After meeting Lu Qi, the Shandong admiral, in the Yamen, he ordered Shan Ming, the commander of the Guoyong Battalion, to lead several guerrilla generals and lead troops to Shandong to supervise the capture and suppression of the bandits.
Just as he sat down in the back hall, his expression paused, he remembered something, and said to Liu Jixian standing beside him:
"Send someone to the Hedao Yamen to bring the drawings and expense accounts of the construction of dikes and weirs on the Yellow River and the accounting books to the governor's Yamen, and send people to audit them. In addition, we send people to investigate the right political officer Jiang Yuanwu and investigate related corruption cases."
When he proposed dredging the canal, this political activist who was responsible for water management and river conservancy dared to obstruct him, which was suspicious.
It would be unreasonable to say that Qi Party officials are all "opposing for the sake of opposition". They are just participating in politics. Even if they want to restrain themselves, who will give them the courage?
Then there can only be one explanation. The Heti construction matter hides a huge corruption case, and Jiang Yuanwu is also involved in the case.
Recruiting reserves and raising supplies for river construction required coordination and management by local vassals, which gave rise to opportunities for collusion and manipulation.
Liu Jixian cupped his hands and said, "This is a humble job, so I'll let someone monitor you."
Jia watched Liu Jixian leave and turned to return to the study. He saw Princess Xianning standing handsomely behind the bead curtain. He was surprised and asked, "Your Highness, why didn't you go to rest?"
"I don't usually have the habit of taking naps, and I can't sleep now." Princess Xianning came in through the curtain, looked at Jia Heng with bright eyes, and asked, "Sir, what did Lu Qi say?"
He said to Jia Heng: "Those who know the current affairs are distinguished. I have already agreed."
Princess Ning nodded, no longer asking about the matter in detail, and asked instead: "Mr. just now, did you intend to renovate the river?"
Jia Heng sat down, picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and said softly:
"As a matter of routine, I can only inspect the river embankments at the moment. The Central Plains has been peaceful for too long in the past few years, and I have gradually forgotten the harm caused by floods. In the next few days, before the magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture arrives, I will inspect
We conducted on-site inspections along the embankments of the two rivers to be alert to the floods this summer and to be prepared."
He was the governor of the military and administrative affairs of the Central Plains, so the river affairs might interfere with the civil affairs, so he could not ignore them.
Princess Xianning Yingying sat down, her bright eyes under her beautiful eyebrows slightly brightened, and she said: "The Yellow River has been in trouble for many years. If you want to control the river, sir, you only have the manpower and material resources of the place, but you are afraid that you will not be able to do it."
Since ancient times, river management has been expensive and expensive, so people often suffer from river disasters and even more from river management.
Jia Heng drank a cup of tea, admired it with his eyes, and said: "What your Highness said is true. Therefore, we are going to investigate the situation of the river. If it is really necessary, we will go to Shusheng and appoint honest and capable officials from the central government to manage the river."
Otherwise, once the celestial phenomena changes, not only Kaifeng and Guide, Huaiyang and other places may also suffer from river disasters.
Although he is not an expert on water and food weather, thanks to the development of information in his previous life, he speculates that the morning mood cannot be maintained for a long time. If heavy rains hit in summer and the Yellow River overflows, then the Central Plains and Huaiyang will be affected by floods.
"It's a pity that Mr. Cheng Ning has no other skills." Princess Cheng Ning looked at the young man opposite and said with emotion again.
Jia Heng laughed and said, "Your Highness, you praise me too much. There are many capable and outstanding people in the world."
After saying that, without waiting for Princess Xianning to say anything else, she added: "Your Highness, please tidy up and we will go to Xiangguo Temple to offer incense later."
…
This is something that was promised to Princess Cheng Ning before.
Princess Xianning's beautiful face paused slightly, she touched her pink lips and said in a clear voice: "Sir, he is busy with official duties and hardly has time to warm himself up. Otherwise, we can go another day."
It was obviously because of Jia Heng's previous words that he felt that Jia Heng's official affairs could not be delayed.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "It's okay. I was just inspecting the sentiments of the people in Kaifeng Prefecture. I have been working on the governor's office to appease the bandits these past few days. I wonder if the city has returned to prosperity."
