After Jia Heng delivered the memorial, he stationed himself on the embankment on the south bank of the Yellow River, presiding over the soldiers and civilians to guard the embankment in case of any eventuality.
After this period of time, all the people in Kaifeng City knew that Bo Yongning, the governor of Henan's military affairs, was stationed on the embankment, and tens of thousands of soldiers from the Beijing camp were stationed along the river, ready to guard them.
In fact, after this incident, the people's hearts, which were originally shaken by the rebellion in the Central Plains, quickly moved towards the imperial court.
The summer rain is still falling outside the thatched hut, and the pitch-black night covers the entire river embankment and the surging river surface. Under the trees on the south embankment, in a thatched hut made of beams and thatch, a lamp is like a bean, orange.
Light shines through the gaps in the curtains.
Xu Kai, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, was dressed in official uniform, with a black gauze hat on his head. He was placed on a bed made of cattail boards behind him. He was leaning on a desk made of poplar boards and writing.
All I saw was a blue-covered book, with a row of graceful and graceful handwriting appearing.
He was writing notes on "Night Talk through the Bamboo Window". This was a habit Xu Hanlin had developed while studying for more than ten years. Most of the essays he had written over the years were kept in wooden boxes at home.
Through the light of the lamp, one could vaguely see the yellowed page that read: "In the summer of the fifteenth year of Chongping, the Central Plains was in chaos. I was selected by the officials to go to Henan. Along the way, I observed the devastation caused by the war. I was really worried.
Painful, I drove to Luoyang and met Uncle Yongning for the first time at the governor's residence..."
And a new page recorded in what later generations called passionate words, "The governor stayed at the Jihe embankment for more than half a month. Yongning Bo and the soldiers and civilians stayed on the embankment, staying up all night, and taking the lead in every dangerous work. During his years,
He is not as old as the weak crown, but he is well versed in world affairs and knows government affairs. He is truly the best among the elite talents of the Han Dynasty in recent years. He is magnanimous, graceful and solemn..."
It seems that the word "grace" was crossed out and replaced by the word "grace" because the original owner felt something was wrong after calming down his turbulent mood. This later became a source of suspicion among literati, and also became the subject of research in later generations.
The most cited places in "Chen Han Guo Shi".
At this moment, in a hay hut made of wood half a mile away from this hay hut, four large banners were fluttering in the wind under the light of the horse lanterns, and sometimes the flags with water in them made a heavy "clatter" sound.
In the hut, a lantern elongated a silhouette of a small figure, which was reflected on the unkempt and loose thatch. The boy in python suit opened the album in his hand, and his eyes under his sword-shaped brows were full of thoughts. He was clearly looking at the map of the Yellow River basin.
.
Footsteps were heard outside the hut, and Guan Hetongzhiguan, the guard, came in with a lantern, looked at the young man, and asked: "Sir, it's so late, why haven't you slept yet?"
"The flood is here, I can't sleep. Besides, the generals and commanders are not asleep, so I can't sleep alone." Jia Heng said, closed the album, lifted the teapot on the wooden table, looked at Guan Shoufang, and sighed: "
Sizhou was flooded, with countless casualties among the people. Now I am worried about Kaifeng Mansion. After all, the embankment was repaired too hastily. Even if we can survive the river disaster this time, it still needs to be repaired properly."
The flood doesn't care who it is, if it bursts the embankment directly, you can only stare at it.
The gatekeeper looked at the young boy with a handsome face and said with relief: "Don't worry too much, adults. Although the rain and flood are heavy, it seems to be gradually passing. If we persist for two days, there should be no serious problem."
Jia Heng handed over a bowl of tea and said, "I hope so."
As he spoke, he sat down on the bed and said: "I just looked through the album and found out that in order to ensure water transportation, more water was diverted to the canal. Now the river transportation and the two are mixed together. If the water does not recede, I'm afraid there will be many obstacles to water transportation."
Since the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty, Liu Daxia went south to control the river. Emperor Xiaozong of the Ming Dynasty once said to Liu Daxia, "The ancients only managed the river to eliminate harm to the people. Today's river management is to avoid hindering the destiny of the people."
The gatekeeper's eyes lit up and he said in surprise: "Your Excellency, you want to control the river."
