Royal road

The sun is hot and the water is steaming.On the bank of Fenshui, the folk men and craftsmen who repaired the embankment are desperately rushing to work.Since the water is shallow in winter, the embankment has broken ground. 3 people have worked for several months, and now only the finishing touches are left.But even so, this scene is still grand and amazing.

Riding on the horse, Prince Liang Rong frowned slightly: "If you don't reach the embankment, you don't know the hardships of labor. 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 beside him.

The noble bearing of the Pei family in Hedong has long since disappeared. Today's Pei Ruo has a dark complexion, short beard and poor clothes.If you don't know, you may think it is a farm official from a poor family.However, it was this person who repaired the Fenshui River in Bingzhou within five years, diverted the canals, and reinforced the embankments, making the fertile soil near Jinyang thousands of miles long and becoming the granary of the North.

Yongzhou was pacified last year to free up manpower, and the governance of the southern section of Fenshui became a top priority.Pei Ruo traveled all over the two counties of Pingyang and Hedong, and finally worked out a water control plan and reported it to the court.Liang Rong has been paying attention to the plan from the very beginning, and has rushed to Pingyang County early.However, his supervisory role is to inspect the operation of grain and fodder in various counties and counties, the requisition of labor force, and to figure out the entire operation process of the river affairs.Therefore, in order not to interfere with the progress of the project, he never actually came to the river.

Now that he got to the place, he realized that what he saw on the paper was finally shallow.

"It would have been better if Gu had come to the embankment earlier." After watching for a while, Liang Rong sighed.During the busy farming season, so much manpower is spent on water control, and the pressure can be imagined.What's more, Yongzhou has just recovered, the population is sparse, and the plague of locusts is still unresolved.If he could garrison the embankment earlier, would the officials below be more diligent and complete the river work as soon as possible?

Pei Ruo said, "Without His Royal Highness sitting in Linfen, the river affairs would not be so smooth. The river work is a major event, so there is no need to worry about it."

This is Pei Ruo's sincere words.The prince's inspection is of great significance.It is far more effective to let him stay in Linfen and supervise bureaucrats at all levels than to come to the river embankment to inspect.The southern section of Fenshui can go straight into the Yellow River. Once Fenshui and the Yellow River flood together, it will immediately endanger Luoyang, the capital downstream.Therefore, the emperor paid more attention to Zhifen.

And Pei Ruo himself is from Hedong.The flooding of the Fen River is also a fatal threat to the East River.Healing this channel of water will benefit the village.The Pei family in Hedong lost too much in the war, and they surrendered to the puppet Han, and fled to the south. They made mistakes again and again, so that the family business in the past has lost all its glory.

As the envoy of Dushui, he became a minister who was valued by the emperor.Whether it is for the country or for the family, he has the obligation to take on heavy responsibilities.

If Pei Ruo is one of the best flood control experts in this dynasty, Liang Rong still wants to listen to him.Nodding his head slightly, Liang Rong said: "When the Fen River is unobstructed and enters Yongzhou from Bingzhou, 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. Pei Dushui has made great contributions!"

When Wang Jing was ordered to control the Yellow River, hundreds of thousands of soldiers were killed, and ditches and embankments were built.From the east of Xingyang to Qiancheng Haikou, there is no leak for more than a thousand miles.Now that 300 years have passed, the Yellow River is still stable, which is really an astonishing achievement.

Pei Ruo shook his head and said: "How can governing Fen be compared to governing the river? The merits of the minister are far inferior to Wang Zhongtong. But these years, the Yellow River has flowed safely. Apart from the canal, 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 must first protect the forest."

"Your Majesty is wise." Pei Ruo nodded and said, "In the past when the capital of Han Dynasty was Chang'an, Guanzhong was densely populated, and the Yellow River frequently flooded. Later Han moved its capital to Luoyang, Guanzhong was sparsely populated, and the floods were greatly eliminated. In the former dynasty, the population was insufficient. There are many barren fields, but the water of the Yellow River is much clearer. The river is most afraid of silting up, and a lot of sand will become a disaster. If we can cut down trees, fix soil and control sand, maybe this big river can flow safely for thousands of years."

But that being said, both of them also understand that this matter is difficult.It is best if the tree is not cut down.But people need to eat and live in houses, and they have no arable land and no wood, so how can they prosper?Protecting the forest is like taking food from a tiger's mouth. I don't know how much time and effort it will take to change the concept a little bit.

"As long as the sea is clean and the river is clear, no matter how much time it takes, it's not too much." This is a difficult task, but Liang Rong's voice is not discouraged, but it seems to be determined for himself.

Such youthful heroism also made Pei Ruo feel emotional.How could there be such a prince and grandson in the previous dynasty who cared so much about water conservancy?All the kings cut down trees indiscriminately and built palaces extensively.On the other hand, the Tianjia of Zhao, after the founding of the country, Luoyang Palace has not been repaired for six years.This alone shows that he loves the people like a son.It is precisely because of this that his little knowledge of "off the beaten track" can come in handy.

"Pei Dushui, let's go further." Not caring what Pei Ruo was thinking, Liang Rong clamped his horse's belly and continued to gallop forward.

Pei Ruo smiled and rode her horse to follow.

Accompanied by water officials, Liang Rong walked all the way to the mouth of the Fen River.However, the inspection was not over, and suddenly it rained heavily.The rain was getting heavier and heavier, and it didn't mean to stop.After a few days, it rained continuously and became a disaster.The documents for the disaster report were also quickly sent to Luoyang.