Besides, it is rare that I have free time this afternoon. In the next few days, Your Highness will have to accompany me to inspect the river embankment, which will make it even harder for Your Highness."
Princess Ning looked pleased and relieved, and said softly: "Sir, since you have a charter, I will listen to you."
As the two of them talked, Jia Wan ordered Xia Houying and Liu Jixian to prepare their carriages and horses.
The guards of Jinyi Mansion, covertly and covertly, were protecting him and headed towards the Great Xiangguo Temple.
The Daxiangguo Temple is flourishing with incense. At this moment, Kaifeng City is back in the hands of the imperial court. Order in the city is gradually restored. The originally closed temple doors are also opened to welcome pilgrims.
However, after all, the city was under martial law with officers and soldiers constantly coming and going, and the people were frightened, and the noisy scene of tourists in the city had not completely returned to the past.
Jia and Princess Xianning, accompanied by their personal guards, came to Daxiangguo Temple.
The temple building is majestic and solemn, and the scenery in the temple is beautiful. Bell towers and drum towers are erected on the east and west sides. The corridor is paved with bluestone slabs and stretches to the Tianwang Hall. The green walls and black tiles are antique.
The abbot, Master Zhitong, had already heard the news of Jia Heng's arrival, and ordered Zhi Ke to decline the few pilgrims and lead Jia Heng and Princess Xianning into a Zen room in the back mountain.
The Zen room is simply decorated, with a three-legged and six-ear incense burner inside, mixed with sandalwood and borneol smoke, and the aroma emitted makes people feel calm involuntarily.
Master Zhitong picked up a purple clay pot and filled cups of tea for Jia Heng and Princess Xianning.
Jia Heng thanked him politely, then fixed his cold eyes and looked at the smiling monk in robes opposite him.
This is an old man about fifty years old, with a rich face and kind eyes.
"Master Zhitong, the city of Fucheng fell into the hands of bandits before. I heard that the master protected many people? Is this possible?" Jia Heng asked.
Monk Zhitong stood up with one hand and said in a clear voice: "Monks are compassionate. The city was in chaos the day before yesterday, and the people were crying. The poor monk usually relies on the benefactors in the city to offer incense, build good relationships, and try his best to protect the safety of the benefactors."
Jia Heng said: "Master Zhitong is a truly eminent monk and a great virtue."
Since he is an eminent monk and a great virtue, when he investigates the merger of Tian Zhou and commits lawlessness, if the incident involves the Daxiang Temple, the punishment will be "lenient".
"The general is so complimentary." Monk Zhitong was humble for a moment, and then complimented Jia Heng and said, "What the poor monk did was only to protect a few people, but when the general regained Kaifeng's capital, he saved the people from floods and fires. His merits are immeasurable."
Things."
Jia Heng said: "I was ordered by the emperor to put down the rebellion, recover the city, and stabilize the people. This is just my duty."
After thinking for a while, he asked, "How many years has Master Zhitong been a monk?"
Monk Zhitong said without hesitation: "The poor monk has been practicing the precepts since he was six years old, and it has been forty-three years now."
…
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Master Zhitong knows a lot about Kaifeng City."
"I dare not say that I know too much, but I still know a little about some major events in the city." Monk Zhitong could not understand the thoughts of the noble man opposite him, so he dealt with it carefully.
Jia Heng pondered: "The Yellow River is in trouble. When it bursts its banks, will Master have any impressions?"
Zhan Fu and Chen Huang, the famous river management ministers of the Kangxi Dynasty, would listen to anyone who had something to say or something feasible.
Monk Zhitong asked with an imperceptible look in his eyes: "General, are you talking about the Yellow River in the north?"
After a brief pause, he slowly said: "In the third year of Chongping, Fengqiu County burst its embankments, and the Yellow River flooded Kaifeng Prefecture, reaching the height of the city wall. Kaifeng Prefecture administered prefectures and counties, and more than 20,000 soldiers and civilians were killed or injured, and more than 100,000 people were displaced.
, to change children and eat
It has been twelve or thirteen years ago. There has not been much rain in the past few years. There has been no news of dykes bursting. Instead, drought and drought have occurred continuously. According to what the poor monk heard, the government sent a river yamen to station in Kaifeng City to repair the river.
