Chapter 33 one

After the rebellion of Li Fen was settled, Kublai Khan did not prosecute Shi Tianze, Zhang Rou, etc. for the crime of murder without authorization, nor did he investigate those who had communicated with Li Fen in private. of political turmoil.On the contrary, he accepted Yao Shu's advice and devoted his energy to caring for people's livelihood and calming people's hearts. He was worried about the resurgence of floods on Daming Road, so he issued two imperial decrees on the second day after Wang Wentong died: one was to appoint Ahema as the official of Zhongshu Province, and the other was to assign Zhang Wenqian, a former official of the vassal government, to personally take charge of the Daming River Canal. Dredging works.

A month later, Kublai Khan sent Zhenjin to Daming Road for inspection.Zhenjin said goodbye to his lovely wife who just gave birth to Lin'er, and rushed to Hebei Daming without stopping.As soon as he arrived at Daming Mansion, he plunged into the construction site. There is a busy scene everywhere on the construction site, and countless peasants are busy on the construction site, shoulder to shoulder.Zhenjin turned around, watching, and suddenly, he found a young man in a homespun gown squatting in front of the canal. The young man patted his forehead with his hands, as if he was concentrating on something.Zhen Jin found it interesting and didn't intend to disturb him, but just stopped behind him silently.It was the sound of Zhang Wenqian's hasty footsteps that startled the young man. He turned around and found the real gold, with a look of surprise flashing across his face.

Jin Jin smiled at him. The young man stood up unhurriedly, Zhen Jin could finally take a closer look at him.I saw a lot of dust on his hair scattered outside the black towel, and the corners of his clothes were crumpled and covered with many mud spots.His appearance gave people the feeling of a down-and-out scholar, but his eyes were sharp, his forehead was broad, and he inadvertently showed extraordinary wisdom.In addition, if you just look at his tanned, square face and thick lips, he looks very simple and honest. Zhang Wenqian walked to Zhenjin and stopped. "Your Highness, when did you arrive? Why didn't you notify the old minister? Fortunately, one of the old minister's family members recognized you, otherwise, the old minister would not have known that you had arrived."

"I just arrived, I want to visit the construction site first. Mr. Zhang, this is..." "He is Guo Shoujing. Ruosi, this is Prince Zhenjin. This time, he came to inspect the Daming Canal at the order of His Majesty. He has heard about your name for a long time, and asked me about you more than once." "It turned out to be His Royal Highness! Then Guo Shoujing was disrespectful!" "It should be said that it's my luck to finally meet you today." Zhen Jin stepped forward to hold Guo Shoujing's hand, and said sincerely. Guo Shoujing, courtesy name Ruosi, was born in Xingtai, Hebei in the third year of Wokuotai Khan (1231). Because of his father's early death, he was raised by his grandfather.His grandfather, Guo Rong, was a well-educated man who was proficient in mathematics and water conservancy. He took his grandson by his side and raised him carefully, hoping that when he grew up, his grandson could inherit the unique knowledge passed down by his family and become a useful talent.But he did not expect at that time that his grandson would become an outstanding astronomer, mathematician and hydraulic engineering expert in Chinese history when he grew up.

Under the strict education of his grandfather, Guo Shoujing has developed a habit of thinking diligently and a strong practical ability since childhood.At the age of sixteen, Liu Bingzhong (monk Zicong), an important adviser to Kublai Khan and a scholar of great learning, was studying in a hut in Zijin Mountain in Wu'an County, southwest of Xingtai, because of his father's funeral. Wang Xun of the great mathematician.Guo Rongsu had a close relationship with the monk Zicong, and when he got the news, he sent Aisun to study under Bingzhong. Liu Bingzhong returned to Kaiping after the expiration of the mourning period and lived in his original residence temporarily, while Guo Shoujing returned to his hometown.Soon, Liu Bingzhong received a letter from Kublai Khan asking him to join the expedition to Ezhou. On the way, he tirelessly recommended Wang Xun and Guo Shoujing to Kublai Khan.Kublai Khan firmly remembered the names of these two young people at that time due to many compliments.Not long after, Guo Shoujing was invited to take charge of the design and planning of the construction of the Xingtai area to improve the water flow.Guo Shoujing, relying on his family's unique knowledge, thoroughly and meticulously surveyed the flow rate and trend of the water channel, and quickly found the crux of the problem, dredged the congested river channel, and made the pervasive water return to its original path tamely, and successfully completed the renovation work.It is particularly worth mentioning that during the process of dredging the river, people also unearthed the stone bridge relics of the Jin Dynasty that had been buried for nearly 30 years.

