In the imperial study room of Chengguang Hall, He Xiang and Taishi Liu were reporting to Emperor Wu of Zhou on the rice situation in various places.
Now that summer has entered, there is still plenty of rain in many places, and rice is still growing very well. However, there is not much rain in some places, resulting in rice not growing well. There are also some places where there is too much rain, such as Jiangnan.
After the beginning of spring, the rain in Jiangnan kept falling. Before the Qingming Festival, the rain finally stopped. As a result, after Qingming Festival, the rain started to fall again, and the rice fields turned into pools.
In places where there is a lack of rain, people are trying their best to get water to irrigate the rice fields, while people in the south of the Yangtze River are trying their best to drain the water out of the rice fields.
"According to the report from Prefect Liang, the water level of Yangzhou rivers has risen by another inch this month." He Xiang reported, "The water levels of rivers in other places in the south of the Yangtze River have also been rising."
Taishi Liu continued what Xiang He said: "Since the Dragon Boat Festival, it has been raining in the south of the Yangtze River." He added, "After summer, it often rains heavily in the south of the Yangtze River. This is the reason for the rise in the river level."
He Xiang continued: "Fortunately, I listened to Prefect Liang and strengthened the dams of the rivers in the south of the Yangtze River. Otherwise, there would have been floods in the south of the Yangtze River now."
"Liang Taishou also ordered people to dig a reservoir to store rainwater, which also helped a lot." Taishi Liu heard about the reservoir from Liang Taishou, and Liang Taishou heard about it from Zhao Yao. Previously, Zhao Yao wrote to Prefect Liang and suggested that he dig a reservoir. When it rains a lot, the reservoir can store rainwater. In times of drought, water from the reservoir can be used to irrigate rice fields.
There is much more rain in Jiangnan than in other places, but sometimes droughts occur in Jiangnan. During the previous dynasty, droughts often occurred in the south of the Yangtze River.
"Prefect Liang mentioned a lot of benefits of building reservoirs in the memorial. I think we can dig reservoirs all over the country, especially in the north where there is not much rain. In this way, when there is not enough rain, the water from the reservoir can be released to irrigate farmland." Taishi Liu said, "Just in case."
He Xiang agreed: "I also agree with the construction of a reservoir."
"If you didn't tell me, I would have ordered the construction of the reservoir." Emperor Wu of Zhou naturally read the memorial of Liang Prefect and knew the benefits of building the reservoir. "This is a good thing that benefits the country and the people."
"Liang Taishou called on the people across Yangzhou to build reservoirs, and so far the largest reservoir in Yangzhou has been dug." He Xiang said, "The new reservoir has stored a lot of rainwater, which has reduced a lot of burden on Yangzhou's rivers. He also We plan to dig a larger reservoir so that more rainwater can be stored.”
Taishi Liu said: "When building the dams of the rivers, Taishou Liang also sent people to dredge the rivers and clear out a lot of silt, making the rivers smoother."
He Xiang smiled and said: "I didn't expect that Governor Liang knew how to repair rivers. It's really amazing."
Emperor Zhou Wu smiled proudly: "You are indeed my father-in-law."
Hearing Emperor Zhou Wu's shameless words, He Xiang and Taishi Liu looked at him with contempt.
"The south of the Yangtze River is also the most important place for water transportation. If the river is not smooth, it will also affect the water transportation." Emperor Wu of Zhou put away the unserious expression on his face and became serious, "I have ordered Governor Liang to continue repairing the rivers in Yangzhou. , and also asked the prefect of Gusu to dredge the river."
When mentioning rivers, He Xiang and Liu Taishi thought of the Yellow River where troubles often occurred.
In recent years, there have been no floods in the Yellow River due to drought in the Yellow River area. If there is suddenly more rain in the Yellow River area in the future, the Yellow River will be prone to flooding.
"Your Majesty, while there is nothing happening in the Yellow River, send people to repair and dredge the Yellow River quickly, otherwise..." Once a flood occurs in the Yellow River, people in many places will suffer.
"That's what I meant." In recent years, although the dams of the Yellow River have been raised and strengthened, this is a way to treat the symptoms rather than the root cause. If you want to make the Yellow River more honest, you still have to repair it. "By the way, what do you think of Governor Liang's proposal to build a canal?"
Some time ago, Governor Liang submitted a memorial proposing the construction of a canal from the south of the Yangtze River to the capital. Of course, this is what Zhao Yao told him.
Taishi Liu and He Xiang glanced at each other and said immediately: "Your Majesty, it is a good thing that Taishou Liang proposed to build the canal, but this will be a huge project and will cost a lot of manpower and financial resources."
