Chapter 163: Ripples Stir the Water Conservancy Project, Heavy Obstacles Appear Before the Eyes

Chapter 163: Ripples Stir the Water Conservancy Project, Heavy Obstacles Appear Before the Eyes

Lin Shiya frowned deeply, staring at the open budget ledger. Under the item "Special Funds for Water Conservancy Projects," the recorded amount was surprisingly nearly thirty percent less than expected!

She raised her eyes, her sharp gaze sweeping across the officials present, making the air feel almost stagnant.

The official in charge of the Ministry of Revenue had fine beads of sweat popping up on his forehead. Stuttering, he said, "Official Lin, this... this subordinate also finds it strange, but the accounts indeed show this..."

She put down the brush in her hand, the crisp sound particularly grating in the silent study. Her eyes were as deep as a cold pool. "This official requires a reasonable explanation." Her tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority.

After several rounds of questioning, the official finally stammered out the truth: it turned out that Prefect Wang of the local administration had misappropriated a portion of the special funds for the water conservancy project under various pretexts.

Upon hearing this, Lin Shiya’s fingertips clenched fiercely around the teacup in her hand, veins bulging slightly. A nameless fury burned fiercely in her chest. She had never expected that even before the water conservancy project had broken ground, someone was already scheming behind her back!

She took a deep breath, fighting to suppress the anger in her heart, and told herself she must remain calm.

The next day, Lin Shiya went directly to the local prefectural office to interrogate Prefect Wang.

As she stepped into the main hall, a decaying aura washed over her, and the air was filled with a faint scent of face powder, completely out of tune with the solemnity of the yamen.

Prefect Wang was sitting upright in a grand master’s chair, holding a teacup, his obese body almost filling the chair, wearing a languid expression.

Seeing Lin Shiya arrive, he reluctantly put down his teacup and lazily cupped his hands in greeting. "I was unaware of Official Lin's arrival, and failed to welcome you from afar."

Ignoring his pretentious act, Lin Shiya went straight to the point. "Prefect Wang, this official wishes to ask why the special funds for the water conservancy project are short by nearly thirty percent?"

Hearing this, Prefect Wang’s expression shifted slightly before returning to normal. With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he said, "Official Lin, what kind of talk is this? This prefecture handles everything according to the rules; the accounts are crystal clear, without the slightest error."

"Is that so?" Lin Shiya sneered, looking directly into his eyes, her gaze like a sword. "This official has discovered that a portion of these funds was withdrawn by Prefect Wang under various pretexts. Do you still intend to quibble?"

Prefect Wang’s expression turned completely dark. He slammed his hand onto the table and roared, "Lin Shiya! Do not spit blood and frame people! This official is an imperial appointee of the court; how can you slander me at will?!" He stood up, his corpulent figure looking even more bloated, and the bailiffs behind him simultaneously drew their sabers. The atmosphere instantly became tense and fraught with hostility, and a heavy sense of oppression bore down on Lin Shiya.

Faced with such an arrogant and domineering Prefect Wang, Lin Shiya showed no fear. The corners of her mouth curled into a cold smile, and her gaze swept calmly across the surroundings. Just when everyone expected her to fly into a rage, she merely murmured softly, "Is that so? That is truly interesting..."

Rather than confronting him head-on, Lin Shiya slowly took a step back, a cold smile lingering at the corner of her lips as if pondering something.

Seeing this, Prefect Wang felt secretly pleased, assuming she had been cowed by his intimidation.

However, Lin Shiya’s gaze grew even more resolute. She knew that a forceful confrontation at this moment would only complicate matters further.

Returning to the yamen, Lin Shiya promptly summoned her trusted aides and assigned them a secret task.

She instructed in a low voice, "Act immediately, and ensure you gather evidence of Prefect Wang's misappropriation of funds within the shortest possible time. Pay special attention to the oppressed artisans and commoners; they may be able to provide crucial information."

