NOVEL WEB Chapter 77.2
Taking immediate action, Lin Beifan once again unleashed the Hand of God, reaching out towards the Empire Sandbox.
Outside, the entire Xia Kingdom was shaken to its core.
Suddenly, the ground shook and the mountains trembled.
“Boom rumble rumble”
The citizens were panicked.
“What’s happening?”
“Is it the earth dragon turning over again?”
“Quick, find a safe place to hide!”
Everyone was frantically running for their lives.
In reality, Lin Beifan can use the Hand of God to transform the mountains, rivers, and streams without actually needing to cause any commotion.The reason for doing so was to use the earthquake as a cover for his actions.
Otherwise, it would be too miraculous and hard to explain.
Under the cover of the earthquake, Lin Beifan began to dig rivers according to his own will.
Connect all the canals that have not yet been connected.
Now, let’s start digging canals in the lands where they haven’t been opened yet so that waterways interconnect the whole country.
Lin Beifan was having the time of his life as if he were playing with mud and sand, building mud castles, but the people watching were terrified.
The earthquake was too severe, its destructive power on the canals too great. Could it be that their previous efforts would be in vain?
And could the river water possibly overflow, flooding the lands that were so difficult to clear?
It wasn’t until the earthquake finally ceased that they were able to breathe a sigh of relief.
When it was time to get back to work, everyone was stunned by the scene before them.
“This… this is a miracle!!!”
At this moment, Lin Beifan had already satisfactorily completed his task.
“Now, the canals of my Xia Kingdom are fully connected, with routes extending in all directions. The day for us to soar has arrived!”
……
The next day, Heshen reported the matter to Lin Beifan.
With a face full of joy, he said, “Your Majesty, yesterday the earth dragon turned over, affecting all the common people throughout the nation!”
“I felt it too!”
Lin Beifan asked with concern, “Has it caused any casualties or damage?”
Heshen shook his head vigorously, “Your Majesty, not only were there no casualties or losses, but we’ve also turned misfortune into a blessing! Due to the earthquake, our canal has been completely connected throughout! Not just domestically, but even the newly opened territories are now accessible by water!”
“Now, our domestic canals can be said to be extensive and interconnected! They not only facilitate the irrigation of farmlands but also promote trade and the economy. Our Xia Kingdom is on the path to prosperity!”
“To have such good fortune, haha!” Lin Beifan laughed heartily.
“Your Majesty, do you know what this signifies?” Heshen asked.
“What does it signify?” Lin Beifan asked expectantly.
“It signifies… Heaven’s favor upon Your Majesty, Heaven’s favor upon the Xia Kingdom!” Heshen proclaimed loudly and fervently.
“Long live His Majesty, long live the Xia Kingdom!” the officials cried out in unison.
“Well said, my Ministers! I am very pleased. Each of you will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver, hahaha!” Lin Beifan laughed heartily.
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s generous grace!” the officials cried out once again.
Lin Beifan laughed heartily once more.
He loved this kind of court atmosphere so much!
It was all flattery and sycophancy, with people fawning over him, making him feel completely at ease and able to laugh several times a day!
No wonder every Emperor becomes negligent and incompetent in their later years; in such an environment, it’s impossible not to become corrupt!
Fortunately, I was lucky enough to save myself decades of detours!
Just then, Heshen added, “However, Your Majesty, there are pros and cons to this matter!”
“Where do the disadvantages lie?” Lin Beifan asked.
“Your Majesty, previously there were 600,000 commoners digging the canal. Now that the canal is through, their work is gone. These 600,000 people cannot be settled all at once!” Heshen said with a wry smile.
“Put them to work reclaiming wasteland!”
Lin Beifan said calmly. “We have so much land, are we afraid we won’t be able to use it all?”
“Your Majesty, there are still too many people; not all of them are needed for reclaiming land!”
“This is also simple!”
Lin Beifan said with a smile, “Look, my imperial palace is both shabby and small, it’s time for a new one! Should we call them back to build a new imperial palace that is both large and splendid?”
