Chapter 23 The 21st round of Xingshui Conservancy met Caidu Situ to drive the farmers and personally helped the plow stick

As early as a few years ago, Meng Tian went to the Xiongnu land alone and passed by the Aishan Gorge, and he saw it as the source of an ideal water conservancy project.He invited experts who were proficient in water conservancy engineering at that time... The day when the construction started was at the beginning of summer planting, and Meng Tian could often be seen with the farmers in the fields with a radius of hundreds of miles.However, he is also slowly investigating a Hun woman. Is she really wandering alone? Meng Tian had already been thinking about building a water conservancy project before the war in northern Xinjiang was completely over.He entrusted officials in the imperial court to find experts who knew how to build water conservancy for him. As a result, the matter was entrusted to Liu Gai, the governor of Nanyang County.Therefore, Liu Gai recommended Cui Hao, who was from a famous family in the Central Plains and South Korea, to Meng Tian, ​​and said that he was a descendant of Luoshui God.Meng Tian thought that he would see someone first, but after waiting for two months, there was no news, so he went to remind Liu Gai, the governor of Nanyang County, and it was said that Cui Hao had left for New Qinzhong in the northwest more than a month ago.It was useless for Meng Tian to be anxious this time, so he had to wait, and sent someone to inquire about Cui Hao along the way, but there was no news.

It just so happened that the autumn floods had arrived, and the Dustu River, a hundred miles away, swelled violently, breaking down the roadbed across it, and pouring directly into the Yellow River without restraint.Tian Huo, who was guarding the north, asked what to do, so Meng Tian had to come in person. Before he reached the Dustu River, he heard thunderous roars coming from the bottom of the earth, and the passes of the mountain streams trembled.Meng Tian led five or six guards, rode across the flood fan and came to the shore. He saw the flood and huge waves rushing down. When water conservancy projects are built here in the future, how will weir soil, firewood, and stones be transported?Meng Tian was thinking about these problems, and worried about crossing the river now, but he saw that there seemed to be people moving on the other side. It turned out that a group of wedding cars were blocked by the Dustu River. it is good.The leading man had already seen a man who looked like a gentleman sitting on a rock a hundred paces away, looking at the scenery of the western sky leisurely.Before the man arrived, the man who looked like a gentleman said casually: "Mountains move low, and it snows in June. The freezing point of the climate here comes from the snow line of Qilian Mountain!" The married man was also very easy-going, and said: "Listen The gentleman has an accent, isn't he a local?" The gentleman smiled but did not answer, still full of curiosity about the scenery in front of him.

The meandering river collects all the flowing water along the way and merges it into a torrential river rushing down, just as Lao Tzu said: The river is good for its good, and its tolerance is great... Obviously he has a deep feeling for this.And the married man standing in front of him is at best a senior in the village, so how could he have his heart.After a while, the gentleman said again: "I know, you don't want to miss the auspicious day of marrying a beautiful woman today. In fact, it will pass if you change your mind. But seeing that you are so persistent, I can..." The visitor was originally hopeless, listening to this gentleman The man who looked like this said this, and new expectations rose in his heart: "But please enlighten me, sir, I really don't want to miss this good day today..." The man who looked like a gentleman looked around and said, "Can you find some sticks and ropes?" Maybe I can help you..." The man said: "What's so difficult about it, I just don't know what the gentleman wants these things for?" The gentleman said: "If you trust me, you can find it, at least two hundred Gen, follow my instructions, and the rest of you will pick some stones on the spot." Although the man was very puzzled, he still followed the teacher's instructions.

The Dusitu River is not wide, and Meng Tian and his party could hear their conversation clearly, and they were all sweating for this gentleman.If things can't be done, why don't these reckless people throw him into the flood?When I was young, I brought an oxcart of sticks from a village not far away, and some people followed.Everyone hurriedly followed the guidance of the gentleman. First, they used four wooden sticks to form a tetrahedron like the antler fence in front of the trench, and then tied the stones they picked up to the waist and eight legs, and then pushed them into the water.Even if the tetrahedron rolls over in the water, its foothold must still be firmly on the ground with four legs, and it will not block the water potential and be impacted.Putting them down in sequence, people can step on the poles to the center of the river at will, and then put in new tetrahedrons one by one.In less than half an hour, the tetrahedrons were placed one by one, put on wooden poles, water flowed underneath, and people could move back and forth on it with ease.The man who looked like a gentleman ordered them to tie the wooden sticks and poles together with ropes, so that it would be more stable.A group of people crossed the river easily, and Meng Tian was amazed.

