A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 373 The Rain Keeps Falling
This flood control drill truly baffled Chen Yaozuo from Song Xuan's actions.

There is a severe drought right now.

The imperial court also requested rain.

Both the Imperial Observatory and the Hanlin Academy of Astronomy predicted a severe drought and no rain.

Was Song Xuan hoping for heavy rain to show that the ditch-clearing work in Kaifeng County was excellent?

"To be ignorant of celestial phenomena and yet imagine heavy rain is simply wishful thinking."

Chen Yaozuo certainly understood Song Xuan's little scheme to achieve political success.

This was to ensure he could obtain funds from the imperial court to fund projects such as the repair of the Bian River.

In the Song Dynasty, repairing waterways was arguably the most impressive achievement of the civil service.

This not only satisfies those above, but also benefits the lives of ordinary people.

Repairing river channels is a lucrative business that brings both fame and fortune.

Who wouldn’t want to do it?

Chen Yaozuo stood at the entrance of the office, feeling the heat wave hitting him.

On that day, Song Xuan still thought it would rain heavily?
It's simply wishful thinking.

Then Chen Yaozuo saw Zhong Lijin, who was covered in sweat, come in from outside.

He was also holding a notice in his hand, which he must have gotten his hands on while out for a stroll.

Qin Ying had already sent his family to inform Chen Yaozuo about this person.

When Chen Yaozuo was summoned by the Empress Dowager, he knew that things were not so simple.

I never expected that the Empress Dowager would turn on me so ruthlessly and directly want to replace me after a while.

Zhong Lijin was hoping for rain, but he felt that Song Xuan was just talking nonsense while drunk.

The weather is getting hotter and hotter, how can it rain heavily?

"Prefect Chen".

Zhongli Jin bowed and then handed over the notice in his hand:
"Take a look at this. Should Kaifeng Prefecture follow suit?"

Chen Yaozuo smiled as he took the notice, asking what it was.

Actually, he didn't need to look to know what it was.

Zhong Lijin not only wanted to win over Qin Ying, but also Song Xuan.

He did hope that Zhong Lijin could win over Song Xuan, so that there would be evidence of Song Xuan forming a faction in the future.

In Chen Yaozuo's view, Song Xuan's feigned sleep and silence in front of Qin Ying did not mean that he would remain silent after Qin Ying left.

As soon as the notice was issued, Zhongli Jin couldn't wait to send it over.

Chen Yaozuo concluded that the two of them had already become lovers.

"Prefect Zhongli, do you think Magistrate Song's proclamation is effective?"

In response to Chen Yaozuo's question, Zhong Lijin thought to herself.

Sure enough.

The conflict between them is irreconcilable.

Unfortunately, Song Xuan still believed that he could deal with Chen Yaozuo on his own and did not need anyone else's help.

See, what he meant by saying that was that he was pointing out a mistake.

"It is useful, though."

Zhong Lijin sat to the side and explained:

"Although the weather is currently experiencing a severe drought, the autumn floods have not yet passed. Kaifeng County is a vital area of ​​the capital. Such a disaster could happen even if it is one in ten thousand. We must take precautions."

Chen Yaozuo nodded.

He tested them and found out; the two of them were indeed hooking up.

That would be easy.

"Prefect Zhongli, how many people in Dongjing City do you think will do as Magistrate Song asks?"

Chen Yaozuo placed the notice on the table:
"Just the cost of preparing firewood alone will waste a lot of money. How many people can afford to prepare it?"

"As for this clean water, it sounds like it's free."

"But how many houses in the capital city don't leak when it rains?"

Have you ever lived in a house where it's raining heavily outside and drizzling inside?

Zhong Lijin was stumped by the question, because he had indeed never lived there.

His family has been practicing Buddhism for generations, and the amount of money they have donated to temples for incense offerings is unknown.

How could we not have money!
Zhong Lijin remained silent for a while:
“I have heard that there are countless people in the capital city with more than 100,000 strings of cash. Even the wages of ordinary people are enough to buy 20 or 30 catties of rice every day.”

"Yes."

This is Chen Yaozuo's first time serving as the prefect of Kaifeng.

But this wasn't his first time serving as an official in Kaifeng Prefecture.

Chen Yaozuo, being a local, naturally knew more about the situation in Tokyo than Zhong Lijin.

“Zhongli Tongpan, you should know that many people in the capital city can earn a day’s wages.”

"But have you ever thought that if bad weather comes, they won't be able to earn their daily wage at all?"

