Lonely non-good minister

Chapter 327 Northwest Water Conservancy Construction
They quarreled, and everyone wanted to stick to the county under their own rule.

Song Yuan listened quietly and waited for their dispute to end before he stepped forward and looked at the water conservancy map: "Let's ask some masters to talk about the entire water conservancy structure first."

The old craftsmen came over, and one of the oldest, holding a thin stick in his hand, pointed at the spread out water conservancy map and said: "The entire water conservancy plan is divided into four parts, the large cellar, the small cellar, and the underground ditch. , Minghe River, large cellars are built in the fields for farming and irrigation, small cellars are built in people's homes and remote areas of farmland, used for drinking water and collecting water at home. Undercover ditches connect the large cellars with gates to prevent the stored water from drying out. The Ming River is used to collect snow and rainwater, and the water flows along the Ming River into the nearby cellar and circulates with each other in the underground ditch."

"Then how to ensure that the water can be stored?" someone asked.

The old craftsman said: "You can use the method of firing pottery to make the water cellar into a big pottery pot, so that the water will not sink to the ground. You can also use the method of firing pottery to make pipes to connect the gutters."

Cheng Hui nodded: "There are indeed many pottery craftsmen in the Northwest. You can try this method."

"If this is really the case, we can only dig more small cellars in Jiuquan and West Sea." Zhang Yun felt a little regretful. Jiuquan was scattered, and it was a desolate and remote place, so it was not worth building large cellars at all.

Song Yuan glanced at him, motioned the old craftsman to continue, "Because the Changhe River flows through the northwest, for this reason, the Changhe River is the main branch, and large cellars are built in the east and west branches to store water to the maximum during the rainy season, and to store snow in winter near the mountains. Mainly, small cellars can be used as the main cellar, and several small cellars are connected to a large cellar, so that the water can be stored to the maximum."

"So, the key to the entire water conservancy lies on both sides of the long river?" Their faces were a little displeased.

The old craftsman nodded: "It stands to reason that it is true."

They all have a bad reputation, mainly on both sides of the river, so what else does it have to do with them? Of the 40 taels of silver, migrant workers would have to spend half of it. How much could be repaired with the remaining money?

Song Yuan said: "My intention is to focus on Zhangye, Xijun, Wuwei, and Xiping, and focus on building large cellars next to large areas of farmland. It does not need to be too dense and complete for the time being, as long as it can ensure that water is not so scarce. Once the money is in place, we will fill it up one by one."

Her bowl of water was flat, and the county magistrates had nothing to say.

"My lord, your idea is very good, but 40 taels of silver can't do so many things."

"It's enough. It doesn't cost money to requisition civilian husbands, but two meals a day are provided, and the food is provided by the grain depots of each county. The 40 taels of silver, minus the 10 taels of guarantee, is more than enough to burn pottery with 30 taels of silver. The official has calculated, it is completely enough."

No money but food?

Several county magistrates were not very satisfied with this method, "My lord, the grain in the grain depot is for emergency use."

"There are quotas for emergency grain storage in grain depots. I asked you to reserve more grain to prepare for this matter. The extra grain is enough to feed tens of thousands of people for three months. This phase of water conservancy must be completed within three months. , otherwise the snow will melt in spring and the water storage will be delayed." Song Yuan had already planned it, otherwise she wouldn't have to go to such great lengths to take inventory repeatedly.

She calculated carefully, but some people were still dissatisfied: "Is it too tight to finish the project in three months?"

"No, it's enough." The old craftsman said: "Ten people can dig a big cellar, and it can be completed in three days. After digging one and burning one, a large cellar can be completed in half a month."

The old craftsmen have said this, and it will be difficult for others to find other faults.

"Time is tight, we can't delay the discussion for too long, so we did this. Within half a month, each village will build a small cellar for each household. After half a month, each household will send out a strong man, and each county will go ahead according to the water conservancy plan. To build a large cellar, the craftsmen who burn the pottery have to make preparations within half a month. I have only one request. The names and birthplaces of the craftsmen and supervisors must be written on each cellar well and pottery pipes. Who is responsible for the problem."

This request made everyone's faces tense, and those who wanted to fish in troubled waters had to be a little more careful.

After they withdrew, Song Yuan also temporarily breathed a sigh of relief. These days, she has been staring at the account book and counting every sum of money clearly. She is really exhausted.As soon as Wei Yan came in, he saw her slumped on the chair, afraid of startling her, he approached lightly for a look before he dared to speak: "Your Highness, Jingzhao has sent something."

"Did it come from my mother?" Song Yuan straightened up: "It's almost winter, has mother made new clothes for me?"

"Yes, the empress sent some winter clothes, a wolf fur shoulder apron and two pairs of thick boots, as well as 200 taels of silver and 50 taels of gold ingots."

Song Yuan pouted: "I spend money lavishly, and my mother must be worried."

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also ordered people to send 1000 taels of silver. His Royal Highness said that His Highness's salary is not much and his expenses are high. He must not wrong himself. From now on, he will send people to send money every month. If His Highness If you need it urgently, you can first withdraw it from Zhangye County's tax bank, and he will make up for it for Your Highness."

Song Yuan was startled: "You told my brother that I'm short of money?"

"I don't dare. How dare I say anything about His Highness? It's just that His Highness spent his own money to support Mr. An and his party. His Highness must have known about it. His Highness's current salary is not much. His Highness can naturally guess that His Highness Lack of money.”

Song Yuan sighed: "I can already understand why some people are greedy. If my eldest brother doesn't give me subsidies, I will find a way to make money. If I continue to be so poor, I can't even afford round-grained rice."

Wei Yan couldn't help laughing.

"Your Highness." The guard ran in and said, "The steward of Taiyuan Princess Mansion asks to see you."

Song Yuan immediately cheered up: "The steward of Taiyuan Princess Mansion? What is he here for?"

"He brought two boxes, saying that the princess remembered His Royal Highness, and specially ordered someone to send them."

bribery?Are you so bold in broad daylight?

Song Yuan rubbed his eyebrows: "I was very busy, so I disappeared. I appreciate your aunt's kindness. Let him take the things back."

"Yes." The guard replied immediately.

Song Yuan hurriedly asked Wei Yan: "Did Princess Taiyuan eat a lot of textile orders this autumn harvest?"

"She took all the orders in Xiping and Wuwei. Those powerful people who were slow to respond could only pick up some leftovers under her hands. Even so, they still made a lot of money."

Song Yuan was surprised: "Is her appetite so big? I can't tell, then I have to see, go quickly, and call someone in."

"Yes." Wei Yan hurriedly went to invite someone.

Soon, a smiling middle-aged man came in, and when he saw Song Yuan, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "My servant pays homage to Your Highness."

Song Yuan lay on the table and asked with a smile: "Don't talk nonsense, your princess has made a lot of money this time, but she wants to reciprocate and take note of my benefits?"

(End of this chapter)