If the noble man in front of us manages the river, the river transport will be safe.
Jia Heng shook his head and explained: "I won't be able to stay in Henan for long. After the flood control is over, I have to lead the troops back to Beijing. The Donglu incident is of particular concern to Sheji. As a military minister, I should know the priorities."
He is a character who comes to put out the fire. He must not be welded here, otherwise he will be easily taken advantage of by others if he is too far away from the center. This is exactly the same as a long-distance relationship.
The gatekeeper's eyes dimmed and he said: "The river affairs have long-standing malpractices that go deep into the internal organs. River officials have long-standing habits and corruption. If you leave, I'm afraid the old ways will relapse."
Jia Heng smiled and said: "I am in Shenjing, which is not far from Kaifeng. Moreover, I always monitor and pay attention with brocade clothes. If there is any corruption, I will report it to the Holy One immediately and select an honest and capable person."
I think there will be no serious problems in overseeing the construction of river embankments and weirs."
When the gatekeeper heard this, he was startled and nodded.
He had almost forgotten that this person was still the notorious Commander-in-Chief of Jinyi. Also, during this period of fighting the floods together, people always subconsciously ignored his age and position in Jinyi.
Just this time, I only heard the sound of the gong clanging continuously, and then in the rainy night, I heard a cry, "The embankment is leaking!"
Jia Heng quickly put down the album in his hand, looked solemn, and said in a deep voice: "Let's go out and take a look."
It is a new flood situation. Now Jia Heng is afraid that the floods will come at night. It will rain and it will be dark and unclear. Once the dike breaks, all living beings will be equal before the flood.
Jia Heng and Guan Shoufang strode up the embankment under the retinue of Liu Jixian, a guard in golden clothes. At this moment, a canopy was set up on the entire embankment not far away, with a tall charcoal fire basin inside, with burning charcoal inside, and a roaring charcoal fire.
, emitting balls of light, illuminating the river embankment, and groups of soldiers holding pine oil torches patrolled the river embankment.
At this moment, after hearing the sound of the gong, many generals from the Beijing camp came out of their huts, and a large number of soldiers and civilians gathered.
"Sir, the river section going south has seeped into the embankment." Song Xuan, the former magistrate of Xiangfu County and the person with the power to know the affairs of Kaifeng Prefecture, wearing a bamboo hat and raincoat, led several Kaifeng Prefecture officials and hurried over, with a youthful look on his face.
Full of anxiety.
At this moment, the uncle was already half-soaked, and his shoes were covered in mud.
If not dealt with in time, the embankment will soon burst and flood.
"Lead the way." Jia Heng didn't waste any time and asked Song Xuan to lead the way. When he came to the place where the incident occurred, he stood on the river embankment and looked at the embankment below. He saw several small openings rushing out of the river embankment. As he spoke,
It has the potential to expand into a moon gate. Fortunately, the water speed is not fast at the moment, but when the flood peak comes, big problems are bound to occur.
"Why don't you go down and block it?" Jia Heng asked.
Jiao Jingxing, the magistrate of Weishi County who was next to Song Xuan, was now the magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture, and said urgently: "There are too many undercurrents under the water to make the platform, and it is impossible to stand. Several brothers from the Beijing camp jumped over and were swept away.
"
If this continues, once the river bursts, it will probably be submerged
At this moment, Xu Kai, a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy, was also carrying a lantern, wearing a raincoat and a bamboo hat. He followed several Beijing primary schools and caught a glimpse of the river embankment in the distance, and he was shocked.
Jia Heng turned to look at the generals around him. There were generals such as Pang Shili, Shao Chao, Xiao Lin, etc., as well as Xie Jing, the commander of Fenwu Camp, and other generals. In addition, there were Xie Zaiyi and other generals such as Tongzhi, the governor of Guoyong Camp.
Jia Fang and Jia Ling from the Jia clan were also on the river embankment, looking at the young man in the python suit with reverence.
As for other generals and schools, they deployed their defenses along the river embankment all the way to Guide Mansion.
Jia Heng took off the bamboo hat on his head and threw it on the ground. He ignored the rain hitting him, looked solemn, and said loudly: "Brothers, behind us is Kaifeng City. If the levee breaks here, hundreds of thousands of people in Kaifeng City will be affected."