Everyone surrounded him and walked across the Dusi Tu River. The leader knelt down on one knee and gave a big gift to him. He said sincerely: "I have never liked literati, but you, a literati, have opened my eyes to a reckless man. From now on No matter where I go, I show off some of it. Sir, you are a great virtue!" "Don't dare, I still want to thank you for building the bridge and crossing the river! Hurry up, the marriage is still waiting for you." Seeing those people leaving with great gratitude, Meng Tian cupped his hands at the right time and said: "Mr.'s skill is really admirable, surpassing thousands of troops. Dare I ask you about your name? Where are you going? The front is full of obstacles." Why don't you give it a try, sir?" The man said calmly, "I'm just going to meet someone..." Said he looked sharply at Meng Tian.Meng Tian was overjoyed, and already knew who this person was: "Sir, could it be Cui Hao, a famous scholar in Korea..." The man looked at Meng Tian in surprise: "How does this general know that he is here? This time, firstly, I was invited to fulfill the contract, and secondly, I came to enjoy the world. Could it be that..." Meng Tian said excitedly: "I am Meng Tian, ​​who has been waiting for Mr. for many days. I don't want Mr. to come here unexpectedly. Please wait for me, sir." Meng Tian asked the guards to vacate a mount, and led the horse to help Cui Hao get on the horse himself: "Sir, if you don't mind, please take this horse first."

Cui Hao was very excited when he saw such a respectful and virtuous corporal like Meng Tian: "I am grateful for the wrong love of the general. Cui Hao first arrived in the Northland and did not make any contribution, why did he receive such courtesy?" Meng Tian replied with a smile: "Who says Mr. has no merit? The river has opened our eyes to people in the Northwest, making it convenient for businessmen, soldiers, and the people to travel, and taught them how to make this flexible and convenient tetrahedron. "The general's reputation is too high!" A group of people got on their horses and headed south to return to the camp.After a few days of rest in the Hunhuai barrier, Cui Hao asked to come to Aishan Gorge, and soon devoted himself to intense survey and construction.

In order to make it easier for Cui Hao to allocate supplies and requisition labor, Meng Tian played the first emperor and promoted him to the county guard.These are all things that happened at the beginning of the year, and now it has been more than half a year, and I don't know how the water conservancy project is going? Inside the Baili River embankment, there are criss-crossing fields and the Lianhu Beach, which has a panoramic view.The guards brought the Black Wind Sweat and Blood BMW, Meng Tian got on the horse, and only said softly "drive—" the horse had already driven out of the arrow.In the middle of the new Qin Dynasty, the most eye-catching thing is the cattle, sheep, donkeys, mules, and horses grazing on the lake beach.These cattle are also newly purchased this year, purchased from the local Huns and other nomads.Mengtian sent special personnel to scatter these cattle, horses, donkeys and mules on the beach of Crescent Lake for later use.Because more immigrants are coming to Xinqin in an endless stream to start their new life.Of course, the herds on the Crescent Lake Beach are far from enough for the immigrants to use. The 100,000 immigrants need to buy at least 30,000 to 40,000 head of livestock.Therefore, Mengtian sent officials to follow the experienced merchants of the Xiongnu to buy farm cattle and draft animals from the Da Yuezhi.Passing by the Crescent Lake beach, tens of thousands of livestock startled hundreds of swans, soaring and circling in search of new habitats.

