Song Gexing

Chapter 48 Yan Shu asks about politics (Thanks to readers My Name is Oou for tipping and more updates)

During this period, the focus of the imperial court was on water control, not only the control of the Yellow River proposed by Zhao Fang, but more importantly, the control of water transportation by Xu Yuan going south.

For this reason, Fan Zhongyan and others planned the details of water control in detail. Xu Yuan's side has already started operations, but the Yellow River side has not yet started.

Hearing this, Zhao Fang did not dare to be negligent and replied solemnly: "To answer my father's question, my son has read the plan made by Mr. Fan and the ministers and has two suggestions."

He was giving advice without any courtesy at all. Fan Zhongyan and others were used to it, but Yan Shu looked at him with wide eyes in surprise.

"Firstly, the problem of water backflow after sedimentation, and secondly, the problem of land desertification after dredging in the sedimentation area. Both of these are far-reaching issues and must be implemented, otherwise it will be a disaster for future generations."

After explaining, the Yellow River is not only a problem of too much sand and soil, but also a problem of insufficient water that is often overlooked.

Although the Yellow River often washes away its banks, you may think that it has a large volume of water. In fact, it is because the Yellow River flows in the northwest.Even the Inner Mongolia section is an area with very little precipitation.

The amount of evaporation is very large, and coupled with the irrigation of farmland along the coast, there is often insufficient water in the downstream. This is actually the reason why the downstream is prone to siltation and bursting of embankments.

The height difference between the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River is large, and the flow speed is very fast, which basically does not break the banks, because the sediment quickly flows to the middle and lower reaches under the erosion of the water speed.

Unless there is a major natural disaster, the flood volume will be too large and cannot be discharged quickly.

Therefore, floods in the Yellow River are mainly in the middle and lower reaches, and Henan and Shandong are the most common. It is precisely because the flow in the middle and lower reaches is gentle and the water volume is reduced, it is impossible to wash the sediment into the sea.

Especially after accumulation at the estuary, siltation will form, and flooding will occur after backflow.

Therefore, after the canals are opened to settle the sand, clean water must be reintroduced into the Yellow River watercourse to wash out the river downstream.

The second and more important point is that the sand salvaged from the desilting area cannot be transported long distances back to the Loess Plateau and can only be piled locally.

The sediment in the Yellow River is very fine. It is different from the sand on the beaches of the sea. After drying, it is easily carried by the wind. If it is not dealt with carefully, it will cause a sky full of yellow sand, which is a sandstorm.

Therefore, planting trees to fix the sand is very important, and it is not enough. We should find open areas and fill them with water to form swamps, so that the sand can really stop flying.

These two points have been verified by later generations. Jinan, Liaocheng and other places in Shandong Province did this. Now after Zhao Fang's explanation, everyone suddenly realized it and couldn't help but admire it.

When Yan Shu saw his talent for the first time, he immediately sighed: "Your Majesty is so wise, and I know today that there are really talented people in the world. No wonder Quan Zi said that he admires your Majesty."

The latter sentence surprised everyone. As his son-in-law, Fu Bi hurriedly asked: "Which uncle is your father-in-law talking about?"

He thought it was his brother-in-law who said this, but he didn't expect Yan Shu to answer "It's Brother Qi", which immediately shocked him.

"Brother Qi! My father-in-law is talking about my brother-in-law. Doesn't he have higher eyesight?"

Yan Jidao is still a kid now, so naturally he has no words, so it's normal to call him by his name.

Yan Shu smiled and said: "It's him. This kid compared the king to Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and said with certainty that the king will be able to lead the Song Dynasty to create a prosperous age in the future."

Zhao Zhen was overjoyed when he heard this. He didn't care if others didn't think he was in his prime now. Anyway, he was happy when his son was said to be great.

Because he said: "In that case, Yan Xiangru would rather let your son and eldest brother study together..." "Yan Jidao, okay, this boy's poems are worse than his father's..."

Zhao Fang's eyes lit up and he thought to himself. He had some knowledge of Yan Jidao's life. He was a leading figure in the Wanyue school of poetry, and his "Xiaoshan Ci" would be famous in later generations.

Although it is said that Yan Jidao was in trouble all his life and had his character flaws, it is undeniable that he was an upright person.

This is a truly passionate idiot, and only such a person can write such poetry. This is how his good friend Huang Tingjian evaluated him.

The word "Crazy" sums up Yan Jidao's life. Even if he is betrayed by others, he still thinks that they are good people.

Zhao Fang naturally wanted to help such a person, not for anything else but because he would not harm his friends.

He may not be able to help you much, but he will never harm you for his own sake. For a sly person, such a friend is useless, but for a serious person, such a friend is extremely precious.

He is talented but not harmful to others. Zhao Fang decided not to change his character, but he could tell him that people's hearts are sinister and protect his peace for the rest of his life.

"What does Your Majesty think of today's official system? The redundancy of officials in the Song Dynasty has become a foregone conclusion. This is an unavoidable hurdle in the implementation of the New Deal. Does Your Majesty have any suggestions?"

Yan Shu's question woke Zhao Fang out of his reverie. He looked up and saw that everyone was looking at him with burning eyes, and he immediately understood that the critical moment had arrived.

Yan Shu raised this question, indicating that he was going to show off his cards. Whether he supported or opposed it was also extremely important to Fan Zhongyan and others.

Of course Zhao Fang had thought about this issue, and he also had a complete set of mature systems for reference. Later, the Ming system was the most mature system in ancient times.

Of course, the official system of the Ming Dynasty also had flaws. Like the Song Dynasty, it emphasized culture over military affairs. This is not advisable, but it is still much better than the system of the Song Dynasty.

As for the Manchu system, in fact, most of it inherited the system of the Ming Dynasty, but there was another Manchu system, and it was more authoritarian, which was unacceptable to everyone in the Song Dynasty.

The republican system of later generations is completely unfeasible in this era. The development of things needs to be gradual, and it will only support itself to death overnight.

Naturally, Zhao Fang would not mention comprehensive restructuring now. This is unrealistic. He pondered for a moment and said: "Today's problem in government administration is that there are too many people in the same position. This is related to the evaluation of officials. The transfer system only looks at hardship and ignores political achievements. Turning a blind eye has resulted in a large number of officials seeking no merit but no fault. This is extremely unfair to those who do practical things, and I think it should be corrected."

"Everyone knows this. I want to ask redundant officials, not officials."

Seeing that he was avoiding the topic, Yan Shu immediately corrected him and stared at him, looking as if he was dissatisfied without making it clear.

Zhao Fang laughed and said: "Everyone knows how the problem of redundant officials came to be. There are too many favors from the imperial court. But is it feasible for Yan Xiangjue to reform this now? There is too much resistance."

"Yes, I know that the resistance is too great, but I would like to ask Your Majesty, is there no temporary solution?"

Yan Shu pursued him closely. The redundant officials in the Song Dynasty were actually self-inflicted. The imperial examination was perfected in the Song Dynasty, but the proportion of officials who came from the imperial examination in the Song Dynasty was not as high as Enyin.

Enyin of the Song Dynasty was so perverted that a high-ranking official could favor more than a dozen of his children. Even his own clansmen were favored by favors, and even servants were favored as officials.

The interests formed in this involve all officials above the mid-level, as well as senior officials from their ancestors, forming a huge chain of interests. Anyone who dares to touch this will be attacked by a group.

(End of this chapter)