There was a group of children who looked as young as seven or eight years old and the older ones were about the same age as He San. They were dressed in ragged clothes and looked dirty. They could not distinguish between men and women.
They gathered together and stayed away from each other.
After all the young and strong victims had received their food and left, they all rushed forward.
Not afraid of scalding, he directly used his hands to scoop out the porridge residue from the large iron pot. Perhaps a few cooks left more on purpose. They crowded in front of the stove and ate with gusto.
The young monk Juekong came over at some point and saluted in a low voice: "Little prince, these are orphans. Because they have no parents or relatives to sign up to work, so for the time being they can only rely on the monks in the temple and the officers and soldiers to use their own rations for alms."
Hold on."
Wanyan Kang sighed.
As expected, people of the same species flock together and animals flock together.
This group of orphans should actually be a separate group from the group of old, weak, women and children who have lost their strength. These children are incompatible with any group of disaster victims.
"Little master, how many are there?"
"The number of people is unknown."
"Count the number of people as soon as possible and register them in the register."
Wanyan Kang pondered for a moment and then said: "If there are a large number of people, I'm afraid it will put a huge burden on the temple. In this case, we can send them to the nearby Gewangzhuang and let the prince build an orphanage to support them...
"
Orphanage? Juekong shouted the Buddha's name: "Very good, the little prince is merciful!"
Wanyan smiled generously, shouldn't it be the mercy of the Buddha?
"How are you doing, little master?"
"Okay, it's just tiring, but I think it's worth it and fulfilling."
Juekong pointed at the young and strong victims who were dining in groups in the camp, and said: "Now these victims are very motivated, and everyone is confident that they will survive this natural disaster in the future. The young prince looked at some of the victims who had finished eating.
People are preparing to go into the mountains again to help repair canals."
Wan Yankang cast his eyes toward the mountains, and suddenly heard a shouting and arguing not far away, so he got up and ran.
About half a mile up from the mountain pass, a dozen disaster victims, Qingzhuang, had a dispute with two craftsmen brought by Wan Yankan and the craftsmen's helpers. Chi Xi and more than a dozen soldiers were already at the scene, but did not participate.
Just watch from one side.
"Little prince..."
Wan Yankang shook his head and signaled Chi Xi to keep quiet, so he quietly gathered around the crowd and watched.
After listening for a while, you will understand what is going on.
The diversion canal went all the way down from Wangyue Lake in the back mountain and was built along the terrain. Because there were a large number of workers and the stone materials could be obtained locally, the speed was very fast. In a few days, it was halfway up the mountain.
But just building aqueducts is not enough.
It is necessary to build a reservoir at intervals around the aqueduct, where wasteland is concentrated, otherwise how can we irrigate?
The focus of their dispute was the foundation of the reservoir.
These victims were young masons and had their own experience in repairing canals. They believed that the four walls of the reservoir, including the bottom, must be built with hewn stones and connected tightly, and then the gaps should be closed.
Use plant ash mixed with clay to block it, and then dry it over a high fire.
This will prevent water leakage and seepage as much as possible.
The craftsmen hired from outside are regarded as official craftsmen, and they are somewhat arrogant. They simply look down on these refugees who jump out to make irresponsible remarks.
You know nothing.
They retorted that this was useless, and they still had to use their method, which was to continuously compact the bottom and walls of the reservoir, and then apply it repeatedly with white plaster mud. Once dry, it would provide excellent protection.
Leaking water effect.
In fact, Wanyan Kang was in favor of the latter.
Although he is not a professional construction engineer, the ancient tombs excavated in modern times still maintain good waterproofing effects after thousands of years, which is enough to prove that the waterproof material invented by ancient government craftsmen - white plaster mud, which is infinitely close to cement, is absolutely effective.
"Chixi, which method do you think is better?"
Chi Xi blushed, rubbed his hands and said: "Little prince, how can I understand this, but it all sounds quite reasonable..."
Wanyan smiled generously: "The craftsmen I brought are former manufacturing supervisors of the Ministry of Industry. Their methods should be... more reliable."
Chi Xi nodded, and was about to order the soldiers to step forward and expel the young victims who raised objections from the scene, but saw Wan Yankang blocking him: "No, don't dampen their enthusiasm. It shows that they can take the initiative to stand up and raise their opinions."
Those who regard canal repair as their own business should be encouraged to do so."
"In this way, wouldn't it be nice if you let them each choose a section and use their own methods to build a reservoir each to verify the facts?"
Wanyan Kang smiled again and said: "By the way, let me give you some rewards to stimulate the excitement. If the craftsmen win, each person will be rewarded with a sum of money. If they win - just say that I will treat them to a big meal personally!"
Chi Xi took the order and led the people forward to make arrangements. The two groups, holding their breath in anticipation of the reward promised to Wan Yankang, split up to repair the reservoir.
Wanyan Kang was surprised to find that Chi Xi had lost his heavy armor, as well as the officers and soldiers around him.
As the leader of these five hundred officers and soldiers, he has an inherent understanding of the dangers of refugees and never dares to slack off. With the armor on his body, the string in his heart is always tense.
But now, he actually took off his armor and was busy in person, up and down...
Juekong was on the side, and when he saw Wan Yankang staring at Chi Xi's busy back, he said lightly: "Little prince, General Chi Xi has been working with the victims these days... Of course, the government and army brigade are still ready to prepare, and there is no trace of them.
Lazy."
When Juekong said this, his expression became excited: "The problem of water leakage in the canal has been solved, and the lake water will be brought down soon. Then the wasteland in the mountains will be replanted for a season of autumn grain, and there will be water for irrigation. By the end of the year, the situation will be better."
Much better."
"The master in charge said that not only the temple fields, but also many fields in the mountains will be reclaimed and there will be diversion canals, these will become fertile fields. As long as the disaster is gone next year, given time... not only these disaster victims can use this
After surviving this natural disaster, we can continue to benefit the surrounding villages. This move by the young prince is truly of great merit!"
"Amitabha!"
The young monk put his hands together and bowed to Yan Kang with a solemn expression.
Wanyan Kang smiled: "This is not my fault alone. However, the young master is right when he says something. On the surface, this disaster relief is benefiting the victims. In fact, in the long run, it is not them who benefit.
At least it’s not just them.”
"My young master Lan Xinhui is very kind, and I am very pleased that he can see through this."
Juekong hurriedly said modestly: "This is what the master in charge said."
"Haha." Wanyan Kang glanced at Juekong and said suddenly: "The little master is quite enlightened and will definitely become a great master in the future. A generation of Buddhist masters can be expected in the future."
Juekong was ashamed. Although he was feeling this, he also meant to compliment the young prince. Unexpectedly, as Wan Yankang spoke, the topic turned to him. He blushed and mumbled: "The young monk does not deserve such praise from the young prince."
!”
Wanyan Kang laughed and said after a while: "When the young master is free, you might as well go to Gewangzhuang and give cultural classes to the children in the orphanage."
Cultural Lessons?
"Oh, just teach them to read some books, recognize some calligraphy, even some Buddhist scriptures."
Juekong bowed and said, "That's so good. How dare you, young monk, disobey me!"
Wan Yankang and the young monk's repeated exchanges of words, not to mention Liang Ziweng, Shen Qing and Ma Xiong behind them, couldn't help but have some complicated feelings in their hearts.
The young prince I have come into contact with these days does not look like a playboy in his actions, words and deeds.