In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 744 The Yellow River Breach: No Price to Happen
At the beginning of the Xu hour, around 7 p.m., the sky gradually darkened.

The originally pure white sun slowly turned red.

Finally, it transformed into a setting sun hanging in the sky.
Beside it, the clouds were dyed orange-red, like flames burning on the horizon.

The river in Zhuxian Town was also bathed in golden light.

The sunlight lazily shone down on people.
However, it could not dispel the somber atmosphere of the entire Zhuxian Town port.

The search lasted for nearly an hour.
The suspended cargo ships were all ransacked.

The port market was not spared either, and was ransacked and left in a mess.

Fruits and vegetables were scattered all over the ground.
The people wanted to pick them up, but they didn't dare.
They could only watch helplessly as the soldiers galloped by and trampled them to pieces.

The ground was a mess, and people's hearts were in turmoil.

The gradually darkening sky did not bring them the usual joy of rest, but rather a sense of worry.

How long will this lockdown last?
This is the question in everyone's mind.
They looked at the high platform not far away, where several adults stood quietly.

Even from a great distance, they appear as tiny black dots in our eyes.

But in their hearts, it remains towering.
They exuded a terrifying aura that instilled fear in them.

On the high platform, Tang Xingbang looked down with a solemn expression.

The search of the river channels and markets is ongoing.

It's already more than halfway done.
But the expected quick results did not come.
Instead, the search only made his face grow increasingly grim.

Where are they? Where are they? Where are they at all?
Ma Lingchuan beside him was not as calm.
His face was filled with anxiety, and he kept glancing towards the entrance of the port market.

He could clearly see that a group of people were being blocked off there.

It must be his old nemesis, Wei Qiwen, and his group.

Moreover, such a long-term blockade of markets and ports,

It is very likely that this will attract the attention of the truly important figures in the city, such as the Three Ministers.

As the provincial capital, Kaifeng Prefecture housed the Military Command, the Provincial Administration Commission, and the Provincial Surveillance Commission.
If any of the leading officials were involved, he would be unable to explain himself.

And this possibility is increasing as the lockdown period intensifies.
Tang Xingbang, standing nearby, noticed Ma Lingchuan's unease.
A hint of disdain flashed in his eyes, and he spoke calmly:
"What is Lord Ma afraid of?"

Ma Lingchuan looked over, his mind sinking.

He didn't know who the person in front of him was, only that he was an adult from the north.

He should be related to Tang Jingye, and presumably also a relative of the Marquis of Yan'an.

"Lord Tang, have we not found the person yet?"

It will be dark in a quarter of an hour. If we can't find them soon, we won't be able to explain ourselves.

After all, there were still so many ordinary people in the audience.

If anything goes wrong...this...this."

Tang Xingbang's expression remained unchanged.
She was clearly not intimidated by his words; instead, she gave him a disdainful look.
"Who should we explain this to?"

"The Three Departments."

"Ha," Tang Xingbang sneered.
"At this point, Lord Ma still hasn't grasped the situation?"

"What situation?" Ma Lingchuan's expression changed slightly.

Tang Xingbang was confident:
"The Three Departments will stand idly by in such a struggle, and will not easily get involved."

If the three departments wanted to get involved, they would have intervened several days ago.

Don't worry, it's nothing.

Ma Lingchuan's expression changed slightly.
As the Provincial Administration Commissioner, he had long been aware of the intentions of the two Provincial Administration Commissioners.

Let them make a fuss; the government will not get involved.

But when the person in front of him said it by name, Ma Lingchuan's heart still pounded.
What exactly is this struggle?
What are the goods?
Why are even the Three Ministers so wary of him?
Ma Lingchuan couldn't understand it; he only felt an emptiness in his heart.
A third-rank official serving in a local government position would be a high-ranking official in scarlet robes, capable of bringing prosperity to one's family.
If managed properly, it is not impossible for a scholar to pass the imperial examination or become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) in the future.

