Under the planning of the newly appointed Chief Engineer Tie Sanniu, the Thousand Canal Water Conservancy Project expanded to include seven main river channels. Integrating water storage, sediment discharge, filtration, flood discharge, and irrigation, it became a massive undertaking expected to take three years to complete fully.
Song Qianji reviewed over a hundred blueprints, including designs for dams, reservoirs, embankments, and cross-river bridges. After traversing Thousand Canals for the second time, he finalized the three-year grand plan.
However, plans could not keep up with changes. Unbeknownst to anyone, more and more people began arriving in Thousand Canals to work. They came from Hongfu Prefecture and even places beyond Hongfu.
Some brought their families, others came alone; some carried hopes for a new life, while others, driven by hunger and cold, sought refuge and a chance to survive, asking only for a full meal and a way to live.
The arrival of these "New Thousand Canals People" significantly accelerated the progress of the river channel project.
Qiu Dacheng and Xu Kanshan worked their abacuses incessantly every day. Having frequented gambling dens for years, they were adept at calculating funds and provisions.
"Next month, we'll add six more large cauldrons and hire twelve more cooks."
"If we hadn't discovered the Spirit Stone Mine and Fire Oil, we truly couldn't afford to support so many river workers."
Ji Xing said naively, "Why couldn't we afford it? My foolish brother may lack other skills, but he has plenty of money."
Zhou Xiaoyun glanced around and whispered, "Brother Ji is currently constructing the Thousand Canal Protection Array. Everyone praises him for being young and accomplished. You..."
Ji Xing stuck out her tongue and laughed, "Alright, alright. I won't say it in front of others from now on. I'll save him some face, okay? Someone's here to collect their land deed. I'm off!"
The New Thousand Canals People worked harder and endured more hardships, all for the chance to pass the assessment after a month of labor, register as residents of Thousand Canals, and obtain a deed for three acres of wasteland of their own.
Those lands were currently desolate and barren, devoid of any vegetation, making the deeds little more than worthless paper.
Yet, they still collected saplings, seeds, and farming tools, diligently cultivating and planting. They believed that when the spring breeze blew next year, it would turn their hillsides green.
Xu Kanshan sighed, "What kind of gamblers are we? Look at them—they're the real gamblers. Betting the efforts of three generations and their entire families, staking everything on Thousand Canals' fortune rising!"
Qiu Dacheng corrected him, "It's the prefecture's fortune. We haven't established a kingdom here yet."
Because Thousand-Ditch Prefecture was barren and deliberately neglected by the Huawel Sect, Song Qianji was not like the Immortal Officials previously appointed by the sect.
In the hearts of the Thousand Canals people, he was a true independent ruler, someone who could even melt the golden statue in the God Temple for cash.
The mortals did not know the extent of his cultivation, assuming it was on par with Liu Xianguan of neighboring Hongfu Prefecture.
In the crisp autumn air, the grain ears in the fields gradually turned golden under the western wind. As far as the eye could see, beneath the blue sky, the landscape was a brilliant gold.
Sparrows chirped and fluttered their wings, stealing grains from the fields.
Nourished by the mist from the Fountain of Immortality, the first batch of mature grains in Thousand Canals this year were no longer shriveled. The heavy ears drooped downward, bringing smiles to the farmers' faces.
Song Qianji walked through the grain fields, selected the three fullest stalks, cut the ears, and carefully placed them into a Spirit Jade Carved Gift Box.
Now, there were many fertile fields within the city. Thanks to the former landlords and wealthy gentry, who had bought standing tickets and left Thousand Canals overnight, their mansions and gardens were now planted with grains and vegetables.
"Senior Brother Song, what are you doing?" Ji Chen asked, puzzled as he watched Song Qianji packaging the gift. "Keeping a memento?"
"Just some local specialties to send to the Huawel Sect. Although cultivators abstain from grains, the gift may be small, but the sentiment is deep," Song Qianji replied.
