Chen Nan could not help but ask, "Does your excellency also know about this matter?"
Han Zongyuan's expression was grave. "I have just received an official document from Lord Yuan. There have already been significant casualties due to the flood in Dongning Prefecture."
"Although the flood has now been brought under control,"
"the water levels in the lakes of Guangling Prefecture have broken records from the past thousand years."
"Lord Yuan has instructed me to evacuate the residents along the downstream of the Guangling River within seven days."
"They will open the floodgates in seven days."
Chen Nan was relieved and then said, "I was not referring to this matter, but it is related. A friend of mine once injured her waist, and she can sense when heavy rain is coming."
"She predicts that we will have a torrential downpour in the next few days."
Han Zongyuan's face instantly turned incredibly serious.
He knew that some people could indeed sense the arrival of heavy rain.
Such things were not uncommon.
Han Zongyuan asked, "What do you mean then?"
Chen Nan saw the map hanging on the wall. He picked up a brush and drew nine bends along the course of the river as it flowed downstream, resembling a dragon twisting its body: "Straighten the curves, utilize the winding river channels to slow down the flow of the flood, thereby ensuring the lives and property of the downstream residents."
Han Zongyuan's brows furrowed, and he appeared to be deep in thought.
The newly appointed county assistant, Wei Dongpeng, said, "This method seems feasible, but the workload is too immense. For the distance you've just drawn, it's a hundred kilometers long. How much manpower and financial resources would need to be invested to complete the straightening of the curves in such a short time?"
A clerk also voiced his opinion, "County Assistant Wei speaks reasonably. Time is exceptionally precious for us now. Not to mention that the sides of the Guangling River are hard sand and stone. We simply don't have the time to complete this work before the flood arrives."
Han Zongyuan let out a heavy snort. "Then perhaps you can suggest a more reliable method!"
At these words,
County Assistant Wei and the others fell silent.
Han Zongyuan looked at Chen Nan and asked, "Have you thought of a plan?"
Chen Nan said, "Tongcheng has a population of thirteen million. Approximately five million live outside the city. About two million live near the Guangling River upstream. We can recruit these residents to help excavate the river channels."
"In addition to that, recruit strong men from within the city."
"When everyone contributes, great things can be achieved."
"If millions of laborers are deployed, I believe digging a new river channel in a short period will not be a problem."
"As for the money..."
He glanced at Han Zongyuan as he said this. "Borrow."
"Borrow from the five great families."
"As long as the five great families are willing to lend a hand."
"Certain wealthy merchants within the city will undoubtedly also generously contribute to overcome the difficulties."
"Yes, this is a good method. Even if the government's funds are limited, we can borrow from the five great families!" Han Zongyuan revealed a smile that seemed cunning and experienced.
Chen Nan continued, "In addition to this, we must also send a message to Lord Yuan, asking them to extend the flood discharge time as much as possible. This way, we can excavate a new river channel before the flood breaks out and divert the river water into the new channel."
"This may possibly resolve the hidden dangers brought about by the flood."
Han Zongyuan nodded with satisfaction. "Look, everyone! You people are actually not as smart as Constable Chen!"
"Let's proceed exactly as Constable Chen suggested."
"Mobilize everyone to recruit laborers."
"Have the blacksmiths work through the night to forge pickaxes, shovels, and other tools."
"Recruit fifty thousand women to be responsible for cooking."
"Notify the major granaries to make preparations."
"This time, we must overcome the crisis of the flood no matter what!"
Saying this, he looked at Chen Nan and said, "Constable Chen, you go to the five great families first to borrow money. The more you borrow, the better." He then threw him a token.
"If they refuse to lend, you can give them a gentle warning."
Chen Nan almost cursed out loud.
Damn it.
So I'm the one who has to play the bad guy.
It's called borrowing, but who will repay this money?
Although he was unhappy that Han Zongyuan was making him go and borrow money,
What else could he do?
Did he have any other choice?
He took the token, mounted a horse, and quickly rode towards the five great families.
Tongcheng previously had six great families, but the Liang family was tragically wiped out by Yue Shan.
Now only five remain.
He first arrived at the Gongyang family.
"Constable Chen, what wind has blown you here?" Gongyang Qing, upon learning of Chen Nan's arrival, came out to greet him immediately, with a fawning smile on his face.
Chen Nan got straight to the point. "Clan Leader Gongyang, the rainy season has arrived, and Dongning Prefecture has experienced a severe flood. It now threatens Guangling Prefecture. I presume your Gongyang family has heard about this matter?"
Gongyang Qing sighed. "It is truly a natural disaster!"
Chen Nan said, "To put it briefly, Lord Han needs to expand the river channels, straighten the curves, and is now in urgent need of some silver."
"He sent me here to borrow money."
Gongyang Qing's lips twitched violently.
Just because our surname is Gongyang,
You want to treat us like sheep and shear our wool dry?
This is not how it's done.
Our Gongyang family has already handed over the Ruyi Tower to the government to survive, okay?
Although he wanted to curse, Gongyang Qing still said, "As a part of Tongcheng, our Gongyang family will naturally do our part when Tongcheng is in trouble."
"Let's not call it borrowing. Our Gongyang family will donate one hundred thousand taels of silver."
Chen Nan shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Clan Leader Gongyang, but Lord Han specifically instructed me to come and borrow. How about this, your Gongyang family first contributes one million taels of silver."
Gongyang Qing's head buzzed.
If he hadn't given up the Ruyi Tower, one million taels wouldn't have been much for the Gongyang family.
But now,
One million taels was still a significant sum for them!
"Alright, I've delivered the message. Send the silver to the county yamen this evening!"
"That's all. No need to see me out." Having delivered the message, Chen Nan did not linger. He rode his horse towards the Chen family.
The reason he went to the Chen family was primarily because it was not far from the Gongyang family.
Before he could dismount,
A guard from the Chen family angrily asked, "Why have you, a good-for-nothing, come here?"
"Scram, scram, scram! The master has ordered that you are not allowed to enter if you come."
Chen Nan's brow furrowed.
His icy gaze made the guard's pupils tremble, giving him the feeling of being stared at by a primordial beast.
He subconsciously shut his mouth.
"Giddy up!"
He clamped his legs and actually rode his horse directly through the main gate of the Chen family.
Riding a horse into the compound was impolite.
However,
Did Chen Nan need to be polite to the Chen family?
Back then, due to Yuan Zun's departure, Chen Bohan had driven him and his mother out, inflicting endless humiliation upon them.
If he hadn't been ordered to come and borrow money this time,
He would never have returned to the Chen family.
Chen Fan was playing with a bird in the courtyard. Seeing Chen Nan appear, he became furious. "How dare you, a good-for-nothing, ride a horse back to the Chen family? Are you tired of living?"