While the number wasn't exact from the ledger, Yuan Xingchi estimated it to be a conservative figure.
Thinking of the dozens of similar shops throughout the Great Song Dynasty, even Yuan Xingchi couldn't help but marvel at how extraordinary his son-in-law truly was.
"Perhaps we should go and see it in Xiaotianshui Lane?"
The coachman wore a lewd smile as he spoke.
"Look at your meager aspirations!"
Yuan Xingchi smiled faintly, unperturbed. He waved his hand decisively, signaling the coachman to leave.
"Thank you, sir. I'll be back tonight!"
The coachman hadn't expected Yuan Xingchi to agree to such an inappropriate request.
"Alright, no need to rush. What trouble could I get into staying here in this courtyard? I'll give you three days. We have important matters to attend to after that!"
Yuan Xingchi then turned his attention back to the chess manual before him.
Compared to the pleasures of Xiaotianshui Lane, he preferred to contemplate matters alone.
————————————————————
As the last gap was sealed, all the riverbanks along the Wei River within Neihuang County that required repair had been completed.
However, neither Gao Zhiyao nor Lü Ying wore any expressions of joy.
It had been three days and three nights. Although the rain within Neihuang had not been heavy, the water level of the Wei River had been steadily rising.
Based on previous years' patterns, the cause of this situation could only be continuous heavy rainfall upstream.
The river embankments had only just been repaired. Whether they could withstand the upcoming flood remained an unknown.
Gao Zhiyao was undoubtedly the most anxious. The entire project's design had been based on his plans.
If the embankments failed to hold against the flood, he would be an eternal sinner in Neihuang County.
"I've just received news that several upstream counties have experienced continuous heavy rainfall. Can our newly repaired embankments withstand it?"
As the two men stared blankly at the rising river water, Han Mo quietly appeared behind them.
"My Lord!"
Hearing Han Mo speak, they snapped back to attention and turned to bow.
"At this critical moment, there's no need for formalities. If the river water continues to rise, can the embankments hold?"
This was Han Mo's most pressing concern. If these embankments failed, the entire Neihuang County would become a vast expanse of water.
The people within the city might survive, but the fate of those outside would be dire, with their year's harvest lost.
For these common folk, they possessed no resilience against risks. A single flood could undo generations of hard work.
"Currently, it should be fine, but if the river water continues to rise by this time the day after tomorrow..."
Gao Zhiyao faltered, unsure how to continue.
"I ask you, if these embankments cannot hold, is there any other recourse?"
Han Mo spoke while taking a deep breath.
River management primarily focused on dredging, with embankment construction as a secondary measure.
However, dredging could only be carried out during the dry season in autumn and winter.
Han Mo had only been in office for a few months, leaving no time for such work. At this juncture, he could only prepare for the worst.
"There is another method, but..."
Gao Zhiyao looked at Han Mo with a troubled expression.
"If there's a way, speak it plainly! Don't be so hesitant!"
"My Lord, look towards the opposite bank..."
Gao Zhiyao spoke while pointing towards the other side of the river.
Following his gesture, amidst the misty rain, the nearly ripe rice stalks swayed gently.
However, Han Mo had no appreciation for this scenery. He immediately understood Gao Zhiyao's proposed solution.
The method was quite simple, something Han Mo could have figured out himself: flood diversion.
From their vantage point, the land across the river was a low-lying area, spanning nearly a thousand mu.
If it came to the worst, it could serve as a natural flood diversion point.
However, the sole problem was that these were all first-class fields, and the owners of the land on the west bank were all wealthy families within the county.
Han Mo had already squeezed a considerable amount of wealth from these individuals. Using their land for flood diversion at this time would put him in a difficult position.
Moreover, even if Han Mo were shameless, they would not let it go unchallenged.
"Send someone to investigate who the owners of these fields are!"
After a moment of deliberation, Han Mo spoke again.
"My Lord, all the land there belongs to the Shenxiao Palace as private property..."
Lü Ying said with a peculiar expression.
"What did you say?"
Han Mo was taken aback.
"Indeed, all of this is the private property of the Shenxiao Palace. We have already checked. Not only that low-lying area but also the surrounding land, totaling over 3,200 mu..."
After Lü Ying finished speaking, Han Mo felt a wave of embarrassment. This was no laughing matter.
At this moment, Zhong Yanchong was in his yamen, and countless eyes were on him.
The abbot of Shenxiao Palace had just been severely dealt with by him. If he were to now use the Shenxiao Palace's land for flood diversion.
It would be a miracle if the already watchful officials didn't bring Han Mo to account.
Han Mo rubbed his temples with a headache. He was momentarily undecided.
Giving others an excuse to criticize him at this time was a grave misstep.
"Alright, you prepare according to this plan. I will handle the subsequent matters!"
Looking at the laborers working tirelessly on the riverbanks, Han Mo finally made up his mind.
"My Lord, please reconsider! This land was granted by the Emperor, not privately bought and sold common land. Moreover, there are proper land deeds..."
Lü Ying quickly said.
For those few dozen mu of riverbank land, they lacked deeds. Coupled with Han Mo's strong backing and Wang Daolu's own guilty conscience, the matter had ultimately been glossed over.
However, if these thousand mu of prime land were to be touched now, the nature of the issue would be entirely different.