Meng Tian's more than ten riders splashed the dark green water plants, and the horseshoes stepped on the soft lawn, looking comfortable and cheerful, with four hooves moving, vigorous and happy.Then people's mood is greatly affected, and a feeling of nostalgia is beyond words.A guard asked: "General, are these cattle, sheep, mules, and horses prepared to reward the three armies?" Meng Tian said solemnly: "No, they are animal power for plowing the fields. Who dares to eat their meat? Just cut off his tongue unceremoniously." Jin Wei stuck out his tongue shyly and said, "Ah, I really can't eat it..." Meng Tian loves to watch this kind of life scenes of farming and pastures most now, so he can The infection stirred his heart.The sky and the earth are clear, and the ocean is a drop in the ocean. How difficult it is for an ordinary person to live!Meng Tian, ​​who was riding on the horse, then asked: "Your parents need not say that they are farmers, right?" The guard said: "The general is right, the younger one is from Longxi. The old cow at home, grandfather and father Treat it like a guest. Once, a little naughty beat a cow, but was whipped by my grandfather a few times, and my father whipped me a few more times when he came home and heard about it.”

"Haha..." The guards couldn't stop laughing.Meng Tian sat upright on the horse, and after careful consideration, it did indeed have a preaching meaning, so he said: "The country is based on the people, and the people depend on food. Working and living, living and working in peace and contentment are the foundation of the people and the foundation of the country. Cows, horses and mules are the foundation of farming. It’s an indispensable treasure for those who are still alive, so it’s no wonder you have to suffer double punishment.” Unknowingly, the group went south along the embankment dozens of miles away, leaving the muddy city on Huangnigang far behind. Only the battlements and the Chinese army's flag fluttering high were exposed on the banks of the Nao.The new villages here are full of people, and plaques are erected at the intersections of the village heads, with the names of the villages written in 籀 script.Literate guards have to read aloud every time they pass by, what is "New Qinzhong Tanjia Village", or hang up the name of the old Qi old village, "Qianyanjing Village"

"Back eye well village", or another "middle waist eye well village".Meng Tian knew in his heart that there were not a few people in the New Qin Dynasty who immigrated as a whole like this. Looking towards the east plateau, there is a flint every ten miles, and a beacon every five miles, winding from south to north, until the foot of Yinzhong Mountain in the cloud. It is also a land with rich soil and beautiful water.In the newly reclaimed land in the embankment, the wheat seedlings are all green, the rapeseed is already yellow, and the bees and butterflies are dancing.The farmers tended their crops, only looked up at the official road and buried their heads in work.In a field, an old woman was holding a plow, and a young woman and a little donkey in front were pulling the sledge side by side, dripping with sweat.Meng Tian got off the horse and threw the reins to the guards: "Hey, two people are left to watch the horses, and the rest come to help the old man with work..." While talking, he has already stepped forward to take the handle: "Old man, take a break, Let me help you. Is she your daughter-in-law? Hurry up and take it easy!"

