Chapter 171: Chapter 170: Black Stone Mountain

It’s evident that Bai Qihong is anxious about the canal construction; after expressing his grievances, he seems unwilling to delay further and thus says to Lu Qing: “The Prince has seen the situation here. This place is certainly not suitable for sightseeing. I am overwhelmed and unable to entertain the Prince at the moment.

The previous reminders, please, Prince, keep them in mind. Forgive me for being unable to host you. The Prince may take a rest in this shack and move elsewhere afterward!”

After speaking, he bowed to Lu Qing with his hands folded and then turned to leave.

“Lord Bai,” Zhu Yu quickly spoke after seeing this, considering that if she voiced her lingering doubts directly, Bai Qihong might not respond. So she deliberately changed her approach, “We’ve seen the terrain clearly along the way here.

The terrain is lower towards the east, making it much more efficient to dig the canal eastward. However, the canal outside is being dug towards the northwest, where the terrain is higher, which requires deeper and further excavation.

I wish to ask, given the severe flooding here and the urgency of drainage, why are you digging the canal as if taking detours?

I just witnessed your sincere words for the people of Huazhou. Why does your action differ from what you expressed?

Are your claims of benevolence merely lip service?”

“Hey! Don’t be rude!” Lu Qing immediately interjected after Zhu Yu spoke, though his tone lacked intensity; it was more of a formal gesture than a genuine rebuke.

Bai Qihong felt somewhat upset being addressed in such a manner, but he didn’t show much anger; he merely frowned, seemingly more resigned.

“I certainly know it’s most efficient to dig the canal eastward, but this way leads directly to the Shuo Country border.” He shook his head and sighed, “The Holy Emperor decreed that no canals are to be dug near the border.”

Zhu Yu was slightly astonished.

The Shuo Country struggles with agriculture not only due to its many mountains but mainly because of significant water scarcity.

Rainfall in Shuo Country is rare, especially on the side bordering Jin Country, where larger rivers and lakes are absent.

Due to the lack of water, crop yield is less than half compared to Jin Country, and fish and shrimp are only available to those near Lan Country.

It’s said that Shuo People are indifferent to fine dining, but essentially, it’s because they lack the means to be particular.

Zhu Yu had also wondered why her father never discussed joint canal construction with Jin Country, assuming he was preoccupied with metallurgy.

She now realizes that Jin Country simply forbids extending canals to the Shuo Country border.

“So does the Vice Minister Bai plan to divert the water into the northwest Luan River?” Lu Qing glanced outside as heavier rains began after a brief pause, “The Luan River is tens of miles from here, and with the current excavation, time is tight.

Before the canals connect to Luan River, upstream waters might already destroy the canals.

Moreover, Luan River has multiple tributaries, and its water levels rise significantly during the rainy season. Diverting another canal might alleviate water issues around Huazhou, but when Luan River floods, how will the downstream Liangzhou inhabitants cope?”

Bai Qihong looked at Lu Qing with some surprise.

He was well aware of these issues, serving diligently over the years as Minister of Public Works.

However, due to his father-in-law’s influence, he hadn’t had proper dealings with Prince Xiaoyao.

Rumor had it that Prince Xiaoyao spent childhood in a Daoist Temple, engrossed in scriptures before returning to the Capital and becoming enamored by worldly pleasures, living indulgently.

He supposedly lacked any seriousness.

Hence, Duke Yan often expressed disdain and loathing toward Lu Qing, and Bai Qihong hadn’t given it much thought.

The recent defamation incident of Cao Tianbao’s nephew was a hot topic in the Capital’s circles, and Bai Qihong was surprised, discovering this supposed libertine had competent retinue and a magnanimous heart.

Now, hearing Lu Qing’s proposition, it’s clear he’s familiar with the Huazhou terrain and has knowledge, albeit basic, of waterway management.

This is not an attribute a mere wastrel would display.

“Prince’s concerns, I have also considered, yet the situation is difficult.” He suppressed his surprise and sighed, “Diverting water into Luan River may or may not affect Liangzhou, presenting fifty-fifty odds.

Without diverting, Huazhou will surely collapse.

If this continues, crop failure would be the least concern; the people’s homes may succumb to flooding.

If the populace loses shelter and lacks food, widespread hunger would lead to chaos in Huazhou.

I have no choice but to urgently dig the canal, aiming to divert water into Luan River.”

“I don’t think that’s entirely necessary.” Unlike Bai Qihong’s concern, Lu Qing appeared calm, “Has the Vice Minister Bai considered another option?

What if the canal, rather than directing northwest, extends eastwards directly without bends, quickly draining the accumulated water in Huazhou.”

Initially, Zhu Yu found Bai Qihong’s words creating a dilemma, yet upon hearing Lu Qing’s suggestion of directly digging east, eliminating bends…

She mentally traced the direction indicated by Lu Qing and quickly understood his intent, feeling enlightened and stealing a glance at him.

While Zhu Yu pondered Lu Qing’s intended direction, Bai Qihong was doing the same.

However, clearly, he lacked familiarity with Lu Qing; without Zhu Yu’s instant realization, he seemed perplexed upon realizing where Lu Qing suggested digging the canal.

“Does the Prince not know that eastward digging leads to a mountain in less than thirty miles?” Assuming Lu Qing had a partial understanding of the area’s terrain, he continued, “This mountain is called Black Stone Mountain, several tens of meters high with steep stone walls.

The west of the mountain lies within Da Jin’s Huazhou territory, while the east belongs to Shuo Country.

Moreover, the dark stones of Black Stone Mountain are notably hard, neither cuttable nor breakable with ordinary tools.

You’re suggesting we dig a canal to its base, but does the mountain drink water?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep