Chapter 492: Drought and the Fight for Water

Zhang Zhaoyang is now the son of the head of the Zhang family, ranking fourth, after Zhang Zhaoyuan. Both are concubines, but they were not born to the same mother.

Back then, Zhang Zhaoyang took a large number of gold and silver treasures as a dowry and went to Taiyuan to propose marriage for Zhang Wenjun, however, on the way, those large boxes of treasures and jade were stolen, which made the Zhang family lose face in front of the Wang family, and Zhang Zhaoyang was also scolded by his father.

Later, I heard that the daughter of the Wang family married a general surnamed Zhang as his wife, and it was also given by His Majesty the Emperor. Zhang Zhaoyang is very dissatisfied in his heart, a military general, a reckless man, there is comparable to his nephew Zhang Wenjun, who is said to be a big and rough general, even if it is those peers of the Qinghe Cui family, no one can compare to Zhang Wenjun.

Now, this Zhang Zhaoyang is on the order of his father, going to Luoyang to meet the general who robbed Zhang Wenjun's daughter-in-law in the first place. And this general, who is now a national prince, is above Lingyan Pavilion, and more importantly, he is also the child of his long-disappeared brother Zhang Zhaoyuan.

At the beginning, as soon as they heard the news, the entire Zhang family was in an uproar. That Zhang Yunwen turned out to be a child of the Zhang family! If Zhang Yunwen can recognize his ancestors and return to his ancestors, wouldn't the Zhang family have another national prince? This plays a very important role in the promotion of Zhangjiajunwang, and even, the Zhang family can advance into the top families in the world in one fell swoop.

Therefore, Zhang Zhaoyang's father sent him out to meet Zhang Yunwen, hoping that he would be able to recognize his ancestors and return to his ancestors.

When Zhang Zhaoyang walked into Luoyang City with some apprehension and went to the Eastern Capital Mu's Mansion, he was told that Zhang Yunwen had already gone out of Luoyang to inspect Henan. I'm afraid it won't be back until a month later.

When Zhang Zhaoyang heard this, he couldn't help but be stunned.

It turned out that Zhang Yunwen received an order to return to Chang'an, and the salute had been packed, but at this time, Luoyang Mansion Yin came over and told Zhang Yunwen what happened. This summer, the precipitation was low, and there was a drought in several places in Henan.

In fact, more than ten days ago, there were already signs of drought. At that time, there had been 20 consecutive sunny days in the whole of Henan. The scorching sun scorched the earth and evaporated the water from the fields. At that time, however, the drought was not yet apparent. Therefore, Luoyang Mansion Yin only instructed the following prefectures and counties to prevent drought, and did not report to the imperial court, hoping that God would be able to make a heavy rain to alleviate the drought. However, God is very faceless, and it is more than ten days of sunny days. Finally, in the lands of Henan, the fertile land is cracked, and the gap is finger-wide.

Zhang Yunwen heard this Fu Yin say this, but his heart was "groan", I am afraid that he will not be able to return to Chang'an for the time being.

Sure enough, on the third day, Li Shimin issued an edict again, asking Zhang Yunwen to postpone his return to Chang'an and temporarily preside over the relief of the drought in Henan.

After receiving this notice, Zhang Yunwen immediately found Luoyang Mansion Yin and learned about the drought.

The drought in Henan is mainly concentrated in Dugi Province and the counties of Zhengzhou, Xuzhou, and Ruzhou in Henan Province, which are adjacent to Dugi Province. Among them, in Dugi Province, Yongning, Wangwu, Xiuwu, Santu and other prefectures and counties are the most seriously affected by drought. In these areas, there are no major rivers flowing through the state, and the water volume of those small streams and rivers is less than half of that of previous years, and the competition for water is serious, and there is almost no water for irrigation in the fertile fields downstream, and the fights caused by the competition for water are also very serious.

The rest of the places are much better, with water systems such as Luoshui, Yishui, Gushui, and rivers, plus canals are all over the place, so it is much easier to divert water, and the drought is not so serious.

After learning the details, Zhang Yunwen decided to take a field trip to the local drought situation. So, Zhang Yunwen set off to Yongning to check it out.

Less than a day after he left, that Zhang Zhaoyang came to Luoyang.