As night fell, Lin Shiya changed into a set of plain black clothes, mounted a swift horse, and rode straight toward a small village outside the city.

Many artisans and villagers who had participated in the preliminary preparations for the water conservancy project lived there, and they might be able to provide her with clues.

Under the moonlight, her figure moved like a ghost, slowly traversing the rural paths.

Upon reaching the village, Lin Shiya softly knocked on the door of Master Artisan Zhang’s home.

Master Artisan Zhang was elderly, but his gaze remained sharp.

Seeing Lin Shiya, he was slightly startled at first, then nodded respectfully, much like a leader, and invited her into the house.

Inside, the lamplight flickered, the hearth was mildly warm, and a wave of cozy warmth rushed over them.

"Official Lin, you visit late at night—what urgent business brings you here?" Master Artisan Zhang's tone carried a hint of concern.

Lin Shiya briefly recounted Prefect Wang's misappropriation of funds and said earnestly, "Master Zhang, you have extensive experience in water conservancy construction. Can you tell me if you have heard or seen any suspicious movements?"

Master Artisan Zhang pondered for a moment, a trace of complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Slowly, he said, "Official Lin, this old man has indeed heard that Prefect Wang has privately pressured the artisans in charge of the project multiple times, demanding that they reduce construction materials to save costs. Some artisans were even dismissed because they disagreed."

A chill went through Lin Shiya's heart, and she nodded, thanking Master Artisan Zhang for the lead.

Leaving Master Artisan Zhang's house, she visited several villagers without stopping, ultimately gathering sufficient evidence.

The next day, Lin Shiya organized the evidence properly and personally presented it to the higher-ranking officials.

Shocked, the higher authorities quickly ordered a thorough investigation.

Before long, a detailed investigative report was placed on the Emperor's desk. The Emperor flew into a rage, ordering that Prefect Wang be severely punished and all misappropriated funds recovered.

Prefect Wang was ultimately stripped of his official post and investigated, and the commoners cheered heartily as they watched him being escorted out of the city.

Standing in front of the yamen gate, Lin Shiya watched the retreating figure of Prefect Wang being escorted away, feeling a slight sense of relief in her heart.

Yet, as she raised her head to look into the distance, a resolute light flashed in her eyes, and she murmured softly, "This is only the beginning; the road ahead is still long..."

She turned around and walked back into the yamen, preparing to face the challenges yet to come.

However, she failed to notice that not far away at the construction site, Master Artisan Zhang was frowning deeply and shaking his head resolutely, seemingly full of resistance toward the new technology about to be implemented.

Just as Lin Shiya returned to the yamen and barely had time to catch her breath, she was drawn by a burst of noisy arguments.

Following the sound, she reached the construction site where a group of veteran artisans, led by Master Artisan Zhang, were locked in a tense standoff with younger artisans led by Technician Sun, the atmosphere as taut as a fully drawn bow.

"Old Zhang, this new technology clearly saves time and effort. Why are you being so stubborn?" Technician Sun, young and full of vigor, had his face flushed red as he tried to persuade the other party.

Master Artisan Zhang’s face was covered in wrinkles, and his calloused hands were clenched tightly into fists. He retorted angrily, "Nonsense! Are the skills passed down by our ancestors something you young people can alter at will? Those newfangled gimmicks are flashy and completely unreliable!" His voice was vigorous and powerful, sounding like a hammer striking an anvil, carrying an unquestionable authority.

The surrounding artisans echoed his sentiments, and for a moment, voices of opposition rose like a tide.

Lin Shiya frowned. She stepped forward, her voice not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone present: "Everyone, calm down and allow me to say a few words."

Her appearance instantly quieted the noisy construction site.

Lin Shiya swept her gaze across the crowd, her tone peaceful yet carrying an undeniable strength: "Whether the new technology is viable cannot be judged by baseless speculation. How about we hold a live demonstration, letting facts speak for themselves so everyone can see with their own eyes?"

