The great river flows eastward, and the waves go through the ages.
The land of abundance in the central Sichuan plain has thousands of hectares of fields and thousands of miles of fertile fields. There are 1,526 rivers, large and small.
The sky is sunny, the clouds are light, and the wind is cold.
It is cold in late autumn, and the wind from the river is blowing on the face, making the fur robes flutter, and the coolness hits people. With Ye Tianling, Qing Chen stepped onto the side of the embankment, and hundreds of thousands of conscripts came and went to pick it up on the river bank. They used bamboo cages and stones to intercept the water and build the embankment. Over the past few months, the stagnant water gradually eased, and twelve steep gates were scattered on the river. Hold this surging river in the palm of your hand.
Si Weiyun turned back from the embankment and went forward to meet him: "Your Highness, Wangfei!"
Ye Tianling nodded slightly, looked along the river, and said approvingly: "It's only a few months before such a huge project is completed, Weiyun, I didn't misunderstand you."
Si Weiyun gave a deep bow, and said with a smile: "Weiyun is lucky not to disgrace his life, and I would like to thank the princess for her wonderful idea. If there were no twelve steep gates, the embankment would be destroyed and the water released, and the loss would not be small."
Facing the wind from the river, Qing Chen looked far away where she could see as far as the eye could see. The Qingzhou County City stood in the lower reaches of the congested water, which was faintly visible. She smiled slightly and said, "It's not easy to build an embankment. If it can be preserved, it must be preserved naturally. This steep gate I just said so in the letter, but who would have thought that you actually did it, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
Si Weiyun followed Qing Chen's gaze into the distance, but there was worry in his expression: "Your Highness, there is one more thing..."
"Say." Ye Tianling said lightly.
Si Weiyun hesitated for a moment, and said: "The dam interception of backwater will gradually store water in the diversion pond. The amount of water should not be underestimated. Once the steep gate is opened, the flood peak will release, and the water level in the river will increase sharply. I am afraid that Qingzhou, Fengzhou, etc. And half of the counties along the coast will be occupied by Wang Ze, but Yun is bold, please think twice, Your Highness." As he said, he looked at Qing Chen.
Qing Chen already knew that he had this concern from Si Weiyun's letter a few days ago. Another reason is that most of the millions of craftsmen who built the embankment came from the prefectures of Qingzhou and Fengzhou. flat. She tried to mention this matter with Ye Tianling, but to no avail.
Ye Tianling stood quietly in front of him with his hands behind his back, looking at the rivers and mountains in the Central Shu Plain from afar, exuding a deep cold demeanor that made people dare not look at him directly. His brows were slightly furrowed, his eyes were deep, and he remained silent for a long time.
The power of the Marquis of Ximin was comparable to that of the Marquis of Beiyan. The middle of Shu was naturally dangerous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. If they did not accidentally destroy the Eastern Shu army, it was very likely that the Tianfu Plain would be handed over to the Marquis of Ximin to become king on his own. Even if it is a battle without destroying its main force, sooner or later the whole of central Shu will be reduced to a battlefield. If he is allowed to merge with the forces of Beiyanhou rebels, it may take a greater sacrifice than flooding the two states. cost.
Qing Chen shook his head slightly at Si Weiyun, telling him not to mention it for now. It was a matter of winning or losing the march, and Si Weiyun knew that Ye Tianling had thought carefully before making this decision, so he couldn't speak in vain, so he could only wait by his side.
Ye Tianling turned around and glanced at him, without saying a word on the matter, only said: "Let's go back to the hotel."
Fang entered the other hall, and Wei Changzheng entered to send the front military newspaper. Shi Shi, Nangong Jing and others sent secret letters to them almost every day. Although Ye Tianling was in Shu, he knew the battle situation in northern Xinjiang like the palm of his hand.
Fighting against soldiers and horses for several days, the 11th army met the rebels on the West Road led by Yu Chengsuo, the son of Northern Yanhou, and resisted the enemy in Youzhou. Iron horses and spears blocked the west line.