Hearing that it was from the Zhang family, Zhang Cambodia, who stayed in Luoyang, received Zhang Zhaoyang very warmly, and reported the news of Zhang Zhaoyang's arrival to Zhang Yunwen through the fast horse. So the latter began to have a headache.

But fortunately, Zhang Zhaoyang is still waiting in Luoyang, and he is not ready to come to Yongning to find himself, so he is not in a hurry to consider the problem of the Zhang family, but to deal with the drought in front of him with all his might.

Yongning County is located in the west of Luoyang, on the north bank of Luoshui, and south of Sankun Mountain.

There are not many fertile fields in Yongning County, most of them are mountains, but these fertile fields are now full of cracked land, and you can grab a hand of fine dry sand when you grab it in the field. The wheat and rice crops in the field were baked by the scorching sun, and the whole body was yellow, and the ears of wheat and rice on the top hung down weakly and shriveled heads.

Those old farmers who have planted the land all their lives can't help but frown tightly when they see these half-withered yellow crops.

Zhang Yunwen was in Yongning County, and what he saw was such a scene.

Yongning County Ling is a middle-aged man with a clear face, surnamed Pei, who was born in a branch of the Pei family in Guanzhong. This Pei County Commander squatted in the field, grabbed a handful of fine sand, looked at it carefully for a moment, released his fingers, and the fine sand slid down from between his fingers.

This is the fertile soil of the once fertile fields.

"Lord Zhang, look, this used to be a fertile field!" Pei Xianling stood up and pointed to the dry yellow Liangtian Road in front of him.

Zhang Yunwen, who was beside Pei Xianling, was looking at the somewhat yellow fertile field in front of him with half-squinted eyes at the moment, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

This is a village with the most fertile land under Yongning County. Zhang Yunwen came to Yongning, and after coming into contact with Pei Xianling, he came to this place called Xujiawan together. A small river bends from Xujiawan, hence the name of this place. Less than 30 miles down the river, there are two villages that are much smaller than Xujiawan, Zhoujiazhuang and Yangjiacun.

Finally, that Zhang Yunwen asked Pei County Order: "Pei County Order, how far is this place from the nearest river?" ”

Pei Xian Ling pointed to the west: "There is a small river over there, but the upstream barrage is used to draw water, and when you reach here, there is no water available!" ”

Zhang Yunwen followed Pei County's instructions and walked more than 100 zhang, and finally saw a shallow river beach. There was sand and pebbles lying inside, but there was not a drop of water.

Seeing this river, Zhang Yunwen couldn't help frowning.

"In the past, when there was a great drought, His Majesty once ordered the arid prefecture and county to dig wells for water for irrigation, I wonder if there are wells dug nearby?" Zhang Yunwen remembered that during the previous drought, Li Shimin once ordered the drought-stricken prefecture and county to dig wells to get water for people and animals to drink and water the crops.

Zhang Yunwen asked this, Pei Xianling suddenly said with a bitter face: "Lord Zhang, you don't know, the imperial court's disaster relief funds have not come down, so the lower officials took out the money in the county government treasury and drilled more than ten wells in a row, but among these more than ten wells, most of the wells are salty water. The few remaining eyes were only for the people and animals in the vicinity, and there was no water to water the crops! ”

Zhang Yunwen listened, but said: "Since there are freshwater wells, then we must continue to dig more wells!" I don't believe it, the wells are full of salt water! ”

Pei Xianling still said with a bitter face: "But there is no money left in the government, if you dig a well again, I'm afraid the money is not enough!" ”

"Won't you mobilize the people to dig their own wells? Do you have to dig a well under the auspices of the government? It's just a well, what's there to host! Orders were given to the people to dig their own wells to fight the drought! Zhang Yunwen said.

"But, what if those people ask the government for wages?" Pei Xianling didn't know if he was pedantic and didn't know how to be flexible, or if he really loved the people like a son, so he asked Zhang Yunwen like this.

Zhang Yunwen glanced at this Pei County Order: "You can deal with this yourself!" If you can't even deal with this, I think you will be a county magistrate for the rest of your life! ”

Pei County ordered Nuo Nuo to retreat and instructed the officials beside him: "What are you still doing in a daze, why don't you post a notice quickly, saying that this official has granted permission to dig wells and get water from places where the drought is serious, so as to alleviate the drought!" ”

The official shook his hand and quickly retreated.

