Cabinet minister Wei Shiming and Zuo Du Yushi Li Yuanzheng, at the behest of Emperor Su He, investigated the quality of the Yellow River embankment.
Only when the quality of the Yellow River embankments can withstand the impact of floods will the imperial court officially change the course of the Yellow River.
They stand on the dam of Liujiawan Reservoir in Kaifeng Prefecture, Henan Province.
Liujiawan Reservoir, which will be the largest reservoir in Henan in the future, will control the water flow of the new Yellow River channel.
Wei Shiming wiped the sweat from his head and looked at the farmers harvesting winter wheat in the distance.
Farmers only have 20 days to harvest winter wheat and plant corn.
Wei Shiming looked at the busy figures in the fields and said with emotion: "The old embankment of the Yellow River in Luoyang Prefecture broke and floods occurred again.
Fortunately, the Luoyang prefect responded promptly and only hundreds of thousands of people were affected.
Most of the Mai Ke from all over Henan are from Luoyang.
His family's fields were flooded, so he had to travel to various places to harvest wheat to make money.
Fortunately, the imperial court waived taxes and distributed food rations to the people affected by the disaster.
If the court fails to fulfill its responsibilities, it is unknown how many people will die from this minor flood. "
Li Yuanzheng, the censor of Zuodu, listened to Wei Shiming's emotion.
He stamped the dam of Liujiawan Reservoir with his foot and said: "The history of wanton flooding in the Yellow River will soon be ended by us.
We were assigned by His Majesty to investigate the quality of the new embankment of the Yellow River.
The new levees of the Yellow River and the newly built reservoirs can restrain the raging Yellow River as long as they are of good quality.
Let the Yellow River truly become a mother river and nourish the land on both sides.
The two of us bear the expectations of tens of millions of people on both sides of the Yellow River.
Whether we are serious or not will determine the life or death of tens of millions of people on both sides of the Yellow River.
The lives and deaths of millions of people depend on this, and we must not slack off.
What's more, His Majesty has not issued any orders to urge us now, so we don't need to be too anxious.
Even if the inspection speed is slower, it is still necessary to find out whether there are quality problems in these projects. "
Li Yuanzheng and Wei Shiming took a train westward. They started from Tongguan to investigate the quality of the new levee of the Yellow River.
He is responsible for leading the censor, conducting detailed inspections of the officials in charge of the project, and investigating the financial transactions of the construction company.
Confirm that the capital and personnel flows of various projects are in normal condition.
Wei Shiming led experts from the Ministry of Industry to investigate the quality problems of the project.
Wei Shiming takes the lead in this work. Only when the problems are discovered is the time for the Metropolitan Procuratorate to show its talents.
The Metropolitan Procuratorate followed suit, which was also a shock to the local officialdom.
Many people cannot bear the pressure and take the initiative to report others.
They carefully investigated the new levees and key reservoirs of the Yellow River.
The time spent on the investigation has long exceeded the time expected by Emperor Su He.
Li Yuanzheng and Wei Shiming just discussed whether to speed up the investigation.
After the discussion just now, they decided to maintain the current speed.
The two of them were responsible for investigating the quality problems of the Yellow River embankment. If there were problems but they failed to discover them, this was a major mistake.
Liujiawan Reservoir is already their last stop in Henan.
Song Wenjie, a foreign minister from the Ministry of Industry, walked to Cabinet Minister Wei Shiming with the relevant acceptance report of Liujiawan Reservoir.
"Prime Minister Wei, I have already led people to investigate the Liujiawan Reservoir. The quality of the dam and steam-powered sluice, the most important parts of the reservoir, is up to standard.
Liujiawan Reservoir can withstand the impact of a once-in-a-century flood from the Yellow River. "
Wei Shiming took the report and looked through it. He pointed at the report and said: "Everything else is fine. Check the thickness of the concrete dam's steel bars and the grade of the cement.
These two things are inconspicuous, but they are related to the quality of the reservoir.
There is a huge price gap between quality reinforced cement and inferior reinforced cement. "
After Song Wenjie received the order, he immediately led people to investigate the specific data on steel bars and cement that Wei Shiming had specially explained.
Wei Shiming and Li Yuanzheng walked towards the Liujiawan Reservoir canteen. It was already noon and they were going to have lunch in the canteen.
Li Yuanzheng saw Zhang Qinian, the censor of Qiandu, walking towards them with a smile on his face.
"Master Li, we have completed the investigation of the relevant personnel of Liujiawan Reservoir.
If a few scoundrels who seek power for personal gain are discovered during the investigation, they will be handed over to the local Metropolitan Procuratorate for disposal.
Kaifeng Prefecture and the local Metropolitan Procuratorate attach great importance to the Yellow River Project. These scum have a low status and have no chance to extend their hands to the Yellow River Project.
Based on current information, the Liujiawan Reservoir construction project has not been interfered by any officials. "
When Li Yuanzheng heard the news, he smiled and said: "Master Wei, this is good news. It means that as long as the main body of the project passes the quality inspection, there is no need for more detailed inspections.
