There is a bridge over the You River, but it has been in disrepair and is not wide enough for people and mules and horses to pass through. However, it cannot carry heavy carriages. A new one must be built. But building a bridge over the water is not easy.
After some thought, Qin Huaidao decided to build in sections, which means to intercept half of the construction and let the water flow through from the other side. After there is no water on the intercepting side, construction can be facilitated. The silt is dug out, filled with stones to compact the foundation, and then cement mortar is poured to erect it.
Weigh the large piers, fix them with boards into a trough shape, lay steel bars inside, pour mortar and cast them into shape.
After the cement is dry, intercept the other side and allow water to pass through the repaired side. Follow the same method and the whole thing will be a cement bridge. The bridge built by this pouring method is strong enough and weighs well. The only trouble is the steel bars.
It seems that we can only ask Zhenfu County for help.
Qin Huaidao carefully considered the problems of segmented construction, thought of solutions, and wrote them down one by one. When it was getting late, he fell into the water.
Early the next morning, Qin Huaidao got up and saw that Luo Zhang was escorting the money and was chatting with Cheng Chumo. He hurried over and asked, "Why are you here?"
"Don't worry, I'm afraid something might happen on the road. Don't worry about safety over there. General Yuchi is watching for me. I'll return here after the money is handed over." Luo Zhang explained quickly.
When Qin Huaidao heard that Yu Chigong was helping to take charge, there was no big problem. He breathed a sigh of relief, nodded and said, "Leave the money to Brother Cheng and go back. Have you found any suspicious people in the past few days?"
"This is quite strange. He has disappeared in the past few days. General Yuchi also sent people to search the mountain and found traces of his life, but no one was there."
"It means that the other party ran away, but since you have been here, this matter is not over yet. Be careful when you go back." Qin Huaidao warned, and continued to Cheng Chumo: "After the money is handed over, prepare it. Let's go together when I have something to eat. I want to
When I go to Zhenfu County, I have someone to take care of me on the way."
"The handover has been completed." Cheng Chumo quickly agreed.
Qin Huaidao nodded, asked the innkeeper for something to eat, left the interns behind, and hurried on with a few Yulin Guards. He arrived at Zhenfu County more than an hour later, separated from Cheng Chumo, and went straight to the county government office.
The yamen servant did not know Qin Huaidao, so he came to stop him. His entourage showed his identity card and revealed his identity. The yamen servant did not dare to be careless and hurried in to report. Not long after, the county magistrate Sun Mei hurried out and shouted when he saw him: "Your Majesty, Sun Mei
I want to pay my respects to Lord Qin, but I am unable to welcome you from afar, so please forgive me."
"Go in and talk." Qin Huaidao said this and walked inside.
The group entered the government office. Qin Huaidao found a seat and sat down casually. Changsun Mei hurriedly followed him: "Sir, why are you free to come here today? If you have anything to do, just ask me!"
"Sit down and talk."
"Don't dare!" How dare a sixth-grade county magistrate dare to sit and discuss with a third-grade official, so he waited carefully nearby.
Qin Huaidao did not force himself and asked directly: "I am going to build a bridge on Youshui River. How many young people can Zhenfu County hire?"
"Most of the young people in the county are building roads. If necessary, we can only go to find people outside the city."
"Isn't the stone road already paved to the county seat?" Qin Huaidao asked rhetorically.
Chang Sunmei quickly explained: "Sir, the stone road is paved to the county seat, but the subordinates don't know what to do next and how many manpower are needed, so they dare not mobilize these people. However, there are many villages outside the city that are willing to pay workers.
Come, it’s just a long way to go.”
"There is no need to recruit from villages outside the city. After the stones are laid, we won't need too many people. Two hundred people will be transferred from the existing people who are helping to build the road. One hundred people will help intercept the water flow, and the other hundred will collect big stones." Qin Huaidao
As he spoke, he took out the bridge repair plan and handed it over.
There are hand-drawn drawings and notes on the plan, which are clear at a glance.
Chang Sunmei has been in charge of local affairs for many years and has experience in building bridges. He can understand it at a glance and praised: "Sir, this bridge is about one meter higher than the river embankments on both sides. It forms a long slope and does not affect the passage of large vehicles. It is so high.
No matter how big the flood is, it will not affect it, and it is wide enough for two carriages to run side by side without any pressure. However, I am confused about something?"
"Say it."
