"Next time!"

  The woman wore a snow-white warrior suit today, which made her waist look even thinner and her legs longer. Her heroic spirit was intimidating, but the cold expression on her pretty face made it hard for people to get close to her. As soon as she uttered these two words, she rode off on horseback, leaving Chen Ke with internal injuries: "What's 'next time'?"

  "Sir, don't bother with her. Many men have come to our Wazi Lane, but none of them have been caught by their wives yet." The prostitute looked at the package of silver in Chen Ke's hand and said with shining eyes.

  "Ah, Wazi Lane, half-closed door!" Chen Xiao suddenly realized that it was a famous brothel in the capital city and couldn't help but laugh bitterly: "You're open for business even during the day, sister, you're really dedicated to your work."

  "Don't underestimate me, sir. I'm the leader of the brothel on Wa Zi Lane, and my stage name is 'Bai Yu Tu'. The prostitute proudly puffed out her chest and giggled: "It's not that we're looking at your majestic and powerful appearance, with a high nose bridge... but rather, it's just that seeing you has suddenly made me feel like working overtime on this sunny day."

  "It's really an honor, I'll come again another day to learn from Big Sister's exceptional skills." Chen Ke tossed the package of silver at her and walked home with his hands behind his back, feeling depressed.

  Back home, he naturally wouldn't refuse to spread the news. By nightfall, when his brothers returned after finishing their play, Chen Ke told them about it, and they naturally wanted to go together.

  So they made up a lie to Chen Xiliang, saying that they were going to the suburbs for fun. They were all used to being in the wilderness, and naturally Xiao Liang wouldn't mind, only telling them to have a good time for a few days and then focus on their studies.

  The next day before departure, Ouyang Fa suddenly arrived and told Chen Ke that Ouyang Xi had called him over.

  It's so early to call yourself, it must be an urgent matter, Chen Ke let them wait at home and followed Ouyang Fa to Yinliang Bridge.

  Upon arriving at the governor's residence, Ouyang Xiu pulled him into the study and immediately said: "Yesterday someone again opposed the construction of Liu Ta River."

  "Who?"

  "The two astrologers of the Imperial Observatory." Ouyang Xiu's eyes gleamed strangely as he said, "They submitted a memorial saying 'The nation should not have crossed the river to the north, causing the emperor's body to be unwell.'"

  In the Song Dynasty, the officials in charge of astronomy, although not high-ranking and without much power, had considerable influence with their words. This was because they were responsible for communicating with Heaven. For example, they had the authority to warn the emperor about solar eclipses, comets, and other celestial phenomena, saying things like "this is a sign that you have lost the Mandate of Heaven" or "you have failed in your duty as ruler". If this were to happen in later times, no one would believe it.

  In the imperial era, no matter what you believe in your heart, on the surface you must believe. The sacredness of the emperor's rule comes from his identity as the son of heaven. The Son of Heaven naturally has to listen to his father, and what his father means is entirely up to the astrologer to interpret.

  "This time they said that Liu Ta River is in the north of Kaifeng, the emperor sits north and faces south. In Feng Shui, this is equivalent to moving earth above the emperor's head..."

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  "What's the official reaction?"

  "Ah," said Ouyang Xiu with a sigh, "To tell the truth, since his recovery, the official has been silent and hasn't spoken a word. This time is no exception."

  "What about Wen Xiang Gong?" Chen Ke knew that the biggest supporter of the Liu Ta River project was Wen Yanbo. Wen Yanbo had risen to prominence due to his role in pacifying Bei State, but he had also been demoted because of the bribery case involving Zhang Guifei's Shu brocade. He deeply understood that his foundation was shallow, and this time he wanted to use this great achievement to secure his position as the Grand Chancellor of the Song Dynasty.

  "Wen Gonggong immediately refuted, 'The Liu Ta River is in the northeast direction of Bianjing, not due north at all. The two astrologers are either deliberately making trouble or seriously derelict in their duties and should be beheaded!'"

  The two officials were immediately covered in cold sweat, and they had not expected that Wen would catch their mistake on the spot. Ouyang Xiu continued: "The courtiers also reacted to this matter, and they all condemned the two officials for speaking out of turn! However, it wasn't a one-sided condemnation, as some people pointed out that the last time the official fell ill without reason was during the Jingtai era when the Yellow River burst its banks. This time, while excavating the Liu Ta River, the official fell ill again, which clearly shows that it's not just a coincidence."

  This is true, in the first year of Jingyou, August, Zhao Zhen, who had just taken power and was young and strong, suddenly fainted, unconscious for several days, and all the imperial doctors could not diagnose the cause of the disease, which was very similar to this situation. Almost at the same time, the Yellow River burst its banks at the Hengjin mouth, with a vast amount of water, causing millions of people to become homeless and resulting in huge losses, making everyone remember it vividly.

  For more than a decade after that, Zhao Zhen did not fall ill until the first day of this year. Now some people are linking it to Liuta River, which makes Zhao Zhen frown involuntarily.

  Yesterday afternoon, an imperial edict was issued, ordering the royal relatives, imperial censors, water officials, and astronomical officials to re-examine the Liu Ta River and determine whether it is indeed obstructed.

  Ouyang Xiu sighed and said: "The troops should set out tomorrow."

  "Who is the royal relative?" Chen Ke asked.

  "King of Runan, Zhao Yunrang, who is also the father of Zhao Zongshi...". Ouyang Xiu paused for a moment and said: "This is a bit suspicious. The King of Runan is not in good health, and such matters outside the capital are usually handled by the King of Beihai, Zhao Yunxie."

