I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 119 It rained all day, Su Liang’s adventurous choice
The next day.

Near noon, beside the Henglong River.

Li Zhongchang, the director of the river and canal department, ordered people to bring over all the tents, supplies, boats, sheepskin rafts, and tools for dredging and measuring the river channels that Su Liang needed.

After Su Liang's "pointing out", he did not dare to neglect anything in the open.

Immediately, Su Liang and others got busy.

Pitching tents, burying pots and stoves, making driftwood, finding measuring points, calibrating the level ruler...

At the moment, the situation is more serious than Su Liang imagined.

He needs to measure at least hundreds of points.

Time is tight and tasks are heavy.

Among them, there are several long-distance and cross-river measurement locations, all of which require down-river measurements, which is more complicated.

He could only wait until Ouyang Xiu and Zhang Maoze arrived, and then discuss the countermeasures together.

At the same time, many people came from the surrounding area.

They watched Su Liang and others setting up camp and running around the river from a distance.

This is the first time that the people living near the river have seen foreign officials living on the river bank.

So very curious.

……

afternoon.

Jia Changchao led a group of river officials to the river bank.

Naturally, he was not here to express condolences to Su Liang.

At dusk at the latest, Zhang Maoze and Ouyang Xiu will come here. Zhang Maoze represents the official family, and Jia Changchao always has to show his face.

Jia Changchao stopped 500 meters away from Su Liang's tent.

Then, the tables and chairs were moved out, and Jia Changchao sat there.

He was waiting for Su Liang to go and say hello.

After all, he is still the Prime Minister of Jia, and he also holds the title of "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi".

Su Liang saw Jia Changchao's thoughts at a glance.

But he and Shen Kuo were busy drawing pictures and had no time to pay attention to Jia Changchao.

……

Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!
The water of the river lapped violently against the banks.

The sun in the west is like an egg yolk, its heat is getting lower and lower.

There is a strong earthy smell in the air.

Jia Changchao sat on the big chair and had already drank more than half a pot of tea before he came to see Su Liang.

He was very angry.

After Ouyang Xiu and Zhang Maoze arrived, they planned to scold Su Liang and give these people a slap in the face.

After half an hour.

Ouyang Xiu, Zhang Maoze and others finally arrived.

Jia Changchao stood up slowly and led the river officials to greet him.

Su Liang also walked over quickly.

"Uncle Yong, Pingfu, it's been a long time no see. I miss you very much. It's been a hard journey!" Jia Changchao said with a smile on his face.

Ouyang Xiu and Zhang Maoze also smiled and bowed to Jia Chang.

The proper etiquette and rules are still indispensable.

At this time.

Jia Changchao turned to look at Su Liang.

Just when he was about to scold Su Liang for being rude, Su Liang took the lead and said with a surprised look on his face: "Xiang Jia, you... when did you get here? I was too busy and didn't notice you coming. Don’t be surprised if I can go and say hello to you.”

this.

Jia Changchao suddenly choked.

If he pursues it any further, it will appear to be beneath his dignity.

Jia Chang smiled and said: "Business matters are important, official matters are important!"

After the two sides chatted for a few words.

Jia Changchao was about to leave. He looked at the river officials behind him and said seriously: "These three are the special envoys sent by the officials to inspect the river affairs. From today to the second day of March, no one is allowed to interfere with their work. Understand ?"

All the river officials behind said in unison: "I understand!"

The sound was deafening.

Ouyang Xiu, Su Liang, and Zhang Maoze are all smart people, so they naturally know what this means.

This means that in the next period of time, these river officials and their river workers will not provide any help to Su Liang and others.

Jia Changchao was not afraid that Zhang Mao would go back and complain.

in his eyes.

Su Liang and Ouyang Xiu came here to hinder the eastward flow of the river and to prevent him from returning to the court.

He is a capable minister who has made great contributions to the country.

Su Liang and Ouyang Xiu, on the other hand, are traitors who prevent him from achieving great achievements due to personal grudges.

immediately.

Jia Changchao looked at Su Liang and the others again.

"I would also like to remind the three of you that it is best for you three to leave this river before the night of the second day of March. If you are lucky enough to block the river channel on the third day of March, then I will go to the officials to ask for an explanation! "

Blocking rivers and building canals is very particular.

To choose an auspicious day of the zodiac, to worship the Dragon King, and to hold a series of rituals.

If Su Liangruo was still ordering people to measure and measure at that time, he would have violated a taboo and offended the Dragon King.

If a natural disaster occurs, Su Liang and others will be the first to blame.

Even if Jia Changchao doesn't take action, a group of river officials and river workers will come to expel Su Liang.

Zhao Zhen set the date before March [-] to prevent Su Liang and Ouyang Xiu from getting into trouble.

Zhang Mao stood up and said: "Thank you, Mr. Jia, for reminding me that returning to Beijing before the third day of March is the official's order. We will not disobey the order!"

Jia Changchao nodded.

Soon after, he left with all the river officials.

Before Ouyang Xiu and Su Liang came, they didn't expect Jia Changchao to help. This situation was completely expected.

immediately.

Ouyang Xiu, Su Liang, Shen Kuo and several old river workers got into the camp.

After half an hour.

Su Liang frowned and said, "The biggest problem right now is the lack of people, the lack of experienced river workers."

Ouyang Xiu thought for a while and said: "Tomorrow, you continue to take people to measure, and I will go find the river workers. There must be some old river workers who are familiar with water affairs in the village on the river bank. I will go find them."

