Chapter 1518: Super Engineering Project

**Chapter 1503: The Super Project**

He Lingchuan picked a grape and put it in his mouth. "Since the King's birthday celebration, I've barely left the house. My daily routine is just shuttling between Yongquan Villa and Youhu Manor. I certainly wouldn't dare go anywhere too crowded."

Listening to him, everyone's smiles faded.

Indeed, he had gravely offended the Regent and now had to be extremely careful about his personal safety.

He Xiao's current glory and favor came at a cost.

But he quickly added, "Tell me about it. I heard it was an unprecedentedly grand event."

Everyone then began discussing various aspects of the Flying Flower Festival.

It indeed sounded even grander than King Yao's birthday celebration. Temples in various regions even distributed "Spiritual Wisdom Cakes"—rice cakes specially prepared for the event and blessed within the temples. Anyone who ate these cakes would receive the goddess's blessing, a benefit even the refugees in Tianshui City could claim.

On the night of the celebration, golden spiritual rain, accompanied by an exotic fragrance, fell upon Tianshui City. Those who were touched by the spiritual rain found their severe illnesses alleviated, minor ailments disappear, and chronic conditions improve, leaving them feeling refreshed and invigorated.

This was the grace personally bestowed by the goddess. However—

He Lingchuan quietly asked, "I heard that this year's spiritual rain blessing was shorter than in previous years?"

He had reviewed records from previous years that described "golden rain like a thick liquid," implying it was quite viscous.

However, what he had experienced at Yongquan Villa a few days prior was merely a brief coolness on his head, a total of only two or three raindrops.

This seemed quite different from previous accounts, didn't it?

A silence fell over the table. Fan Shuang said dryly, "It was a little shorter, perhaps an unforeseen circumstance."

Of course, it was no accident. The common people didn't understand, but everyone present knew the truth.

The State of Yao had done its best to organize this Flying Flower Festival, but the Heavenly Goddess Miaozhan had used this method to express her displeasure. The festival was originally meant to be held at the new temple, but construction progress had been slow, and the new temple was still unfinished.

He Lingchuan had even made a special trip to see the half-finished temple project. It was exceptionally large and magnificent; in every intricately carved corner, one could almost hear the sound of money being poured in. Standing on that vast plaza, before the towering, layered structures, one felt like a mere speck in the ocean...

Yet, it remained unfinished, with less than a third completed.

In his opinion, the temple was a stalled project.

Even deities couldn't tolerate such a stalled project.

He Lingchuan perfectly understood King Yao's predicament; the national treasury was severely depleted. However, from the Heavenly Goddess's perspective, for the State of Yao, the foremost power in Shanjin, to take two or three years to complete a mere temple, how much reverence and devotion could they truly feel for her?

Devotion wasn't just a matter of words; it had to be demonstrated through tangible actions.

Clearly, the devotion of King Yao and his court was deemed insufficient by the Heavenly Goddess.

With too little spiritual rain, its effects on the human body were mediocre, a fact everyone could intuitively perceive.

The common people were both disappointed and fearful. While they didn't understand the specifics, they could sense Miaozhan Tian's displeasure.

"The goddess is angry, angry with us! We must have done something wrong, or the royal court must have!"

The day after the Flying Flower Festival, the major temples were packed, overflowing with believers seeking to confess and atone for their sins.

The public's dissatisfaction also put immense pressure on the Yao court.

Gu Xuan cleared his throat. "My King has already decreed that the new main temple must be completed within five months!"

King Yao clearly intended to mend relations with the Heavenly Goddess.

Yuwen Xu interjected, "Chief Envoy Liang must have put in a lot of effort as well. The King hasn't been on good terms with him recently. I heard that when he met the King, they argued several times in the imperial study..."

Yuwen Yong elbowed his brother. "What nonsense are you spouting? Is that something you should be criticizing?"

Yuwen Xu sheepishly fell silent.

He had drunk too much and couldn't control his tongue.

The goddess often understood the State of Yao through Chief Envoy Liang. One shouldn't forget that Chief Envoy Liang's own son had just been disciplined by King Yao days ago, and his post in the Ministry of Works had been revoked. Could Chief Envoy Liang possibly speak well of the King to the goddess?

This was reflected in the Flying Flower Festival: while the State of Yao hosted a grand celebration, the Queen and the temple appeared indifferent and aloof.

He Lingchuan tactfully changed the subject, and everyone continued to eat and chat until well past midnight before dispersing contentedly.

Early the next morning, Zhang Shan entered the palace to meet King Yao and relayed He Lingchuan's words verbatim.

King Yao stroked his beard. "Oh? He boasted that he could both expand the capital and replenish the national treasury?"

"Precisely, he claimed he could resolve both dilemmas."

"Heh, 'resolving both dilemmas' indeed," King Yao chuckled. "And what's his method?"

"He didn't mention it during dinner. He said he needed to think it over carefully."

"Think carefully? That's just an excuse! He's afraid you'll learn his methods, and then the task won't fall to him," King Yao scoffed. "This fellow is truly greedy. The money he made from Youhu Manor still hasn't satisfied his appetite! Now he's already eyeing the capital's expansion project."

Zhang Shan asked, "Does Your Majesty intend to let He Xiao..."

King Yao's eyes narrowed. "You dare to ask such a question? He's an outsider!"

