noveltune Chapter 5493 Learn from their strengths
Chapter 5493 Learn from their strengths
Chapter 5493 Learn from their strengths
All beginnings are hard.
The introduction and use of these water control tools have broken the deadlock in the arduous task of dredging waterways. The catalogs of wild vegetables and medicinal herbs can alleviate the pressure on supplies. Furthermore, the application of various manufacturing technologies has given the energetic and high-spirited "corps" wings.
The reclamation of the Liao River basin, as a key aspect of the development of Liaodong, was carried out vigorously.
Cui Dunli was stationed in Liaodong City to command the entire Liaodong reclamation system, which operated with remarkable efficiency and ease.
One day, a lieutenant came to report that several "spies" had been captured in the "corps" that were working day and night to dredge the river and build brick houses...
Cui Dunli was taken aback: "How could there be spies? This isn't a war!"
All the Hu tribes in Liaodong are now incorporated into various "corps". The Hu and Han people live together and are treated equally. The clear-cut ethnic boundaries of the past have almost disappeared, and they live in harmony and friendship.
Furthermore, even if one or two non-Han peoples were to rebel against the rule of the Tang Dynasty, they would only secretly instigate and plot, steal weapons and horses, and then ride into the mountains and forests to use the vast Liaodong region to evade the Tang army's pursuit.
What secrets did he want to steal by acting as a spy in the "corps"?
The deputy general replied with a smile, "The Grand Commander has misunderstood. They are not spies from a certain group of Hu people, but rather sent from Yuezhou."
Cui Dunli suddenly realized: "Stealing our various technologies?"
"That's exactly right. These spies, either bribed or planted beforehand, have already stolen several books compiled by the academy and sent them to Yuezhou. Although more than a dozen have been caught recently, there are clearly many more. The evidence is conclusive, but we don't know what to do with them?"
Cui Dunli pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Grab them and throw them into the most difficult places, so they can atone for their sins through labor."
"Uh...wouldn't that be too easy on them?"
Cui Dunli shook his head: "In the end, he is just an informant sent by Yuezhou. He is not a spy and does not need to be dealt with according to military law. Although Xu Jingzong's actions are somewhat despicable, his purpose is to better develop Dongting Lake. If our technology can reduce the number of soldiers who die and suffer less while participating in the reclamation and water management, it would be a great good."
Although the competition between the two places was fierce, it was all for the sake of the empire's land reclamation and development. Since a lot of technology had been stolen, they just let it go.
The lieutenant was completely convinced: "The Grand Commander has a broad mind and a far-sighted vision; I am far inferior to him!"
The concept of "magnanimity" is easy to talk about, but incredibly difficult to achieve, especially when it involves harming one's own interests, and when the other party uses such despicable means.
It's something most people can't do—put national interests above competition.
Cui Dunli laughed and said, "Although land reclamation and development are of paramount importance, we cannot suffer in silence. I will write a letter to the Grand Commandant in Chang'an and have him mention it to His Majesty, so as to put some pressure on Xu Jingzong."
*****
Meanwhile, in Yuezhou, Xu Jingzong was at a loss.
The "Eight Hundred Li Dongting Lake" stretches from Wuling in the east to Yueyang in the west, from Huarong in the north to Xiangyin in the south. Its waters meet the sky, vast and boundless, covering an area of over three thousand hectares, and becoming even more expansive during the high-water season. The Xiangjiang, Zijiang, Yuanjiang, and Lishui rivers converge from the south, forming a vast expanse of blue water. The Yangtze River also connects to Dongting Lake through nine channels and thirteen outlets, creating a unified lake and river system.
The lake water is often higher than the river water. When it enters the Yangtze River from Yuezhou, the turbid waves are towering and the water is churning, vast and boundless.
The situation was almost identical to that in Liaodong. To reclaim and cultivate wasteland, the first priority was to manage the lakes; to manage the lakes, the first priority was to manage the rivers; and to manage the rivers, the first priority was to dredge the waterways...
Dozens of rivers, large and small, flow into Dongting Lake, bringing unparalleled abundance of water. Hundreds of years of flooding have caused riverbed siltation and water levels to rise, and the area around Dongting Lake is now full of swamps and flooded.
If the lake water cannot be contained by dikes, during the rainy season, floods will flow down the river and into the lake area, causing the lake water to rise sharply and flood, and at that time, no matter how much fertile land is cultivated, it will be submerged.
Xu Jingzong also abandoned his usual pampered and self-important demeanor, personally leading officials and generals to direct the dredging of the riverbed silt. However, the dredging progress, carried out using the ancient methods, was extremely slow. Even the dredged silt piled on the banks was partially shoveled back into the river, and the rest would likely be washed back into the riverbed by rain before it could dry.
Xu Jingzong estimated that at this rate, it would probably take fifty years of non-stop work to clean up the waterways around Dongting Lake!
Not to mention the need to manage the entire Dongting Lake?
Even if he turned into a tortoise and lived for two hundred years, he probably still wouldn't finish!
Back at the governor's mansion, he took off his mud-covered official robes and boots, took a bath with the help of a maid, and sat alone in his study drinking tea, feeling sullen.
