Immortal Travel of Longevity-Chapter 215: Cloak, Baked Pancake, Red Fish
“Disaster?”
Chen Changsheng turned his head to look at him.
Mu Cailiang frowned deeply. The river wind had made his nose red. He opened his mouth and said, “Right now, the water stored in the dam has probably reached its highest point. If the water level of the Tongtian River rises any more, the consequences would be unthinkable.”
“According to the records left by previous officials, if such flooding were to happen, the gathered water would become too much. Not only would all the major prefectures suffer, even Shangjing City could suffer flooding.”
“In the end, the sluice gates are usually opened to release water. The people downstream must move away. Fine farmlands and houses will all be destroyed by the floodwaters. Then there will be refugees everywhere…”
Mu Cailiang let out a long sigh. There was a lot of frustration in his eyes, but he was powerless to do anything.
After hearing this, Chen Changsheng asked, “By your account, given the current situation, the authorities should have already ordered the people downstream to evacuate. Why isn’t there any news of it?”
“The authorities didn’t give the order.”
Mu Cailiang spoke this sentence quite calmly.
Mu Cailiang said, “With the way things are now, no one dares to open the sluice gates. If they do, refugees will appear everywhere, and there will be endless complaints from the people. Not only will the Imperial Court blame someone, but the common people will also curse non-stop.”
“Whoever opens the gates will shoulder a legacy of blame for ages to come.”
Chen Changsheng paused, then asked, “In recent years, hasn’t the Imperial Court paid attention to water projects? If plans had been made earlier, things probably wouldn’t be this bad.”
Mu Cailiang opened his mouth and said, “During the Jing Era, the treasury had little money. It took over a decade before the order, documents, and funds to build the embankments came. But immediately after that, trouble erupted at the frontier passes. Everything was halted, and the funds were transferred to the frontier.”
“Later, the Prince of Xiang ascended to power. His main goals were to solve the rebellion and recapture Northern Mang. It was only in recent years that things slowly stabilized. But the embankments…”
Mu Cailiang sighed. The outcome was, of course, predictable.
Chen Changsheng understood now. He then asked, “Even so, the authorities should have made plans early and dispersed the people, right?”
Mu Cailiang said, “The biggest problem is the refugees after the sluice gates are opened. But not all people in this world hold kindness in their hearts. To that governor overseeing the river, as long as the people die, then there will be no refugees. No other voices will reappear.”
Chen Changsheng frowned deeply and said, “An official who doesn’t work for the people—how can such a person be called an official? How can the Imperial Court allow such a foolish official to exist?”
“You’re right, Benefactor.”
Mu Cailiang lowered his head and said, “But have you thought about the state of our world today? After the Prince of Xiang came to power, the Xiang people became noble, while the Jing people were treated like dogs. And that downstream area is where the Jing people live together.”
“That so-called foolish official—even if he does such an unnatural thing, in the end, he’ll probably just get a small cut in his pay. The Prince of Xiang shows no mercy in his eyes. To him, the Jing people don’t deserve mercy. The number of Jing people who have died under the knife these years is countless.”
Chen Changsheng’s brow remained tightly furrowed. It seemed now that whether in Da Xiang or Western Xiao, the Jing people were likely having a hard time.
“I thought about going downstream to disperse the people myself, but I was blocked repeatedly along the way.”
Mu Cailiang gave a bitter laugh and said, “Even the roads were sealed off. They don’t intend to give them any way out at all.”
Chen Changsheng’s gaze was fixed on the river surface. He shook his head but said nothing.
If the people downstream were truly drowned, Heaven and Earth would naturally bring karmic retribution. But could one death atone for thousands upon thousands upstream and downstream?
Chen Changsheng asked, “Has the government said when they will open the sluice gates to release the floodwaters?”
“There’s been no official notice. But from what I know, Mr. Mu, they should open the sluice gates and release the water at noon three days from now.”
Mu Cailiang said, “There’s no solution now. Within three days, nothing meaningful can be done.”
Chen Changsheng looked at him and said, “You don’t need to be so pessimistic. Some things might be beyond your ability, but there are people doing what needs to be done.”
