My wife, Wei Gui, was 1.9 meters tall and fought against the Tang dynasty for the throne.

After three days and nights, Li Ju arrived in Liyang.

It was late at night when we arrived. Mist shrouded the Yongji Canal, and the sound of water rumbling like thunder came from the direction of the distant dam. The air was filled with the damp smell of earth.

Wei Feng met him at the dock.

"Manager Li," Wei Feng said, bowing with a grave expression, "you've come at the right time. Another section of the northern dike has collapsed today, and the water has already overflowed the base."

"Where is Zhao Huaiyi?" Li Ju asked as he walked.

"They escaped." Wei Feng sneered. "Last night, they took a few trusted men and headed south. I sent men to chase them, but they couldn't catch them."

"You can run away, but you can't hide," Li Ju said. "Tell me the details about the dam."

The two walked quickly toward the embankment. As they walked, Wei Feng said, "There are two piping issues in the northern section, the largest of which is already as thick as a bowl. I've plugged it with sandbags, but it won't last long. The waterway in the middle section is silted up for 300 zhang, and large ships can't pass. Half of the dock in the southern section has been destroyed by the flood, and now we can only use small boats for loading and unloading."

How many people do you have under your command?

"five hundred."

Is that enough?

Wei Feng glanced at him: "That's enough. But someone needs to lead the way."

Li Ju stopped and turned to look at him.

"Commander Wei, I will report to the Imperial Water Conservancy Bureau tonight and request the court to send someone from the Ministry of Works. But until the Ministry of Works arrives, we will do the work ourselves."

Wei Feng asked, "How do we do it?"

"We'll split into three groups." Li Ju held up three fingers. "First, you lead the troops to repair the dikes. I'll leave Wang Yu and his dock brothers to you; they understand water conservancy, so listen to them."

"What about the second route?"

"The second route was for Wang Yu to lead people to dredge the waterway. The channel was blocked by silt for three hundred feet. It would be too slow to use laborers to dredge it, so they would use boats to tow it. They would tie large boats together and tow them against the current to stir up the silt and wash it away with the current."

Wei Feng's eyes lit up: "This is the first time I've heard of such a method."

"The third route, Du Chen is here to re-check the accounts," Li Ju said. "Exactly how much grain is stored in Liyang Granary, and how much Zhao Huaiyi embezzled, calculate it all for me, item by item."

Wei Feng nodded: "Okay. What about the men Zhao Huaiyi left behind?"

"Not a single one is allowed to leave," Li Ju said. "Everyone stay where they are and work. Anyone who dares to run will be court-martialed."

Wei Feng glanced at him and suddenly smiled.

"Steward Li, are you really only sixteen this year?"

Li Ju ignored him and strode towards the embankment.

On the first day, he stood on the embankment, directing laborers to fill bamboo cages with stones to reinforce the base of the embankment. Wei Feng led his troops to carry sandbags to plug the seepage. Wang Yu tested his "tugboat dredging method" in the river. Three large boats sailed side by side against the current, stirring up silt that flowed downstream and indeed carried away most of the blockage.

The next day, Du Chen's accounts came out. Zhao Huaiyi had embezzled more than 3,000 strings of cash for dike repairs over three years and privately sold 8,000 shi of military grain; the accounts were crystal clear.

On the third day, the middle section of the waterway was cleared. The first batch of grain ships began to head north.

On the fourth day, the southern section of the wharf was repaired and loading and unloading resumed.

On the fifth day, the piping in the dam was brought under control. Li Ju ordered the excavation of a temporary diversion channel upstream to reduce the pressure on the main dam.

On the sixth day, water was diverted into the irrigation canal. The water level on the main embankment dropped by one foot, greatly reducing the pressure.

On the morning of the seventh day, the last batch of sandbags was piled up on top of the embankment. Li Ju stood on the embankment, looking down at the Yongji Canal winding northward, and let out a long breath.

Wei Feng came up, covered in mud and his face was smeared. He handed Li Ju a pot of water.

"Master Li, you haven't slept well for seven days."