"What is the cement mentioned above?" Changsun Mei asked bluntly.
"A kind of material, you don't have to worry about this, I will arrange it. What you want to do is to recruit blacksmiths in the city to make an iron bar as thick as a thumb and ten meters long. Can you do it?" Qin Huaidao asked rhetorically.
"Okay, but it will take some time, and do you need high quality for these iron bars?"
When Qin Huaidao saw that the other party was asking about ideas, he was not like a nerd, but rather practical, so he became interested and said with a smile: "After the iron material is heated red, it is forged repeatedly, at least for more than ten times, to remove the impurities, and then forged into iron bars.
It doesn’t need to be too round, it’s okay if it’s a little irregular, you can’t have less than ten exercises, the higher the better.”
Putting iron bars in the cement mortar can strengthen it. Ten refining means repeated forging ten times, which can remove impurities to a certain extent. Of course, it is better to refining it into steel, but it is time-consuming and requires a lot, so it is not advisable. A carriage can pass through.
It's just a bridge, ten refinements are enough.
Thinking that calcination requires extremely high temperatures and using charcoal is too expensive, Qin Huaidao added: "Magistrate Changsun, you can arrange for people to go to Yang County to ask for coke from my officials. Coke burns longer and has a higher temperature, so it is more suitable than charcoal.
Calcination can also save some costs."
"I will accept my order." Changsun Mei also didn't expect Qin Huaidao to be so proficient in the art of smelting, so she quickly wrote it down.
"Any more questions?" Qin Huaidao asked.
"The most difficult thing is the cement and iron bars. After listening to your explanation, I have no problem for the time being, so I will arrange for people to start the work. Is there anything else you want to explain?" Changsun Mei said.
"The construction must be carried out according to the key points. The mud at the river bottom must be cleaned up and the foundation laid according to standards to avoid collapse. When I came, I visited the site and chose a site five meters upstream of the existing bridge. The existing bridge will be retained and will be restored in the future.
You can surpass others." Qin Huaidao warned.
"Here!" Changsun Mei solemnly agreed.
The two walked out of the government office. Qin Huaidao and his entourage came to the Youshui River. Looking at the slowly flowing river, it was not easy to intercept it, but the bridge could not be repaired without intercepting it. Worried about something happening, he decided to stay and observe for a few days.
have a look.
Not long after, Chang Sunmei came over with a large group of people and gave some instructions. Some government officials directed the people to take action. Some people ran to the shallows and filled the sand with cloth bags. Some people pushed the carts and pulled them upstream, and found a place to fill the bags.
Throwing the bag down and intercepting the water flow, you can see that they are very experienced at first glance.
Qin Huaidao saw Sun Mei coming over and said with a smile: "The organization is good."
"It makes you laugh. Many stone bridges have been built along Youshui River. The local people have some experience. However, they used to serve as corvees. We didn't expect that we would still get paid this time. They all thought of your kindness. This move of yours
If you benefit one party, the result will last forever." Chang Sunmei quickly explained.
"Don't flatter me. I don't like this. Cooperating well with the court in building roads is the greatest help to me. I see it in my eyes. Changsun Wuji has a good relationship with me." Qin Huaidao hinted.
Changsunmei is also a transparent person, and she quickly expresses her position: "I am willing to follow you to repair the road."
Qin Huaidao nodded, looked at the construction for a while, and found that the efficiency was a bit low, and said: "It's a little slower. Let's find more people to intercept the water flow. We must stop it today."
"Follow the order." Changsun Mei hurried away.
Not long after, another two to three hundred people came to join the construction, and the efficiency suddenly became much higher. A dam was piled upstream. Many people jumped down, stepped on the dam, and caught people on the river bank and handed it over.
Bags of sand and soil are passed on one by one to strengthen and lengthen the dam.
Two hours later, a larger semicircular dam was formed. There was still some water seepage in the dam and it could not be completely blocked. Qin Huaidao had an idea and asked everyone to dig a drainage channel along the inside of the dam. The water that seeped in was blocked.
Guided to the downstream.
Construction was much easier without water. Everyone began to clear out the silt, picking it out by the load and dumping it into nearby wasteland. This fertile soil was very popular, and many people came to transfer it and pour it into their own vegetable gardens for later use.
When it gets dark, the mud is cleared, two rectangular pits are dug, and a rectangular pit is cut out on the river bank. The three pits will become the locations for the three load-bearing piers.
