The sun was scorching hot, and the water was steaming like steam. On the banks of the Fen River, the people who built the embankment and the craftsmen were desperately rushing to work. The embankment has broken ground since the winter when the water was shallow. Thirty thousand people worked for several months, and now only the finishing touches are left. But even so, the scene is still amazing.
Riding on the horse, Prince Liang Rong frowned slightly: "If you don't reach the embankment, you don't know the hardships of the husband. Pei Dushui, can this embankment be completed within a month?"
"As long as it doesn't rain continuously, it should be completed on time." Pei Ruo replied.
He has long lost the high-class bearing of the Hedong Pei Clan, and now Pei Ruo has a dark complexion and must be short-clothed. If he didn't know, he would have thought it was a farm official from a poor family. However, it was this person who repaired the Fenshui River in Bingzhou within five years, drained the canal, and strengthened the river embankment, making the fertile soil near Jinyang thousands of miles into the granary of the North.
Last year, Yongzhou was pacified, freeing up manpower, and the governance of the southern section of the Fen River became a top priority. Pei Ruo traveled all over the two counties of Pingyang and Hedong, and finally drew up a water control plan and reported it to the court. Liang Rong paid close attention to the plan at the beginning of the plan and arrived in Pingyang County early. However, his supervisory role is to check the operation of grain and fodder in various counties and counties, to requisition labor force, and to understand the operation process of the entire river affairs. Therefore, in order not to interfere with the progress of the project, he never really came to the river.
Now that he arrived at the place, he realized that what he saw on the paper was finally shallow.
"It would have been better if Gu Gu came to the embankment earlier." After watching for a while, Liang Rong sighed. During the busy farming season, so much manpower is devoted to water control, and the pressure can be imagined. Moreover, Yongzhou has just been restored, the population is sparse, and the plague of locusts has not yet been settled. If he can be stationed on the embankment earlier, will the officials below be more diligent and complete the river work as soon as possible
Pei Ruo said: "If there is no His Highness to sit in Linfen, the river affairs will not be so smooth. The river work is a major event, and it can't be done."
This is Pei Ruo's sincerity. The prince's inspection is of great significance. Letting him stay in Linfen and supervising bureaucrats at all levels is far more effective than coming to the river bank to inspect. The southern section of the Fen River can go straight into the Yellow River. Once the Fen River and the Yellow River flow together, it will immediately endanger the capital Luoyang in the lower reaches. Therefore, the emperor paid more attention to the governance of Fen.
And Pei Ruo himself was from Hedong. The flooding of the river is also a deadly threat to the east of the river. If the water veins on this road are healed, the village will be benefited. The Pei family in Hedong suffered too many losses in the war.
He was the messenger of water, but he became a cadre who was used by the emperor. Whether it is for the country or for the family, he has an obligation to shoulder heavy responsibilities.
If Pei Ruo was one of the best water control experts in the dynasty, Liang Rong still had to listen to his words. Nodding slightly, Liang Rong said: "When the Fen water is smooth, and from Bingzhou to Yongzhou, the army will be able to go straight down the river. Such a feat is no less than that of King Jing of the Later Han Dynasty. Peidu's water residence is very great!"
At that time, Wang Jing was ordered to govern the Yellow River, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers, repairing canals and embankments. From the east of Xingyang to Qiancheng Haikou, there is no risk of leakage for more than a thousand miles. Now that three hundred years have passed, the Yellow River is still stable, which is truly amazing.
Pei Ruo shook his head and said, "How can governing Fen be compared to governing the river? The minister's weak achievements are far inferior to Wang Zhongtong. But the Yellow River has flowed smoothly over the years. Apart from the canals, there may be other reasons..."
"Is it a forest?" Liang Rong said immediately, "I have also heard my father say that if you want to control the water, you need to protect the forest first."
"Your Majesty is holy." Pei Ruo nodded and said, "I think back then, when the Han Dynasty was the capital of Chang'an, Guanzhong was densely populated, and the Yellow River suffered frequent floods. After the Han Dynasty moved the capital to Luoyang, Guanzhong was sparsely populated, and the floods were greatly eliminated. There are many barren fields, but the water of the Yellow River is much clearer. The river is most afraid of silting, and the sand will be a disaster. If we can cut down less trees and consolidate the soil to control the sand, maybe this big river can flow for thousands of years.”
But having said that, both of them understood that it was difficult. It is best if the tree is not cut down. But people need to eat, to live in, and there is no arable land, no wood, how to reproduce? Protecting the forest is a tiger's mouth, and I don't know how much time and effort it will take to change the concept a little.
"As long as Haiyan Heqing is able, it will not be an exaggeration to spend more time." This is a daunting task, but Liang Rong's voice is not discouraged, but seems to be determined for himself.
Such a youthful heroic spirit also made Pei Ruo feel emotional. How could there be a prince and a grandson who cared so much about water conservancy in the previous dynasty? All the kings cut down trees and built palaces extensively. On the other hand, the Da Zhao Tianjia, after the founding of the country, the Luoyang Palace has not been repaired for six years. This alone shows that he loves his people like a son. It is precisely because of this that his "partial" knowledge can come in handy.
"Pei Dushui, let's go forward." Not caring what Pei Ruo was thinking, Liang Rong continued to gallop forward.
Pei Ruo smiled and followed suit.
Accompanied by water officials, Liang Rong went all the way to the mouth of the Fen River. However, the inspection did not end, and it suddenly rained heavily. The rain is getting heavier and heavier, and it doesn't mean to stop. A few days later, it rained continuously and became a disaster. The disaster-reporting documents were also quickly sent to Luoyang.
