Reborn, meet you again!

Chapter 261 Opportunity

Jun Jiuchen looked at the expression on Jiang Wanzhou's face and thought that what Song Wan had said about the Jiang family's elder brother being very strict was absolutely true.

I don’t know how Jiang Zheng could trust him to hand over the business to him when he was like this.

But this character...does seem like someone who can get things done.

Although this person was recommended by Song Wan, whether to use him or not still depends on his real ability...

Thinking of this, Jun Jiuchen sat back in his chair.

"In that case, I will listen to it."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wanzhou hurriedly turned back to the room and carefully took out a roll of drawings and an exquisite wooden model from the box at the bottom.

He reached out and lovingly wiped off the non-existent dust on it, then went back to the main hall and respectfully presented it to Jun Jiuchen.

"Your Highness, please look at this. This is a flood control map I personally drew based on the topography and water flow of Jiangnan, as well as a model built according to the map."

"I believe the frequent floods in Jiangnan are due to the low terrain and dense network of rivers. While boats are convenient, once a river bursts its banks, floodwaters overflow, turning low-lying areas into swamps. Furthermore, Jiangnan has numerous interconnected rivers, so once a river overflows, it easily silts up and blocks the flow of water in surrounding areas."

"So if we want to control floods, we must first solve these two problems. Based on this, I came up with the method of 'diverting flow and storing floodwaters'."

"Diversion is the process of diverting water by digging channels according to the terrain of the mountains and rivers, diverting part of the floodwaters into low-lying areas or side channels to relieve the pressure on the main river channel. In this way, the flood force can be slowed down and the danger downstream can be alleviated."

"Flood storage involves choosing low-lying areas, building dams and weirs, and temporarily storing floodwaters. Once the water level stabilizes, the water is slowly released. Furthermore, the areas where floodwaters are stored can also become lakes and swamps during droughts, irrigating farmland. This achieves multiple goals at once."

Upon hearing this, Jun Jiuchen took the drawing and scanned it carefully.

Although he was not well versed in water control, the drawing presented by Jiang Wanzhou was clear and well-marked, and was obviously much more detailed than the drawing submitted to the Ministry of Works by Jiangnan officials.

And he had heard Song Wan mention that every river on this map was visited and surveyed by him personally, so it took him nearly two years to draw this map.

As for the wooden model, it was made with incredible precision, showing the rivers, dams, and fields one by one, and even simulating the direction of water flow.

This can no longer be described simply as care.

The method of diverting and storing flood water that he mentioned sounds quite reasonable.

However... if it's just these, it's far from enough.

Thinking of this, Jun Jiuchen withdrew his gaze from the drawing.

"This blueprint is indeed very detailed, but Master Jiang, have you ever considered how much manpower and resources would be required to implement it? Or is it just empty talk?"

Jiang Wanzhou just continued to answer one by one with shining eyes.

"Your Highness, these drawings and models are not just theoretical ideas, but are the result of numerous field visits and tests conducted by me."

"I even used my own money to build a small river channel and dam near one of the Jiang family's medicine shops, and installed a sluice gate. For the past three years, there has been no flooding in the area around the medicine shop."

It was precisely because he had tried it and it worked that he dared to go to the government office to offer his suggestions, hoping that they would at least go over and take a look.

But...it's all in vain.

Jiang Wanzhou tried to suppress the sadness in his heart and looked at Jun Jiuchen with great determination.

"As for human and material resources, if we can use three years' worth of resources to solve a century's problem, why not do it?"

Jun Jiuchen couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he heard these bold words.

I have already tested it myself...

He even mentioned such a specific number as "three years' funds" at the first moment, which meant he must have calculated it in his mind many times.

It is indeed a bit surprising.

"It seems that Master Jiang is very confident in his method of flood control."

"In that case, I will take this blueprint back to the Ministry of Works to discuss it first to see if there are any obvious omissions. I just wonder if Mr. Jiang would dare to discuss it with them in person if there are any disagreements?"

Jiang Wanzhou said in a resounding voice after hearing this.

"nature."

Upon hearing this, Jun Jiuchen couldn't help but show a trace of genuine approval in his eyes.

"it is good."

"Then if I say that, Young Master Jiang, if you can silence them, then I ask His Majesty to order you to take the lead and lead several officials from the Ministry of Works south. First, select two counties and implement this 'diversion and flood storage' method according to your ideas to see the results. Are you willing?"

Jiang Wanzhou's eyes moved slightly when he heard Jun Jiuchen's words.

But the beatings and contemptuous and mocking looks he received were already engraved in his heart.

Although he had absolute confidence in his own ideas, he still dared to argue with them.

Even if the regent was willing to trust him and adopt his approach, what about the officials below? Would they willingly listen to the orders of a merchant's son?

He has no confidence.

He felt that if he got involved, it would probably backfire.

Thinking of this, the light in Jiang Wanzhou's eyes gradually faded.

"Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness. It is my great honor that Your Highness can listen to what I have to say today."

"The court has already granted me, the Jiang family's children, the right to enter the government. Now I just want to study hard and prepare for the imperial examinations. If there is an opportunity in the future, it will not be too late to serve the prince."

Upon hearing this, Jun Jiuchen only raised his eyebrows and chuckled.

"Scientific examination? I didn't expect that Master Jiang, despite his young age, is so pedantic."

"On the road to the imperial examination, only one in ten thousand is chosen. Young Master Jiang hasn't even achieved the title of Tongsheng or Xiucai yet. Have you ever thought about how many years it would take to pass the examination?"

"And this flood control matter is imminent. Only you know best how to adapt to local conditions, and you have practical examples. Young Master Jiang, aren't you afraid that if I hand this matter over to someone else, not only will they fail to make good use of it, but they will also bring disaster to the people?"

Jun Jiuchen paused, looked at Jiang Wanzhou's slightly changed expression, and continued.

"Besides, everyone has their own specialties. Young Master Jiang once devoted himself to studying water control, and later helped run the family business. You should know how much he has contributed to the Four Books and Five Classics without me telling you."

"Young Master Jiang insists on walking on that single-plank bridge amidst the thousands of soldiers and horses. Is it because he doesn't want to take this shortcut, or is it because of past experiences that he's cowardly?"

"Mr. Jiang, don't forget that your Jiang family spent over a million taels of silver to obtain this opportunity to change their family's background. Now the opportunity is before you. If you give up, Mr. Jiang, will you regret it later?"

"I know what you're worried about, but don't worry. This time when I go to Jiangnan, I won't give you an official position first. I'll only give you an imperial edict."

"If you succeed, I will allow you to join the Ministry of Works. If you fail, all responsibilities will be borne by you. So, Mr. Jiang, do you dare to give it a try?"

When Jiang Wanzhou heard this, emotions surged in his eyes.

He admitted that although what the Regent said was unpleasant, it made a lot of sense.

But what happened today was too sudden for him, and he didn't know what to do for a moment.

I was also afraid that if something really happened, it would implicate my younger sister, father, and mother.

But at this moment, Liu suddenly stood up and walked to his side.

"Zhou'er, no matter what decision you make, mother will support you."

"We are a family and should share weal and woe."

Seeing this, Jiang Zheng also hurriedly followed Liu and stood up, walked to his son's side, and patted him on the shoulder.

"That's right, Zhou'er. Your sister must have trusted you, which is why she recommended you to the Regent. As her brother, you must not show your weakness at this moment!"

"Father believes you have this ability."

Jiang Wanzhou looked at his father and mother beside him, his heart deeply moved, and the light in his eyes gradually gathered.

After a moment, he bowed to Jun Jiuchen.

"The grassroots are willing!"