Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
Chapter 124 - Sacrifice to the Heavens
The next day, the sun shone from above as many farmers carried their tools and walked towards the river. They each wore linen shorts and looked strong.
"Why do we have to widen the river again? It's not like our city doesn't have enough water to use..." a man complained. If it weren't for the promised pay, he would've been resting at home before the busy farming season started.
Another person in the same village said, "In any case, they're paying us twenty wen for half a day's work. Where else would you find such a great opportunity? Even if you don't want the job, there's still a whole line of people waiting behind you for it."
They chatted aimlessly and soon, many people gathered by the riverside. The group walked towards Huzui Bay, which was the first part of the Yulong Canal.
When they passed by the place Gong Yi Mo blew up yesterday, someone shouted in surprise.
Since the people among crowd were mostly concerned about their food and clothing for their daily necessities, their vision and experience was very limited. This was the first time they had ever laid eyes on such a beautiful person. It was almost as if the prince had walked out of a fairytale. It was no wonder that the Crown Prince was truly a son of Heaven.
As such, the people immediately fell to their feet and worshipped him while shouting, "We greet Your Highness, the Prince."
The prince smiled and replied, "You don't have to bow in ceremony."
The men soon stood on their feet, but unlike their previous slack attitudes, they were now cautious.
Seeing the prince gave them a sense of awe for imperial power. Behind the prince was a dark and heavy pressure emanating from the army of guards who protected him. This caused the peasant worker to tremble in fear. If they didn't do their jobs, does that mean they'll be trodden down?
The plan was too complicated for these people to understand, so Gong Che only spoke a few words to them.
My Father has given his command to dig a canal here, starting from the tail of this Yulong Inner Canal. Aside from this, we need to complete the task of widening and clearing more than a dozen miles of river along Xing City within a month. This will require a total of 80,000 men, do you understand?
His words caused the peasant workers to feel angered. If 80,000 people were hired to split the work for just the Yulong Canal, with 40,000 digging in the morning and the other 40,000 in the afternoon, the workload would have been reasonable. But if in addition, they had to clear more than a dozen rivers like Huzui bay, how was it possible to accomplish this feat in a month?