Chapter 121: First Signs Emerge

In the streets and alleys of Chang'an, the capital of the Great Han, newspapers under Great Han Media early released the major news that the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal would soon begin construction.

On newspapers such as the Great Han Weekly and the Everlasting Peace Morning Post, bold headlines read: "Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, groundbreaking tomorrow, the Son of Heaven personally present, jointly inaugurating a new chapter of prosperity for the Great Han!"

The newspapers not only detailed the canal's planning blueprint and expected significance, but also featured exquisite hand-drawn illustrations vividly depicting the beautiful scene of north-south connectivity and thriving trade after the canal's completion.

Once the news spread, the entire Great Han erupted in excitement.

On the streets and in alleys, people gathered in small groups, eagerly discussing this major event.

"If the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is really built, our lives will become much more convenient! Southern goods can be transported north faster, and prices might drop significantly!"

An elderly merchant said excitedly.

"Yes, yes, this is a great project that will benefit future generations; the Son of Heaven is wise!"

Beside him, an old man nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of anticipation.

The young men were even more eager, rolling up their sleeves and thinking they might get a chance to participate in this great project, contributing their share to the prosperity of the Great Han.

On a fine, sunny day, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal was held grandly.

Along the canal banks, colorful flags fluttered, drums and gongs roared, and the atmosphere was extraordinarily lively.

People came from all directions, forming layers three deep around the ceremony site, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the Son of Heaven's bearing.

Their eyes shone with anticipation and reverence; they tiptoed and craned their necks, just to see the Son of Heaven more clearly.

In the crowd, there was an elderly man with white hair, leaning on a cane, standing shakily in the front row;

there was a woman holding a child, softly telling the child about the Son of Heaven's greatness and the importance of this project;

and there were energetic youths, excitedly chatting, their faces glowing with hope for the future.

As a solemn horn blast sounded, Liu Ju entered the ceremony site slowly, escorted by a host of ministers and guards.

He wore a splendid dragon robe, crowned with beads and plumes, his demeanor solemn and imposing.

Upon seeing the Son of Heaven, the people fell to their knees, kowtowing and shouting, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live forever!"

Liu Ju slightly raised his hand, signaling the people to rise, his face showing a gentle smile as he waved to the crowd.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony officially began; Liu Ju personally took up the scissors and cut the red silk ribbon symbolizing the project's launch.

Instantly, thunderous applause and cheers erupted, firecrackers burst, fireworks bloomed, dyeing the entire sky in brilliant colors.

Liu Ju ascended the platform and delivered an important speech.

His voice was loud and powerful, echoing along both banks of the canal: "The excavation of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is a great undertaking of our Great Han; it will connect north and south, promote trade, and benefit the people. I hope every artisan and official involved in the construction will devote themselves fully, ensuring quality and progress, not failing my expectations nor the people's trust!"

"Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal…"

Hearing this, the people's blood boiled, and they again burst into enthusiastic applause and cheers.

The elders' eyes shone with emotion and relief.

Having weathered the vicissitudes of time, they had witnessed the rise and fall of the Great Han and understood deeply the significance of a great project for the nation and its people.

When Liu Ju spoke of "the excavation of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal being a great undertaking of our Great Han, connecting north and south, promoting trade, and benefiting the people," the elders' eye sockets gradually moistened, their cloudy eyes glistening with tears of emotion.

"The Son of Heaven is wise! To see such a grand project in our lifetime is truly a blessing!"

One old man with a completely white beard, even more excited, lifted his withered arm and clapped vigorously; although his applause was somewhat feeble, the joy and gratitude from his heart overflowed.

The young men's blood boiled, and they were eager to try.

When Liu Ju hoped that every artisan and official would devote themselves fully, the young men involuntarily clenched their fists, exchanged glances, their eyes conveying firm belief, and whispered among themselves:

"This is a rare opportunity; we must work hard and contribute our share to the Great Han!"

"Yes, once the canal is completed, we can proudly say that we had a hand in it!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, we will surely not disappoint your expectations!"