We can leave Henan today and head to Shandong to inspect the last section of the Yellow River embankment. "
Wei Shiming took out a cigarette, took out a metal lighter, and slid the flint next to it.
The sparks flickered and finally lit the lighter.
Wei Shiming lit the cigarette with a lighter. He took a few puffs of the cigarette and said with emotion: "We have traveled so many places in the past month or so.
We have worked so hard, but the progress of the inspection is still very slow.
I really don't dare to relax for fear of something happening. I also feel that if I delay it any longer, I will delay it until the dry season of the Yellow River.
The opening of the new Yellow River channel will have to wait until next year, which will affect His Majesty the Emperor's arrangements.
Now I just hope that the Yellow River Project in Shandong should be the same as that in Henan. "
When Wei Shiming said this, he was very unconfident.
Henan and Shandong have completely different attitudes towards the Yellow River Project.
The current course of the Yellow River, after leaving Henan, goes directly southward through the Huaihe River and into the sea.
Shandong has not suffered from the ravages of the Yellow River for a long time, and they have no deep-rooted fear of floods.
Now the new Yellow River channel enters the sea from Le'an County, Qingzhou Prefecture, Shandong Province.
The original Yellow River channel became an important tributary.
Every few years here in Henan, the Yellow River breaks its banks and is baptized by floods.
When the people here saw the imperial court rebuilding the Yellow River embankment, they not only enthusiastically signed up to participate.
When these people see illegal things, they will take the initiative to report it to the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
Many problems with the Yellow River Project here in Henan have been nipped in the bud.
The situation in Shandong is completely different. Without the supervision of the people, local officials don't know what they will do.
Wei Shiming also served as governor in many places. He had no confidence in officials in the officialdom.
He only hopes that the Yellow River Project will not cause any major problems.
Li Yuanzheng said confidently: "The Metropolitan Procuratorate attaches great importance to the Yellow River Project.
I have been urging the procuratorates in various places to investigate the Yellow River Project in detail to ensure that the Yellow River Project is not affected by corrupt officials.
The imperial court conducted all-round surveillance on the Yellow River Project.
Even if you escape the Metropolitan Procuratorate, you may not be able to escape the Xuanwu Guards.
The Metropolitan Procuratorate received many clues from Xuanwu Guards and dealt with many officials who had their hands on the Yellow River Project.
There may be some corrupt officials who hide themselves well, but I believe these people are by no means the mainstream. They are far from being able to cover the sky with one hand. "
They rushed to the cafeteria and had just finished lunch.
Song Wenjie trotted over with the information.
"Xiang Wei, I have checked in detail the thickness of the steel bars and the marking of the cement in the Liujiawan Reservoir, and they all meet the relevant requirements.
I selected a few unimportant points and did some destructive testing.
The test results also support this conclusion. "
Wei Shiming said happily: "The investigation in Henan is finally over. We took the train in the afternoon and rushed to Jining Prefecture, Shandong.
If there is no problem with the Jining Prefecture Reservoir, then the biggest hidden danger can be eliminated. "
Song Wenjie said with a serious face: "Prime Minister Wei, I think the probability of problems with the Jining Mansion Reservoir is low.
Large reservoirs in various places are constructed by construction companies under Shaofu.
The Shaofu has three levels of supervision: the royal family, the cabinet and the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
The probability of him having problems is low, and the benefits required to bribe the three parties are too many.
On the contrary, many of the Yellow River embankments in various places were built by local governments, and their quality varied.
For example, here in Henan, some Yellow River levees are of excellent quality, while others are only barely up to standard. "
Li Yuanzheng said confidently: "There may be scum in the local Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the Shaofu is under the direct control of the Imperial Metropolitan Procuratorate.
As long as I, Li Yuanzheng, remain in power for a day, those corrupt officials will have no chance of surviving in the Metropolitan Procuratorate. "
Li Yuanzheng had the confidence to say this. The local procuratorate was beyond the reach of the local procuratorate. There would definitely be censors who would bend the law for personal gain.
The censors at all levels of the Dahua Metropolitan Procuratorate all worked under his nose.
These people show a tendency to bend the law for personal gain and will be dealt with immediately by Li Yuanzheng.
Li Yuanzheng and Wei Shiming finished their work in Henan and took a train to Jining Prefecture, Shandong.
…………………………
4337 (AD 1640), July 28th.
Cabinet minister Wei Shiming and Zuo Du Yushi Li Yuanzheng came to Jining Mansion.
They got off the train and went straight to Jiningfu Reservoir.
When they came, they did not give any news to Shandong.
They prepared a surprise attack and investigated the Jining Prefecture Reservoir without anyone knowing the news.
Only by such a sudden attack can we obtain the most authentic information.
The censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate came to the Jining Mansion Reservoir to control the relevant personnel.
A team of experts from the Ministry of Industry began investigating the quality of the reservoir.
This action directly frightened the officials of Jining Reservoir.
