A ship lock, in essence, is an artificially constructed waterway with enclosed ends that can be filled with or drained of water. By utilizing this waterway, ships can navigate through the entire river area, overcoming the water level differences created by the construction of reservoirs.

In the era where Qin Zheng originally lived, during the Qin Dynasty, there were already records of building ship locks.

However, the larger the ship lock, the more challenging it is to construct, and the higher the technical requirements.

Qi Guanghe felt like he had spilled a jar of paste in his mind, feeling quite bewildered.

Building dams? Constructing ship locks? Connecting the entire Yuan River for navigation?

He had to clear his throat several times, not caring if he showed disrespect to Qin Zheng, or if he was too stunned to even know what he was saying. “Pri… Princess Consort, this seems a bit too far-fetched.”

Song Heqing, too, was stunned.

Qin Zheng had only mentioned her plan to change the Yuzui Weir’s water-blocking dam to a diversion dam to him previously.

After all, they needed to act quickly to implement flood control measures before the spring floods next year, which was the most expedient and effective way at the moment.

The reconstructed dam in Zhuzhou could store half of the floodwater, and the other half would flow into the downstream Dadu Dam.

The main channel of the Yuan River could release floodwaters, and the flood diversion channel dug by Daxi Creek, connecting to the Chishui River, could also help relieve floods, avoiding disasters downstream.

But now, what was Qin Zheng suggesting?

Building more dams downstream and constructing large ship locks?

Song Heqing had always supported Qin Zheng, but at this moment, he couldn’t help but cough softly. “Your Highness, the situation in the world is still uncertain, and the war is not yet over. If we continue to build dams and large ship locks, it might strain the treasury…”

Any large-scale dam construction project required the support of the entire country.

If the Yuzui Weir dam hadn’t threatened the safety of the people upstream of the entire Yuan River, the ministers wouldn’t have unanimously supported Qin Zheng’s proposal to rebuild the dam.

Qin Zheng said, “I understand. Building reservoirs, dams, and ship locks is not a task that can be completed in a day. It may take three to five years at best, or even ten, twenty, or even hundreds of years.

Although it sounds distant, once completed, it will be a project that can benefit future generations for thousands of years.

What I’m proposing now is just an idea.

Let’s give it a try. Previous generations have made strides, so it’s up to us to go even further.”

She smiled at the two men. “Do you agree?”

The winter sun spilled in from the half-open window, shining on Qin Zheng.

She wasn’t wearing an elaborate hairstyle or fancy clothes; her snow-blue dress outlined her figure, which seemed somewhat slender.

Yet, at this moment, even two elderly officials with a combined age of over a hundred dared not look her directly in the eye.

A sense of awe arose spontaneously, unrelated to appearance, age, or even status, solely because of her words.

Song Heqing’s lips trembled slightly, his eyes slightly red.

He bowed and said, “Princess Consort’s words are indeed wise.”

Qi Guanghe’s heart surged.

There wasn’t a single official from the Ministry of Works who didn’t yearn to leave behind a project that would go down in history and be praised by future generations.

He immediately pledged his loyalty to Qin Zheng. “I am at your service, Princess Consort, at any time.”

Qin Zheng nodded with a faint smile. “The construction of the Yuzui Weir diversion dam will indeed require Mr. Qi’s assistance.”

With the overall direction of the project in place, there needed to be someone with expertise to oversee it.

Qin Zheng was currently busy with many matters and couldn’t be at the construction site every day.

Song Heqing was too old for such exertions, and Qin Zheng worried he might worsen his illness if left to oversee the project.

After much consideration, Qi Guanghe was the best choice.

Despite his somewhat arrogant demeanor, Qi Guanghe did have genuine talent and knowledge.

Moreover, he was young and strong.

It would be a waste not to send him to the construction site.

Feeling deeply honored by Qin Zheng’s trust, Qi Guanghe knelt down and expressed his gratitude tearfully. “Princess Consort’s guidance is unforgettable!”

Qin Zheng said, “Please, Qi Guanghe, rise.”

Was there a hint of someone who would be grateful for even being sold out and still help count the money in him?

With the selection of the person to supervise the subsequent construction of the Yuzui Weir dam settled, Qin Zheng felt a weight lifted off her shoulders.

Two days later, they went to inspect the damaged dam at Yuzui Weir Dam in person.

Finding an auspicious day for groundbreaking, they loaded the cargo ships with crushed stones and began filling the river at the center of Yuzui Weir to divert the flow.

Before long, the official sent to negotiate with the Chen camp returned with a message.

“The traitor from Chen said… he said the Regent Prince wants to personally discuss matters with Princess Consort. Three days from now, he invites Princess Consort to meet at the Ten-Mile Pavilion outside of Sishui City. At that time, he will hand over the notes from the wandering doctor on treating the epidemic to Princess Consort.”

The messenger dared not look at Qin Zheng’s expression as he spoke, his voice trembling.

Song Heqing couldn’t contain his anger and immediately exclaimed, “That scoundrel is delusional!”

Lin Yao also spoke up, “Princess Consort, I believe it’s not advisable! If Shen Yanzhi dares to invite you to meet outside Sishui City at the Ten-Mile Pavilion, it must be setting a trap. It’s too risky to go.”

Qin Zheng furrowed her brow, sitting in silence on the main seat for a long time.

Bianjing, the Imperial Palace.

The heavy snow had been falling for several days without stopping, weighing down the branches of the plum trees outside the Muxi Palace.

Inside Shen Chan’s bedroom, the doors and windows were tightly shut, and not a breath of wind could enter.

She drank her medicine, then leaned over the bed once again, vomiting until only bile remained, her face pale to the point of being alarming.

The palace maids were briefly surprised but quickly went about their tasks, bringing spittoons, water, and wiping Shen Chan’s face. It seemed they were accustomed to this.

Only the Wandering doctor Mu, seeing Shen Chan in this state for the first time, had a hint of pity and compassion in her eyes.

Shen Chan, though pale, still had the energy to smile and comfort her.

But her smile seemed feeble. “Scared you, didn’t I, Doctor Mu? It’s been many days since I vomited like this. I thought I was getting better…”

She glanced through the tightly closed lattice window towards the outside. “I wanted to wait until I was feeling better to go see the snow and personally pick some plum branches…”

This remark seemed to touch the Wandering Doctor Mu, who shed tears.

Seeing the Doctor cry for her, Shen Chan guessed that her illness might not be curable.

She dismissed the attendants around her. “You all may leave. I’m tired and just want to hear some interesting stories from Doctor Mu.”

The palace maids hesitated. “But…”

Shen Chan raised her voice. “You don’t need to stand around here. I’m not so sick that I need your constant attention.”

Thinking she was in a bad mood due to her severe illness, and remembering Shen Yanzhi had said that they could let the Doctor Mu talk to Shen Chan more, they hesitated for a moment before all leaving.

With no one else in the sleeping quarters, Shen Chan felt a bit guilty and said to the physician, “My brother must have threatened you with your life. I know my own condition.

On behalf of my brother, I apologize to you.

You’re a good doctor, and you can still save many people. You don’t need to waste any more time on me. I will arrange for someone to secretly escort you away…”