"Not to mention starting a fire and cooking yourself, that's too much trouble."

"On the contrary, eating and drinking on the street can actually save some money."

Zhong Lijin was speechless.

He had not gone deep into the grassroots to understand the living conditions of the people in Tokyo.

All I heard was talk of how much the daily wine tax at Fanlou was, filling me with the information cocoon of the supposedly wealthy people of Tokyo.

Otherwise, how could such a large amount of tax revenue be reported?

"Magistrate Song's intentions were good, but unfortunately, he had the views of a scholar."

Chen Yaozuo looked at Zhong Lijin and smiled:
“Prefect Zhongli, you shouldn’t rely too much on Magistrate Song. He’s still too young and doesn’t know his own limitations.”

"Taking too big a step can easily lead to trouble, don't you think?"

Chen Yaozuo was making a veiled attack, but Zhong Lijin didn't realize it.

Given the deep-seated conflict between Song and Chen, it's perfectly normal that Chen Yaozuo is so pessimistic about Song Xuan's governance.

However, Zhong Lijin had no way to clear Song Xuan's name.

Because he was only half-convinced by Song Xuan's words, how could he brainwash others and make them believe if he didn't even believe them himself?

So all they could do was remain silent.

Chen Yaozuo assumed that he understood and stopped chasing after him. Instead, he sent someone to deliver the proclamation to the Zhongshu Gate so that the prime ministers could see it.

How could the top scholar of the Song Dynasty have such a wild idea of ​​wanting to quickly accumulate political achievements?

The grand court assemblies of the Northern Song Dynasty were not held all the time.

Therefore, the day when Lü Yijian and others asked Song Xuan to stand up and confront the Empress's in-laws has not yet arrived.

The prime ministers were so busy with their daily affairs that they hardly ever went out.

Unlike other officials who could slack off, the prime ministers were all notorious for their laziness.

Otherwise, Zhang Shixun wouldn't have always been thinking about retiring outside the central government and not staying there.

Zhang Zhibai was also so exhausted that he became ill.

Wang Zeng was young and could handle it, while Lü Yijian was physically strong and ambitious; power, like an aphrodisiac, had a great restorative effect on them.

The two of them are both dragging each other down, so neither of them can get a proper rest.

Upon learning that the proclamation was sent by Chen Yaozuo, the Prefect of Kaifeng, Lü Yijian was the first to receive it.

Although they haven't met recently, Lü Yijian is aware of the messages Qin Ying sent him.

Lu Yijian has not yet made any arrangements regarding Chen Yaozuo's next appointment.

Unless Chen Yaozuo is directly promoted to the position of vice prime minister, who knows how long he will have to wait to become vice prime minister.

The news came so suddenly that Lü Yijian was unprepared to deal with Liu E's personnel changes.

"Oh?"

Lu Yijian originally thought it was Chen Yaozuo's order, but he never expected it to be the signature of the Kaifeng County Government.

Needless to say, it must have been Song Xuan's idea.

After he finished reading it, he sent someone to deliver it to Wang Zeng:

Did Magistrate Chen say anything?

"In response to Prime Minister Lü, Prefect Chen said that Magistrate Song is rather bookish and doesn't know why firewood is the most important of the seven necessities of life."

Lu Yijian stroked his beard but didn't say much.

The seven necessities of life are firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea, with firewood being the first.

Without firewood, there is no fire, and people will forever be in hunger and cold; without firewood, there is no home.

Salary, that can be interpreted as firewood in the past.

Several prime ministers took turns looking at it, and Zhang Zhibai sighed:
"Tokyo has a population of over one million and a great demand for firewood. Logging has been ongoing since the beginning of the week. In addition, winter heating and daily cooking require a large amount of firewood and charcoal."

"Initially, logging was carried out in the suburbs, but it gradually expanded to the Taihang Mountains and Funiu Mountains, hundreds of miles away, with timber transported from the south."

"Now, a century later, when I stand on the city wall of Tokyo and look out, I can hardly see a single tree."

“Magistrate Song had good intentions, but he didn’t think about how the people should live.”

Zhang Zhibai offered an explanation on Song Xuan's behalf, but Lü Yijian did indeed have a different opinion:
"The country is currently experiencing a severe drought. Even though the autumn floods have not yet passed, both the Imperial Observatory and the Hanlin Academy of Astronomy are saying that there is no rain."

"The fact that Magistrate Song is issuing such a high-profile proclamation is likely to cause panic."

"What panic?"

