“The Yellow River’s waters descend from heaven, rushing towards the sea never to return…”
Hearing these lines now, there was no doubt – it wasn’t about the poem’s artistic conception, but its literal meaning.
Water coming from heaven was referred to as rain, and rushing to the sea never to return meant directing the water into the ocean where it wouldn’t flow back.
Just as Xiao Changyan reached this realization, Zhong Pingzhi’s voice came from outside: “This old official requests to see His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Please come in, Elder Zhong,” Shen Xihe’s tone softened slightly.
Zhong Pingzhi was invited in and paid his respects to Shen Xihe and Xiao Changqing.
Shen Xihe said, “Elder Zhong, His Highness is unconscious. Is there urgent business? Prince Xin and Prince Jing are here, you may speak freely.”
“Why is His Highness the Crown Prince unconscious?” Zhong Pingzhi first inquired about Xiao Huayong.
Shen Xihe showed hesitation, unsure how to explain.
Xiao Changqing said, “It’s a strange matter…”
He related the entire story to Zhong Pingzhi, skipping the “Book of Strange Dreams” and replacing it with common rumors.
Over sixty years old, though the Zhong family wasn’t nobility, they were scholarly for generations. If he learned about such an indecent book, Xiao Changqing feared it might seriously upset the old man.
Having served as an official for decades, Zhong Pingzhi understood this was a plan devised by Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong to convince the people to enthusiastically follow instructions to dig channels.
He secretly praised it – no other method could be more convincing to the common people.
With other methods, even if people dug channels together out of necessity, they would harbor doubts. With so many working, some might slack off out of fear.
They weren’t building permanent waterways yet, just digging to direct away the increasing floodwater. Any carelessness in digging could cause the drainage to fail.
Originally, Zhong Pingzhi had been wondering how to convince the people. At worst, he and Elder Tao, old as they were, would have to personally inspect every section before directing the water, hoping heaven would give them enough time.
This current method was perfect. Once word of today’s strange events spread, not just commoners but even county officials would work with extra care and effort out of reverence for the divine.
Thus, when the channels were complete, he and Elder Tao would only need to check key points before directing the water that very day!
Excited by this thought, Zhong Pingzhi hurriedly spoke: “As it happens, the strategy Elder Tao and I devised to solve the flooding aligns perfectly with His Highness’s situation…”
Zhong Pingzhi took out the simplified topographical map and spread it before Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changyan, explaining in detail how to resolve the flooding, the subsequent repairs needed, and the long-term benefits.
Xiao Changqing was mentally prepared, and the more he examined the matter, the brighter his eyes grew. He had no concerns or worries, seeing only the benefits of success and the welfare it would bring to the people.
As for whether it would succeed, at this point, that was no longer his concern because once Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe had acted, it would proceed regardless of any opposition.
Unprepared, Xiao Changyan’s first thought was of the serious consequences of failure. His sword-like eyebrows drew together: “This matter is too significant. We must report to His Majesty and await his decision.”
For such a major undertaking, if they decided without informing His Majesty, failure would mean unforgivable guilt and even success would require begging for forgiveness before the emperor.
“Your Highness, this matter cannot be delayed.” Having served Emperor Youning for many years, how could Zhong Pingzhi not understand his temperament?
If Emperor Youning were here personally to see the dire situation, he might take the risk. But he wasn’t here, and even if they described the urgency, with no flooding or casualties yet, compared to the previous year’s floods, this seemed trivial. Emperor Youning wouldn’t easily agree.
However, this situation was different from before. Previous floods came violently, and they fought back resolutely. Though there was damage, it wasn’t devastating.
Now it seemed mild and harmless, but that was only before the outbreak. Once it erupted, it would be catastrophic!
They would be completely helpless, only able to watch as the entire city was swallowed by water.
“In such a major matter, if we don’t inform His Majesty, do we still acknowledge him as our sovereign?” Xiao Changyan insisted.
“Your Highness, this method is feasible. However, while digging the channels, we need to temporarily contain the accumulated water in one place until the channels are complete,” Zhong Pingzhi continued trying to persuade Xiao Changyan. “The rain hasn’t stopped. Based on the current rainfall, Elder Tao and I estimate we must begin digging within two days at the latest. Otherwise, before the channels are finished, we’ll first suffer the backlash from the contained water, and this method will become impossible!”
“Elder Zhong, I understand your concern for the people. I will send word to His Majesty immediately,” Xiao Changyan said, cupping his hands in respect.
As he took a step, Mo Yuan blocked his path. Xiao Changyan shot Mo Yuan a sharp glance before turning to Shen Xihe: “Sister-in-law, what is the meaning of this?”
“The Crown Prince’s condition is dangerous. Since I know the method to save him, I must try,” Shen Xihe calmly returned his gaze. “The people can wait another day, but I don’t know how long a living person can survive without a pulse. Or perhaps… if something happens to the Crown Prince, will Prince Jing atone with his life?”
“Sister-in-law!” Xiao Changyan’s expression darkened. “We don’t speak of supernatural matters. This talk of divine guidance is fabricated. Why does sister-in-law use this to create trouble?”
“Divine guidance is fabricated?” Shen Xihe said with seeming mockery. “Prince Jing seems rather late in saying this. Before the Crown Prince and I came to Dengzhou, I never heard Prince Jing so righteously declare we shouldn’t speak of supernatural matters.”
Xiao Changyan was stunned.
He had forgotten why Xiao Huayong came to Dengzhou – wasn’t it because of a stone that fell from heaven?
His Majesty had acquiesced to Xiao Huayong coming to Dengzhou because of that heaven-sent stone. Back then, no one found supernatural matters absurd. Now to say these things couldn’t be believed – wasn’t that self-contradictory?
For a moment, Xiao Changyan couldn’t refute Shen Xihe.
“The heaven-sent stone was reported to the capital by Prince Jing, and His Majesty approved it before ordering the Crown Prince to come. With this precedent, it was His Majesty’s command to follow heaven’s will. Now I too act on imperial orders,” Shen Xihe said righteously.
Glancing at Xiao Changyan, she turned to Xiao Changqing and Zhong Pingzhi: “The flood crisis cannot wait. Prince Xin, assist Elder Zhong in deploying people to act immediately.”
She paused, her eyes shifting slightly toward Xiao Changyan: “If anyone interferes, they will be treated as defying imperial orders – kill without question!”