Nangong Jing's vanguard army reinforces Suzhou, and encounters Huangling Valley with the main force of the rebel army. The two sides fought hand-to-hand, and Nangong Jingbing was an elite front, using fewer enemies and more ingenious tactics to break through the enemy's defense and reach Suzhou.
Suzhou defender He Chong led his troops out of the city to meet them, and Yu Su was forced to retreat 30 miles away from the city. The two sides fought many bloody battles in the past few days. The soldiers of Suzhou defended the city to the death, and finally the army of King Hou Dezhan arrived.
After attacking Suzhou for a long time, Yu Su turned away from Jingzhou and took Dingzhou.
King Zhan took the opportunity to move his army northward and regain Liaozhou. Immediately, the army was rectified, and the soldiers were divided into two groups to form a siege. They defeated the rebels in Moleyuan and captured about 14,000 enemies.
The morale of the anti-insurgency army was high, and the momentum was like a broken bamboo all the way north. Now Yu Su is fighting and retreating, and the returning army can't hold Lin'an Pass, and has been stalemate with King Zhan for many days.
Ye Tianling took the military newspaper and opened it casually to read, the corners of his lips twitched slightly, Qing Chen raised his head: "What's wrong?"
General Ye Tianling handed her the report, Qing Chen looked at it and said with a smile: "Xia Bufeng is really a fierce general, he even killed three generals Yu Su, no wonder you value him so much."
Standing in front of the window with hands behind his back, Ye Tian raised his brows with a haughty expression: "Yu Su lost his troops and generals this time, so he knows how to restrain himself."
"It's good to hold on to each other, we can spare time here." Qing Chen looked at the picture of the military plane in front of the case and said, "Fourth brother, what Wei Yun said is not unreasonable. Once the steep gate is opened, the river will surge, and it will definitely cause a flood."
The sun shone slightly, and Ye Tianling's eyes reflected a sharp edge. He looked at the wind and fallen leaves outside the window and said lightly: "Two evils, whichever is lesser."
Qing Chen knew that what he said was reasonable, and stood up with a sigh: "Why don't I go to Weiyun's place to have a look."
Ye Tianling turned around and looked at her: "Weiyun and you get along better, it's better if you talk to him, otherwise he will always be hard to let go."
Qing Chen nodded and said, "I know, it's inevitable, so we can't blame him."
The world is always difficult, but Qing Chen admires Si Weiyun very much in his heart. Although he has many concerns, he understands the overall situation, and he never slackens in supervising the construction of the embankment day and night. Ye Tianling knows people and employs people not only to make the best of their talents, but also to make them loyal and obedient to orders.
The autumn sun poured down from the high sky, Qing Chen turned around and looked at Ye Tianling Qingba's figure bathed in the sun, a faint golden light fell on his blue gown, the deep outline against the time was as if cut by a knife, solemn Sharp and firm as a mountain.
The man in front of me who makes the world's most capable people bow their heads and submit to him is her husband, Qing Chen smiled faintly, nothing can shake his resolve, a man who also makes herself submit, or, this is the man she is willing to follow him for the rest of her life. the reason.
Sitting alone in the pavilion, buried in the first layer of the long scroll, Si Weiyun stroked his forehead and frowned, couldn't help feeling agitated, and proposed the case.
Fengzhou is where my hometown is.
When I was young, I can still see the bank of the river. I don’t think that this place will be destroyed by my own hands under the dam of the river that I am proud of.
After hesitating for a long time, he suddenly looked up, and suddenly saw Qing Chen standing in front of him in white clothes and light fur with a smile on his face, looking at the messy blueprint of the case. Si Weiyun was taken aback: "Princess, Weiyun is rude."
Qing Chen was used to Lu Qian's youthful chic and Du Junshu's madness, and always felt that Si Weiyun was neat and rigorous, but he was not used to it. "Thinking about blocking water and storing floods?" She smiled at Si Weiyun and unfolded a roll of drawings.
