Start with a red name

"This...how is this possible!"

After hearing Geng Xuan's words, Guo Zian felt that the world had become absurd and he didn't know how to place his facial features.

He kept repeating it in his mouth, as if resisting to accept the authenticity of this information.

Geng Xuan looked at the mountains and rivers below that had been changed by human power, and his heart was shocked, no less than Guo Zian's.

"Let me tell you a story."

Geng Xuan said softly.

Then, without waiting for Guo Zian to answer, he began to tell the story in a low voice.

What he was telling, of course, was the story of He Tianrui.

This person was born in Yuanjing. When he was born, Emperor Yuan was still alive.

But in the same year, Emperor Yuan died.

Then, the world fell into chaos.

For He Tianrui, the main storyline of his life, called "Wandering" + "Living from day to day", has officially begun.

Then, in the second half of his life, he found his "promised land."

Through decades of silent efforts, he single-handedly dug a long tunnel in the Chiwu Mountain, and at the age of 92, he moved in with tens of thousands of people.

From then on, he successfully stayed away from the troubles of the world, not only completed the main line of his life perfectly, but also gave it the middle finger.

And "legislate" for this little new world according to their own wishes.

Seal the tunnel, cut off from the outside, and prohibit cultivation...

Seven years later, a new world of peace, tranquility and far away from chaos and conflicts began to take shape under his transformation.

He Tianrui also passed away suddenly that year, dying of old age.

He died at the age of ninety-nine.

From the death of He Tianrui to the present day, after experiencing a brief, false prosperity, the small world isolated from the outside world began an irreversible decline that lasted for hundreds of years.

The population has dropped from tens of thousands in its heyday to more than 7,000 today, and has degenerated into a semi-savage state.

But this does not prevent generations of people from singing about him and remembering him.

Almost everyone believes that since he left, the small world has declined to its current state because there has never been another person like him.

Otherwise, it would only take a few minutes to recreate the glory of the past.

Geng Xuan narrated all this in a calm tone, his eyes looking at the disaster site in the distance that caused millions of people on both sides of the Zhushui River to lose their livelihoods.

Before today, everyone thought it was a natural disaster, but now they realize that it was actually a man-made disaster.

After finishing telling He Tianrui's story, Geng Xuan's agitated emotions subsided and he stopped talking.

"..." Guo Zian also didn't say anything.

After a long silence, he said in a hoarse voice:
"Boss, how can you be sure that he was the one who did this? Is it possible that it was someone else?"

Geng Xuan did not answer but asked:
"Why can you judge a person's lineage by their movements? Aren't you worried about making a mistake?"

"How can this be the same?" Guo Zian was stunned.

"Of course...at least, for me, it's the same."

As he spoke, Geng Xuan stomped on the rock beneath his feet and said:
“This place and that tunnel were designed by the same person.

It is certain that the tunnel was dug by He Tianrui.

There is no doubt who did this."

"..."

Because A is equal to B, and B is equal to C, therefore A is equal to C.

This simple and impeccable reasoning made it difficult for Guo Zian to refute it.

However, he still made a final "struggle".

"There's still a problem. According to what you said, He Tianrui led his people to move into the basin deep in Chiwu Mountain when he was 92 years old.

He was born in the year Emperor Yuan died, which means that he led people to move in 471 years ago.

He died seven years later, which means that the latest time he could have taken action was 464 years ago.

However, when I checked various relevant materials, I found that the landslide that caused the Zhushui River to stop flowing occurred 397 years ago.

In other words, the mountain collapsed sixty-seven years after He Tianrui's death.

...He couldn't possibly be faking his death, right?

Moreover, even if one has achieved perfection in the five realms and is free from disasters and illnesses, the maximum life span is one hundred and twenty to thirty years. I have never heard of anyone living to over one hundred and sixty years old."

Geng Xuan said, "It's simple. This is an unfinished project."

"Ah?" Guo Zian widened his eyes.

“He may have underestimated the difficulty of this matter.

It is more likely that when he decided to do this, he was already too old and lacked the energy, and could only do that.

...But the special thing about this 'project' is that as long as he successfully starts it and completes it to a certain level, he will have an extra special assistant.

