Gansu, Qinghai and Ningxia provinces are located inland, and are famous for their land transportation in the historical period, and the golden area of the Silk Road is in this area, so land transportation has attracted much attention from the academic community. Water traffic is relatively quiet. The surface water in Gansu, Ningxia and Qinghai areas is divided into endorheic rivers and outflow rivers. The inland rivers are concentrated in the Hexi Corridor of Gansu Province, including Shiyang River, Heihe River, Shule River and so on. These rivers all originate in the Qilian Mountains, which belong to the melting water of ice and snow, and the water transportation industry has obvious seasonality. The outflow rivers belong to the Yellow River water system and the Yangtze River water system, and the main stream of the Yellow River and its tributaries Datong River, Huangshui, Tao River, Daxia River, Jing River, Wei River, etc. The main stream of the Yangtze River and its tributaries include the Minjiang River, the Bailong River, the Baishui River, and the West Han River. Due to the high terrain, the rivers flow through the mountains and valleys, the drop is large, the water flow is turbulent, the dangerous shoals are clustered, and it is difficult for ordinary wooden boats to navigate. As a result, the development of the water transport industry in the region was very limited in the historical period. Judging from the current situation, whether it is the Yellow River or the Yangtze River system, there is no long-distance shipping in Gansu, Ningbo, and Qingdao, and only short-distance shipping in a few areas. For example, in the seventies of the twentieth century, in Gansu Province, "only the Longzhong section of the main stream of the Yellow River, the original raft communicated Qinghai and Ningxia provinces, but the raft could only go downstream, not against the current." Since the construction of the railway and the completion of the major reservoirs in the Yellow River Gorge, raft transportation has become a historical relic. At present, the Yellow River is 42 kilometers between Lanzhou and Shichuan (Gaolan) in Longzhong, and ships can pass through. In the Liujiaxia Reservoir area, there are 40 kilometers from Linxia to Yongjing County. The Yellow River also runs from Maqu to Tserima, Gannan (up to Qihama during flood seasons) by motorized fishing boats. The Bailongjiang River is between Bikou and Zhaohua, Sichuan, and has always been connected by wooden boats." (1) From the perspective of water transportation, this paper intends to briefly discuss the waterways, water shipping vehicles, water transport goods, and social and economic issues of water transport and Northwest China from the perspective of water transportation, in order to attract the attention of the academic circles to this issue. Long-distance waterways of the main and tributaries of the upper reaches of the Yellow River According to the literature, the waterways of the Yellow River system in the historical period can be divided into two parts, the first part is from the tributaries of the Yellow River in Qinghai, southern Gansu and other places to Baotou in Inner Mongolia through Lanzhou and Yinchuan. This section of the waterway is bounded by today's Lingwu in Ningxia and can be divided into two sections. There are many canyons in the upper section, the drop is large, there are many dangerous shoals, and it is difficult to navigate. The lower section of the water flow is gentle and easy to navigate. Due to the limitation of the geographical conditions of the waterway and the differences in the goods that need to be transported in different places, the development and utilization of the waterway in the upper reaches of the Yellow River is basically carried out in sections, and individual sections have been developed since BC. However, the main stream of the Yellow River from Qinghai to Baotou in Inner Mongolia was fully connected in the Northern Song Dynasty.

