On the first day of November in the sixth year of Qianning, Han Jian, the governor of Ruzhou, Zhao Kuanglin, who was transferred from Suizhou to the governor of Tangzhou, and Zhao Keyu, the governor of the capital, arrived in Fangcheng County, Tangzhou.
On the Bishui River, trackers pulled the boat all the way north. After arriving at the dock, they began to unload the cargo.
"This river cannot be opened." Zhao Kuanglin said firmly while looking at the Jianghan goods being unloaded along the way.
The goods were mainly medicinal materials, leathers, silks, etc., which were looted and captured by Zhe Zongben in Qizhou and Shuzhou.
The Youguo and Weisheng armies continued to fight against the Huai army in the Jianghan area.
In October, they advanced to the city of Qizhou, but could not be defeated for a long time. When they met, Li Shenfu sent the navy to Wuchang and burned hundreds of grain ships stationed at the dock. The Xia army was frightened and retreated to Ezhou in defeat. The Huai army pursued them along the way. , captured and beheaded thousands of people.
In November, the morale of the Huai army was so high that they pursued them to the gates of Wuchang City. The two sides fought at the foot of Guo. The Huai army was defeated and was chased back. On the contrary, it even lost the city of Qizhou and retreated hastily into Shuzhou.
At this point, Yang Xingmi's expansion achievements in the Jianghan area were ruined. The three prefectures of An, Huang, and Qi were lost, and the hope of expanding toward Xiangyang and consolidating the western front was completely shattered.
Zhe Zongben took advantage of the Huai army's new defeat and led a large army into Shuzhou. They looted everywhere and gained a lot. He did not forget to give his son-in-law a share. No, all of it was shipped to Luoyang.
Ships carrying goods entered the Han River from the Yangtze River, arrived at Xiangyang, and then sailed upstream to Fangcheng County.
Once here, we have to disembark and take the land route.
Under the orders of Shao Shude, Capital Water Supervisor Zhao Keyu came to inspect the so-called Xianghan Cao Canal for the last time.
The idea of Xianghan Cao Canal has existed since ancient times. Especially after a major earthquake prevented the goods from central Sichuan from being transported to Guanzhong, the construction of this canal became even more necessary - after the goods from Sichuan left Sichuan via the Yangtze River, if they could pass through Han The water reaches directly to various river systems in Henan, which will greatly reduce losses.
The imperial court once thought about it, especially after capitalizing on Luoyang, but it was never implemented.
Historically, Bianzhou, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, officially started excavation, but ultimately failed.
In the third year of the Taiping Xingguo reign (978), Zhao Guangyi mobilized people from Tang Dynasty, Deng Ruying and other prefectures, "tens of thousands of people, with the bow and arrow warehouse envoy Wang Wenbao, Liuzhao envoy Li Jilong, deputy envoys of the inner workshop Li Shenyou, Liu Chengguai and others to protect them", and officially started construction. The purpose of the Xianghan Cao Canal is to connect the Tangbai River system in Nanyang with the Shahe River system in the eastern Henan Plain, and then merge into the Caishui River to reach Bianliang.
Tens of thousands of people worked for a month, digging more than a hundred miles of canals, connecting the two major water systems of Shahe River and Tangbai River. Then they built a dam to block the water at the lower entrance, allowing it to flow northeast and merge into the canal, that is, artificially changing the direction of the river. .
It was also at this time that something embarrassing happened.
Because the Cao Canal passes through Fangchengkou, the terrain of this pass is slightly higher, and the water of Tangbai River is insufficient. "The terrain is high and water cannot reach it." Later, they thought of many ways, such as raising the dam, and adding in the flood season, the water of Tangbai River Finally, it merged into the Shahe River through the Shitang River in Ye County. For the first time in history, the Nanyang Basin connected with the Eastern Henan Plain through waterways.
But something more embarrassing happened.
Even during the flood season, the river water barely rushed into the Shahe River system opposite the pass, but the water was shallow and "cannot be transported by water." Then a flash flood broke out and directly destroyed the stone weir that blocked the water and diverted it to the lower entrance. The project was ruined.
tail.