"You are too." Li Ju took the water bottle and took a sip.

Wei Feng stood beside him, gazing at the distant river. The first batch of grain ships had already passed Liyang and were heading towards Zhuojun. The sails were as white as snow in the morning light.

"What do you plan to do about Zhao Huaiyi's matter?" Wei Feng asked.

"The evidence has been submitted to the Directorate of Waterways," Li Ju said. "The Directorate's Assistant will report it to the imperial court."

"What about Lee Chi-hung?"

Li Ju did not answer.

Wei Feng turned to look at him, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly said, "Manager Li, you saved me twice."

"The first time was about the grain treasury, and the second time is this time," Wei Feng said. "I won't ask why. But if you ever need my life, just ask."

Li Ju turned to look at him, her gaze calm.

"Captain Wei, your survival is the greatest help you can give me."

Wei Feng was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.

"You talk differently from other people."

Li Ju didn't reply, and turned to walk down the embankment.

"Let's go back to Luoyang. There's a lot of things waiting for us."

When news of the Liyang Granary incident reached Zhuojun, it shocked the court and the public.

Emperor Yang Guang was furious and ordered a thorough investigation of Zhao Huaiyi and the recovery of the embezzled funds. Zhao Huaiyi was captured while on the run and imprisoned to be tried.

Although Li Zixiong was not directly implicated, Zhao Huaiyi was his man, and many people in the court began to take notice.

Li Ju and Wei Feng were both promoted.

Li Ju was promoted from the eighth-rank position of Director of the Water Transport Office to the seventh-rank position of Assistant Director of the Water Conservancy Bureau.

Wei Feng was promoted from Guoyi Duwei to Zhechong Langjiang and transferred back to Luoyang.

On the day the appointment was issued, Li Ju was tidying up documents in his office. Du Chen stood beside him, a rare smile on his face.

"Congratulations, sir."

"Congratulations, Li Cheng." Wang Yu leaned against the door with a grin. "You've reached the seventh rank. The next step is becoming a court official."

Li Ju put the documents away and stood up.

"Stop joking around. The work isn't finished yet."

The Wei residence.

Wei Nizi ran in from outside, panting, holding a letter in his hand.

"Sister! Sister! Big news!"

Wei Gui was embroidering by the window, not even looking up: "What is it now?"

"Li Huairun has been promoted!" Wei Nizi rushed to the table, his eyes shining like stars. "Seventh rank! Assistant Director of the Water Conservancy Bureau!"

Wei Gui paused for a moment.

"And there's more!" Wei Nizi continued, "My cousin Wei Feng has also been promoted! He's been transferred back to Luoyang! The two of them made great contributions together in Liyang, repairing dikes and transporting grain—they were truly remarkable!"

Wei Gui put down her needlework and looked up.

How did you know?

"Uncle Zhou told me!" Wei Nizi proudly waved the letter in his hand. "He also asked me to give you a letter, written by Li Huairun."

Wei Gui took the letter but did not open it immediately.

Wei Nizi leaned over the table, propped her chin on her hand, and looked at her with a grin: "Sister, aren't you happy?"

Wei Gui ignored her and opened the envelope.

The letter was very short.

Ze Niangzi's Appreciation:

The mission in Liyang is accomplished; fortunately, I have not failed in my duty.

Now, thanks to the imperial court's promotion, he has been appointed as the seventh-rank Assistant Director of the Water Conservancy Bureau.

The road ahead is still long, so we dare not slacken our efforts.

I only wish my wife well.

Li Ju bowed deeply.

After reading the letter, Wei Gui folded it and put it in his sleeve.

"Sister, you smiled," said Wei Nizi.

"no."

"Yes! The corners of her mouth are turned up!"

Wei Gui reached out and gently flicked her forehead.

"Go do your homework."

Wei Nizi covered his forehead, giggled, and ran away.

Wei Gui sat alone by the window, took out the jade engraved with "Chang Le · Huai Run" from his sleeve, and gently held it in his palm.

Outside the window, the autumn sun shines brightly.