Chapter 324: The Son of Heaven Wishes to Undertake River Works

On the open wilderness, the great column continued northward along the old road, which was not easy to traverse, but after this scale of trampling by men, horses, and cart wheels, it had essentially been beaten into a "new road" leading to Kaifeng.

Not far to the side lay a dried-up watercourse, evidently parched for many years, its sand and soil churned over and no longer retaining its shape, carrying a hint of antiquity and desolation. The riverbed was not very wide, and a layer of vegetation had already grown over its surroundings, adding a touch of not-too-deep greenery under the spring breeze.

Gazing into the distance, one could see the old channel, winding and broken, stretching intermittently toward the north and south.

Liu Chengyou stood on a slightly elevated earthen mound, his expansive view lifting his spirits, with the field headquarters column behind him having slowed its pace once more.

Behind him, besides a squad of Imperial Guard soldiers, Zhang Dejun had several eunuchs set up bright yellow curtains to screen Liu Chengyou from view.

Quite naturally, Liu Chengyou pulled out his member, aimed at a clump of low shrubs beneath his feet, and opened the sluice—perhaps because it was so satisfying, he let out a slightly frivolous long whistle. When it came to relieving oneself, of course one did whatever felt most comfortable and pleasant.

Liu Chengyou urinating required no special ceremony or etiquette, and certainly no eunuch to help him remove his dragon trousers, pull out his dragon root, or shake his dragon head...

He gave his dragon head a few shakes himself, lowered his robe, left the shrubs that had turned a bright green from his watering, and strolled along the old watercourse while summoning Wang Qiwu for conversation.

"This ancient Cai River channel is no short stretch—do you, Qiwu, know its origins?" Pointing at the dried channel on his right, Liu Chengyou asked casually.

Wang Qiwu followed at his side and rear, evidently having done some homework. Upon the question, he explained to Liu Chengyou with great composure: "The Cai River was the Hong Canal in the Warring States period, the Langdang Canal in the Former Han, and only came to be called the Cai River in the Wei and Jin dynasties, serving as the main north-south water transport artery of the Central Plains. But with the changes since the Sui and Tang, river works fell into neglect, the waterway silted up, gradually drying out, and by the end of the Tang it was completely abandoned—now some decades have passed..."

"What a pity!" Liu Chengyou listened attentively to his account, walking at a leisurely pace, and sighed.

Wang Qiwu echoed: "Above Kaifeng is the Bian River, and below Kaifeng is the Cai River. Though the Cai River is not long, it connects to the Ying River, reaching through Chen, Ying, Xu, and Cai. At its height, boats came and went in an unbroken stream, no less than the Bian Canal!"

Liu Chengyou mused for a moment, then said: "These waterways and canals are like the blood vessels of the Great Han—irrigating farms, transporting goods, connecting the prefectures... Now that the waterways of the various prefectures are silted and impassable, for the Great Han it is like sluggish blood flow, harmful to both state and people. I intend to mobilize labor, repair the canals, link north and south, so that boats may follow one another and the capital may benefit!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Qiwu was silent for a moment, appearing deep in thought.

"What, is there some problem?" Seeing this, Liu Chengyou asked.

The furrows on Wang Qiwu's brow temporarily smoothed as he replied respectfully: "The advantage of the Eastern Capital lies precisely in the advantage of its canals. Whether for governance, military, agriculture, or commerce, repairing waterways and dredging canals are things the court must do. But whatever works are to be undertaken, the material costs are truly considerable, and given the court's current financial situation..."

Understanding his concern, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said magnanimously: "Now the four borders are at peace and internal and external affairs are gradually stabilizing. Though the court is strapped, we can grit our teeth and squeeze out some money and grain for river works. The wealth collected from Xuzhou this time, I intend to use it for the river projects!"

"Even so, I fear it still won't be enough!" Wang Qiwu said very pragmatically.

"I'm not planning to dredge every waterway in the Great Han all at once!" Liu Chengyou said with a clear-headed air: "When poor, one does things the poor way—the court undertakes major repairs, the prefectures and circuits minor repairs, and the counties and towns dredge and maintain..."

Wang Qiwu nodded, glanced at the dilapidated old watercourse beside them, and suddenly realized something, asking: "Your Majesty wishes to open the Cai River?"

Liu Chengyou was not surprised by Wang Qiwu's quick wit; rather, his eyes showed a hint of approval. Raising his hand and pointing, he said: "If we divert the Bian River into the Cai, dredge it anew, and reconnect it through Chen and Ying, what do you think?"

Hearing the Son of Heaven's consideration, Wang Qiwu did not rush to answer but instead thought it over seriously for a while before shaking his head and saying: "River works involve many matters; I know only the surface and truly dare not speak rashly!"

"Well said!" Liu Chengyou praised Wang Qiwu's attitude.

Being a naturally elegant scholar, Wang Qiwu revealed a warm, jade-like smile upon receiving the praise, and earnestly suggested to Liu Chengyou: "The Bian River is now the most important waterway in the Central Plains—one might call it the lifeline of the state—and it too has been neglected for many years, long undredged. If Your Majesty wishes to undertake river works, would it not be best to first address the improvement of the Bian River's condition?"

"That is a mature and prudent word!" Liu Chengyou said directly.

Pausing briefly and pondering a little, Liu Chengyou said to Wang Qiwu with a calm expression: "On governing the rivers, my ideas are still rough, but this is something that must be done. Yet how to govern them, and where to begin, truly requires comprehensive and careful consideration. You may quietly investigate and inquire, and after returning to the capital, you may draft a proposal on river governance!"

Without much hesitation, Wang Qiwu respectfully clasped his hands and replied: "Yes!"

He knew well in his heart that Liu Chengyou intended to promote him—this was an opportunity to distinguish himself. He did not need to present a specific plan for river dredging and canal clearance; that was not his forte. He only needed to offer counsel, for the Emperor's will to govern the rivers was strong, and as long as it succeeded, the merit of offering advice was still merit.

Now a close minister of the Son of Heaven, yet without substantive office or real power, he was in need of a foothold. For a young talent like Wang Qiwu, eager to establish achievements, having spotted an opportunity, he naturally would not let it pass.

Even as he accepted the command, Wang Qiwu's mind was already considering how to set about this matter. Even if he only earned the merit of offering counsel, he would still need to gain a deeper understanding of river works.

The pace of conversation was not fast, but as they walked and talked, the scene before them had changed considerably—the already winding watercourse seemed as if strangled by a pair of green, verdant hands.

Stopping in his steps, Liu Chengyou put on a pensive look, thought very seriously for a while, then glanced at Wang Qiwu: "As expected, Taiyuan has ideas!"

Wang Qiwu's expression tightened slightly as he recalled that letter from Jinyang, then bowed slightly and asked: "How does Your Majesty intend to respond?"

"Whether Jinyang has yet received my disposition of the Xuzhou matter is still uncertain." Liu Chengyou sighed softly: "Here's what we'll do—write a letter to Jinyang in my tone, explaining the Xuzhou matter, to show reassurance!"

"Yes!" Wang Qiwu replied directly.

Pausing for a moment, Liu Chengyou added somewhat abruptly: "I intend to enfeoff my imperial uncle as a prince!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Qiwu solemnly clasped his fists: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Though Wang Qiwu's flattery was seven or eight parts sincere, Liu Chengyou paid it no mind. He shook his head and called out to Zhang Dejun, who was some distance away: "I'm tired of walking!"

Hearing this, Zhang Dejun immediately hurried over and asked: "Will His Majesty return to the carriage?"

Liu Chengyou said: "Bring two imperial horses—I want to ride!"

"Yes!"