It's better to fall in love than seize the heir

As the little beggar said that day, Qingchi County is located in the lower reaches of the river, close to the breach of the long embankment, but the terrain is low and flat, and the traces of the raging water are extremely obvious.The water in the lower part of the street is almost knee-deep, and the houses on both sides are either crooked and dilapidated, or most of the doors and windows are missing.

Although the flood destroyed the street unscrupulously, what they saw in front of them was not the tragic scene of frozen bones and starvation everywhere in the middle of the road that the two of them imagined.Although the people all had tired and downcast expressions on their faces, when they looked around, they didn't see many yellow-skinned, emaciated people falling down on the side of the road, let alone the rumored scene of exchanging children for food.

In addition to being surprised, Shen Jinghe was also a little more curious about Qingchi County and the unattractive Luo Guang County Magistrate.He settled his expression, and ordered the motorcade to go to the Qingchi County Government Office to pack up his things, but he and Liang Yan first went to the street to look for news from the people.

He glanced around, waded through the muddy stagnant water without changing his expression, found an old lady who was rummaging for things in her flooded house, and asked politely, "Ma'am, I think the flood is so serious. It’s raging, but there are no people who are dying of hunger on the street. I wonder if it’s because you still have a lot of food on weekdays?”

"How can it be? When the flood flooded, I didn't even know where my rice tank was washed away." The aunt sighed, wiped her hands on her apron, and turned around, "Although the water in our county is the largest , but the situation of the villagers is better than that of the neighboring states and counties. It is all because of the porridge given out every day in the Dragon King Temple, which can barely fill their stomachs."

Shen Jinghe's eyes flashed, "Gorge handout? Was it arranged by the government?"

"It doesn't look like it to me, and I don't see any servants of the official." The aunt shook her head, "I don't know who it is, maybe some kind person with surplus food. If you want me to say, doing such a great deed is not easy." If you don't leave your name, this good man will definitely be rewarded!"

After exchanging a few words with her, Shen Jinghe said goodbye and left.Liang Yan followed him all the time, and naturally listened to the conversation verbatim, "This is a bit interesting, I didn't expect that Qingchi County, which was thought to be in the worst situation, is better than we imagined. A lot."

"That's true." Shen Jinghe nodded deeply, thinking about it, but still couldn't figure it out, "I don't know what the origin of this good man who gave the porridge... Forget it, the local people have something to worry about This is the most important thing. Let's go to the government office to meet the county magistrate of Qingchi County first."

Before the two of them reached the government office, they saw Luo Guang from a distance waiting in front of the door with the small officials in the government office with their hands down.Seeing the two people coming, Luo Guang bowed down in a respectful manner, "I have seen the sixth prince and General Liang."

"Don't be too polite." Now that he has left Chen Zhongquan's sight, Shen Jinghe doesn't want to continue pretending to be a dandy to waste time, so he goes straight to the point, "I wonder if Mr. Luo can borrow the local county chronicles and maps? If you want to solve the flood, you don't have these things. I'm afraid it will be a little trickier."

Luo Guang was startled when he heard the words, and looked at them a little deeper for no reason, but immediately returned to normal the next moment.He bowed and led the two of them into the government office, and said politely and respectfully, "The lower officials have already prepared everything. All the documents and materials have been placed on the table in the room, and the rest are also properly stored in the study. Wait for six After the prince has finished reading, he can rest in the government office tonight. Qingchi County is not as prosperous as Jiangcheng, and the scenery is only ordinary, so I am afraid that the sixth prince will be wronged."

Shen Jinghe frowned slightly, "It's okay. Where is the river breach? Tomorrow, I want to go and investigate it myself."

"This... the flood has not completely receded. Although the sixth prince is eager to rescue the disaster, I'm afraid it's better not to take any risks." Luo Guang's eyes were slightly enlarged due to surprise, and he bowed deeper, carefully considering his words.

"You don't have to worry about this, I will protect His Highness Six." Liang Yan glanced at him and said calmly.

Now that he had heard what Liang Yan said, Luo Guang stopped talking, but led them to the courtyard respectfully and in person.