Zhang Shixun was somewhat puzzled; what was there to be afraid of?

Lü Yijian stroked his beard and said:
"The country is suffering from a severe drought, yet Magistrate Song claims that heavy rain is coming. How can this not cause panic?"

“I remember last year, it was just a light rain, but some people spread rumors that there would be a major flood, which caused people in Tokyo to flee the city and cause riots, but in the end it didn’t happen.”

Zhang Shixun stroked his beard. The rumor was actually true, but the timing just didn't match up.

After the people calmed down, they returned to Tokyo, only to be flooded.

"Song Twelve's method is truly excellent. If we don't practice it during a drought, it will be too late when a real flood comes."

Wang Zeng, however, offered a word of praise:
“I knew that Song Twelve had his own insights into river management.”

Wang Zeng had read the memorial submitted by Song Xuan regarding the repair of the Bian River and the dredging of its banks.

Repairing the Bian River and the other three rivers is only a temporary solution, as all the silt comes from the Yellow River.

However, the Yellow River project was too large and too dangerous, requiring accumulated experience and substantial financial support to proceed.

The Kaifeng county government could contribute a portion of the tax revenue it collected, and then the imperial court would contribute another portion.

This is what truly satisfied Wang Zeng.

In this way, the imperial court would not have to spend too much money, and would finally have the means to store it.

Otherwise, where will the imperial court get the money to repair the Yellow River in the future?
Are we just waiting for the Yellow River to elbow Tokyo year after year?

Once Wang Zeng spoke, Lü Yijian didn't bother to refute him.

Before becoming prime minister, Lü Yijian generally did not oppose Wang Zeng on many matters.

"For example, buying firewood and storing clean water are suggestions. What does 'suggestions' mean?"

Wang Zeng asked himself and answered:

"That means I can choose to ignore your suggestion or follow it. The choice is in the hands of the people of Tokyo, not in the policy that Song Twelve is forcibly implementing."

"Furthermore, we will organize flood control drills for the Kaifeng County government. I think this is a good idea. We will invite people from the Kaifeng Prefecture government and the Xiangfu County government to participate."

"This flood will not only impact Kaifeng County in the future, but Xiangfu County will also inevitably be affected."

"But this heavy rain?"

“Tanfu, like you, I trust the judgment of the Imperial Observatory. It’s just that if Song Twelve wants to do something, then let him do it.”

Wang Zeng glanced at Zhang Zhibai:

"Don't discourage the younger generation."

Wang Zeng didn't believe it would rain heavily either, but he needed Song Xuan to deal with the Empress's in-laws.

Moreover, this action did not harm the local people; it was merely a reminder. Furthermore, it did not involve scolding the superior or embarrassing Chen Yaozuo.

"What Minister Wang said makes sense."

Although Lü Yijian was older than Wang Zeng, he was still addressed with a respectful title.

"Go and take care of this matter."

Wang Zeng put down Song Xuan's proclamation, thinking that Song Xuan was not someone who could bear loneliness.

If one can manage even Kaifeng County so well, then becoming a prefect in the future will not be a problem.

An official responded and forwarded Song Xuan's proclamation.

Actually, there was no need for the government to forward it; the people of Tokyo themselves were forwarding it.

The people of Xiangfu County heard about the commotion even before the county magistrate, Chen Gu.

Chen Gu looked at Song Xuan's proclamation, then pulled open his official robe to try and cool himself down.

"In this sweltering heat, to talk about heavy rain? Song Xuan must have lost his mind."

Chen Gu was complaining here, and no one else dared to chime in.

After all, Song Xuan's reputation as the "Earthly Grand Duke" was well-known.

He even dared to make judgments in cases in Xiangfu County, as long as people filed complaints with him.

Now many hooligans have gathered in Xiangfu County, which has made the yamen runners of Xiangfu County lose their morale.

One issue is that the public security environment in Xiangfu County has deteriorated.

We can't afford to offend the local tyrant of Kaifeng County, but can't we afford to offend you, a high-ranking official from Xiangfu County?
Compared to Chen Gu's obscurity, the ruffians of Dongjing City were more afraid of Song Xuan.

If you disagree with someone, they might arrest you and put you in jail to do dredging work. Who would want to do that?
Why not live a carefree and happy life in Xiangfu County?

With a large number of unemployed people gathering in Xiangfu County, the local people naturally complained bitterly.

This led to a surge in workload for the yamen runners in Xiangfu County, who were simply unable to manage it all.

If they died or were injured, that's your own fault.

