Chapter 355 The South-to-North Water Diversion Project!
Chapter 355 South-to-North Water Diversion!
"Your Highness, the water in the Yellow River and the Yangtze River has indeed never dried up. However, in that area, our Ministry of Industry has never let the people lack water sources!"
Gao Tianyun said in a deep voice.
"so what?"
Lin Fan asked.
"So, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince still has not solved the current problem. For example, droughts often occur in Shandong and other places. There are not many big rivers there, and our Ministry of Industry cannot divert water to them."
Gao Tianyun said in a deep voice.
Lin Fandao: "Then you can't open up river channels and divert water from the Yangtze River and Yellow River?
Do you people in the Ministry of Industry only think of solutions after a drought occurs?
Have you never heard of these four words, prepare for a rainy day?"
kindness!
Prepare for a rainy day!
Gao Tianyun and other officials looked at Lin Fan with wide eyes, and Lin Fan said again: "Just imagine, if the officials from the Ministry of Industry can start digging rivers from now on, and divert the water from the Yellow River and the Yangtze River to Shandong and other places that are often in short supply.
If there are areas with water, will these areas still lose their harvest due to drought?”
this……
Gao Tianyun was stunned. If this was the case, even if there was a severe drought for several months, such a thing would not happen. However, the amount of this project was too large!
The most important thing is that once the water from the Yellow River and the Yangtze River is diverted, the water level will weaken, which will have an impact on the people around the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.
At the same time, if such a large amount and ferocious water has to be diverted to Shandong and other places, the construction of river channels is a huge fortification. If there is a problem in any link in the middle, it will cause flood disasters.
In particular, rivers are often blocked. Once this happens, people in low-lying areas will lose their place to live.
"Your Highness, I can only think about opening up such a long river channel in my mind. If I really do it, it will be impossible to achieve it."
Gao Tianyun said in a deep voice.
hehe!
Impossible?
It’s just that you don’t dare to think about it!
Lin Fan knew very well that what he was talking about was the future South-to-North Water Diversion Project. After the completion of this project, there will no longer be a crisis of water shortage in various places.
Moreover, there are more rivers, which can also be used for flood discharge, and flood disasters have been greatly reduced.
"Gao Shangshu, what if this prince says that this matter can be realized?"
Lin Fan asked rhetorically.
"Your Highness, we must consider manpower, material resources, and financial resources! If we want to dig a river channel to divert the flow of the Yangtze River and Yellow River to the north, it will be at least several thousand miles long, not to mention too many!"
"The amount of money required for such a large project is at least 70 to 80 million taels. Our court cannot afford so much money now!"
"Besides, it's not cost-effective to invest so much just to dig a river. Such a project is a money-losing business!"
Gao Tianyun said.
"Oh! You actually think this is a money-losing business. Let me ask you, if there is a severe drought in Shandong and the people cannot grow food, will the court provide disaster relief?"
Lin Fan asked.
"This... must be for disaster relief."
Gao Tianyun replied.
"Well, considering the number of people in Shandong, even if one-tenth of the people are affected by the disaster, how much money will the court spend for disaster relief to ensure that 90% of these people can survive?"
Lin Fan asked again.
It can be said that none of the officials present could answer his question, because disasters occurred in various places, and the government allocated money for disaster relief, but at most 60 to 70% of the people affected by the disaster could be saved.
Just like that, these people were lucky enough to survive by eating a few mouthfuls of steamed buns for several days.
"This... with such a large population base in Shandong, if a major disaster occurs, and the court goes to provide disaster relief, it will have to allocate at least two million taels of silver to ensure that 90% of the people survive."
"However, when major disasters occurred in our Ming Dynasty over the years, officials from various places tried to pacify them, so there was no need for such a huge expense!"
Gao Tianyun said in a deep voice.
"That's right! Your Royal Highness, we and other officials have done our best for the imperial court and have never made the imperial court spend a single penny of money unjustly!"
An official said in a deep voice.
Lin Fan said coldly: "Haha! You have the nerve to say that you are saving money for the court, but what about the people?
Every time a disaster occurs, can half of the victims survive?"
"I don't even bother to tell you about this trivial matter. You people don't even think about why the intruder caused such trouble. Isn't it because those people can't survive!"
"If we want long-term peace and stability, we need to stop letting people suffer from disasters!"
"Furthermore, do you think that every time a disaster is provided, the court loses only the money it allocates?
If those areas were not affected by disasters, would they be able to produce food?"
“Can we pay taxes on the food they produce?
The imperial court could have had income, but it lost money. If this one can't get out, the imperial court will lose double the money!"
kindness!
When Lin Fan said this, all the officials were shocked. It seemed that it was really what His Highness the Crown Prince said. If you can only get out but not get in, you will indeed lose twice as much.
"Hmph! This prince wants people from the Ministry of Industry to build such a river just to completely solve this problem. I ask you, if you can make the people everywhere have enough to eat and the thieves will not rebel, it will cost seven or eight thousand taels of silver.
Is it worth it?”
Lin Fan asked rhetorically.
"It's worth it! It's definitely worth it!"
Officials said it directly.
"Since it is worthwhile, this river must be repaired. I am responsible for such a project and call it South-to-North Water Diversion. What do you think?"
Lin Fan asked in a deep voice.
"Okay! South-to-North Water Diversion, concise and concise!"
Li Jiantai said directly.
Ni Yuanlu also said: "Although the cost is 70 to 80 million taels of silver, it is not a one-time investment. The construction of river channels in various places can be carried out in batches. In this way, the court can support the investment of silver."
"This...since Mr. Ni has said so, then our Ministry of Industry has nothing to say."
Gao Tianyun said in a deep voice.
Then, he looked at Lin Fand and said, "Your Highness, how will this river be built?"
"After you go back, make a simple engineering drawing first. After I look at it, I will tell you how to build it."
Lin Fan said.
"Yes! Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
Gao Tianyun said in a deep voice.
The Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Punishment were all obeyed by Lin Fan. However, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Household did not want to raise any opinions at all, and the court suddenly fell silent.
Emperor Chongzhen was shocked. His son was so talented that he was simply the best gift God had given him!
"My dear friends, today's morning court lasted until noon. I believe you are all hungry, so you don't need to go back. I have ordered the royal kitchen to prepare the royal meal. Today, I will accompany you to have a good drink!"
Emperor Chongzhen said in a deep voice.
After hearing this, all the officials smiled and said, "I obey the order!"