Two Zao officials in casual clothes stood on the Anshan sluice embankment. They lowered long bamboo poles into the river. After inserting them into the river bed, they pulled them out and checked the water marks to measure the depth of the river water, and then reported it to Song Li.
After Song Li wrote it down, he frowned and looked north, calling for Zaoli to eat some dry food so that he could continue on his way.
The stiff and cold steamed buns are a bit gritty no matter how much you chew them.
But compared with this hardship, Song Li was more worried about managing the Huitong River.
We have been looking for a plan for some time now, but after walking all the way, we still can't find any other river channels to rely on. It is almost certain that Fenshui must be used to reopen the Huihe River.
"Sir, it's getting late, we..."
Soap officials are also miserable.
I originally thought that following this grown-up in the capital, even if there was no reward, I would be able to enjoy good food and drink. It would be a good job, but who would really want to eat and sleep in the open air every day? It was already evening, and I was still in the wilderness.
"There is smoke from the kitchen in front. Let's find someone to stay for the night."
Song Li continued walking along the river and arrived at a village at sunset.
The village is not big, with only about a hundred households, most of which are low mud houses. It is dinner time, and some children are playing in the streets.
Song Li saw that the small courtyard of a house at the entrance of the village was relatively clean and the wooden door was open, so he walked straight in and shouted: "Is there anyone there?"
A middle-aged man in his forties walked out of the main room, looked at Song Li and others, and asked nonchalantly: "What's the matter?"
Song Li saluted and said: "This farmer, we are the policemen exploring the river. It's getting late today and we want to stay overnight. Is it convenient?"
"Official official?"
The middle-aged man raised his brows slightly, and a deep line appeared.
An old woman came out of the kitchen at this time and smiled: "Convenient, of course it is convenient, but it just requires the three of you to give up the simplicity..."
Song Li smiled and said, "No, we are the ones interrupting."
The old lady turned around and shouted: "Bai Ying, go and prepare some food and drinks to entertain the guests."
"No need, I think these guys have already eaten..."
Bai Ying said unceremoniously.
Song Li walked towards the old man and said calmly: "No need to bother, we have indeed had dinner, we just need to rest."
When the old woman saw this, she glared at her son fiercely, then called her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Liu, and asked him to clear out a room.
One bed, two bunks, two quilts, tables, stools and candles, as well as hot water, Song Li was satisfied.
Song Li spread out the map and was about to study it when Bai Ying came over and said, "Old mother asked you to have some simple meals."
"We brought dry food and have already used it, so there really is no need to bother."
Song Li waved his hand, then lowered his head to study the map.
Bai Ying glanced at the map, then turned and left.
At night, Song Li still didn't rest, lighting candles and trying to find a way, but no matter how hard he looked, there was no way. The terrain was a big problem, and water couldn't flow to higher places.
The imperial court is still waiting for its own strategy for water control. The advance money and grain prepared by the Ministry of Revenue have already passed Fengyang. If they can't come up with a strategy, it will delay the important event.
After walking out of the door, Song Li looked at the moon in the night sky and sighed softly: "How to lead Fenji Cao?"
"Diverting the Fen River to the Cao River? Does the imperial court really want to dredge the Huitong River?"
The sudden sound startled Song Li and he quickly looked around. He saw a person lying half-lying beside a haystack not far away. He could make out Bai Ying through the moonlight.
"Why are you here?"
Song Li couldn't help but ask.
Bai Ying wanted to say that all the quilts in the house were given to you, leaving only one bed for my wife and mother. But when the words came to her lips, she said: "When an official comes to the house, how can I not keep an eye on it?"
Song Li smiled bitterly and said, "Do you hate official duties?"
Bai Ying nodded frankly and said, "My father was beaten to death by officials on the Huitong River."
After Song Li heard this, he couldn't help but remain silent.
Bai Ying pulled a piece of wheat straw, shook it in his hand, and said: "The Huitong River has been blocked. It is completely unfeasible to use the Fen River to open the old road. If you want to use other water sources, hehe, you can't find them even after traveling three hundred miles." arrive."
"ah?"
Song Li couldn't help but be surprised. The man in front of him seemed rough and a farmer, but he seemed to know about water conservancy.
On second thought, his father died on the Huitong River and he must have been a boatman. Bai Ying was also in his forties and had lived in this generation for decades, so he thought he had some knowledge of water conservancy.
"No matter what, the Huiteng River needs to be reconnected. Do you have any advice?"
Song Li asked.
Bai Ying broke off the wheat straw and said, "Aren't you afraid of wasting money, ruining the country and harming the people?"
Song Li frowned and said seriously: "Dredging the canal is not only beneficial to the country, but also beneficial to the people. It will cost some money, but it will harm the country and the people. I'm afraid it will be over?"
Bai Ying sneered: "Hundreds of thousands of people were requisitioned and worked day and night, and they were whipped by you. It's hard to say that they didn't even have enough to eat. What else would it be if it wasn't a disaster for the country and the people?"