Zhang Yunwen walked slowly upstream along the small river, looking at the dry riverbed, Zhang Yunwen suddenly remembered something, and asked Pei County Order: "Pei County Order, let me ask you, this river is blocked upstream for water, isn't this Xujiawan going to the upstream Zhoujiazhuang and Yangjiacun theories?" ”

A hint of pride flashed on Pei Xianling's face: "Every spring, there will be a fight between Xujiawan and the two villages upstream over water. With such a severe drought this year, how can the lower officials not take precautions? Rest assured, the lower officials have sent officials to these three villages to strictly prevent brawls! ”

Zhang Yunwen nodded, and was about to agree with Pei County's move, but suddenly thought that if the three families negotiated, even if it was a barrage to get water, the location of the barrage should be in Xujiawan instead of upstream. There's definitely something wrong with that!

At that moment, Zhang Yunwen shouted: "Pei County Order, you are guilty!" ”

That Pei County Ling immediately clenched his fists and said: "I don't know what happened to the lower officials?" ”

Zhang Yunwen said: "Now the place where the barrage is located is clearly upstream. If the three villages reach an agreement to take water together, then the place where the barrage is must be in Xujiawan! Don't you understand such a simple thing? Xujiawan will definitely have a fight with those two villages! ”

"But, but the lower officials have sent officials to three villages!" Pei Xianling couldn't believe Zhang Yunwen's words, and said in surprise.

"Hmph, as long as someone takes the lead in coaxing this person, don't say anything about the officials, I'm afraid he won't even be able to control the soldiers! Besides, now is the busy season of farming, Yongning's government soldiers are now working in the fields, these trained government soldiers, the temper is very violent, in case of any death, Pei County order, the consequences will be serious! Zhang Yunwen snorted coldly and said.

Listening to Zhang Yunwen's words, Pei Xianling suddenly sweated profusely, and immediately said to the officials beside him: "You hurry up and go to the village elders, and ask them to restrain the young men and not go out to pick quarrels and provoke trouble!" ”

The official had just clenched his fists and was about to return to the village to explain to the village elders, when he saw a knight galloping on his horse, and while galloping, he also roared: "My lord, it's not good, it's not good! The people of Xujiawan and the people of Zhoujiazhuang have fought! ”

As soon as this news came, it was undoubtedly a slap in the face of Pei Xianling.

I saw that this gentle Pei Xianling's cheeks were flushed, and he said angrily: "Go, follow this official to see the situation!" Who is so bold as to know that this official is now in Xujiawan, and he still has to fight openly! ”

Just as the angry Pei Xianling was about to get on the horse, Zhang Yunwen asked the official who reported the news: "Where did the brawl take place?" Why? How many people attended? ”

The officer said, "It's happening at the barrage!" The people of Xujiawan wanted to demolish the dam, but of course the people of Zhoujiazhuang wanted to stop it. So the people of the two villages fought! Today, there are probably more than 100 people fighting! ”

After obtaining detailed information, Zhang Yunwen turned over and said to Pei County: "Pei County's order must know the location of the dam, I will go over now!" ”

Pei Xian ordered to arch his hand, the horsewhip lightly hit the horse's buttocks, carefully drove the horse out of the field, and after coming to the road, he struck the horse's buttocks violently, and the horse went upstream.

Zhang Yunwen and the others hurriedly followed.

After traveling nearly thirty miles to the north, I heard a faint sound of killing shouts.

After everyone stopped their horses and identified the direction, Zhang Yunwen raised his horsewhip: "Over there!" ”

Crossing a low hillside, I saw that under the hillside, more than 100 villagers were fighting in one place. Most of these villagers were armed with wooden sticks, and some of them were holding farm tools in their hands, and they were in a scuffle, but both sides were more restrained, and at most they would bleed and would not cause any deaths.

Less than a hundred feet away from the villagers, a barrage dam runs through the river. Due to the obstruction of the dam, this pool of water is gathering behind the dam at the moment. Upstream of the river, a thin river is slowly flowing into the pool.

The villagers below were already red-eyed, even if Zhang Yunwen and the others were standing on the hillside next to them, the scuffle below was still continuing.

Finally, that Pei County Ling couldn't help it, his face turned red, he was full of energy, and shouted loudly: "Stop!" ”