On his first day as the governor of his new territory, Chance felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. Accompanied by the local chieftain, he set out to inspect the local conditions. As he rode across the arid land, he was shocked by the sight of dried-up fields and withered crops. The ground was cracked, and the air was thick with dust. The local villagers, their faces gaunt and their eyes hollow, looked at him with a mixture of hope and despair.
"Governor, it hasn't rained here for two months," an elderly villager explained with a trembling voice. "Our crops are dying, and the livestock have no water to drink. We are desperate."
Seeing their suffering pained Chance. He returned to his new home, a simple and dilapidated house. Chance thought to himself, this house looks as rundown as my university laboratory. Feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the task ahead, he sat at a dusty desk, staring at the territorial map, contemplating the best course of action.
As night fell, the images of the struggling villagers haunted Chance's mind. He knew he had to act quickly to provide relief. Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind. He recalled a project he had worked on during his studies—an ambitious plan to divert water from resource-rich areas to water-scarce regions, known as the South-North Water Transfer Project. It was time to use that knowledge to save these people.
He remembered a lesson from his history class about the South-North Water Transfer Project. The project involved constructing canals and tunnels to transport water from the abundant southern regions to the arid northern areas. This would not only alleviate the severe water shortages in the north but also promote coordinated economic development between the south and north.
"Of course!" Chance exclaimed.
"Why didn't I think of this sooner?"
Elated by this realization, Chance immediately drafted a letter to the capital explaining his idea. He then rushed out of his room, eager to bring this lifesaving knowledge to the drought-stricken land. The concept of diverting water from more abundant regions to this parched, suffering place filled him with hope and determination.
He envisioned constructing a network of canals and aqueducts to transform this barren land into fertile farmland, ensuring the people here would never go hungry again.
"South-North Water Transfer," he murmured to himself. "If we can channel the southern river water to irrigate the northern fields, we can turn this barren land into a lush oasis."
The chieftain watched the excited Chance, thinking he looked like a madman. Chance worked through the night, drafting detailed plans. He identified a water-rich southern river, located in the central Jiangnan region, known for its abundant rainfall during the wet season, and mapped out a route to divert the water north to the arid fields. The project would involve constructing canals, reservoirs, and aqueducts to transport water over long distances.
The next morning, Chance convened a meeting with his advisors and local leaders. He laid out his vision and explained the benefits of the South-North Water Transfer Project.
"We will build a network of canals and aqueducts to bring water from the southern rivers to our fields," Chance explained. "This will not only save our crops but also provide a reliable water source for the future. Through this project, we can turn this land into a prosperous agricultural area."
The advisors were initially skeptical.
"Your Highness, such a project requires vast resources and manpower," one advisor warned. "Do we have the capacity to complete this task?"
Chance nodded confidently.
"I have considered these challenges. We will need to mobilize the community and seek support from the central government. But if we work together, we can achieve this goal."
A week later, Chance received a letter from his father, the emperor, granting permission to proceed with the South-North Water Transfer Project. Upon reading the letter, Chance immediately sprang into action.
The local leaders, inspired by Chance's determination, pledged their support. With the plans in place, the project began without delay. The villagers, eager to alleviate their plight, volunteered to help with the construction.
Chance led by example, working alongside the laborers, digging trenches, and overseeing the canal construction. His hands-on approach earned the respect and admiration of the people. They marveled at his willingness to toil alongside them, his engineering knowledge, and his unwavering commitment to their welfare.
Weeks passed, and the project began to take shape. Canals snaked across the land, linking the southern river to the northern fields. Reservoirs were built to store water, and aqueducts were constructed to transport water over long distances.
One day, as Chance stood beside a newly built canal, he watched the first flow of water enter the parched land. The villagers gathered around, their faces alight with hope and excitement.
"Look! The water is here!" a young boy shouted, his eyes wide with wonder.
The villagers cheered, some even crying tears of joy. The sight of flowing water signified life and prosperity.
However, Chance soon realized the limitations of the South-North Water Transfer Project. In the short term, they could not build enough canals to cover all the fields. Many areas remained dry, and the villagers' hardships persisted.
The project could bring fresh water to designated areas, but the complex terrain of the northwest, with its high altitudes, made it difficult for the project to offer a long-term solution. Chance watched the cheering people, but he couldn't share their joy; he was lost in thought.
"I must quickly come up with a second solution to bring water to these high-altitude, rugged lands," he pondered.
Chance knew he needed another solution. As evening fell, he returned home, exhausted from the day's work. Sitting in the courtyard, he reflected on the knowledge he had learned in 2024. Just then, a servant's young boy accidentally hit him on the head with a ball.
The maid hurried forward to apologize.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. The child is too mischievous."
Chance wasn't angry about being hit. He kept muttering to himself,
"Ball, balloon, soccer ball, basketball, and… yes, hot air balloon!"
A new idea sparked in his mind, and thus...