Even if he died suddenly, the completion of this "project" would increase year by year thanks to the efforts of this special "assistant".

Until it is completely completed." Geng Xuan said.

Guo Zian only felt a thunderbolt appear in his mind, which gave him a huge shock, but also brought "light". He only heard him muttering:

"rainy season."

In the year when the mountain collapsed, this place has experienced another sixty-seven rainy seasons since He Tianrui's death.

And the last rainy season itself was a "disaster-level" event that only happens once in a century.

When all these factors came together, the disaster broke out.

"This this……"

Logically speaking, at this point, all the questions have been answered, and Guo Zian should have no doubts anymore.

But his mood not only did not become brighter, but became even darker and heavier.

If all of this was basically anticipated by He Tianrui before his death, then... isn't this person too unreasonable?
What kind of spirit, what kind of belief, made him plant such a vicious "curse" on this land at the moment of his death?
I can’t figure it out, I can’t figure it out at all!
Can't understand, can't understand at all!
In the end, Guo Zian, who couldn't help but scratch his head, had a mask of pain on his face.

Seeing this, Geng Xuan said without saying anything, "Let's go check out some other places."

"it is good."

Soon, Geng Xuan, Guo Zian and their group left the place.

After that, they went to investigate three other locations where the landslides occurred.

Standing on the top of the mountain where the last mountain collapsed, a huge lake like a mirror was already at your feet.

"Let's go and take a look there."

After giving instructions, Geng Xuan rushed down the mountain first and soon reached the shore of the huge lake.

After that, the group took a walk around the giant lake.

We found the outflowing river channel that connects to Yueluyuan.

It is called a river channel, but in fact it is just a gap that is lower than other areas.

The water surface is very wide and floods on both sides.

The water flowed downwards, flooding the low dense forests on both sides.

In addition to this river channel, Geng Xuan and others also explored several other upstream river channels that would flow into the giant lake in the future.

One of the roads, at the first sight, Geng Xuan used his powerful spatial perception to confirm that it was the one that connected to the outpost camp nearly a hundred miles away.

At the beginning, Geng Xuan still accommodated Guo Zian's pace.

Later, Geng Xuan, who wanted to take this opportunity to explore as much as possible on the spot, simply left them all behind and explored around the lake alone.

In order to confirm the feasibility of the project, explorations were also carried out along the upper and lower reaches of each river.

By the time they had a rough idea in mind and returned to the silted-up section of the ancient river channel to reunite with Guo Zian and others, the sky had unknowingly become a little gray.

Only then did Geng Xuan realize that most of the sun had already set behind the mountains.

……

When Geng Xuan, Guo Zian and his party returned to the camp, they found that it was crowded, extremely lively and chaotic.

Luo Qing, who personally took Geng Xuan to find Guo Zian and his group and then immediately returned, was surrounded by a crowd of people, his mouth opening and closing quickly. Some people left his side, but more people gathered around him.

Although Luo Qing has been handling various affairs as efficiently as possible, the people and things waiting for him to arrange and deal with are visibly "accumulating" around him, and the "accumulation" is getting more and more.

Seeing this, Geng Xuan shook his head in his heart.

The scene before him was the one he had already imagined when he was in Yuanjing.

The only thing that surprised him was that it arrived earlier than he expected.

This has little to do with Luo Qing's own ability. It is a problem that inevitably arises from the primitive and backward management system.

Just as he was feeling emotional, Luo Qing, who saw them coming back, immediately pushed aside everyone and quickly came to him.

"Boss, you're back."

"Well, why are there so many people in this camp?... Judging from the size, there are more than four thousand!" Geng Xuan asked.

Hearing this, Luo Qing sighed and said:
“In addition to the more than 1,700 people you brought back from the basin, there are nearly 1,200 people we picked up from near Qingyuanji today.

Ji Cong and his men also came to join in the fun, bringing over 2,000 people with them!"

Having said that, Luo Qing couldn't help scratching his burnt forehead and said with a wry smile:

“Now, the number of people gathered in the camp has exceeded seven thousand!
The sources are all kinds of things, and just the question of how to arrange their accommodation tonight almost makes my head explode."

