After listening to what he said, Han Ju, the minister of the Xuan Kingdom, laughed out loud and said unceremoniously: "Listen to what I just said and look at the map. There are dozens of counties where the rivers flow. This is all. We also need to connect Yuzhou with such a scale, how much gold and silver will be spent!"
"Then it depends on how your country views this water conservancy construction, or in other words, what is His Royal Highness King Xuan's plan." Zhang Jingrui said tepidly.
King Xuan pondered for a moment and said: "My intention is that this canal can best benefit the northern part of Xuan Kingdom."
"That's okay." Zhang Jingrui said: "If that's the case, the foreign minister initially proposed that the total length of the large river canal be set at more than three hundred miles. As for the specific places where it flows, it needs to be surveyed on the spot to select the terrain, river channels, and even mountains and rivers, to be composed. Complete it and then hand it over to His Highness for a detailed look."
Before King Xuan could speak, Han Ju started shouting again: "What did you say!? More than three hundred miles? Do you know how long it is over three hundred miles!"
Zhang Jingrui glanced at him and chose silence on this question.
Because what Han Ju asked was completely nonsense. How could a dignified minister of the Qin State and a talented person in water conservancy know how long more than three hundred miles is?
King Xuan also felt embarrassed. He coughed slightly and said displeasedly: "Master Han, what you said is so ridiculous."
"Ah? This is it." Han Ju reacted and said with a slight blush on his face: "I was anxious just now, and my words were indeed inappropriate. It's just that, Your Majesty, I can't even imagine this big river of more than 300 miles... …”
This also shows that Xuanguo lacked talents in this field and did not dare to think about how to build a large canal.
The reason why Han Ju had this attitude towards Zhang Jingrui was because he was an official in the field of fortification. In his view, Zhang Jingrui's joining the propaganda department felt like he was stealing his job.
But if he were to be responsible for the construction, he didn't have the talent.
That's it, people.
Meimei glared at Han Ju, and King Xuan looked at Zhang Jingrui again, and said calmly: "Master Zhang, if it is as you said, I would like to know the approximate irrigation range of this canal."
Zhang Jingrui made an estimate: "Foreign ministers dare to say that with 30,000 hectares of irrigated land, Tongzhou and other counties will never have bad years again."
"Is this true!?" King Xuan was shocked.
"It can be guaranteed by everyone." This is Zhang Jingrui's confidence.
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a commotion among the courtiers, and the crowd began to whisper from side to side.
Even Han Ju couldn't help but swallow.
King Xuan looked around: "If we can irrigate 30,000 hectares, our national power will be greatly increased. So what, do you still have any objections?"
"This..." People looked at each other.
Wang Su quickly raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty is wise, if this canal is completed, several counties will be fertile and wild, and it will be declared rich and powerful. No matter how big the initial investment is, there is no harm!"
"Master Wang is right!" King Xuan walked back to the top and said seriously: "I have decided to adopt Master Zhang's advice and immediately prepare for the construction of the Tongzhou Canal."
"Listen to the order! Appoint Zhang Jingrui as the censor of Tongzhou Canal Supervision."
"Han Ju is the deputy historian and coordinates the preparation of fortifications."
"Wang Zhidong is the water conservancy magistrate."
"Zhou An is the water supervisor of the capital, and he ordered all the fortification officials under his jurisdiction and local officials to assist Mr. Zhang in building the canal."
"Order Youlong Wuwei to accompany you to protect Mr. Zhang's safety."
This appointment is simple and clear. Although there are various official positions, to put it bluntly, Zhang Jingrui is mainly responsible, along with all the existing fortification officials in Xuanguo. In addition, when local officials are needed, local officials also have to help.
Han Ju, Wang Zhidong and others looked at each other subconsciously.
Then, all the ministers in the Manchu Dynasty could only salute and shout: "I will obey the king's order——"
After the court meeting, the ministers left, and Zhang Jingrui was naturally kept by King Xuan, who held a banquet in the palace and entertained him personally.
On the way out of the palace, Han Ju and others came together by chance. They were obviously dissatisfied with this matter.
He took the lead and said: "The king has always been wise, but this time he listened to Lord Wang Su's suggestion and summoned a foreign minister to come here to repair our country's water conservancy."
"Alas." Zhou An also sighed and said, "It's better now for this foreign minister. I have to help him later. What's the matter?"
"Okay, okay." Wang Zhidong said helplessly: "The matter has come to this, complaining is useless, just take it one step at a time. If this Jingrui can really repair this big canal, it won't be a bad thing."
"Master Wang, you think things are too simple." Han Ju insinuated: "Let's not talk about whether Zhang Jingrui has this talent. Even if he does, if he has the secret order of the King of Qin, he will use it to build the canal, which will cost a lot of gold and silver. So what if we use it to weaken our national power?"
"Hiss..." After hearing what he said, the two of them couldn't help but take a breath, and Zhou An murmured: "It makes sense..."
"So, although we will assist him, we have to think carefully whether we listen to his orders or not." Han Ju said.
Although King Xuan has authorized it, this water conservancy project will obviously not be smooth sailing. Zhang Jingrui is an official of the Qin State after all. There is no doubt that most of the officials of the Xuan State below will not listen to him.
After staying in Xuanzhou for a few days, Zhang Jingrui officially accepted the order and began to go down to the local area, accompanied by a large number of Youlong Wuwei troops.
However, as soon as he walked away, Yao Tingyu found King Xuan behind him. In the study room of the palace, he said slightly worriedly:
"Your Majesty, this Jingrui is the top person in charge of building the canal. If the Qin State has ulterior motives, the consequences will be disastrous."
"I have also considered what the Prime Minister said." King Xuan said: "If building the canal risks weakening the Xuan Kingdom, it also has great benefits in making the Xuan Kingdom rich and strong. I chose to believe Zhang Jingrui. This is just First, and secondly, although Zhang Jingrui is the chief official, all the officials under him who are responsible for repairing the canal are my Xuanguo ministers, so this worry can be ignored."
"Having said that, there are no absolutes. I just want to share the worries of the king. If a big canal can be built, I have 10,000 approvals. After all, this will be of great benefit to us in establishing our country." Yao Tingyu said again.
"I understand, the Prime Minister is worried." King Xuan smiled slightly.
"Then, I will retire." Yao Tingyu gave a salute.
After he left, Xie Hongling came in with tea and placed it on King Xuan's desk. He couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, I heard that many ministers are discussing this matter privately."
"Let them discuss it. Once the canal is completed, it will no longer be a matter of discussion." King Xuan picked up the tea cup and changed the topic: "Hongling, what do you think of Qin's relationship with us now?"
"Well..." Xie Hongling thought for a while and said, "It's hard to say, but King Qin should not dare to mess around in this matter."
King Xuan smiled and said nothing.
