Chapter 344: Borrowing Great Merit

"Three times a year the river collapses, white mist fills the eyes."

"People like sandbank birds, drifting, with no fixed home."

The envoy stood on the shore, reciting softly.

Below the dike, the Yellow River crashed against the bank, spraying like rain; the froth flung onto his fluttering robes left several dark stains.

The envoy paid no mind to the stains; he walked along the shore, accompanied by dozens of officials and clerks.

"When I arrived, I read Qiu Qiu Xianzhi's 'Outline of Waterways,' which states: 'The land here is low and winding, battered daily by gales and massive waves. Not only do the residents live in dread, but they constantly vie for territory with the Water Mother and the Sea Spirits.' Today's observations confirm his words were no exaggeration."

Xu Xu Yue said: "Whenever the tide shifts course, the lands it floods suffer catastrophic floods—people displaced, farmland destroyed, the earth laid waste. This is the norm along the lower and middle reaches of the Two Rivers; life here is naturally hard."

"Sir, the dike stairs."

A minor clerk ran out to guide them; the envoy nodded slightly and ascended the stairs onto the dike.

The rebuilt Qiu Gong Dike was still unfinished; martial artists moved stones and materials, while craftsmen assisted in constructing the embankment.

On the wide river, supply boats shuttled back and forth, transporting materials and tools—a scene of bustling activity.

The envoy watched for a moment, then pointed to one man: "Why is that man wearing shackles? Is he serving labor?"

Xu Xu Yue looked and understood: "No, sir. You may not know—he's Lu Lu Xinqing, formerly a river bandit leader. He should have been imprisoned and executed, but he accidentally aided us with two minor achievements. With laborers in short supply, we assigned him to reform through labor, to observe his future conduct."

"Reform through labor?"

"It means labor and reformation. The idea came from Liang Qu—he even drew up a separate daily schedule for that bandit."

"The schedule mandates rising at cockcrow, fifteen minutes for washing and grooming, fifteen minutes for breakfast, then loudly reciting the Great Shun Code for thirty minutes, followed by participation in construction work."

"After removing meal breaks at noon and night, there's a thirty-minute rest period in between. He returns to camp at 10:45 p. m., washes up, then writes a five-hundred-character reflection—only then may he sleep at midnight…"

Below the dike, Lu Lu Xinqing, bare-chested, hammered stones. Days of labor had darkened his skin, glistening with a sheen of oil.

Setting down the roughly shaped stone, Lu Lu Xinqing caught a glimpse of several people on the dike pointing at him. He immediately bowed low, offering a submissive smile—his cracked lips bled.

The envoy pointed down and laughed: "Reciting laws isn't unusual, but writing daily reflections? That's amusing. Who reads them? Liang Qu?"

That kid is lazy. He claims he'll do spot checks, but I've never seen him inspect a single one—he's handed them all off to his river clerks.

"He demands no typos, sincere wording, substance, no repetition—otherwise they're sent back for rewriting until they meet the standard before he's allowed to rest."

"What happens if he can't finish one night?"

"He works at cockcrow the next day, then writes that night—and must make up yesterday's quota too."

The envoy burst into laughter.

Many officials hearing this for the first time found it amusing, asking for more details, growing more entertained the more they heard.

Laughter spread across the dike; Lu Lu Xinqing, confused, just kept grinning and nodding.

The overseer scowled: "What's so funny? Don't slack off—you're not off duty yet!"

Lu Lu Xinqing's chest tightened; helplessly, he swung his hammer and struck stone.

The envoy continued his inspection, asking simple questions about when the Qiu Gong Dike would be completed, how supplies were being delivered, whether banners were properly placed—then the several men sent earlier to survey the riverbed returned with reports.

"Sir, the Heishui Riverbed has indeed deepened; the long straight stretch ahead has widened and sunk over a zhang!"

"The same at Dasha Kou!"

Riverbed lowering always leaves traces; comparing before and after made falsification impossible. The men reported distances and depths one after another, while clerks beside them scribbled furiously with wolf-hair brushes.

The envoy did not doubt.

There were many cases of fabricated auspicious signs, but never had he heard of riverbed deepening being faked as one—especially on such a massive scale.

It was too outrageous to be fake.

After inspecting the Qiu Gong Dike, the envoy descended and turned to seek Wei Lin to investigate conditions in Huazhu County.

Just then, from the trees below the dike, an arrow shot skyward, leaving a faint red trail in the clear sky, followed by a thunderclap.

The accompanying officials startled, faces tense, fearing something had happened.

Xu Xu Yue, seeing their expressions, guessed who was responsible and quickly reassured: "Don't worry—it's just some childish play, nothing serious!"

The envoy nodded: "I've seen this before—it's the Yuanmu Bow. On our journey here, Ko Wenbin, Lu Kaiyun, and others often took bows into the hills to hunt; their long trails always glowed faintly red."

As he spoke, more crimson arrow trails marked the sky.

Xu Xu Yue looked embarrassed: "Forgive me, sir."

"No matter. It's good for the young to have energy. Ha!"

