Chapter 348: First Volume, Chapter 348: Responding to All Changes with Unchanging Stillness

First Volume, Chapter 348: Responding to All Changes with Unchanging Stillness

According to Jing Qianying's knowledge, the reason Changping County looked this way was due to severe drought.

If there had been water, how could the local people have become refugees starving for survival?

Finding water? How difficult it is!

Qin Feng, however, was full of confidence; he pointed to the barren grass nearby: "In a great drought, no grass grows—soil holds not a drop of moisture, not even the most resilient wild grass can survive, proving the severity of the drought. But look: the wild grass in Changping County has not gone extinct, meaning the soil still retains some moisture."

"Yet judging from the scattered distribution and growth of the weeds, although there is moisture nearby, it is extremely scarce—the weeds themselves struggle to survive, making it nearly impossible to grow grain, and even if grown, yields would plummet drastically."

"Wild grass can only serve as a reference. To pinpoint the exact location of water sources, you must judge by terrain—many methods exist, such as the 'Back-crest Method' in mountainous regions, and assessments of sand dunes and rock strata."

Hearing Qin Feng's words, Jing Qianying's eyes involuntarily revealed a trace of admiration.

Perhaps in martial arts, Jing Qianying could easily overpower Qin Feng.

But outside of martial arts, in every other aspect, Qin Feng's knowledge crushed hers—leaving Jing Qianying both impressed and ashamed.

Qin Feng, hands behind his back, walked with the pace of a senior official on inspection, strolling near the county city.

Soon, a gently sloping depression caught Qin Feng's attention.

This depression did not hold water and was not large—its diameter was only about seven or eight meters—but dozens of weeds grew on this very patch.

Qin Feng immediately had Xiao Xiangxiang mark the precise location of this depression on paper.

Then he continued his patrol, marking the exact positions of every depression, every area where wild grass grew relatively lush, and every zone where rock layers were exposed and extremely fragmented.

After a day's effort, Qin Feng marked over fifty locations in this area alone—and this was merely near the county city; the total number of potential water-retaining sites across Changping County was likely countless, far beyond what Qin Feng could cover alone.

Returning to the caravan, night had already fallen.

Qin Feng climbed into his carriage and rested.

Meanwhile, the Changping County Yamen was bustling with activity.

All officials, led by the County Magistrate, were present; several middle-aged men in brocade robes stood among them.

Seeing the city gate guards return, County Magistrate Liu Leng rose immediately to demand: "What's the news? What has Qin Feng done?"

The guard bowed: "Report, sir: Qin Feng took his female attendants on a long circuit outside the city, then rested—did nothing at all."

At these words, the yamen fell silent for a moment, then erupted into heated debate.

The County Assistant Magistrate frowned: "Qin Feng is always cunning—he's infamous in Jingdu. Now that he's come to Changping County, he must have a grand scheme. Yet he's camped outside the city gate with no intention of entering—likely using 'Responding to All Changes with Unchanging Stillness,' waiting for us to come out and greet him."

The County Commandant's expression was grave: "It's said Qin Feng previously cracked down on people's livelihood in Pingyao County, killing many local strongmen—he's no good man. Perhaps… we should go out and greet him with proper courtesy."

Liu Leng rubbed his forehead, deeply troubled—he had no desire to offend Qin Feng, given Qin Feng's iron-fisted reputation had spread across all counties.

Liu Leng had nearly decided to go out and greet him, but then he saw the middle-aged man across from him, and his neck instinctively shrank back.

The middle-aged man opposite, with a goatee, gently stroked his beard with two fingers; his narrow, elongated eyes glowed with boundless wisdom.

As if he had read Liu Leng's thoughts, he smiled faintly: "Magistrate Liu, I'll ask you one thing: are you afraid of Qin Feng—or of the Lin Family?"

Hearing "Lin Family," Liu Leng's heart jolted; his back chilled instantly. He forced a smile: "Lin Xiansheng, how can you say that? Every official in Changping County has always looked to the Lin Family as our guide—it's not fear, but loyalty."

Lin Xiansheng was satisfied with this answer: "Then why are you hesitating?"

"As long as I am here, you need not fear Qin Feng Xiao'er's tricks."

"When soldiers come, send generals to meet them; when water rises, pile on earth to block it!"

Lin Xiansheng's words were inspiring—but Liu Leng felt even more anxious inside.

The Lin Family's power was unquestioned; no one in Shedynasty didn't know it.

But the Qin Family was no easy target either—especially Qin Feng, who single-handedly supported Beixi County's defense, locked in a stalemate for years with the Northern Di general Chen Si.

His Tianji Camp Guards were exceptionally formidable, terrifying to behold.

Most crucially, Qin Feng's political influence before the Liang Emperor.

Liu Leng, a mere County Magistrate, caught between the Qin and Lin families—if he could remain calm, that would be a miracle!

Liu Leng couldn't help groaning inwardly: What sin had he committed to be targeted by both families at once?

Lin Xiansheng ignored Liu Leng, hands behind his back, walking to the County Yamen's door, gazing at the clear night sky with stars bright overhead; a deep smile curled on his lips: "Carry out my order: the Five Hundred Axe-and-Saber Soldiers hidden within the city, remain ready—once Qin Feng enters the city gate, cut him down without mercy!"

"The Lin Family Manager said: deal with this man swiftly and cleanly—cut the tangled mess with a sharp blade."

The attendant replied solemnly: "If so, why not just charge out the city gate?"

Lin Xiansheng narrowed his eyes: "Have you not heard of what happened in Pingyao County? Qin Feng Xiao'er is always cautious—no one can be sure he hasn't stationed Tianji Camp Guards as hidden bodyguards. And his companion, Jing Qianying, wields Sword Art beyond mortal mastery. If we strike rashly, we may fail to stop him from escaping."

"Only by luring him in and closing the door to beat the dog is it safe."

"Rest assured: since Qin Feng came, he won't leave! I refuse to believe he can fix Changping County's drought without even meeting the County Magistrate—he's no god descended from heaven!"

The next day, Qin Feng didn't emerge from his carriage until the sun was high.

He saw Li Xu swinging his spiked club with fierce momentum; with one powerful swing, a stone three feet in diameter shattered into two pieces.

The sheer power made Qin Feng's scalp tingle.

If that struck a skull, wouldn't brains fly everywhere?

Seeing Qin Feng finally appear, Li Xu slung his club over his shoulder, raised an eyebrow, and teased: "The Sage sent you to Changping County to manage the disaster, yet you're enjoying yourself—flanked by two women, sleeping until noon. Are you a corrupt official or a clean one? I just don't get it."

Qin Feng scratched his butt, unconcerned: "Corruption and being clean don't conflict. I spend my own money, and I'm not harming anyone—why not?"

"Managing the disaster and camping here, experiencing outdoor life—no conflict there either."

"Most importantly, I'm not an official!"