His shout sparked a wave of resonance; everyone joined in the chanting, voices rising and falling.

The women's eyes were full of hope and anticipation; for them, the completion of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal meant not only more convenient living but also the possibility of greater income and opportunities for their families.

"Child, when you grow up, you'll enjoy the benefits this canal brings. Our days will only get better from now on." Her face beamed with a happy smile, and the other women nodded in agreement.

The biggest beneficiaries were the merchants, their faces showing delight and confidence brimming over.

"This is tremendous good news! From now on, transporting goods between north and south will be much more convenient, and our business will surely grow larger!"

After Liu Ju's speech ended, the site erupted with thunderous applause and cheers.

The people expressed their support for the Son of Heaven and their anticipation for the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal project in the most enthusiastic way.

After the speech, Liu Ju, accompanied by Sang Hongyang and other ministers, began to inspect the initial progress of the project.

As he walked, he carefully observed the construction site, occasionally asking the artisans about their work and checking the quality of building materials.

Liu Ju came to a spot where the riverbank slope was being erected, suddenly crouched down, and lightly touched the stacked stones with his hand.

According to the design drawings, these stones should have been carefully selected and polished, with smooth, even surfaces and uniform size, to ensure the slope's stability and durability.

However, the stones his fingers touched were rough and uneven, varied in size, with large gaps between many of them, making a tight fit impossible.

Liu Ju frowned, picked up a stone at random, weighed it, and found the stone's texture porous, its weight noticeably lighter than normal stone.

He turned to the nearby artisan and asked sternly, "Were these stones selected according to the design requirements? How can such low-quality stones guarantee the slope's sturdiness?"

The artisans looked at each other, none daring to answer.

Next, Liu Ju went to a section of the canal under excavation and found that the digging depth was uneven, with some areas far short of the required depth.

He crouched, using his cane to measure the riverbed, and said to Sang Hongyang, "Minister Sang, look at this canal's depth—so shallow, how could it meet future vessels' passage needs? This clearly does not match the design!"

Sweat beads rolled down Sang Hongyang's forehead as he nervously replied, "Your Majesty, I will immediately have the artisans make corrections."

Liu Ju continued onward to a lock under construction. According to the design, the lock's structure is exquisite, requiring precise dimensions and superb craftsmanship to ensure proper operation.

However, Liu Ju saw that the lock being built had roughly connected parts, overly large gaps, and some key components were clearly the wrong size.

He lightly tapped the lock's frame; the hollow, dull sound indicated the structure was not sturdy.

Liu Ju's face grew increasingly grim as he told Sang Hongyang, "Such a shoddily built lock, once put into use, would have unimaginable consequences. Minister Sang, as Minister of Works, how can you know nothing about these problems?"

Liu Ju turned his head to look at Sang Hongyang standing beside him, his tone growing more severe: "Minister Sang, what is going on? Why does the construction deviate from the design? How can the project's quality be assured if this continues?"

Sang Hongyang's heart jolted, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He hurriedly lowered his head and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This matter is complicated to explain. Xu Wei, who was in charge of construction, cut corners during the building process. After I discovered this, I have already exiled him to the frontier. Now the project has been taken over by others, and there may have been some problems during the handover. I will certainly investigate the cause promptly and make corrections."

Liu Ju listened to Sang Hongyang's words and secretly harbored doubts.

He had examined the plans and knew that Xu Wei possessed extraordinary skill in architectural design, and he had previously approved his design proposals.

How could someone like him suddenly cut corners? There must be some hidden reason.

But Liu Ju did not flare up on the spot; he merely nodded slightly and said, "This matter is of great importance, Beloved Minister Sang must resolve it promptly to ensure the project proceeds smoothly."

Liu Ju soon returned to the palace; as soon as he sat down, a ritual official hurried over and announced loudly, "Your Majesty, Lord Wei Xiang has returned!"

Upon hearing this news, Liu Ju's face lit up with delight.

Having returned this time from governing the former Xiongnu lands, Wei Xiang must have brought back much important information.

Liu Ju hurriedly rose and went in person to welcome Wei Xiang.