Seeing that Qin Huaidao was in a good mood, Changsun Mei felt reassured and said, "Sir, the sky is not dark, so why not go back to the city and let the subordinates fulfill their friendship as landlords?"
"Forget it about eating, you know that I am in Zhuangzi, Yang County, right?"
"Xiaguan has been there."
Qin Huaidao warned: "That's good. Find someone who knows how to run overnight to Mr. Cheng Chu Mocheng and ask him to arrange for a hundred large trucks of cement to be delivered early tomorrow morning. You can find a house nearby to vacate for convenient storage.
By the way, how are the iron bars made?"
"No problem, let's make arrangements here. We just brought in coke from Yang County. All the blacksmiths in the city have been mobilized. I asked them to work hard overnight. We should be able to make some tomorrow."
"Go and keep an eye on it, don't let up, there will be plenty of opportunities after dinner." Qin Huaidao warned.
Chang Sunmei understood the meaning behind it and hurried away happily.
Qin Huaidao and his entourage found an inn to stay, had something to eat and slept.
Early the next morning, Qin Huaidao and his entourage came to the Youshui River and found that the people were already doing construction. Carloads of large stones were pulled over and spread in the pit. Qin Huaidao saw that everyone continued to pile up and quickly stopped them. There was a layer of large stones in the pit.
It is enough to lay the bottom with stones. Next, you need to pour mortar. Continuing to pile up stones will have negative effects.
Chang Sunmei also came with a group of officials and government servants. Seeing Qin Huaidao trying to stop him, he quickly helped and asked everyone to stop work temporarily. He explained: "Sir, everyone doesn't understand your construction method. They think it is still the previous construction method.
Even the subordinates don’t understand, why don’t you take charge?”
"Has the cement arrived?" Qin Huaidao asked.
"Someone is here to report it. They are on their way."
"Where are the iron bars?"
"Xiaguan just came over there and made some."
Qin Huaidao looked at the other party and saw that his eyes were sunken and red. It was obvious that he had not slept much all night, so he said: "Cut off sixty iron bars according to the length of the big hole below. Leave the other lengths intact. You also need small iron wires.
Bring as much as you can, hurry up and get it done."
Twenty rods laid flat under one large pit are enough to make the base, and sixty rods are needed for three large pits.
Chang Sunmei left in a hurry.
About half an hour later, a group of carriages came over pulling iron bars, just as the cement arrived.
Under the command of Qin Huaidao, everyone mixed mortar, laid iron bars flat under the big pit, and then placed them vertically to form a rectangle. They were tied tightly with thin iron wires. The bottom of the vertical iron bars was made into a hook shape to hook underneath.
Flat iron bars form a whole.
After all the iron bars are placed and the cage is tightened, a large board is found to surround the perimeter. After the mortar is ready, the mortar is mixed. The ants are used to move the iron bars, and the buckets are passed down and poured into the big pit. After filling, continue to raise the big board.
, continue to pour water inside until the height is reached.
This kind of pier cast in one piece is very strong.
With more people and greater strength, three large piers were poured in one morning. Qin Huaidao directed everyone to lay large slabs horizontally, make trough shapes, connect the three piers into one, pour a layer of mortar, and then lay out a set of iron bars to use with each other.
Tie the thin wire tightly, pour another layer of mortar, spread another layer, and repeat this five times.
The mortar uses enough cement to have good adhesion, and with five layers of iron bars, it is strong enough.
After it was completed, Qin Huaidao asked everyone to spread a layer of pure cement on the surface, which can provide smoothness and waterproofing. Finally, sprinkle a layer of raw cement to have better anti-slip and waterproof effects.
By the time all this work was done, the sky had already darkened. Everyone looked at the bridge and felt it was strange. They didn’t know whether it could be used or whether it would collapse. This was the first time they had seen this method of building a bridge. They were unsure and whispered behind their backs.
Discussing.
Qin Huaidao didn't stop him. New things can only be spoken by facts. Looking at the bridge, he felt very excited. This can be regarded as the trace he left in this world. Is it the first cement bridge in history?
"Sir, it's getting dark, should we finish work first?" Changsun Mei came over and asked for instructions.
"Let everyone call it a day. In addition, arrange for people to sprinkle water once an hour. Sprinkle water to every place. Sprinkle more, but don't wash it hard. The cement is not dry yet, so don't wash it." Qin Huaidao warned.
