HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 649: Husband and Wife Share Glory and Loss Together

Chapter 649: Husband and Wife Share Glory and Loss Together

“Channel water to the sea?” Shen Xihe gazed at the sea’s surface, still calm despite the heavy rain.

Besides the dense raindrops hitting the surface and splashing water, accompanied by rushing sounds, there were no other disturbances – no roaring waves, no rushing currents visible.

But the city’s accumulated water had reached a point where it would cause flooding if not addressed. Would channeling so much water into the sea cause it to rampage and devour everything?

Not only were the common people afraid, but even Shen Xihe felt concerned.

“Lord Tao, how certain are you?” Xiao Huayong asked solemnly.

Tao Zhuanxian saluted Xiao Huayong: “Your Highness must not have lived by the sea. This official and Minister Zhong have both served in coastal regions.

Fourteen years ago, Duli Town faced a situation similar to current Dengzhou, with heavy rains lasting nearly three months. This humble official happened to be serving there and also worried whether the torrential rains would cause the seawater to spread, so I kept watch at the deep sea’s edge.

Though it rained for three months and the seawater did spread, it only reached its usual extent without rising further. I initially thought I had remembered wrongly, but the following year I paid special attention and discovered that the sea’s rise and fall follows seasonal cycles, a natural law unaffected by drought or heavy rain.

The current water spread has nothing to do with the rain – in previous years at this time, the seawater would reach this point too. Every word I speak is true. I wouldn’t dare take the lives of an entire city’s people lightly. Your Highness can verify this with the fishermen.”

“Your Highness, I too stake my life on Lord Tao’s words being true – this method will work.

By channeling water to the sea, even if the rain continues endlessly, there will be no worry of flooding!”

Tao Zhuanxian and Zhong Pingzhi spoke with absolute certainty. Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong exchanged glances. Though they were well-read, such matters were rarely recorded throughout history, and they had no experience with them.

Each profession has its specialists, and they trusted Tao Zhuanxian and Zhong Pingzhi’s judgment. Given their character, they wouldn’t make such conclusions without absolute certainty.

However, while they believed, the common people might not. The channel digging couldn’t be delayed – it required the entire city’s effort to quickly create drainage and prevent flooding as soon as possible.

“Lord Tao, Minister Zhong, please map out the channel routes. Leave the rest to me.” At this moment, Xiao Huayong firmly supported the two officials.

Tao Zhuanxian and Zhong Pingzhi were overjoyed. They had thought of this solution early on and understood how much opposition and rejection it would face. Even if it reached the emperor’s ears, it might not receive his approval.

The method was somewhat alarming, and if their judgment proved wrong, channeling water to the sea could cause seawater to flow back, claiming an entire city’s life and affecting several more cities. Even His Majesty couldn’t bear such consequences.

This would be more unforgivable than grave robbery – only the emperor’s abdication could silence the criticism. Therefore, His Majesty would never approve, which was why the two hadn’t submitted a memorial.

However, after exhausting all options, drafting and rejecting many plans, this remained the only solution to help the people.

Seeing the urgent need to implement this method, they were preparing to write to His Majesty when the Crown Prince and Princess arrived.

Hearing of their arrival in Wendeng County, Tao Zhuanxian immediately clapped his hands: “Hope has come!”

At the time, Zhong Pingzhi hadn’t understood Tao Zhuanxian’s excitement, but now, seeing Xiao Huayong standing straight before them, he understood.

The current Crown Prince showed no trace of weakness. With his composed expression and straight posture like pine and cypress, he stood in the heavy rain like an unsheathed sword, emanating a pale, sharp light.

A sword reaching heaven, standing firm between heaven and earth, instantly breaking through clouds to glimpse celestial light.

Zhong Pingzhi had always been quiet in court, keeping to himself and serving dutifully as a lone official. For decades he had remained steady, and even now amid external turbulence, no one had tried to manipulate or harm him.

He thought he saw everything clearly, yet discovered he too had been blind. The Crown Prince before him – commanding, sharp, powerful – was something he had never seen nor expected.

Zhong Pingzhi’s gaze unconsciously turned to Shen Xihe but met the Crown Prince’s deep stare.

Zhong Pingzhi’s spine instinctively chilled, and he quickly withdrew his gaze, bowing: “This official accepts the command and won’t betray Your Highness’s trust!”

“Grandfather, don’t ration food – within five days, the grain will enter the city.” Since Xiao Huayong had shown his true face, Shen Xihe saw no need to hide anymore.

Shen Xihe’s words startled Zhong Pingzhi again, and even Tao Zhuanxian was shocked.

Though focused on water control, they knew Prince Jing’s grain troubles. Due to planning the channels, they understood the county’s routes and knew no path could currently support large grain shipments. They hadn’t imagined Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong had a solution!

They couldn’t help feeling excited. Just as Xiao Huayong trusted their water channeling plan, they trusted he would keep his word – the grain would come!

With grain supplies secured, subsequent matters would resolve themselves. They would certainly overcome this crisis. Both men’s worried expressions cleared as if seeing sunny skies beyond the torrential rain.

“Why did you let Minister Zhong see the real you?” In their assigned quarters, alone together, Shen Xihe couldn’t help asking.

Xiao Huayong was making a fire to drive away the room’s dampness. He sat there, head lowered, adding charcoal. The firelight cast a healthy red glow on his somewhat pale cheeks.

After a moment’s silence, he answered Shen Xihe’s question: “I’m not certain this will succeed.”

Xiao Huayong naturally trusted Tao Zhuanxian and Zhong Pingzhi, but this matter was too significant. If even His Majesty couldn’t bear the responsibility of failure, how could Shen Xihe?

He couldn’t let Shen Xihe take the lead as usual – he had to be the one to step forward.

Shen Xihe’s heart trembled. She had guessed it – he was protecting her.

“Beichen.” Shen Xihe walked to his side, sitting beside him on the round wooden bench. “We are husband and wife, sharing both glory and loss. If your judgment proves wrong and causes irreversible disaster, do you think I can remain uninvolved?”

He turned his head, his gaze deep, tone firm: “I can keep you uninvolved.”

If anything went wrong, he would apologize for his death. With Shen Xihe’s merit in bringing grain, neither His Majesty nor Dengzhou’s people could hold her accountable.

Understanding his solution, Shen Xihe grew angry, speaking rashly in her fury: “You’d better choose my second husband in advance!”

Since he had considered the consequences and decided to stake everything while keeping her uninvolved, he might as well plan her future completely, preparing her backup plan early.

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