On the 25th day of the first month of the sixth year of Qianyou, Emperor Liu Chengyou of the Han Dynasty left Beijing and Huazhou, and inspected the construction of the embankment of the Yellow River with the worry of the river decision.

Last winter, natural disasters once again patronized the Han Dynasty. In October, there were major floods in Ying, Mo, and Youshu Prefectures in Hebei Province, causing more than 200,000 people to suffer, resulting in a lot of mourning. In December, the Yellow River broke through Zheng and Huazhou.

However, for the current Han Dynasty, it is enough to bear, and the imperial court has already set up a set of emergency mechanisms for disaster prevention and relief. For the displaced people affected by the disaster, the government has its own relief.

For Emperor Liu Chengyou, the concern about the flooding of the Yellow River began to breed in his heart again. Since he succeeded to the throne, the Yellow River has broken more than ten times before, and the Zhengzhou and Huazhou sections have been the hardest hit areas.

Before he could rest, Liu Chengyou was directly accompanied by Bai Chongzan, the envoy of the Yicheng Army in Huazhou, and inspected the river stopper.

In the autumn of last year, after Fu Yanqing, the envoy of King Wei and the Tianxiong Army, was transferred to Tokyo as a marshal, the original Yicheng Army was transferred to Guo Congyi to the Northern Capital Daimyo Mansion to stay behind.

Subsequently, the imperial court issued an edict, abolished the Huazhou Festival, replaced the Yicheng Army, and transferred the Tumen town guard Bai Chongzan as the Yicheng Army to lead the forbidden army of Huazhou and consolidate the defense of northern Tokyo.

This Bai Chongzan is also a young man in the army, who is brave in battle and has many military positions. Among the former generals retained in the early Han Dynasty, there was also a figure like him.

However, in the years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, Bai Chongzan's tenure is more like a "household dog". When the right to transfer Shi Hongzhao to Xijing to stay behind, Bai Chongzan was the guard of Bishui.

Shi Hongzhao moved to Zhenshuofang, and then transferred to Tumen, controlled the Taihang Dangerous Pass, and watched the Hedong gateway for the imperial court. Until now, he has guarded the key to the north gate of Huazhou for the imperial court.

However, this white praise, every term, is still conscientious and trying. Originally, this person was not on Liu Chengyou's list of "supportable hearts". However, looking at his resume, he found that he was diligent in the king's affairs and had a bold and unyielding spirit, so he gave his trust.

Huazhou belongs to the hinterland of the Han Dynasty, and it is unlikely that it will experience war again, but as long as the capital is in Kaifeng, his importance is undoubted, and its defenders must also be trusted generals of the imperial court.

When the Yellow River broke, Liu Chengyou directly issued an edict and asked Bai Chongzan to lead soldiers and servants to be responsible for building and repairing embankments.

On the south bank of the Yellow River, standing on a high slope, Liu Chengyou looked at the embankment from afar, and after nearly a month of repair, the simple anti-blockage has been constructed. The next thing that needs to be done is to rebuild the big fortress and strengthen the river defenses. Fortunately, the breach coincided with a dry season, otherwise the damage and losses caused by the disaster would have been even greater.

Bai Chongzan served in front of the king, reporting the situation to Liu Chengyou, at this time, he was not wearing armor, only wearing light linen clothes, not like a general, more like a river worker.

"Your Majesty, this Huazhou break is mainly in Dacheng and Liuhe. The government requisitioned 8,000 soldiers before and after, and the last general also dispatched 2,000 soldiers to take turns to repair. Now the preliminary defense has been completed, and several breaches have been blocked, only to be reconstructed and plugged in the future. Bai Chongzan pointed to Liu Chengyou and reported:

"Now that we are in the dry season, and the agricultural time is approaching, we will plan to concentrate people's and material resources to strengthen the embankment, at least to ensure that before the flood season comes, there will be no mistakes!"

Listening to Bai Chongzan's explanation, from his words, you can feel that he is familiar with river affairs, and it is obvious that he is dedicated. Nodding, Liu Chengyou said that he was very satisfied, but said: "Not bad! There is a shortage of money, food, materials, and people's manpower, and what are the difficulties? ”

Hearing this, Bai Chongzan also directly asked Liu Chengyou: "In the past, most of the defenses were carried out with bags and straw bags, and the temporary solid defense was so difficult to resist the erosion of the river. The last general asked for instructions, and the imperial court allocated hardwood, sandbags, and masonry, and the materials were good to ensure that they were strong. Also, it would be even better if there were more servants! ”