Our fathers and fellow villagers will all be buried in the water, and we, the people, cannot escape the flood!"
After a moment of silence, he said, reaching out and quickly taking off his raincoat, saying: "Generals, listen to the order and follow me! Go down and block the breach!"
As he spoke, he came to the river embankment, jumped lightly, and jumped into the cold river water first.
Seeing the young man striding away, only half of his body appeared in the water, the five or six guards in golden robes on the left and right were stunned for a moment, and most of them shouted in shock: "Captain."
"Whatever you are doing in a daze, get out." Liu Jixian also threw down his bamboo hat and led a group of guards to jump into the water and go towards the young man.
The gatekeeper said urgently: "Sir."
Jia Heng shouted loudly: "Stop talking nonsense, hand over all the earth and rocks, and quickly drive piles and mend the embankment before the flood comes."
The clear voice carried far away in the rainy night, causing the originally bewildered river workers to feel shocked and stare at the young man standing in the river.
This scene also shocked Guan Shoufang, Song Xuan and others. Then they looked at each other and shouted loudly: "Quickly, get the rope, move the wood, and get up to the big tunnel!"
Then he called for Ding Fu and the soldiers to carry the earth and rocks and looked at the river embankment to deliver them.
As Jia Heng jumped in, the generals from the Beijing camp also led the soldiers into the water in groups, and started carrying earth and rocks hand in hand. The river workers who were originally hesitant also began to jump into the water, knocking on wooden piles, and blocking the way.
Use ropes, set up crossbars, roll cattails into large piles, and begin to seal the gap.
This is a kind of strip of stone made of firewood, bamboo and other soft grass materials rolled and tied with earth and stone. It is often used to build embankments and rescue breaches.
Xu Kai looked at the scene of soldiers and civilians going into the water to rescue. His vision was a little blurry for a moment. He looked up at the sky. The sky was gray at the moment. He didn't know how much rain was still brewing. The cold rain slapped his face. He didn't know whether it was rain or tears.
Take off the bamboo hat, untie the raincoat and put it aside.
He quickly came to the busy soldiers, hugged a piece of stone, and strenuously walked toward the river embankment.
"Master, master." Chang Sui beside him was very worried and called him repeatedly, but he couldn't stop him.
At this moment, all the soldiers and civilians on the embankment mobilized and headed towards the river embankment carrying earth, stone and wood.
After fighting all night, until dawn, the breach in the river embankment was finally blocked.
Jia Heng also led a group of soldiers onto the river embankment. He looked at the half-whitened Jingying general with black lips. He stretched out his hand to wipe the rain off his face and met a pair of tired eyes.
He said loudly: "Master Song, please prepare ginger soup and rice porridge for everyone to warm themselves up. Don't cause the cold."
The problem with river water is that it loses its temperature. If you keep soaking in the water, your body temperature will gradually lose, and you will become exhausted. Then you will be washed away by the water, even if you know how to swim.
Song Xuan responded quickly: "Sir, it's already cooking. Bring it over now."
With that said, he, Jiao Jingxing and others led a group of county officials, carried bowls one after another, and followed the generals to deliver them.
"Captain." At this moment, Liu Jixian handed over a bowl and said.
Jia Heng nodded, picked up the bowl, and took a swig.
Just when Jia Heng was rushing to repair the river embankments on the north and south embankments of Kaifeng Fucheng——
At this moment, Kaifeng Fucheng, Jinyang Princess Mansion
It was already midnight, and the three halls of the inner house were brightly lit. Crane-shaped palace lanterns inscribed with peonies were lit in all directions, reflecting a plump and graceful figure on the screen.
The beauty with green buns like clouds and floating green hair stood in front of the window, holding her hands, looking at the non-stop rain outside. The rain hit the banana trees. Sometimes the wind came, and the rain fell on the large banana leaves. Under the lights,
It glows with crystal luster under the reflection.
The beauty suddenly opened her red lips and asked, "How many days has it been?"
Yuanchun whispered: "Your Highness, it's been seven days."
Princess Jinyang's beautiful jade face was covered with frost. She sighed softly, pursed her red lips, and said softly: "All the materials prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been sent over."
