A sudden onslaught of cold autumn rain struck without warning, stretching from the capital to the borders of Qingping, pouring down in a relentless deluge for several days. Prince Qin’s illness took a turn for the worse, leaving him unable to rise from his bed; like the autumn itself, his condition grew increasingly cold and heavy. The swift riders galloping out of the capital had to pass through the Liaoyuan Prefecture of Qingping before they could reach Mount Wuhanfo. The Crown Prince’s urgent summons was carried high and proud along the road, yet its pace slowed significantly once it crossed into Qingping territory.
With a single phrase—"acting according to regulations"—Xie Jingsheng managed to stall the capital’s summons for seven or eight days. The notices passing through the relay stations were treated like fine craftsmanship, handled with agonizing slowness as if every word required meticulous scrutiny for fear of impropriety. Consequently, the swift steeds were reduced to the pace of slow donkeys.
A figure in a crow-blue crane-patterned cloak stood straight by the railing outside the pavilion. An unopened folding fan tapped rhythmically against his fingertips, keeping time with the sharp, resonant notes of a pipa drifting from within the building.
"If you truly didn't want them to pass, why not just find a pretext to intercept them? Why be so hesitant and circuitous? Are you afraid the Crown Prince won't realize it's you?" Standing beside him was a woman dressed in a cross-collared short shirt and a snow-purple brocade skirt. Her forehead was smooth and clear, her hair swept up in a high, elegant bun. Her appearance was clean and brisk; though she dressed as a married woman, her brow still held the gentle warmth of a young maiden, while her speech revealed a bold and tranquil spirit.
"Even if I truly blocked them, the Crown Prince would know exactly what happened." Xie Jingsheng tossed his folding fan into the air, making it flip gracefully before catching it steadily. He chuckled. "He hates me quite enough as it is; I suspect if he so much as trips, he’ll blame it on the poor roads of Qingping. This autumn rain is damp, cold, tedious, and dull—can’t I find a little amusement for myself? Sister Yan, don't fret over it."
"Prince Qin’s 'bitter meat' strategy was quite powerful this time." Xiao Yan tucked her hands into her sleeves. "I can't hide from it fast enough, yet here you are, courting death by thrusting yourself forward, as if you're terrified the Crown Prince won't know you're the ringleader."
"I happen to like it when he hates me." Xie Jingsheng snapped his fan open and pinched his voice into a falsetto. "Your Highness, Your Highness, this humble servant is waiting for you~"
Xiao Yan immediately recoiled several steps. "Good heavens, My Lord, please wake up. In this freezing autumn rain, what are you doing acting like a freak with that fan?" She then laughed. "True enough, if the Crown Prince only hates you, it’s for the best if he fails to remember who originally intended to investigate that case so thoroughly."
"Wasn't it me?" Xie Jingsheng rubbed his chin. "I've been so busy making life difficult for others these past few days that I forgot to groom myself. This stubble is quite prickly."
Seeing he didn't wish to dwell on the matter, Xiao Yan dropped it, merely teasing him: "You're nothing but a foxtail weed from Qingping anyway. No matter how much you groom yourself, you'll still be prickly."
"A foxtail weed," Xie Jingsheng repeated with a laugh. "That’s the truth. I am indeed a foxtail weed of Qingping." He paused, then chuckled again. "Though being called a 'local snake' sounds more impressive."
A local snake’s prowess is only fully realized on its own turf. Unfortunately, before Xie Jingsheng could finish causing trouble, the heavens decided to flip a bucket, bursting the dams of Prince Tang’s Jiangtang. One could say Prince Qin’s luck was poor; his self-injury was timed brilliantly, but it couldn't compete with the timing of a torrential downpour. As the floodwaters in Jiangtang surged, they first poured into the Long River that ran between Mount Wuhanfo and Qingping. The water levels along the banks rose drastically; though the water came from Jiangtang, it was the lands of Qingping that were submerged. Fortunately, Xie Jingsheng and Xiao Yan had evacuated the residents along the Long River several miles back during the first few days of the rain and had already harvested the crops. Though the fields were flooded, there were no casualties.
