From cute to empress

Chapter 132 Water Warms and Flowers Bloom

The warm spring light bathes the earth, bringing life back to life and flourishing. Standing on the edge of a field, gazing at the shimmering waterway before me, I feel an indescribable joy welling up in my heart.

"Youcai, look, this canal is built so well!" I pointed to the winding canal in the distance and said excitedly to Zhen Youcai beside me.

"Yes, this is all thanks to Craftsman Li and the people," Zhen Youcai said with a smile, his eyes full of pride. "With this canal, the area within hundreds of miles will no longer have to worry about droughts and floods."

"Yeah!" I nodded heavily, but a new idea already came to my mind. "You're talented. I think..." I paused, turned to look at him, my eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I want to build an irrigation system based on the water conservancy project!"

Zhen Youcai was slightly taken aback, then he understood what I meant. He pondered for a moment and asked, "Do you want to divert the canal to a farther place so that more fields can benefit?"

"That's right!" I nodded excitedly. "Look, the water conservancy project is basically complete now, and there's still a lot of materials and manpower left. We can use these resources to expand the irrigated area so that more people can enjoy the benefits of water conservancy!"

Zhen Youcai looked at me approvingly, his eyes full of tenderness, "Mengmeng, you are always so thoughtful, I support you!"

I laughed happily, called Craftsman Li over and told him my idea.

"Your Majesty, you truly have a kind heart!" Craftsman Li was so moved after hearing my thoughts that tears streamed down his face. "I've lived for most of my life, and I've never seen an official as caring as you about the people!"

I quickly supported him and said with a smile, "Master Li, you're too kind. This is what I should do."

After calming down his excitement, Craftsman Li began to seriously consider the design of the irrigation system. He pointed at the map and explained his concept in detail to Zhen Youcai and me:

"We can use the existing canal as the main channel, and then dig branch channels according to the terrain to divert water to various fields. In addition, we can also build some sluices and water wheels to facilitate water regulation and irrigation."

I listened carefully and asked some questions from time to time. Craftsman Li answered them patiently and carefully.

After some discussion, we finally settled on an efficient irrigation design. Looking at the densely packed canals and irrigation facilities on the map, I felt a surge of anticipation.

"Craftsman Li, I'm leaving this project to you!" I said to him solemnly.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will do my best to live up to your expectations!" Craftsman Li promised, patting his chest.

"Okay!" I nodded with satisfaction and turned to look at Zhen Youcai, with a determined light in my eyes. "Youcai, let's go tell everyone the good news!"

"Okay!" Zhen Youcai responded with a smile, took my hand, and strode towards the bottom of the field.

"Fellow villagers, I have good news..." My clear voice echoed through the fields, drawing everyone's attention. Warm spring light bathed the earth, bringing life back to life and flourishing. Standing on the edge of a field, gazing at the shimmering canal before me, I felt an indescribable joy well up in my heart.

I told the locals the news, and they were all delighted and expressed their willingness to help. Worker Wang, in particular, patted his chest, promising to lead his fellow workers to work day and night to complete the irrigation system as soon as possible.

I watched the bustling construction scene with great satisfaction. Craftsman Li was indeed an experienced master, leading the craftsmen to overcome one technical difficulty after another.

"My Lady, come and see!" That day, Craftsman Li came running over and said to me excitedly, "We have found a solution!"

It turned out that when digging a branch channel, they encountered a huge rock that was impossible to dig. After thinking of many ways, Li and his team finally decided to use blasting.

With a loud bang, the rock was shattered into pieces, and the channel was successfully dug. Looking at the unimpeded flow of water, I excitedly shook Craftsman Li's hand and said, "Craftsman Li, you are amazing!"

"This is all thanks to the Queen's wise leadership!" said Craftsman Li with a smile. "If it weren't for the Queen's concern for the people and her determination to build the irrigation system, we wouldn't have this opportunity to display our talents!"

The project was progressing smoothly. One day, I was inspecting the construction site when I suddenly saw a familiar figure. It turned out to be the landlord Zhao who had been obstructing the project!

"Landlord Zhao, why are you here?" I asked in surprise.

Landlord Zhao walked up to me with a guilty look on his face, plopped down on his knees, and said, "Your Majesty, I was foolish before! Seeing the benefits of the water conservancy project and irrigation system, I realized how wrong I was! I am willing to donate my land and funds to support the project. I only ask Your Majesty to forgive my past mistakes!"

I quickly helped Landlord Zhao up and said with a smile, "Admitting one's mistakes is the best way to improve! I'm very pleased that Landlord Zhao has come to his senses and turned back!"

Landlord Zhao's move caused a great sensation in the local area, and more and more gentry and common people came forward to support the construction project. Looking at this bustling scene, I knew that a more prosperous era was about to come!

