Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

County Magistrate's Residence Backyard - Morning

After bidding farewell to Mu Tou, Zhang Jingwei returned to the county government's backyard, feeling a heavy weight on his heart. In the early morning light, servants were already busying around in the courtyard. He was lost in thought when he nearly bumped into a young maid struggling to carry a bucket.

Looking closely, he saw that it was Ningxiang's maid, whose name seemed to be Shanhu. Zhang Jingwei remembered that Ningxiang had bought this girl from a human trafficker. Ningxiang had always had peculiar standards for selecting maids. She didn't care about diligence or intelligence, as long as they were cute and pretty, just like Xiaohong before.

"Shanhu," Zhang Jingwei stopped and called out to her, "Did your young lady rest well yesterday? Was she feeling well?"

Upon hearing the voice, Shanhu quickly put down the bucket and timidly bowed, "Reply... reply to your Excellency. Thanks to your Excellency, everything is fine. It's just... it's just that I'm not used to living here and can't sleep well at night."

Before she finished her words, Ningxiang's voice came faintly from the corridor, with a hint of laziness and barely perceptible resentment: "It's not that I'm not used to living here, it's just that in this huge yard, the person I like is never by my side, and I feel empty inside and lonely." She walked over slowly, and the morning light outlined her slightly thin figure.

Shanhu quickly lowered her head: "Miss."

Zhang Jingwei frowned slightly and said in a formal tone, "In that case, then have a good rest. If you need anything, just tell the servants to take care of it. They will take care of it."

Ningxiang ignored him, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, filled with sorrow and confusion. "Zhang Lang...why do you always avoid me? Since I came to the mansion, you've only come to see me a handful of times."

Zhang Jingwei sighed, his eyes glancing at Shanhu, who was pretending to be busy but actually perking up her ears, and his tone grew colder, "No, it's better not to see you. Ningxiang, I'm already a married man. We've long since broken off our relationship. Why are you so persistent, clinging to an old love?"

"I'm persistent?" Ningxiang was slightly agitated, her hands subconsciously protecting her lower abdomen. "I'm doing this for our child! Don't you even want to acknowledge your own flesh and blood?"

"That's your child!" Zhang Jingwei's voice suddenly became stern, and he stared at her with a sharp gaze. "Ningxiang, I don't care what your reasons are for staying in the Zhang family, but I'm warning you, if you continue to cling to me like this, don't blame me for not remembering our old friendship and using whatever means necessary to drive you out of the house!"

Ningxiang's face paled, but she forced herself to remain calm, even a hint of a sneer tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Zhang Lang is an official now, so naturally he's powerful. But aren't you afraid? Aren't you afraid that outsiders will say that you, County Magistrate Zhang, are a playboy and fickle, abandoning your old love after becoming rich, and even being cruel and heartless to a pregnant woman? I'm afraid these sarcastic remarks wouldn't be pleasant to hear, would they?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingwei sneered, "Sarcastic remarks? I, Zhang Jingwei, am a man of integrity! My wife, Huangfu Ling, and I have been childhood sweethearts. We are inseparable. Our love is deep, and everyone in Gaoyang County knows about it. Others can only envy and praise us, so how can you say such sarcastic remarks! But you, Ningxiang, are a prostitute, forcing yourself to abdicate by forcing your mother into the palace. If this gets out, who do you think people will believe? Who will they mock?"

"What about me?" Ningxiang's voice was tinged with tears as she looked at him in despair. "Do you really have no feelings for me at all? Are all those past events so insignificant in your eyes?"

Zhang Jingwei's eyes were complex, then turned cold and hard. "Our relationship ended the moment I drank that poisoned wine!" He took a step closer, lowering his voice. Every word carried an undeniable warning: "Don't be stubborn and stay put. If you dare to act rashly again, especially if my wife gets hurt because of you... I swear, you will die a miserable death."

Ningxiang was shocked by the rare fierceness in his eyes and subconsciously took a half step back. In the end, all her resentment and resentment turned into a response with suppressed hatred: "...Got it."

Zhang Jingwei no longer looked at her, and left with a wave of his sleeve, leaving Ningxiang standing there, her nails digging deep into her palms.

……

Gaoyang County Government Office

At noon, the atmosphere in the second hall of the Gaoyang County government office was a stark contrast to the intimate tension in the backyard. It was solemn and focused. Zhang Jingwei had gathered the county's core team—chief clerk Huang Liang, workshop manager Fang Yue, and several construction clerks—for a crucial meeting concerning the future of Gaoyang County's water conservancy.