"Understood, I will keep an eye on it personally, sir, don't worry."
Seeing how interested the other party was, Qin Huaidao nodded with satisfaction and took his entourage back to the inn.
I was very tired after a busy day, so I ate something and hurriedly lay down.
Early the next morning, Qin Huaidao hurried over to check and saw that the cement was not cracked and there was no anti-mortar, and the same was true for the piers below. He was convinced that it was done.
After admiring it for a moment, Chang Sunmei hurried over and said, "Sir, is it okay?"
"Not yet. Although the weather is good and there is sunshine, it will take more than three days for the cement to solidify. If it rains, the top must be covered with something to prevent rain. I will return and come back after three days to inspect and accept it. If it is qualified, we will build the other side. These days
Stones, river sand, and iron bars must be prepared, and people must be sent to guard the bridge to prevent it from being damaged."
"I will remember it, my official." Changsun Mei quickly agreed.
Qin Huaidao said a few more words and left in a hurry with his entourage. He had been out for several days and didn't know how the road on the other side was paved.
After crossing the Youshui River, the horse ran forward for a distance and saw the villagers of Huihe Town paving the road. The interns recognized Qin Huaidao and came up to greet him. Qin Huaidao stopped and saw that the road was well paved and said with satisfaction: "This
You’ve been working hard for a while, is there anything I need to do?”
A man in brocade clothes came forward, bowed and said, "Sir, it's not hard, but it's very novel. Everything is fine. Please rest assured."
Qin Huaidao saw that the opponent's brocade clothes had several holes and were dirty, which showed that he had really suffered a lot during this period. He smiled and said: "Work hard and try to reach the bank of Youshui River within two days. I have to take a step in advance. You guys
If you need anything, just come and find me."
"Farewell, Your Majesty." Everyone saluted.
The official road in front was all paved with stones, but the horses were shoed, so walking was not a big problem. They trotted along the stone road, and after passing Huayang Pass it was a dirt road. Qin Huaidao accelerated for a distance and found a stone road ahead.
In just a few days, we are almost reaching Huayang Yangguang. The speed is not slow, but why is there no one in front?
Qin Huaidao felt inexplicably nervous and continued on his way. Just as he was about to reach Dawang Post, there was a shout of murder in front of him.
"not good!"
Qin Huaidao was taken aback and accelerated his charge. Several of his followers also realized that something had happened and tried their best to beat their horses.
Several people rushed up, and the shouts of killing became louder and louder. Soon they saw countless people surrounding and killing their own people. Luo Zhang took command from the center. If they were not equipped with repeated crossbows, they would have been overwhelmed by the people. The attacking enemies were dressed in strange clothes.
They don't look like regular troops, they look like bandits.
"How could the bandits dare to attack the imperial troops?"
Qin Huaidao immediately realized that this group of people was not simple. After a rough sweep, he found that there were five or six thousand people. The soldiers who had surrendered to build the road did not join the battle, but gathered together to watch. Wei Chigong's army was nowhere to be seen.
Things seemed abnormal.
Qin Huaidao was not in a hurry to rush to join the battle, but went straight to the surrender troops who were building the road. Worried that these people were cheating, he did not dare to get too close. He stopped at a distance and shouted: "Let your general come out and talk to you."
Soon, several generals rushed up, their eyes evasive and their expressions a little complicated.
"Why don't you join the war?" Qin Huaidao asked directly.
Several people were silent.
But Qin Huaidao could see that these people were not hostile to him, and he suddenly realized that these people were surrendering the army, had no motive to join the war, and did not have any weapons at their disposal, so they did not want to risk their lives.
If there is no motivation, give everyone motivation.
Qin Huaidao glanced at Luo Zhang and others who were fighting. They were in a precarious situation. The enemy attacked very fiercely and used a life-for-life style. They were not like bandits but more like dead soldiers. His face darkened and he shouted:
"But they force you not to participate in the war? Or is it the promised benefits?"
"this?"
Everyone lowered their heads in embarrassment, not daring to meet Qin Huaidao's sharp gaze.
Qin Huaidao said coldly: "Don't forget that this is the territory of the Tang Dynasty. If you don't join the war because you are afraid of death, and all my people die in the battle, will the court let you go?"
The words were so shocking that several people reacted and their expressions changed drastically.
