Chapter 165: The Peak of Water Conservancy Arrives, All Obstacles Cleared to Reveal a Brand New Look

The night was as dark as ink, with only a single candle flickering inside the study.

Lin Shiya put down the blueprint in her hand and rubbed her somewhat sore eyes.

The arrival of Foreman Chen was undoubtedly a precursor to the storm.

She took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "Foreman Chen, what has happened?"

Foreman Chen wiped the sweat from his forehead, his tone hurried. "Lord Lin, over at Master Zhang the craftsman's side... they, they are refusing to use the new ramming machines again! Saying something... something..."

"Saying what?" Lin Shiya's heart sank.

"Saying the new machines are heretic witchcraft that will ruin the geomancy, and they adamantly refuse to use them," Foreman Chen explained anxiously. "I tried persuading them for a long time, but they wouldn't listen, and they even said they are going to... going to strike!"

A trace of coldness flashed across Lin Shiya's brows. She had anticipated the stubbornness of these veteran craftsmen, but she had not expected their resistance to be so intense.

She made a prompt and decisive decision, her tone firm: "Let's go, take me to see them."

The cold wind wrapped in the cloak of night, Lin Shiya and her party hurried to the sheds where the craftsmen lived.

Under the dim oil lamp, Master Zhang sat upright, surrounded by a group of sullen-looking craftsmen.

They were all burly men, their rough faces filled with disdain.

"Master Zhang." Lin Shiya stepped forward slowly, her voice soft yet carrying an unquestionable authority. "I know you have doubts about the new machines, and I came here specially today to discuss this properly with you."

Master Zhang crossed his arms, his rough knuckles making a slight cracking sound, as if in protest.

He raised his head, his turbid eyes full of suspicion. "Lord Lin, our ancestors have always done things this way. It is better to touch these clever contrivances as little as possible. The craftsmanship left down by our ancestors must not be lost!"

Lin Shiya did not grow angry. She softened her tone, trying to make herself appear sincere. "Master Zhang, I am not asking you to abandon the old craftsmanship, but rather to let everyone see that the new machines can indeed be faster, better, and more labor-saving. This is not only for ourselves, but also to complete the water conservancy project as soon as possible and bring benefits to the common people."

She paused, then continued, "I understand your concerns about new things, so I have brought the blueprints and detailed instructions of the new machines. You can examine them closely, look at their principles and structure, and see if they are truly as inferior as you imagine."

Master Zhang sneered, glanced at the blueprint in Lin Shiya's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "Can those arm-chair theories be taken seriously? We have worked for a lifetime, and we have never seen any scholar who understands the craft better than we do."

With a wave of his hand, the surrounding craftsmen chimed in, and the atmosphere instantly turned tense.

Technician Sun wanted to step forward to explain, but Master Zhang impatiently interrupted him, "Young man, step aside! There is no place for you to speak here!"

Lin Shiya narrowed her eyes slightly, knowing that saying more at this moment was futile. The corners of her mouth curved up slightly, revealing a mysterious smile. "Master Zhang, I understand your concerns. How about this? Tomorrow, I would like to invite you to accompany me to a place. After you see it, you can decide whether or not to adopt the new technology, how does that sound?"

Master Zhang looked at her doubtfully, then glanced at the surrounding craftsmen, a trace of hesitation flashing in his eyes. "Where to?"

Lin Shiya did not answer directly, only smiling meaningfully. "You will know once you go..."

Lin Shiya's smile was like the brightest star in the night sky, carrying a convincing power.

She turned around, facing the biting cold wind, her tone calm and firm. "Tomorrow morning, I shall wait for Master Zhang here." With that, she said no more and turned to leave, leaving a crowd of bewildered craftsmen behind.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Lin Shiya was already waiting at the entrance of the construction site.

The cold wind whipped her robes, making a snapping sound, and her upright posture resembled a plum blossom braving the snow, particularly striking in the winter cold.

Before long, Master Zhang walked over slowly, his face still bearing a trace of reluctance.

He glanced at Lin Shiya and grunted, which she took as his consent.

Lin Shiya paid no mind to his attitude, instead pointing to a carriage parked not far away and making an inviting gesture. "Master Zhang, please." The carriage wheels rumbled, heading all the way north, and finally stopped at a bustling construction site.

This was precisely the construction site of another water conservancy project previously led by Lin Shiya.

Before even drawing close, the roar of machinery could already be heard.

Master Zhang's initially disdainful expression shifted slightly when he beheld the scene before him.

He saw rhythmic, rising and falling massive ramming machines; the heavy ramming hammers fell with a deafening crash, instantly packing the ground solid.

The speed and efficiency were beyond anything manual labor could achieve in his past experience.

He narrowed his eyes, observing meticulously, his brows gradually knitting into a deep frown.

Lin Shiya walked to his side, pointing at the machine and explaining in a calm tone, "Master Zhang, this is the new style of ramming machine. It utilizes the principle of levers, combined with gear transmission, to save time and effort, greatly increasing construction efficiency. Look, the effect of this compacted ground is far superior to what we previously achieved through manual labor."

Master Zhang remained silent. He stepped forward and reached out to touch the ground compacted by the machine, his rough fingertips feeling the hardness of the earth.

He then looked at the young craftsmen operating the machinery; although their faces were smeared with dirt, they radiated excitement and drive, forming a sharp contrast with the gloomy craftsmen from before.

After a long silence, he finally raised his head slowly to look at Lin Shiya, a complex emotion flashing in his turbid eyes. "Lord Lin... this... this machine, truly..."