Su Liang nodded. …

Early the next morning, we were on the Henglong River.

Except for one or two river workers on routine patrol, all the river officials and river workers around the river bank were missing.

An old river worker on patrol said that because it was necessary to dredge the canal on March [-] and divert the river water into the Liuta River, Xiang Jia summoned the river officials and river workers for intensive training.

It is clear.

It is impossible to count on Jia Changchao and his river officials and river workers.

Su Liang got busy with the officials from the Imperial City Department and the twenty river workers transferred from Kaifeng Mansion.

Near noon.

Su Liang was busy when he suddenly saw Ouyang Xiu coming over with more than 20 strong men holding various tools.

Judging from the clothes these people were wearing, they must be nearby villagers.

These people lived by the Yellow River and must have had a lot of contact with the Yellow River.

Ouyang Xiu smiled and said: "Jingming, I found about twenty people from nearby. These people are all familiar with the nature of water, and they are all people who manage river crossings."

After that, Ouyang Xiu invited an old man who looked to be about 60 years old to come out.

"This is Uncle He, a veteran river worker for more than 40 years. If you have anything to do, you can tell him and he will be responsible for the work of these villagers."

"Guanren, you... just tell me if you have anything to do. As long as we can avoid river troubles, we are willing to do anything!" Uncle He said with enthusiasm.

Su Liang was very excited and immediately arranged errands for these people.

With the help of more than 20 people, the measurement speed will increase a lot.

After a while.

Su Liang and Ouyang Xiu stood on an embankment.

Su Liang couldn't help but sigh: "Sister Ouyang, I didn't expect that the people along the Yellow River were so enlightened. With them here, why should I, the Song Dynasty, not be happy?"

Ouyang Xiu looked towards the Yellow River.

"They are indeed willing to do their best to prevent floods. But the key to their agreement is that I promise to give each person five hundred cents per day, and Uncle He is eight hundred cents per day."

"Ah?" Su Liang was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud.

The people today will not fight tooth and nail for the Song Dynasty, but in order to support their families, they will most likely fight to the death.

This is what most people think.

Not worthy of praise, but not at fault either.

Ouyang Xiu stroked his beard and said with a serious face: "These people will work with all their heart after receiving money, unlike some people who only know how to do things with their salary from the court!"

……

With the participation of more than 20 riverside people, the process of river surveying suddenly accelerated a lot.

What surprised Su Liang was.

These hired people are very real.

Work hard at every job.

And, as Uncle He said: No one knows this river better than them.

This gave Su Liang full confidence.

……

The first day of March, night.

Su Liang dragged his tired body into the camp.

Ouyang Xiu and Shen Kuo were also almost exhausted.

The amount of activity they have done in these few days is enough to equal their past year.

After Su Liang drew a few check marks on the drawing, he said excitedly: "Tomorrow, there are only three points left on the south side of the river that need to be launched. Then everyone will go together and the task will be completed before noon!"

Ouyang Xiu and Shen Kuo couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, finally getting through this difficult day.

It didn't take long for the three of them to lie down and fall asleep.

Everyone was snoring loudly and sleeping very deeply.

……

The next day, the sky was slightly brighter.

Su Liang, Ouyang Xiu, and Shen Kuo were still sleeping soundly in the tent.

Zhang Mao quickly walked into the tent and shouted: "Su Yushi, Bachelor Ouyang, wake up, wake up!"

Su Liang opened his eyes drowsily and asked, "Mr. Zhang, what's wrong?"

"The sky is gloomy and it's going to rain heavily!"

"what?"

Su Liang jumped up, put on a coat and walked out of the tent.

And the moment he walked out of the camp, he only heard a "bang".

A thunder exploded in my ears, and then, only the sound of falling rain was heard.

It was getting dark.

The Yellow River and the sky in the distance are of the same color.

Whoa!Whoa!Whoa!

The heavy rain poured down, hitting my body painfully.

Ouyang Xiu and Shen Kuo were also suddenly awakened.

This rain was very strange, and it came at the wrong time.

Su Liang looked at the dense rain curtain ahead and murmured: "It should be fine. As long as the rain stops before noon, it will not affect our measurements of the last three points."

At this moment, Su Liang also felt a little lucky.

Fortunately, he had measured the most difficult to measure long-distance points in the past few days. If it were done today, it would be all over.

Ouyang Xiu looked at the guard on the side and said: "Let us know and prepare food in advance. Once the rain stops, everyone will immediately go to the place where we left yesterday."

……

About an hour later, Su Liang and others had lunch.

Immediately, the rain became lighter, and just when Su Liang felt that the rain was about to stop, the rain suddenly became heavier again.

Repeatedly, it soon passed noon.

Su Liang suddenly became anxious.

If he didn't measure it today, Jia Changchao would never give Su Liang another chance, and going down the river at night would be even more dangerous.

Su Liang looked at the dense rain outside the camp and murmured: "We can't delay it any longer, we absolutely can't delay it any longer. I'm informing everyone to go down to the river to measure the points."

"Su Yushi, can you wait a little longer? The current is very fast. If we go into the river at this time, everyone's lives may be in danger!" Zhang Maoze reminded.

Su Liang shook his head slightly: "Now, I don't care about so much anymore!"

On the side, Ouyang Xiu nodded. He had come to this step and he would not fail.

(End of this chapter)