“Construct a new imperial palace?” The officials were all astonished.
The officials exchanged glances, then took another look around the imperial palace and soon came to a realization!
This imperial palace was originally built according to the standards of a small kingdom. Now that the Xia Kingdom has the strength of a great kingdom, the current imperial palace seemed rather shoddy.
Their emperor loved grand achievements and was fond of luxury; it was quite normal for him to want a replacement.
Moreover, the place was indeed quite cramped; the now increasing officials were squeezed together, making it seem all the more crowded.
“Yes, your humble servant will see to it!” Heshen replied.
Lin Beifan waved his hand, and an eunuch handed a painting to Heshen.
“The Emperor has already commanded someone to draw up the imperial palace manuscript. You build according to it!”
Heshen opened it to take a look, and cold sweat poured down profusely because what was presented before him was a colossal project.
The project was so immense that the land it covered was equivalent to the size of a small city.
To construct this project, even spending 10 million taels might not suffice.
The other officials looked over, similarly breaking out in cold sweat, giving Heshen a look that wished him to fend for himself.
“Your Majesty, this imperial palace… this imperial palace is built entirely to the scale of the dynasty!”
“Correct, is there a problem?”
Under Lin Beifan’s calm and indifferent gaze, Heshen became somewhat flustered: “No… there’s no problem! This servant just thinks that it might be a bit burdensome and costly for the people, but it should be overcome!”
Lin Beifan nodded in agreement: “It is indeed burdensome and costly, but if the money is sufficient, it won’t be burdensome! As for the cost, my national treasury has so much money, what’s the use of keeping it without spending?”
“Yes, yes, yes… Your Majesty’s words are most wise!” Heshen wiped away some sweat.
The other officials also dared not say more.
After all, their emperor was known as the foolish emperor!
Offending him could result in a light punishment of dismissal from office or in severe cases, the loss of life—it’s truly an offense one cannot afford!
At this moment, Li Linfu stood up, bowed respectfully, and said, “Your Majesty, the Xia Kingdom is now at peace, the people are prosperous and the land is rich, and the citizens live and work in contentment. This is all thanks to Your Majesty’s efforts!”
“Therefore, heaven has bestowed a blessing upon us. A dragon has turned over in the earth, connecting our entire canal network! This is a reminder to Your Majesty that it is time to change the state title. Only a great kingdom is worthy of Your Majesty’s status!”
Upon hearing this, Lin Beifan was overjoyed: “Well said! It is indeed time to change the state title! Let’s pick an auspicious day to hold a grand ceremony and proclaim it to the world! Minister Li, you will be in charge of this matter. To facilitate this, I hereby appoint you as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Do not disappoint my high expectations!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Li Linfu was overjoyed.
The reason he had repeatedly reminded Lin Beifan to change the state title was precisely to secure a promotion and gain higher office!
Because only high-ranking officials can preside over grand ceremonies.
Now that I’ve finally made it, haha!
I must perform well and strive for another promotion!
……
Following this, the events occurring in the Xia Kingdom began to spread throughout the world.
The Xia Kingdom’s earth dragon turned over without causing casualties, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as the canal was completely connected, reaching in all directions!
The foolish Emperor was overjoyed and prepared to construct the imperial palace on a scale befitting the dynasty!
At the same time, he planned to hold a grand ceremony to change the state’s name and proclaim it to the world!
One incident after another left everyone dumbfounded, feeling both sour and envious.
“The earth dragon turns over, and yet that foolish emperor received blessings. It’s as if the heavens are blind!”
“Indeed, upon hearing this news, I couldn’t sleep all night! Why is it that good people die young, while calamities stay alive for a thousand years?”
“The nation was just beginning to improve, and that foolish emperor was causing trouble again. He actually wants to build a new imperial palace on the scale of the dynasty! It’s too exhausting and damaging to the people. Which emperor would dare to do such a thing?”
“He is a thorough and completely foolish emperor. The nation will sooner or later perish in his hands!”
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