At this time, a guard came quickly and whispered in my ear: "Your Majesty, Lord Sun and Mr. Zhou request to see you..." "Announce." I put down the drawings in my hand and rubbed my sore eyes. Magistrate Sun and Mr. Zhou have been busy with the irrigation system recently, so they must have good news.

"Your humble servant (a commoner) pays homage to Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health." County Magistrate Sun and Mr. Zhou saluted together, with unconcealable joy on their faces.

"My dear ministers, please stand up quickly," I said quickly. "You two look so happy and smiling. Has the project made any progress?"

"Thanks to your majesty's blessing, Mr. Zhou and I have reached an agreement with several wealthy merchants in the city and the gentry of several surrounding villages," County Magistrate Sun said with a bow. "They are willing to contribute manpower and resources to jointly support the construction of the irrigation system."

Mr. Zhou added with a beaming expression, "Your Majesty's benevolent government benefits all people. The people have witnessed it and are deeply moved. They all look forward to using this irrigation system soon and enjoying a good harvest!"

"Good, good, good!" I said three good words in a row, my heart filled with joy. "I am very pleased that the people can show such enthusiasm. You two have worked hard for the country and the people and made great contributions!"

"It is the duty of a humble official like you to share your majesty's worries and seek benefits for the people!" Magistrate Sun and Mr. Zhou said in unison.

With the support of various resources, the construction of the irrigation system has been much smoother. Watching the canals stretching across the land like silver snakes, my heart, like the warm spring sun, is filled with hope.

However, the unexpected happened, and just when the project was halfway through, a sudden rainstorm swept in. The heavy rain fell all night, and the originally calm river became turbulent, roaring and washing away the riverbank.

"Oh no, Madam! Oh no!" Craftsman Li came running in the rain early in the morning, soaking wet and with a look of panic on his face. "The torrential rain has broken the riverbank and submerged part of the canal. A lot of the project has been ruined!"

"What?!" My heart sank suddenly, and an ominous premonition came over me. "Quick, prepare the horses, and go to the scene of the accident!"

Along the way, the rain lashed my face, freezing cold. My heart, like the stormy weather, was filled with anxiety and restlessness. When I arrived at the scene, the sight before me took my breath away...

The scene before me was a shambles. A gaping hole had been torn through the once-smooth riverbank, and muddy floodwaters roared in. The previously constructed canals were silted up, and in some places, completely washed away. Tools were scattered across the ground, and the air was filled with the smell of damp earth. The migrant workers stood in the rain, dejected, their faces etched with frustration and despair.

"Your Majesty!" Upon seeing me arrive, Magistrate Sun and Mr. Zhou hurried forward, their faces filled with anxiety and worry. "What should we do?"

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. "Artisan Li, what's the damage?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty," there was a tremor in the voice of Craftsman Li, "Preliminary estimates show that at least half of the channels need to be rebuilt, and..." He hesitated to speak.

"And what?" I demanded.

"Besides," Craftsman Li gritted his teeth, "after this heavy rain, the river water level has risen. I'm afraid the original construction plan will need to be revised, otherwise..."

"Otherwise, it will be destroyed again, right?" I said for him. Craftsman Li nodded silently.

"Your Majesty, the current situation is much worse than we expected," Magistrate Sun said with a tone full of worry. "If these problems cannot be resolved quickly, I'm afraid..."

"No 'I'm afraid'!" a resounding voice came. I turned around and saw Zhen Youcai, wearing a straw raincoat, striding towards me. "Your Majesty, don't worry. With me here, all difficulties can be overcome!"

"Youcai!" Seeing him, a warm feeling suddenly rose in my heart. Zhen Youcai has been guarding the border for a long time. I didn't want him to worry about such things, but I didn't expect him to rush back at this time.

"Youcai, you've come just in time," I said, holding his hand and pointing to the mess in front of me. "Look, this irrigation system..."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I've already ordered some of the engineers stationed at the border to be transferred here," Zhen Youcai patted the back of my hand, reassuring me. "They are all experienced engineers and will definitely help us solve the problem at hand!"

Hearing this, the migrant workers, who were originally a little depressed, raised their heads and the light of hope rekindled in their eyes.

"Everyone, don't lose heart!" Zhen Youcai turned to face the crowd and said loudly, "Although this rainstorm has caused us losses, it has also tested our resolve. I believe that as long as we unite as one, we will overcome these difficulties and complete the construction of the irrigation system!"

He paused, his eyes swept across the weather-beaten faces, and raised his voice, "For our homeland, for our future, work hard!"

"Work hard!" The migrant workers were inspired by Zhen Youcai's words and shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the sky.

"Great!" I looked at the scene in front of me, my heart filled with emotion and hope. I turned to look at Zhen Youcai, "It's great to have you here."

Zhen Youcai smiled faintly. "For Your Majesty and for the people, I will not hesitate to die!" He said, his eyes firmly looking into the distance. There, there were fields of hope and a future full of hope... "Come, let's take a look at the blueprints first..."