When the Prefect Qian Weidao came to report on matters concerning money, provisions, and manpower, he saw Xu Jingzong's listless appearance and comforted him, saying, "Since records began in the Spring and Autumn Period, the extent of flooding in Dongting Lake has increased day by day and year by year. Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, it has been impossible to control, which shows how difficult it is to manage. Although we are now trying to develop it with the full strength of the country, difficulties and obstacles are inevitable. The Prefect should proceed step by step and maintain a calm mindset."
What does it mean to "maintain a normal mindset"?
That is, be prepared to accept failure...
In fact, although the competition between Liaodong and Dongting Lake was fierce, each representing the interests of the emperor and the crown prince respectively, most people were pessimistic about the development of these two places, believing that they could not be successfully developed and that the development policies of these two places were likely to become typical examples of wasting manpower and resources. Some even jumped up and down, shouting "This is the bad policy of Emperor Yang of Sui", equating this policy with Emperor Yang of Sui's construction of the Grand Canal.
Even more so, after all, although Emperor Yang of Sui's construction of the Grand Canal directly led to the downfall of the country, it was still a success and left a legacy for future generations.
The development of Liaodong and Dongting Lake shows absolutely no hope of success...
Xu Jingzong poured tea for Qian Weidao and sighed, "To be honest, before arriving in Yuezhou, I regarded this project of developing Dongting Lake as a political achievement, hoping to use it to become the head of the three provinces and oversee all affairs. However, after arriving in Yuezhou, especially after personally sailing to inspect the edge of Dongting Lake, I saw with my own eyes how this beautiful land was ravaged by the lake and how many people feared the lake like a tiger and were displaced. I thought that if we could successfully manage the lake so that future generations would no longer suffer from its harm, wouldn't that be a blessing for all families and a name that would be remembered in history?"
The ultimate pursuit of Confucianism is nothing more than "the three immortalities".
To establish virtue, to achieve merit, and to leave a lasting legacy.
Of these three, establishing virtue is considered the highest level, followed by establishing merit, and then establishing words. However, all three must withstand the test of time to be considered immortal.
What does "establishing virtue" mean?
This is the highest level of moral integrity, requiring "the creation of laws and regulations, and the broad bestowal of benefits upon the masses," that is, establishing moral norms and extending kindness to the people.
Xu Jingzong knew his own limitations; no matter how arrogant he was, he wouldn't dare covet such an achievement. He simply didn't possess any concept of "morality"...
As a second choice, they pursued "meritorious service".
However, "making meritorious contributions" is not just about winning a few battles or getting promoted a few times, nor is it about becoming a prime minister who oversees all affairs or a famous general who holds military power. Rather, it is about making contributions to benefit the world, "rescuing people from calamities and difficulties, and bringing benefits to the times," and establishing achievements and benefiting the contemporary people when the country or the people are in danger.
Developing Dongting Lake is simply a godsend!
What could be greater than the achievement of controlling the floods that have plagued Dongting Lake for millennia and enabling countless people to live and work in peace and contentment?
For this alone, he is worthy of being honored with a monument and his name will be remembered for eternity!
But the difficulties are indeed unprecedented...
Qian Weidao, however, was impressed by Xu Jingzong. Xu's reputation for virtue was known throughout the land. He had always presented himself as a corrupt official and was considered a model of a sycophant. Even the most learned scholars in the court and the country, who valued their reputation, were ashamed to associate with him.
But it turns out he also harbored a heart devoted to serving the country and its people, and to achieving great things...
After thinking for a moment, he said in a low voice, "The reason why we are facing difficulties this time is that the development is too rushed... He who wins before the battle has made many calculations has a good advantage, and he who loses before the battle has made few calculations has a poor advantage. Many calculations lead to victory, few calculations lead to defeat, and what about those who have no calculations at all! I can tell the outcome of the battle from this perspective."
Xu Jingzong naturally understood this principle and sighed, "How could I not know? But if we wait until we are fully prepared and ready to act, how could it be my turn!"
It was precisely because he was "courageous in taking on heavy responsibilities" and "ambitious in making progress" that His Majesty was able to entrust him with this arduous task. Otherwise, if he couldn't even seize the opportunity, what would success or failure matter to him?
Qian Weidao remained silent for a moment, unsure of what to say.
Without even a complete plan, they defied public opinion and mobilized most of the money, grain, and manpower from Jiangnan Circuit, Huainan Circuit, and Shannan Circuit, gathering them in Yuezhou, Lizhou, Langzhou, and Tanzhou. They almost used half the country's resources, but now they are at a loss and progress is slow...
If this continues, the dream of "achieving great things" will be a pipe dream, and one may even have to bear the consequences.
Who knows, His Majesty might one day feel things are not right and replace Xu Jingzong with someone else, and that would be a disaster...
He Qianwei entered officialdom through the imperial examination in the first year of the Renhe era, and should have had a bright future. His appointment as the Prefect of Yuezhou was a rising star in the officialdom, after all, he was the best among his many classmates.
But if the development of Dongting Lake fails, he will also bear joint responsibility...
The two remained silent.
Qian Weidao intended to comfort and console Xu Jingzong, but he himself became distressed and overwhelmed.
Hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and a clerk rushed into the study.
Xu Jingzong was furious: "Don't you have any manners? Go out and receive twenty lashes as a warning to others!"
The clerk was taken aback and quickly handed over a box with both hands.
"Reporting to the Governor, a man from Liaodong has presented this item, claiming that it contains the ingenious strategies for developing Liaodong!"
"Ok?"
Xu Jingzong suddenly stood up, strode forward, and took the box.