"Why?"Song Qianji smiled, "Thanks to them for reluctantly parting with Thousand-Ditch Prefecture and giving it to me!"
Thanks? Ji Chen thought inwardly, Huawel Sect giving you Thousand-Ditch Prefecture is clearly meant to torment you.
Where's the reluctance? They're overjoyed about it!
Senior Brother Song truly has a broad heart, repaying grievance with virtue.
Meng Heze knew the backstory. That night before Song Qianji left the sect, he had mentioned sending local specialties back in the future.
Senior Brother Song always keeps his word, following through on what he says.
Meng Heze took the gift box: "I'll make the trip. Don't worry, Senior Brother."
Senior Brother Song is too righteous; it's better to have less dealings with those jackals of Huawel Sect. He decided to go immediately and was about to set off.
"Wait."
Hearing this, Meng Heze turned back to see Song Qianji toss something over: "Test the sword!"
Meng Heze raised his hand and caught the sword.
With a resonant hum, the long sword left its sheath, a gleam of light falling between his brows.
He casually twirled a sword flower, surprised to find its weight and style identical to the beginner's sword he was accustomed to, like reuniting with an old friend.
Yet it encountered less resistance when cutting through the air, moving faster—naturally enhancing its excellence, like adding wings to a tiger.
"This is a treasured sword Senior Brother personally forged for me!" The youth's eyes warmed, and he asked softly, "What is its name?"
Song Qianji laughed, "Your own sword's name should be chosen by you."
Holding the sword felt like cupping a handful of autumn moonlight. Meng Heze actually showed a shy expression: "I, I need to think carefully."
"Go now, be polite, and don't argue with anyone." Song Qianji stuffed a stack of talismans into his hand, smoothing the wrinkles on his front lapel like an old father preparing his son for a journey.
Meng Heze clasped his fists: "The gifts will be delivered, and I will definitely return!"
Ji Chen hurried after him: "Brother Meng, can you take me along?"
Song Qianji smiled, lowering his head to harvest grain, enjoying the joy of a bountiful harvest.
Letting the autumn wind blow, sparrows chirping beside him.
In less than the time for a cup of tea, shouts arose again as Ji Chen, having abandoned Meng Heze, hurriedly returned: "Brother Song, someone is looking for you—"
Song Qianji, deep in his harvesting work, didn't look up: "Let them come."
Ji Chen rushed up to him, excited: "It's a peerlessly great beauty! With eighteen Fairy Sound Sect female cultivators attending her—such grand pomp!"
Song Qianji instinctively frowned, not stopping his sickle: "Miaoyan?"
In this life, I have no enmity with you. Why have you come?
Ji Chen waved his arms and danced about, incoherent: "It's not Fairy Miaoyan! It's, it's... she's the kind of beauty that makes one shiver all over—"
Suddenly, a woman's voice sounded not far away: "It's me."
Hearing this, Song Qianji paused slightly, put down his sickle, and straightened up.
Miaoyan's voice was always soft and beautiful, drifting lightly into the ears with the wind, ethereal and elusive.
This woman's voice, however, held a touch of cool clarity. Two words spoken were like jade shattering on a plate, firm and resonant.
Ji Chen silently stepped aside.
Over ten Fairy Sound Sect female cultivators retreated to both sides, their skirts swaying lightly, immortal aura overflowing, like pure white flowers blooming in succession.
That person stepped out slowly but pierced through the floral array like a sharp blade.
She wore a crimson long dress, layered and overlapping, adorned with jeweled tassels, jade pendants tinkling with her movements, arm veils fluttering.
Amidst competing blossoms of spring, only she shone with a cold gleam, her stunning beauty sharp as a blade.
Her entire demeanor was utterly incongruous with the busy farming scene. The surroundings fell silent for a moment, followed by successive gasps.With a beauty before him, Song Qianji rolled up his sleeves, his clothes dotted with mud stains.
He smiled casually and greeted, "You're here."
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