Geng Xuan ignored Luo Qing's complaint and said in surprise:
"There are more than 2,000 people here? So many? ...Isn't their attitude a little too positive?"

Luo Qing nodded and said, "Yes, their attitude is much more positive than we originally thought."

"Why? Do you know the reason?"

"I know a little bit, but, Gang Leader, you should ask Ji Cong about this matter. I only realized it after hearing what he said.

He should be the most clear about this matter now." Luo Qing looked at the crowd that had gathered and stared at his arrangements, and said apologetically.

As the first person to interact with "Su Ruiliang", he has a better understanding of his work style and is confident that as long as he works based on the principle of efficiency first, "Su Ruiliang" will not feel offended.

"Go... and call Ji Cong to me."

As he spoke, Geng Xuan said to Guo Zian beside him, "If you have anything to do, just go ahead."

Soon, Guo Zian and others also left.

After a while, Ji Cong led a group of more than ten people out of the crowd and quickly came to Geng Xuan.

Ji Cong bowed respectfully to Geng Xuan.

"Gang leader."

The dozen or so people following behind him were even more exaggerated, kneeling on the ground in front of Geng Xuan from a distance.

"Who are they?" Geng Xuan looked at Ji Cong.

From the "ripples" emanating from these people, Geng Xuan could tell that three of them had the strength of the initial stage of marrow refining.

Although the others have not reached the marrow refining level, they are all senior bone refining practitioners.

Thinking about Ji Cong's mission, Geng Xuan already had some vague guesses about their identities.

"They are all the heads of the neighborhoods around Nancenji." Ji Cong said.

His answer confirmed Geng Xuan's guess, but Geng Xuan was still a little surprised that he showed such a great courtesy on their first meeting.

Perhaps, as Ji Cong said, he seriously lacked awareness of his influence on the surrounding areas after winning a battle involving tens of thousands of people?
In addition, what surprised Geng Xuan was the number of neighborhoods around Nancenji.

If the fourteen people kneeling on the ground are all lifang owners, doesn't it mean that the number of lifang around Nancenji is nearly twice that of Kangleji, which has only eight lifang around it?
Ji Cong pointed to a room next to him and said to Geng Xuan, "Boss, can I report to you in private first?" Geng Xuan nodded.

……

A quarter of an hour later, inside the room.

After listening to Ji Cong's quick summary of the trip, Geng Xuan fell into deep thought.

Ji Cong's mission went unexpectedly smoothly.

If we weren't worried about the camp not being able to keep up with the progress, bringing too many people at once would cause trouble.

Just this time, Ji Cong can attract at least 10,000 people!

In this case, the deterrent power of "Su Ruiliang" itself is not the main factor.

In other words, before this factor could take effect, the people he came into contact with immediately knelt down.

The reason why they knelt so decisively was something that Geng Xuan had previously overlooked.

It was really that what he was doing now was exactly what they wanted.

It almost solved their urgent problem!
Nancen Market is the northernmost market among the "Eight Markets of the North" and the closest to Cenling Mountain.

The mountains and forests where the surrounding neighborhoods "live" are naturally the surrounding mountains and forests.

The siltation of the ancient Zhushui River has the greatest impact on them.

Every summer and autumn, especially autumn, is the "golden season" of the year, when the various workshops that rely on mountains for food produce results.

But half of the time coincides with the rainy season.

After the rainy season ends, the flooded rivers will not become quiet and docile immediately, but will continue to rage and roar for a long time before they stop.

The markets around Nancenji have suffered the most in this regard.

The reason is that the ancient Zhushui River channel is silted up, forming a large swamp area in this area that lasts for several months every year.

It would be fine if these swamps were fixed, we could just avoid them.

It just so happens that these wetlands change almost every year.

The place where there was no water last year may have become a large swamp this year.

If you see a place without water and step into it, you will probably find it is a muddy swamp.

For the surrounding neighborhoods, this is a "sore ulcer" that occurs every year and has lasted for hundreds of years.

This is still good.

The situation is worse further north and along the east-west slopes of the Peak.

