Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 172 - 171: The Method of Mountain Opening

"Rocks naturally don’t drink water, so just carve a river." Lu Qing replied lightly.

"Break it?" Bai Qihong widened his eyes upon hearing this. "What a joke you’re telling, Prince!

The stones of Black Stone Mountain are unlike ordinary rocks; they are incredibly solid. Whether you chisel, bash, or cut, they are unbreakable.

Unless you summon the Daluo Immortals to move the mountain, it’s absolutely impossible to let the water pass through!"

After saying this, he realized his words might have been too harsh. Lu Qing, after all, was not from the Ministry of Industry and Water, so a lack of comprehensive consideration was inevitable. His own severe tone made him seem overly harsh.

So, he softened his tone, sighed, and shook his head: "If it were truly possible to divert the water over the mountain, that would be best of all.

I originally intended to build this canal bigger and longer, not only to solve the current water issues. I wanted to connect the waterways from Huazhou upstream to Li State and Qu State with water gates in between.

Qu State is often rainy with rivers aplenty and abundant water sources. If we could build the canal there, it could divert water to relieve the drought in Li State and Huazhou during dry times and drain water to prevent floods during rainy times.

But until now, implementing this idea has been a significant challenge upon reaching Huazhou’s border; where to direct the water next remains a massive problem.

Luan River can barely handle the rainfall in Huazhou as it is, let alone connect multiple rivers in Qu State according to my plan.

Above that, they don’t allow us to dig the canal into Shuo Country’s territory..."

Lu Qing raised a finger and lightly swayed it: "Digging over there would defy the Holy Emperor’s mandate, but if there’s a cave under the mountain, allowing the water to flow through, it doesn’t count.

The Holy Emperor only prohibited you from digging a canal there, but didn’t say you couldn’t bore through the mountain."

Bai Qihong was momentarily dumbfounded; being a straightforward person, he wasn’t sure how to respond to Lu Qing’s loophole-exploiting suggestion. It felt vaguely improper, but he couldn’t pinpoint the exact issue.

He then came to his senses and waved his hand: "Even so, it still does not help.

If Black Stone Mountain were penetrable, all previous problems would be solved. But the mountain simply cannot be excavated..."

"I do know a way to bore through Black Stone Mountain." Zhu Yu, who had been listening, spoke timely.

"You? A way to bore through Black Stone Mountain?" Bai Qihong looked skeptically at Zhu Yu.

To him, this young Daoist looked no more than twenty-some years, pale and slender, hardly resembling someone knowledgeable in such matters.

"That Black Stone Mountain is extraordinary, its hardness incomparable to ordinary rock." He thought the other was speaking out of youthful ignorance, unfamiliar with the reality, so he patiently explained, "My subordinates once got curious and wanted to chisel out a piece to take back. A single axe swing resulted in a split in the hand’s webbing and a dulled blade.

Yet the rock was only marked with a white scratch.

Achieving this is not just talk.

Even if it’s assumed there’s a way to split Black Stone Mountain, if we lead water there, our problem might be temporarily solved, but Shuo Country’s territory beyond would likely suffer!"

"Rumor has it that Jie Country and Shuo Country are on the verge of action. Wouldn’t an unprepared flood of Shuo Country at this time by Vice Minister Bai be a perfect move to kill two birds with one stone?" Lu Qing said lightly.

Bai Qihong frowned, shaking his head solemnly: "No! If Prince Shuo rebels and the Holy Emperor sends troops to suppress it, casualties are expected.

But what crime have the people of Shuo committed?

To resolve Huazhou’s water issues, letting the flood ravage Shuo’s homes and farmlands... this cannot be done!"

Lu Qing observed Bai Qihong’s furrowed brows and disapproval, mixed with some anxiety, genuine in his expression.

"Do you really have a solution?" At this, he ignored Bai Qihong’s words, turning to Zhu Yu with a serious inquiry.

Zhu Yu nodded confidently: "Indeed."

"In that case," Lu Qing turned to Bai Qihong, "please instruct your men to cease digging the canal northwestward but leave a few to redirect east.

Vice Minister Bai, bring the rest with us to Black Stone Mountain to open the mountain.

If successful, Vice Minister Bai will be a great benefactor to the people, and Li State and Huazhou will no longer fear droughts or floods.

If it doesn’t succeed, you may report to the court that I invoked Prince Xiaoyao’s clout to pressure you into this.

The responsibility I will bear."

Lu Qing’s words seemed to stir something in Bai Qihong. Though hesitant, seeing Lu Qing’s determination, he steeled his heart.

"If the Prince’s solution works, then Bai will fulfill his long-held wish, and the local people will remember the Prince’s virtue.

If unsuccessful, or if accountability arises later, Bai, as the Minister of Public Works ordered by the Holy Emperor to oversee this task, accepts all responsibility willingly, coerced by no one." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Yan Daoxin, who had been silently listening all along, not knowledgeable in water conservancy, grew impatient. He couldn’t help but interject: "Arguing over who bears responsibility if we fail before even taking action! How does this make sense?"

"What Disciple Brother said is absolutely right." Lu Qing glanced at Yan Daoxin, nodding with a smile, standing up. "Once we decide to do it, we should commit to completion, not undermine ourselves here.

Chief Historian Yu, regarding the method to open the mountain, if any special items are needed, please promptly inform Vice Minister Bai for quick preparation."

Bai Qihong hurriedly nodded to Zhu Yu, waiting for her to list the necessary items.

The hardness of Black Stone Mountain worried him; he feared Zhu Yu might require rare, hard-to-find objects beyond his capabilities.

Zhu Yu shook her head: "Nothing special. Just prepare more firewood, tung oil, pine resin, and the like.

Also, have more iron wedges ready. As for the other tools, just bring whatever you normally use for opening mountains and chiseling rocks.

Water doesn’t need extra preparation; it’s abundant on the spot."

Bai Qihong resolved not to overthink. He’d long wished to build a great canal for the people’s benefit, but barriers always thwarted its realization.

With the sudden prospect of finding a workaround to make it happen, his suppressed ambition reignited eagerly.

So he committed wholeheartedly, suspecting none, trusting those he employed.

Once decided, he prepared whatever Zhu Yu said was necessary without hesitation!

Noting down Zhu Yu’s mentioned items, he strode off energetically into the rain to make arrangements.