Chapter 281: The Dragon King's Summons

Once this bridge was crossed, the numerous officials of the Ministry of Works immediately scattered, each taking to the air to patrol the river dike. Qin Mu observed many individuals wielding chisels, each several *zhang* long, inserting them into the riverbanks and dikes, with one placed every hundred *zhang*.

Beside each chisel stood a person. In the heart of the river, a large bell was erected. When a resonant chime echoed forth, the chisels vibrated in response, and the people beside them tilted their heads, listening intently to the trembling transmitted through the metal.

"What are they doing?" Qin Mu couldn't help but ask, puzzled.

Ling Yu Xiu stepped to his side and explained, "This, you wouldn't know. Originally, the Tu River frequently flooded. The Grand Tutor ordered the Vice Minister of Works to oversee its governance. The Vice Minister of Works spent an inordinate amount of wealth, infuriating the Emperor, who then demanded to know the reason for such expenditure and where the money had gone. The Vice Minister of Works replied that he had buried a wall of Profound Copper along each bank of the Tu River. The Profound Copper wall was two inches thick, two *chi* high, and stretched along the river dike for ten thousand *li*. The Profound Copper wall is covered in runes. When checking for hidden cracks in the dike or assessing if it has been thinned by the water, one can strike the copper bell. The bell's resonance stimulates the runes on the Profound Copper wall, causing it to resonate and allowing us to use sound waves to detect hidden cracks and determine the dike's thickness."

Qin Mu looked towards the busy members of the Ministry of Works, praising, "A truly brilliant idea."

Si Yun Xiang stepped forward, saying, "The Emperor nearly had his head for spending too much."

Ling Yu Xiu cast her a glance, saying, "The Vice Minister of Works did indeed spend a fortune. In these years, the Vice Minister of Works has overseen the manufacture of flying ships, water-navigating pleasure boats, ground-traversing land boats, flying wheel carriages, mining smelters, various regional military workshops, supervised factories, the renovation of city towers, the construction of city sewers, the paving of roads, the creation of siege cloud chariots, and the construction of large border fortresses, along with the manufacture of machinery. I was not yet born at that time. Later, I heard from my second brother that the wealth the Vice Minister of Works expended in those years forced the Emperor, the imperial princes, crown princes, noble consorts, and empresses dowager in the palace to tighten their belts, becoming so thin their faces turned sallow. The national treasury was instantly emptied, and officials' salaries were owed for several months."

Si Yun Xiang smiled slightly, "And then?"

Ling Yu Xiu sighed, "Later, as the smelters were promoted, various flying ships and pleasure boats were sold to merchants. The supervised factories continuously produced goods. Within two years, the national treasury was full, and several more national treasuries were built to store the money. The Emperor rejoiced, saying it was fortunate he hadn't killed him. The Ministry of Works is the best at spending money. Besides the Vice Minister of Works, there's also the Lang Zhong of the Department of Waterworks, who oversees water conservancy and transportation in various regions, such as water-leading carriages, flood diversion lakes, various large dams and bridges, and the opening of canals. The money spent flows like water, yet it also makes the common people prosperous."

Si Yun Xiang blinked her eyes, saying, "It seems it's all the Vice Minister of Works and the Lang Zhongs who spend the money. What does the Minister of Works do? It seems all the work is done by the Vice Minister of Works, Dan You Xin, and the others, while the Minister of Works hasn't done anything significant."

Ling Yu Xiu also blinked her eyes, "The Minister of Works is there to supervise their spending."

Si Yun Xiang smiled lightly, "The Minister of Works is likely someone the Emperor sent to monitor them, as he doesn't trust them. After all, the Vice Minister of Works and these Lang Zhongs and Yuan Wai Langs are all members of the Divine Cult of Heavenly Devil. The Emperor knows they are Hall Masters and Incense Masters of the Divine Cult of Heavenly Devil and is uneasy about them."

Ling Yu Xiu's gaze fell upon her, "Sister Yun Xiang seems very attentive to the Divine Cult of Heavenly Devil."

Si Yun Xiang smiled sweetly, "This little sister is not talented. I am the Saintess of the Divine Cult of Heavenly Devil. Naturally, I must be attentive. Cult Master Qin is our Cult Master and Saint Teacher, and he is also very concerned about this aspect. As the Saintess, asking the Princess questions is also a matter of the Cult Master's concern."