It is also for this reason that there are no more market towns north of Nancenji and along the east-west direction of Cenling.

Is it possible that these mountains and forests do not produce prey?

Due to the heavy rains every rainy season, there is simply no place suitable for people to settle down in this area.

If Geng Xuan could successfully dredge the ancient Zhushui River, the visible benefit to the surrounding neighborhoods would be that the "ulcer" that had lasted for hundreds of years would disappear.

Apart from anything else, the income from autumn hunting alone will increase significantly every year.

Moreover, the risk will be much reduced.

This alone is enough for these neighborhoods to actively participate in it.

Even if they were willing, they simply did not have the ability to complete such a project on their own.

Now, "Su Ruiliang" wants to do this, and as the most direct beneficiaries, they must of course give their full support.

What's more, they saw much more than that.

Once Geng Xuan succeeds in controlling the flood, more mountains and forests north of Nancenji and east and west of Cenling will become "docile".

This means that more mountain people can make a living from the mountains.

More neighborhoods can be developed in these places!

There are now fourteen neighborhoods gathered around Nancenji, not because they like the hustle and bustle or the gathering of people.

This situation is actually very dangerous for all neighborhoods.

If we are not careful, a bloody battle will affect all the neighborhoods.

Precisely because they all knew this, all the leaders in the neighborhood behaved extremely restrainedly, preferring to "eat" less and go hungry rather than being the first to break the peace.

If a fight breaks out among the fourteen families, it's unclear which of them will emerge victorious. But one thing is certain: whoever first instigates this conflict will not live to see that day.

At this time, Ji Cong's appearance was like the savior of all the people in the neighborhood.

In order to prevent someone from meeting him privately and promising him something extra, the heads of the fourteen friars met him together and revealed their concerns openly.

And make a request together.

After the flood control was successful and more mountains and forests suitable for hunting appeared, they hoped that "Su Ruiliang" would allow them to move a few villages there to settle down.

——Based on the most simple understanding, since these new forests appeared after "Su Ruiliang" controlled the water, then "Su Ruiliang" is naturally its owner.

If "Su Ruiliang" does not have the ability to protect these riches, then he will just take them.

But the actual situation made each of them adopt the most respectful and humble attitude.

Totally got it!
Previously, Geng Xuan had ignored this point.

Now, Geng Xuan, who also came from the neighborhood, has fully understood the other value of this flood control effort.

Looking at Ji Cong who was eager to try and obviously wanted to say something, Geng Xuan asked:
"What else do you have in mind?"

Ji Cong immediately said: "Boss, as far as I know, from 'North Eight Chapters', to 'East Five Chapters', to 'South Four Chapters'.

All the neighborhoods, without exception, have similar problems as theirs.

It's just that the degree is different.

You said that if we use the hundreds of miles of new forests that will be added along the peak line after the flood control is successful as bait.

Can we mobilize the enthusiasm of these more than one hundred families and make them come to us on their own initiative?"

Having said that, Ji Cong looked at Geng Xuan with burning eyes.

Since the gang leader has already revealed that he has taken a fancy to the potential of these neighborhoods to mobilize tens of thousands of soldiers.

He believed that the gang leader would be interested in his suggestion.

Seeing the gang leader raise his eyebrows in thought, with an obviously moved look on his face, Ji Cong said again:
“Now that we have the Lifang, we also need a market.

Now that the market is established, various guilds will naturally follow.

I believe that as long as we spread the word, we don't need to take the initiative to look for it.

The surrounding markets, guilds, and other forces will come to us, begging for manpower and assistance!"

"..."

After hearing Ji Cong's words, Geng Xuan did not respond immediately, but stared at him carefully for a moment.

It was not until the man showed a look of trepidation on his face that he praised, "Not bad!"

A bright smile immediately broke out on Ji Cong's face.

……

After finishing the conversation with Ji Cong, Geng Xuan did not go looking for Luo Qing, Guo Zian and others as he saw they were busy with various things. He just left a message for them to come back to see him after they had dealt with various matters.

Then, ignoring the messy campsite that had suddenly grown to over 7,000 people, he went straight to the tent area that was now "squeezed" to the edge of the campsite.

