Chapter 153

Curtains veiled the light, candles glowed brightly.

Under the candlelight, Yu Yu Qianlou and Yu Yu Yuling each held one end, slowly unrolling a massive silk map that filled more than half the room.

Wang Yang had studied geography extensively; with just a glance at the relative positions of rivers and lakes, he praised: "Excellent map!"

Not only had Wang Yang never seen this map before, but even the two Yu brothers had never laid eyes on it.

"This is the 'Map of All Prefectures and Counties,' commissioned by the Emperor of the previous dynasty, drawn by the Imperial Archives based on Pei Xiu's 'Yu Gong Regional Maps.' Except for the terrain north of the Huai River and south of Guangzhou, which were rendered roughly, the lands south of the river—including Ba and Shu—were meticulously verified. Though over twenty years have passed, save for minor changes in a few prefectures and counties, the rest remains exactly as depicted..."

Yu Yu Yuling longed to ask his father many questions, yet dared not interrupt. He glanced at his elder brother, whose eyes held the same complex emotions.

"Zhiyan, look—our dynasty's grain transport primarily involves four routes and eighteen prefectures, from Ba Commandery to Dan..."

Yu Yi suddenly stopped and told his two sons: "This concerns state secrets. You both leave."

Yu Yu Qianlou bowed and replied, "Yes, sir."

Though reluctant, Yu Yu Yuling could only obey and exit the room.

Moonlight veiled the brightness.

Yu Yu Qianlou dismissed the servants and carried a lantern himself, escorting his younger brother back to his room.

"Elder brother, why does Father possess the previous dynasty's Imperial Archives map?" Yu Yu Yuling finally asked after a long silence.

"... I don't know. But I know Father ceased all social ties starting in the Jiwei year."

"Jiwei year..." Yu Yu Yuling calculated silently, then gasped: "That's Jianyuan's first year?!"

That was the founding era of the Great Qi!

"So Father..." Yu Yu Yuling found it unbelievable—was Father a remnant minister of the previous dynasty? No, that couldn't be; Father had never held office, nor shown even a trace of nostalgia for the old regime all these years!

Yu Yu Qianlou shook his head, walking slowly: "I don't know. I only know that despite his talent and reputation, Father refuses to enter court, cherishes state and people, yet repeatedly rejects imperial summons. His actions are contradictory, yet his heart must hold profound intent."

Yu Yu Yuling suddenly felt he had never truly understood his father. After a moment of silent thought, he asked: "Does the Son of Heaven know?"

Yu Yu Qianlou did not answer. He thought: If the Son of Heaven doesn't know, then fine. But if he knows, yet still tolerates Father, maintains private contact, and discusses state affairs—then his breadth and magnanimity are truly extraordinary.

But if he tolerates Father merely to cultivate his own reputation, feigns patience to wear down Father's resolve, then when that tolerance runs out and patience fades...

Yu Yu Qianlou shivered, feeling the night was cold—cold indeed.

"... But these three waterways become impassable during dry season. Along the Lujiang and Chaohu route, one must also avoid flood season, or the river mouth's waves are too violent—many ships capsize; only half reach their destination. So grain barges must wait idle, sometimes for two or three months! If they don't wait, they must switch to land transport—but land transport is far slower!"

Yu Yi pointed at the map, his expression grave:

"For example, switching to land from here to Liyang requires five thousand carts to transport one hundred thousand hu of grain, and it takes over a hundred days for a round trip—five times longer than water transport. Second, it demands too many ox-carts and laborers, draining resources. For the Huai frontier garrison feeding twenty thousand men, three thousand are needed just to transport grain. At every point, massive conscription disrupts prefectures and counties; the people resent it, grow passive, and often delay farming. The folk joke, 'A coin to transport a hu of rice'—though exaggerated, it's not far off."

"Not to mention the grain consumed daily by the transporters themselves—it's no small amount. For instance, transporting grain from the Qiantang Granary, three out of every five hu are consumed en route before reaching Huainan—such waste is unimaginable. Even so, grain transport is frequently delayed: grain needed in March arrives in May, or ships stall on the route with no return date. The court, to address this, punishes the lowest-performing transport officials at year-end by sending them in chains to the Court of Judicial Review. But results are minimal."

After speaking at length, Yu Yi's tone grew heavier: "Grain transport is among the most vital state affairs! Such delays and failures don't merely waste wealth—they harm the nation. Zhiyan, speak your mind freely—even if you can improve only one small detail, it's a service to the state!"

Wang Yang stared at the map, lost in thought.

Yu Yi waited over ten minutes. Seeing Wang Yang silent and deep in thought, his earlier excitement gradually faded. He thought: This is too difficult for him. The flaws in Jiangnan's grain transport have persisted since the Eastern Wu, for centuries uncorrected. Even if Zhiyan is a genius, he cannot possibly devise a solution in such a short time. Better let him return home, and wait three months before...

As Yu Yi pondered, Wang Yang spoke: "First..."

