Chapter Seventy-Two: The Emperor Goes to Tianshui and Gradually Becomes Enlightened

Because there are too many worrying things, Emperor Chongzhen has always slept badly, the strange thing is that as long as he is on the train, the sleep is surprisingly good, it may be that the rumbling and monotonous sound of the train has a hypnotic effect, maybe he can feel a sense of security on this train. Here, you don't have to worry about who is not good for you, because here it is the kiln people who are responsible for their own safety. The trust in the kiln people has slowly made Emperor Chongzhen dependent on the kiln people.

Emperor Chongzhen himself didn't know that all this was exactly what Zhang Zhimu wanted.

Since leaving the capital and boarding the passenger ship of the Yaogang people in Beijing, Emperor Chongzhen has developed a habit of taking a shower every day when he wakes up. The feeling of hot water rushing down from your body is so wonderful. In fact, in the Forbidden City, this is not a big deal, but it is something that requires a lot of people to be busy, unlike here, whether it is on a boat, a hotel or a train, it is a simple matter, enter the bathroom, turn on the water switch.

Taking a shower in the morning was really refreshing, and Emperor Chongzhen didn't want to eat by himself, so he went to the dining car to dine with everyone. At this time, the train had stopped at Tianshui Station.

Seeing Emperor Chongzhen coming up for dinner, Zhang Zhimu came to the emperor's table with his own food, and asked, "Is the emperor sleeping well?" It's a long way to get to the construction site today! ”

"Good! Very good! Emperor Chongzhen said, "I have never slept very well, but on the train and ship, I sleep exceptionally well." ”

Everyone ate and chatted together in the dining car. Emperor Chongzhen saw through the window of the train that there were many soldiers on the platform in a circle. Outside the circle, there are people coming and going, and it is very lively. He asked, "What are those people out there doing?" ”

The prince hurriedly possessed him and said, "I will go down early this morning to watch." It's amazing! Your Majesty, two wagons stopped at Tianshui Station. This was the end of the railway, and the goods of the merchants were transported here by train, and they were soon to be transported around by horse-drawn carts, mules and horses. ”

"Two trains!" Emperor Chongzhen stopped the spoon in his hand, "How much cargo is that?" ”

"Huh! The emperor's goods can play their role only when they are flowing. Zhang Zhimu said, "Here are the materials used in the construction of our reservoir, and the things that merchants transported from Baotou, Shuhukou, Datong and Yaogang." There are goods going northwest to be transported here by train, and then transshipment is the most appropriate way. This is just the beginning, and the role of the railway can be slowly reflected. ”

"The Tongguan Bridge has just been officially opened to traffic, and the businessmen will know it?" Emperor Chongzhen asked in disbelief.

"Oops! Your Majesty! Wang Gonggong came over and said, "The newspaper broadcast in Yaogang has long been known to everyone in the world." Now I do business, after buying skins in Baotou, I don't care if I send them to the railway station, and the train will be transported here. There's not much here! Your Majesty, I saw Chen Cang (Baoji), there are more trains! ”

"Huh? Why is there more in Chencang (Baoji)? "Emperor Chongzhen didn't understand.

"That's right, the highway from Chencang (Baoji) to Hanzhong, we have completed the expansion, and now it can be used for carriages and cars. A lot of goods are transported to Chencang (Baoji) and then transshipped to Lingnan. Fruits and vegetables from Hanzhong and Sichuan can be sold at a good price when they are transported to Chencang (Baoji) and then transported to Shanxi by train. The Spring Festival is coming soon, and merchants are now the busiest. Zhang Zhimu explained.

"Yes! The railroad is fast and safe. The vegetables and fruits that are not worth silver in Lingnan are good things to be transported to Yaogang at this time. Emperor Chongzhen understood, "The benefits of the railway are too great!" Then your railroad can also make money! ”

"In the short term, the railway will still operate at a loss, but in the long run it will benefit. We don't just charge for shipping, we can collect taxes locally. Let the people everywhere communicate with each other and achieve common prosperity, which is also our benefit. Zhang Zhimu said, "Such infrastructure construction cannot consider the immediate benefits. For the time being, the goal is to be able to earn money to keep the railroad running. ”

Emperor Chongzhen nodded and said, "If you want to talk about doing business, Zhang Dongjia is the number one businessman in the world!" In the long run, this point cannot be compared with other businessmen! ”

Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen was happy, the prince interjected: "Your Majesty! Think about it, the other day we were still blowing the wind at the Baotou Iron and Steel Plant. Now that we have arrived at Tianshui so soon, there are thousands of miles here! ”

"There are more than 3,000 miles from Baotou to here along the railway, and the straight-line distance from Baotou to Tianshui is more than 1,500 miles." Zhang Zhimu said.

