Prince of Song Dynasty

Chapter 97 Intrigue
For example, in water transportation, rewards and punishments should be clearly defined as in marching and fighting. Those who complete the transportation ahead of time should be rewarded, and those who are late should be punished.Rewards and punishments are clearly defined, so that the boatmen and slender hands will not delay the official business.

In addition, there are many types of boats, but in different river sections, because of the different width, depth, urgency, and slowness of the river, the boats suitable for sailing are also different.In today's actual situation, some ships have huge hulls, but they are not suitable for transporting grain. However, in order to save money, many water transport offices still use such ships to barely deal with them.For example, these ships will naturally be replaced by ships suitable for river transportation of grain this time, and the number should be increased as much as possible.

As for the big method, Ye Chen came up with it himself. The idea and inspiration came from yesterday's discussion about building a reservoir to control the flood of the Yellow River.To put it simply, it is to repair the barrages and sluices on the embankment, and then do not pour water to irrigate the fields. During the process of transporting grain, if the water level in the river becomes shallow, open the sluice gates and put some water in, the water level will rise .

The method Ye Chen thought of is actually very common and common in later generations.To put it simply, two sluice gates are built where the water level difference is large. The water level is first equal to the upstream water level. After the ship enters the gate, the upstream gate is closed, and the downstream gate is opened. The water is released slowly so that the water level is equal to the downstream. The boat can sail out smoothly and safely.

Compared with the segmented transshipment method, this method saves much time and manpower.

Ye Chen told Zhou Jie about the ten small methods, and everyone just nodded their heads, deeply feeling that it was not easy for Ye Chen to investigate and consult so many effective methods in one day.In fact, Ye Chen also directly said that he had inquired about this method from Zhou Jie, the leader of the Cao Gang.However, he didn't notice the flash of coldness in Zhao Kuangyin's eyes when he mentioned Cao Gang.

And when Ye Chen proposed the method of the sluice gate, the few people who heard the many functions of building the reservoir yesterday were not surprised, but still had doubts.But the other people couldn't help being dumbfounded when they heard the words, exclaiming how wonderful this method is, they were also deeply moved by Ye Chen's whimsical idea.

Hearing everyone's praise, Ye Chen felt a little feverish on his face. Whether it's the construction of the reservoir or the method of the sluice, he has learned from later generations!

At this time, Luo Gongming frowned and thought for a while, and said: "The method of the sluice gate is indeed mysterious. It is conceivable that once this method is popularized, the efficiency and speed of river transportation will be greatly improved. Made a great contribution."

In addition to Lu Yuqing's face becoming more and more ugly, everyone said yes, and Zhao Kuangyin also deeply agreed. This matter is obvious, and it is not difficult to understand and infer.

But before everyone could say anything, Luo Gongming changed his mind and said, "But the construction of this sluice varies in width depending on the river area, but at least it is several feet long. It takes three to four months to build a sluice like this. Slowly, it will take several years, but the time to raise food this time is already too late."

There was a sudden silence in the hall. Luo Gongming is an expert in this field. He said that it would take so long to build the sluice, so it must be too late.

Zhao Kuangyin frowned again.Everyone looked at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen had already thought about this matter last night, and had a solution.

"Master Luo is right. I asked Zhou Jie last night. Although the widest canal is no more than ten feet, it is too late to build a sluice that can last for several years. But if we only build one The rudimentary sluice gate that has only been used for more than a month has issued an urgent edict today to make it clear to the local government that it will take a month to repair the sluice gate. Therefore, this matter should be communicated to all roads and state governments as soon as possible. It should be implemented as a top priority, so that the various shipping departments, transshipment departments, and purchasers have to rush to build it day and night while purchasing grain."

"That's right! One month should be enough time for all river courses to be carried out at the same time. If this is feasible and the grain procurement is smooth, we can start to use the new method of grain transportation in early August. The grain ships will go straight to Kaifeng without doing anything in between." Loading and unloading, the transportation speed should be one-third faster, and in the remaining one month, regardless of day and night, the scheduling is orderly, without any accidents, it is enough to transport 600 million shi of grain to the capital." Luo Gongming secretly calculated , said.

Only then did Zhao Kuangyin heave a long sigh of relief, and everyone praised Ye Chen's flexibility.

"Officials! I have one last suggestion." Ye Chen said.

Zhao Kuangyin was in a good mood at this time. The plan Ye Chen said was well-founded and well-founded. The biggest feature was to list the possible problems one by one in accordance with the entire steps of purchasing and transporting grain, the links passed, the officials and various personnel involved. , and then proposed solutions one by one.And it has also been approved by the ministers. Without accidents, it should be possible to complete the food raising this time.

Zhao Kuangyin said: "Ye Qing, but it's okay to say."

Ye Chen said: "There are too many things involved in raising food this time, involving all aspects of the imperial court and local government. It requires the full cooperation of the Chief Minister, the Privy Council, the Third Secretary, the Kaifeng Mansion, and the local government, the Shipping Department, the Transshipment Department, and the Purchasing Department. The imperial envoys, the observation and supervision envoys from all walks of life are fully supervised, and there is hope that it will be implemented. If the prediction of the master minister is true, it is also related to the foundation of the country, so the appointed status can suppress all parties, The important ministers of the local officials of the prefecture acted as imperial envoys and went to various places in the Jianghuai area to command, supervise, and supervise the collection of food nearby."

