Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 753 - 751

Chapter 753: 751

The day after the Mid-Autumn festival, Shangguan Xuanyi, together with Xiao’er and Di Shaowei, visited the Qianjiang seawall.

Due to frequent tidal waves, many seawalls built throughout history have collapsed and need to be repaired each year with great effort.

The seawall they currently saw had just been repaired and reinforced in preparation for the annual naval inspection and the yearly tidal wave.

"This seawall may look strong, but it requires major repairs yearly and minor repairs monthly!" Di Shaowei joked.

"Given the size of the waves here, it’s inevitable that the seawalls are not built robustly enough," Xiao’er commented as she looked around.

"Girl, do you have any way to build a permanent seawall?" Di Shaowei asked frankly.

"Even if I don’t, I must find a way! As for how to build it, I’ll leave it to my husband." Xiao’er had seen similar seawalls in her previous life, but there were many differences between the terrain then and now, so it couldn’t be copied directly.

Shangguan Xuanyi had been researching this recently. Xiao’er’s personal space contained a universal library, with books of every sort. His plan for this trip was to investigate on-site and devise a long-term solution.

Maintaining the seawall with countless small repairs and one major repair each year is not sustainable. It’s pretty annoying, and often causes a lot of economic damage.

In the past, there wasn’t enough silver for repairs. In recent years, all the silver was used elsewhere. Finally, this year, the national treasury is able to allocate funds for the major reconstruction of three seawalls in Hang County.

The area around Hang County is the most prosperous economic region in the country, and can be considered the government’s granary. Building seawalls here is crucial for defending this prosperous region.

This will be one of the most significant expenditures for the country in the next five to eight years.

Shangguan Xuanyi was just here for an initial inspection. The Ministry of Works, local officials, and other skilled craftsmen have comprehensive on-site investigations and are preparing to work out a feasible plan.

Whenever he has free time, Shangguan Xuanyi studies related materials, asking Xiao’er about anything he doesn’t understand. He hopes to use the advanced knowledge from the future to construct a seawall characteristic of this era.

"Him? Can he handle it? We mustn’t waste the national treasury’s silver! I contribute quite a bit to it every year. If it’s wasted, don’t blame me for evading taxes next year!" Di Shaowei jokingly questioned Shangguan Xuanyi with dubious eyes.

No man wants to hear others question his ability.

Shangguan Xuanyi cast a threatening glance at him: "I will have the Ministry of Revenue specifically check your taxes! If you even fall short by one coin in any year, you’ll have to pay for the entire seawall construction!"

How dare he question her man’s capability! As a couple, they naturally had to present a united front. Xiao’er feigned concern for Di Shaowei: "Actually, Brother Di doesn’t need to pay for the whole thing. You just need to pay for this part of the seawall; for the other two parts, let the imperial court cover it. This way, your burden isn’t too heavy."

From Xiao’er’s memories of her previous life, a similar seawall was built under a historic emperor. Three large seawalls cost the national treasury an astonishing amount, with one alone costing over one million taels, and even the cheapest one costing over eight hundred thousand taels. It was truly an extravagant expense!

It’s estimated that the cost of building the seawall this time will definitely be in the hundreds of thousands of taels.

After hearing Xiao’er’s words, Di Shaowei looked at her aggrievedly: "Sure enough, a woman’s allegiance is to her husband. Xiao’er, have you forgotten about your big brother now that you have a husband?"

"Since you’re not grateful, then just pay for all of it!"

Upon hearing this, Di Shaowei immediately begged for mercy, "Brother, spare me! I misspoke earlier! Xiao’er isn’t biased, and you are definitely capable! Aside from you, there isn’t a second person who can build this seawall! Please don’t make me fund the seawall!"

There will certainly be some discrepancy in the tax calculated down to a single coin!

Tax assessors usually use a rounding method to make it easier to account for a string of coins. After all, these wealthy businessmen will not haggle over a few coins, and it may not always result in them paying extra.

If he were to bear the costs of constructing the seawall on his own? Di Shaowei reckoned that it would render him destitute!

"So worried? Have you really been evading taxes?" Shangguan Xuanyi’s voice deliberately carried a hint of danger.

Di Shaowei rolled his eyes: "Brother, even if I had the nerve, I wouldn’t dare! There’s an unwritten rule in the imperial court’s tax collection. The small change, anything less than four coins, is waived from the payment, while over five coins is rounded up to a full string. I couldn’t possibly be so unlucky as to pay extra every year, right?"

Shangguan Xuanyi gave him a warning look: "You’d best not be."

In the past, the national treasury was always empty, and any kind of tax evasion was met with the utmost disapproval. If Di Shaowei were evading taxes, even he would not be able to save him!

Those in high positions enjoy many privileges, but they must also tread carefully. Any misstep can lead to their downfall. Understanding this is the best way to maintain their wealth and prosperity.

The title of Marquis Zhongyong was hereditary and unchangeable. Even if their descendants were incompetent, as long as they did not make any mistakes, they would continue to enjoy wealth and honour as long as the imperial court existed!

The Di family understood these principles well, which is why they were stringent in their self-discipline.

After assessing the condition of the seawall, Shangguan Xuanyi took them to the tide-watching tower. Soon, a rumbling sound resounded in their ears. The surface of the river was still tranquil, but with each passing moment, the sound grew louder. Then, they saw a white line appearing on the horizon, where the sky met the water. The waves pushed against each other, expanding, thickening, and rising, spanning across the river. Then a towering wall of water formed, like a massive army charging forward, rushing towards the coastline with unstoppable force. The force being so enormous, it created huge sprays of water when it hit the seawall, drowning out the cheers and screams.

The sound of the waves was like a loud gong, magnificent in its momentum, as if the earth itself was shaking.

The villagers observing the tide from the seawall were frightened by the astonishing waves and started running back screaming...

When the tide receded, the river returned to its usual calm state.

Di Shaowei’s daughter Xiaoxiao was also excited, waving her arms and legs about.

"Xiaoxiao, isn’t it fascinating?" Di Shaowei asked his daughter with a smile.

Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement.

Xiao’er watched the distant sea and frowned: "Two people were swept away by the tide!"

Shangguan Xuanyi also noticed. The two of them held hands and rapidly rushed towards the sea using their Qinggong.

The occurrence of tidal waves was predictable. They didn’t happen at every moment. After the tide receded, experienced villagers would leave, and those without experience would also leave after hearing from those departing that no tide was expected for the time being.

At this moment, a woman on the shore was yelling: "Kang’er! Yu’er! Where are you? Kang’er! Yu’er!"