If you build a dike, you will no longer suffer from river disasters."
Jia Heng said: "The bandits captured Kaifeng City, and the former governor of the river, Fei Siming, was killed. Now only petty officials are left in the Hetai Yamen."
"Amitabha." Monk Zhitong put his palms together, recited the Buddha's name several times, and with his eyelids closed, he recited salvation scriptures.
Jia Heng glanced at Princess Xianning who was sitting not far away, then turned to Zhitong who had finished reciting sutras, and asked: "Master has been in the temple for many years, has he ever heard of people in the city who are proficient in Shuishu Sutra?
?』
The Capital Water Supervision Bureau of the Ministry of Industry of the imperial court has its own water conservancy officials responsible for cleaning up and repairing water conservancy across the country, but it is also possible to listen to the opinions of some strange people among the people.
Monk Zhitong pondered for a moment and said: "When the general said this, the poor monk really
Thinking of someone."
"Oh?" Jia Yuan thought about asking casually, not expecting that this Zhitong monk really knew a folk expert who was proficient in water conservancy projects. However, after thinking about it, he didn't find it strange that he was a local snake in Kaifeng Fucheng for more than 40 years.
Master Zhitong explained: "His family is a scholar, he likes to read Shuiji Sutra maps, and he is good at painting. He often comes to draw Buddha statues. He was once expelled by the monks in the temple. The poor monks saw that the pictures of Buddha he painted were like life. They came and went again, and they became acquainted with each other.
When I came down, I was originally hired by the Hedao Yamen, but later I left the Hedao Yamen for some unknown reason."
Generally speaking, people who can draw pictures of rivers and water areas must have painting skills, and their painting skills in other aspects are not too bad. Jia Heng asked: "I wonder what this person's name is, and where does he live now?"
"His name is Guan Shou Fang, and his family lives in Tiezhuo Hutong, Madao Street. The general sent someone to ask for information," Master Zhitong said.
Jia Heng wrote down his name and address, nodded and said, "Thank you, Master Zhitong."
After saying that, Jia Heng stood up and said, "Master, Zhuo Jing and I are walking around, we don't need to accompany you anymore."
Monk Zhitong stood up quickly and said, "General, it's up to you."
Jia Heng nodded, looked at the graceful Princess Xianning, his eyes couldn't help but be a little gentle, and said: "Let's go."
Hearing these words, Princess Xianning's white skin was as white as snow and slightly glowed with red clouds. She felt a mixture of shame and joy in her heart, and she said "Hmm". Why did you call her Jing Jing just now?
Jia Heng and Princess Xianning walked out of the Zen room after checking each other out. He turned to look at the girl with a blush on her pretty face, smiled and said, "Go to the Main Hall to pay homage."
…
For girls of this age, it is easier to deal with things that may not be too important, such as status and size.
"Yes." Princess Xianning's face was as icy as icebergs and snow lotus. The snowy face was dizzy, and the coldness was gone, but it was a little more soft. She touched her cherry lips and responded in a low voice.
At this moment, not far behind him was Xia Houying, who was following her step by step. It was hard to ask Jia Heng what he meant when he said "clumsy thorn" just now.
The two walked along the bluestone road shaded by trees through the dappled light and shadow, walked through the corridor with high beams and pillars, and arrived outside the main hall together.
Jia Heng watched Princess Xianning kneeling down on the futon, clasping her palms together, praying, not disturbing, and standing at the palace door waiting quietly.
To him, Daxiangguo Temple is more like a tourist attraction and has no other meaning.
Princess Xianning finished applying the incense, then stood up and left the palace. She looked at the young man with her bright eyes and said in a clear voice: "Sir, you have been waiting for a long time."
Jia Heng nodded, smiled and said, "Let's go shopping elsewhere."
After that, he took Princess Xianning to visit several other places in the temple and wandered around. It was also the rare time for the two of them to relax since they came to the Central Plains to suppress bandits.
It was not until the evening that Jia Heng helped Princess Xianning, who was still unfinished, to board the carriage. At that time, the western sky of the Central Plains was covered with sunset glow. It was in response to the sentence, it has been burning for a long time, and the sky will not be clear.