Taishi Liu continued what Xiang He said: "Building a canal from the south of the Yangtze River to the capital is a matter that benefits the country and the people, but as Xiang He said, it will cost too much manpower and financial resources. Considering the current situation of the Zhou Dynasty It seems that we simply cannot afford the cost of building a canal.”
"The most important thing is to build a canal, which requires a lot of people, maybe tens of thousands of people. This is not a good thing for the people." He Xiang said, "The people will complain."
"Now the people have finally lived a good and stable life for a few years. If the canal is built, the people will have to be recruited, and the people will not be willing." Taishi Liu said with a serious look, "The population in various places in the Great Zhou Dynasty has not completely recovered. The number at its peak, I suggest you wait a few more years, when the population and financial resources have increased, it will not be too late to build the canal."
Prime Minister He nodded and said: "The canal must be built. When it is completed, it will not only benefit the people along the way from Jiangnan to the capital, but also benefit future generations." Building the canal is a good thing that benefits all people. It must be Build. "But with the current situation in Dazhou, it is impossible to build it. We will have to wait for a few more years, or ten years."
"Building the canal is something that should be done sooner rather than later." Emperor Wu of Zhou frowned, "But, as you said, the Great Zhou Dynasty does not yet have the ability to build the canal." In fact, judging from the current situation of the Great Zhou Dynasty, It is capable of building canals, but once construction of canals begins, the situation that has been restored and recuperated over the past few years will be destroyed. Furthermore, once the canal is built, the national treasury, which has finally improved somewhat, will become completely destitute.
"After all, we are still too poor."
"Your Majesty, there is nothing we can do about this. After all, the Great Zhou was established not long ago." He Xiang comforted Emperor Wu of Zhou, "At present, the development of the Great Zhou is still good."
"Now the whole Zhou Dynasty is in a prosperous state. In a few years, the treasury will be filled, and it will not be too late to build a canal by then."
"The construction of the canal can only be put on hold temporarily, but in the past few years, we have to make all preparations for the construction of the canal." Emperor Wu of Zhou tapped the imperial table with his right index finger, "Recruiting people to build the canal will exempt them from taxes and They can also be rewarded with something for doing corvee work.”
"The emperor said so."
"In this regard, you two will draw up a charter." Although the construction of the canal has not yet started, everything must be prepared in advance so that the people will not be so resistant or opposed to the construction of the canal. "Also, you two can calculate the manpower and financial resources needed to build the canal."
He Xiang and Taishi Liu said in unison: "Yes, Your Majesty."
"I will ask officials from Jiangnan to the capital to inspect the terrain." Emperor Wu of Zhou thought for a moment and then said, "There are also materials needed to build the canal. You must also count them in advance..."
Building the canal is not a small matter, but the biggest thing since the founding of the Zhou Dynasty. It can even be said to be the biggest thing in the past few hundred years. After all, no canal has been built in the previous dynasties.
After talking about the construction of the canal, He Xiang talked about Zheng Xilin's three sons.
Zheng Xilin's three sons have been in the capital for some time. After He Xiang's inspection, He Xiang already knew how to arrange them.
"Your Majesty, Lao Zheng's eldest son is indeed a bit like Lao Zheng, and he has a mature and stable temperament. I want him to serve as the prime minister."
"Prime Minister Zhengshi?" Emperor Wu of Zhou raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Do you think so highly of Lao Zheng's eldest son?" Prime Minister Zhengshi was a subordinate officer of the Prime Minister. Although the official position is only five ranks, not everyone can be the prime minister.
"Old Zheng's eldest son still has some abilities. If he is trained well, he will be of great use in the future." During this period of contact, He Xiang was very satisfied with Zheng Rang.
"Aren't you in trouble?"
"One more won't be much."
Taishi Liu said from the side: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister He intends to train Lao Zheng's eldest son. He wants Lao Zheng's eldest son to take over his class in the future."
Emperor Wu of Zhou heard this and had a look of surprise on his face: "Oh, Mr. He, are you training Lao Zheng's eldest son as your successor?"
"That's the current plan, but we have to continue to examine whether he is qualified." He Xiang stroked his beard and said with a smile, "This kid has good qualifications, but he needs to be tempered."
"I didn't expect you to have such a high opinion of Lao Zheng's eldest son."
"This child is a good child." He Xiang liked it very much and also admired Zheng Rang.
"How do you plan to arrange his second son and youngest son?" Emperor Wu of Zhou asked.
"The second son is obsessed with the Mo family, so it is most suitable for him to join Shang Fanling as a craftsman." He Xiang said, "He himself is also willing to join Shang Fanling as a craftsman."
