Xian Dynasty Era

Chapter 148 The Eve of the Southern Tour
Zhongyuan Hall

Su Zhao looked at the ministers who were kneeling on the ground in the dark, silent for a long time, his voice became softer, and he said earnestly: "If the three counties in the south are hit by floods, and there are important financial and tax losses, then the country is in turmoil. How can you sit peacefully?" Center, your will has been decided, you don't need to persuade me any more."

Once the Hong River broke its embankment, thousands of miles of fertile land would become a country flooded with water, the situation would be corrupted, and the victims would be everywhere. At that time, the Su Kingdom was busy with relief, so there was no need to fight for hegemony, and it was almost time to sleep.

A small country means that the ability to resist risks is weaker.

Therefore, no matter how mediocre the intellect, the rulers and princes of the Su Kingdom in all dynasties paid great attention to river governance. Fortunately, the territory of the three southern counties is located in the middle and lower reaches of the Honghe River. There are only nine dangerous and high rivers, blocked by embankments, and there has been no major flood in the past hundred years. .

As for the two states of Zheng and Song, which were completely downstream, they were plagued by floods all the year round. For example, Xinzheng, the capital of Zheng, and Biancheng, the companion capital of Song, experienced major floods almost every three to five years.

Some people may ask, why not move the capital?

Because it is close to the big river, nourished and impacted by the river water, the land on both sides of the bank is fertile and flat; secondly, to transfer grain and fodder, more water is used, and there are millions of people living in a big city. If there is no canal to transport materials, only land transportation is needed. , is almost unimaginable.

Even in later generations where railway transportation is criss-crossed, sea and water transportation are also cheap, and port cities near the sea are given priority in development.

After finalizing the matter of patrolling the embankment in the south and discussing several other matters, the court ended. Su Zhao left Dazai Jing Hongdao and Sikong Fan Yanxu alone to continue the discussion in the side hall of Zhongyuan Hall.

"Fan Qing can bring along the officials of the Sikong Mansion for this southern tour of the embankments." Su Zhao said with a calm expression, "Also tell Gu about the specific conditions of the nine embankments, and where they need to be reinforced."

Unlike Su Guogong, who was skeptical about the rainstorm, Su Zhao was almost certain about the changes in the sky, and the rainstorm would last at least a month.

After the summer of previous years, there used to be heavy rains for several days in a row. Of course, this is still within the acceptable range, but today's situation has changed drastically. As Fan Yanxu said, the water volume of the flood river in the three southern counties has increased sharply, and the nine embankments may collapse. The embankment is in danger.

Even if he didn't, as the lord of the Su country, he should go to inspect it, and the only way to rest assured is to see it with his own eyes.

Fan Yanxu was not surprised to hear that he was going to accompany him, so he nodded in agreement.

He was a small official in his early years, and he was famous in Su State because he was good at engineering construction. Because of his outstanding achievements in harnessing the Honghe River, he won the title of Hou Xinzhong, the former King of Su State.

After working in the Sikong Mansion, he has presided over the construction of many large-scale civil engineering projects, and has intensive research on hydrology and meteorology. He is a rare technical bureaucrat.

Fang Cai was also the only minister in the palace who was worried about the Honghe River's embankment collapse. It wasn't that other people were eating vegetarian food because they didn't know the art of hydrology and meteorology.

"This time Gu intends to personally observe the water regime of the Hong River. If the rain does not stop, the soldiers and civilians of the three counties will be dispatched to reinforce the embankment and evacuate the people on both sides. The teacher will sit in the center to comfort people and transfer supplies. You and me Monarchs and ministers work together to win this catastrophe." Su Zhao looked at the elderly Jing Hongdao and said.

In fact, there is another detail that he did not disclose, that he will send some capable people into the martial arts of Zheng Guobian County at the same time to survey and map its mountains and rivers.

Jing Hongdao said: "Since your majesty has made up his mind, the veteran will do his best to help you, so as to relieve your majesty's worries."

Su Zhao nodded, and then told them a few more words before letting them leave.

"Your Majesty, Cai An is seeking an audience outside the hall." At this time, the eunuch ordered to report.

"Xuan." Su Zhao said softly, and then saw Cai An. Xu was a young man who had wandered in the darkness for a long time. He used to have bright eyebrows and a smile. Now he is serious, solemn and deep. He is dressed in a black robe and has a cold demeanor. .

Cai An cupped his hands and said, "I have seen the lord."

"Get up, what's the matter?" Su Zhao asked.

Cai An said: "Then Xu Chun wants to see the prince."

Su Zhao frowned and asked, "Xu Chun, didn't you intend to let him be sent to Zheng Guo? Why haven't you left yet?"

All Cai An's plans were reported to him, and he paid close attention to the whole process. For example, Chu Man and Lin Qingqing had sneaked back to the Fifth Phoenix Division. Hearing what the two women said, it should not have aroused suspicion.

As for Xu Chun's team, he planned to send under Zheng Guo Shaozai's son, Fan Tai, to wait for an opportunity to break into the Haoyang School. Compared with the former Chu Man and others who were only preparing for the distant future, this was imminent.