"How did this make..." The old woman's excited eyes filled with tears.The guard replaced the young woman and also Meng Tian. The old woman was very grateful, and ordered her daughter-in-law to say: "Daughter-in-law, hurry up and find a pot of water for the military men... General, you sit down." Meng Tian said: "Old man, everyone It is said that in the Central Plains, men don’t weave and women don’t farm, so why don’t you see your son?” Then the old woman became excited and said with a little pride: “My son fought the Huns with General Meng, and he became the head of hundreds of households. It’s time! I’m busy! No, the year before last, after driving out the Huns, you have been guarding... oh, what’s the name of the mountain?” Meng Tian was very surprised when he heard that, and said happily: “Ah! So your son is serving as a soldier to guard the border. ?" He excitedly took the old man's hand and said, "Old man, then I have to respect you even more..." He bowed deeply to the old woman. The old woman was even more flattered and asked, "Master, do you recognize my son?" "I know..." Meng Tian pulled her to sit on the edge of the field, and said cordially, "Your son is stationed at Yinshan Mountain, guarding the north gate of our Great Qin." It happened that the daughter-in-law came to the front with a jar of water, and the old woman Said happily: "Daughter-in-law, this military master recognizes our Genbao, come and see us soon." The woman obediently saluted Meng Tian first, presented a bowl of water with both hands, and said: "Please, General!" Thirsty, she drank it all in one gulp, and asked with concern: "Old man, has the farming time been delayed this year because of lack of labor?" .” A guard finished drinking the water and asked: "Why is that? Sparrows are there all year round..." The old woman smiled and said: "Brother, you don't understand. It will be midsummer soon, and the eggs of birds will be born. If you have meat to eat, you don't need food." Meng Tian listened, smiled and said to Jinwei: "It seems that we have to learn from Da Niang." He suddenly had a new idea, and said: "You go the same way immediately. Go back to Hunhuaizhang to find Mr. Li, take my password, and send a cow to this old man. Remember, you must choose a docile and easy-to-handle one, and just hand it to the aunt." The guard gave a military salute: " clear." Cui Hao has been in office for half a year, and he spends all day on the water conservancy construction site.Meng Tian gave him a lot of power to transfer labor and assign work orders.In addition, Meng Tian also dispatched Meng Ziqi and Meng Xiangyun, two educated disciples of Mengshan, to Cui Hao's tent to wait for dispatch.When the two came to Fuping Town early to welcome Meng Tian and others to meet up, it was dusk and the road was dark, and the group had to stay at Dongyangqu Inn in Fuping Town. The shopkeeper held a smile that seemed to never change, and arranged Meng Tian and his party in the front yard.There was a sound of finger-guessing orders from the turret in the front yard, and Meng Xiangyun said angrily: "Where do these people come from? They are standing upright in the inn, which shows that they have a lot of money!" Meng Tian said disapprovingly: "They are just rich in money." Well! You are not convinced?" Meng Xiangyun became more and more annoyed: "Uncle, you are the leader of the thousands of miles of northern Xinjiang, what are they..." Meng Tian's face darkened: "Meng Xiangyun, don't tell the truth...We are giving this to you. The imperial court doesn’t care about gains and losses.” Meng Xiangyun’s face flushed, and he said after a long time: “I think they are sneaky, they are not decent people…” Meng Tian heard that there had been many missing people in the past month, so he asked vigilantly: "What did you see?" They all told Meng Tian: "As soon as they entered the inn, they went straight into the backyard. The string of mules and horses was clearly not grain. I saw that the wool bag was still moving. But they insisted on saying it was grain, and they took the key to the backyard. I also put it in my pocket..." Meng Tian stared at Meng Xiangyun in surprise: "Why didn't you say such a big thing earlier? You go and get the shopkeeper, we..." Meng Xiangyun said old-fashionedly: "That's not Do you want to scare the snake?" Meng Tian was even more surprised: "You mean, the shop owner is with them?" "If my judgment is correct, it should be..." While the two of them were talking, they suddenly heard movement outside the door, Meng Xiangyun moved quickly, and pushed him out, only to see a slender figure disappearing for a moment.Listening to the top of the turret is drinking hot, it doesn't look like them.Meng Tian also heard the sound, and Meng Xiangyun said: "It seems that they are also here for this group of people..." Meng Tian had already changed into dark casual clothes, and said softly: "Don't worry about him, let's go to the backyard to have a look first." He came quietly to the door of the backyard.Sure enough, the door was locked, and it was quiet inside, and nothing could be heard.Meng Tian plucked a green onion from dry land and jumped up the courtyard wall, landed