Unlike Master Song, who would support your whole family even after you died in the line of duty.

What else could he be but a godfather?
In addition, the "treatment" has been about the same before.

However, after collecting taxes, the top scholar Song improved the "treatment" and meals for his subordinates.

Which county government office distributes Snowflake Wine to its yamen runners during the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Even temporary workers are included.

On the contrary, this group of people had to chip in to give "Master Chen" a holiday gift.

It's true that comparing yourself to others makes you feel thwarted.

I wonder if the Kaifeng County government is still accepting applicants?
Some acquaintances have inquired about it and found that not only do they receive good personal benefits, but their children also benefit from it.

Song Da Guanren also sought out the grandson of Sun Shi, a contemporary Confucian scholar, as well as the children of Professor Jia Changchao, who lectured at the Imperial Academy.

They were settled in the backyard of the county government office after the autumn floods.

It's fair to say that the people who worked under Master Song were the most comfortable in the entire city of Tokyo.

Who wouldn't envy it?

Chen Gu pretended not to hear the complaints of the group of workers below.

Even if he is not short of money, the fact that his subordinates pooled their money to send Mid-Autumn Festival gifts represents their attitude!

This attitude is very important to him.

Seeing that no one responded, Chen Gu asked again:

"Have the ditches in my Xiangfu County been cleared?"

"In reply to your question, sir, we lack the funds to organize this. If we release the prisoners, I'm afraid..."

Chen Gu knew that Song Xuan had far-reaching influence and wanted to confront him, but he was restrained by his brother-in-law, Lü Yijian.

Don't interfere with what Song Xuan does; let him do his own thing.

The more you do, the more mistakes you'll make.

Especially in a place like China, making a big show of things can easily lead to being tripped up and unable to get back up.

"Alright, no need to say anything more."

Chen Gu asked his attendant to fan him.

"Let Song Xuan do whatever he wants. Does he think he can make the heavens send rain?"

"I heard that the Imperial Observatory also said that there has been a drought recently and it is difficult to get rain. We need to pray for rain, but we don't know when we will be able to succeed."

"Who cares if they succeed or not." Chen Gu felt increasingly irritable due to the heat, and he grabbed a fan.
"Send everyone down to patrol the streets. There's no chance of any heavy rain. I don't want to hear people banging the 'grievance drum' every day. They're all damn troublemakers!"

"Yes."

The county constable was sent to do this, but he sighed and complained as soon as he left the house.

Look at the yamen runners in Kaifeng County, they all have their heads held high. When they go on patrol, none of them avoid the sun.

And you generally don't encounter any hooligans.

On the contrary, what could the yamen runners of Xiangfu County do even if they encountered hooligans?
If you're so tired you feel like collapsing after just a few steps, how are you supposed to catch people?

With the street as the dividing line, it's easy to see that the two sides are in different states.

It goes without saying who is more willing to work.

Just as Song Xuan was getting ready to go home, Zhong Lijin arrived again with Chen Yaozuo's questions.

“Scholar Song, it’s not that I’m not speaking up for you, but it’s just that Prefect Chen is deliberately mocking you.”

"Oh, how did he mock me?"

He said you don't know which of the five basic necessities (firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea) comes first; the notices are all just the words of scholars.

Song Xuan nodded: "Prefect Zhongli, is there anything else?"

"Any more?"

Zhong Lijin stared wide-eyed, not understanding why Song Xuan wasn't angry.

"Chen Yaozuo is clearly trying to suppress you!"

"That's perfectly normal."

Hearing Song Xuan's nonchalant words and the complete lack of anger that she had expected, Zhong Lijin broke down.

So, the top scholar Song was really that calm and collected?
They no longer cared about Chen Yaozuo's sarcasm.

"But he's right. I did forget about burning firewood. Apart from the royal gardens, there are no large groves of trees around here."

Song Xuan hummed in agreement: "Even the most meticulous plans can have a flaw."

"Even the best-laid plans can have flaws?" Zhongli Jin immediately asked, "But the notice has already spread to every corner of the city. How do you plan to salvage the situation?"

Song Xuan stood up and called Yu Gao over.

Tell him to check if there are any coal mines nearby, and that the people of Tokyo should continue burning coal from now on.

Yu Gao quickly responded and turned to leave.

"Burning coal?"

Zhongli Jin stood up: "I have also heard about this matter. Burning coal will produce miasma, which can kill people invisibly."

"Hmm?" Song Xuan asked in surprise, "Are there really people who burn charcoal for warmth?"