The other officials, learning the cause, gradually relaxed.

The envoy's delegation, unfazed, went to fetch their horses, preparing to inspect Huazhu County, Jiangling County, and Haiyan County.

That evening.

Liang Qu found the registrar Li Li Shoufu and handed him five taels of silver.

"Help me compile a list of all treasure plants currently exchangeable for two to four major merits, with similar or contrasting properties—prioritize aquatic ones."

"Then compile another list of treasure plants related to contemplation, spirit retention, stilling the mind, and calming the qi—range from one to four major merits."

With the Yuanqiao Dandan now in hand, Liang Qu naturally intended to exchange all his major merits for opening the Yang Yang Qiao and the Central Palace.

Once he reached the extreme realm, he'd prepare for breaking through the Wolf Smoke.

As for why he needed treasure plants for contemplation, spirit retention, stilling the mind, and calming the qi—

Liang Qu felt his breakthrough in the "Wan Sheng Bao Yuan" was imminent.

The technique his master passed down, besides being stable and unlikely to cause qi deviation, allowed autonomous cultivation and extended lifespan—but its offensive power was weak, though not nonexistent.

The first two stages—calming the spirit and internal observation—were all supportive abilities. But at the third stage, spirit retention, it would unlock a nearly side-effect-free explosive technique.

Li Li Shoufu took the silver, noticing Liang Qu's trembling arm, his eyes filled with doubt: "Lord Liang, your arm…"

"It's nothing—just from drawing the bow."

Liang Qu swung his arm; it ached terribly.

All afternoon, he and Xiang Fang Su and the others got carried away, emptying over a dozen quivers at a low mountain, even collapsing a corner of the peak, causing minor landslides.

Li Li Shoufu instantly realized who had fired those arrows that day.

That day, martial artists at Daliu Camp buzzed with rumors: who was this archery master, firing arrows so terrifying?

Some guessed Liang Qu—he'd shown archery skills during the Ghost Mother Cult purge.

But few agreed; the power gap was too vast. Some claimed that single arrow could have split a high-level martial artist on horseback in two.

Yet it was true.

Li Li Shoufu hadn't counted precisely, but there were surely over a hundred arrows—each leaving long trails like thunder. By evening, the sky was already stained with a reddish haze.

"Help me organize it—quickly."

"Lord Liang, rest assured—I'll have it ready for you tomorrow morning."

The next day.

Li Li Shoufu delivered the compiled list.

Liang Qu carefully reviewed it.

【Jade Fluid Ointment】

【Exchange Requirement: One Major Merit】

…

【Golden Steel Water Gourd】

【Exchange Requirement: Two Major Merits】

…

【Dew Insect】

【Exchange Requirement: Two Major Merits】

…

【Withered Wind Water Lily】

【Exchange Requirement: Three Major Merits】

Li Li Shoufu, seeing Liang Qu lost in thought, said: "Lord Liang, based on your requirements, I think you might consider exchanging for the Dew Insect and Withered Wind Water Lily."

As registrar, Li Li Shoufu roughly knew how many major merits Liang Qu had. He'd taken five taels—he didn't mind offering a small favor.

Liang Qu followed his suggestion and looked.

【Dew Insect】

【A miraculous insect born in morning dew. Consuming it clears the essence, spirit, and vitality, brings inner peace, aids in breakthroughs, enhances blood and qi—extremely rare.】

【Exchange Requirement: Two Major Merits】

【Withered Wind Water Lily】

【An aquatic plant growing in northern deserts, resembling pale-gold water lilies with slender stamens. It mimics a dead plant under sunlight, but each full moon triggers localized rainfall, granting rain-summoning properties. Consuming it moistens tendons, replenishes bones, enhances blood and qi, and serves as a healing remedy.】

【Exchange Requirement: Three Major Merits】

Liang Qu saw the combination was excellent—Li Li Shoufu had put thought into it—but he shook his head.

"I don't have five major merits. My master took one, and yesterday I exchanged one for martial arts—I only have four now. But the Dew Insect and Withered Wind Water Lily together require five."

Li Li Shoufu froze, surprised.

He thought a moment, then his eyes lit up.

"Lord Liang, since you're acquainted with Lord Xu and have received the Emperor's verbal decree, why not try requesting an advance on your major merits?"

"Official performance evaluations run from January to December. This year, less than two months remain."

"Given your current achievements, earning an extra major merit in your evaluation won't be hard—perhaps you can secure it in advance?"

Liang Qu raised an eyebrow.

He knew there was an annual year-end evaluation.

The Ministry of Personnel of the Great Shun will rank the top officials in each region based on performance, granting extra rewards; those who perform exceptionally well will be credited with major merit.

Especially since this ranking is within the same official grade—Liang Qu's rivals are not the Water Transport Commissioner or the Grand Commandant, but other Water Affairs Clerks.

In the Huaiyin Prefecture River Office, Liang Qu did not believe any other Water Affairs Clerk could match him.

This year's top rank is a sure thing.

As for whether it's outstanding or not.

Excuse me.

The Holy Emperor himself, with his imperial word, has personally certified it.