flow, rolling menacingly along the long and narrow mountain road. Go out, finally leave the range of the mountain road, come to an open area, and roll out a considerable distance. No one knows where it will end up.


And the large amount of water that surged out along with it spread over a large area, and then merged into the big river along with the ups and downs of the terrain. It flowed through various places with the big river, and finally merged into the sea, becoming its insignificance. a member of.


This is a huge picture of nature created by man. Unfortunately, no one can see this magnificent scene except Chili who specially released his spirit flying high in the sky to observe at all times.


#

"Cough cough..."


"Master Chi, you are not well yet. Please go back and rest. I am watching over you, so nothing will happen to you."


On the construction site for the reconstruction of the river embankment, many conscripted laborers were busy working. Next to them stood scattered government servants responsible for guarding, as well as officials who came to inspect.


Chi Li and Bai Zhifu were standing among them.


After the flood was resolved, Chi Li fell ill. Her body became extremely weak for unknown reasons, and she also developed a high fever. She asked a doctor to see her, but they only said that she suffered from the rain for several days. She would fall ill only if she had some wind and cold. She was prescribed a few patches of medicine and asked to rest in bed for a few days before checking the situation.


Everyone thought she would be fine and rest in bed for a few days. Unexpectedly, on the second day, people appeared on the destroyed river dam to inspect its reconstruction project.


With the sufficient financial support brought by Chili, there was no difficulty in rebuilding the river dam this time.


The people had not suffered any losses, and when they heard that the government was recruiting corvees, they were able to provide a lot of strong labor, especially when they heard that the corvee recruitment was to rebuild the river dam, and the remuneration was not low, even if it was just to make more money. money, everyone’s enthusiasm for participation is also very high.


Therefore, with no shortage of money and sufficient manpower, the reconstruction project here started quickly.


In addition, when the people knew that not only had they not been affected by the disaster this time, but that the mountain road that had been used to live alone had been reopened thanks to Chili's work, the outside of his temporary residence was filled with various melons and fruits by enthusiastic people. Chili couldn't refuse the dishes and other specialties.


Even when she was recognized when she went out to eat, they were still unwilling to accept her money, which made Chi Li extremely helpless and at the same time felt an inexplicable warmth.


Of course, the biggest gain for her from this move is merit, a lot of merit.


It was only after she received so much merit that she realized that without her contribution this time, I am afraid that after the collapse of the river embankment, countless people would be affected by the disaster, which would eventually lead to the loss of life in Min Mansion and the deprivation of life for the people.


That's why Chili will receive so many rewards from heaven after saving these people. Even the punishment for using more spiritual power than this world is not big. It just makes her weak for a few days and her birth is small. Just a disease.


This small punishment couldn't kill her, so Chili, who was so concerned about the reconstruction project on the river bank, couldn't help but come over to inspect it.


As a result, he was persuaded to go back by a group of people even after his patrol lasted very long.


Lin Yanxiang even led troops to guard the door of her room, refusing to let her out until she recovered from her illness, making it seem as if she was under house arrest.


In desperation, Chi Li could only take out a pen and paper, planning to write a memorial report to the empress about what happened here, and then wait for the follow-up arrangements there.


This memorial was submitted through an expedited memorial, so only three months had passed since he came back and delivered the empress's decree.


In the winter of January, there was only a little snow in Minfu and it was not very cold.


Chili was wearing a winter official uniform, with a rabbit fur cloak on top to resist the cold.


She took her people to patrol the river dam on a routine basis, and the reconstruction progress here was already more than halfway done.


Although it is a reconstruction, since the previous foundation is there, it will be much simpler to build again this time, and it will not take long, and it will be completed in about a year and a half.


Moreover, the river dam built this time was made of good materials, and craftsmen who specialized in this were invited to help build it. Therefore, the river dam finally built is absolutely strong and can last for hundreds of years. It may even be passed down. Hundreds and thousands of years later, it will be for future generations to admire.


Chi Li seemed to have seen the sight of a tour guide taking people to visit here many years later, and Chili couldn't help laughing.


Her smile was taken by Magistrate Bai, who came with her, as a sign of good news from the Holy One. He couldn't help asking, "Master Chi, but the Holy One has sent you a commendation?"


In fact, he wanted to ask more about how the Holy Emperor dealt with him, but it was difficult to say this clearly, so he could only make innuendoes.


Chi Li, who glanced at Bai Zhifu and knew what he actually wanted to ask, said: "Because Bai Zhifu contributed a lot in fighting the flood, and considering that you had no idea about the concealment of the previous government order, you were the first to realize the mistake." Time has revealed the two culprits, so His Majesty forgives you for your past mistakes and orders Magistrate Bai to take over the supervision of the reconstruction of the dam. You must build a new solid and stable dam. When the dam is completed, Your Majesty will naturally reward you. "


These words seemed to only explain the empress's handling and arrangements for Magistrate Bai, but Magistrate Bai heard other meanings from them.


He looked surprised: "Master Chi, are you leaving?"


"Well, Your Majesty ordered me to go back and resume my duties immediately." Chi Li nodded and had no intention of hiding this.


The construction of the river dam here has been completed for less than half, and the materials and other materials have been purchased in advance, and the workers' wages have been set aside separately. As long as the prefect Bai doesn't suddenly get out of his mind and want to embezzle money, the construction of the river dam will not happen. Something went terribly wrong.


And Bai Zhifu will definitely not let this matter happen. Not to mention whether he can be promoted and leave this remote place in the future depends on this political performance. Besides, this place is also Bai Zhifu's hometown, and the river embankment has been built. The scope of benefits also included his hometown, so even if it was for the sake of his relatives in his hometown, he had to strictly monitor it and prevent the river embankment from going wrong.


Therefore, the empress was able to recall Chi Li, the imperial envoy, in advance to prevent her from spending too much time here. At the same time, Chi Li realized that the situation in Beijing might not be stable, and the empress was extremely short of people, otherwise she would not be able to Hui will not ask Chi Li to return to Beijing until she is here to supervise the construction of the river embankment.


So after receiving the Holy Emperor's decree, Chi Li immediately packed up his things and led the team back to Beijing.


Now that the roads from Minfu to other places were opened, their return to Beijing was faster. They finally arrived in Kyoto before mid-July. (End of chapter)