Chapter 41: Volunteering to Control Water
August of the 40th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi

The Governor-General of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Guangxi submitted three consecutive memorials, stating that the continuous heavy rains had caused flood disasters. The number of casualties in each memorial was increasing. According to the comparison of the numbers, this flood was much more severe than in previous times.

After receiving such memorials, Kangxi was in a very bad mood. The officials in the court were all in danger. Didn’t they see that two days ago, someone was dismissed from his official position because he made a mistake in writing a word in the memorial? This was too unfair.

As the flood situation became increasingly serious, it became an urgent matter for the court to send an imperial envoy to provide disaster relief.

Although Yu Chenglong, a capable minister in charge of flood control, passed away last year, he left behind a large amount of experience and documents on flood control. Emperor Kangxi had already ordered people to compile them into a book and issued an edict for officials to study them carefully.

Therefore, how to control water is not the primary problem at this time.

"Have any of you volunteered to help with the disaster relief this time?" Kangxi asked during the morning court session.

The crown prince was the first to step out and said, "Father, I have read the letter written by Lord Yu and have long yearned for what he has seen and heard. I think I have learned 80% of Lord Yu's skills. Please allow me to go to the disaster area in person."

Kangxi was satisfied with the prince's attitude.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible. The prince is a precious child. It will be extremely difficult to control the flood. Natural and man-made disasters are inevitable." Soltu stepped out of the line and said anxiously, "The prince is the heir to the throne and the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. A son of a rich family cannot sit in the hall. Your Majesty, please think twice!"

With Soltu taking the lead, officials from the prince's faction came out one after another to agree.

Kangxi did not say anything to stop him, nor did he really want the prince to go. It was just a good opportunity for him to express his stance so that things could continue.

"Father, the Crown Prince cannot go, so I am willing to go." Prince Zhi bowed and stepped out of the line, "I am the best at leading troops in battle, so flood control is no problem for me."

Kangxi frowned when he heard this. This eldest son was brave but lacked wisdom. Could he control the flood?
"Have you finished reading the Water Classic written by Yu Gong?"

"No." Prince Zhi couldn't lie in front of the emperor, so he quickly added, "Father, I will just bring some officials who are good at flood control."

Kangxi waved his hand, signaling him not to say anything more. The commander-in-chief knew nothing about flood control, so how could he solve the urgent problems in Jiangsu and Zhejiang?
After Yinzhen and the other princes of Zhijun expressed their opinions, he followed suit and said, "Father, please let me go. Honghui's teacher Zhu Shi has a lot of experience in your research on water classics. In recent years, I have often consulted Mr. Zhu and I think I have learned a little from you."

Kangxi looked around and saw that no one agreed and no one objected. He suddenly felt that the fourth brother's personality would be a good weapon for him to be a lone minister.

"In this case, the Fourth Prince will lead the way to the disaster area from today and help me deal with the flood. Remember, the people should be put first."

"My son, I obey."

The prince also knew that he would not leave the emperor's sight. The fourth prince had always obeyed his orders over the years. In his opinion, Yinzhen was his die-hard and loyal follower.

The prince expressed his approval of Yinzhen's initiative to volunteer. After the court was dismissed, he spoke to Yinzhen alone, encouraging him to do his job with all his heart and to take care of his own life. He said he would help Yinzhen take care of Honghui.

Yinzhen acted like a respectful younger brother as always. When he heard the prince mention Honghui, he glanced at him. The prince remained calm, as if it was someone else who had attempted to murder Honghui.

Yinzhen lowered his eyes. No matter whether you really care about Honghui or are using your son to threaten him, he will let the prince see it clearly in this action.

He can be a good brother, but you have to be a good brother first! ******
When Yihuan heard that Yinzhen had volunteered to go to control the flood, she was a little flustered, but she still directed Nanny Chen and Abao to pack Yinzhen's luggage, and also purchased a lot of disinfectant and fever-relieving medicinal materials.

Yinzhen was busy all day and only returned home after carefully selecting the accompanying officials.

Yihuan was waiting for him to have dinner, but Honghui had already gone to bed.

As usual, Yinzhen went to see the child and asked about Honghui's daily life. Only then did he and Yihuan have their meal in peace.

"Fujin is also pregnant now, so there's no need for me to come back." Yinzhen felt a little apologetic. He was so busy today that he forgot to send anyone back to inform them.

Yihuan was a little sleepy at this time, but she still cheered up and chatted with Yinzhen: "Don't worry about me, Master. I've already eaten. I'm a little hungry now, so it's a good time for me to eat with you."

"Master, I don't know much about flood control, but I am a little worried that after the flood, countless people have starved to death or drowned in recent days. I am afraid that there will be a plague after the disaster, so we need to prepare for this early."

Yinzhen was somewhat surprised: "When did Fu Jin understand all this?"

Of course, Yihua only had some experience from hearsay in her previous life, so she could only talk nonsense at this time: "Most of the homework that Mr. Zhu has assigned to Honghui recently is related to floods. I have learned a little bit from watching it every day."

Yinzhen didn't expect there was this layer, and signaled Su Peisheng to bring all the homework that Honghui had done during this period.

After the two of them had dinner, Yinzhen flipped through the pages one by one and said, "Honghui's calligraphy has improved a lot."

Yihuan smiled and said, "Let's change from dog crawling to cat crawling."

"Actually, I haven't seen Fu Jin's calligraphy. I heard that Lord Fei Yanggu's youngest daughter can write Yan's Slender Gold style. I wonder when I will have the honor to see it." Yinzhen stood up for Honghui, saying that he had only been writing calligraphy for a few months but he was already quite talented.

"I'm tired today." Yihuan said quickly. How could she know how to write the Slender Gold Style? Yinzhen reminded her today. She would have to try it another day to see how much of the original owner's skills she had inherited.

Yinzhen did not force it. He read the contents and comments carefully and said, "Mr. Zhu is wholeheartedly doing this for me. He passed his ideas and suggestions to me through Honghui. Thanks to Mrs. Fu for being careful. Otherwise, such a good prescription would have been missed."

"Mr. Zhu is a good teacher. Although Honghui is ill, the topics Mr. Zhu leaves behind are always just right. They are neither too heavy nor too late for him to fall behind in progress." Yihuan respects Zhu Shi from the bottom of her heart.

Yinzhen put away the calligraphy and laid on the bed with Yihuan in his arms, chatting: "The auspicious day calculated by the Imperial Astronomical Observatory is the day after tomorrow. Given my personality, I would like to go today. Why wait for an auspicious day? Many people will die in the two extra days of waiting."

Yihuan heard this while half asleep and half awake, hugged Yinzhen and kissed him on the chin: "Master, human power has its limits, we just need to have a clear conscience."

"Yihua, after I leave, the Emperor will most likely summon Honghui to the palace to show his favor. Although the Empress is looking after the palace, it is easier to avoid an open attack than to defend against an arrow from the dark. Tomorrow you should take Honghui to live on the farm for a while. If you can avoid it, then avoid it. If not, delaying for a few days is also good."

Yihuan's sleepiness was completely awakened by these words. In the unlit warm tent, Yinzhen's eyes were surprisingly bright.

She wanted Yinzhen to leave with peace of mind: "Go with peace of mind, my lord. Honghui is more powerful than you think."