Master Artisan Zhang gave a cold snort. Though unwilling, out of deference to Lin Shiya's prestige, he had no choice but to nod in agreement.

The next day, a simple exhibition stage was set up at the construction site.

Standing on high, Lin Shiya gazed with burning eyes at the gathered artisans below.

She gestured with her hand, and Technician Sun began operating the new technology. His movements were fluid, and various tools moved flexibly in his hands. After just a few rounds, the efficiency was clearly much higher than the traditional method.

The artisans below looked at each other in dismay, their expressions shifting from initial skepticism to astonishment, and finally to deep contemplation.

The eyes of some younger artisans even sparkled with excitement, eager to give it a try.

On the other hand, Master Artisan Zhang's face grew increasingly gloomy. He pressed his lips tightly together, his hands gripping his lapels forcefully, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.

Lin Shiya took in all the expressions of the artisans, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly in an imperceptible smile.

She knew that hearts were beginning to waver; given time, she would surely change these people's mindsets.

When the demonstration ended, Lin Shiya spoke once more: "Everyone has seen today's demonstration. The new technology is not as worthless as some claim; it saves time, boosts efficiency, and spares everyone from undue hardship. As for whether to adopt it, you may all ponder it carefully and not rush into a decision." Her words were resounding and echoed across the construction site for a long time.

Seeing this, Master Artisan Zhang flicked his sleeves in anger, though in the end, he uttered no further opposition, simply leading the group of veteran artisans away with a dark expression.

Watching Master Artisan Zhang's retreating figure, Lin Shiya knew well that technological reform was no easy task and required step-by-step guidance.

She sighed, looked into the distance, and murmured to herself, "Perhaps I should..."

As the setting sun sank in the west, golden afterglow spilled across the earth, dyeing everything in warm hues.

Lin Shiya stood on the roof of the yamen, gazing at the rolling mountains in the distance as a gentle evening breeze brushed against the stray hairs at her temples.

At that moment, a gentle wave of longing welled up in her heart.

She thought of Murong Fu, that gentle yet powerful man.

Ever since he left, the two of them could only communicate through letters. Though the lines were filled with care and love, they could never truly replace his physical companionship.

Lin Shiya knew Murong Fu shouldered heavy responsibilities and was busy with state affairs; she could not let her longing distract him.

She sighed softly, pulled back her gaze, and let it fall upon the water Conservancy project under construction below.

At the site, the artisans were working busily, the clanging sounds rising and falling in succession, forming a symphony of labor.

Seeing the project progressing smoothly, a gratified smile appeared on Lin Shiya's face.

Meanwhile, in a luxurious mansion outside the city, Landlord Zhao was conspiring with several trusted confidants.

The dimly lit room was thick with a strong smell of tobacco, creating a somewhat suffocating atmosphere.

Landlord Zhao's obese body sank into a soft grand master's chair, his hands toying with a string of expensive jade beads as a greedy smile spread across his face.

"Master, that plot of land is a key location for the water conservancy project. If we forcefully occupy it, that girl Lin Shiya definitely won't let it rest," said a thin, advisor-like man in a low voice, a hint of worry in his tone.

Landlord Zhao let out a disdainful cold snort. "What is there to fear? No matter how capable that girl is, she is still just a woman. As long as we handle it cleanly, what can she do to me?" He paused.

"Master is wise!" the others echoed, wearing flattering smiles.

Landlord Zhao nodded in satisfaction, a greedy glint flashing in his eyes. "Once we get our hands on that land and sell it to the imperial court at a high price, then, hehe..." He deliberately left the sentence unfinished, but the others already understood, breaking into knowing smiles.

Deep in the night, after finishing her official duties, Lin Shiya prepared to rest.

She walked over to the window and habitually gazed into the distance, only to suddenly notice flickering firelight at the foot of a mountain outside the city.

Filled with doubt, she muttered softly to herself, "Why is there firelight over there so late at night? Could it be..."