"Your Majesty, there is a danger that the embankment will collapse in the east of the river. Please also decree that the prince should be recruited to return to the court immediately!" In the court hall, some courtiers came out to speak.
Floods are no joke, once the dyke bursts, thousands of miles away! Now that the emperor's grandson is young, is there anything wrong with Prince An? !
However, Liang Feng was unmoved: "In front of the three armies, how can you be easy to be handsome? The prince patrols the river on my behalf, and also protects the embankment and rescues the disaster victims on my behalf! The order is sent, and troops are recruited in Pingyang and Hedong to defend the river embankment. !"
When the river collapsed, the best officials just ordered the people along the way to evacuate. How can there be a berm with soldiers? This remark immediately caused a commotion in the hall, but before anyone else could speak, Zhang Bin came out and said: "Bingzhou has been controlling the water for several years, and there is a water gate in the upper reaches of the Fen River, which can block the flood peak and reduce the pressure on the east of the river. Now that the canal is more than half repaired, if not Perseverance, it is still a trivial matter to give up all previous achievements, in case the river fen soars and merges into Yiluo, the capital will be in danger!"
This made the hall quiet. Zhang Bin is the father of the state, and his daughter is still pregnant in the palace. He said so, what else can others say? Moreover, the capital is close to the Yellow River, and it is indeed possible to encounter floods. If Luoyang is in chaos at this time, and the Xiongnu or Jin state will send troops to attack again, then it will shake the country!
"My minister, please lead the troops for disaster relief!" Hussar General Yi Yan strode out.
Liang Feng only hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "The flood is not like a battle, so it is not appropriate for you to go. Xuzao, the Ministry of Water, take someone to Hedong and cooperate with the prince to deploy troops to prevent floods. Money, food and materials must be delivered as soon as possible. Don't miss out!"
This is about the safety of the prince, who dares to ignore it? The entire Great Zhao court was in operation, rushing towards the flooded Hefen.
East Palace.
"His Royal Highness is still in Hedong, how can this be?! Crown Princess, you ask for His Majesty's kindness..." There were palace people with six gods and no masters, sobbing and saying.
Zhang Wan said in a deep voice, "Your Royal Highness has an order, and your Highness should stick to Hedong. Whoever dares to disturb the palace, drag it out and stick to death!"
She is nine months pregnant, her abdominal circumference is distended, and she has difficulty moving. However, Zhang Wan's performance was neat and tidy, without the slightest panic. This attitude also greatly calmed the inner palace, making those gossips disappear.
All power is gathering towards Hedong. Liang Rong himself was trapped in Linfen City.
It was originally the pseudo-Han capital Pingyang, but it was renamed in the new dynasty. After all, it was once the capital of the country, and the walls of Linfen were high and the city was wide, and the defenses were heavily guarded. Even if the flood does come, it can be stopped.
"My father ordered me to control the water, how can I shrink the city?!" Liang Rong was furious and shouted loudly.
"His Royal Highness! The matter of flood control is handled by Pei Dushui and Zheng Taishou. The two are familiar with water affairs and military use, but when His Royal Highness goes, it will cause chaos. You should stick to the rear and take charge of the overall situation!" The prince's left concubine Fan Xuan stopped in front of Liang Rong, Don't give in.
"You..." Liang Rong wanted to say something else.
A guard led Tian Lin also said: "Zuo Shuzi is right. If there is a war, how can the commander rush to the front? Your Highness's duty is to stabilize the hearts of the people, not to lead the troops."
Taking a deep breath, Liang Rong finally suppressed the evil fire and nodded: "Send some more people to settle the victims without causing an epidemic."
It was only today that Liang Rong knew how naive he was. Even if he was once trapped in the party alone, he had Cui Ji and Yi Yan by his side, living in a high wall, with guards by his side. Safe and secure. Today, the enemy is not soldiers and horses, but rivers. The waves are choppy and unstoppable! In front of it, the swordsmen are useless, and the manpower is even more insignificant.
But the father did not give up. The raw hemp woven pockets are filled with river sand and transported to the embankment. Layer by layer, build high walls. The broken gap was plugged with a cart full of stones, and then topped with soldiers. Countless servants and soldiers fought against the flood with all their might. What for? Because this is their home, because up to the prince, down to the county magistrate, no one escaped. Instead, do your best to stand with them on this unfinished dam!
He never thought that those little people could carry such a torrent with only their hands and shoulders.
This is the people of Da Zhao! It is the father who rules the people!
As a prince, how can he be calm and self-sufficient? Unable to go to the embankment, Liang Rong began to run around in Linfen City. He personally went to the refugee camp, inquired about the poor, and gave medicine and money. He also greeted the soldiers returning to the city to rest several times at the gate of the city, and arranged hot meals to sleep on the couch. Even the East Palace sent a large number of clothes, all of which were sewn by the princess and the maid.
All the officials involved in the flood fight, Liang Rong also personally took the pen to show their merit. Although he never left the city, his words and deeds spread all over the river bank and let countless people know that they have such a prince!
The soldiers and civilians became even more imposing, and they blocked several breaches in a row, trapping the water dragon firmly in the river!
The rain eased, and in August, the disaster was over. Those who did not survive the flood were less than a hundred people.
A few days later, the princess gave birth to a daughter. The emperor was very happy, named Zhi, and sealed Pingyang.
The author has something to say: In this flood, there is only one sentence in the book of Jin: "The river overflowed, and more than a thousand homes were lost."