  "It's interesting." Chen Ke smiled and said: "This is a tough job..."

  "The official's intention is still not to be forgotten." Ouyang Xiu stroked his beard and said, "This matter is getting more and more complicated, and I'm starting to get suspicious."

  "What did you say?"

  "These two officials are just small fries, how dare they make reckless remarks about state affairs? There must be someone backing them up." Ouyang Xiu's face showed disdain as he said: "The one who loves to use this kind of trick the most is Jia Ziming."

  "It's inevitable...", Chen Ke nodded.

  Zi Ming is the courtesy name of Jia Changchao, who was a senior official and predecessor of Ouyang Xiu. He had a high reputation and became prime minister during the Qingli period. However, after the start of the Qingli New Deal, he was expelled from the court by Fan Zhongyan and Ouyang Xiu, and it was then that he became enemies with the Qingli Party people.

  He is now the Deputy Governor of the Half Grand Name Prefecture, concurrently serving as the Pacification Commissioner of Hebei Circuit, the highest-ranking local official. More importantly, before the "River Enters Six Towers Law" was established, his "Return to the Old Way Law" had the loudest call.

  If he could adopt his method and succeed in reclaiming the river, Jia Changchao would immediately gain enough prestige to regain his position as a high-ranking official. So he hated the Six Towers River project with a passion. This time, when the official fell ill, he finally found an opportunity to make trouble.

  "They were already suspicious that I was in cahoots with Jia Ziming," Ouyang Xiu sighed and said, "Third Brother, to be honest with you, this time Jia Ziming and I are on the same page. I also thought of using the yin-yang principle to explain things. If I were to submit another memorial now, I would definitely be seen as a traitor, and it would only add fuel to the fire." Ouyang Xiu was a man of virtue, and at this time, he was being asked to join forces with his political enemies against his former allies, so naturally, he wouldn't feel good about it.

  "Teacher..." Chen Ke also sighed and said: "You're not supposed to have taught students that you should be fair to the situation, not to the person?"

  "Not bad." Ouyang Xiu nodded, and then sighed: "Compared to the safety of tens of thousands of people in the counties, what does this little reputation of mine count for?"

  "Teacher, do you think we have a good chance of winning?"

  "It's not big." Ouyang Xiu said decisively: "In terms of intelligence and strategy, Wen Gong is unmatched in the world. Moreover, Fu Gong also supports him, and the two prime ministers work together in harmony, so basically there's no suspense at all." After a pause, he shook his spirit and said: "But these things, we must do! If not, there will be no hope at all!"

  "Yes." Chen Ke nodded heavily.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Five days later, Chen Ke transferred from Liu Ta River and went to the Duke's mansion to find Zhao Zongji without washing off the dirt on his body.

  Zhao Zongji had been eagerly awaiting this, and the two of them spent a whole day in his study, carefully drafting a thirteen-page memorial.

  Finally finished, the two let out a long sigh, but Zhao Zongji smiled wryly and said: "The imperial court sent me, Wang Shu, to lead a team of over ten people to investigate. I estimate that it will be transferred back soon. I'm afraid our use is not great."

  "... Chen Ke had thought it through thoroughly these past few days: "The struggle in the imperial court is not something we can control. We just need to do our best!" He raised his index finger and said: "At the very least, we must ensure the safety of the soldiers and civilians on the embankment, and evacuate the people from the downstream counties in advance. The officials are benevolent rulers, and benevolence means loving the people. If you grasp this point and can do it, your merits will be boundless!"

  "Hmm." Zhao Zongji nodded, and suddenly heard a knock at the door, followed by the maid saying: "Young master, the county princess has arrived."

  "Oh"..." Zhao Zongji took back the memorial and said with some surprise: "Why did you come here, sister?"

  A delicate, jade-like woman in palace attire, carrying a food box, appeared before the two of them. Seeing Chen Ke was also there, her face flushed slightly and she curtsied elegantly before saying to her brother, "I just made some pastries and brought them over for you, brother."

  "Second Brother Zhang, this is my younger sister Xiang'er." Zhao Zongji introduced the two: "Xiang'er, this is... that... 'Tuo Bu Shan'".

  "That incident, I have much to apologize for, please forgive me, County Master Hai." Chen Ke naturally recognized the woman, wasn't she the little county master he had kidnapped that time? It's just been three years since they last met, and the little county master has grown into a big county master, not just in height...

  "Third Brother's heroic act to save Father, little sister is deeply moved. A slight misunderstanding doesn't matter." The young lady bowed slightly and said softly: "Since brothers have something to attend to, I won't disturb you."

  "Escorting the county master." Seeing her so dignified, Chen Ke also became more restrained.

  "Third Brother is too polite." The princess curtsied again.

  "You're welcome, it's what I should do." Chen Ke bowed his fist again and said: "Jun Gui, see you again..."

  "Goodbye, Third Brother." The princess bowed again.

  Although "courtesy is not resented", Zhao Zongji finally couldn't take it anymore and drove the person away, saying: "There's no need to be so polite."

  "Brother, don't tease me"... The young mistress's face turned slightly red, and she retreated.

  After she left, Zhao Zongji immediately opened the food box and said with a smile: "Come and try my sister's craftsmanship. Her noodles are not inferior to those old brands." He said lightly, "How come they're all double servings? Did you know I had guests?"

  （）