Lianxue answered: "Your Highness, all of them will be transferred to the Kaifeng government office, where they will be delivered to the soldiers and civilians along the river by the officials."
While the eldest princess of Jinyang was speaking, Yingying turned around. A look of worry appeared on the beauty's soft face like a peony stamen, and she whispered: "It's raining non-stop, so don't let anything happen to Sizhou."
Bian'er heard that something big happened, the whole city was flooded, and there were countless casualties."
The news that Sizhou was flooded spread throughout the city of Kaifeng in the past two days, and some gentry even began to pack up their families and families, and fled Kaifeng City towards Luoyang.
Jia Heng did not object too much to this matter, but told the government in Kaifeng City that the governor was stationed at the river embankment and vowed to live and die with the embankment.
Some ordinary people whose homes are in Kaifeng Fucheng have nowhere to go, so they cannot leave Kaifeng Fucheng.
At this moment, Princess Xianning, who was sitting not far away, was lost in thought and said, "Auntie, how about I go to the river embankment to find Mr...."
"No, he gave me a special warning before he left." Before Princess Xianning could finish speaking, the eldest princess of Jinyang raised her eyebrows and glanced at Princess Xianning with her phoenix eyes.
Princess Xianning's beautiful face paused slightly, her cherry lips twitched, and she wanted to say something in defense, but she was met with those stern eyes.
The eldest princess of Jinyang said quietly: "Ansheng is waiting at home. Nothing will happen to him. Running around now will only distract people."
At this moment, although several people did not say anything, none of them said that they wanted to leave Kaifeng Mansion and return to Luoyang.
The eldest princess of Jinyang was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Yuan Chun and said, "Yuan Chun, take Xiangyun, Tanchun and Chanyue together in a carriage tomorrow and return to Luoyang first. It's a bit dangerous here."
She and Xianning were here, and they couldn't let Chanyue and the two little girls from the Jia family take risks.
When Yuanchun heard this, her plump and white jade face suddenly changed color, her heart tightened, and she said in a trembling voice: "Why did your highness say this?"
Immediately, he shook his head and said: "Your Highness, I will stay here and wait for Brother Heng. I will not go anywhere. Third sister and sister Yun are still young. Let them and the princess go back to Luoyang first."
Princess Jinyang's eyes were fixed and she was speechless for a moment.
A flash of doubt flashed through Princess Xianning's clear eyes under Liu Ye's slender eyebrows, and she vaguely felt that something was unusual.
She and her aunt stayed here, firstly because her husband was here and wanted to stay with him, and secondly, they were Princesses of Chen Han after all, so why did Yuanchun stay here?
The eldest princess of Jinyang met those soft and shining eyes, was silent for a while, and sighed quietly: "That's fine, let Chanyue and Tanchun, Xiangyun and the others go back tomorrow."
She also saw some of Yuanchun's infatuated love for him that day. She almost allowed him to fool around on the bed and pose in whatever position he wanted...
There is also the moment of emotion...the flood bursts its banks.
"Mom, I'm not going anywhere, I'm just with you."
At this moment, from behind the bamboo curtain, the soft voice of the little princess came. The girl in the green skirt had a serious look on her beautiful face. As she spoke, she walked up to the eldest princess of Jinyang and pulled the eldest princess of Jinyang.
arms.
"It's so late, why haven't you fallen asleep yet?" Princess Jinyang frowned her beautiful eyebrows, looked at Princess Qinghe with her phoenix eyes, and her tone was slightly sullen.
Then, suddenly his heart felt strange, and he turned his eyes to Tanchun and Xiangyun behind Li Chanyue, and asked in surprise: "Why are you guys here too?"
Tan Chunying's eyebrows were furrowed, her bright eyes were firm, and she said: "Your Highness, the eldest princess, Brother Heng is still on the embankment. How can I go back alone? I'm waiting here for Brother Heng to come back."
Xiangyun also came to Yuanchun and said softly: "Sister, I'm tired of playing in Luoyang. I haven't been to many places here. Wait until brother Heng comes back and wait for us to go to Daxiangguo Temple.
."
