The grass in the factory should be plucked

Jiang Li asked again, "Wu Chou, do you turn into a fish tail as soon as you enter the water, or can you change your shape at will?"

These two situations are very different.

The former cannot control itself and will transform when it comes into contact with water, which is extremely dangerous.

If it could change at will, it would be a hidden weapon of mass destruction.

Xie Wuchou blinked: "Of course, it's because I want to transform that I can grow a tail."

Jiang Li breathed a sigh of relief; that resolved the issue.

That's right. Xie Wuchou was brought back by Xie Buli. If she had a fishtail, Xie Buli would have discovered it long ago.

Liao Wuyong looked at the maids and servants present and said in a deep voice, "Nothing about today's events shall be revealed! If anyone outside finds out about this, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The servants were so frightened that they knelt down and swore they would never reveal a word.

This is the Grand Eunuch! We've heard of the Eastern Depot's methods, even if we haven't experienced them firsthand. Who would dare to break the law?

After this commotion, Xie Chang'an lost all interest in moon-viewing, so Jiang Li told Cui'er to quickly take Xie Wuchou back to his room to bathe and change.

At this time, more rewards were sent from the palace.

Yin Jiu came in person and said with a smile, "On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is also the Prince's birthday, His Majesty and the Empress specially ordered me to deliver a gift. On this auspicious occasion, I wish the Prince's Mansion a peaceful and healthy Mid-Autumn Festival and a happy reunion with his family."

Xie Chang'an and Jiang Li led the group to receive the imperial decree and express their gratitude.

Palace servants and eunuchs filed in, displaying the rewards one by one in the main hall.

There are eight boxes of Suzhou-style mooncakes, two jars of jade dew nectar, and eight kinds of candied fruits, all of which are specially made by the imperial kitchen.

Other items include a pair of white jade moon rabbit ornaments, a set of enamel teacups, ten bolts of brocade, a pair of jade ruyi scepters, eight strings of pearl bracelets, and a pair of gold-inlaid ruby ​​hairpins...

The main hall was filled with a dazzling array of items.

"Brother Yin Jiu, you've come at the perfect time. Let's drink and admire the moon together."

Jiang Li warmly invited him to take a seat.

Yin Jiu said resentfully, "The Grand Eunuch has returned to enjoy his grandchildren and the whole family is reunited, but I still have to guard the palace."

Liao Wuyong chuckled and said, "I will be retiring soon, and it will be time for Eunuch Jiu to take charge."

"Your Excellency, you are too kind. You are still very strong and healthy. Your subordinates will have to rely on you a lot."

Xie Chang'an laughed and said, "We're all family, no need for such formalities. Come, let me toast our Ninth Eunuch."

Jiang Li then sent several children to pay their respects to Yin Jiu.

Xie Wuchou had also changed her clothes and dressed up beautifully. Together with her older brothers and sisters, she bowed to Yin Jiu and said, "Greetings to Eunuch Jiu, may Eunuch Jiu have a peaceful and healthy Mid-Autumn Festival."

Yin Jiu was very pleased to see the two pairs of exquisitely beautiful twins and gave each of them a gold ingot.

He was then persuaded by Xie Chang'an and Liao Wuyong to drink three more cups of wine before he hurriedly took his leave.

Xie Wuchou happily pulled her older brother and sister along, wanting them to set off fireworks with her.

Under the bright full moon and amidst the dazzling fireworks, Xie Chang'an and Jiang Li stood side by side atop Tingyu Tower. Gazing at the full moon in the sky and the children playing, they couldn't help but sigh, "Having a wife and children, and being reunited with one's family, is the best scene in this world."

Jiang Li smiled and said, "Why are you suddenly feeling sentimental?"

Xie Chang'an said softly, "Little Tanuki, thank you. I'm so glad I have you."

If it weren't for her, where would he and his godfather be today?

They were probably on duty in the palace.

Looking back now, those lonely days, day after day, year after year, with an end in sight, were truly like being a walking corpse. What was the point of living like that?

Jiang Li couldn't help but sigh. If it weren't for him, even if she mastered the art of lightness and escaped the palace, she would still be wandering the world alone.