Emperor Wu of Zhou looked surprised and said: "A craftsman has no official position and his salary is not high. Is he really willing?"
"Yes, very willing." He Xiang was also frightened by Zheng Cheng's words at that time. "He said he didn't want to be an official, he just wanted to be a craftsman and do what he likes. He also said that the craftsmen in Shang Fanling were great The best craftsmen in the world, he can learn a lot from being with them."
"I just want to do what I like, which is a bit like Lao Zheng." Emperor Wu of Zhou complained sharply, "As expected, Lao Zheng and his son are both weirdos."
He Xiang and Taishi Liu agreed with Emperor Zhou Wu's words.
Emperor Wu of Zhou asked: "Where is his youngest son?"
When Zheng Qian was mentioned, He Xiang's expression suddenly became complicated.
He sighed quietly and said, "Old Zheng's youngest son is indeed as rebellious as he said."
Seeing He Xiang's headache, Emperor Wu of Zhou asked with interest: "What did Lao Zheng's youngest son do?"
"This kid originally planned to go from one academy to another to see if the scholars in the capital were smart." He Xiang was stunned when he heard Zheng Rang tell them about what Zheng Qian did in his hometown a few days ago. "He also wants to go to Taixue to play gymnastics. If there are no people smarter than him in Taixue, he will never go to Taixue to study."
"Is Lao Zheng's youngest son so arrogant?" Emperor Zhou Wu smiled playfully, "This is not like Lao Zheng."
Zheng Xilin is a very humble person. He never looks down on others because of his intelligence, nor does he become arrogant because he is highly regarded. He is very polite and friendly to the ministers in the DPRK, which is why the ministers in the DPRK like and respect him.
"His youngest son is not only arrogant, but also arrogant and looks down on people who are stupider than him." As an elder, He Xiang would naturally not argue with a child. "This kid is not only extremely smart, he is also good at divination. It is said that he has a lot of tricks up his sleeve."
"Divination?" Emperor Zhou Wu said with surprise, "Old Zheng doesn't seem to be good at divination."
"Lao Zheng's youngest son is self-taught."
"Self-taught?" Emperor Zhou Wu said in surprise, "That's really amazing."
"This child is really smart and proficient in many things. It is said that he learned it by reading books by himself. Lao Zheng and the others did not teach him anything specifically." He Xiang sighed, "This child is a genius!"
Hearing He Xiang's praise of Zheng Xilin's youngest son, Emperor Wu of Zhou became a little curious about Zheng Qian.
"Then how do you plan to arrange for Lao Zheng, your genius son?"
"He doesn't need my arrangements." He Xiangyan said, "He said he came to the capital to find the lord."
"Looking for the lord?" Emperor Wu of Zhou asked in surprise, "Who is his lord?"
"I don't know. He did a fortune-telling for himself before coming to the capital. He learned that the lord he wanted to serve was in the capital, so he came to the capital with his two brothers." He Xiang continued, "At present, he plans to take the imperial examination, and then Challenge the students of Taixue.”
"Is he planning to go to Taixue to play in the gym?"
"That's right, otherwise he will challenge all the academies in the capital." He Xiang said funnyly, "This kid often went to the academies to compete in the academy when he was back home..."
He Xiang told Emperor Wu of Zhou what Zheng asked them to tell him.
After hearing this, Emperor Wu of Zhou looked shocked.
"I didn't expect Lao Zheng's youngest son to be so arrogant."
Master Liu frowned and said with a somewhat unsightly expression: "Old Zheng's youngest son is a troublemaker. If you don't take good care of him, I'm afraid he will disturb the peace in the capital."
Emperor Wu of Zhou raised his right eyebrow and said, "Old Zheng must have done this on purpose. He deliberately sent his careless little son to the capital to harm us."
He Xiang agreed with Emperor Zhou Wu's statement: "I guess Lao Zheng can't control his youngest son, so he let his youngest son cause harm to the capital."
Emperor Zhou Wu snorted coldly: "Old Zheng is still as cunning as ever, but he is not afraid that something will happen to his youngest son?"
"Old Zheng probably hopes that something will happen to his youngest son, so that his little son will become honest." He Xiang said, with a look of regret on his face, "I feel that I was tricked by Old Zheng, and that Old Zheng deliberately This hot potato little son was thrown to me." Although Zheng Xilin told He Xiang not to worry about his three sons, how could He Xiang, a good friend, really ignore his three sons.
Taishi Liu gloated on the sidelines and said: "I told you, Lao Zheng sent his three sons to the capital with evil intentions."