Lin Shiya smiled slightly and did not reply.

By evening, the setting sun cast a golden glow over the entire construction site.

Master Zhang, leading a group of craftsmen, gathered before Lin Shiya.

The previous resistance on his face was gone, replaced by a thirst for knowledge. "Lord Lin, we... we also want to learn how to use this new machine."

Lin Shiya said, "Master Zhang, learning has no bounds. We must all continue to learn so that this project can be better and faster."

Master Zhang nodded heavily, a long-absent smile appearing on his face.

The craftsmen dispersed to prepare for tomorrow's learning, their bustling voices echoing in the twilight.

Only Lin Shiya stood quietly there, gazing into the distance with profound eyes as she murmured to herself, "Everything has just begun..."

The next day, as the morning light broke, the construction site was already a scene of fervent activity.

Master Zhang led the craftsmen, gathering around Technician Sun to earnestly learn how to operate the new ramming machines.

They frowned in deep thought at times, discussed among themselves at other times, and the light of curiosity shone in their eyes.

Lin Shiya stood aside, watching their focused expressions, and a gratifying smile involuntarily surfaced at the corners of her mouth.

As news spread, nearby residents also voluntarily came to help.

Some transported earth and stone, while others cleared away debris. Though their clothes were humble, their drive was boundless.

An elderly farmer walked tremblingly up to Lin Shiya, gratitude shining in his turbid eyes. "Lord Lin, you are truly a good official! Once this water conservancy project is completed, we will no longer have to worry about droughts and floods!"

Lin Shiya hurriedly supported the old man, and a warm surge welled up in her heart.

Looking at those rustic faces and pairs of hopeful eyes, she felt deeply moved.

She knew her efforts had won the recognition of the people.

Through the joint efforts of everyone, the progress of the water conservancy project advanced by leaps and bounds.

The efficiency of the new ramming machines was extremely high; the ramming work that would have originally taken months to complete was now finished in just a few short days.

Looking at the level and solid river embankments, the craftsmen could not help but burst into cheers.

On the day of completion, the weather was bright and sunny with a cloudless sky.

Colorful banners fluttered across the entire construction site, accompanied by the beating of gongs and drums in a festive and auspicious atmosphere.

The crowd gathered by the riverbank, looking at the surging river water with joyful smiles on their faces.

They expressed their gratitude to Lin Shiya one after another, praising her wisdom and boldness.

Standing in the midst of the crowd, Lin Shiya felt their enthusiasm and was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

She gazed into the distance, her eyes resolute and bright, as if she could foresee a much brighter future.

"Reporting—" A high-pitched shout broke the festive atmosphere of the scene.

A soldier clad in martial attire galloped over on horseback, reined in his horse before Lin Shiya, dismounted, knelt on one knee, and cupped his fists. "Lord Lin, people from the palace have arrived!"

Amidst the cheers, a steed galloped forward. The rider was upright and dashing—none other than Murong Fu.

He dismounted and walked straight toward Lin Shiya, his eyes full of admiration. "Shiya, you have done wonderfully."

Lin Shiya stepped forward to greet him, a joyful smile blooming on her face. "Murong Fu, you're here!"

Murong Fu opened his arms and pulled Lin Shiya into his embrace.

Enfolded in his warm embrace, Lin Shiya felt an unprecedented sense of happiness.

The surrounding common people burst into applause and cheers upon seeing this, with blessings rising one after another.

"I heard you encountered obstacles. Were you hurt?" Murong Fu gently stroked Lin Shiya's hair, a trace of concern in his tone.

Lin Shiya shook her head and recounted the whole story step by step.

Murong Fu listened quietly.

"You always manage to turn danger into safety, which commands my admiration." Murong Fu chuckled softly, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Lin Shiya leaned against his shoulder, feeling his warmth as a sweet current surged through her heart.

The setting sun went down, casting its golden afterglow upon the two of them, forming a warm and beautiful picture.

In the distance, the river surged onward, as if playing a hymn to their love.

"Shiya, this water conservancy project is completed, and you deserve the utmost credit." Murong Fu took a jade pendant from his bosom and solemnly hung it around Lin Shiya's neck. "This is a token of my affection; I hope you will always remember today's glory."

Lin Shiya stroked the jade pendant, her heart filled with emotion.

This was not merely a piece of jade, but Murong Fu's deep affection for her.

Just as the two of them were immersed in happiness, a palace guard hurried over, shattering the lovely atmosphere.

He walked up to Lin Shiya, knelt on one knee, and presented a letter with both hands. "Lord Lin, an urgent summons from the Emperor. Please return to the palace posthaste."

Lin Shiya took the letter, and her heart sank.

She had a premonition that something important was about to happen.

She glanced at Murong Fu.

"Go ahead. I will wait for you in the palace." Murong Fu gave her an encouraging look.

Lin Shiya nodded, vaulted onto her horse, and galloped away in the direction of the imperial palace, leaving Murong Fu standing quietly in place, gazing deeply into the direction of her departure.

As night fell, the imperial palace was brightly lit.

Lin Shiya strode to the entrance of the imperial study, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.

"Your subject Lin Shiya pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Minister Lin, rise." The emperor's voice betrayed neither joy nor anger.

Lin Shiya got to her feet and saw that the emperor's expression was somewhat solemn, holding a memorial in his hand.

"Minister Lin, although the water conservancy project is completed, I have received word..." The emperor paused, his gaze falling upon Lin Shiya. "Subsequent maintenance will still require a massive sum of funds."