The two women exchanged glances, eyes locking. Qin Mu, oblivious to the two girls' exchange, looked into the distance, observing officials from the Department of Waterworks and the Department of Agriculture inspecting the farmlands and water conservancy systems. Officials from the Department of Parks were examining the fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. He then walked forward.

"Cult Master, when the crops are transitioning from green to yellow, there will likely be an insect infestation."

The Yuan Wai Lang of the Department of Parks was the Incense Master of the Hall of Agriculture. He dug around in the muddy soil, inspected it, and pulled out some insect eggs. Turning to Qin Mu, he said, "Although the winter snow was severe, these harmful insect eggs have not frozen to death. In another three to five days, as the weather warms, the insect eggs will hatch into insects. During the winter, the grass and trees were all chopped down and burned by the disaster victims. The insects have nothing to eat and will then devour the crops. We must prepare early and prevent the insect disaster. We must kill them when they are born."

Qin Mu asked, "Incense Master, how do we prevent an insect disaster?"

"We can have experts in sword techniques stationed in the fields, or have experts in magic techniques display needle techniques, or even have experts in refining Gu insects come and release insects that eat the harmful ones."

The Yuan Wai Lang of the Department of Parks stood up, patted his hands, which were covered in mud, and said, "Disciples from the Hall of Sword, the Hall of Law, and the Hall of Gu can all come out to temper themselves."

Qin Mu nodded, invited Fan Yun Xiao over, and said, "Brother Fan, please relay my command. Have the Hall of Sword, the Hall of Law, and the Hall of Gu each send ten more disciples here."

Fan Yun Xiao called a bandit and ordered him to deliver the message.

Officials from the Department of Waterworks were organizing water conservancy, clearing out the silt that had accumulated in the canals, and re-planning the water routes to facilitate irrigation of the farmland.

On the other side, officials from the Department of Agriculture were measuring the land, taking out measuring rulers of the heavens. With vital energy urging them on, the rulers unfolded from their collapsed state, becoming longer and longer, with measuring scales appearing on them. Beside them, scholars from the Imperial Academy recorded the numbers. Their vital energy transformed into abacuses of various structures, clicking away with a *pa pa* sound.

Meanwhile, the Vice Minister of Works led the crowd from the Department of Works into the air, standing aloft to survey the road conditions throughout Jia State. They recorded the damaged areas and then proceeded to repair the roads.

"Dan You Xin is a capable individual!"

Qin Mu truly praised him in his heart. The officials of the Ministry of Works in Yan Kang Country were orderly and efficient in their tasks, indeed benefiting the country and the people.

In the City Lord's Manor, the Prefect of Jia State reported on the border situation of Jia State. Ling Yu Shu listened all night, then called in the chief registrar to check various records, busy and sleepless throughout the night.

The next day, Ling Yu Shu and the Prefect of Jia State were both somewhat tired. As they stepped out of the City Lord's Manor, the Minister of Works, the Vice Minister of Works, Qin Mu, and others had already arrived outside. The Vice Minister of Works, Dan You Xin, presented several scrolls of documents, saying, "Your Highness, the issues regarding water conservancy, transportation, vegetables, and fruits in Jia State have been properly handled. Only the Department of Agriculture requires your attention."

Ling Yu Shu was surprised, exclaiming, "So fast?"

Dan You Xin said, "After Your Highness finishes reviewing, you can prepare to execute people."

Ling Yu Shu's face turned solemn, "Is the land annexation so severe?"

Dan You Xin nodded.

Ling Yu Shu summoned the Prefect of Jia State, placed the documents in his hands, and his face sank, "You won't sleep yet, and neither will I. You will look through these with me! As we look, we will arrest people and execute them! Those who should be arrested, arrest them; those who should be killed, kill them! At times like these, severe punishment and strict laws are necessary!"

The Prefect of Jia State's face turned ashen.

Qin Mu called Shen Wan Yun and others, saying, "Your work has arrived. Later, you will go with the officials to arrest people."

Shen Wan Yun stammered, "Cult Master, didn't you say there was no danger? Those who can annex land in chaotic times are local strongmen, and these local powerful families are also very strong!"