However, this was not the first time. Two years ago, a similar flood in Jiangtang had ruined the fertile fields of Qingping. Every year, Xie Jingsheng submitted memorials requesting the capital to send someone to properly repair and reinforce the Jiangtang dams. But because no major catastrophe had occurred and Prince Tang himself remained silent, the capital had dragged its feet year after year, citing a lack of funds.
The moment the news reached Xie Jingsheng, the man who had been leaning back in his chair reading a play script a moment ago slammed the book down in a towering rage.
"I knew this would happen!" He pointed at the report and sneered. "Has Prince Tang eaten too much? Would it kill him to open his mouth to the Secretariat at the beginning of the year?! If he has the guts, let him pay for the repairs himself; if not, he should shut up and listen to me, and let the capital send someone to fix it properly! Every year he floods my fields! Every single year! If he keeps acting like this, I’ll castrate him first!"
"Xie Jingsheng!" Xiao Yan rebuked. "Is your head tired of staying on your shoulders? What nonsense are you spouting!"
Xie Jingsheng was usually quick to laugh and curse in jest, but when his dog-like temper truly flared, it was not easily quelled. He had exhausted his efforts at the start of the year for this very reason. Qingping had only this one Long River; if the channels were well-maintained, irrigation for the fertile fields would be stable, and the people could live in peace. But ever since the Jiangtang dam collapsed once, every rainy season had been a period of instability. That dam in Jiangtang was like a wobbling blade hanging over Qingping’s head. Jiangtang’s water network was dense; with the dam leaking here and collapsing there without permanent repairs, what if it completely gave way one day? Not only would Jiangtang suffer, but Qingping would be the first to be devastated!
Xie Jingsheng suppressed his fire. "Send a memorial to the capital, immediately! Say the damn dam has collapsed again! If the capital doesn't come to fix it, I’ll beat Prince Tang until he’s willing to fix it himself! Didn't the Emperor miss his sons a few days ago? Just take this old bastard back and stop making my life miserable!" With that, he stormed out, called for his horse, and led his men through the rain toward the Long River.
If the rain stopped, it would be fine. But if it continued, the Long River might not be able to contain the vast water network of Jiangtang. When the flood surged then, there would be nowhere left to evacuate the people!
While Xie Jingsheng headed to the river in a fury, his memorial reached the capital with lightning speed. During the court session, the Emperor inquired about the matter, and Bai Jiu’s people naturally clarified the dangers involved. However, since the Jiangtang dam had not seen a major disaster in the dozen years since its construction, and Qingping always managed to evacuate in time with the waters receding within a month, the court did not feel a sense of urgency.
A Record Keeper from the Secretariat spoke first: "Lord Xie submits a memorial every year. If it weren't a dire emergency, why would he go this far? Furthermore, the lands and waters of Qingping and Jiangtang are interconnected; a flood is no small matter. In my humble opinion, the court should repair the Jiangtang dam to prevent any accidents."
A Councilor immediately countered: "If it were truly a dire emergency, Lord Xie, as the Provincial Administration Commissioner, has the authority over financial matters. Why must he ask the capital every year?"
The Record Keeper was stunned. Following this, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments sneered, "The Lord Councilor’s words are mistaken. I have never heard of a Provincial Administration Commissioner using his funds to repair a dam in a Prince’s fief. Lord Xie governs Qingping, not Jiangtang!"
The Councilor did not back down, continuing: "Since it is not under his jurisdiction, why meddle in others' affairs? If His Highness Prince Tang truly felt something was amiss, he would naturally memorialize the throne. Why should someone else raise their voice?"
Though the Record Keeper held a low rank, he was truly worried about the flood. He said, "The ancients said that preventing trouble before it happens is no mere platitude. Current peace does not mean future stability; being prepared for danger in times of peace is the mark of a gentleman. Jiangtang and Qingping are both vital regions of the state and the empire's granaries. If a flood truly occurs, it will affect thousands of lives. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider!"