"Naturally, he was an old wealthy man who was reluctant to burn charcoal for warmth in winter, so he burned coal instead and was poisoned to death."

Song Xuan nodded: "I suppose the old master is wealthy, but he's just reluctant to spend money?"

“Not bad.” Zhong Lijin nodded repeatedly. If it were burning charcoal, then there would be no problem.

Song Xuan felt that there was no difference between burning charcoal and burning coal.

The main reason is that wealthy households don't have any drafty areas.

If it's an ordinary person's house, even during heavy or moderate rain, cold winds can still get in during winter.

It would be very difficult for them to get carbon monoxide poisoning.

"This kind of coal is fine for poor people to burn, but it can easily kill rich people."

Song Xuan's words made Zhongli Jin look him up and down.

He was also skilled at burning colorful relics, even more so than the eminent monks of Daxiangguo Temple.
He was also better at observing celestial phenomena than the officials in the Imperial Observatory, and insisted that heavy rain would fall.

Now they say that coal can recognize a person's wealth and status, and that it favors the poor and dislikes the rich, which is simply absurd.

If it weren't for Song Xuan's reputation for achieving the highest honors in all three categories, Zhong Lijin would have suspected that he was possessed by an evil spirit, always saying shocking things.

It makes him seem very abnormal.

Especially in Zhong Lijin's mind, he felt that Song Xuan was like a charlatan, even more so than himself!
Who can bear this?

At least Zhong Lijin couldn't accept it. "Does Scholar Song know what it looks like to be poisoned by burning charcoal?"

"I haven't seen it with my own eyes much."

Song Xuan's understanding of using stoves for heating is still stuck in elementary school.

"Those poisoned by charcoal will have a flushed face as if drunk, and will become unconscious."

Zhong Lijin's hands are behind her back:
“Scholar Song, coal poisoning doesn’t distinguish whether you’re poor or rich.”

Song Xuan didn't want to argue with him either.
"Prefect Zhongli, thank you for reminding me, but I have other matters to attend to at home, so I won't be able to entertain you any longer. Let's get together another day. Please go back now."

Zhong Lijin kindly came to remind (or rather, provoke) Song Xuan, but was politely asked to leave.

Zhong Lijin had no choice but to leave.

Zhao Zhen watched him leave: "Was he here to tip someone off?"

"Still useless information?"

"Twelfth Brother, this kind of person isn't even qualified to be a spy."

Song Xuan felt that this kind of Buddhist thinking was somewhat unacceptable to normal people.

"That day you were drunk and passed out, he said he was going to be the next Prefect of Kaifeng, replacing Chen Yaozuo, and he tried to get me on his pirate ship."

"what?"

Zhao Zhen was so shocked that he stood up: "He's even more powerful than Chen Yaozuo?"

"He's not powerful at all. He just uses his Buddhist teachings to swindle people and please the Empress Dowager, which is how he got his current position."

Song Xuan explained to Zhao Zhen the matter of Zhongli Jin spitting out a relic between his eyebrows.

Zhao Zhen's mouth gaped open; if it were in the past, he would definitely have believed it.

However, after Song Xuan's popular science education, Zhao Zhen was able to think about this matter dialectically and realized that most of these things were deceptions.

Because he believed in the fortune teller on the street of Daxiangguo Temple, how could Zhao Zhen not be excited when five prime ministers walked past him?
Zhong Lijin's family has a somewhat "mythical" feel to it. Before he died, he said that his mother appeared to him in a dream, telling him that his time was coming to an end, and then he died with a thud.

After his death, his whole family claimed that they all dreamed of Zhongli Jin riding on a blue lotus flower, heading west.

His own son abandoned his official post to become a monk in order to study Buddhism. It is said that his hand seals are faster than Kakashi's, which makes the monks very envious.

Then his great-grandson, who also loved chanting Buddhist scriptures, sat facing west in the temple and passed away suddenly in broad daylight.

The whole family seems to be heading in the direction of becoming a charlatan.

"Good good."

Zhao Zhen didn't bother with such people, because there were many who could quickly rise in rank by winning the favor of the Empress Dowager.

Zhao Zhen is currently powerless to stop them, so he can only secretly memorize their names, waiting to kick them out in the future.

"By the way, Twelfth Brother, in this sweltering weather, is it really possible for a torrential downpour to occur?"

"Who knows?"

Song Xuan held up an umbrella to shield himself from the sun and said:

"Whether I can get off or not, I'm going home to rest first."

Inside the palace.