This is also one of the few quiet places in the camp.

He entered a tent that Luo Qing had arranged for someone to clean and tidy up, and which he used as a resting place.

Sitting on the soft animal skin carpet, with his hand on Huang'er's head, Dahuang and several other dogs also gathered around him.

In addition, in a corner of the tent, three Xuanqinghai sand sculptures were also resting on a shelf.

Unlike Da Huang and Ba Xiao, unless Geng Xuan actively uses the "Flying Eagle Technique" to control them.

Otherwise, they wouldn't come to him to curry favor with him for no reason.

They usually play by themselves.

Not far in front of Geng Xuan, Zha Luo knelt there and continued to share with his leisurely host the interesting stories about the sand people, sand bandits, and other things that happened in the two states of Xuanyou.

Geng Xuan was half leaning on Da Huang, listening to Zha Luo's story. His mind had long left the camp and was galloping across the vast land of Xuanyou and Youzhou, which spanned thousands of miles.

Sometimes, driven by Zha Luo's words, they flew rapidly over one area after another.

Sometimes, a certain word of Zha Luo would arouse my interest in something, and I would stop at a certain point to present it in more detail and specificity.

It was not until after eleven o'clock in the evening that Luo Qing, Guo Zi'an, Chen Zhan, Ji Cong and Qu Qingfeng, who had received his orders, came to ask for a meeting outside the tent.

"Okay, that's all for today... Come on in."

Geng Xuan interrupted Zha Luo's story and asked the five people to enter the tent.

There was obvious fatigue on the faces of the five people.

Among them, Luo Qing and Guo Zian are the most obvious.

After the five people entered the tent, Geng Xuan did not exchange pleasantries with them.

After they sat cross-legged on the carpet in front of him, Geng Xuan looked at Luo Qing and asked:
"It's very confusing, isn't it, to have to deal with eyebrows and beard all at once?"

"...Yes." Luo Qing nodded.

After a pause, he continued, "However, this is also because too many people came today, which is completely beyond our expectations. Once we sort it out later, the situation should be better."

Geng Xuan shook his head and said:
"Straighten it out? Then you're right.

There are only 7,000 people now, but it is likely to exceed 10,000 tomorrow, and more than 100,000 in ten days.

The way you're doing it now, you won't be able to sort it out even when the project is completed."

Having said that, Geng Xuan showed no mercy and continued to speak venomously to the bitter-faced Luo Qing:
"Oh, no, I doubt whether I can wait until the day when the project is completed."

"..." Luo Qing opened his mouth and finally said dejectedly:

"It's my fault that I'm not capable enough. Boss, please let me be Chief Engineer Guo's assistant."

Geng Xuan waved his hand and said, "I'm not saying this to ask you to give up...Okay, now let me tell you my considerations."

Upon hearing this, Luo Qing quietly sat up straight, and the others also pricked up their ears.

"The entire project, technically, is headed by Guo Zian, there's no doubt about that, right?
An engineering department will be set up, with Guo Zian as the director of engineering, who will be in charge of all technical matters in the project.

Geng Xuan was not sure whether there was such a title as "minister" before.

He had considered adding "tang" as the suffix, so that the person in charge could simply call him "tangzhu".

This is easier for people in this world to understand and empathize with.

But it felt a little awkward for him.

In the end, between making things difficult for himself and for others, Geng Xuan chose to make himself more comfortable.

Moreover, left and right are just a title. Even if they didn’t exist before, don’t they exist now?

Everyone just needs to adapt to it.

“The project department is divided into three.

They are the 'Ancient River Dredging Project Department', the 'Juhu Reservoir Project Department', and the 'Water Conservancy Project Department'.

Hearing this, several people looked up at him in surprise.

Geng Xuan looked at Luo Qing and said:

"The 'Ancient River Dredging Project Department' is responsible for dredging the silted-up section of the Zhushui River, as well as related projects such as embankment protection and slope construction.

This is also what you and Peng Ke had prepared before.

From now on, you will still be in charge of this project department, and Peng Ke, those veterans, and the 60,000 residents from the Wufang Camp will also be primarily housed in your project department. (End of this chapter)