"Alas! I don't know when the railway will be repaired to Beijing? Emperor Chongzhen sighed and said.

"Huh! In the spring of next year, we will immediately begin to explore and design the railway from Zhangjiakou to Beijing. The emperor doesn't need to worry! Zhang Zhimu comforted.

"The people along the railway have all benefited!" The prince interjected.

"Humph! Dog stuff! You're a quick learner! I have also learned to think about the people! Emperor Chongzhen snorted and said.

Seeing that the emperor was not really angry, the prince smiled and said, "Can you not learn a little bit with the emperor and Zhang Dongjia every day?" ”

Emperor Chongzhen took a car and came to the construction site of the Tianshui first-class reservoir all the way, and they were stopped by the momentum of the reservoir dam as soon as they got out of the car. It turned out that the convoy drove all the way to the bottom of the reservoir. After more than two years of construction, the reservoir has begun to take shape.

This reservoir is a reservoir built using the river channel of the valley. In order to repair the reservoir, the river was blocked upstream, and the river was diverted to a different way. The reservoir dam is a cement dam, with a height of 55 meters from the bottom of the river, and it has to solve the drop of 50 meters of water level, and after leaving a step under the dam, dig 90 meters along the river channel, and solve the drop of 80 meters, that is, a total of 130 meters of the water level in the reservoir to the downstream.

Now that the excavation work has been basically completed, the pouring of the main body of the power plant is underway.

Looking around from here, there is gray-black cement all around, and the light inside is very dim, and you can't see the top of the dam when you look up, giving people a very depressing feeling.

Emperor Chongzhen couldn't imagine how such a large amount of earth and stone was dug out, and asked Zhang Zhimu: "How did you dig such a big pit?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Your Majesty, this is not a problem of pits, the problem is that the bottom should be dug flat along the river until it is level with the river below." ”

At this time, Lu Bingyi said: "Mr. Zhang, Mr. Tang is here!" Let Mr. Tang talk to the emperor about the specific matter! ”

As soon as Tang Jingyao saw the emperor, he immediately knelt down and saluted, and Emperor Chongzhen understood that there was no need to ask, this was also the original minister of the court, "Get up!" No need to be polite here! ”

After Tang Jingyao got up, Emperor Chongzhen asked, "How long has this project been underway?" ”

"Oops! It has been more than four years since the design began, and more than two years since the actual construction began. Tang Jingyao said, "I have only come here for more than a year!" ”

Liu Jiantai actually knew Tang Jingyao, but he deliberately pretended not to know him and asked, "How high is this dam?" ”

"From where we stand, to the top of that dam, it's one hundred and forty-five meters!" Tang Jingyao replied.

"We don't know how much your rice is, can you calculate how many zhang it is?" Liu Jiantai asked deliberately difficult. In fact, Liu Jiantai was very unbalanced in his heart, these sentenced people showed their faces like this, he felt uncomfortable, and he wanted to show the prestige of his court ministers.

Tang Jingyao didn't pay attention to him at all, as if he hadn't heard him say at all, and pointed to the dam and said to the emperor: "Your Majesty, you see that the dam above was built on the original river channel above, and it is fifty-five meters high!" The bottom one was dug down that step. What we're building right in front of us is a generator room. This generator room was built right next to that staircase. The outside of the generator room and the stand are sealed with cement in the stairs from now on. When water is released from the reservoir above, the water flows over the generator room. ”

Liu Jiantai, who was left aside, was so ashamed that he wanted to smoke himself, but he was talking to the emperor, and he couldn't help it. In fact, Emperor Chongzhen also understood what was going on here, and Emperor Chongzhen said in his heart, you have nothing to do to find trouble, and you will bring humiliation on yourself.

Emperor Chongzhen asked, "Then how do your generators use the water above to generate electricity?" ”

"That's right, Your Majesty! The water in the dam above us is diverted from the top to the engine room by a diversion channel, and the high-pressure water flow is used to impact the turbine and drive the generator to generate electricity. ”

Tang Jingyao replied.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at the reservoir construction site and said, "The scale of the Hutuo River reservoir is much larger than here. It's only taken more than three years, and I see that your reservoir is much smaller than there, and no matter how you look at it, it won't be finished in another year. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Tang Jingyao, "you see that under our feet is the downstream river of the future, and we have dug out nearly ten miles downstream from here, and the amount of earth and stone is very huge. And for safety, we have to drill holes on both sides of each next section, feed steel wires into the holes, and then pour cement into them, just like the soles of shoes to hold the mountain in place. At the same time, it is covered with cement. Otherwise, the mountains at a height of several tens of meters are prone to landslides and collapses. That's a lot of work. Later, we used conveyor belts to transport earth and stone, and used a lot of construction machinery, and the progress of the project was only like this, otherwise the project would have been much later. ”

Lu Bingyi interjected: "The difficulty of this project is not here. The locks over there are the hard spots. ”

"Yes! With a drop of more than 100 meters, it is not easy to send the ship down with a lock. Emperor Chongzhen also said.