Of course, all kinds of arrangements may not always come true in the end, but in the end it’s just an idle move. As an aid, those who succeed don’t like it, and those who fail don’t worry about it. There won’t even be only one line providing information, and multiple lines running parallel to give evidence.

Cai An showed a wry smile, and said: "That guy Xu Chun doesn't trust the humble minister, and wants the lord to give him a personal guarantee."

Speaking of which, Cai An's previous "spiciness" surprised Xu Chun. He felt that this person was sinister and vicious, and he really couldn't be trusted. At some point, he would sell him out.

Su Zhao frowned, and said, "Ask Gu to give him a guarantee? It's really courageous, and what did you promise? He still needs a guarantee from Gu Gu?"

A look of strangeness flashed across Cai An's face, he lowered his head, and said in a low voice: "This guy is as cunning as a fox, I think this may be of great use, and I have planned to let his sister bring the orphan to work with His Royal Highness the Eldest Princess in the palace."

In the end, the voice faded, almost inaudible.

"Nonsense!" Su Zhao scolded coldly: "Can such people of unknown origin be put in the palace? If they have a heart of hatred and do evil and rebellious things, can you take care of them? Is it your Cai family who will take care of them?" Can you afford it?"

He found that Cai An has become more and more reckless since he assumed power.

Hearing the stern words, Cai An's complexion changed drastically, a layer of cold sweat leaked from his back, he knelt down on the ground, and said anxiously: "Your Majesty doesn't know, this Xu Zhen is not a grumpy person, I will be here for three days. From childhood to adulthood, she has almost heard nothing about it, this girl Yishi Yijia will definitely not do evil things, otherwise, even if I have a hundred guts, I will not dare to act on my own."

With that said, he told about Xu Zhen's marriage to Young Master Lin, his ex-wife and orphan daughter, and his widowhood.

Cai Andao: "Mother and son of the Lin family abused her in every possible way. Xu Zhen did not retaliate after her younger brother Xu Chun became the leader of the gang. Such a woman brings an orphan to work for the eldest princess. I think that You must never dare to do evil things.”

Su Zhao's eyes moved slightly, and he said with emotion: "It does look like a strange woman."

He is not afraid that he will not be able to control it, the mighty power belongs to himself, let alone a woman with a white lotus flower, even a person with ulterior motives, he is also confident that he can control it.

It's just angry Cai An's self-assessment on this matter, which is a bad sign.

It is said that smart people are often clever but are mistaken by cleverness.

"Xu Chun, is this person really useful?" Su Zhao asked after pondering for a moment.

Cai An took a peek at Su Zhao's face from the corner of his eye, and saw that it had turned from cloudy to sunny, and he felt a little relieved, knowing that he had made the right bet again.

"I'm asking you something, why are you distracted!" Su Zhao sneered.

Cai An quickly put away some messy thoughts, and said in a loud voice: "A humble official can see people without mistakes. This person looks at wolves and cares about wolves with deep scheming. Judging from his early life experience, although most of them are green-skinned rogues, there are many deceitful ones. The technique reveals that what these people are most worried about is backlash, but fortunately there is another life gate that is their sister, if it is used well, it can stir up the situation of one party."

Su Zhao was silent for a while, then said in a deep voice: "Then go and see, you should get up too, even if you use tricks in the future, don't involve the Eldest Princess, if there is another time, I will never let you!"

Cai An's heart trembled, and he stood with his head bowed, saying: "I know I was wrong."

After a flash of thought, it seems that Junhou cherishes the eldest princess more than himself.

Tian Ting Division·Secret Official Office

At this moment, Xu Chun was talking to his sister in a low voice.

"Erlang, Mr. Cai is lenient. You can do things safely in the future, and you must not have any other thoughts." Xu Zhen said softly.

Xu Chun lowered his voice and said: "Sister, you should be more careful in the palace, I asked someone to find out, Su Hou's sister has a gentle temperament, unlike Su Hou's self-willed, mean and ungrateful, you can take care of the eldest princess. "

Xu Zhenyu's face changed slightly, and she said: "Erlang, you must not think so. If you have resentment in your heart, you will go against your heart when you do things. Even though Marquis Su's methods are cruel, he is still the king of Su. My Xu family grew up here. , serving for him is also regarded as protecting the safety of the family and the country, and there is no other thoughts."

Xu Chun said in a low voice: "I know, I'm just worried about you. I see that Cai An's sly eyebrows, who can trust such a courtier, what kind of a good man is he? I'm just worried about you, you are in the palace, you should try your best to meet Mr. Su Hou face to face."

Xu Zhen looked a little unnatural, and said: "What nonsense are you talking about, I am a widow, but the appearance of a willow, how can I get into the eyes of such nobles, don't judge others by yourself."

Xu Chun smiled and said, "What is the posture of willows? That bastard of the Lin family is after you. It seems that your eyeballs are about to fall out."

"Although my uncle is a bit generous, he is not that person..." Xu Zhen said softly, her cheeks flushed slightly, and then her brows stood upright, and she said angrily: "I think you also learned badly from those rogues of the Sanhe Gang. Arrange for your sister!"

As he said that, he stretched out his hand to grab Xu Chun's ear.

(End of this chapter)