"Yu Gong" recorded: "Floating in the stones, as for the Longmen and the West River, it will be in Weiyou." "Jishi is Jishi Mountain, in the southwest of Xining City, Qinghai Province. The Yellow River flows from the northwest around its southeast end and then turns to the northwest and then bends northeast to Lanzhou. The ancients did not know the source of the river, therefore, since the "Historical Records, River Canal Book" and "Hanshu Geographical Chronicles", all geographical records describe the waterways of the Yellow River starting from Jishi Mountain. Longmen is the Longmen Mountain in the northeast of Hancheng City, Shaanxi Province. Some scholars believe that this is about the Yellow River waterway where tributes were transported in the Xia Dynasty, and "Hui Yu Weiyou" refers to the boat crossing the Longmen Gate and traveling south to the Weishui Renhe River (in present-day Tongguan Port, Shaanxi). According to this understanding, about 3,000 years ago, more than 2,000 kilometers in the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River could be navigated by boat. (2) There is an exact record of water transportation, which is related to the release of timber. During the historical period, the forest resources in the northwest region were abundant, and the "Hanshu Geographical Chronicle" recorded: "Tianshui and Longxi mountains are full of forests, and the people take the board as the room house. "Because the release of timber has relatively low requirements for rivers and is easy to transport, most of the early long-distance water transportation in Gansu, Ningbo and Qingdao areas is related to timber release. The earliest shipping activities of the Yellow River system were carried out by Zhao Chongguo in Tuntian in the northwest during the Western Han Dynasty. When Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, Zhao Chongguo was in the southern foot of Qilian Mountain in Haokanshui (now Datong River) and Huangshui Basin Tuntian, and once went to the "Tuntian Shu" cloud: "The ministers entered the mountain, and there were more than 60,000 pieces of timber and timber, all of which were in the water." He also said: "With the timber cut in leisure, the post box is governed, and the golden city is filled." (3) "Shuici" and "Jincheng" indicate that the forests of the Qilian Mountains entered the Yellow River through the Huangshui River and reached the area of present-day Lanzhou. The section from the Huangshui Basin to Lanzhou is the earliest developed waterway in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Zhao Chongguo's timber release operation was the earliest long-distance water transport event in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and was a direct consequence of the Central Plains Dynasty's passage through the northwest. In the season of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Dong Zhuo held Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty hostage and wanted to move the capital to Chang'an, preparing to "lead Liangzhou timber to the east to make the palace." (4) The Liangzhou here should refer to the area under the management of the Liangzhou Thorn History Department, and the channel to be used should be the main and tributary channels of the Yellow River. Dong Zhuo was a native of Lintao (now Minxian County, Gansu) in Longxi, and was engaged in the achievements of Liangzhou Thorn History, and later served as the captain of Wuji in the Western Regions, and was familiar with the geography of Hehuang. Although this matter was unsuccessful, it hinted that there was a possibility of long-distance water transport from the upper reaches of the Yellow River to the Chang'an region. During the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the waterway in the lower section of Lingzhou has been fully opened, and the grain transported is mainly military food, and the scale is large. History of the dagger. Diao Yong's biography: Fengzhao Gaoping, Anding, Tongwan and the ministers guarded the four towns, out of the car 5,000 times, and transported 500,000 Hu to Woye Town to supply military rations. Chenzhen goes to the fertile field for 800 miles, the road is deep sand, light cars come and go, still think it is difficult, set up an order to carry the valley, but 20 stones. Every time you wade through deep sand, you will stagnate and stagnation. The valley is in the west of the river, turn to the fertile field, cross the big river, count 5,000 cars, transport 100,000 Hu, and return in more than 100 days, and waste the people's cultivation industry. The car and cattle are difficult and difficult, and it is difficult to reach all of them, and one year old is only two transports, and 500,000 Hu is after three years...... Today, we seek to lead the mountains and rivers to the times, build 200 ships, two ships for one boat, one boat Shenggu 2,000 Hu, one boat for ten people, and a thousand people. The soldiers in the town are all accustomed to water. One shipment of 200,000 Hu. The ark went down the river, and came in five days, and was led up from the fertile field, and returned in ten days, and returned in sixty days. From March to September three returns, 600,000 Hu transported, counting manpower, more than ten times lighter than car transportation, no oxen effort, and no waste of land. The military town where Diao Yong was stationed was Bogulu Town (near present-day Lingwu, Ningxia), and the destination was Woye Town (present-day Wujiahebei in the northeast of Wuyuan, Inner Mongolia), and the two places were 800 miles apart. Compared with the long-distance transportation by land, water transportation is labor-saving and efficient, so Emperor Xiaowen issued an edict to "always think of it".

Everywhere you go, you will find areas rich in minerals, especially coal mines and iron mines. There are also abundant furs, salt and other products, prosperous trade, and a great volume of freight. Even in peacetime, the Grand Canal can relieve the pressure of land transportation and prosper commerce. What's more, the roads in the west are now impassable, the sea routes are not smooth, and there are many dangers. If the canal can be repaired, the value is immeasurable!