"Let's go and see the lock site!" Zhang Zhimu said.

Tang Jingyao led the way in front of him, came to the elevator next to him, and said, "Let's take the elevator up!" Otherwise, it will be a long way. ”

Emperor Chongzhen was a little hesitant in front of the very simple elevator, Zhang Zhimu knew that the emperor was not at ease when he saw it, and he was the first to walk into the elevator, Tang Jingyao followed, Emperor Chongzhen also followed, and Wang Gonggong and Li Gonggong also followed. The people in the back are going to sit down next time.

A steel mesh door in front of the elevator "banged" shut, and the elevator started to send them to one platform, and another elevator sent them to another, and it took four elevators to get them to the top of the dam.

After getting out of the elevator, Emperor Chongzhen said with palpitations: "Do you go up and down like this every day?" ”

Tang Jingyao Yile said: "Hehe! Your Majesty, we don't go up and down like this when we're fine. ”

Looking down from the top of the dam is so high that people are a little dizzy, and no one wants to look down for a long time.

Lu Bingyi said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, you see that we have set up several layers of steel wire mesh under here, which are to prevent falling objects such as gravel. A pebble can kill people from below here. That's why we all wear this hard hat underneath. ”

"Hmmm! It's just too dangerous. Emperor Chongzhen said with a chill in his heart.

From the dam to the lock construction site, Tang Jingyao introduced to Emperor Chongzhen: "The emperor is the most complex lock we have built, after several demonstrations and modifications to the design, finally decided to build a five-level lock." ”

"It's a 130-meter drop, solved by a five-level lock. That is, each lock solves a 26-meter drop. Emperor Chongzhen said while calculating.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Tang Jingyao replied.

"I've heard that you need to build a total of six reservoirs at the top of the mountain, so you need thirty locks to get to the top of the mountain?" Emperor Chongzhen was a little shocked.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Oh my God, if you have to pass through the lock over there after crossing the Qinling Mountains, will the cost of crossing the lock be very high?" Emperor Chongzhen asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Tang Jingyao replied, "However, the freight of goods is still much cheaper and faster than that of transporting goods through the Qinling Mountains by road." It also reduces the process of loading and unloading on both sides of the Qinling Mountains. It's still much cheaper overall! In the future, if this project is completed, the ship from Xi'an will be able to sail to the sea. Needless to say, the problem of more sand and less water in Weishui has been solved, and the water level there will be easily exchanged between the north and south of the Qinling Mountains, and the benefits to the economic development of both sides cannot be predicted. And then there's the power generation of the six cascade reservoirs, which is a lot of money. ”

"Yo! Tang Aiqing! The insight is really extraordinary! Emperor Chongzhen also had to look at Tang Jingyao differently.

Emperor Chongzhen stood on the dam, overlooking the mountains of the Qinling Mountains, his mood was a little uncalm, and he asked Zhang Zhimu, who had not spoken, and said: "You have built a reservoir for so long, when can you pass through the Qinling Mountains?" ”

Lu Bingyi replied for Zhang Zhimu next to him: "Your Majesty, we, the people who have been vacated by the first-class reservoir, are about to go to the construction site of the second- and third-level reservoirs above. The above reservoir design is also finished. Our next reservoir will be built at the same time as a secondary and tertiary reservoir. In the third phase, four, five and six were built together. The more we work, the more experienced we are, and the technicians and workers have been trained. The captives, we fed them well, they were all obedient, and their work efficiency improved. ”

"Hey! I want to build such a project with you! It's exciting to listen to! Emperor Chongzhen was a little excited, "When you cut the ribbon, I will definitely come over!" After speaking, he asked Zhang Zhimu: "How is Zhang Dong's family?" ”

"When the time comes, I will definitely accompany the emperor over!" Zhang Zhimu hurriedly said.