Mu Cailiang lifted his head, puzzled. “People who can do it?”
Chen Changsheng nodded and said, “Based on what I know, some people have already gone downstream to warn the people. They’ve reached Daochunfang by now.”
Mu Cailiang was a bit startled and blinked. “How do you know this, Benefactor?”
“After travelling all this way, I’ve seen and heard a few things.”
Chen Changsheng said, “With their current progress, and given the time it takes for the water to rush downstream, three days should be enough to evacuate the people before the gates are opened.”
After hearing this, Mu Cailiang thought carefully.
“Who… are they?” Mu Cailiang asked.
Chen Changsheng replied, “Jing people.”
Mu Cailiang made a thoughtful sound, then asked, “Then… what about you, Benefactor?”
Chen Changsheng merely offered a faint smile and said, “I’m just a man fishing by the river. There’s nothing special about that.”
As his voice faded, Chen Changsheng pulled his rod upward.
“Got it!”
Just then, a flash of red tail appeared in his view from the river. As Chen Changsheng tugged the fishing rod, the fish was slowly brought ashore.
Mu Cailiang looked at the hooked fish and exclaimed, “A Red-tail Carp!”
“It’s just a bit too small.” Chen Changsheng shook his head with a sigh. He thought to himself that a fish weighing only a little over a kilo couldn’t possibly sell for the one tacel he needed.
Mu Cailiang was stunned for a moment. “Benefactor… perhaps you don’t know about this Red-tail Carp?”
“Is there something special about it?”
“After summer comes every year, it’s the plumpest and tastiest season for the Red-tail Carp. Their numbers are low, they’re very crafty, and they’re very difficult to catch. Demand always exceeds supply, so the price isn’t low! Fine-looking ones can even go for seven or eight qian!”
“And the one you’re holding right now, Benefactor, is exceptionally fine!”
Chen Changsheng looked down at the fish, taken aback. “Seven or eight qian? For one fish? It’s that valuable?”
Mu Cailiang explained, “For this one, it would likely fetch more than seven or eight qian. Probably over one tacel.”
Chen Changsheng paused for an instant, blinking. “That’s exactly… what I need.”
One tacel was just enough to repay his wine debt.
A smile spread across Chen Changsheng’s face. He said, “I owe it to the Baked Pancake you brought me. If it weren’t for that, who knows if I could’ve caught this fish.”
He regarded the Red-tail Carp with satisfaction, saying, “Good, good. Now it’s solved with one effort. I don’t need to keep fishing.”
Mu Cailiang was a little confused by this. “Benefactor, are you going back now?”
Chen Changsheng pulled off a piece of reed and threaded it through the Red-tail Carp.
He stood up and said, “I got my fish. It’s time to go.”
Mu Cailiang picked up his lantern. “There’s no light in the night, and the wind’s strong by the river. Let me walk with you, Benefactor.”
Chen Changsheng waved his hand dismissively and picked up his umbrella nearby. “Don’t trouble yourself further. One cloak, one baked pancake, one red fish—in my eyes, the debt is repaid entirely now.”
“Our meeting here was fleeting like duckweed. You owe me nothing. There’s no need to hold onto this memory after this.”
“It’s getting late. I won’t stay any longer.”
Chen Changsheng chuckled softly. Then, carrying the fish, he stepped out of the Long Pavilion.
“Benefactor! Benefactor!”
Mu Cailiang rushed after him, lantern in hand.
But the moment he stepped out beyond the pavilion, his vision swam. Frantically raising his lantern, he searched all around, but the figure of the Benefactor was gone.
“Benefactor!”
He called out once more. He looked everywhere, but ultimately could not find the Benefator.
He stood frozen for a moment, letting out only one helpless sigh.
Deep regret washed over Mu Cailiang. Mere steps apart, yet once beyond the pavilion, he vanished utterly.
He sighed helplessly, his mind churning.
How could such a life-saving debt ever be truly repaid…?
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Chapter 215: Cloak, Baked Pancake, Red Fish
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