Sure enough, as he himself said, the illustrations and documents of Qingchi County had been prepared in the room long ago, and related disaster relief documents over the years were also readily available.When Shen Jinghe came here, he quietly brought the materials collected in Jiangcheng, together with the various water control scriptures that Liang Yan had specially found before, and after reading the documents that night, they had already collected the documents of Jiangnan. The structure of the water network is basically clear, and the only thing left is to go to the place where the river broke its embankment to investigate the local situation.

Early the next morning, Shen Jinghe and Liang Yan set out to go to the breach.Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out of the door, he saw Luo Guang was already waiting in the courtyard with two yamen servants.

Seeing them, Luo Guang bowed and saluted, "The Sixth Prince and General Liang can simply have breakfast in the official office first, and it's not too late to leave later."

"It doesn't matter, we have dry food with us. The matter of water control is urgent, and it is better to go to investigate it as soon as possible." Shen Jinghe looked at him and politely declined.

Luo Guang looked a little confused, but he quickly returned to his usual respect, "So, the two of you will go with the officials to break the talk."

"The current has not receded, and County Magistrate Luo also wants to go together?" Shen Jinghe showed a look of surprise on his face.

Luo Guang smiled, "Although I am not a talented official, I have been an official in Qingchi County for many years, and I have already regarded this place as my other hometown. If I can cooperate with Your Highness to solve the flood problem as soon as possible, it will only be to go to the breach to investigate. , I have no reason to refuse?"

Shen Jinghe and Liang Yan looked at each other, they didn't expect that in this small and remote county in the south of the Yangtze River, there really was such a county magistrate who loved the people like a son.At the moment, their perception of Luo Guang is much better.

Without further words, they took the equipment and materials and set off in a hurry.

Walking to the outer edge of Qingchi County, you can see the turbid water on the low-lying fields that can overflow to the chest from a distance.Broken furniture and objects floated on the turbulent water, and the torrent submerged countless small houses, mercilessly devouring everything in front of them.

They found a higher hill and climbed up.Standing on the top of the hill and looking down, you can have a panoramic view of the winding river and the gaps in the embankment.

"Yesterday, I went through the pictures of Su County and the documents of Qingchi County. Among the places in the south of the Yangtze River, Su County is the lowest, and it happens to be in the lower reaches of the river. Wujiang, a tributary of the river, flows through most of Su County. Thousands of mountains of water, twists and turns. This year, the summer rains soared, the paddy fields and the Wujiang River swelled into one, and the estuary was not accessible, which caused this severe flood."

Shen Jinghe looked far into the distance, watching the river still roaring out of the breach, and frowned slightly.

"What the sixth prince said is exactly right." Luo Guang stood aside and sighed, "When the rains were abundant in previous years, it was not that there were small-scale dike bursts. The water level was not high, and no casualties were caused. However, the court They have also sent embankment envoys here many times, but they have had little success compared to the "River Defense Order". The previous officials often used the method of blocking water. As soon as the rain stopped, they would continue to increase and thicken the original embankment. When the next summer rain came again, it was still repeatedly dredged and blocked, and it could not last long."

Liang Yan sized up the meandering river with scrutiny, and said in a deep voice, "The embankment of the Wujiang embankment is too narrow, and the embankment line is curved and changeable. Just building high embankments is just a temporary solution, not a root cause."

"That's right." Shen Jinghe nodded in agreement, unfolded the long river map in his hand, and pointed to the tributary of the lower reaches of the river with one hand, "Wujiang is more than a hundred miles long. Although the water is vast and turbulent, but because of the water The line is too tortuous, and the tidal sand blocks some of the river channels, so that some turns are almost connected to a shoal of land, where wild reeds are overgrown. The tidal sand in the river is getting thicker and thicker every year, and the sediment is silted up every year—in this way, you build high dams How can it beat the speed of sand and soil?"

Luo Guang's expression was very excited, and his eyes glowed with hope, "The Sixth Prince's insight is definitely not comparable to that of previous officials! Since the embankment has little effect, I wonder if the Sixth Prince has any other strategies?"

"Although building high dams is not enough, in order to block the river flow in the short term, it is still a top priority to repair the breach." Shen Jinghe thought for a while, and talked about the water control strategy discussed with Liang Yan in the past few days .