But such an official position was placed in the capital.
It's like an ant that can be decided by a single word from a powerful person.

By all means
The torrent from the capital, like a raging storm, swept him into it.
He was not given any chance to react.

Tang Xingbang noticed his hesitation and chuckled softly:
"The cargo is trapped; once it is found..."

Lord Ma will surely be promoted and become wealthy; I, this official, guarantee this with the honor of my noble household.

Seeing him directly acknowledge his relationship with the Marquis's mansion for the first time,
Ma Lingchuan then put aside his wishful thinking and nodded emphatically.

He knows better than anyone how he got to his current position.

Absolutely avoid starting strong but finishing weak, or wavering between different approaches.
Otherwise, he would be the first to die!

Ma Lingchuan turned to look behind him and gave the order:
"Go, summon all the officials you can to come and conduct a search to maintain order. We can't let things get chaotic!"

"Yes!"

The official behind him turned and left.

Tang Xingbang had no objection to his actions.

He quietly observed the thirty-odd ships that had not yet been searched, and chuckled softly:
"My lord, we're almost there! Our riches and glory are just around the corner!"

Ma Lingchuan forced a smile and nodded slightly.

But as time went by, fewer and fewer ships remained.
Tang Xingbang could no longer laugh.
A hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes, and his fists clenched.

What about people?

He stared intently at the remaining five ships, watching the officials and soldiers going in and out, hoping to see one of them rush out and shout:

"Found it."

However, things often don't go as planned.

It wasn't until all the officials came out and stood on the deck, looking blankly at their colleagues, that the situation continued.

The scenario Tang Xingbang had envisioned did not occur.

"where is the guy!"

Tang Xingbang gritted his teeth, turned around abruptly, and strode down from the platform.

Soon he encountered Tang Jingye, who had rushed over and had a similarly solemn expression, at the foot of the platform.

The two stood facing each other, speechless for a long time.

In the end, Tang Jingye simply shook his head, leaving everything unsaid.

"hateful!!"

Tang Xingbang felt a chill run down his spine, a nameless rage burning within him that he couldn't vent!
"Severe torture! Severe torture!!"
Ask them where they are!

A glimmer of hope flashed in Tang Jingye's eyes.
At the same time, there was some relief, thankfully some people were caught.

Ma Lingchuan also scrambled down the mountain.

Upon seeing the two people standing still on the ground, his heart skipped a beat, and he wisely refrained from approaching.

Only after the two turned and left did Ma Lingchuan finally breathe a sigh of relief.

At this moment, an official rushed forward and hurriedly shouted:

"Sir, some merchant ships are making a scene and want to leave. What should we do? Should we release the passengers?"

Ma Lingchuan's vision went black.
Having just entered port, it's already time to leave; Zhuxian Town's reputation is now ruined.

Since that's the case, then let's not stop until we've finished!
"Leave what? No one is allowed to move. The river blockade continues!"

"in addition."

Ma Lingchuan's eyes were unreadable as he waved to him.

As the clerk approached, he whispered:

"Send a trusted confidant to explain to them that officials from the capital have arrived to inspect flood prevention efforts."
We want to release them too, but the adults won't allow it.

The old official's eyes widened suddenly, staring at him in shock:
"Sir, this...this is not appropriate."

"We've come this far, what's there to say about 'appropriate' or 'inappropriate' now?"
Get this done right, and make sure everyone knows it was the idea of ​​the high-ranking officials in the capital.
"If I fall, your good days will be over."

"Yes, yes. I'll have Boss Ma from the Canal Gang handle it. I guarantee everyone will know by tomorrow."

"go quickly."

At the beginning of midnight, when it was completely dark, at the Dahuang Temple embankment!
The dark, towering dikes stretch for over a hundred feet along both banks of the Yellow River.

Like a mountain range standing silently in the night,

It blocked the surging Yellow River!

On the wide and long embankment, more than a hundred people were evenly distributed.

Some were standing, some were crouching, and some were even lying on the ground.