Song Li rubbed his brows and explained: "The imperial court will recruit people's power for this meeting, but firstly, they won't beat people, and secondly, they won't starve to death. Countless grains are already on their way, and there is still silver to earn. , is something that benefits the country and the people.”
"A silver tael? How many corvees came from the Hongwu Dynasty? When did the court issue a silver tael? You must be a minor official, and you are confused when talking."
Bai Ying sneered.
"Master Song is the minister of the Ministry of Industry and the chief river regulator appointed by the emperor. How can you be allowed to be so presumptuous?"
A soap official yawned and came out and scolded.
"Master Song? You, are you Song Li?"
Bai Ying stared and stood up quickly.
Song Li glared at Zaoli and told him not to reveal his identity. Only then did Zaoli remember, and he quickly apologized. He looked at Bai Ying and saw that he didn't look like a bad person, so he retreated to the room.
Song Li raised his hand to Bai Ying and said, "That's right."
Bai Ying looked at Song Li carefully and said: "Last year, there was a heavy rain in the Yellow River. Zhang Zhongzhan ordered the dikes to be dug to divert the water of the Yellow River into Shandong. It is said that you are responsible for this."
Zhang Xianzong's deeds were widely spread in Henan, Shandong, Beizhili and other places, and Zhongli Temples were built in many places.
When Song Li heard Bai Ying mentioning Zhang Xianzong, he looked solemnly, looked sideways to the southwest, and said: "The merits of loyalty and relief are like the bright moon."
Bai Ying nodded. No one can erase Zhang Xianzong's contribution.
"Okay, since you are Song Li, let's talk and see if I can help you."
Bai Ying sat back again.
Song Li, just in case, and because he really had no ideas, moved a small bench from the yard, sat in front of Bai Ying, and explained his ideas and problems.
He came out and said: "The thorny issue at the moment is how to introduce the Fenshui into the Huitong River to ensure that large ships can pass through the river."
Bai Ying looked at Song Li and said, "Isn't this an easy task?"
Song Li stared at Bai Ying who was talking lightly in front of him.
easy?
I have been in Shandong for a few months. I have been running back and forth. I have worn out several pairs of these shoes. Do you think it is simple?
"How to do it?"
Song Li did not argue, but asked.
Bai Ying chuckled and said confidently: "The night is long, let's talk slowly. The Huitong River was opened by Qian Yuan. The first section passed the Kaihe Station river channel, and then turned west, passing Liangshan and Anshan. From Shouzhang City to the north, and then to Daqing River. Do you know why this is so?"
Song Li frowned and said: "Of course we have to borrow waterways. There are abundant water sources along the way. The lakes in Liangshan were still there at that time. Only with the support of water sources can the rivers be usable for boats."
Bai Ying saw that Song Li was a pragmatic official who knew a lot, so he continued: "Yes, it's just that due to the impact of the Yellow River bursting its banks several times, many waterways have been abandoned, and only ponds are left in the Liangshan water park. The water resources around here are already insufficient, and it is impossible to think of any way here anymore. If it is impossible, why do we have to waste it here?"
Song Li's heart trembled, as if he felt something.
The default logic of both the court and ourselves is to make full use of the original river course to reduce the amount of engineering work and reduce river engineering funds. But after this period of time, Song Li also understood that this logic did not work.
If this is the case, why not break the original logic, jump out, not use the original river channel, and dig a new section of the river channel?
Seeing that Song Li understood, Bai Ying said, "You have thought of it too, but I don't know if you have the courage or if the court has the courage."
Song Li had a headache.
Not using the original river channel means that the amount of work will increase dramatically, and the court's expenses will also increase dramatically...
Song Li suppressed his uneasiness and said: "Your Majesty is not lacking in courage, but where will this new river be built?"
Bai Ying put the wheat straw on the ground and said: "This is Kaihe Station. Starting here, we no longer detour to the west, but go directly north, passing through Anshan, and going straight to Shouzhang Shawan. Qinghe River Confluence.”
No anti-theft
Song Li sketched the direction of the map in his mind, looked at the direction pointed by Bai Ying, took a deep breath, and said, "This is a section that will be connected to the river. It has been moved east for dozens of miles."
Bai Ying nodded and said: "Yes, but this method can bypass Liangshan and Anshan, and open a diversion canal from Fenhe River, and the terrain problem will be solved."
"The terrain is no longer a problem, but how to solve the problem of water quantity? The diversion of water from the Fen River may not be enough to support the big ship."
Song Li was thinking about it.
"What if all the Fen River water is diverted?"
"If it's not feasible, how will the people along the Fen River survive and the farmland be fed?"
"If this is the case, then control the Fenshui. There is a place called Nanwang south of Kaihe Station. It belongs to the higher terrain nearby. If a sluice dam is built there, this place can be used as a water ridge. If the north needs water, open the north gate, and open the south gate, and the water will flow south..."
Song Li looked at Bai Ying in surprise, not expecting that the other party was so knowledgeable.
"If this is true, Huitong River can be achieved!" Song Li stood up solemnly, bowed deeply to the farmer Bai Ying, and said gratefully: "Sir's name will be with Huitong River forever!"