In the first year of Zhongtong (1260), Kublai Khan appointed Zhang Wenqian, a classmate and friend of Liu Bingzhong, as the Xuanfu envoy of Daming Road, Hebei. Zhang Wenqian invited Guo Shoujing to assist in the work.Everywhere Guo Shoujing went, he surveyed and inspected the local river channels and water conservancy projects. In the second year of Zhongtong, Wang Xun was summoned to the court and granted the title of Prince Zanshan, responsible for the daily education of Zhenjin.This was the best gift Kublai Khan gave his son at his wedding banquet. In the third year of Zhongtong, Zhenjin was ordered to inspect the Daming River Canal. Before leaving, Wang Xun told Zhenjin about the deep friendship between him and Guo Shoujing when they were studying under Liu Bingzhong, as well as Guo Shoujing's talent and extraordinary understanding. Before the Daming Mansion, I knew many things about Guo Shoujing. For example, when Guo Shoujing was young, he once made an armillary sphere with bamboo strips according to an illustration in a book, and used it to measure the sky. An earthen platform was built with piled up soil, and then a bamboo armillary sphere was placed on it for astronomical observation.For another example, based on a rubbing of a stone-carved lotus diagram by Yansu in the Northern Song Dynasty, after careful research, he finally designed a timekeeping instrument that could keep the water surface of the clepsydra stable and was very advanced at that time...

"Your Highness, I appreciate the award. May I ask if Your Highness needs to introduce the whole project to you later?" "Of course I want it. But first, take me to see the lotus leak. I heard that this is the timekeeping instrument you have dreamed of since you were a boy?" "yes." "Your Highness does not know that Ruosi has already modified the lotus flower used as a decoration, and we call it Baoshan Leak. Now, Ruosi has designed a large-scale timer Qibao Bamboo Leaker based on the design principle of Baoshan Leak. It can be used as a court timekeeping."

"Really? Then I must report this matter to Father Khan. The timekeeping instruments used in the palace have always had many errors. Father Khan is worrying about this. I didn't expect you to have solved this problem. If Father Khan finds out, You must be very pleased. Ruosi, please allow me to call you that too? Although you are a round older than me in age, and you should be my husband like Mr. Wang Xun, but in my heart, you Just like my elder brother. Since I am a brother, I can treat you more casually, you will not object, right?" Guo Shoujing nodded movedly. "Ruosi, aren't you still planning to present the six water conservancy issues, have you brought it with you?"

"Have." "Let Your Highness take a look first." "Yes." Guo Shoujing took out a few pages from his sleeve and handed them to Zhen Jin, "Fortunately, I just transcribed the draft this morning. However, because it is not a formal submission, it only lists the 'six things' submitted The specific content. Your Highness may take a look at it first, I originally planned to entrust Master Zhang to pass it on to the Holy Majesty when he returns to Beijing." It was neatly written in italics on the paper: 1. From the old Cao River in the central capital to Tongzhou in the east, the Yuquan water can be used to guide the boats, which can save 60,000 yuan in car fees every year.In the south of Tongzhou, it is directly opened at the mouth of Linyu River, from Mengcun to Yangcun and Huanhe River, so as to avoid the danger of shallow wind and waves turning far away.

2. Shunde Dahuoquan was opened into the city to escape, divided into three canals, leading out of the east of the city to irrigate the land. 3. From Fenghe River in Shunde to Guren City, the old road was lost, and more than 1,300 hectares of land were lost.When the water is turned into a river, the fields can be cultivated.The river runs from Xiaowang Village through the Hutuo River and merges into the Yuhe River, where boats pass. 4. Opening at the confluence of Fu and Zhang Rivers in the northeast of Cizhou, from Fuyang, Handan, Mingzhou, and Yongnian, passing through Jize, and joining Feng River, during which more than 3,000 hectares of land can be irrigated.