This is the canal transport office measuring the water level.

Li Zhigang stood in the center of the group, his face solemn as he looked down at the dark, rushing river below, feeling a surge of emotion within him.

He managed to calm his breathing and said in a deep voice to Shen Zao beside him:
The best times of day to observe water levels are early morning, noon, and evening, using the sun as a reference point.
"Observe the changes before and after sunrise, midday, and sunset to determine if a diurnal tide exists." Shen Zao quickly memorized, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

Somewhat bewildered, he looked around at the deep darkness and the bright, jade-like disc hanging high in the sky.
It's clearly nighttime.

Li Zhigang added:

"There are some exceptions. During a full moon or a new moon, around the first and fifteenth of the lunar month, ice jams or tidal surges may occur."

At this time, it is necessary to increase observations at night and in the early morning.

However, the efforts to control the floods were exhausting, and the dikes were built higher and higher.
In many places, midnight observations have been neglected, with the assumption that early morning observations are sufficient.
During the rainy season in June, attention should be paid to thunderstorms from afternoon to night.

Once it rains upstream, the water level downstream will rise three to six hours later, so we need to take precautions in advance.

Today is the thirteenth, very close to the fifteenth.
Therefore, these few days are the most likely to see flooding, and also the most dangerous time.

Shen Zao was confused, but he understood the last sentence:

"Sir, isn't it very dangerous for us to be on this dam?"

Li Zhigang glanced at him and smiled slightly:
"Flood control has never been a safe business."
You must remember, the so-called superior,
If you don't dare to take the lead and charge forward, how can others be expected to?
Now that I am standing on the dike, the Water Transport Office and the Provincial Administration Commission have no reason not to come.

Otherwise, why would they be so willing to come here and risk their lives?

Shen Zao's expression was solemn, and she nodded slightly:
"My lord, I understand."

"Okay, keep monitoring. Let me know as soon as the water level rises."

This dam, which took fifteen years to build, may not be able to withstand much water.
In case of danger, the people must be evacuated immediately.

"Yes!"

Shen Zao nodded, bent down, and inserted a long wooden branch into the water.

Examine the engravings carefully and observe the water level.

Li Zhigang stood at the back, quietly listening to the reports from the various officials.
The clerk beside him, holding a lantern, was constantly taking notes.
In the vast darkness, a row of lights on the embankment seemed to be the only light in the world.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was the hour of Chou (1-3 AM).

The Yellow River, surging endlessly, seems to never stop, constantly crashing against the dikes.

The unruly river seemed to be trying to break free from its constraints.

The air was filled with moisture and silt.
The mud had turned everyone on the dam into mud-covered figures, leaving them in a sorry state.

Lying on the ground, Shen Zao felt as if she were buried in mud and sand, and her body felt much heavier.

Especially the hand that supports the measuring rod, which has been switched countless times, has become extremely sore.

"My goodness, this job is so hard!"

With these thoughts in mind, Shen Zao put his arm under his head and stared blankly at the river in front of him.

Suddenly, Shen Zao's hand holding the measuring rod trembled slightly.

"Ok?"

He looked up in surprise, gripped the measuring rod tightly, and carefully felt it.

His expression gradually became serious, even solemn.

"My lord, my lord!!!"

He called out to the adults behind him while keeping an eye on the water level ahead.

The bright, dense white markings were gradually submerged by the black river water, and the amount of mud and sand surging up seemed to have increased significantly.

Shen Zao's eyes widened little by little, and in just a few breaths, it had grown to the height of a hand!

"My lord! My lord! Please come quickly!"

Not only Shen Zao, but more than a hundred scattered officials also began to look around and shout.

The flow of people on the embankment suddenly accelerated. The clerk in charge of reporting kept rushing towards Li Zhigang!
Li Zhigang remained calm, observing the ever-increasing heights recorded in the documents.
"The water is rising! The water is rising!!"

"Where is it raining? Where is it raining?"

