Chapter 65: An Old Enemy

  The surging Yellow River water overflows everywhere, after the dike breaks, flooding good fields and villages. As the current slows down, furniture, pots, pans, vegetable leaves, as well as a black glazed jar float on the surface of the water. A gnashing sound comes from inside the jar, "Shu Mu Lu Zhi Yuan, have you had enough? I, Yu Cheng Long, dare to swear to heaven that I didn't embezzle one single copper coin for repairing the river dike... Yellow River... Yellow River bursting its banks... isn't..."

  "How dare you say it's not your fault? You may not have embezzled a single copper coin, but look at the disaster that has befallen us today. You are no different from corrupt officials who accept bribes. They only harm the people of one prefecture, but you... open your eyes and take a look, the entire province is being ravaged by you."

  Yu Chenglong was speechless, and Zhiyuan's words were all true and couldn't be refuted. Yu Chenglong was already very ashamed, and being said so by Zhiyuan, he would have been willing to die to apologize to the world if he had a treasure sword in his hand. Zhiyuan was pulled into the water by Yu Chenglong, but fortunately, Zhiyuan knew how to swim. Although he was hit by a wave and got dizzy, Zhiyuan remained calm and composed. Originally, he could have quickly reached the shore, but Yu Chenglong, who didn't know how to swim, grabbed onto Zhiyuan and refused to let go even if it meant death. A person who has fallen into the water will not let go as long as they have a glimmer of hope. Zhiyuan was wearing cumbersome official robes and had Yu Chenglong with him; it would be good enough if he could save his life. Later, a big jar floated over, and Zhiyuan and Yu Chenglong managed to climb onto it with great difficulty. The two of them, who were relatively safe, started arguing again, mainly with Zhiyuan scolding Yu Chenglong. The disaster in front of him made Yu Chenglong unable to catch his breath, and he couldn't argue back against Zhiyuan. He finally thought of some words to defend himself but was easily suppressed by Zhiyuan.

  Zhiyuan said that Yucheng Long was so angry that he almost hit his head against the water tank and died, and Yucheng Long couldn't understand it. Shumu Lu Zhiyuan came from a good family of the Eight Banners, and his eloquence surpassed many Han Chinese scholars. Yucheng Long's eyes were filled with tears. He was an honest official, and his heart was always with the people of the Qing Dynasty. He was loyal to Emperor Kangxi, but in Zhiyuan's words, Yucheng Long's reputation of over a decade was ruined in an instant. Yucheng Long was even more hateful than those corrupt officials who committed great evils.

  "Never mind, Zhiyuan, just don't say anything more, okay?"

  Zhiyuan took a look around and saw the endless river water, wondering when they would be able to float away. He felt hungry in his stomach, and scolding Chenglong had been exhausting, so it was better to save some energy. Zhiyuan coldly snorted: "Let's wait until we return to the capital and see His Majesty, then we'll have a good talk."

  Cheng Long let out a sigh of relief, Zhiyuan had finally stopped scolding him, it was truly too blissful. Suddenly, Zhiyuan said: "Don't slack off, use force to row east, move your arms, faster, faster."

  Yú Chénglóng was the General Governor of the River, but Zhì Yuǎn was just a minor official in the Ministry of Works. He dared to order Yú Chénglóng to paddle with an air of righteousness, and Yú Chénglóng was so shocked that he bit his tongue. Only then did he scold Yú Chénglóng, after all, it was he who had been at fault earlier. But... but... Zhì Yuǎn urged again: "Hurry up, let's go climb the tree."

  Cheng Long didn't understand Zhiyuan's intention, "Why climb a tree?"

  "How much longer can you hold on? If the water barrel drifts to the rapid current, don't expect me to have the strength to pull you out again. Besides, it's almost dark, and the water is too cold. With a numb body, how can I have the energy to paddle? Drifting in the water is certain death. My wife and children are waiting for me in the capital, I must not die here."

  "You can still float on the water, I won't stop you. Considering I just saved your life, take me to the tree and we'll settle our private matters. After returning to the capital, we'll only discuss official business. Of course, you have to be alive. Even if you die, I will tell the Emperor that you were wrong and they were right."

