Chapter 128: Segmenting the Excavation (1)
With a triumphant smile, Gong Yi Mo pulled out her brush and dipped it in ink. On a map, she drew dotted lines from their location, all the way to the capital. Her eyes glistened slightly as she pointed to the dotted lines. “For now, we can close the Grand Ca.n.a.l build it in several smaller sections! This will be a temporary solution. Once the excavation of the Grand Ca.n.a.l is nearing its end, we can reopen the Yulong Grand Ca.n.a.l! What do you think?”
“Wonderful! This way, the work would progress much faster!” someone immediately praised.
The Water Department asked, “It would indeed be faster this way, but there would still be water in the river. If the workers dig up the small connecting ca.n.a.ls, they’ll still need to dig underwater.”
“Idiot!” Fatty Qin Qing suddenly shouted, “Since we are excavating in segments, of course we’ll need to block it!”
“But this water, how are we going to block its flow?”
Everyone subconsciously looked towards Gong Yi Mo, she merely smiled and pointed to a model in front of her.
“Since we can’t block it, why not divert it?”
“Divert the water flow?!” someone softly exclaimed. The people of this era were in awe of nature. To divert the water flow, they were all feeling uneasy. Change the flow? They didn’t dare to even think about doing so.
“Everyone, please look. The Yulong Ca.n.a.l extends from Huai River to the Yangtze River, but where does the water’s flow originate from? The main point is that the water from Huanglong flows into the Bianshui River, then into the Huai River, then finally to the Yulong River. But if we divert the water’s flow from Bianshui to Luoyang, the Huai River will be empty.
“The Yulong Ca.n.a.l will angle from north to south so the water flows to the lower elevation. Even if one place is blocked, there is still another place. For example, the water from Huai River will flow into Honze Lake which will also flow into Yulong. This place also needs to move.
“We can divert the river flow into the three rivers and Su ca.n.a.l and have them exit into the Yangtze River. This way, the middle and lower parts of the Yulong River will be opened!”
Gong Yi Mo took a deep breath and looked into the bright eyes of the young men and teenagers eager to give it a go. She smiled.
“The method was thought up by people and will be a historical method of controlling water! It is also a choice that selected diverting rather than blocking. If this water is used well, wouldn’t it greatly benefit the people? We can dig and divert the water inland at the same time since the farther West you go, the scarcer water becomes. However, if we can divert it inland, whether it is for irrigation or natural disaster prevention, they are all great achievements! Everyone here will gain great merits!”
Her words shook the hearts of many. At this time, she bowed slightly and made an inviting gesture to the Crown Prince, “There’s no time to lose, Crown Prince Elder Brother, please pa.s.s down the order.”
Gong Che pondered the matter and after discussing with everyone, he finally pa.s.sed down the order.
“Xu Yuan, take Li s.h.i.+, Liu s.h.i.+ and some others to Huai River to divert the water flow! Make your way north to the new ca.n.a.l. The Crown Prince is leaving it to you, don’t let me down.”
“Yes!” Xu Yuan solemnly answered loudly.
The forces behind Xu Yuan and Yu Ziqing were neutral while Qin Qing’s was part of the Crown Prince’s faction. Only Li Ke’s position was awkward.
But it didn’t matter because the Crown Prince had a lot of subordinates. They will be surveilling them.
“Ziqing, you take Chen Si and Jiang Ce Yuan to the Hongze Lake to divert the water there. From Hongze Lake, make your way south. Once you are done, patrol the embankment from north to south until you meet with us.”
“As for the most difficult block in the middle, the Yulong River, Gong Yi Mo, you will go with me.”
Gong Yi Mo smiled, “Understood!”
“As for the task of digging inland, Qin Qing, Li Ke, that will be handed to you!”
They both expressed their consent.
Like this, everyone was separated but there was no sadness in their hearts. They had the determination to accomplish something big. They were all n.o.bles and that ambition was ingrained deeply in their bones.
Although they were slightly scared, but if they can’t complete such a simple task, they may as just spend the rest of their days in the capital aimlessly.