Some experienced old officials had already started shouting, fear flashing across their faces.

Although they have been working on flood control for many years, they are currently on the dike.

If the dam collapses suddenly, even a god can't save them!
Moreover, they were filled with anger.
He thought of the power struggle between the two chief officials of the Grand Canal Transport Office, which had escalated into a fierce battle.

This is clearly playing with their lives.

Not only did they not inform us in advance that it was going to rain, but a new adult was also assigned to lead the group!
Panic began to spread at this moment, and an atmosphere of terror permeated the entire dam.

Shen Zao, who was seeing such a scene for the first time, was still lying there.
Watching the water slowly submerge more than half of the measuring pole...

Fast, too fast!
He had never seen the water rise so quickly!
He tried to get up, but saw his colleagues still measuring.
He suppressed his fear and continued recording.
One height after another was uttered from his mouth
Li Zhigang stood there with an unchanged expression, a strange look in his eyes.
Looking at the rising river, he muttered to himself:
"Could it be that there truly is a destiny?"

"Don't panic, don't be afraid! I'm with you."

This dam, built by 30,000 people, is the most important river defense embankment.

If something collapses, it will collapse elsewhere first. Stay calm and focus on recording!

Li Zhigang's strong voice calmed many people down a bit, and the panic gradually subsided.
After doing all this, Li Zhigang looked further downstream, his eyes deep-set and his expression complex.

After a long while, his expression returned to normal, his face hardened, and he said in a deep voice:
"Go back and inform the three provincial-level departments in Henan and the grain transport office."
The Dahuangsi Embankment is temporarily undamaged.

However, there is a possibility of breaches in several shallow dikes downstream, so they should prepare accordingly!

The clerk's expression suddenly changed, becoming extremely serious.

"What are you doing standing still? Go quickly!"

"Yes Yes!!"

The official hurriedly ran away, his figure gradually disappearing into the darkness.

Downstream at Chenqiao Town, the dike is a relatively flat area along the entire Yellow River dike.
The river is not as turbulent as in its meandering sections, and the embankments are constantly reinforced.

It could be said that this was almost the most trustworthy place in the entire government office.

At night,

And naturally, no one came to monitor the water level.

In the pitch-black night, the moonlight filled the air.

Thick clouds hung heavy in the sky, like clouds gathering before a thunderstorm.

In this darkness,

More than ten figures, dressed in dark clothes and carrying shovels and picks, slowly approached the embankment.
Everything was orderly and quiet.

The leader compared the locations back and forth and finally found the designated spot.

Just as he was gesturing, more than ten people dispersed to prepare for digging,

He suddenly felt that the river in front of him seemed to have become much more turbulent.

"Ok?"

The leader moved closer, wanting to see more clearly.

Just as he lay down, preparing to use the pickaxe to test the water level,

A crisp yet piercing sound suddenly rang out, echoing in everyone's hearts.

"Crack."

The sound was soft, yet it was as loud as thunder.

The group stood there dumbfounded, their faces showing absurdity.

what happened?

They haven't even started digging yet.
The leader suddenly felt that,

The clothes, which were originally wet, became icy cold and had a slightly grainy feel to them.
He propped himself up and looked at the scene; his expression suddenly changed drastically!

A crack, about the width of a finger, is spreading rapidly across the dam.
The sound of "click, click" was incessant.

"run"

"Run!! Run fast!!"

His voice grew louder and louder.

Everyone froze for a moment before dropping their hoes and pickaxes and running wildly into the distance.

next moment!
"boom--"

It was as if hundreds of Hongwu iron cannons were firing simultaneously, shaking the earth.

The leader, who had just run down the embankment, turned his head slightly, caught a glimpse of something, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

The once smooth Chenqiao Town dike had been blasted open, leaving a gap the size of two houses.
The surging black water was carrying the moonlight.

They surged in at breakneck speed.

At that moment, the earth shook and the sky collapsed!
The Yellow River has breached its banks.
(End of this chapter)