Dark, late-burning clouds, half-moon clear, and golden sunset light sparsely entered the carriage through the bamboo curtains. Jia Heng stretched out his hands to hold Xian Ning in his arms, smelling the fragrance between her hair, and was very happy for a moment, saying
:
"When I came out this time, I said I was accompanying His Highness to enjoy the sights, but I still couldn't help but ask about other things. Your Highness, please don't blame me."
Princess Xianning rested her black-haired bee head on Jia Heng's shoulder. She felt an unprecedented sense of peace in her heart and said softly: "Sir, you should be the governor of a province's military affairs, understand the sentiments of the people, and worry about government affairs."
Although I had a few chats with the abbot earlier, I later went to many places with her.
"Your Highness is really considerate." Jia Heng said, turned around, caressed Princess Xianning's shoulders, and lowered his head to touch the two shimmering peach blossoms again.
Now he has learned the ropes so well that even if he closes his eyes, he will never find the wrong place.
The warm spring breeze of March in late spring brought the fragrance of flowers through the window and fell lazily on the couple. Princess Xianning's eyelashes were curled, her heart was beating in pieces, she closed her eyes again and accepted the new shoes.
round of invasion, and...
After a while, the snowy face was as beautiful as the clouds, and the panting Duke Xianning
Lord, Yong Ruan was still in Jia Heng's arms. He calmed down after a while, stretched out his slender hands to tidy up his messy front, and couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Sir, what you just said..."
Jia Heng tasted the girl's sweetness like mint dew, and the richness between her palms and fingers soaked into his heart. He looked dazed for a moment and said, "Well, I made a mistake before."
Princess Xianning: "???"
A momentary slip of the tongue? How could it be a slip of the tongue? No, the gentleman is teasing her again, right?
However, after careful consideration, the clear eyes under Liu Ye's slender eyebrows, which had always been bright and smoky, flickered, and the brilliance quickly dimmed.
…
Yes, sir, he already has a family, and everything that happened today was originally obtained by her at all costs.
"Zhi'er." Jia Heng felt Princess Xianning's disappointed mood, took her slender hand and called softly.
Princess Xianning's delicate body trembled slightly, her eyes narrowed, as if she didn't expect the young man to suddenly call her name, or maybe it was an accident, she looked at Jia Heng, waiting for his words.
Jia Heng held Princess Xianning in his arms and whispered in the girl's ear: "We have a long way to go."
Princess Xianning said "Yeah" and didn't say much.
The night was getting dark, candles were burning brightly, and in the study room in the backyard of the Governor's Yamen, a tall figure of Gu Li was projected on the window, accompanied by the sound of "swiping" paper being turned over.
Jia Heng was reading the illustrations on the Yellow River water meal that Liu Jixian brought from Hedao Yamen in the evening. The governor of Henan had to mention the Yellow River that passed through Kaifeng Prefecture.
The Han Dynasty had been plagued by the Yellow River since the beginning of its history because of its pretense of Ming Dynasty. Since the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Chen Han Dynasty, important ministers had been sent to regulate the Yellow River to a certain extent, but with little effect. During the Longzhi Period, the river was also regulated several times.
, but the problem is still serious, and breaches of embankments often occur.
According to the experience of river management in later generations, there are generally two ideas for regulating the Yellow River. The first is to widen the river channel and build high river embankments, and the other is to confine water to attack sand and build diversions to relieve the pressure on the river channel.
"According to the experience of river management in the previous Kangxi Dynasty, in order to control the Yellow River, it is necessary to integrate the river transport and take overall care of it. However, the officials who specialize in river management cannot succeed in three to five years. I will not stay here long and I will not be able to take charge of this matter.
"
Jia Heng closed the water map from Hedao Yamen and stared at the candle on the table in trance.
Therefore, he can only dredge Tongji Canal and other canals now, and can't do much else. Maybe he can inspect the north and south river embankments, and then go back to the emperor to report the river management strategy.
At this moment, Liu Jixian came from outside, cupped his fists and said, "Sir, the results of the inspection from Hetai Yamen are here."
Jia Heng asked: "What do you mean?"