Yang Huaimin handed the proclamation issued by Song Xuan to Liu E.

After carefully reviewing it, Liu E felt that Song Xuan's method was not wrong.

However, the current state of drought seems somewhat out of place.

"What are the people saying about this?"

"Your Majesty, many people believe that it will not rain. Master Song is worrying unnecessarily."

"Hahaha."

Liu E couldn't help but laugh; the mouths of the people of Tokyo were certainly not ordinary.

She especially understood the meaning of "杞人忧天" (a Chinese idiom meaning to worry excessively).

"When the Empress Dowager asked for rain, no one paid any attention, but only Scholar Song remembered her request, which was also a way of asking for rain."

Having received favors from Song Xuan, Yang Huaimin was naturally willing to speak up for him.

"Ah."

Liu E simply responded, though she herself did not believe such a thing.

The only thing she needs is a "compliance test" to determine who will disobey her and who will obey her.

Only in this way can the imperial court remain stable.

Otherwise, if the court is filled with people like Fan Zhongyan who are always unhappy and want Empress Liu to return power to the emperor, how could Empress Liu be happy?

Seeing how hard Song Xuan was working, Liu E thought his attitude was good.

"Is there any progress on the matter of Lin Rong's son?"

"Your Majesty, there is still no news."

Lin Rong replied from the side.

Liu E also knew that Lin Rong had been by her side these past few days, and if there was any progress, she would definitely report it.

"The people of Dongjing City are important, but Lin Rong's son's life is equally important. Wait three more days and go to Song Xuan to ask about the progress."

"Yes."

Yang Huaimin responded with a "yes," indicating that he understood.

Lin Rong was seething with hatred for Song Xuan.

If something happens to his son, he must make him pay with his life.

Zhong Lijin returned to the government office and happened to run into Chen Yaozuo who was about to leave:

"Prefect Chen, what is this?"

"Nothing much, just wanted to chat about this celestial phenomenon."

"Ok?"

Chen Yaozuo invited Zhong Lijin inside to continue the conversation:
"The main question I want to ask is whether Magistrate Song deliberately made some controversial statements because he was unable to rescue Madam Lin's son from the Worry-Free Cave."

"Ok?"

Is Zhong Lijin certain that Chen Yaozuo is making false accusations, and is she starting to fight back?
"Prefect Chen, what makes you say this?"

Chen Yaozuo pointed to the weather outside: "How could there be a heavy downpour in such hot weather?"

"Wouldn't this be using the unknown to cover up what he can't do?"

Faced with Chen Yaozuo's questioning, Zhong Lijin lacked the confidence to defend Song Xuan.

He had received an unreliable answer from Song Xuan and hadn't yet considered whether to tell Chen Yaozuo.

As a result, Chen Yaozuo raised a new question.

It is obvious that Chen Yaozuo has a much richer experience in governing than Zhong Lijin.

Now that he knows Zhong Lijin is here to replace him, how can Chen Yaozuo not retaliate?
While questioning Song Xuan, he was also taking the opportunity to strike at Zhong Lijin.

"Good heavens, is it really not going to rain?"

Zhong Lijin screamed inwardly, "I pray to Buddha for mercy, please let it rain!"

Chen Yaozuo was momentarily bewildered as he watched Zhong Lijin close her eyes and turn the Buddhist prayer beads while chanting sutras.

Why are they starting to perform rituals?
Just because Song Xuan said it would rain, you're going to lend him a hand?
Chen Yaozuo knew, of course, that Zhongli Jin was spitting out relics from between his eyebrows, but he really didn't believe that he had any magical powers.

Just then, a gust of hot wind suddenly rose.

Then a light drizzle began to fall.

The raindrops fell on the stone slabs and quickly disappeared.

Chen Yaozuo stood up in surprise. Why did it suddenly start raining?

He walked quickly for a few steps, stopped under the eaves at the door, and reached out to catch the rain.

"Hahaha."

"It's done, it's done."

Zhong Lijin walked to the door with great joy, never expecting that her prayer for rain would come so quickly.

Buddha has indeed blessed me!

Chen Yaozuo saw that it was raining, but he thought it was just a coincidence and remained dismissive of it.
"What's a little drizzle?"

"Yeah, what's a little drizzle?"

Zhong Lijin quickly realized what was going on:

"Zhong Lijin, Zhong Lijin, how could you be so easily satisfied?"

"It's going to rain heavily, a really heavy downpour."

So Zhongli Jin went back to chant scriptures and perform rituals to pray for rain.