Ye Sheng smiled calmly: "In the past, relying on the power of the imperial court alone, it was a chore to recruit people and build water conservancy, which took a lot of money. But now it is different, the Western Xia is in trouble, and the merchants are the most severely affected group of people, and their expectations for safe transportation are stronger than ever. At this time, as long as you know the benefits and take the checkpoint tax after the canal is built as a guarantee, you can borrow silver and grain from merchants, and rely on money and food to drive tens of thousands of homeless refugees to build the canal. ”

Fan Zhongyan had nothing to say, but Sima Guang said slowly: "Do you borrow money, just put it in the dark, everyone does this, and no one dares to expose it." The old man was worried that other states and counties would be hindered along the way. ”

When Fan Zhongyan heard this, he immediately disagreed, and said with a smile: "Brother Junshi, you are also confused, the canal mainly passes through Mengjin and the border pass, Mengjin is no problem, who can refuse the transportation of military grain at the border pass?" ”

But no, don't forget, you are preparing to fight a war with Western Xia, and the front-line materials are transported by someone to use thirty percent of the people's food, how can there be water transportation, so no matter who is in power in the court, 10,000 are willing.

Sima Guang, thinking for a moment, all the seemingly difficult problems were not a problem, and his face couldn't help but show a look of horror. Also shocked was the Bao County Order.

These two are so smart, Ye Sheng's plan has taken into account all aspects. First of all, the imperial court can have a canal without spending a penny, and fools will agree, secondly, the local canal can be built to solve the refugee problem, which is also a great political achievement, and thirdly, although the merchants pay money, they are also the main beneficiaries of the canal, and they can also have a tax guarantee, not only do not suffer losses, but also make a lot of money, as for the refugees, if they have a job to do, they will have a job, and they will be happy.

After all the calculations, the big aspects have been taken care of, and even if there are some small impacts, they can be easily settled.

Ye Sheng saw them change their faces and colors, and looked at himself from time to time, his eyes were full of strangeness, which frightened him for a while.

"Master, Mr. Jing Chuan, is there any loophole?"

"No, you're much better than us!" Sima Guang laughed self-deprecatingly: "Master Fan, what do you think?" ”

Fan Zhongyan also nodded in admiration: "Seamless, it's perfect!" The talent of the virtuous nephew is immeasurable! ”

Hey, it was pulled directly to the level of Zhuge Liang, and Ye Sheng was a little embarrassed.

Fan Zhongyan was aware of everything and said with a smile: "You kid don't need to be modest, such a good thing for the benefit of the country and the people, we all listen to your drive, say, what to do?" ”

Such a big thing, one person will definitely not be able to do it, Ye Sheng pondered for a while, and said with a smile: "If things are slow, they will be round, the refugees are weak and need a period of recovery." Surveying the old canal course, planning the construction plan, and determining the operation strategy of the canal must be clarified, and the slightest mistake will fall short. Give me ten days to come up with a complete plan. In addition, I also asked Lord Bao to write to Tokyo and even the imperial court to seek support. Fan Xianggong, the teacher contacted the local powerful gentry, knew the righteousness, and relied on them for money and food. ”

When the three of them heard this, they nodded together, Ye Sheng was indeed much more mature than them.

After discussing it, they went to their respective jobs.

Ye Sheng also participated in disaster relief and renovation of dilapidated houses when he was young in his previous life, although he may not be right, but he also has a lot of ideas. Over the next 10 days, he called in the refugee representatives and gave them a rough idea, and the refugees had nothing to say, as long as they could eat, and it didn't matter how much effort they could make.

"Don't worry, big guy, I Ye Sheng don't dare to say that I am fair and selfless, but I will also take care of the big guy, as long as the canal can be built, I guarantee that your life will be better."

After a few days, the refugees already had unconditional trust in Ye Sheng. Especially the plan that Ye Sheng came up with sounded reliable, not nonsense, they were all looking forward to it.

After communicating well with the refugees, Ye Sheng found Li Xiancheng again and asked him to send some errand soldiers to follow him to inspect the old route of the Grand Canal and write a plan.

For ten days in a row, Ye Sheng slept for only one or two hours every night, which made Miss Shen feel distressed to death, and she personally accompanied Ye Sheng to run. In the past few days, Miss Shen has learned a lot of skills from her son, and her ability to do things has greatly improved.

Seeing the arrival of the ten-day period, an even greater piece of good news came.