"Nowadays, the lower reaches of the river have been silted up for a long time, and the rains have caused disasters, and the fields and crops have been drowned. In my opinion, it is the best policy to divert the flood waters and divert them by building canals. We can dredge the Pugang in the Anyang area on the north and south banks of the Wujiang River. To divert the water from the Wujiang River to the Loujiang River in the north, and then make it flow directly into the East China Sea. After such a river is connected, there will be an additional waterway in each of the five counties to the north of Qingchi County, which will not only help to divert the annual rainwater, but also It can be used to divert water to irrigate farmland and increase rice production."

Luo Guang carefully compared the map, following Shen Jinghe's words, he used his fingers to gradually draw a clear line from Qingchi County upwards.At this moment, his usually serious face looked shocked, and the hand holding the map trembled slightly.

——He has been an official in Qingchi County for many years, and he has already suffered from frequent floods over the years. He has spent countless efforts on building water conservancy projects every year, but nothing has been achieved.However, it is conceivable that if the sixth prince's water control strategy becomes a reality, how much favor the people of Su County will receive from it!

He raised his eyes to look at Shen Jinghe with a serious expression, his eyes struggled repeatedly between hesitation and reverence, and he still lowered his head deeply, "Sixth prince, I would like to thank you on behalf of the thousands of people in the south of the Yangtze River. Success is a century-old project, and the children and grandchildren will benefit endlessly!"

"You don't need to thank me. These are just strategies that General Liang and I have summed up and refined on the basis of our predecessors. Whether they are effective or not will have to be tested by time." Shen Jinghe waved his hand and smiled indifferently.

Liang Yan looked at him with a proud smile, as if he remembered something, he reminded again, "Didn't you come up with another impromptu plan last night?"

"You didn't remind me, I almost forgot to say it!" Shen Jinghe slapped his head, and turned to Luo Guang's direction, "By the way, County Magistrate Luo, after diverting the water from the river, there is still a plan that can be used." try."

"I also ask the sixth prince to enlighten me." Luo Guang didn't raise his head, but just concealed the complex look that flashed in his eyes for a moment.

"The "Shui Jing Zhu" once recorded that the previous dynasty built a dam called Tianjing Weir on the Zhanghe River, and relied on it to block a reservoir for water storage - Yanling Ze. We can also follow suit, Build a reservoir in Wujiang to adjust the degree of water discharge. During the high water season, more rainwater will be accumulated to reduce the pressure on the dam after the water level rises. When the rain is scarce in autumn and winter, water can be released to help irrigate the farmland. Another ten miles will be built within twenty miles of the dam. In the second canal, a sluice is placed at the mouth of the canal to control the inflow and outflow of river water, and one source is divided into twelve streams, which can be mobilized more flexibly."

Shen Jinghe glanced at Luo Guang, whose eyes were shining brightly because of this proposal, thought for a while, then took the album in Liang Yan's hand and flipped through it, "But this is just a rough preliminary idea, the reservoir It cannot be built in a day, and the issue of site selection and scope still needs to be discussed with officials from other states and counties.”

"It's natural." Luo Guang's figure suddenly paused for a moment, as if he had thought of something, the light in his eyes gradually dimmed, "Well, although there are good strategies, whether it is to change the river course or build a reservoir, it is still difficult to solve the problem. It's easier said than done..."

He muttered to himself, looking at a large area of ​​farmland and houses submerged under the hill, his face was a little gray.

Shen Jinghe looked at his sudden depression, and frowned slightly, "Magistrate Luo, neither of these two strategies can be achieved overnight. Once it’s fixed, we’ll be free to discuss further measures.”

Hearing Shen Jinghe mentioned the three words "disaster relief money", Luo Guang's face suddenly changed and he hesitated.He rubbed his hands a little uneasily, and his eyes wandered uncomfortably, "It's...natural, natural. But for repairing the gap in the river embankment, the subordinates have to listen to the orders of their superiors."

Shen Jinghe exchanged a look with Liang Yan calmly, both of them had some doubts in their hearts——

Could it be that the county magistrate of Qingchi, who finally appeared and was willing to do some practical things for the people, also tampered with the disaster relief money?