The construction of this canal in the Northern Song Dynasty was not unfounded, because it was the course of the ancient Baihe River. This was the course of the ancient Baihe River. However, after many years of vicissitudes, the Baihe River could no longer cross Fangchengkou, and we do not know what happened in the middle.
Perhaps seeing hope of success, Zhao Guangyi ordered the digging of the Xianghan Canal for the second time ten years later, but it failed again.
Both times they were close to success, but this was the reason why the canal was abandoned.
Actually, it just lacks a lock with a ship lift. In the early years of the United States, the Erie Canal was built on the Great Lakes, using ship lifts to allow ships to cross mountains and ridges, making it successfully navigable.
The Xianghan Canal is not long, just over a hundred miles long, and only tens of thousands of people were used. It took a month to work on it, so it is not a big project. But it was stuck with technology, and in the end it had to cost a lot of money to make it work.
In central Sichuan, Huguang's goods had to go around a long way before they could be transferred to Bianzhou.
"Mr. Zhao, you really can't think of a way?" Zhao Keyu asked.
Manpower is not a problem. It's not like Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty mobilized millions of people to build the Grand Canal, or it was the kind that lasted for many years. Tens of thousands of people worked on a project that lasted for several months, which is a big deal, and the conscripts were sent out for more than a few months at a time.
"Don't think about it." Zhao Kuanglin said with a bitter smile: "Gaozong and Empress Wu proposed to open this canal, but after on-site inspection, it was abandoned. Fangchengkou is not easy to live in."
"However, this canal is not useless at all." Han Jian interjected at the side: "Even if it is impossible to pass through Fangchengkou, it has shortened the carriage and horse transportation by more than a hundred miles, and the cost has been greatly reduced."
"It makes no sense." Zhao Kuanglin said: "The water flows south and turns northeast. It may be fine on weekdays. Once a flash flood breaks out, it would be strange if the stone weir is not washed away."
"Maybe we can build Pichi to slow down the water flow." Zhao Keyu thought for a while and suggested.
Zhao Kuanglin pondered for a moment and said: "It's not impossible. It can shorten the dry road by more than a hundred miles, so it might be worth a try."
"How many registered permanent residences are there in Tangzhou?"
"After the family members of the Xiaojie Army moved here, there were more than 38,000 households and more than 158,000 people."
"Can we recruit soldiers this year?"
"Never."
"Deng, where is Sui Erzhou?"
"When I left Suizhou, there were 16,000 households with a population of over 75,000. Dengzhou had 20,000 households with a population of over 86,000," Zhao Kuanglin said.
"Ruzhou has 58,000 households and more than 310,000 people." Han Jian immediately added.
"You don't need so many people to build a national highway. Perhaps fifty or sixty thousand people can be mobilized to dig the ancient Baihe River." Zhao Keyu fisted his hands and said: "This matter still needs to be decided by the king. I will report it when I get back."
"Actually, if you ask me, it is better to lead Luo into Bian." Zhao Kuanglin said: "What your Highness is worried about is that the Bian water is small and gentle, and the sediment is silted, which is not conducive to water transportation. But the Luo water is more abundant, and it may be able to communicate with Luoyang.
The two major water systems in Bianzhou supplement the water of the Bianhe River."
The project to divert Luoyang into Bian was completed during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty. During the period of Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty, he actually wanted to do this. In the last year of his reign, he used 5,000 people to dredge the 35-mile canal in Luoyang - it was
Yes, Luoyang Cao Canal is a small project with a level of 5,000 people. The recruitment is more than 5,000 at a time, and 50,000 is almost the same. It will trigger a civil uprising or something, which does not exist. People will rebel if they are not given food.
"Your Highness attaches great importance to the water in Luoyang, and it is impossible to divide it." Zhao Keyu said: "Diverting the Yellow River to Bian is not bad, but there is too much silt."
Zhao Kuanglin and Han Jian both sighed.
"You don't have to sigh. There are 850 miles between Xiang and Luo, and there are 700 miles of waterways. What else can you be dissatisfied with?" Zhao Keyu said with a smile: "His Highness has said that there is a lot to do between Jiang and Han, and there may be more to come later.