Chen Yaozu squinted at Zhong Lijin with considerable disdain. In such hot weather, the rainwater disappeared quickly after hitting the ground.

You can tell at a glance that it's not big.

"It's no use, Magistrate Zhongli should take a break."

Chen Yaozuo thought Zhong Lijin was mentally unstable, always believing that the sun rises because of the rooster's crow.

It actually has nothing to do with him.

But to Chen Yaozuo's disappointment, a torrential downpour began in the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

A sudden downpour occurred.

Chen Yaozuo stood up in surprise, even though he was sitting inside the room.

But the open door allowed him to feel the stench of rain carried in by the strong wind.

Even the rain was blown into the house.

"Hahaha."

"The wind is coming."

"Rain is coming."

Zhong Lijin was gesticulating wildly around the room like a charlatan.

It turns out that my prayer for rain went so smoothly.

If only I had prayed for rain before Buddha earlier, I wouldn't have been forced into such an awkward situation by Chen Yaozuo, only to realize that I still had the ability to pray for rain.
"Let the storm rage on!"

Zhong Lijin knew about some of Song Xuan's plans, and he wanted them all!
The sudden downpour caught many people off guard.

Chen Yaozu stared blankly at Zhong Lijin.

Could he really be a Buddhist disciple?

The streets of the inner city already resemble streams.

Fortunately, Song Xuan had cleared the ditches in advance, and all the streams on the street flowed into the ditches.

The water in the ditch flowed more and more rapidly, heading directly towards the Bian River.

The people of Tokyo stared blankly at the sudden downpour.

Quite a few people rushed into the heavy rain to take a shower and cool off.

The drought has led many to eagerly await the arrival of heavy rain.

However, the situation in Xiangfu County is not so good.

Compared to Kaifeng County, where ditches have been dredged, the water level in Xiangfu County is already above ankle-deep, showing signs of stagnant water.

"It's really raining."

Yang Weide, the acting director of the Imperial Observatory, never expected that this autumn rain would come so suddenly and wildly.

He lives in Xiangfu County.

After all, his family didn't have that much capital to allow him to live in Kaifeng County.

The rented house was leaking again, so he didn't have time to think and quickly started to catch the rain.

"It won't grow long."

Yang Weide sat on a bench watching the torrential rain.

"It's raining, it's raining."

Lü Yijian didn't need the officials outside to remind him; he had already heard the sound of heavy rain hitting the windows.

Someone closed the window, and that single action soaked him completely.

Wang Zeng's expression was solemn; just two days ago he had said there was absolutely no possibility of heavy rain.

But this heavy rain just happened anyway.

"Okay."

Zhang Shixun stroked his beard and laughed loudly:
"Our Great Song Dynasty is so arid, this autumn rain is enough."

"Yes."

Lu Yijian also felt that something was wrong, but the heavy rain came just in time.

The drought relief was a good thing for the Song Dynasty.

But inwardly he was thinking that Song Xuan had really had good luck.

The Imperial Observatory said it wouldn't rain, but he insisted it would and wanted to conduct some kind of flood prevention drill.

What a stroke of luck.

"Tanf, how long do you think this rain will last?"

Hearing Wang Zeng's question, Lü Yijian put his hands behind his back:

"It will probably take at least half an hour. This kind of rain comes quickly and goes quickly."

"hope so."

Wang Zeng's expression remained somewhat solemn.

"Ok?"

"I'm a little worried that this rain has been held back for so long, and that it might accumulate too much water and fill up the entire Yellow River."

Hearing Wang Zeng's reminder, Lü Yijian shared the same concern, but he still offered words of comfort:

"After a long drought, this heavy rain disappeared as soon as it hit the ground. Perhaps we should only worry if all the water from West Lake were channeled into Tokyo."

With Lü Yijian's reassurance, Wang Zeng also felt that it was unrealistic for the entire West Lake's water level to drop to this point.

"Could it be that Song Twelve also observes celestial phenomena?"

Wang Zeng's question surprised the group of people:
"No way."

"Then why is he so insistent?"

"Perhaps it was just a lucky coincidence."

"Yes."

"How could he possibly learn such a method?"

The prime ministers remained silent, watching the long-awaited downpour.

"It's raining, it's raining."

Yang Huaimin closed the window and excitedly reported to Liu E.

Someone helped Liu E to the door, where she experienced the sudden downpour.

"This rain is really heavy!"

"Yes."