Liu Jixian said: "After interrogating the clerks of the Hedao Yamen, I learned that the former governor of the river, Fei Siming, participated in politics for six years, Jiang Yuanwu, the former governor of Henan Zhou Dezhen, and the chief envoy Sun Long deceived the superiors and concealed the secrets, and embezzled and divided the funds allocated by the imperial court.
The river project payment is described in detail, please take a look at it."
With that said, he took out the book from his sleeve and handed it to Jia Heng.
Jia Heng took the note, frowned and said, "Zhou Dezhen, Sun Long is also involved in the case?"
I don't think these two officials are clean under their butts. In other words, in the officialdom of the Han Dynasty, there are very few honest and upright officials with clean sleeves.
Liu Jixian said: "The feudal lord coordinated with the prefectures and counties to allocate corvees and transfer money and grain, and they often colluded with the officials of the river yamen, departments, and floods."
Jia Heng said with a solemn expression: "These are corrupt officials. Before I left the capital, people from the Qi Party questioned the whereabouts of the money to repair the river, and asked the governor of Nanhe to ask for help. Unexpectedly, it was the thieves who shouted to catch the thieves!"
At that time, Gao Bin, the capital of the Nanhe River, petitioned the court to allocate taels of silver to repair the river. At that time, he was questioned by Yang Guochang, the chief minister of the cabinet. Later, Qi Party cadre Zuo Fudu Yu Shi Penghua asked himself to go south to inspect the river embankment. He wondered at that time why he was doing so to the river embankment.
Is the Hedao Yamen of Kaifeng Prefecture turning a blind eye?
It should be here.
Jia Heng frowned, put down his papers, and asked Liu Jixian, "It seems that the levees on the north and south banks have been in disrepair for many years?"
…
Liu Jixian said: "Your Majesty is aware of it. I listened to what the local officials in Kaifeng said. The embankment has been in disrepair for a long time and there are few people to care for it. However, the rain has been poor in the past few years, and there has been no more breach of the embankment."
This is the current situation of the entire northern Han Dynasty in recent years. It continues to be in arid weather with little rain and snow. The rain is not abundant, but the troubles of the Yellow River have subsided a lot.
Jia pondered for a moment and said: "There have been no floods for a few years, but it's hard to say for the next few years. We still need to prevent floods as early as possible, not only in the Yellow River, but also in Huainan."
It seems that he wants to write a memorial to the court to let Emperor Chongping pay attention to this matter.
When Jia Heng turned around and came to the desk, thinking about how to write the memorial, Liu Jixian's voice came out at this moment, "Sir, Councilor Feng is here."
Now Feng Lian's external position is as a counselor under the Governor's Mansion, in charge of dredging Bian, Cai'er River trunks, branch canals and other matters.
Jia Heng left the desk and greeted the visitor. Without making any detours, he smiled and asked, "Mr. Feng, have you organized all the people?"
Lian smiled and said, "Manpower has been organized. There are more than 10,000 prisoners, plus 30,000 dingfu. If we recruit more dingfu, there will be no shortage of manpower."
This old gentleman once served as the chief official of a county, so he naturally has great organizational skills.
Jia Heng nodded and said: "That's good. The Tongji Canal is related to the north-south water transportation. It has become increasingly congested in recent years, especially the section from Bianhe River and Caihe River to Huaiyang. Now, while the water level is still shallow, it is time to dredge the clear water.
It's muddy."
"What your Excellency said is true." Feng Lian said softly, glanced at the water course map on the desk, pondered for a moment, and said, "Sir Jia, Tongji Canal is not bad. It has been dredged before. It will be done in less than ten months."
The dredging has been completed, but in Yangwu and Fengqiu counties in the north and south of the Yellow River, the river embankments are dilapidated and need to be strengthened and repaired."
The bandits distributed corvees so that the common people did not have to work. Jia Heng asked, "Mr. Feng actually knows about this?"
"I am idle at home. A friend from Fengqiu County wrote a letter and mentioned this matter. Previously, there was a Hetai Yamen in Kaifeng Prefecture to handle this matter. The government has a system, so I can't say much." Feng Lian explained.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said, "I will report this matter to the court."
Not only was it necessary to clear up the dangers of the Yellow River, but it was also necessary to divert the river and the feudal lords to assign corvees, which was a disguised form of harsh impeachment.