Great efforts have been made to clean up this area.”
To put it simply, Heyang, Henan and parts of Hebei are the food base of Luoyang. However, Jianghan and Nanyang cannot be neglected, especially Xiangyang and Ezhou areas, which are vast and sparsely populated, with swamps and dense forests. If they are developed well, what will happen?
Not a big granary?
"Xiangyang is still in Zhao Kuangning's hands." Zhao Kuanglin reminded.
His cousin had a lot of thoughts. He had been invading Jingnan over the years. In mid-October, Zhao Kuangming, the commander of the Zhongyi Army Yameni, led his army to break through Jiangling Mansion and capture Xu Cun, ending this long tug-of-war.
As soon as Jiangling was reached, the Zhongyi Army defeated Ximen Daozhao and others who came to rob, conquered Xiazhou, and pursued them all the way to Guizhou City.
Hearing that Zhao Kuangning had personally arrived at Jiangling Mansion, he planned to send more than 10,000 yamen troops and 20,000 local peasants south to attack Lei Man, who had formed an alliance with Ximen Daozhao.
Lei Man panicked and formed an alliance with brothers Deng Jinsi and Deng Jinzhong in Yuezhou, and sent envoys to contact Ma Yin in Hunan for help.
The war in Jingnan may continue to develop in depth.
"Your Highness may not want the Zhao brothers to take over both towns." Zhao Keyu said vaguely.
Are you kidding me? Can't you tell that King Xia is trying hard to cut down the feudal vassal? Zhao Kuangning has a deep brotherhood. He wanted to conquer Jiangling Mansion many years ago and find a piece of land for his younger brother Zhao Kuangming. Now, after Li Kan's death, there is serious internal strife in Jingnan
It was a favorable opportunity to capture such important towns. After King Xia noticed it, he would definitely take measures.
Brothers Zhao Kuangning and Zhao Kuangming could only choose between Xiangyang and Jiangling. There was no other possibility.
No, there won't even be a chance to choose. The King of Xia most likely wants to get Xiangzhen and include Xiang, Ying, and Fuzhou. The best outcome for the Zhao brothers is to go to Jiangling Mansion and serve as the governor of Jingnan.
Thinking of this, Zhao Keyu glanced at Zhao Kuanglin.
Zhao Kuanglin's expression was as usual, nothing unusual. He had taken refuge with King Xia for so many years, and his interests had long been inconsistent with those of his cousins. There was nothing more to say.
This is actually the survival wisdom of the local Tu people. Don't put your eggs in one basket and make long bets to ensure the continuation of the family.
In Zhao Kuanglin's view, it may not be a bad thing for his cousin to take over Jiangling Mansion. Xiangyang is too important, can you take it? It would be better to hand it over early and take up the post in Jiangling Mansion.
But, alas! Zhao Kuanglin sighed silently. Sooner or later, Jingnan Town will have to withdraw from the vassal. After all, nothing can be done.
"I heard that after Li Maozhen conquered Dongchuan, he cleaned up the remaining enemies and built a large number of ships at the same time. He seems to be heading east?" Han Jian suddenly asked: "Are you just showing off?"
"After having both the eastern and western rivers, only a ghost would believe it if you don't go north to get the Dragon Sword." Zhao Keyu said with a smile: "But there are many people, money, and soldiers in Shu, so who can say for sure. Send a partial army out of the gorge.
It is not impossible to give Ximen Daozhao and others some hope."
Zhao Kuanglin smiled and nodded, but his thoughts were still on his cousins. As a fellow sect member, he really didn't want brothers Zhao Kuangning and Zhao Kuangming to end well. When he thought about it carefully, Kuang Ning seemed to be quite loyal to the saint of the Li family.
He has continued to pay tribute to this day and is ridiculed by many people.
Duhong of Ezhou was captured by Zhe Zongben in a sneak attack and seized the territory. Everyone in the Jianghan states was in danger. He was really worried about Kuang Ning now. Kuang Ming and Kuang Ming couldn't think about it anymore. Alas, King Xia was also a man with a hard time satisfying his desires.
If you give others a way to survive, isn't this forcing them to rebel?
