After breakfast, Hua Zhi detailed the current situation and her proposed strategies to Gu Yanxi by the sand table, particularly regarding Lingzhou County.
"That Xu Yangjun probably knew I wanted information about Lingzhou. He slipped a local gazetteer of Lingzhou among the books he sent earlier—no idea how he obtained it. The place is sparsely populated with complex terrain: a stretch of marshland, one-third rocky mountains, and an uninhabitable debris flow area. The living conditions are harsh. Rather than maintaining such a vast area for just a few hundred people, it would be better to dig a grand canal there to resolve the perennial threats of the Wei River."
Hua Zhi unrolled the topographic map and traced the Wei River with her commanding baton. "Although constructing a grand canal requires immense manpower, resources, and funds, the Wei River passes through five provinces and the capital. The annual flood damages are incalculable. If we can connect the Wei River and the Jing River through Lingzhou, it would increase pressure on Jiaozhou, but Jiaozhou’s population is far smaller than prosperous Jingzhou and Yangzhou. Moreover, the Jing River’s burden is much lighter than the Wei River’s. With proper handling, this problem could be solved permanently."
Hua Zhi looked up, her expression solemn. "I’ve pondered this deeply. Initially, I didn’t want to offer advice on this matter, but I understand your intentions. Little Six is truly clever. Though he doesn’t grasp these complexities, that doesn’t stop him from dedicating himself to his country. He genuinely desires its prosperity. When he asked me for solutions, I couldn’t bring myself to be perfunctory with him. That’s why I’ve thought so far ahead—not limited to short-term gains. I’ve planted a seed in his heart. Even if it takes years to accomplish, it will only benefit the Daqing Dynasty. I’ve studied the dynasty’s recent circumstances: there have been no major wars for years, and the imperial family hasn’t engaged in lavish construction projects. The national treasury must be substantial. With determination, this can be achieved."
Before Gu Yanxi, Hua Zhi held nothing back. Sacrificing one region to protect major cities like Jingzhou and Yangzhou meant abandoning a small town to save larger ones. But if we properly relocate Lingzhou County’s four hundred residents, losing that land isn’t regrettable. Even those four hundred people would likely agree—who wouldn’t prefer living in better conditions?
"However, this matter is too significant. Its success ultimately depends on whether the Emperor approves." Hua Zhi glanced at the capital on the map, her lips quirking slightly. "Shaoyao thinks too simply. No matter how special the Seven Constellation Bureau is or how much authority you hold, this decision can’t be yours alone. And we must avoid rushing it."
What happened with Emperor Yang of Sui constructing the Grand Canal must never occur—otherwise, I’d become a criminal, and the Seven Constellation Bureau, long trusted by the Emperor, might lose that precious confidence.
"I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll steer this toward the best outcome." Gu Yanxi’s voice softened as he watched A Zhi, her expression cool as if she’d merely discussed trivial matters. Unbidden, he recalled Haoyue, leader of the Seven Stars Sect.
She predicted a great disaster in Xiangyang this August, with tens of thousands of casualties. Since she knew this, she must also know how to avert it. Yet she didn’t—she used it as a touchstone to prove her loyalty, showcasing her abilities.It was the same matter, yet A Zhi had devised a permanent solution because of Little Six. He could almost imagine how many books she had pored over and how much effort she had expended to come up with this plan. Yet she spoke of it so matter-of-factly, even remembering to remind him not to get entangled in trouble because of it.
This was the vast difference between the two of them.
"Boom..." A thunderclap roared, shaking the house as if it were trembling. The rain that had been brewing all morning finally poured down in torrents, accompanied by a cool breeze, carrying an overwhelming force that seemed intent on flooding the entire world.
The two of them involuntarily walked to the doorway, watching the courtyard fill with rainwater in mere moments. Their hearts sank slightly.
Gu Yanxi didn't want to dwell on it further. He pulled A Zhi back inside and told her about Haoyue.
Hua Zhi frowned as she listened. Perhaps because she had seen too many such patterns, this Haoyue gave her a somewhat... "white lotus" vibe. Even the religious name, in her opinion, carried a cult-like undertone.
"Has A Zhi thought of something?"
"Is it possible that she knows you? Or rather, that she knows the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau?" Hua Zhi spoke as she pondered. "What I mean by 'know' isn't just knowing that the Seven Constellation Bureau has a leader—many people know that. I mean she knows you, the person behind the mask."
Gu Yanxi nodded, then shook his head. "I had the same feeling at the time—that she was targeting me. But she shouldn't know my true appearance. I had Chen Qing pretend to be me when meeting her. She planted tracking powder on Chen Qing, which shows she does have some understanding of the Seven Constellation Bureau's leader. Yet I have no impression of her at all. With her demeanor, I would definitely remember if I had met her. Before coming out, I sent someone to investigate her identity. Someone like her couldn't have just sprung out of nowhere."
Hua Zhi suddenly thought of herself. She hadn't sprung out of nowhere but was a wandering soul from another world. Yet if someone were to investigate her, they would find nothing amiss—her identity was flawless.
What if Haoyue was like her...? No, that couldn't be. If Haoyue shared her origins, no matter how much she schemed, she shouldn't be able to prophesize. It wasn't as if she had been reborn, knowing events that would happen ten or twenty years later.
Wait!
Hua Zhi straightened up. If Haoyue had truly been reborn, that would explain how she knew the dike in Xiangyang would break in August. If a soul like hers could cross over from another realm, it wouldn't be strange for someone to be reborn.
If that were the case, Haoyue crafting a charlatan identity for herself would make sense.
But these were just her speculations...
Gu Yanxi had been watching her all along. Seeing her expression, he knew she must have thought of something important. "A Zhi, speak your mind," he urged.
Hua Zhi hesitated but ultimately didn't reveal the truth. She needed to observe further to confirm whether her suspicions were correct. Even if they were, she couldn't voice them—it would only invite trouble. She merely reminded him, "Keep a close watch on Haoyue. She might prove useful in the future."
"Naturally." Gu Yanxi lowered his gaze, concealing the ruthlessness within. If she truly possessed the ability to prophesize, the Seven Constellation Bureau would never allow her the chance to serve another nation! Since her target was the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau, they would give her one.Hua Zhi didn't press the matter further and instead said, "Digging a new river channel isn't something we can accomplish immediately. If we can clear the dried-up riverbed and have someone open the floodgates in Lingzhou County to divert water into Lingzhou, with such a vast area to contain the floodwaters, Xiangyang might not necessarily experience a dam breach."
Gu Yanxi smiled, "Indeed. Since she's skilled at prophecy, I wonder if she foresaw your existence."
If she truly was reborn, she probably wouldn't have accounted for me—I wasn't here in her previous life. "Find an opportunity to sound her out about Little Six. See what her attitude is and whether she overlooked Little Six in her calculations as well."
PS: Thank you to all the readers who are still following along with the updates.
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