The implication was clear: what right did He Xiao, an outsider, have to manage such a crucial project?

In a remote place like Youhu, He Xiao had managed to earn millions of taels. If he were to take charge of Tianshui City's expansion, wouldn't he make an astronomical fortune?

He was capable, but also truly greedy.

The State of Yao wasn't He Xiao's personal gold mine; why would they hand over such wealth to an outsider?

However, this man frequently presented ingenious ideas, and King Yao was very keen to hear his proposed method. If it was good, he had plenty of loyal subordinates who could execute it.

In the afternoon, He Lingchuan returned to Youhu to inspect the construction site.

Finding a moment when they were alone, the Soul-Capturing Mirror also spoke to He Lingchuan:

"Zhang Shan must have gone to report to King Yao. Hey, do you think King Yao would let you oversee the eastern expansion of Tianshui City?"

"Naive!" He Lingchuan replied, seeing through it all. "I made money at Youhu, and King Yao was already displeased. The capital's eastern expansion is a massive project with unimaginable profits for outsiders. If such a lucrative position were given to an outsider like me instead of King Yao's confidants, those ministers would surely raise a huge fuss, wouldn't they?"

As he spoke, he let out a soft "oh." "I understand now. Qingyang's fierce opposition might stem from the immense profits involved in the capital's eastern expansion. Everyone wants to be part of the construction team appointed by King Yao, and everyone wants a share of this massive project. Naturally, this would further consolidate King Yao's power."

As this thought occurred to him, his mind suddenly cleared. "Qingyang's capabilities are clearly far superior to King Yao's, yet she's constrained by him here. I finally understand why."

"Why?"

"Because Qingyang simply has no projects at her disposal!" He Lingchuan clapped his hands and laughed. "Look, King Yao can approve land for me to build Youhu Manor, or he can decide to launch the Tianshui City expansion. Subjects who wish to demonstrate loyalty or make money can all find projects through King Yao. As long as they get involved in the right project, they could potentially climb the ranks and become wealthy. Now, what does Qingyang have? Only the power of impeachment. Even if her subordinates wanted to follow her, she has no projects for them to work on, meaning they can neither accomplish anything nor earn money."

Everyone in the world is driven by profit.

What good is merely exercising authority? You need to offer people a chance to earn money or secure a future, only then will they follow you.

He Lingchuan reached a conclusion: "The most frightening thing is that King Yao has already realized this. Qingyang will only be increasingly sidelined, eventually losing even her power of impeachment."

Qingyang's supervision of officials previously relied heavily on mutual suspicion and denunciations among them. Now, however, they are largely solidified around King Yao; if not a united front, they are at least working together against her.

In this situation, is impeachment still effective?

Can power that commands no awe still be called power?

"This confrontation isn't violent, but it will naturally and swiftly push Qingyang out of the State of Yao's political system, with astonishing speed," the mirror observed. "Will she simply allow it?"

He Lingchuan smiled. "Even if Qingyang is astute, the political changes this time will likely materialize before she can fully react."

It's not that Qingyang intends to let things slide, but that she'll be unable to intervene.

"But Qingyang also has her own mission in the State of Yao. If she can't complete it, she won't be able to report back, will she?" He paused. "Most importantly, Qingyang has her own backing: the Northern Demon Kingdom standing behind her! And, it's even possible that Miaozhan Tian might assist her."

The mirror asked curiously, "Oh? How do you know?"

"King Yao's eldest son was embroiled in the elixir of immortality case and died in Lingxu City, so a personal vendetta already exists between King Yao and Qingyang. The Demon King, fully aware of this, still sent Qingyang here as Regent and expects her to use her abilities to pressure the State of Yao. Heh, if Qingyang had no support whatsoever here, she wouldn't be here to retire; she'd be here to die."

"However, there's rarely any force on the Shanjin Plain that can directly influence King Yao, so I deduce it might be the Heavenly Goddess," He Lingchuan said soberly. "As long as she gains the support of a deity—like Miaozhan Tian—she'll have considerable power to contend with King Yao."

The mirror suddenly remarked, "If that's the case, you're in danger."

"Even if she kills me, it won't change the current situation in Tianshui City."

King Yao and his ministers were watching He Lingchuan's methods closely; what couldn't they learn? Even if Qingyang managed to eliminate him, King Yao would simply replace him, and the Youhu Manor project could continue.

But the mirror countered, "Even if it's just to vent her anger, she'll still need to eliminate you. If offending her carries no consequences, who will fear her in the future?"

He Lingchuan thought for a long time before murmuring, "You're right. If Qingyang can kill me, she won't just settle old and new grudges; she'll also show every official in the court the consequences of defying her and Beijia!"

He would do well to acquire a protective talisman.

Early the next morning, He Lingchuan was summoned to the palace.

He was now entering the palace more frequently than most of King Yao's own ministers. Upon seeing him again, the palace staff would all bow to him, their faces beaming with smiles.

As he passed Yuquan Palace, he noticed two crabapple trees newly planted by the cold spring.

For seedlings to survive, they typically needed to be planted during the warmest period. However, He Lingchuan already noticed frost forming on the leaves, suggesting that the fate of these two crabapple trees was likely grim.

A fruit forcibly picked is not sweet; a tree forcibly planted will not thrive.

King Yao was enjoying his breakfast. Upon seeing He Lingchuan, he waved him over. "Come, come, join me for a bite."