Shen Jinghe looked straight at him without any hesitation, with sharp eyes, "We can discuss how to proceed with the repair of the embankment, but I'm afraid County Magistrate Luo will tell me the whereabouts of the relief money. In this way, we can It is possible to estimate the manpower and material resources that will be spent in order to finalize the most appropriate strategy.”

Luo Guang was already sweating profusely. He wiped his forehead with the wide sleeve of his robe, and lowered his eyelids, "The disaster relief has been busy for the past few days, and the account books have not yet been checked by the master in the government office. I am an official, I am an official. ...and didn't know about it."

Shen Jinghe stared at him for a while, then suddenly looked away and smiled again.

"It's okay, disaster relief is urgent, and it's understandable that we can't sort out the books for a while. Since we have seen the river route today, why don't we go back to rest first, and we will talk about it in detail some other day."

"Yes, I will take you back to the official office to rest." Luo Guang finally breathed a sigh of relief, and summoned the left and right yamen servants to clear the way ahead.

On the way back, Shen Jinghe intentionally walked a few steps slower, and fell behind together with Liang Yan, leaving a short distance from the people in front.

"Luo Guang has a problem."

He tilted his head slightly, and whispered softly in Liang Yan's ear.

Liang Yan's eyes also froze. He thought for a moment, and then replied in a low voice: "Yesterday, when I went to the study room of the government office to get other pictorials to look at, I found that the account books over the years were placed in a bookcase not far away. If If there is a problem with the account book, won’t he worry that we will find out when we check the documents if he keeps us in the government office?”

The two thought of something at the same time, and their bodies suddenly paused.

"What if... those ledgers aren't real?"

Shen Jinghe pursed his lips tightly, thought for a while, then raised his eyes to look at Liang Yan again, "Looking at Luo Guang's behavior in the past two days, he must be an extremely cautious person. If the real account book is not in the official office, what do you think? , where will he put it?"

Liang Yan understood what he meant in the next second, and smiled at him in a low voice.

"It seems that we are going to live in another place tonight."

All the way without saying anything.When he was about to reach the official office, Shen Jinghe seemed to have remembered something, and suddenly quickened his pace to catch up with Luo Guang, who was walking in front, with a look of embarrassment on his face, "Magistrate Luo, to tell you the truth, the mosquito in the official office room last night The flies are really making a lot of noise. I arrived yesterday after a long journey, and I was already very tired, so I didn’t have the heart to worry about it. I got the chance today, but I hope you can arrange for us to live in another place.”

Luo Guang was taken aback when he heard the words, "Please forgive me, Sixth Prince! Normally, there are not many mosquitoes and flies in the official office. It must be because of the recent flood and humidity, which gave birth to mosquitoes. I don't know about this, otherwise the two of you would have been arranged early." Rested at an inn elsewhere."

"I'm not going to bother you." Shen Jinghe smiled softly, "If Ruoluo County Magistrate doesn't mind, I wonder if the two of us can bother you for a few nights?"

"This..." Luo Guang was obviously extremely surprised. He didn't expect the sixth prince to make such a sudden request. However, in the end, he could only restrain his expression and replied, "The humble house is simple, thanks to the sixth prince's perseverance." , if you are willing to stay here, it will make it flourish."

Shen Jinghe nodded his head in thanks, said no more, and followed him slowly with a calm demeanor.

……

I thought what Luo Guang said was just modesty, but when they entered the Luo mansion, the two of them found that the mansion was really simple and ordinary, and the outer wall with mottled skin due to flooding looked even worse. It looks a bit shabby for no reason.

He is indeed a smart man, knowing that his wealth should not be exposed, so as not to expose his whereabouts.

Shen Jinghe was still laughing and chatting with Luo Guang, but he was even more wary of him in his heart.

"The Sixth Prince and General Liang can rest in these two rooms. The official has ordered the kitchen to prepare dishes, and a simple banquet will be held in the mansion at night, which can be regarded as a welcome for the two of you." After Luo Guang led the two into the room, He bowed and spoke cautiously.

"Magistrate Luo took the trouble, thank you."

After Luo Guang left, Shen Jinghe immediately walked outside Liang Yan's room and knocked softly on the door.After Liang Yan opened the door, he stepped into the room, and then carefully closed the door.

