On the twenty-fifth day of the first month of the sixth year of Qianyou's reign, Emperor Liu Chengyou of the Han Dynasty left Beijing to visit Huazhou. Worried about the river's collapse, he came to inspect the construction of the Yellow River embankments.
Last winter, natural disasters struck the Han Dynasty again. In October, floods occurred in several prefectures of Ying, Mo, and You in Hebei. More than 200,000 people were affected, resulting in a lot of loss of life. In December, the Yellow River burst through Zheng and Hua again. Two states.
However, for today's Han Dynasty, it is enough to bear, and the court has already established an emergency mechanism for disaster prevention and relief. It has its own government relief for the victims of disasters.
As for Emperor Liu Chengyou, concerns about flooding in the Yellow River began to grow in his heart again. Since he took the throne, the Yellow River has burst more than ten times before, with Zhengzhou and Huazhou sections being the hardest hit areas.
Fortunately, the imperial driver stayed in Baima in Huazhou. Before he could rest, Liu Chengyou, accompanied by Bai Chongzan, the envoy of Yicheng Army in Huazhou, inspected the repair work on the river plug.
In the autumn of last year, after King Wei and Fu Yanqing, the military commander of the Tianxiong Army, were transferred to Tokyo to serve as commander-in-chief, Guo Congyi, the former military commander of the Yicheng Army, was transferred to Damingfu in the northern capital as a stay-at-home officer.
Later, the imperial court issued an imperial edict, abolished Huazhou Jiedu, replaced the Yicheng Army, and transferred Tumen garrison Bai Chongzan as the Yicheng Army envoy to command the forbidden army in Huazhou to consolidate the defense of northern Tokyo.
This Bai Chongzan also joined the army as a young man and was known for his bravery in battles and accumulated military service. Among the generals of the former dynasty who were retained in the early Han Dynasty, he was also a famous figure.
However, in the years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, Bai Chongzan's duties were more like a "housekeeping dog". When Quan transferred Shi Hongzhao to stay in Xijing, Bai Chongzan guarded Sishui.
Shi Hongzhao moved to Shuofang, and then to Tumen, where he controlled the dangerous pass of Taihang and guarded the gateway to the east of Hedong for the imperial court. To this day, he also guards the key to the north gate of Huazhou for the imperial court.
However, Bai Chongzan was conscientious and worked hard every time he served. Originally, this person was not on Liu Chengyou's list of "trustworthy people". However, looking at his resume, we found that he was diligent in royal affairs and had great courage. The more unyielding you are, the more trust you have.
Huazhou is in the hinterland of the Han Dynasty, and the possibility of experiencing war again is not high, but as long as the capital is in Kaifeng, its importance is unquestionable, and its defender must be a general trusted by the court.
When the Yellow River burst, Liu Chengyou directly issued an edict and asked Bai Chongzan to lead soldiers and servants to build forts and embankments.
On the south bank of the Yellow River, standing on a high slope, Liu Chengyou looked at the embankment in the distance. After nearly a month of repairs, a simple defense plug had been constructed. What needed to be done next was to rebuild the embankment and strengthen the river defense. Fortunately, when the breach occurred, the During the dry season, otherwise the damage and losses caused by disasters will be greater.
Bai Chongzan was serving in front of the king, reporting the situation to Liu Chengyou. At this time, he was not wearing armor, only wearing light linen clothes. He looked less like a general and more like a river worker.
"Your Majesty, the breaches in Huazhou this time are mainly at the Dacheng and Liuhe embankments. The government has recruited 8,000 soldiers, and the last general has also dispatched 2,000 soldiers to take turns to repair them. Now the preliminary repairs have been completed, and several breaches have been repaired. It is blocked and will only be blocked by subsequent reconstruction." Bai Chongzan pointed with his hand and reported to Liu Chengyou:
"It is now the dry season, and the farming season is approaching. The next step is to make plans to concentrate people's and material resources to strengthen the embankments, at least to ensure that before the flood season arrives, there will be no mistakes in the decisive battle!"
After listening to Bai Chongzan's explanation, one could feel his familiarity with river affairs and his dedication. Liu Chengyou nodded and expressed satisfaction and asked: "Not bad! Money, food, materials,... Is there any shortage of people’s power? What are the difficulties?”
After hearing the question, Bai Chongzan also asked Liu Chengyou directly: "Previously, most of the defenses were made with cattail bags and straw bags, which were temporarily fortified. It was difficult to withstand the erosion of the river. Finally, after asking for instructions, the imperial court allocated hardwood, sandbags, bricks and stones to use Only when the materials are ready can it be guaranteed to be strong. Also, if you add more servants, it will be even better!"
