sjar Chapter 933: The celestial phenomena are unusual, and the Daqing Dynasty is about to face a great di
Chapter 933: The celestial phenomena are unusual, and the Daqing Dynasty is about to face a great di
Jing Chunxi fell onto the backrest, looked up at the carvings on the beams, and muttered to herself: "Why does he want to destroy his own reputation? At least in this mansion, I can still see Tang Shuang occasionally." There was a hint of melancholy in her voice. The anger just now had dissipated, replaced by a deep sigh.
"Since he has made this decision, let's just go along with him! Didn't Uncle Xiaobei and his family go to Langya Manor? They'll have company then." Xu Zize was worried that she would go back on her word, which would be disadvantageous to Ayi.
When he returned to Beijing after being rehabilitated, the old general insisted on settling Uncle Bei's family in the backyard, as compensation for his long journey with the general and the hardships he had endured. Uncle Bei naturally refused, saying that he missed the days with his companions more, so he took his wife and children back to Langya Manor.
In fact, he felt that he should not stay in the General's Mansion. Their family of four were like slaves, but they would feel uncomfortable if no one gave them any respect. If this continued, others might think they were seeking repayment for a favor.
However, Qiaoqiao was kept in the mansion, because the old lady and Mingzhu refused to let her go. The old lady only said that she should stay with her to educate her and keep Mingzhu company. She also asked her little fat boy to grow up a few more years and go to the mansion school to study. Only then did she give up.
"Hey! It's fate, it has to be like this."
Jing Chunxi sighed and hurried outside to call out: "Hongfen, we misunderstood. Let July pass the message to the front yard immediately. Ayi's twenty strokes of the cane will be waived. He will be given a hundred taels of resettlement allowance and a car will be arranged to take him to Langya Manor tomorrow." Her tone was urgent, with a hint of making amends.
"There are not only bad men in the world. Ayi and Brother Xiaokang are not like that." Xu Zize stood up and took her hand again, with a gentle smile on his lips. "Brother Xiaokang hasn't had breakfast yet. Xier, please accompany me to have some more."
"Okay!" Jing Chunxi was in a good mood and felt that he could really eat another half bowl of wontons.
She smiled and let him hold her hand as they walked towards the dining room. The gloom in her eyes had dissipated.
On March 15th, the results of the imperial examination were announced.
On this day, before dawn, the entire capital was already abuzz. Horses and carriages rumbled in front of the mansions, and lanterns cast a dim glow in the morning mist.
In several aristocratic mansions, the young masters were seen wrapped in brocade cloaks, hurriedly preparing to go out, surrounded by maids and old women; each family had specially arranged servants to guard the entrance to the Imperial Examination Hall early, each holding a piece of paper with their name on it, as if holding a talisman that determined the fate of their family.
They pushed and shoved each other as they rushed towards the Imperial Examination Hall, all wanting to get to the yellow list that would determine the fate of countless people before the crowds completely blocked the streets.
Jing Chunxi also woke up before dawn. She originally planned to reunite with her sisters and go to the Imperial Examination Hall together. She was worried about Erlangge, her cousin-in-law Tao Chengrui, and Li Ziwen, who was now involved with her cousin Mingrong.
After seeing the rankings clearly, she planned to go back to the General's Mansion to inform her elders.
But before she could even leave the courtyard, Xu Zize, who had spent the night in the front yard of Prince Jing's mansion, was waiting outside. Even before daybreak, he stood in his dark black uniform at the foot of the hanging flower gate, like a silent guardian, blocking her path without a word.
He lowered his voice, "Brother Xiaokang, there is no need to wait until night. We can take advantage of the fact that many people are going out now and some have not yet gotten up. The mansion is the quietest and it is a good time to go in." Xu Zize spoke faster than usual, but there was a calm light in his eyes.
As he spoke, he naturally grasped Jing Chunxi's hand. Feeling the slight chill on her fingertips, he tightened his grip a bit. "Tell all the servants in the courtyard not to leave without permission. I've deployed secret guards outside. Not even a fly can get close to the rockery."
"So urgent?" Jing Chunxi was led out by him, her embroidered shoes making a soft, crunching sound on the bluestone slabs. She was surprised but didn't question him, only looking up at his tense jawline.
Although the two of them had discussed re-exploring the secret passage many times before, they had never decided on a specific time. Seeing him act like this now, there must be a reason why he had to do so.
Xu Zize held her hand tightly and walked quickly through the moon-shaped door, whispering, "I'll talk to Xi'er in detail after we get out."
Jing Chunxi immediately called July and September to guard the courtyard gate, and then gave Hongfen a few detailed instructions. After everything was arranged, the two of them left the courtyard quietly.
The mansion was so quiet before dawn that only the birdsong could be heard. Even the servants who usually got up early to sweep the floor were nowhere to be seen. Walking along the corridor, the only sound was the rustling of clothes rubbing against each other.
Only after stepping onto the Nine-Curve Bridge did he see a green figure standing at the bridgehead, like a pine tree. He nodded slightly to his two masters, saying nothing, but his eyes swept across the empty courtyard like a hawk, carefully examining even the intertwined canopies of dead branches. Only after confirming that there was no danger did he step aside to make way.
Only after the two of them had disappeared into the hidden door of the rockery did Xu Zize loosen his tightly clenched hand. The crackling of the torches in the dark passage cast a flickering light on his solemn profile.
"Two days ago, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory observed the stars at night and deduced that something was amiss in the celestial phenomena." His voice sounded particularly low in the narrow passage. "About four years from now, the Daqing Dynasty will suffer a severe drought lasting three years. From the central region to the north, the land will be barren for thousands of miles, and there will be no harvest for three whole years. At almost the same time, the south will experience continuous flooding. By then—" He paused, his Adam's apple rolling slightly, "the people will be destitute, and the land will be full of starvation."
Jing Chunxi stopped dead in her tracks. In the flickering torchlight, her almond-shaped eyes widened in disbelief. Could the Imperial Observatory actually foresee what would happen four years into the future? She said, stunned, "Then we should start stockpiling food now, and then find a way to store water. We must always save the people first." Her first thought was to use the space.
"This isn't a long-term solution." Xu Zize, holding a torch in one hand, suddenly let go of her hand and instead tightly embraced her shoulders, his strength almost painful. He stared at her, "We can still make long-term plans for food, but if you want to rely on your treasure to turn the tide and let everyone else reap the benefits without any effort, Brother Xiaokang will never allow it."
The firelight leaped into his eyes, reflecting a resoluteness that brooked no argument. "What if this drought lasts not three or five years, but ten or eight? If you and I were to turn to dust in the future, and future generations were to encounter this disaster again, what would become of the people of the world?"
Jing Chunxi felt uneasy at his question, and she looked up and asked repeatedly: "Do Brother Xiaokang and the Emperor have any countermeasures? If there is a better way, what can Xier do?" She was so anxious that she pulled his sleeve, and her pearl hairpin rustled in the shadows.
Xu Zize was silent for a long time, until the torch burst into a cluster of sparks, then he slowly said: "Someone in the Ministry of Works proposed the 'South-to-North Water Diversion Project'."
"South-to-North Water Diversion?" Jing Chunxi frowned and repeated the unfamiliar word. Seeing that he was still unhurried, he could not help but stamp his feet in frustration. "What exactly do you want? Why don't you just tell me directly? You're really driving me crazy!"
"We need to dig several canals connecting the north and the south to divert the abundant water in the south to the dry north, which can also alleviate the floods in the south." Xu Zize finally explained the key.
"This...what a massive project this must be!" Jing Chunxi gasped, then suddenly realized, "Is four years enough? Is it really in time?"