"Your Majesty, there is a danger of the bank breaking down in the east of the river. Please issue an order to recruit the crown prince and return to court immediately!" In the court hall, some officials came out to speak.

Flooding is not a joke, once the embankment breaks, thousands of miles will change the country!Now that the emperor's grandson is young, is the prince safe? !

However, Liang Feng was unmoved: "How can the three armies be easily commanded? The prince will patrol the river affairs on my behalf, and he will also protect the dikes and rescue the victims on my behalf! The order will be sent down to recruit troops from Pingyang and Hedong to guard the river dikes." !"

When the river floods, the best officials can only order the people along the way to evacuate, and more importantly, wait for the water to recede and provide disaster relief.How can there be soldiers to protect the embankment?This remark immediately caused a commotion in the court, but before others could open their mouths, Zhang Bin came out and said: "Bingzhou has been controlling the water for several years, and there are water gates in the upper reaches of the Fen River, which can block the flood peak and reduce the pressure on the east. Now more than half of the canals have been built, if not Persevere, it's a trivial matter to waste all previous efforts, if the river Fen surges and flows into Yiluo, the capital will be in danger!"

These words silenced the hall.Zhang Bin is the head of the state, and his daughter is still pregnant in the palace.He said that, what else can others say?Moreover, the capital is adjacent to the Yellow River, so it is indeed possible to encounter floods.If Luoyang is in chaos at this time, and the Xiongnu or Jin send troops to attack again, it will shake the foundation of the country!

"Your Majesty, please lead the troops to rescue the disaster!" Hussar General Yi Yan strode out.

Liang Feng only hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "Flooding is not like fighting in front of battle, so it's not right for you to go. Xu Zao, Minister of the Ministry of Water, you take people to Hedong, and cooperate with the prince to dispatch troops to prevent floods. Money, food and supplies must arrive as soon as possible. There is no room for loss!"

This involves the safety of the prince, who dares to ignore it?The entire Dazhao court was in motion, rushing towards the flooded Hefen.

East Palace.

"Your Highness is still in Hedong, what should I do?! Crown Princess, please beg Your Majesty to show mercy..." Some palace servants were bewildered, weeping and speaking.

Zhang Wan said in a deep voice: "Father has ordered, Your Highness must stick to the river. Whoever dares to disturb the palace, drag it out and die with a stick!"

I have been pregnant for nine months, my abdomen is swollen, and I have difficulty moving.However, Zhang Wan's performance was straightforward, without any panic.This attitude also greatly calmed down the inner palace, making those gossips disappear.

All forces are converging towards the east of the river.Liang Rong himself was trapped in Linfen City.

This was originally Pingyang, the capital of the pseudo-Han Dynasty, but it was only renamed in the new dynasty.In any case, it was the capital of the dynasty, Linfen had a high wall and a wide city, and it was heavily guarded.Even if the flood does come, it can be stopped.

"Father ordered me to control the flood, how can I hide in the city?!" Liang Rong was furious and scolded loudly.

"Your Highness! The matter of flood control is handled by Pei Dushui and Taishou Zheng. They are familiar with water affairs and the use of troops. Your Highness will only add to the chaos if you go there. You should stick to the rear and take charge of the overall situation!" Prince Zuo Shuzi Fan Xuan stopped in front of Liang Rong, Don't budge.

"You..." Liang Rong wanted to say something more.

Tian Lin, the side guard, also said: "The left concubine is right. If there is a war, how can the commander rush to the front of the battle? Your Highness's duty is to stabilize the hearts of the people, not to take the lead."

Taking a deep breath, Liang Rong finally suppressed the evil fire and nodded: "Send some more people to resettle the victims, so there will be no epidemic."

It was not until today that Liang Rong realized how naive he was.Even if he was once trapped in Shangdang alone, he still has Cui Ji and Yiyan by his side, living deep in the high wall with guards by his side.Safe and worry-free.But now, the enemy is not soldiers and horses, but river water.The waves are rough and unstoppable!In front of it, swords and soldiers are useless, and manpower is even more insignificant, unbearable to mention.

But the father did not give up.Fill the sacks woven with raw hemp with river sand and transport them to the embankment.Layer by layer, build a high wall.The gap that broke through was blocked with a cart full of stones, and soldiers were used to top it up.Countless servants and soldiers fought desperately against the flood.What for?Because this is their home, because from the prince to the county magistrate, no one escaped.Instead, try your best to stay 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 people under the rule of the father!

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.Go to the refugee camp in person, inquire about the poor, and donate medicine and money.He also personally greeted the soldiers returning to the city to rest at the gate of the city several times, and arranged hot meals and sleeping beds.Even the East Palace sent a large number of clothes, all sewn by the maids in charge of the Crown Princess.

For all the officials who participated in the flood fighting, Liang Rong personally wrote a pen to show their merits.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 more aggressive, and even blocked several breaches in a row, trapping the water dragon firmly in the river!

The rain slowed down, and in August, the disaster was over.Those who survived the flood were less than a hundred.

A few days later, the princess gave birth to a daughter.The son of heaven, Dayue, was named Zhizhi and named Pingyang.

The author has something to say: In this flood, there is only one sentence in Jinshu, "The river Fen overflowed, and more than a thousand homes were lost."