The Councilor watched with cold eyes, clearly not listening to a word. This matter was debated every year, and the Emperor found it tedious, wishing only to allocate a small amount of silver as a gesture. Unexpectedly, before the Emperor could speak, He Anchang suddenly stepped forward from the ranks.
"I concur." He raised his head coldly, his gaze solemn. "Flood prevention cannot be delayed. The Jiangtang dam has not been overhauled for years; even if it were made of iron, it would be worn down. Since the Long River has risen and the rain has not stopped, this matter is imminent. However, repairs are not a casual matter, and the allocation of funds should not be handled carelessly according to habit. In previous years, only Lord Xie submitted memorials, and we have not seen the situation with our own eyes. This year, I request to personally visit the Long River and Jiangtang to provide a formal report on the necessary funding. What is Your Majesty’s will?"
The Emperor hesitated. "Ruxu, you wish to go to the Long River personally?"
"It is only right," He Anchang said, lowering his eyes.
"In that case," the Emperor nodded, "then I shall leave the inspection to Ruxu. If the situation is critical, begin repairs immediately."
As the court adjourned, He Anchang was descending the steps when he saw Bai Jiu passing by. He said, "King of Pingding."
Bai Jiu stopped and looked back with a smile. "Rare indeed."
He Anchang remained expressionless, saying only, "Since the matter of the Jiangtang dam is so urgent, did Lord Xie not write to the King of Pingding for help?"
"Xie Jingsheng has never been one to beg." Bai Jiu turned slightly, twirling a jade pendant in his palm. He said slowly, "Though he doesn't show his face in the capital, he can still manage a place like Qingping. As the saying goes, 'when the water comes, use earth to block it.' If he were truly waiting for the capital to allocate money for the dam, Qingping would have been submerged long ago." He continued walking down, adding softly, "In terms of a heart for the people, I cannot match him. Lord He, safe travels."
He Anchang stood dazed for a moment.
Upon entering his carriage, He Anchang saw Xin Yi handing him a hand warmer. Bai Jiu simply took Xin Yi’s hands into his own as well and smiled. "Why have you come to pick me up again?"
"Heavy rain," Xin Yi smiled back, then asked, "How is the dam repair going?"
"It's settled." Bai Jiu drank some ginger soup from Xin Yi's hand, his brow furrowing slightly. "This time it cannot be delayed. How can a dam collapse every year? Xie Jingsheng has been pushed to his limit this time. If the dam isn't repaired, Prince Tang likely won't have any more peaceful days."
"I heard of this when I was in Shanyin," Xin Yi said. "If Lord Xie hadn't pushed so hard for Qingping’s water conservancy and channels, the Long River wouldn't have lasted even the first year. But Prince Tang knows the stakes better than anyone; why does he stay silent every year?"
A smile spread across Bai Jiu’s lips, but his narrow eyes remained cold. "The Emperor has been killing any Prince who stands out these past few years. Prince Tang wants nothing more than to play dead and huddle in his fief for the rest of his life rather than see his father. How would he dare ask for money?"
Xin Yi recalled, "This Imperial Uncle... he didn't used to be like this."
Of course not. As the saying goes, one plays the pig to eat the tiger; the more one shrinks back, the greater one's ambitions. Look at the six Princes—today, only he remains in his fief.
Bai Jiu ruffled Xin Yi’s hair and said, "When you return to Beiyang..." He paused and smiled. "Remember not to pay him any mind."
Xin Yi nodded solemnly. Bai Jiu was amused by his seriousness and laughed, letting the matter drop.
Less than four days later, He Anchang arrived at the Long River.
The rain was still falling. Xie Jingsheng did not dare leave the site; these past few days, he had been living in a crude wooden shack built by the river channels. Lacking a bed, he slept on a long wooden bench. Fortunately, he was thick-skinned and sturdy, surviving the nightly falls. Often, before he could even close his eyes, someone would call for him from outside. He didn't dare be careless, keeping a constant watch on the rising waters of the Long River.