"If Lao Zheng's youngest son really does something that violates the law, I will never forgive him lightly." He Xiang said, sighing slightly, "I hope there are students in Taixue who are smarter than Lao Zheng's youngest son." , poke his spirit."
Master Liu had met Lao Zheng's youngest son and examined him. He was indeed a genius.
"Not too possible."
Emperor Wu of Zhou said sarcastically: "Old He, just ask for more blessings."
He Xiang didn't want to talk about Zheng Xilin's youngest son anymore, so he changed the subject and talked about business again.
After talking about business, He Xiang and Taishi Liu returned to Lanyuan Pavilion.
When he returned to the mansion in the evening, Prime Minister He asked someone to invite Zheng Rang and the others over.
Prime Minister He handed Zheng Rang his appointment letter and said warmly: "From today on, you will be the prime minister. Starting tomorrow, you will go to court with me."
Zheng Rang quickly stood up and solemnly saluted He Xiang: "Uncle, thank you!"
"You do a good job and that's the best way to thank me."
"Don't worry, my nephew will work hard and never let you down." Zheng Rang looked calm on his face, but he was excited in his heart. The Prime Minister's campaign is the first step for him to display his ambitions, and he will definitely perform well.
"I'm waiting." He Xiang looked at Zheng Cheng again and said, "The emperor has agreed for you to go to Shang Fanling to do things. You can go to Shang Fanling to do things tomorrow."
Zheng Cheng's face was full of joy. He also bowed to He Xiang and said, "Thank you, uncle."
"Shang Fangli has gathered the best craftsmen in the world. You will definitely learn a lot when you go there."
"This is exactly what my nephew wants." Zheng Cheng was not interested in being an official, nor in studying. He just wanted to be a craftsman.
"Brother Qian, are you confident that you will take the Imperial Examination tomorrow?"
"Yes." Zheng Qian still had some etiquette for an elder like He Xiang.
"There are crouching tigers and hidden dragons in Taixue. You will not be disappointed." Let him harm Taixue.
Zheng Qian said calmly: "I hope so."
He Xiang began to tell Zheng Rang and others about the rules in the palace. Although he had said it before, he had to say it again since they were all going to the palace tomorrow.
After talking about the rules, He Xiang inspected the etiquette they had learned in the past few days.
After arriving in the capital, Zheng asked the three brothers to learn etiquette. They have been living in the countryside and are used to being idle and free. They have not learned the etiquette and rules of the court and palace.
Before they came to the capital, Prime Minister He hired a gentleman with good etiquette for them.
If you cannot learn etiquette and rules well, you will not be qualified to serve as an official in the court. Furthermore, it will also bring trouble or danger to yourself.
Zheng made them understand the importance of etiquette and rules, and they studied it very seriously these days.
Although Zheng Qian disdained etiquette and rules, he was forced to learn them by his two elder brothers.
Early the next morning, Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng followed He Xiang to the palace. As for Zheng Qian, other members of the He family accompanied him to Taixue to take the examination.
When we arrived at the palace gate, many ministers had already arrived.
When the ministers saw He Xiang appearing with two strange young people, they all curiously asked He Xiang who these two young people were.
He Xiang introduced to the ministers that they were Zheng Xilin's eldest son and second son.
When the ministers heard that he was Taiwei Zheng's son, they all looked surprised.
Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng couldn't help but panic when they saw the ministers staring at them, but they were very calm in front of them.
Under the introduction of He Xiang, they greeted the ministers obediently and politely.
The ministers were very curious about Zheng Rang and the two of them, but they were even more curious about their father. They asked a lot about Taiwei Zheng, such as whether Taiwei Zheng was in good health? When will Captain Zheng come back...
Seeing that the ministers were so concerned about their father, Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng sighed in their hearts: It seems that their father is very respected in the court.
The arrival of Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng caused quite a stir among the ministers.
Both the prince and the king set their sights on Zheng Rang and his brothers, trying to win over them.
Of course, what they were interested in was not Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng, but Zheng Xilin behind them.
Zheng Xilin was not only respected and reused by Emperor Wu of Zhou Dynasty, but also deeply supported by ministers. He even had a high reputation among the people.
Leaving aside these things, let’s talk about Zheng Xilin’s ability.
If Zheng Xilin's guidance can be obtained, the throne will become within his grasp.
There will be another update in the evening.
Zheng Xilin: Life is really comfortable without my little son by my side.
He Xiang: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻You old fox, you actually let your youngest son come to harm me!
Finally, I still ask for a monthly ticket! Please give me a reward! Please leave a message!
(End of chapter)