On this majestic dam, Emperor Chongzhen felt that he couldn't see enough and was reluctant to leave. Originally, Emperor Chongzhen also wanted to go to the construction site of the secondary reservoir above. Zhang Zhimu persuaded them together, and it was only when they persuaded him that they could be regarded as persuading him. Because the roads above are all temporary roads that have been built, I am afraid that if Emperor Chongzhen makes a mistake on it, it will be hated for eternity.

Zhang Zhimuxin said: If this really happens. I can't escape the charge of murdering the emperor. This crown prince who followed will also put the blame on me.

When he walked down, Emperor Chongzhen sighed: "Zhang Dongjia, this reservoir is also piled out of silver!" Needless to say, the fact that so many people eat is a remarkable number. ”

"Yes! The emperor is also a symbol of the country's strength. Zhang Zhimu said, "The silver is in the treasury and piled up here, I would rather pile it here!" Your Majesty, in fact, you have seen that this Tianshui is also extraordinarily prosperous because of this project. The people have benefited from this project! ”

"I can see it!" Emperor Chongzhen said, "In the future, when there are ships on both sides here, it will be even more difficult here." The railway, the wharf with ships on both sides, and the wharf of the Wei River all lead here. It will definitely restore the prosperity of the Han and Tang dynasties in the future! ”

"And yes!" Lu Bingyi said, "Our railway from Tianshui to Lanzhou will also start construction next year." At that time, it can go straight to Jiayuguan. ”

"Hmmm! I am waiting for this day," Emperor Chongzhen said, sweating all over, "next year the railway from Zhangjiakou to Beijing will also start designing, and when that section of the railway is opened, I will take a train from Beijing to Jiayuguan." ”

"What the emperor said is not entirely right!" Zhang Zhimu corrected, "General Ningde, they have already repaired the roadbed to Hami and Lop Nur. In the future, the emperor can take the train to Hami to eat cantaloupe, or he can go to Lop Nur to eat the fish there. ”

"That's right!" Emperor Chongzhen said, "We all have to take care of our health, and there will be many good things in the future!" ”

Getting on the bus back to the station, Zhang Zhimu suggested: "Your Majesty, how about staying in Tianshui for a day tonight?" ”

"Okay!" Emperor Chongzhen said, "It's inconvenient to live in Tianshui, we can live on the train." ”

"Don't worry, Your Majesty!" Zhang Zhimu said, "To build such a big project here, we must first build a hotel here." Although the hotel here is not as good as the kiln, there is heating and hot water. It was reasonable to stay for one day. ”

"Good! You say you can live, then it's fine. "Emperor Chongzhen now trusts Zhang Zhimu very much. Emperor Chongzhen felt that this was something he had never met before, a person who could open his heart and say nothing.

In the afternoon, Emperor Chongzhen visited Tianshui. Visited the hometown of Emperor Xi and the Elephant Mountain Grottoes. Although he was very tired, Emperor Chongzhen was in a good mood.

Emperor Chongzhen, who was tired for a day, took a bath in Tianshui Hotel, and then enjoyed a meal of Qinling's mountain delicacies in the evening, and also drank it happily.

During the banquet, Emperor Chongzhen's words made Liu Jiantai and them a little scared, "Zhang Dongjia, you are really practical people, no wonder the people like you." The Ming Dynasty has you, which is a blessing for the people of the world! ”

Emperor Chongzhen said this sentence with the strength of wine, but Zhang Zhimu knew that Emperor Chongzhen would not talk about wine for no reason. It is certain that Emperor Chongzhen said this on purpose.

But in this case, Zhang Zhimu could only say politely: "Thank you for the emperor's encouragement!" We'll do our best! ”

When sending the emperor back to the room, Zhang Zhimu said: "Your Majesty, don't praise us in front of outsiders in the future." ”

"Huh! Does Zhang Dongjia think I drank too much? Emperor Chongzhen leaned back on the sofa and said, "I told them with the strength of wine." After speaking, he straightened up and said, "I told them that there can't be no one in the capital, let them go back a few." But they cried one by one, wiped their tears, and said that they wanted to accompany them, and no one wanted to go back. They can also see that this place is better than the capital! I have thought about it, they are useless to follow me. See if they are useful in your kilns? If you want it, they want to stay. They can stay in the kiln and use their strengths. ”

After listening to Emperor Chongzhen's words, Zhang Zhimu knew in his heart that Emperor Chongzhen's heart had changed a lot during his time in Yaogang. However, Zhang Zhimu understands the truth that comes naturally, and he can't be in a hurry, "Your Majesty, no matter what, they are all ministers of the court." There is a rule for everything. I don't dare mess around. ”

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New progress in "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty": the Battle of Yashan, the defeat of the Yuan army, the counterattack of the Song army, and the landing in Fuzhou.