Today, the heavy rain pelted down with painful force. Xie Jingsheng and the channel craftsmen were working together in the mud and floodwaters, lifting wooden frames for a walkway. He had only slept for two hours in the last three days; his eyes were bloodshot, and his prickly stubble had grown rampant. All traces of a refined gentleman were gone; he was dressed in commoner's clothes, covered in layer upon layer of filth and mud.
When He Anchang stepped out of his carriage, he couldn't even distinguish which one was Xie Jingsheng at first glance. It wasn't until someone shouted "Lord Xie" to a muddy figure standing waist-deep in the water lifting a plank that he realized it was him.
The one calling Xie Jingsheng was an old woman in a cloth coat, carrying a bamboo basket along the channel. She was distributing food and telling Xie Jingsheng to come up and eat something. But Xie Jingsheng didn't answer. He Anchang saw the wooden plank on his shoulder slip into the water, and the man suddenly fell backward.
He Anchang’s heart skipped a beat, as if someone had kicked him from behind. Before the woman’s scream could fully escape her lips, the handsome, clean young gentleman who had just stepped off the carriage shoved people aside and sprinted to the edge of the channel. Without a second thought, he leaped down, splashing into the water and shouting as he searched, "Xie Jingsheng!"
The rain was too heavy, lashing against his hair and face. He Anchang couldn't even hear his own voice. As he waded through the water, searching frantically, he yelled, "Xie Jingsheng!" His chest was tight with panic, and his hands shook. Unable to find the man in the water, he feared he had been swept away by the current, becoming increasingly frantic.
Suddenly, his waist was gripped tight. The man surged up from behind him, dragging and holding him toward the bank, cursing, "Has your brain filled with water?! Why did you jump in!"
How could a mere scholar like He Anchang struggle against him? He was practically hoisted up by the waist. Ignoring everything else, He Anchang turned and grabbed the man’s mud-caked collar, shouting furiously, "What were you doing!"
Xie Jingsheng was stunned, his tone immediately softening. "Washing my face."
He Anchang’s heart was still pounding wildly. He panted, coldly pushing the madman away. He stood up and glared at the man with all the frigid intensity he could muster. As the other man tried to stand, He Anchang gave a cold snort, snapped his sleeves, and turned to walk away.
Xie Jingsheng finally processed what had happened and began to laugh. He simply propped himself up on the ground and laughed heartily, tilting his head back to let the rain wash over him completely. He shouted toward the dripping, mud-stained back of He Anchang, "He Anchang!"
He Anchang was caught off guard and tripped over a jumble of wooden planks. Hearing the laughter, he felt like a madman himself.
"He Anchang!" Seeing this, Xie Jingsheng scrambled up to chase him. "Don't run!"
"Get lost!"
"I'm coming, aren't I?" Xie Jingsheng grabbed his sleeve, using the opportunity to wipe his own face. "Where are you going? The rain is too heavy for the carriage to move. If you stay out in the rain, you'll catch a cold."
He Anchang had never met someone so thick-skinned and shameless. He couldn't pull his sleeve back, and as a gentleman who had spent his life adhering to solemn propriety, he simply raised his foot and kicked him. Xie Jingsheng took the hit without getting angry, instead catching the man’s long leg and holding it. "Well now, He Ruxu, you're actually assaulting a high-ranking local official."
"Get lost!" He Anchang couldn't break free and couldn't stand steadily, forced to hop on one foot. Xie Jingsheng immediately took advantage of the situation, supporting the man’s waist and saying considerately, "I'll get lost, I'll get lost—but let's go inside first? I'll roll around for you then."
He smiled, his teeth white against his blackened face.
He Anchang had been gritting his teeth in rage, but seeing him like this, the curses suddenly died in his throat.
The torrential rain poured down. He vaguely felt he was in trouble.
***
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