"Yes! I'm all content with you! Liu Chengyou said: "Tokyo will allocate another batch of money and grain, and the local government should also fully cooperate in raising materials and building materials." In order to repair the embankment, I plan to stop the repair of Tokyo and concentrate our human resources, so far! You have to do it well, this year, I don't want to hear the bad news about the Yellow River breaking in Huazhou! ”

Facing the gaze of the Son of Heaven, Bai Chongzan suddenly felt a huge pressure on him, his expression was serious, and he promised Liu Chengyou in a deep voice: "Your Majesty trusts him so much, how dare the last general be entrusted with it!" If you make a mistake, behead yourself! ”

Bai Chongzan was obviously determined, and listening to his categorical tone, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but show a touch of approval.

looked at Bai Chongzan seriously, and saw that his face was full of exhaustion, and his beard and hair were not taken care of, and he looked a little sloppy. Liu Chengyou said: "Bai Qing has this pride, and I also have a little confidence!" ”

"I heard that during this time, Bai Qing has been running around on the embankment to command, and he has not returned to the camp for food and accommodation, so it's hard work! This intention is commendable, I didn't use the wrong person! Liu Chengyou praised Bai Chong.

With the approval of the emperor, Bai Chongzan realized that the hard work of these days was not in vain, and between his tired faces, he showed a little smile and responded: "If you are ordered to guard Huazhou, you will also be able to protect the water and soil, so you will live up to Your Majesty's trust and lose the hope of the people!" ”

"Good!" Hearing his words, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but stroke his palms, and his words were full of sweet praise: "Among the Han generals, there are not many people who can have such consciousness as Bai Qing!" Bai Qing can be a role model! ”

"Zhang Dejun, reward Bai Qing with ten catties of imperial wine and twenty catties of venison!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand and gestured to Zhang Dejun.

"Yes!"

Without waiting for Bai Chong's praise and thanks, Liu Chengyou looked at him with soft eyes again, and chuckled: "When Bai Qing is successful, I will directly give you the title of marquis!" ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty! The minister will do his best to live up to God's grace! Bai Chongzan immediately bowed down.

It can be seen that Liu Chengyou at this time has a lot of appreciation for Bai Chongzan. As he spoke, he looked at the several officials in Huazhou who accompanied him and said, "Did you hear it?" After that, in addition to farming, we should give full support to the river stop, and when we have time, we should go to the embankment more often. Although I appointed Bai Qing to act as the river worker, you were the state officials, and it was also my duty to repair the river defense. As long as you are dedicated to the king's affairs and seek benefits for the people, the court will never hesitate to reward and promote! ”

"Yes! Follow Your Majesty's teachings! "A cadre of people, etc., naturally respectfully bowed to the Tao.

"Let's go to the embankment and have a look!" Liu Chengyou greeted everyone.

The judge of Huazhou immediately persuaded him, saying that the place where the fortifications were chaotic and dangerous, but Liu Chengyou refused, saying that he was not here to make a show of inspecting the Hesai project, and it was not his style to take a look at it from afar.

So accompanied by the generals, Liu Chengyou personally went to the embankment to see the materials, and the cocoa servant returned to the county seat in the evening, and continued to carry forward the Mingjun style of bowing to things.

"Li Fang, what did you gain from your visit in Baima?" At night, Liu Chengyou summoned Li Fang to inquire about it.

Li Fang did not go to the embankment with Liu Chengyou, but was sent to visit the people and investigate the affairs of the state. Hearing this, Li Fangyu said: "Huazhou is Prefecture in Tokyo, and the people's livelihood is generally stable, although the people are not rich, but they can also be called stable." However, the government was a little sloppy, and the Yellow River broke out, because the government was negligent and did not take precautions.

In addition, in Huazhou Prison, many cases and punishments were biased. The minister checked the case files and indeed found a few cases of prison, and the severity of the sentence is debatable, and they are all left over from Guo Zhijun......'s tenure."

Hearing his words, Liu Chengyou thought about it for a while, and instructed Li Fang: "In this way, you don't have to accompany me to the Daimyo's Mansion, stay in Huazhou, serve as the governor, purge the officials, take charge of government affairs, and clean up the prison case!" You are by my side, and you are in contact with military and political affairs, and now, I have entrusted the affairs of a state to you, and I have no problem to take responsibility! ”

In this regard, Li Fang seemed to have expected it, without any accidents, and met the gaze of the Son of Heaven, and solemnly responded: "Obey!" ”

In this way, there is one less close minister by the emperor's side. And Liu Chengyou, who stayed in Huazhou for a day, set off in the royal car, and went north to the Daimyo's Mansion to patrol the fortification. This is the first time in three years that Liu Chengyou has set foot on the land of Hebei again.