"I just walked all the way, and I have roughly figured out the layout of Luofu. The study is not far from the west side of the main hall." Liang Yanla sat down at the table and said in a low voice.

"Okay." Shen Jinghe nodded, took his arm and said earnestly, "I can go alone to the reception banquet in the evening. Luo Guang himself and the servants in the mansion should be in the hall at that time. You can take the opportunity to look in the study Let's see if there is anything we want."

Liang Yan nodded slightly, "I understand, you should be more careful then."

"You too." Shen Jinghe looked back into his eyes with firm eyes.

When the lanterns first come on, several home-cooked dishes have already been presented in the hall of Luofu.Although there are no expensive and rare condiments, they are full of Jiangnan specialties, which shows the meticulousness of the people who prepared the banquet.

Luo Guang respectfully guided Shen Jinghe to his seat, looked behind him empty, with a slightly surprised expression, "I don't know why you don't see General Liang?"

"He blew some wind on the hills today, and he had a headache, so he rested early." Shen Jinghe sat down in a natural posture, and chatted with Luo Guang casually, "These dishes on the table are rare elsewhere. .”

"These are all unique ingredients in Su County, the sixth prince can try to see if it suits your taste..."

They exchanged cups and exchanged cups in the hall, had a meal and exchanged greetings. At the same time, Liang Yan had sneaked into Luofu's study room under the cover of night.

He didn't dare to light a lamp to avoid revealing his whereabouts, but searched carefully in the study under the bright moonlight.Nothing on the desk, nothing in the drawer, nothing in the copper box in the corner...

Where will it be?

Liang Yan frowned, and his fingers lightly ran across a row of decorations on the shelf.When he touched the back of a wood carving, he felt an unusual hard feeling between his fingertips.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and pressed lightly there.Only a "click" was heard, and a hidden compartment popped open behind the Bogu rack, and there were several books and letters of different thicknesses piled up inside.

Liang Yan carefully pulled out those books, and under the bright moonlight, the one on top was the account book they were looking for so hard.

"Did you really hide it..."

Talking to himself in a low voice, he opened the cover of the ledger, and when he saw the contents clearly, his pupils shrank suddenly.

……

More than half of the banquet was over, and Shen Jinghe was waiting a little anxiously, but when he turned his head, he saw Liang Yan's approaching figure outside the window, and a thick stack of papers in his hand.

With the confidence in his mind, he didn't want to go on with Luo Guang's hypocritical politeness.Putting down his wine glass, Shen Jinghe shot his eyes sharply like an arrow, "Magistrate Luo, we are smart people who don't speak dark words. It must be that the ledger that records the whereabouts of the disaster relief money has not been sorted out, but...you don't You don't want me to see it?"

"Sixth prince... what does this mean?" Luo Guang was startled, his hand holding the wine glass tightened, and a look of panic flashed across his face.

Seeing Liang Yan's figure getting closer and closer, Shen Jinghe no longer had any scruples, and asked step by step in a deep voice, with a serious tone, "With all due respect, the ledgers kept in the government office are really not put out by County Magistrate Luo. Is it a guise to deceive people?"

Luo Guang's expression changed suddenly, and his sweaty fingers loosened due to trembling. With a bang, the wine glass shattered to the ground, and the wine splashed among the shattered porcelain.

"No, I am not……"

"You ignorantly deposited the disaster relief money, and you were afraid of being found out, so you deliberately made a fake account book, just to confuse our sight. Magistrate Luo, I thought you were in vain..."

Shen Jinghe stared closely at Luo Guang, who looked panic-stricken, and was about to continue to ask questions, but he heard a "bang", the door that was pushed open by someone rebounded heavily on the doorpost, and his words were suddenly interrupted.

"Wait a moment!"

Liang Yan broke into the hall and approached with big strides, ignoring Luo Guang, who was in doubt because of his sudden appearance, turned his head to look at Shen Jinghe, with a subtle and complicated expression.

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Thank you Wanyi Niansheng, Xue Chuimo, Yooooooo, Xia Xiaochabing, shellybish's landmine~ happy=3=

That... Tomorrow... Empty the nutrient solution [Crazy Hint.jpg