"I am delighted by this beautiful season, and I wish that every year I could see the Mid-Autumn Moon with you."

She murmured softly.

Xie Chang'an held her hand: "You're wrong. It should be, 'May we be together for all eternity, to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Moon together.'"

"Okay." Jiang Li smiled and shook his hand in return.

Unbeknownst to them, at that very moment, in a dark corner of the deep sea, a strange scene was quietly unfolding.

In the sand on the seabed, tiny specks of silver light quietly emerge from the gaps between the grains and gradually gather together.

As they were washed away by the water, they painstakingly coalesced little by little.

After an unknown amount of time, these fine, sand-like silver lights finally combined to form something resembling a conch shell.

A passing hermit crab discovered this "conch shell," its shimmering silver shell forming a mysterious and beautiful pattern.

The hermit crab loved it and decided that this would be its new home!

The next day, as sunlight pierced through the clear seawater and cast its faint rays onto the seabed, a hermit crab shimmering with silver light was slowly crawling forward step by step.

In the void, the Mirror Spirit seemed to sense something. He suddenly stood up and looked towards that small world.

After a moment, a slight smile appeared on his lips. Here he comes!

The capital city of the Great Chu Dynasty.

On this day, during the grand court assembly, Nangong Qinghe sat on the high dragon throne, listening to the report from Mo Qilang, the Minister of Works.

After seven years, the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, which runs from south to north, has finally been fully completed!

Water was drawn from the Yangtze River in Yangzhou and transported northward through the Grand Canal, eventually reaching Hongze Lake, Luoma Lake, Nansi Lake, and Dongping Lake for storage.

After leaving Dongping Lake, the water continued northward, using underground channels to transport it to Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi and other places.

The underground canals running from north to south continuously transported water from the south to the water-scarce and arid regions, so the Great Chu no longer feared drought and famine!

"Very well! Issue my decree: instruct the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious day for the canal-opening ceremony!"

Nangong Qinghe was overjoyed and in high spirits.

The officials also offered their congratulations.

"His Majesty's grace extends to the world, and his merits are immeasurable!"

"Your Majesty's achievements will last for a thousand years, comparable to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors!"

Nangong Qinghe smiled and said, "I dare not take credit for this; I will remember Mo Qing's greatest contribution."

Mo Qilang cupped his hands and said, "I dare not take credit. The idea was first proposed by Prince Anguo and Prince Jing'an. Furthermore, without the strong support of His Majesty and the Longmen Trading Company, such a massive project as the South-to-North Water Diversion Project could not have been carried out smoothly."

It's even less likely that it will be completed in seven years!

The enormous project to connect the north and south requires an unknown amount of funding!

If it weren't for the emperor's abundant private treasury, relying solely on national treasury funds, even repairing an ordinary canal might take ten years to complete!

The ministers launched into another round of singing praises and commendations.

"Having a wise ruler and capable ministers is truly a blessing for the Great Chu and a boon for its people!"

"His Majesty is benevolent and compassionate, and cares deeply for the common people. The golden age of the Great Chu is just around the corner!"

Nangong Qinghe laughed loudly: "Good! Those who have rendered meritorious service will be richly rewarded by me!"

"Your Majesty, please bestow a name upon this long canal." Mo Qilang bowed respectfully again.

Nangong Qinghe pondered for a moment, “The Book of Documents, in the chapter on Yu the Great, says, ‘Where the sun and moon shine, and where the wind and rain reach, all things submit, and the world prospers.’ Since it connects the north and south and all the waters converge, let’s call it the ‘Huichang Canal’.”

Grand Secretary Liang praised, "What a fine name! 'Hui' means the confluence of rivers and the integration of north and south, while 'Chang' means the prosperity of the nation. It not only reflects the water conservancy project connecting the north and south, but also the meaning of 'national peace and prosperity.' Your Majesty is indeed a wise ruler!"

Therefore, Nangong Qinghe issued an imperial edict, naming the long canal for diverting water from the south to the north "Huichang Canal," and ordered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to choose an auspicious day to officially open the canal.