Princess Xianning frowned slightly. She didn't know why, but she felt that the weirdness in her heart was getting stronger and stronger.
The eldest princess of Jinyang sighed softly: "I don't know when the flood will break out, and you can't help much if you stay here."
Although he said this, he did not persuade him for a moment.
…
…
Huai'an Prefecture, Qingjiangpu
The tall house, only two stone's throw away from the Hedao Yamen, was shrouded in darkness. Only the southeast corner of the courtyard was still lit. It was stormy outside, and the bamboo shadows were swaying. On the verandah, the raindrops from all directions were like rain curtains, falling from the eaves tiles.
The gathered rainwater trickled down in streams and fell on the pitted blue bricks. The flower wall with hanging wisterias was soaked for most of the day, and several roses in the corner had already fallen into the grass.
In the study, a mahogany bookshelf stands on the wall hung with various scroll paintings. On a chair behind the striped desk, Gao Bin, the governor of Nanhe, dressed in a crimson official robe and a black gauze hat, sat expressionlessly, looking at
The candlelight on the table was in a daze.
In the brazier not far away, a blazing flame burned, and scraps of paper were like black butterflies flying and circling from time to time with the sound of wind coming through the door, like paper money burned for the dead.
"Master." At this time, a series of light footsteps came from outside the house, and a beauty in a blue dress and a golden hairpin with phoenix wings came in. She entered the study, covered her mouth with her hands, and yawned and said: "
Master, it's so late, it's time to rest, I've been hiding in the study since the afternoon."
When Gao Bin heard this, he suddenly raised his head, which almost startled Zheng. His sleepiness disappeared, and he turned to look at the brazier beside him.
Suddenly there was a click, and thunder and lightning flashed outside. With the bright and dark light of the lightning, Zheng's mouth opened slightly, and she almost clenched her palms.
It can be seen that Gao Bin was wearing a second-grade official robe and a black gauze hat with his hair spread in front. He had a fat face with sunken cheeks and bloodshot eyes. His hoarse and weak voice said: "Madam, wait a few days.
You take Fu'er back to your parents' home in Jinling to hide."
When Mrs. Zheng heard this, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her beautiful face was as pale as paper, and she said in a trembling voice: "Master, there are imperial guards outside. They are not allowed to come in or out. Where else can I hide?"
Gao Bin sighed softly and said: "There will be no more tomorrow."
The water flooded Sizhou, causing over 10,000 casualties, and all the people in Hongxian County were submerged. He would not be able to survive this disaster no matter what. Now he just wanted to save his family without being affected. His Gao family is a single lineage, and he must not be allowed to follow him.
This place is unique.
Zheng's heart skipped a beat, her beauty turned pale, she quickly came closer, grabbed Gao Bin's arm tightly, and said sadly: "Master, don't scare me."
Gao Bin sighed: "I'll leave tomorrow and take Fu'er with me. Brother will take good care of you."
When Mrs. Zheng heard this, the bad premonition in her heart became stronger and she said urgently: "Sir, my brother is in Jinling. I will go and beg him. The worst is, our official position will no longer be good."
As he said this, he hugged Gao Bin's shoulders and started to cry.
"It's over, it's all over." Gao Bin sighed with a wry smile on his fat face, his eyes dull.
At this moment, a bamboo cage hanging outside the study room seemed to be awakened by the cool breeze. A budgerigar with a sharp beak and feathers "fluttered" and vibrated its wings up and down, making a parrot-like cry: "It's over, it's all over."
It’s over.”
It seemed like he had been hungry all day, and his voice was almost shrill.
Not long after, Mrs. Zheng suddenly woke up, looked at Gao Bin who was completely motionless, and called out urgently: "Master, Master."
But amid the thunder and lightning, Gao Bin was suddenly bleeding from all his orifices. His head wearing a black gauze hat was tilted to the side. The black and red blood in his mouth was gurgling down, staining the white lining along his neck, and finally staining the second-grade blood.
On the case of the Golden Pheasants in crimson official robes.
The porcelain bottle clenched tightly in his hand fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
"master!"
"Here comes someone."
Following Zheng's shrill call, the entire Gao Mansion instantly became a mess.