"Okay! I'm completely satisfied with you!" Liu Chengyou said: "Tokyo will allocate another batch of money and food, and the local government in Hua and Pu will also fully cooperate in raising supplies and building materials. In order to repair the embankment, I plan to use Tokyo's Let’s stop the repairs and concentrate our efforts. That’s it! You have to do a good job. I don’t want to hear the bad news about the Yellow River breach in Huazhou this year!”
Facing the emperor's gaze, Bai Chongzan suddenly felt a huge pressure being put on him. With a serious expression, he solemnly promised Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty has such trust, how dare you live up to your trust! If you make a mistake, please behead him." !”
Bai Chongzan was obviously determined. Listening to his decisive tone, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but show a hint of approval.
He looked at Bai Chongzan seriously, and saw that his face was full of fatigue, and his beard and hair were rarely taken care of, making him look a bit slovenly. Liu Chengyou said: "Bai Qing has such pride, I also have some confidence!"
"I heard that during this period, Bai Qing has been running around on the embankment to give orders. He has not returned to camp without food or accommodation. Thank you for your hard work! This is a commendable move. I did not hire the wrong person!" Liu Chengyou praised Bai Zhongzan.
After receiving the emperor's approval, Bai Chongzan felt that his hard work these days had not been in vain. With a tired face, he showed a slight smile and responded: "I have been ordered to guard Huazhou and also protect the land and water. I will live up to your majesty's trust." , I will not lose the hope of the people!"
"Okay!" After listening to his words, Liu Chengyou couldn't help stroking his palms, and his words were full of sweet praise: "Among the generals of the Han Dynasty, there are not many who have Bai Qing's level of enlightenment! Bai Qing can be a role model!"
"Zhang Dejun, I will reward Bai Qing with ten catties of imperial wine and twenty catties of venison!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand and motioned to Zhang Dejun.
"As you command!"
Without waiting for Bai Chong to express his thanks, Liu Chengyou looked at him with soft eyes and chuckled: "When Bai Qing succeeds in blocking the river, I will directly grant you the title of Marquis!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty! I will do my best to live up to God's grace!" Bai Chongzan immediately prostrated.
It can be seen that at this time, Liu Chengyou admired Bai Chongzan a lot. After saying that, he looked at the several Huazhou officials who were accompanying him and said, "Have you heard that? From now on, when we are doing farming, we must do our best. To support the river embankment, if you have time, go for a walk on the embankment. Although I have appointed Bai Qing to be the agent of the river construction, and you are the state officials, it is also your responsibility to repair the river defense. As long as you dedicate yourself to the king's affairs and benefit the people, the court will not begrudge you Rewards and promotions!”
"Yes! I will obey His Majesty's teachings!" A group of people naturally responded respectfully.
"Come on, let's go to the embankment and have a look!" Liu Chengyou greeted everyone.
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The judge of Huazhou immediately tried to persuade him, saying that the fortification area was chaotic and dangerous. Liu Chengyou refused, saying that he was not inspecting the river fortification project just to show off, and that it was not his style to just watch the scenery from a distance.
So, accompanied by the generals, Liu Chengyou personally went to the embankment to look at the materials and ask the servants. In the evening, he returned to the county seat and continued to carry forward the style of a wise king who pays close attention to everything.
"Li Fang, what did you gain from your visit to Baima?" At night, Liu Chengyou summoned Li Fang and asked.
Li Fang did not follow Liu Chengyou to the embankment, but was sent to visit the people and inquire about state affairs. Upon hearing the inquiry, Li Fang reported: "Huazhou is Kinkizhou County in Tokyo. The people's livelihood is generally stable. Although the people are not rich, But it can also be called stable. However, the government is somewhat lazy in its administration. When the Yellow River bursts, it is due to the government's negligence and lack of maintenance.
In addition, in Huazhou Prison, many of the cases decided and the punishments imposed were biased. I reviewed the files and found out that in several cases, the severity of the sentences and penalties was questionable, and all of them were When Guo Shijun was in office, he left behind..."
After hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou thought about it for a moment and told Li Fang: "In this way, you don't have to accompany me to Daming Mansion. You can stay in Huazhou, serve as the magistrate, purge officials, handle government affairs, and clean up prison cases! You are here All around me, I come into contact with major military and political affairs. Now, I will entrust the affairs of a state to you and assume your responsibility, so there will be no problem!"
Li Fang seemed to have expected this, without any surprises. He faced the emperor's gaze and solemnly responded: "As ordered!"
In this way, the emperor lost another close minister. Liu Chengyou, after staying in Huazhou for a day, set off on his way north to visit Daming Mansion. This was the first time in three years that Liu Chengyou set foot on the land of Hebei.