Zhang Jingwei stood before a crude, makeshift map of Gaoyang County, pointing to several valleys. "...Therefore, building reservoirs is imperative. Not only must we build them, but we must also connect them into a network. Only then can we guarantee a stable harvest regardless of drought or flood, and completely resolve Gaoyang's water shortage."

Huang Liang twirled his beard and pondered, "Your Excellency's idea is indeed a prudent and wise approach to statecraft. Gaoyang County is situated on high ground, with sandy soil, and shallow wells dry up easily. Water shortages in the summer are a major problem for the people. While there are still adequate water sources in the surrounding villages, and porters often bring water into the city to sell for only a few cents a tank, this is ultimately not a long-term solution, and the water quality varies greatly. If a reservoir can be built to provide a stable water supply, then perhaps Gaoyang will one day be able to establish a 'Water Tax Office' like those large cities in Gyeonggi Province, specifically responsible for water supply, benefiting both the country and the people."

(Note: Ancient capitals and metropolitan areas often had officially managed wells or water supply systems. Residents had to pay a certain amount of "water tax" for water use. The management agency can be compared to the ancient "tap water company" or "water supply bureau.")

Zhang Jingwei nodded, his gaze fixed on Fang Yue, an expert in engineering calculations. "Fang Yue! The reservoir site selection is of paramount importance, crucial to the overall success. I'd like to hand this matter over to you." He took a carefully drawn blueprint from the desk and handed it to Fang Yue. "This is the 'Long Vines and Melons' water network layout. Based on this plan, you will personally lead a team to survey and select a site. I want Gaoyang County to be free from floods and droughts from now on!"

Fang Yue took the blueprint in both hands, unfolded it, and examined it carefully for a moment. An expression of shock and ecstasy instantly flooded his face. He looked up suddenly, his eyes full of admiration: "Brilliant! Sir, you are truly a genius! This water network layout, interconnected and interconnected, is truly a brilliant idea that I have never seen in my life!"

Zhang Jingwei smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Paper plans are lifeless, but people are alive. You are my 'Tongtian' representatives in governing Gaoyang. Come on, it all depends on you to help the people of Gaoyang achieve 'water freedom' as soon as possible!"

Fang Yue was extremely excited and immediately accepted the order: "I obey your command! After the meeting, we will immediately dispatch personnel to survey the terrain and hydrology of each township, and ensure that the most suitable sites for the construction of the main and branch reservoirs are selected! However..." He showed a hint of hesitation, "There is still one thing I don't understand, and I sincerely seek your guidance."

Zhang Jingwei seemed to have anticipated his question. "You mean to ask, even if the reservoir is built, Gaoyang City itself is located at a high altitude. How can we smoothly bring water to the thousands of households in the city? Relying solely on human-powered waterwheels or keel carts to raise water is inefficient and unsuitable for major use."

"Your Excellency is wise!" Fang Yue said hurriedly, "That's exactly what we're worried about! Without an efficient way to pump water, the reservoir water may have trouble reaching the surface and benefiting the entire city."

Zhang Jingwei waved his hand, a confident smile on his face: "Don't worry about this matter. I have ordered Liang Dahai to take the lead in trial-producing a new type of 'water pump'."

"Water pump?" Huang Liang and Fang Yue asked in unison, their faces filled with confusion. They had never heard of this term before.

"That's right," Zhang Jingwei explained. "Its principle doesn't rely on human or animal power, but rather on the immense momentum of the water flowing down from the reservoir dam base. Through a sophisticated mechanism, it pumps water from lower locations to tens of feet or even higher!"

Huang Liang was stunned and shook his head repeatedly. "How...how is this possible? It's natural for water to flow to lower places, how can it flow upstream on its own? Aside from keel water wheels and tipping carts, I've never heard of any equipment that can pump water so high without human or animal power! My Lord, this is simply too unbelievable..."

Zhang Jingwei laughed heartily, and with a certain air of superiority from a time traveler, he quipped, "So, Mr. Huang, the times are advancing. You need to read more 'new books' (referring to future knowledge). Once the sea creates them, you'll understand their mysteries."

Seeing Zhang Jingwei's confidence, Huang Liang, though still finding it hard to believe, felt a glimmer of hope. "If...if Liang Dahai can truly create such a magical object, it wouldn't just benefit the people of Gaoyang County. It would benefit the present and future generations, enough to benefit all the people of the Celestial Empire!"

When everyone in the hall heard this, they all showed anticipation.