5. Although the Huai and Mengqin Rivers have been irrigated, there is still water left over from the weir. The east is connected with the remaining water of the Dan River, diverted to flow eastward, to the north of Wuzhi County, and merged into the Yu River. During this time, 2,000 fields can also be irrigated. Yu Qing. 6. The Yellow River diverges from the west of Mengzhou, divides into one less canal, passes through the middle of the new and old Mengzhou, flows down the ancient bank of the river, and rejoins the big river in the south of Wenxian County. Zhen Jin read every word, very slowly and carefully. After a long time, he raised his head, his eyes sparkling with joy. "That's great, Ruosi! Water conservancy matters are related to the national economy and the people's livelihood, and Father Khan has always cared deeply about it. I read and pondered over the content of the six things you submitted, and I feel that each plan is informative, specific, and impeccable. You drafted it after you had a wealth of first-hand information. Do you think so, envoy Zhang Xuanfu?" "Yes. What His Highness said is exactly what the old minister thinks. This time, I will return to Beijing with His Highness, and I want to recommend Ruosi to Your Majesty." "Zhang Xuanfu loves talents like fate, and it should be so. After I have inspected all the water conservancy projects on Daming Road, I will also submit a memorial to my father. As for Ruosi's desire to present the 'Six Water Conservancy Projects', in my opinion , it is better to ask Ruosi to report directly to Father Khan when he summons him. Father Khan advocates pragmatism, and he has his own evaluation." "His Royal Highness is considerate, and the old minister is sincerely convinced." As expected, Kublai Khan summoned Guo Shoujing in Kaiping Mansion immediately after reviewing the memorials of Zhang Wenqian and Zhenjin.During the meeting, Guo Shoujing presented six water conservancy project plans to Kublai Khan in an orderly manner.Kublai Khan highly appreciated it: "The former, Zhang Aiqing and my son both recommended Ruosi to me, and they told me that Ruosi's ability was bestowed by the Longevity God! I have heard Ruosi's words today, and I know Ruosi's It is better than what he praised. If you think that although you are a commoner, you have already served the imperial court. How can I bury such a talent? Positive sixth grade)." "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!" "Get up, Ruosi. I will not only appoint you out of the ordinary, but also reward you. I have heard that many channels in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River were destroyed, and you led the craftsmen and peasants to rush to work day and night. It was repaired at a fast speed. Your credit, I will remember it for you one by one, and I have ordered Shuxing to draft a text to give you five thousand ingots of Zhongtong Yuanbao (fifty taels are one ingot)." "Your Majesty, do you...really want to bestow a huge sum of money on this minister?" "how?" "That's great! I really need this huge sum of money. Not to mention the money needed for flood control and the research and development of astronomical instruments, but the first independent timekeeping instrument that I am manufacturing is separate from the astronomical instrument." ——The huge lamp leak consumes a lot of manpower, material resources, and financial resources, all of which require this expense.” Kublai Khan stared at Guo Shoujing, apparently both surprised and moved. "I have one more thing to ask Your Majesty, I hope His Majesty will allow you." "It's okay to think but talk." "The minister once inspected Jinkou. Jinkou is the west of Yanjing, leading a branch of Lugou to the east, passing through the Western Mountains. The water flows from the east of Jinkou and the north of Yanjing. It irrigates some fertile fields, and its benefits cannot be underestimated. However, due to the frequent wars later, the caretakers worried that the canal would be in disrepair and cause disasters, so they blocked the exit with huge stones. Now if the water channel has been formed, the blocked water channel can be dredged again to allow the water to circulate, and the farmland can be irrigated up and down. It can supplement the water demand of Gyeonggi. Of course, in order to prevent problems before they happen, I will lead the craftsmen to pre-open the water reduction port in the west of Jinkou, and expand the river in the southwest to make it deep and wide, so as to prevent the flood from breaking into the Gyeonggi city area." "If you think it makes sense, play it!" Guo Shoujing thanked En and withdrew.Only then did he see his former classmate Wang Xun.Wang Xun made a gesture to him, and he was familiar with the meaning of the gesture: "Leave the court in a while, let's go drink."Wang Xun pointed at the real gold again, blinked his eyes, and made a movement of paying for the money. Guo Shoujing guessed for a while, guessing that Wang Xun was saying: Let's drink, invite the prince, and let the prince pay the bill. He couldn't help laughing.