His writing is like a man, Si Weiyun's handwriting is slender, powerful and meticulous, just like his man, thin and thin like a literati, but full of integrity. If it weren't for such a person, how could such a huge water conservancy project be planned by one hand? Qing Chen couldn't help sighing after seeing the complicated drawings. The things she has heard and seen thousands of years later are sometimes just outlines, but after mentioning them to Si Weiyun, he can really turn them into reality on the river. This ingenious mind is probably unmatched by anyone in the world.
Si Weiyun glanced unintentionally, the autumn sun in front of him pierced through the window, and reflected lightly on Qingchen's white clothes, the light was clear, elegant and calm, and the quiet demeanor around him was as deep as a clear lake, which made him unable to take his eyes off for a while. The depression that was stagnant in his chest dissipated in her clear smile, and her heart calmed down involuntarily.
Seeing his silence for a long time, Qing Chen raised his eyes strangely, Si Weiyun hurriedly lowered his eyes, not daring to meet her eyes, and said: "Princess, I know this is a last resort, but I am still not reconciled."
Qing Chen nodded slightly, and slid his slender fingers across Si Weiyun's exquisite water conservancy map, thought for a moment, and asked: "I remember I discussed with you in the letter a few days ago, digging canals, branching and blocking water, passing through Have you ever thought about the idea of crossing the two prefectures in Qiaoling?"
In the past few months, there have been frequent letters. Si Weiyun has been deeply impressed by Qing Chen since the day when he talked with Qing Chen in the Tianji Mansion to discuss water conservancy construction. He will discuss almost everything with her. Leaning over, he took out another blueprint and pointed it out to her: "This method can indeed divert the backwater from Qingzhou and Fengzhou. Originally, to balance the water volume and avoid flood peaks, a diversion dam will be built here to connect the north and south canals for regulation. The river water keeps it dry in dry season and never overflows in high season. But although construction of the North Canal has already started, the progress is slow. Because of the hard rock of Dingqiao Ridge, the entire waterway has only been dug for less than half, even if it is day and night, it is too late."
Qing Chen watched carefully, and then smiled: "His Highness actually hopes that you can try to build this canal. I just saw that Dingqiao Ridge has not stopped working on the embankment. Didn't you say nothing?"
Si Weiyun stroked the blueprints of his subordinates and nodded, "Your Highness has given me the right to make decisions on the fly. How can I live up to such trust? The dam of the river will never delay the marching plan, but it is a pity that it is difficult to get the best of both worlds now. "
Qing Chen turned around and asked, "You are very familiar with Shuzhong."
Si Weiyun looked far away, as if he had some nostalgia, but he expressed deep regret: "I am a native of Juancheng, Fengzhou. The folk customs here are simple and the scenery is pleasant, and it is a very beautiful place. Fengyu, if the current idea of building weirs and diverting canals is completed, the floods and droughts of the land will follow the people, and the reputation of the land of abundance will not be in vain."
"That's why Your Highness must take Shuzhong." Qing Chen raised his eyes and looked into the distance. The other building is not far from the river, and the sound of river waves could be faintly heard in his ears: "Shuzhong is the world's granary. It is very important and must not be lost."
"I know." Si Weiyun replied solemnly, "I can only want to seal off one state, but His Highness has to take care of the four regions, so I have no complaints."
Qing Chen saw a trace of Qingyuan's determination from his thin face. The strong man broke his wrist with pride, which was admirable and praised: "Water conservancy is the foundation of farming, farming is what the people rely on, and people's livelihood is the world. You are really tied in your hands. Chaogen, waiting for Anlan in the middle of Shu, there is still a flood in the Canglang River to be rectified, His Highness is very dependent on you. As for the two prefectures of Qing and Feng, there are already arrangements, and the transfer of millions of funds to rebuild the two counties may be a little remedy."
