mtl008 Chapter 823 The runaway princess has reappeared?
Chapter 823 The runaway princess has reappeared?
Princess Zhenguo arrived and then suddenly disappeared. To the officials of both places, it meant that Qiao Lian'er was incapable of resolving this troublesome matter, which also showed that the water source problem was indeed a headache.
Even the legendary, all-powerful princess who protects the nation has run away—
“Lord Zhu, Xuan County is not trying to compete with your Tai County for water resources. It’s just that without water, the people here cannot survive.” Lord Liang adopted an even more humble stance.
Lord Zhu's face was icy: "It's not that I'm unwilling to make an exception, Lord Liang, as you know, the Bohe River is too small, barely enough to irrigate the farmland of Tai County. Moreover, the Bohe River originates in Tai County, but flows through Xuan County downstream. Logically speaking, it should be used by Tai County."
“Yes, it should be used by Tai County. The Bo River originally belonged to Tai County. We can block it however we want. What does it have to do with Xuan County?”
One of the people in Tai County shouted, which immediately drew a chorus of voices in response.
“Every year you cause trouble for us. Xuanjun has no rivers, so who can you blame? You can’t take our food just because of that. It’s not easy for anyone. We’re just barely making ends meet.”
The people of Xuanjun retorted, "The Bohe River flows through both Taijun and Xuanjun so that both places can use it. This is the will of Heaven. Every year, many people in Xuanjun starve to death because you people of Taijun are selfish and always cut off the river. If you don't let us live well, you won't live well either."
“If you are willing to let half of the river flow down, the number of people who starve to death in Xuan County every year will be greatly reduced, and we will not make trouble for you.”
"Otherwise, we'll die together."
The people from both places started arguing and shouting, their words flying everywhere, their emotions running high.
Qiao Lian'er had already learned about it in general terms, but now she heard it in more detail.
She didn't rush to show herself, but instead went to check on the Bohe River.
The Bohe River has a narrow channel, and with winter approaching and no rainfall, there is only a small amount of water flowing. As the weather gets colder, the river water begins to freeze, and the flow slows down.
The people of Xuanjun were struggling to prepare for planting after the spring, because by this time, their meager harvest was almost gone, and they couldn't even celebrate the New Year properly, which filled them with anger.
For Qiao Lian'er, the plan to ask the people of Tai County to give up half of the river water, thereby reducing the grain production in Tai County, was not feasible. Moreover, the officials of the two places had been arguing for many years without reaching a conclusion. Even if the government reached an agreement, the people of Tai County would not agree to it.
What to do in this situation? The answer is to find a usable river within the jurisdiction of Xuanjun.
If there were rivers that could provide irrigation, they would have been discovered long ago, but it's not like there's no way to solve the problem at all.
She needed to find a river, an underground river.
Queyuan Prefecture is characterized by numerous karst landforms, which complement the formation of underground rivers.
Qiao Lian'er pulled up a detailed map of Xuan County from her spatial storage, marking the locations of sinkholes and depressions. She went to these places specifically and used specialized detection instruments to explore underground water channels.
After a busy day of relocations, Qiao Lian'er wiped the sweat from her brow and identified the most suitable underground river.
In fact, she found several underground rivers, but some were too deep to be excavated, some flowed through dangerous places and were not easy to irrigate farmland, and some had a small amount of water.
She emerged from behind a large rock next to the latrine.
It was almost dark by then, the sky was a hazy gray, making the twilight seem even more profound.
The officials in both places are still here, and the people in both places are still here.
“Lord Zhu, you are being too heartless. We are both officials, and although you govern Tai County and I govern Xuan County, the people in both places are made of flesh and blood and only want to have enough to eat. Why can’t you show some compassion?”
At this point, Lord Liang was already furious.
He even considered inciting the people of Xuan County to fight, since everyone was starving and it might have the effect of a desperate army winning, putting pressure on Tai County and forcing Tai County to make concessions.
But how could he, as an official, incite a popular riot?
“It’s not that I’m not considerate. I’ve told Lord Liang this countless times. It’s just that Tai County doesn’t even have enough water for its own use, and you Xuan County are trying to compete for it.”
"The people under my jurisdiction are still able to make a living. If we give up half of the water source, wouldn't it cause great suffering to the people of Tai County? I would also become a sinner."
Your tone was icy.
Undoubtedly, this negotiation will end in failure again, but the hatred between Tai County and Xuan County will escalate further.
Lord Liang's face grew increasingly cold.
He glared at Lord Zhu, and Lord Zhu glared back at him, neither giving an inch.
In the dim light of the night, a figure walked over.
Upon seeing that it was Princess Zhenguo, both county magistrates were taken aback.
Didn't Princess Zhenguo run away a long time ago? How come she's reappeared now?
Although Queyuan Prefecture is now the fiefdom of Princess Zhenguo, the princess cannot solve the problem, and the two of them actually look down on it.
Qiao Lian'er was too lazy to waste words. If they continued to be deadlocked like this, there would never be a solution; it would only increase hatred.
"Lord Liang, tomorrow I will summon all the constables and common people to come with me to dig a road and open a canal."
"Lord Zhu, the Bo River flows through two counties. Logically speaking, Xuan County should indeed have a share, but Tai County has taken it all, which is indeed inhumane. I hope that Tai County can contribute half of its manpower to help Xuan County clear the way."
The two were stunned, but judging from Qiao Lian'er's decisive manner, she didn't seem to be joking.
"May I ask, Princess Zhenguo, if there were other waterways in Xuan County under my jurisdiction, things wouldn't have escalated to this point with Tai County. You come here and immediately say you want to open a canal. But where are we going to open one?" Lord Liang asked, puzzled.
Lord Zhu thought of something and his face darkened: "Could it be that we should divert water from the Bohe River? Absolutely not. If that were feasible, the two places wouldn't have had to argue like this for so many years."
Qiao Lian'er snorted, "Lord Zhu, you underestimate me. The water of the Bohe River is not enough for Tai County. I came here specifically to solve this problem, but I am going to harm the interests of Tai County. What's the point? Don't worry, I will only maximize the interests of both of you."
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and the common people also looked confused.
"The riverbed can be dug, but where will the water come from?" Lord Liang pounded his fist on his palm, still finding it unbelievable.
"Can a riverbed without water be called a riverbed? Tomorrow I will lead everyone to dig a river with a source. You just need to follow me."
"If Tai County is willing to help with this, I will point out another river for you. In this way, with irrigation from both rivers, grain production will increase and there will be a surplus. You will no longer have to struggle to make ends meet."
A resident of Xuan County suddenly shouted, "Why should we believe you just because you are the Princess Zhenguo? But what you're saying doesn't make any sense. Are you just trying to fool us poor folks?"