  Yu Chenglong was so angry that he couldn't speak, and Shu Mu Lu Zhiyuan, such a foolish person, wasn't even considered a fool. He could scold Yu Chenglong without saying a word, and could be considered a straightforward fool? Yu Chenglong summed up Shu Mu Lu Zhiyuan's life as an official with one sentence: Shu Mu Lu Zhiyuan was the most difficult person to figure out.

  Zhiyuan was in control of the direction of the water bucket, and by the way, it seemed like he was driving a donkey to grind grain, urging Chenglong to paddle faster. If Zhiyuan had a whip in his hand, it would be even more convincing. Zhiyuan floated under the tree with Chenglong, first assessing the sturdiness of the tree, then climbed up and sat on a branch. Chenglong in the water looked at Zhiyuan with wide eyes, wondering whether to follow him climbing the tree or continue to drift along with the current.

  Yu Chenglong made a quick decision, having an accomplice was better than being alone, although Zhiyuan could be infuriating at times. Yu Chenglong had grown dependent on Zhiyuan and believed that listening to him would keep him safe. What Yu Chenglong feared wasn't death itself, but rather dying and then still being scolded by Zhiyuan without having a chance to defend himself, even in the afterlife he wouldn't be at peace.

  Zhiyuan stretched out his arm and pulled Yu Chenglong up, who had already decided to climb the tree. Yu Chenglong took a deep breath, hugged the branch tightly, and after some struggling, Yu Chenglong was much older than Zhiyuan and consumed more physical strength. Yu Chenglong panted heavily, "Zhiyuan, this official will never forget your lifesaving kindness to this official."

  Zhiyuan ignored Chenglong, who had lost interest in him. Chenglong was furious with Zhiyuan and gritted his teeth. Just then, a cry for help came from not far away. Zhiyuan moved slightly but didn't open his eyes. Chenglong saw a man shouting for help on the water's surface: "Save me! Save me!"

  Yu Chenglong raised his hand to beckon the person who was calling for help, but his wrist was caught. Yu Chenglong turned his head to look at Zhiyuan and asked, "What are you doing? Didn't you hear someone crying for help?"

  "Your Honor, please allow me to remind you that this tree can only hold two people. I won't stop you from rescuing him, but if he comes up, you must go down. Please consider carefully before acting."

  "You...you...have no humanity." Yu Chenglong said angrily, "Watching him drown to death? Shu Mu Lu Zhiyuan Ben Guan was wrong about you."

  "Yu Daren, who was it that caused the Yellow River to burst its banks?" Zhiyuan leaned against the tree trunk, his words full of sarcasm. "If you had listened to what they said earlier, would there be such consequences today? Not knowing how to control the river, not willing to adopt the opinions of others, stubbornly denying everything, he didn't die from the lower officials' attempts to save him, but died in this flood."

  Yu Chenglong watched as the Yellow River swept away that man, Yu Chenglong lay on the tree, his arm covering his eyes, wailing and crying in pain. A hint of guilt flashed across Zhiyuan's eyes, "My wife once said, do things within one's power, don't put oneself in danger to save others."

  "Shu Mu Lu Zhi Yuan, have you read all the sacred books until they reached the belly of a dog? Listening to the words of a housewife, don't you feel ashamed?"

  "My wife's vision is better than yours, her archery skills are also better than yours. In the city of Huizhou, she shot and killed a pirate leader with one arrow, stabilizing the city and calming the people's hearts. She is my virtuous assistant, which one of these can you do?"

  Yu Chenglong felt wronged, is there such a comparison? Why doesn't Zhiyuan compare with anyone for being an official who is clean and honest? No, women follow the three obediences and four virtues, how can they be officials? Who is more loyal to the king and the country? Yu Chenglong's eyes were red, the water disaster in front of him was all caused by him, being loyal to the king and the country, bringing benefits to the people, at this time it is the biggest irony for Yu Chenglong.

  The sound of children crying, Yu Chenglong covered his ears and closed his eyes, not daring to look again. But the branches swayed, and with a splash, Yu Chenglong opened his eyes to see Zhiyuan swimming towards the child. Zhiyuan choked on several mouthfuls of water. Yu Chenglong looked at Zhiyuan's bobbing head, his voice hoarse: "Be careful, Zhiyuan... be careful..."