Si Weiyun looked puzzled, even if it was a treasury collection with millions of dollars, it would take a lot of trouble, but Qing Chen just smiled lightly and said no more. Before leaving Tiandu, she had handed over the amethyst beads presented by Concubine Lian to Mo Buping, and ordered Mingyilou to secretly prepare military supplies and grass in case of accidents during the war, and even more so to take care of Shuzhong.
"Why don't you trust Your Highness?" She raised her eyebrows and raised her steps: "Come on, accompany me to the riverside to have a look. You have only heard about this ancient water conservancy construction in your letters. Now that I'm here, I really want to see it carefully. "
Si Weiyun recovered from his stupefaction, and immediately ordered the attendants in the hall to prepare the horses.
After pointing and talking along the way, Qing Chen and Si Weiyun arrived at the river bank.
Dingqiaoling Mountain is high and steep, like a sharp Pingfeng that cuts straight into the clouds and intercepts the great river. The wind from the mountains, the river and the water are steep, and the face is icy cold, which almost makes people unable to open their eyes.
Qing Chen supported his hood and rode his horse slowly. The North Canal in front of the Ridge was not very wide, only about one person deep and more than ten paces wide. Compared with the South Canal, which ran through the small alluvial plain, it could only hold a third of the river's water. However, it is these three parts of the river that can turn fertile land into a flood country and destroy houses into ruins.
Facing mountains and wading, many conscripts are digging mountains and piercing canals, carrying hardships. Since ancient times, the common people know nothing more than the political situation, and life and death changes are all in the hands of those in power. There are nearly a million people along the river, and how many of them know that their homes will be destroyed, and even their lives are in danger. They just rely on labor to support their families, hoping for a prosperous year and a peaceful life.
Even if the incumbent is lucky enough to be on the governing side, how can he not feel emotional in his heart by playing tricks and tricks? If there is no heart as hard as a mountain, the so-called world is nothing but suffering and torture. If you don't suffer yourself, you will destroy the common people.
Si Weiyun walked with Qing Chen, saw her still going deep, and stopped her, saying: "Princess, digging mountains ahead is very dangerous, don't do it anymore."
Qing Chen reined in the horse slightly, raised her eyes to look far away, and could already hear the "clinking" sound of axes and chisels in her ears. After watching for a while, she suddenly asked: "What method is used to dig mountains and ditches?"
Si Weiyun said: "This is an ancient method in the middle of Sichuan. Firewood is set up on the rocks to make them hot, and then cold water or vinegar is poured on them, and the rocks are quenched and cracked, and then iron chisels are used to peel them off. In this way, they are burned layer by layer. Chiseling, repeated over and over again, will penetrate the mountains."
"Isn't that very slow?" Qing Chen looked up in surprise.
"But there is no other way." Si Weiyun said: "This is the most time-saving and labor-saving method."
"Why not use explosives to open mountains?" Qing Chen asked again.
Si Weiyun was taken aback: "For what?"
Qing Chen suddenly realized that gunpowder should not be used much at this time. With a flash of thought in his heart, he urged the horse: "Go, go back!" Raising his whip, he turned back to the hotel.
Si Weiyun asked on the way, but Qing Chen raised his hand to stop him, and only said to him: "Go and find me some alchemy books, and also, call Mingzhi."
But after a while, Ming Zhi and Si Weiyun came to the other hall and saw Qing Chen looking through the books before the case.
"princess!"
Qing Chen raised his head, smiled at them, and asked, "Mingzhi, are there such things as fire and thunder in the Jianghu?"
Mingzhi said: "Yes, why does the princess ask this?"
"Can you make it?"
"Although I'm not proficient, I know a thing or two."
Qing Chen copied something on the paper. She remembered that gunpowder was discovered accidentally by Taoist priests in ancient times when they were refining alchemy and seeking immortality. Sure enough, they found clues in this kind of book. She handed the paper to Si Weiyun: "There are thousands of strategies in the book, Weiyun, let me try to keep your Fengzhou intact."