Peng Ye, the left deputy capital censor, who was resting in a posthouse in the southwest corner of Huai'an City, heard his chief attendant hurriedly knocking on the door to report. With a gloomy look on his face, he picked up the black gauze hat on the table and put it on his head. He led several of his attendants down to the second floor.
Asking the attendant holding the umbrella, he said in a deep voice: "Where is Mr. Yu?"
The sound carried not far in the rain and fog before it was washed away and scattered.
"Master Yu went to Gaozhai, and the imperial doctor also went there. I heard that he was no longer of use," the chief said.
Peng Ye's face was as gloomy as iron and he snorted coldly.
This Gao Bin was really stupid. He committed suicide out of fear of being punished after letting someone reveal the information, thinking that he would be able to save the river affairs and Jiangnan officialdom with his death?
It's okay if you don't commit suicide. Once you commit suicide, you will be bitten like a mad dog by the man in Jinyi Mansion.
With the help of a long attendant carrying a lantern, he got on the carriage. As the carriage turned, the lantern hanging in front of the carriage tore through the thick black rain curtain and headed towards the high house. Soon the rain became a little heavier and the night returned.
Shrouded.
high house, inner house flower hall
Yu De, the censor of the capital, who was on the right side of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, had a gloomy face and was pacing back and forth, looking very anxious.
"Sir, Master Peng is here." At this moment, Cui Qing, the prefect of Huai'an Prefecture, said under the eaves of the corridor and handed his umbrella to the staff aside. This middle-aged official who had just turned forty entered the hall.
In the middle, the expression is incomprehensible.
Not long after, Peng Ye, the left deputy imperial censor, entered the flower hall like a piece of ice and stared at Yu De with cold eyes.
"I have met Lord Peng." Yu De gritted his teeth and said, cupping his hands towards Peng Ye.
Peng Ye sneered and said: "Master Yu, I have repeatedly told you to be careful of criminals committing suicide out of fear of crime. But now it's good. Just a few days ago, he committed suicide by taking poison. Why didn't your people watch?"
Yu De said with a grimace: "Xiaguan only left for a while, who knew something like this would happen."
Peng Ye took a deep look at Yu De and said, "Master Yu, I'd better leave these words to the Holy One. Where is the body?"
"It's in the study room." Cui Qing, the prefect of Huai'an, answered.
Peng Ye had no expression on his face and said indifferently: "Go to the study."
At this moment, in the study, Peng Ye looked at the brazier in the study, kicked it lightly, and with a "ding" sound, the copper basin made a crisp sound.
The budgerigar jumped up and down, maybe because it was afraid of the cold, and huddled up towards the bamboo cage.
"What's burning here?" Peng Ye turned to look at Yu De, his eyes fierce.
Yu De's face was a little confused and he said: "I don't even know, even if you are a junior official."
"Killing yourself out of fear of crime and hiding your accomplices, what is burned here must be the evidence of the crime that the prisoner Gao Bin wants to hide!" Peng Ye said directly with a cold look in his eyes.
As soon as these words came out, Yu De's expression changed suddenly and he whispered: "Master Peng, you can't say such nonsense."
At this time, Mrs. Zheng, who was crying, suddenly raised her head with slightly messy hair on her temples. She looked at Peng Ye intently on her crying face, and cried: "You people are you."
My husband is driven to death, I will fight with you."
As he spoke, he stretched out his fingernailed hands and rushed toward Peng Ye's elegant face.
Peng Ye's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly hid to the side, dodging away.
At this moment, Zheng grabbed her sleeve and said angrily: "Pull her away, pull her away!"
Only then did the several elders react, and they stepped forward and immediately separated from Zheng.
"Master, you are wronged, you are wronged," Mrs. Zheng cried.
Peng Ye straightened his sleeves and looked at the torn sleeve of his official robe. His face was as black as the bottom of a pot and he said angrily: "It's an insult to politeness! It's an insult to politeness!"
Then he looked at Gao Bin, who had expired on the Grand Master's chair, and said coldly to Cui Qing, the prefect of Huai'an: "Let the man be examined to see if he committed suicide. I will write a memorial to the court later!"
As he said that, looking at the crying Zheng, Mr. Peng, who was good at writing memorials, no longer had the intention to stay any longer and left the study.