Yu Yi stiffened, stunned: "F... first?"

To propose even one strategy that slightly improves grain transport is to prove exceptional talent!

Could this boy have thought of more than one?!

Wang Yang was intently studying the map, utterly unaware of Yu Yi's reaction.

"First: relay transport, no empty holds. Establish temporary granaries at key stalled ports. From now on, if a barge is delayed over ten days, it need not wait—unload the grain into the granary, and let local officials dispatch new boats to continue transport when water conditions permit. Return vessels must sail empty. Near each temporary granary, set up trading posts, lower market and transaction taxes, offer more conveniences, and create a thriving, open commercial hub."

"After unloading grain into the temporary granary, the barge directly procures goods from the market—light, compact items like cloth or paper—and brings them back to the capital for official sale. This increases efficiency and profit. From the profits and trading post taxes, allocate part to hire transport laborers—improving livelihoods without conscripting prefectural laborers, avoiding massive corvée, achieving two goals at once..."

Hiss!

Yu Yi drew a sharp breath!

This method works!

When water flows, boats move; when water dries, grain is stored, transferred in stages—no vessel idles. Even more remarkable, delays and return trips both generate profit, while simultaneously resolving conscription and peasant livelihood issues—truly multiple benefits!

"... Temporary granaries need not be limited to ports. They can also be built midway between water and land routes, as hubs for multimodal transport. For instance, between the Yangtze and Lishui, or Lishui and Taihu—these land segments are short. If granaries are built, then from Liyang to Yixing, a stable grain route can be established..."

Wang Yang traced a line on the map. Yu Yi followed his finger—and suddenly understood, his heart pounding like a drum!

"Second..."

Yu Yi's pupils shrank sharply—there truly was a second one!!!!

"Second: overall planning, local dispatch, break rigid conventions—no need to rigidly enforce uniformity. For example, if this year Yingzhou must send grain to Yangzhou, and Yangzhou must send it to Sizhou, then send it directly from Yingzhou to Sizhou—no need to transfer twice. For water and land: routes connecting upstream and downstream along the same waterway are most efficient. Thus, to supply the capital, prioritize the Three Wu; for Huainan garrisons, prioritize Jiangzhou; for Guangyue emergencies, prioritize Xiangnan; for Jing-Xiang grain, the easiest route is down from Ba and Shu! The key is comprehensive calculation, careful review of inflows and outflows, to achieve simplification and double the results!"

Yu Yi felt heat rise through his body, sweat on his palms! With these two strategies, the flaws in grain transport could be greatly reduced! He would write immediately...

"Third..."

????

Yu Yi's breath caught. He stared at Wang Yang's young profile lit by candlelight—unbelievable!!

The first two strategies already covered so much—what else could he possibly say?!

"Third: flexible allocation, adapting to timing—substitute and supplement according to urgency. Non-urgent supplies can be stockpiled during autumn and winter when waterways are difficult, then shipped during flood season. During flood season, utilize the most accessible routes fully, establish central hubs to concentrate shipments at the most convenient locations. For example, during flood season, the Xiangyang to Yicheng route is fastest—down the Han River straight to Miankou. So barges delayed near Xiangyang can be rerouted there during summer's swift currents. Any shortfall at the original destination is made up by surplus grain from this shipment."

"The court can maintain a special reserve granary, purchasing grain annually in regions where prices are low. If a barge fails to arrive due to unforeseen causes, the reserve can substitute. The affected region pays the equivalent value in cash, which may be sent to the national treasury or directly used by the court for local finances—details adjustable per circumstance. Indeed, the Chaohu–Yangtze route holds great potential: avoid Chaohu's flood season, and build..."

Grain transport had always been a paramount state matter; since the Six Dynasties through the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, each had vigorously reformed it. Wang Yang had read extensively and thought deeply, absorbing knowledge without blind obedience, thus synthesizing the wisdom of capable ministers throughout history, integrating and refining it, filling gaps, and adding modern insights—effectively applying the accumulated transport experience of later dynasties to remedy the shortcomings of the Southern Qi. His ideas surged like a tidal wave swallowing a ship, a gale sweeping away grass—no wonder the listener was shaken to the core.

Ideas flooded Yu Yi's mind; his heart pounded faster and faster!

"Fourth..."

Wang Yang noticed a shadow tilt beside him and turned quickly: "Master! What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing..." Yu Yi leaned on the desk, lips dry, forcing calm, his gaze fixed on the map: "Zhiyan, please continue..."

Thin clouds lingered before the sun, dawn's light faint.

Wang Yang had long returned home; Yu Yi had not slept all night.

Now he bent over his desk, pen racing across paper, ink like hooked halberds: "The Hermit of the Vast Sea bows before the Master of the Soaring Dragon... Only extraordinary deeds produce extraordinary men; only extraordinary men achieve extraordinary feats! This youth is a marvel of talent, his ambition soaring like smoke! Truly a minister of state! I venture to say—even Yue Yi in youth, or Guan Zhong in early years—could not match him..."