Qin Mu smiled, "You are experts from the Imperial Academy, the elites of the country. Will you still fear local strongmen?"

Wei Yong, Yue Qing Hong, and others were eager to try.

Not long after, the Crown Prince and the Prefect gave the order to arrest people. Wei Yong and the others immediately followed the soldiers. They returned at noon, covered in blood, having clearly experienced several fierce battles.

Ling Yu Shu spent two days dealing with the affairs of Jia State and continued eastward, governing the Tu River along the way. On this day, they arrived in He State. He State bordered the vast sea to the east, far from the capital. Its water routes were developed, with a large port. Here, merchant ships not only connected to domestic ports but also engaged in trade with other countries, even having contact with overseas lands.

The group was already accustomed to the routine. Upon arriving in He State, they each began their investigations without needing instructions from the Vice Minister of Works. After handling the affairs of He State, Ling Yu Shu saw that the group was truly tired and said, "Gentlemen, you have worked hard. Let us rest in He State for a few days before setting out."

The group cheered.

Qin Mu was pulled along by Ling Yu Xiu to stroll the streets. She said, "He State's commerce is developed, with many strange and new things from foreign lands. Let's go to the market!"

"I'll go too!"

Si Yun Xiang followed. Ling Yu Xiu glanced at her, thinking, "Fox spirit!"

"Little coquette..." Si Yun Xiang thought with a smile on her face.

The two women's gazes intertwined. Qin Mu acted as if nothing was happening. The market in He State indeed had many rare and strange items, but what attracted him were not these bizarre goods but the foreigners.

He saw many foreigners in strange attire, with appearances different from the people of Yan Kang. Some were even one-eyed, unlike others who had two symmetrical eyes. Instead, they had a single eye in the center of their forehead, growing vertically.

There were also four-armed people and double-faced people.

He also saw several sea race girls, dressed in bright and colorful clothes, but with eight octopus-like legs. They walked swiftly. Upon closer inspection, they also had fish gills near their ears.

"They came from the sea."

Si Yun Xiang moved closer to Qin Mu's ear and whispered, "They are sea race merchants. I heard they have established cities and countries at the bottom of the sea."

Qin Mu was surprised. The things the sea race sold were also very strange. He stopped in front of a blue coral tree. The coral tree automatically emitted water vapor, like a water ball, wrapping itself within. In the water vapor, a three-inch tall girl rode a seahorse, swimming and swaying, singing a song with unclear meaning.

Then several more girls riding seahorses came down from the tree, along with some men. They gathered in the water surrounding the coral tree, singing and dancing together.

This blue coral tree actually contained a small tribe.

Si Yun Xiang and Ling Yu Xiu were also engrossed. Just at this moment, a tall girl in a dark green long skirt walked forward, looked at the blue coral tree, and couldn't help but praise, "What a truly strange species. Little Red, don't you think so?"

Qin Mu turned his head and saw that the girl's earlobes, like mutton fat jade, were adorned with red jade earrings. The earring suddenly stretched, revealing it to be a small red snake. It opened its mouth and hissed, flicking its tongue towards Qin Mu.

"Long Jiao Nan!"

Qin Mu's heart jolted. Just as he was about to draw his sword, Long Jiao Nan smiled, "Cult Master Qin, you had best not move. Little Red is a Seven Star realm existence. With one gulp, it can swallow all three of you. Cult Master, my father wants to see you."

Qin Mu's scalp tingled. He said in a low voice, "The Old Dragon King is also here?"

Long Jiao Nan giggled, "My father is called the Dragon King. How could he not have influence in He State? But thanks to Cult Master, my Jade Dragon Gate was destroyed, forcing me and my father to hide in the East Sea!"

Si Yun Xiang blinked her eyes and said joyfully, "Congratulations, Sister Long, on capturing the Cult Master of the Heavenly Devil Cult and the Sixth Princess of Yan Kang. There's nothing for me here. I'll go first!"

Long Jiao Nan smiled coldly. The small red snake suddenly swam to Si Yun Xiang's neck, stretched out its snake tongue, and licked Si Yun Xiang's neck, "Miss Si, Saintess of the Heavenly Devil Cult. Your value is not inferior to the Sixth Princess of Yan Kang. Do you think I haven't investigated you?"