lightly, Meng Xiangyun followed suit and jumped up. As soon as the two of them landed on the ground, a black figure rushed over from the dark, and stabbed at the face, still yelling: "You outrageous bastards, where are you going to take them..." Meng Tian heard that it was a young man The woman, and hearing how the voice was so familiar, hurriedly said to Meng Xiangyun: "Don't hurt her..." The two clamped this person one after the other.Meng Tian said anxiously: "I am not their accomplice..." Both of them pressed the woman's long sword under their own sword, the woman also knew that the two men were not human traffickers, but she also heard the voice of the speaker was very familiar, said: " I have been following them for many days, and these twenty or so people were all kidnapped from here..." Meng Tian couldn't help saying "ah" when he heard this. At this time, I heard the door knocker ringing outside, and someone shouted: "There are people robbing goods inside..." Meng Tian hurriedly said to Meng Xiangyun and the woman: "The two of you go to the Fuping County Yamen and tell them to send a general to arrest the traffickers." , I'll hang around with them for a while... come on, what are you still doing?" The two of them had just jumped up against the wall when the courtyard door was already open.When the trafficker saw the person on the wall, he exclaimed: "Hurry up..." The shop owner lowered his voice and said, "Hold your voice down, if the government catches you, you will all be beheaded..." Meng Tian hid in the dark and admired Meng Xiangyun in amazement, Sure enough, the shop owner is also an accomplice. Meng Tian quietly came behind the guy, locked his throat, and the man fell to the ground without making a sound, Meng Tian turned around and hurriedly searched for the victims.In one corner, ten mules and horses were tied in a row, while in the other corner were placed the twenty bags of "goods".Meng Tian untied all the fur bags, exposed the heads of these people first, and then took out the sackcloth that blocked their mouths to let them breathe, saying: "Don't be afraid, everyone, you will be free soon. But there is one thing, in the government Before I arrive, you have to cooperate with me, don't make any noise..." Just as he was speaking, the door knocker rang again, and seven or eight evil-looking fellows poured in, each holding a torch in his hand, staring ferociously at the door. With Meng Tian.The shop owner took a step forward, and said with a sinister smile, "I just feel something is wrong... This is still a big man, let me do it." Seven or eight shop assistants surrounded Meng Tian to fight with each other.At this time, the victims who were let go of their hands and feet have already rushed to the shop assistant with a feeling of revenge. The guards heard movement in the backyard and hurried over to protect Meng Tian.Meng Tian killed three shop assistants and shouted: "Don't let them go..." Meng Tian was afraid that the two masterminds would run away, so he blocked the gate of the courtyard and said: "You have committed a lot of evil, and it is time for you to be punished. ..." As he said, he waved the Qingfeng sword and went straight to the shop owner.The shop owner sneered and said, "I don't know who will get retribution..." The two masterminds deceived Meng Tian to be alone, so they came straight to Meng Tian knowingly at the same time.Unexpectedly, Meng Tian pointed at the east and hit the west, and the guide hit the north, the two of them were battered, and there was no advantage.But they were still eager to win, when there was a sound of footsteps outside the door, it turned out that officials sent by the Fuping County Government blocked the entrance of the courtyard.The guards cleaned up the store and the shop assistants rushed over to guard Meng Tian.The shop owner wanted to escape, but was entangled tightly by Meng Tian. After all, he couldn't escape, but a Hun escaped. Meng Tian asked about the woman at the front, and Meng Xiangyun said in amazement: "How could she be a woman? It is obviously..." The two searched everywhere, but to no avail.Meng Xiangyun was surprised and said: "Huh? She obviously entered the inn with me..." The next day, Meng Tian ordered the county government to interrogate the traffickers together, and repeatedly settled down to pay attention to the strong man last night, and then led the guards and others along the southwest official road to the mouth of Aishan Gorge. Aishan is a junction point where Anding County and Beidi County meet from north to south.Its largest mountain is shaped like a bull's head, and is vividly called Niu Shou Mountain by the locals.Ai Mountain connects with Beijia in the south, inherits with Beiyi Mountain in the north, and extends to the Yinshan Mountains. It becomes a natural barrier at the west foot of Anding County and Beidi County, blocking the convective air from east to west, forming a riverside , warm climate, warm in winter and cool in summer.What's more, in the scorching summer, the temperature difference between morning and evening here is very different, which makes people feel not dry and hot. Coupled with the chill of the snow peaks of Qilian