Zhenfubao waved his hand and the warehouse was full of grain, and the whole family regretted it

Several people gathered around the map and discussed in low voices. Some said that a diversion channel should be built upstream, while others said that the riverbanks along the river should be reinforced. After arguing for a while, they all shook their heads.

The diversion channel required the relocation of residents living along the riverbank, but the county government had no money. The large amount of stone needed to reinforce the riverbank was so great that even the brick kilns in Qingshui County were almost shut down.

Bai Wanwan thought again and again:

“Instead of building a dam here, we should first deepen and widen these two depressions.

How about building two reservoirs and then constructing dams upstream of the reservoirs?"

She picked up a pen and drew two lines on the map:

"During the flood season, some of the water is first released into the reservoir, which is like taking half the pressure off the dam.

When the water recedes, the water in the reservoir can be used to irrigate the fields.

Furthermore, the soil excavated from the reservoir can be used to build the dam foundation, saving the effort of transporting soil. Do you think this will work?"

Bai Wanwan squatted beside the map and circled the two depressions with her finger:

“I don’t care about other counties, but for Qingshui County, building two large reservoirs will definitely be effective.

The water will first flow into the pond, and when the pond is full, it will flow elsewhere. By then, the water level will have decreased significantly, and the dam will be able to withstand it.

The people around gathered together to watch, and the more they looked, the brighter it became. Everyone couldn't help but slap their thighs and said, "Master, you have a brilliant mind! You were only thinking about blocking the water before, why didn't you think about letting the water rest first?"

Bai Wanwan smiled, pointed at the map and said:

“Not only can it block water, but this reservoir can also be made more practical.

When digging, level the bottom of the pond, then lay a layer of broken bricks and old tiles, pour water on them, and press them firmly.

This way, water won’t leak easily from the bottom, and the stored water can last longer.”

She paused and continued, “Once it’s repaired, dig a few ditches on the side and connect it to the nearby fields.

The water in the pond can flow along the ditch into the fields to irrigate the land, saving people from having to run far to fetch water.

If the pool is big enough, it can be filled with water during the summer rains and can also be used during the autumn dry spells, killing two birds with one stone.”

Lao Zhou squatted beside him and nodded:

"The idea of ​​using broken tiles as the base is good. Every household in the county has old tiles, so there's no need to buy them.

Digging ditches and connecting fields is also easy. Our yamen runners can lead the villagers to work together and it will be done in a few days.

This is not a reservoir, it's simply a water storage tank and an irrigation channel!

But the reservoir must be dug large enough, and the people may not be willing to do so!"

Bai Wanwan looked at him and said, "I'll provide them with two meals a day and thirty cents a month. Do you think anyone is willing to do that?"

Li Hu coughed and said:

“Magister Bai, the magistrate has done this before, but he really waited until someone arrived.

They have nothing to eat, not a penny a month, and they are whipped. I'm afraid the local people won't like it!"

Bai Wanwan's mouth twitched. These county magistrates were really incompetent.

Someone said:

“The water level has receded little by little, but the people have no place to live.

Now if we ask them to dig a reservoir, how could they possibly be willing to do that?"

Bai Wanwan looked at them and said:

"I'll post the notice tomorrow and see how many people are willing to join. Thirty cents a month is a bit low, though.

But if we provide two meals a day, there must be people willing to do so. Tell them that we provide delicious rice."

As expected, as soon as the notice was issued, the county government office was crowded with people.

When Bai Wanwan arrived at the county government office in the morning, she saw a group of skinny people standing there, looking at her with pitiful eyes.

There were also some old men and women in their forties or fifties carrying children on their backs.

Don't doubt it, in ancient times, forty or fifty years old was considered relatively long-lived.

Bai Wanwan looked at them and said, "We won't take those who have children or are elderly at home. They can't be dug up here!"

The woman at the front bit her lip and suddenly knelt down with a thud.

"County Magistrate, we heard that a reservoir is being built and we'd like to ask for a job.

My husband was washed away by the flood, leaving me and my child alone. My child is still young, and I... I just want to earn a living."

She raised her hand to wipe the corners of her eyes and added hurriedly:

"Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble!

It’s no problem to carry the baby on my back. I’m strong enough to carry soil and bricks.

Even if it's just picking up broken tiles or boiling water for everyone, I'll do it!"

The women next to them also nodded, some whispered "Me too", and some hugged the children on their backs tighter, for fear of being disliked.

Bai Wanwan hurried forward and reached out to help the woman in front: "Hurry up, don't kneel."

Seeing the anxious and fearful looks in their eyes, Bai Wanwan sighed inwardly, thinking that they were all people who had no choice but to do what they wanted due to life's circumstances.

Her voice softened:

“I know your difficulties. Repairing the reservoir does require manpower, but you have children with you, so you don’t have to do heavy work.

You go back and rest first, and in the afternoon, go find Li Hu under the old locust tree at the entrance of the village. He will arrange for you to do some light work.

For example, sorting tiles, patching rags for tools, or helping to look after the tea at the construction site."

She glanced at the few gray-haired old men in the crowd and continued:

"And all the elders, please go back first. Since you have difficulty walking, I will have someone move the old sacks and ropes from the warehouse to the ancestral hall.

You guys can help with the cleaning, mending, and making bags to hold the soil. You'll be paid and fed as well."

The people finally dispersed, feeling satisfied. Someone whispered, "Will we really be able to eat? It won't be like before, where we did all the work but didn't get any food, right?"

Bai Wanwan said loudly, "Don't worry, I keep my word. If I say I'll provide meals, I will definitely provide meals. Just work hard and find a dozen women who can cook."

Zhang Hu hurried out. The post-disaster reconstruction work was too huge. First, they had to dig a reservoir and then build a dam.

There are quite a lot of people in Qingshui County, with a total of more than 100,000 people. It is still difficult to feed more than 100,000 people.

Zhiwei couldn't help but frown and said, "Miss, if we give everyone food every day, I estimate it will only be enough for more than ten days."

Bai Wanwan was squatting on the ground looking at the blueprints of the reservoir. She frowned, then relaxed her brows. "I see. Let's just keep eating like this for now. It'll be over ten days. I can always come up with another solution."

She paused, stood up and walked out of the shed: "Go tell the cook to make the porridge less watery, so that everyone can eat their fill. If they don't eat enough, they won't be able to work at all."

He turned around and called Li Hu again, saying in a deep voice:

"Take the yamen runners out for a walk. The flood has just passed, and there must be dead chickens and ducks on the road, as well as drowned pigs and sheep. If you see any, dig deep pits and bury them all.

We also made it clear to the villagers that those things must not be eaten, as eating them would cause stomach upset or even death.

They are all soaked and have dirt in them."

Li Hu replied "OK", turned around and called a hundred or so yamen runners, who walked out carrying shovels and hoes.

After leaving the county town, there was a bloated dead duck floating by the edge of a field, with most of its feathers gone.

There was a dead pig in the ditch, half of its body exposed in the mud, and it smelled terrible.

Several villagers were squatting by the roadside, hesitantly staring at the dead chicken. Li Hu quickly shouted, "Don't touch it! You can't eat this!"

He ordered the yamen runners to act separately, surround the dead poultry and livestock, find an open space far away from water sources, dig a deep pit, and bury them directly.