“Look at me?”
Wei Datong pointed at his own nose, his face full of doubt.
“Yes!” Jin Feng nodded.
“I am just a minor transport official. I know nothing about disaster relief. Sir, please do not mock me.” Wei Datong waved his hand.
“Sir, you may know nothing about disaster relief, but you are extremely skilled in water management. That is the most important thing.”
“What does skill in water management have to do with disaster relief?” Wei Datong asked in confusion.
“This autumn flood is severe, and it is directly related to the backward water facilities in the Chuan Shu region. His Highness and I invited you here because we want you to lead the people in building water projects!”
“Sir, that is absolutely impossible!”
As soon as Jin Feng finished speaking, Wei Datong quickly grabbed his arm. “The people are already suffering from the disaster. They cannot bear any corvée labour now!”
According to the laws of Great Kang, building water projects, bridges, and roads all fall under corvée labour.
Corvée labour is a form of compulsory unpaid work. In simple terms, the people bring their own tools to work for the government, receive no wages, and even have to provide their own food.
Now that Chuan Shu is hit hard by disaster and the people are already struggling to survive, if the Ninth Princess orders corvée labour, the people will truly have no way to live.
“Sir Wei, please do not be hasty. Let me finish.”
Jin Feng said, “This time His Highness is building water projects, but it is not corvée labour. Anyone who works will be provided with food, and they will also receive grain as wages.”
“Sir, water projects require a huge number of people. Where will His Highness get so much grain?” Wei Datong became even more puzzled.
“Sir, you have been staying at Jinma River all this time, so you may not know yet. Let us talk while we ride back to the city.”
Jin Feng and Wei Datong both remounted their horses. As they headed towards the city, Jin Feng explained everything that had happened in the past few days.
After listening, Wei Datong was completely stunned.
It took him a long while before he murmured, “His Highness truly has great courage. To execute so many powerful nobles all at once! This is poking a hornet’s nest!”
“His Highness had no choice. If they were allowed to continue their chaos, who knows how many more people in Chuan Shu would die.”
At this point, Jin Feng suddenly reined in his horse, turned to Wei Datong and said, “Sir Wei, if you are worried about being implicated by His Highness, you can turn back now.”
“I…” Wei Datong opened his mouth but did not know what to say.
He came from an official family and understood very well what so many powerful nobles represented.
If he had known this news before coming, he would have carefully weighed the pros and cons.
But now he was already here. If he turned around and left, would he not completely offend the Ninth Princess, Jin Feng, and Qing Xinyao?
The Ninth Princess’s status needed no explanation, and Qing Xinyao was his direct superior.
Dealing with a mere transport official like him would be effortless for them.
On one side was a massive group of powerful nobles, and on the other was the princess and his superior. No matter which side Wei Datong chose, it would be wrong. The best option was to choose neither.
Yet now that he had arrived in Xichuan City, he could no longer avoid choosing.
For a moment, Wei Datong felt as if he were being roasted over a fire, suffering from both sides.
“Sir Wei, we have known each other for some time. You should know that I, Jin Feng, do not like the usual tricks of officialdom. I say what I mean directly.”
Jin Feng spoke sincerely. “I do not like forcing anyone. If you truly wish to help with disaster relief, you are welcome. If you are unwilling, I will not insist. You may leave now, and I guarantee that neither the Ninth Princess nor Lord Qing will make things difficult for you on any pretext.
Please think it over, Sir Wei.”
After saying this, Jin Feng rode forward.
Behind him, Wei Datong’s face was full of conflict.
As Jin Feng rode farther and farther away, Wei Datong’s expression gradually became firm.
Finally, he kicked his horse hard in the belly and chased after Jin Feng.
“Decided?” Jin Feng asked without turning his head.
“Decided!” Wei Datong nodded and said, “I am willing to work with His Highness and Sir Jin to build water projects!”
As the saying goes, a county magistrate is not as powerful as the official in charge. No matter how strong the nobles are, they are in the capital after all.
Xichuan is still the Qing family’s territory. Qing Xinyao is his direct superior. It would be far easier for Qing Xinyao to make things difficult for him than for the nobles, and the nobles would not protect him either.
On the contrary, if he stands with Qing Xinyao, and the nobles try to trouble him, Qing Xinyao can protect him.
As for Jin Feng’s guarantee that the Ninth Princess and Qing Xinyao would not make things difficult for him, Wei Datong, an old hand in official circles, did not believe it at all.
Nor did he dare to believe it.
The real reason Wei Datong made this decision was that he weighed the strength of the nobles against the Ninth Princess and chose the side that best served his own interests.
There was also the sentiment of a scholar in the feudal era.
Since ancient times, corvée labour had always been compulsory.
The employment model used by the Ninth Princess and Jin Feng was unprecedented and would surely be recorded in history.
If he joined in, he could leave a mark in the history books.
That mark might not be prominent, but it would definitely be a positive image of someone who spoke for the people.
For Wei Datong, that was already enough.
Moreover, he was still young and wanted to climb higher.
To advance, he had to pick a side. Otherwise, both the Ninth Princess and the nobles had their own trusted aides. Why would they promote an outsider?
The nobles were deeply interconnected. Even if he joined them, it was unclear when his turn for promotion would come.
The Ninth Princess’s network was much simpler, so his chances were far greater.
After considering all factors, Wei Datong ultimately chose to stand with the Ninth Princess and Jin Feng.
“Sir Wei, let me speak plainly. If you truly do not want to do this, leave now, and I will still consider you a friend. But if you pretend to agree now and then fail to follow through later, I will truly be angry!”
Jin Feng’s tone became serious. “Either do not join, or once you join, you must never waver!”
“Sir, rest assured. I will do my utmost to complete whatever His Highness assigns. I will never waver!”
Wei Datong patted his chest and promised.
“I trust Sir Wei!” Jin Feng extended his right hand. “Welcome, Sir Wei!”
“Thank you, Sir, for recommending me to His Highness.” Wei Datong also extended his right hand and shook Jin Feng’s. “I will remember this.”
“No need to thank me. The most important thing is to properly manage the Jinma River.”
Jin Feng patted Wei Datong’s shoulder. “Come, His Highness and Lord Qing are waiting for you.”
Great Kang had no Li Bing and his son, so there was no Dujiangyan.
When the Min River reached the Jinma River section, the Yulei Mountain to the east blocked the eastward flow of water, easily causing floods.
Over the years, almost all the floods around Xichuan City were related to the Jinma River, bringing endless suffering to the people of Shu.
Jin Feng noticed this the first time he visited the Jinma River.
But at that time he was fighting Danzhu and had no time to deal with it.
Now, taking advantage of this opportunity, it was the perfect moment to manage it properly.
When they arrived at the Qing residence, Jin Feng led Wei Datong straight to Qing Xinyao’s study.
In the study, the Ninth Princess and the Qing siblings were gathered around a sand table, pointing and discussing.
“This humble official pays respects to Your Highness the Princess and to Lord Qing!”
Wei Datong bowed to both of them and casually glanced at the sand table.
The next second, his expression changed.
Before the Ninth Princess and Qing Xinyao could speak, he pointed at the sand table and asked, “Your Highness, who is the great master who made this sand table?”
