Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

On the day of completion, just as the sky was getting light, the dam's solid outline was already showing in the morning light.

The gray-white cement embankment extends from the sluice gate. The upstream water rushes endlessly, trying its best to hit the sluice gate, over and over again, but returning in vain.

Only when the sluice gates are opened to release water can the upstream water flow freely into the Huihe River, forming a true upstream mother river.

When the sky brightened, the open space along the coast became lively.

Shen Zheng and Zeng Tongshi stood side by side, measuring the fruits of everyone's labor with their eyes. In front of such a wide river dam, they were like ants that had successfully built a nest, happy, satisfied, and a little at a loss.

Not knowing how to describe her current mood, Shen Zheng sighed softly.

Sometimes a month passed quickly, sometimes slowly. When the day of completion finally arrived, she put on her new official robe and stood there, looking no different from the day she started.

When I think about it, the "Completion Book" was signed yesterday, so there is actually nothing important to do today.

It seemed like all they had to do was pack up their tools, complete the ritual, and then say the word "done" loudly, and everyone would be happy.

The altar was ready, and Zeng Tongshi, who was beside her, had a rosy face because Shen Zheng had told him yesterday that he would preside over the sacrifice today.

Unable to refuse, he started to get excited since last night.

As the sun rose higher, the voices of the laborers became quieter and quieter. Zeng Tongshi stood on the altar, while Shen Zheng and a group of officials and managers stood below, waiting for him to speak.

Seeing that the main priest was not Shen Zheng, the laborers lost interest, but still kept silent out of respect.

"The auspicious time has arrived! The sacrifice begins!" With the officer's drawn-out shout, the sacrifice officially began.

Zeng Tongshi took a deep breath, straightened his official robe, and subconsciously looked at Shen Zheng below the stage.

Shen Zheng smiled encouragingly. He nodded and recited aloud the memorial he had memorized by heart: "In the 24th year of Mingyou, the Huihe Dam was completed. It was made of cement and iron rods... May the river gods protect it, make the dam permanent, avoid floods, and ensure the well-being of the people..."

The words "people are well" echoed on the dam, and the laborers inside the dam and the people outside the dam bowed.

Previously, the Huihe River was an earth and stone embankment. Although there had never been a large-scale embankment breach, farmland was flooded several times during the flood season.

The dam is repaired every year during the flood season. Just when the people were feeling helpless and were about to get used to it, the Huihe Dam was overhauled.

Not only was the dam widened by several feet, but a rare type of cement was also used to build it. If it weren't for the fact that outsiders were not allowed to enter during the construction period, they would have wanted to go in and take a look, step on it, and test how hard the cement was.

I wonder if the stone can be broken?

Can it really withstand the flooding during the flood season?

The incense and candles on the altar were lit, but before the wisps of white smoke could form, they were blown away by the river breeze. Everyone moved their noses, but could not smell any fragrance.

The wind is really strong today.

After kneeling before the gods of heaven, earth and river, Zeng Tongshi stood up and looked around the dam, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

I am not proud of myself, but proud of everyone present here and proud of the Great Zhou.

"May the gods of heaven, earth, and rivers bear witness that we, the craftsmen, have never dared to skimp on any effort or save even a single inch of material! May God bless our Great Zhou!"

"it is good!!"

The cheers resounded through the sky.

As the incense and candles burned halfway, the sacrifice came to an end. The people outside the dam watched and refused to leave, and the laborers inside the dam were also a little at a loss.

"Is this... over?"

"How about asking Lord Zeng to say something? Or... asking Lord Shen to come up to the stage? If it weren't for Lord Shen's presence this month, I don't know how exhausted we would be."

Lord Shen bought meat for them to eat, made fans for them to cool down, and also allowed them to not work during the noon hours.

Such good treatment made them wonder - it would be great if this was a long-term job. One month is not enough.

Zeng Tongshi looked sideways at the waiters below the table.

When he met his gaze, Cantou straightened his back and nodded vigorously.

"One more thing!" Zeng Tongshi raised his hand, his voice slightly hoarse from being too loud. "At noon! Everyone, come to the Laoyu Village drying yard, three miles outside the dam. Let's have a farewell dinner. See you there!"

"Farewell dinner?!"

The laborer looked stunned and subconsciously looked towards Laoyu Village.

When you worked for the court before, when did you ever have a farewell dinner?

The officials in charge were eager for them to leave as soon as possible so that they could eat less of the imperial court's food.

Zeng Tongshi received a glare from Shen Zheng and quickly changed his tone: "Completion party! It's a completion party! That's it, everyone disperse first, remember to come at noon!"

As the words fell, the laborers were obviously still a little dazed and slowly walked towards the outside of the dam.

As they walked, many people fell back and ran to Shen Zheng and the others. They didn't say a word, but their mouths kept moving, as if they were crying or not.

Shen Zheng couldn't handle this kind of situation and quietly took two steps back.

Zeng Tongshi quickly stepped down from the stage and waved to them, "It's still noon. We can talk about anything later. Please disperse first. We have work to do and can't delay any longer."

The laborers looked back every few steps, and like lambs out of a pen, they walked out of the dam one after another and scattered in all directions.

Shen Zheng was in a daze when a handful of red dates was unexpectedly stuffed into her hand.

Zeng Tongshi winked at her, "Fukuzawa shared."

For many forms of sacrifice, the offerings can be eaten, but they must be eaten by those who participate in the sacrifice, which means "sharing the blessings."

The officials who stayed behind distributed some food to each of them, including red dates, rice cakes, peanuts and plums. When everyone was happily chewing, Zeng Tongshi and his entourage quietly went to the work shed.

Half a moment later, when everyone was looking for him, they saw him walking towards them with difficulty, pulling a trailer.

Shen Zheng put the last red date into her mouth, clapped her hands, and looked at the trailer curiously.

The trailer is not big, but the cloth covering it is quite large, and the border exceeds the size of the trailer, so it looks solid.

"Master Zeng, what are you...pushing?" someone asked.

If they remembered correctly, the completion phase had already been completed and there should be nothing else to do.

Zeng Tongshi smiled at them, bent down and pulled back the covering cloth, and whispered, "It's just a little selfish of mine."

The red cloth fluttered in his hand, and everyone's eyes were attracted by the cement monument on the trailer - half a person's height, an inch thick, with words clearly carved on it.

Zeng Tongshi squatted down and ran his fingers over the words, and everyone could finally see clearly.

In the 24th year of Mingyou, Great Zhou officials Shen Zheng, Wei Xiyu, and Zeng Tongshi... led the construction of this dam. Today, the stele remains, and the dam remains. May you, upon seeing it, recognize the dedication of those who built it. May you, upon guarding the dam, share their dedication. I offer my best wishes, hoping that you will join us in protecting this region and safeguarding the people's peace.

There was total silence.

This is a stele greeting future generations.

Shen Zheng had never thought about what would happen a hundred years later, but when she saw this stele, her fingertips felt slightly numb, and she couldn't help but wonder - a hundred years later, would anyone really recognize them?

Hello, gentlemen of later generations.