Mountains, this riverside wetland is very suitable for human survival.This feeling is not only shared by Meng Tian, ​​Cui Hao who just came from the Central Plains also feels the same. Due to the prominent geographical location of Aishan Gorge, the Yellow River rushes out of the mountain gorge to form a water level difference, which provides a prerequisite for irrigation from the Yellow River.Meng Tian has long been deeply aware of this, and he has a map of the mountain gorge in his heart, and he is full of confidence in the irrigation of the Yellow River in the new Qin Dynasty. In Fuping County, the plains are mostly in the southwest, and they are very flat. Looking around, there are hundreds of miles of fertile fields.The newly excavated Zhijin (Yellow Diversion Canal) meanders from the southeast and around the southwest, heading straight to Aishan Gorge.Civil servants and soldiers are building production bridges across the board, digging branch canals, and leveling ridges.The sergeants involved in the construction of the project heard that General Meng Tian had traveled hundreds of miles to inspect the Zhijin project, and lined up excitedly to greet him.Cui Hao said excitedly: "The general has worked so hard and traveled hundreds of miles to survey the progress of the project. I am very grateful!" Meng Tian raised his hand to signal: "Everyone is free, there is no need to be formal. We are all on business for the emperor, so don't be so polite .Compared to you and the people, this is nothing!" Cui Hao thought for a while, and said: "Eat first, or should I report the progress of Zhijin first?" Meng Tian said: "Let's talk now." Cui Hao said: "Okay, let me talk about the excavation of Zhijin first." Meng Tian took the tea After taking a sip, he listened carefully to Cui Hao's report: "The excavation of Zhijin in the lower reaches went relatively smoothly, and the general came here on patrol along Zhijin. Once the supporting projects are completed, they can be delivered for use. But the problem lies in the Aishanxia, ​​I'm afraid the construction period will be delayed." Meng Tian asked urgently: "What kind of problem does it mean that the construction period must be delayed?" Cui Hao was about to explain in detail when the back kitchen had already served the food, Cui Hao said: "Let's eat first... ..." The food and wine are very rich, including fish, meat, vegetables, mushrooms, and fermented bean curd.Accompanied by several people, Meng Tian also let Cui Hao arrange.Cui Hao picked up a bowl of rice wine and said, "Come on, let me give a welcome speech first. The general has lived outside the Great Wall for a long time, and Cui is so lucky to come here..." Afterwards, everyone toasted each other, and then they ate and drank in a relaxed manner. Very harmonious.It was already evening when Xi San, Meng Tian saw that everyone had worked hard all day, so he had to let everyone rest. On the second day, Meng Tian urged Cui Hao to leave early.Because he had carefully read the existing project progress chart last night, he didn't fall asleep until early morning.Meng Tian said: "According to the mark in your picture, your plan is reasonable, and we can make a decision after a field survey today." After Meng Tian finished speaking, he led Cui Hao and his party to ride their horses towards a hilly area beside the Aishan Gorge.Cui Hao pointed out while walking, and told Meng Tian the geographical environment and hydrological conditions there: "The closer to the riverside, the terrain must be extremely low-lying, and the amount of earthwork needs to be increased several times. More importantly, the future should be considered." Cui Hao Hao pointed forward and told Meng Tian: "The Zhijin dikes in this area are the most unsafe, and they are often in danger of bursting." Meng Tian listened and checked carefully.Looking in the direction of Cui Hao's finger, although the low-lying riverside is flat and convenient for construction, the dike failure coefficient has obviously increased several times. A group of people climbed up the hill, stood on a small hill and looked at the mouth of the gorge. The situation was very different immediately.Cui Hao pointed to the hills and talked eloquently: "General, please see, if the trend of Zhijin is shifted to the southeast by about three miles, the situation will be greatly improved, and the hills will form their own canyons, which will firmly control the surging river water of Aishan Gorge. It will also create a good water diversion environment for future generations. General please decide.” Meng Tian nodded and agreed: “In this way, it is imperative to change the route to Zhijin. The real long-term peace and stability. I think it can be done. There is no objection. You can do it boldly. Remember, the construction period that can be advanced must be advanced. "Thank you, General, for your trust!" Cui Hao was very excited when he saw that his opinion was approved by General Meng Tian. This is a heart disease he has had for several months, which has made him restless until now.Now that Meng Tian has promised on the spot to fully support him, why worry that the project will not be completed on schedule?