Episode 10 recap: Ding Bao Zhen risked his life and took the dangerous task of managing grain and providing disaster relief.
Empress Dowager Cixi received a report from Prince Gong and asked for its meaning. Prince Gong initially intended to use the treasury's silver to renovate the palace, but now with a large number of refugees in Jinan, he feared that the palace renovation would have to be postponed. Empress Dowager Cixi presented a memorial from Wang Tingyi, stating that it would be better to allocate funds annually to repair the Yellow River rather than renovating the palace. Empress Dowager Cixi knew that if the Yellow River was not properly managed, she would be criticized. Prince Gong stated that if the management was unsuccessful, Ding Bao Zhen would be held responsible for the consequences, but if it succeeded, it would be seen as the court's concern for the people.
Empress Dowager Cixi agreed to Prince Gong's proposal and allocated silver from the treasury. Ding Bao Zhen arrived at the embankment and stated that the water behind him had caused his family to be scattered. He vowed not to move until the floodwaters receded. Upon hearing this, the people started working. However, as the funds and provisions had not arrived yet, Qiao Song Nian expressed concerns about starting the work at this time. Jian Hou informed Ding Bao Zhen that in the past, the procurement of materials for the embankment was delegated to others, but Ding Bao Zhen proposed to oversee it himself. Jian Hou mentioned that Fan Yi used to be in charge of these matters, and since Ding Bao Zhen had a connection with Fan Yi, he trusted him and agreed to let Fan Yi take charge.
Ding Bao Zhen came to find the foreman, Li Afu, who explained that the choice of this location for the foundation was due to its advantageous terrain and labor-saving benefits. Ding Bao Zhen praised his approach, but Li Afu thought that Ding Bao Zhen was just putting on airs. The relief funds from the capital had arrived, but the relief grain was under the responsibility of Zhili Province, and it might take a long time to arrive.
With the delayed arrival of grain, there was a risk of project delays. Ding Bao Zhen called Qi Song Ru to go with him to meet a foreman whose methods he always admired. Qi Song Ru recognized Li Afu, and Ding Bao Zhen said that he had come this time because he valued the knowledge in Li Afu's mind. Li Afu then explained in detail how to make changes that could save half of the working hours. Ding Bao Zhen was extremely grateful and did not want past mistakes to be repeated. He requested Li Afu to be the supervisor.
Li Afu informed Ding Bao Zhen about his suspicions. He said that the previous breach of the embankment was not a natural disaster but appeared to be man-made. He heard that Luo Zi Cong had committed suicide, but before that, he had gone mad and cursed Jia Rang. There was also a close relationship between Luo Zi Cong and Fan Yi. Without evidence, Ding Bao Zhen couldn't determine who was right or wrong, but he assured Li Afu that if evidence was found, he would make things right for him.
This discussion left Li Afu somewhat disappointed with Ding Bao Zhen. Due to the scarcity of grain, conflicts and fights broke out between the river workers and the refugees over food. Ding Bao Zhen intervened to mediate, but the people ignored him. It was only when Fan Yi fired a shot that the people stopped fighting.
Ding Bao Zhen expressed his understanding of the people's suffering and requested two days to gather food supplies. The people did not believe him, but Fan Yi, who was standing nearby, took the initiative to provide food for the two days. Ding Bao Zhen thanked Fan Yi for his generous contribution but had suspicions about why Fan Yi had so much food.
Ding Bao Zhen advised Fan Yi that once they reached the riverbank, they should leave behind their servants and guns. At night, Li Afu discovered some issues with the soil used for the embankment and took a sample as evidence before leaving. Ding Bao Zhen learned that the relief grain could not be delivered. At this moment, a transport ship arrived in Shandong, inquiring about a safe route. Qiao Song Ru guessed Ding Bao Zhen's intentions—he planned to seize the relief supplies. If he refrained from doing so, there would be a popular uprising. However, if he proceeded with the seizure, he would be punished by the Empress Dowager. Determined, Ding Bao Zhen immediately wrote a memorial hoping that the court would understand his intentions.
Ding Bao Zhen hurriedly sought Wang, who was sympathetic to the plight of the people. Meanwhile, Guo Zhong was sent to the dock to receive the grain. Wang greeted Ding Bao Zhen as he descended the stairs and truthfully described the water disaster in Shandong and the unbearable suffering of the people. Ding Bao Zhen proposed borrowing food, but Wang angrily rebuked him, asking if he understood the consequences of seizing food without authorization. Ding Bao Zhen explained all the possible consequences, tears in his eyes, expressing his unwillingness to witness the destruction of Shandong. He stated that this time, he alone would bear the responsibility for forcibly seizing the food, unrelated to Wang.
Wang sympathized with the people of Shandong and reluctantly agreed to release the food supplies. The two-day deadline had passed, and even before noon, the people had already gathered and started causing trouble. At this moment, Ding Bao Zhen arrived at the embankment with the promised food supplies, assuring the people that he would fulfill his promises. Li Afu learned that the food supplies were seized by Ding Bao Zhen at the risk of his own life, and he felt that he had misunderstood Ding Bao Zhen.
When the Empress Dowager learned that the relief supplies had been seized, she became furious and demanded Ding Bao Zhen's dismissal and investigation. Prince Gong explained the situation: Ding Bao Zhen had received the funds for disaster relief, but the relief grain had not arrived, so he had no choice but to seize the food supplies. At this moment, the Empress Dowager realized that her relief grain had caused the turmoil and agreed with Prince Gong's proposal.
Empress Dowager Dong advised Empress Dowager Cixi to let go of the matter, and Empress Dowager Cixi reluctantly dropped the case against Ding Bao Zhen. There was a leakage in the embankment, but Li Afu promptly repaired it, preventing a major incident. Ding Bao Zhen ordered people to keep watch throughout the night and discussed the reason for the leakage with Li Afu. Ding Bao Zhen believed that the soil lacked sufficient stickiness, but in reality, Li Afu had known the real cause of the leakage all along but had not informed Ding Bao Zhen of the truth.
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