  Zhiyuan grabbed the child's hair and desperately pulled her back, when Zhiyuan climbed up the tree again, his face was pale with exhaustion, comforting the frightened four or five-year-old girl, "Don't be afraid...cough cough...it's okay..."

  Zhiyuan suddenly felt a blackout, he was both hungry and cold. "Uncle... thank you..." The little girl's lips were purple, Zhiyuan forced a smile, "You're lucky." This tree can withstand it, Yu Chenglong didn't know how to judge Shu Mulu Zhiyuan, saying he was kind? Not right, saying he was afraid of death? Also not right. When Yu Chenglong saw Zhiyuan closing his eyes, he hastily shouted: "Shu Mulu Zhiyuan, you're not allowed to close your eyes, get up...get up and scold me! Aren't you angry with this official? Open your eyes and scold me, Zhiyuan...Zhiyuan...hurry up and scold me."

  Yu Chenglong was afraid that Zhiyuan had died, but he didn't see the bitter smile on Zhiyuan's lips. Zhiyuan just closed his eyes to rest. Even if Yu Chenglong died, Zhiyuan wouldn't die. Zhiyuan was very hungry and thought of the meal arranged by his wife. He licked his lips and swallowed a mouthful of saliva. "Lord Yu, if you shout again, I'll kick you down."

  Yu Chenglong was so angry that he was played by Zhiyuan again, Yu Chenglong's fists clenched and loosened, loosened and clenched again. It was not that the official couldn't argue with him, but rather the official didn't bother to reason with him, losing face in front of his comrades.

  The night passed just like that, and the warm sunshine rose at dawn, reflecting the bright red on the surface of the river. After a night of hunger and cold, Zhiyuan handed the little girl in his arms to Yu Chenglong to take care of. He moved his body slightly, and suddenly the branch where Zhiyuan was standing broke off, and Zhiyuan fell into the water again. Yu Chenglong shouted: "Someone's coming! Someone's coming!"

  Will Zhiyuan sink into the water and die like this? Huiya, Shuxuan, Shuyi, Shuya... Zhiyuan's eyes blurred, but suddenly the whip behind his head was lifted, and he struggled to climb up, barely maintaining a thread of consciousness. A crisp female voice came: "Sir, sir."

  Zhiyuan saw a 15 or 16-year-old girl with a clear and beautiful face at the gap, Zhiyuan's body was still shaking on the water, it was a small boat, he was rescued. Zhiyuan opened his mouth: "There are still people in the tree, save them...save them..."

  The girl knelt beside Zhiyuan, took out a water bottle and gave it to him to drink. The girl looked at Zhiyuan with a smile that was slightly shy. Zhiyuan seemed to have forgotten that they had met before when he was inspecting the riverbank. The girl stood up and rowed the boat, which swayed back and forth as it headed towards the trees. They picked up Yu Chenglong and Xia Guiniang, and only then did the boat slowly head towards the shore. Yu Chenglong looked at the girl rowing the boat, then at Zhiyuan, thinking to himself: "A debt of peach blossoms, a favor from a beauty, can Shu Mulu Zhiyuan still be content with just one wife and no concubines?"

  Zhiyuan had only one legitimate wife and no concubines, which was rare in the Qing dynasty's officialdom. Chenglong was an honest official, but apart from his wife, he also had a concubine. He couldn't afford to raise another one, unlike Zhiyuan who came from a noble family with a lot of wealth. As a third-rank official, it was unusual for him not to have any concubines or visit brothels. Now that he had met the fisherman's daughter who owed him her life, would Zhiyuan take her as his concubine to repay her kindness? Chenglong didn't think of helping Zhiyuan out this time.

  "Miss, what's your surname? Are your parents well?"

  "Speaking of which, sir, my surname is Yu, and I lost both parents at a young age. I've been living with my older brother."

  Yu Chenglong stroked his beard and made a decision that would make him regret for the rest of his life, "Miss Yu has saved my life, I'll take you as my adopted daughter, how about it?"

  "Thank you, sir."

  The majestic Gual Jia, the miserable Yu Chenglong, the marriage defense war has begun. There will be an update around 3 pm, seeking pink, all kinds of seeking.