They thought there was a very serious problem here.
They waited until the censor asked, and there were many timid people who answered all the questions.
The investigation process by the Ministry of Industry's expert team went smoothly.
Song Wenjie took the information report and reported: "Prime Minister Wei, the Jining Prefecture Reservoir is as good as I expected, and the quality is up to standard.
There are just some minor problems with the steam engine sluice, which can be easily rectified. "
Wei Shiming and Li Yuanzheng were walking on the Yellow River embankment in Jining Prefecture.
They have finished investigating the Jining Mansion Reservoir. The quality of the reservoir is very good, and both of them are in a good mood.
According to the current situation, they can quickly complete the investigation of the Yellow River embankment.
Welcome Emperor Su He and personally lead the Yellow River diversion project.
Wei Shiming smiled and said: "Jining Mansion is the original Jining Prefecture.
The cabinet spent several years investigating, which was completed last year and submitted to the emperor for approval.
All states across the country were converted into prefectures.
One of the main purposes of this method is to strengthen the authority of the governor while weakening the status of the prefect.
Before the division of major prefectures, the authority of major prefectures such as Kaifeng Prefecture and Jinan Prefecture was too strong in their local areas. The prefect's authority was sometimes greater than that of the governor.
The governors of our Great China Dynasty were feudal officials with great power, unlike the Ming Dynasty, who were just dispatched officials at uncertain times.
Governors from various places were sparse, and the imperial court intended to weaken the influence of the palace.
Choose to reduce the area of each mansion and split the large mansions. "
Li Yuanzheng listened to Wei Shiming's talk. He knew some news, but he didn't know there were so many inside stories.
He saw some people pulling black threads on the Yellow River embankment.
They also dug holes in the Yellow River embankment and erected some burnt black wooden poles.
Li Yuanzheng asked curiously: "Master Wei, what are these people doing?"
Wei Shiming said excitedly: "They are setting up a wired telegraph line. This is a newly invented technology by the Academy of Sciences.
The two places are thousands of miles apart and can communicate directly through wired telegraph.
Jining is so far away from the capital, and the news we send out here can be received in the capital within a few breaths. "
Li Yuanzheng said in surprise: "The speed of delivering news can be so fast.
Can we send a message to Beijing now?
Why did the imperial court establish a wired telegraph line on the Yellow River embankment? "
When Wei Shiming heard Li Yuanzheng's question, he simply explained: "I met the staff of the telegraph office and asked him about the situation of wired telegraphy.
He said that a telegraph line from Beijing to Shandong was being set up.
In a few days, we will be able to directly contact the capital.
It is precisely because of the Yellow River Project that Shandong was one of the first places to set up wired telegraphs.
Telegraph lines were erected on the Yellow River embankment, mainly to strengthen communication between various places.
When problems arise when the Yellow River changes course, all localities can learn about it immediately and respond promptly.
After the Yellow River was diverted, wired telegraphy also played a big role.
When a flood occurs in the upstream, the message can be transmitted to the downstream in time, which can avoid many disasters. "
When Li Yuanzheng heard Wei Shiming's explanation, he was extremely happy and said: "This is indeed good news. The speed of the flood before was much faster than riding a horse.
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Even if there is a major flood in the upper reaches, the peak of the flood has already reached the local area before the lower reaches have received the news.
After the advent of wired telegraphy, flooding occurred upstream and downstream had ample time to respond. "
They were chatting when they saw Song Wenjie walking over with a livid face.
Song Wenjie suppressed his anger and said in a hoarse voice: "Prime Minister Wei, there is a huge problem with the Yellow River embankment."
When Wei Shiming and Li Yuanzheng saw Song Wenjie's expression, they knew that the problem this time was serious.
Wei Shiming quickly asked: "Wenjie, what happened."
Song Wenjie pointed forward and said: "Prime Minister Wei, workers from the General Telegraph Bureau are digging holes on the Yellow River embankment to bury telegraph poles.
This project caused minimal damage to the Yellow River embankment, and they came with His Majesty the Emperor's will.
No one stopped them from setting up telegraph poles.
They dug a hole at the bend of the Yellow River ahead, preparing to drill holes in the concrete embankment. The hole they drilled collapsed directly, and the inside was not concrete, but silt. "
Wei Shiming asked in shock: "Song Wenjie, you read that right, the concrete embankment has turned into silt, not even a normal rammed earth embankment."
There are two construction standards for Yellow River embankments. Where the water flow is slow, traditional rammed earth embankments are used.
Concrete embankments are used in bends and other places where water flows rapidly to prevent water from invading the Yellow River embankment.
Regardless of the construction standards, there will never be silt.
The embankments of the Yellow River were built with loose silt, and the embankments collapsed as soon as the floods broke through.
Song Wenjie said in an anxious tone, "Xiang Wei, the location is just ahead. You will know it at a glance."
Wei Shiming and Li Yuanzheng looked anxious. They followed Song Wenjie to check out the problematic Yellow River embankment.