Hearing this, Zhao Pu didn't know what he thought of, and suddenly his body trembled slightly. Before Zhao Kuangyin could say anything, he stepped out of the shift and said, "Your Majesty! What Xiangfu Bo said is reasonable. The Department of Shipping, the Department of Transshipment, and the Department of Purchasing and Beneficiary worked together to purchase and transport grain. The censors of the Taiyuan, Dianyuan, and Procuratorate, and even the observers and supervisors from all walks of life gave full supervision. The top officials of the prefectures, prefectures, military, prisons, and counties personally presided over the construction of dams and sluices. If there are no mistakes in all links, the minister believes that the matter of raising food will be completed."

"Oh?" Zhao Kuangyin has always relied heavily on Zhao Pu, and hearing him so sure of Ye Chen's plan, he couldn't help but smile.

"However! As Xiangfu Bo said, this matter needs to send a capable person to Jianghuai with the king's order to go to Jianghuai in person, to exercise the power of punishment and killing, and to command as close as His Majesty is in person, so as to ensure that it is carried out effectively, and there is no risk of getting out of control. .” Zhao Pu continued.

Hearing this, Zhao Guangyi's face changed slightly. He thought that Zhao Pu would try his best to let him take charge of this matter like yesterday, but in the end he did not recommend him, and gave the person in charge of this matter such great power.He was a little tempted, because he took the opportunity to do a lot of things that he usually wanted to do but never did.But for this kind of thing, he can't take the initiative to recommend himself.

Luo Gongming and Chu Zhaofu's expressions also changed slightly, and they quickly lowered their heads, obviously thinking of something and didn't want to get involved.On the other hand, Lu Yuqing glanced over Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi, and finally focused on Ye Chen, with a sneer on his face.I thought that this matter really has another purpose.

Zhao Guangyi's mind changed like a flash of light, but suddenly he bowed and said: "Minister! Second proposal. I have an answer!"

"What did the emperor say?"

After listening to Zhao Pu's report.Zhao Kuangyin, who was thinking about who to send, quickly raised his head and asked.

Zhao Guangyi said: "Xiang Fubo and Zhao Xianggong are right, but this matter is related to the rise and fall of the country. It is really difficult to get officials from various departments to spare no effort. However, such heavy responsibilities and powers are really not suitable for ordinary people. Courtier, once this case is opened, there will be endless troubles..."

Zhao Kuangyin's pupils shrank slightly, and the cold light in his eyes flashed away, and he said, "Then according to the emperor's opinion, what is the best way to achieve both?"

Zhao Guangyi cursed secretly in his heart, but it's a pity that none of the people present belonged to him, otherwise he could have said what he wanted to say for him, but at this moment he could only say: "I haven't thought about this matter yet."

At this time, Zhao Pu bowed and bowed, and said in a deep voice: "I recommend someone to take on this job."

"who is it?"

"Emperor's eldest son, Dezhao."

Zhao Kuangyin raised his eyebrows, said "Oh" softly, swept his eyes over several important officials, and remained silent.

Zhao Guangyi's eyelids twitched slightly, wishing to cut Zhao Pu into pieces, he hurriedly calmed down, and stepped forward, saying: "Officials, this matter is of great importance, it is related to the survival of the society, this person must be chosen carelessly. In the palace, I don't know the local folk affairs, and I have never taken on such a heavy responsibility, such an important matter, if there is a mistake, it will be a catastrophe for the country, and the eldest son of the emperor... It is also a loss of virtue, the official Please think twice."

"This..." Zhao Kuangyin stroked his beard and pondered. Although he knew that what Zhao Guangyi said was selfish, he also knew in his heart that although his son was a hard-working man, he was not too prudent in doing things. I believe he should do his best.However, he, the founding emperor, was in the prime of his life, and he did everything by himself. He had never asked his son to do anything on his behalf. Something really went wrong.Not only did he miss a major court event, but his son's reputation would also be greatly affected. With such a heavy burden on his shoulders, can he handle it?
"But Dezhao has indeed grown up, it's time to arrange some things to experience." Zhao Kuangyin recalled the dispute and conversation with his son in the Royal Garden a few days ago.

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's hesitation, Zhao Pu hurriedly went in and said: "The official family, the minister recommended the eldest son of the emperor for three reasons. First, the official family sits at the center, and the minister has to deal with the government affairs, while the Kaifeng mansion must connect the past and the future. Looking at the entire court, except the emperor The eldest son, there is no suitable person to choose. Second, the eldest son of the emperor, Dezhao, is the eldest son of an official. Work diligently. Thirdly, the eldest son of the emperor has reached the age of weak crown, and it is the time when he is young and promising. He should come out to do his part for the country and society, and exercise the ability of the eldest son of the emperor. As for the concerns of the governor, hehe... "

(End of this chapter)