Qin Huaidao continued: "Or are you tempted by their promises of benefits? Once the imperial army arrives, even if there are benefits, do you have the life to take them? And they -"
With that said, Qin Huaidao drew his sword, pointed at the enemies who were fighting and continued: "If they really promise benefits, it is just a delaying tactic. To stabilize you, it will be too late to escape after killing my people, so how can they have time to give you benefits afterwards?
The imperial court is chasing you, and it is even less likely to bring you any benefits. Therefore, whether you are afraid of death or have promised benefits, it is best for you to have no delusions. Fight with me and kill them. I will forget the blame, and it will also prove that you have surrendered to the imperial court.
Otherwise, what awaits you is the endless pursuit of the imperial army. It is up to you how to choose."
"kill--"
Roaring for a lifetime, Qin Huaidao rushed towards the battlefield.
Several followers also took out their repeating crossbows, stabilized them, and rushed over.
When the enemy saw Qin Huaidao charging towards him, they immediately divided into a thousand men and came to rob and kill him.
Qin Huaidao pulled out another sword, holding both swords in his hands, filled with murderous intent. The war horse Bai Ti Wu seemed to feel Qin Huaidao's fighting intent. With a long roar, he suddenly accelerated and rushed over, knocking away those who stood in front of him.
On the war horse, Qin Huaidao's eyes were sharp, and he used two knives, one on the left and one on the right, to kill the people who came forward. The man and the horse merged into one, and rushed forward with the momentum of crushing everything.
Several followers also rushed over without fear of death. They fired their crossbows and shot all those who tried to attack Qin Huaidao. The horses also violently charged and trampled on Qin Huaidao.
There were only a few people, but they had the momentum of thousands of troops.
Especially Qin Huaidao, who was charging forward, his two knives flew up and down, as dexterously as butterflies, using his horse power to tear open the throats of the enemies who were rushing towards him in the fastest and most trouble-free way, killing them with every move, leaving behind them wherever they passed.
There were corpses on the ground, killing the enemies with fear.
The enemies were all fighting on foot and could not stop the horses from charging, but they were all very crazy and rushed forward desperately, trying to block Qin Huaidao.
The war horse ran all the way, and its strength was already exhausted. It was too much to bear. When it slowed down and was slashed several times, it became more ferocious. With a long hiss, it rushed forward, knocking away more than a dozen people in one breath, and carrying Qin Huaidao on its back.
Breaking out of the siege, his entourage followed closely behind and also fought out from the gap.
The patrol officers who were fighting recognized Qin Huaidao, and they avoided the direction of the crossbow firing, leaving a gap. Qin Huaidao rushed forward, turned over and fell off his horse, and asked: "Luo Zhang, what happened to the surrender?"
"The enemy promised not to kill them, and gave them 100,000 yuan on the spot, asking them to watch the battle. They agreed, and these bastards didn't even think about the consequences." Luo Zhang said angrily.
When Qin Huaidao heard that this was both fear of death and gain, no wonder he did not join the war. Seeing that there were less than 400 left in the 700 patrol division, he formed a circular formation and fired in sections to ensure continuous output of the crossbows. This was embarrassing.
Block the enemy's attack, but the enemy rushes desperately, and the continuous crossbow is used up, which is the time of death.
"Where are there three hundred more people?" Qin Huaidao asked.
"The enemy suddenly made a sneak attack, and we hurriedly responded and killed more than three hundred people..."
"Where is the imperial army?" Qin Huaidao asked angrily.
"General Yuchi left last night, and the enemy suddenly attacked today. Apparently he had a plan..."
Qin Huaidao suddenly remembered the suspicious person he discovered a few days ago. He actually tolerated it until the imperial army left before taking action. He was ruthless and resolute enough. He would not give up until the goal was achieved. His fighting spirit boiled up and he shouted: "Brothers, aim at
We are not afraid of Goguryeo's hundreds of thousands of troops, so what are these rabble?"
They were all men who had fought together in Goguryeo. No one was afraid of death. After hearing Qin Huaidao's words, he felt more confident and became more stable in taking action.
"Boohoo!"
The arrows roared away one after another, pounced on the approaching enemies, blocked the attack, and formed a line of death in front of them. No one could cross this line and rush to everyone.
Qin Huaidao stood proudly like a needle in the sea, observing the enemy's situation with piercing eyes. He soon discovered that dozens of people gathered behind the enemy lines to discuss something. The leader of the group could not help but narrow his eyes with terrifying murderous intent.