Yang Huaimin stood to the side, bending over:

"The Empress Dowager ordered a rainstorm, and now this great rain has finally come, which will surely alleviate the drought."

"It must be that Heaven was moved by the Empress's persistence that sent this timely rain."

"A timely help?"

Liu E almost laughed; the feeling of being flattered was quite delightful.

Although sometimes she can easily distinguish between the real and the fake.

But she just doesn't like the idea that honest advice is hard to hear.

"It reminds me that Song Twelve was also known as the Timely Rain in his hometown, because he was generous and righteous."

"Was the Song Dynasty's top scholar known for his generosity and righteousness?"

Yang Huaimin chimed in, "Scholar Song is also kind-hearted; he learned it all from the Empress Dowager."

"You certainly know how to speak up for him."

As Liu E felt the heavy rain, she thought, "The proclamation issued by Song Twelve a few days ago will probably come in handy."

Yang Huaimin immediately sent someone to check on the ditches that Song Xuan had sent people to clean, and then returned to report the good news to the Empress Dowager.

Such orders, whether you, a lowly eunuch, want to do them or not, you have to go if they order you to.

So the young eunuch braved the heavy rain to go and take a look, returning soaked to the bone to report back.

"So that Your Majesty may know that the water outside has accumulated to six or seven inches, but it has all been drained away through the imperial moat. If the rain stops, the water will disappear."

"Ah."

Liu E responded, and Song Xuan's efforts in clearing the ditch were quite effective.

Given the scale of last year's heavy rains, the water level would probably have reached several inches by now.

“Your Majesty, Scholar Song did have some foresight.”

Yang Huaimin then offered another compliment.

Empress Liu then had the eunuch who went to observe the situation rewarded.

Lin Rong heard Yang Huaimin fawning over Song Xuan like that, and wondered what benefits he had given this damned eunuch.

The Empress Dowager was in a good mood, so Lin Rong didn't dare to speak ill of Song Xuan.

Liu E had some doubts:

"I just don't know how long this heavy rain will last. If it lasts for two or three hours, even if Song Twelve has cleared the ditches in Kaifeng County..."

"Because of the drought, the water level of the Bian River has dropped, but the ditches in Xiangfu County have not been dredged, and they may become a vast expanse of water."

Liu E's concerns were not unfounded. Based on past trends, once it rained heavily, the city of Tokyo would be submerged up to ankle-deep, and even up to thigh-deep and hip-deep.

Even more extreme cases exist, such as floods completely engulfing people.

"Your Majesty, Kaifeng County has been dredged. Although Xiangfu County has not been dredged, water flows downhill."

"Xiangfu County is at a higher elevation than Kaifeng County, so the accumulated water will flow into the Bian River through the ditches of Kaifeng County."

"Even though it rained heavily this time, there might not be too much damage."

Yang Huaimin was praising Song Xuan in various ways; he couldn't possibly let go of such a chance to make himself look good.

That's what they say.

Liu E stood with her hands behind her back, watching the torrential rain. Her initial joy had turned into worry.

After all, Tokyo has been flooded many times.

The key question is whether the Yellow River can be contained.

"I am still a little worried, so I immediately sent someone to inspect the Yellow River. If there are any cracks or gaps, please report them in time."

Liu E gave the order, and Yang Huaimin plunged directly into the rain.

If Song Xuan can seize the opportunity to demonstrate his foresight, how can I, Yang Huaimin, be willing to lag behind?

Liu E had intended to send someone else, but she never expected Yang Huaimin to do things this way.

"He is indeed a loyal man!"

Hearing Liu E's praise, not only was Lin Rong unhappy, but the other eunuchs who wanted to compete for the emperor's favor also felt somewhat resentful.

How did he manage to beat me to it?

It's normal not to want to get wet in such heavy rain.

If he catches a cold from the rain, not only will he be unable to serve the Empress Dowager, but he might even have to face death himself.

The idea that getting caught in the rain could lead to death was common knowledge among these eunuchs.

Song Xuan stood at the door, watching the torrential rain pour down.

"Did you really come?"

"Twelfth Brother, it's really raining heavily."

Zhao Zhen initially thought it was just a drizzle, but the rain unexpectedly intensified.

At this moment, it was as if dark clouds were covering the sky, threatening to engulf the entire city of Tokyo.

Not only that, but there were also frequent thunderstorms, which were truly frightening.

"Yes, this rain came on so suddenly, it's really annoying."

Song Xuan took a step back: "Sixth Brother, I suddenly have a bad feeling."

(End of this chapter)