In the imperial study room of the Chengguang Palace, He Xiang and Liu Taishi were reporting to Emperor Wu of Zhou on the situation of rice in various places.

Now that summer has arrived, the rain in many places is still relatively sufficient, and the growth of rice is still very good. However, in some places, there is not much rain, which makes the rice not grow very well. There are also places where the rain is too abundant, such as Jiangnan.

After the beginning of spring, the rain in Jiangnan does not stop. Before Qingming, the rain finally stopped. As a result, after the Qingming Festival, the rain began to fall again, and the rice fields under it turned into pools.

Where there is a lack of rain, they try their best to get water to irrigate the rice fields, while the people in the south of the Yangtze River try their best to drain the water from the rice fields.

"According to Liang Taishou's report, the water level of the Yangzhou River has risen by another inch this month." "The water level of rivers elsewhere in the south of the Yangtze River has also been rising. ”

Taishi Liu continued He Xiang's words: "Since the Duanyang Festival, it has been raining in Jiangnan. He added, "In the summer, it often rains heavily in the south of the Yangtze River, which is the reason for the rise of the river level. ”

He Xiang continued: "Fortunately, I listened to Liang Taishou's words and strengthened the embankments of the rivers in the south of the Yangtze River, otherwise I am afraid that there will be floods in the south of the Yangtze River now." ”

"Liang Taishou also ordered people to dig a reservoir to store rainwater, which also helped a lot." The reservoir in Taishi Liu's mouth was heard from Liang Taishou, and Liang Taishou heard about it from Zhao Yao. Previously, Zhao Yao wrote to Liang Taishou and suggested that he dig a reservoir. When it rains a lot, the reservoir can store rainwater. In times of drought, water from the reservoir can irrigate rice fields.

There is a lot more rain in Gangnam than in other places, but sometimes there is a drought in Gangnam. During the previous dynasties, there were frequent droughts in the south of the Yangtze River.

"Liang Taishou said a lot of benefits of building reservoirs in the recital, and Chen felt that reservoirs could be dug all over the country, especially in the north where there is not much rain, so that when the rain is not enough, the water from the reservoir can be released to irrigate the farmland." Mrs. Liu said, "Just in case." ”

He Xiang echoed: "The minister is also in favor of building a reservoir. ”

"If you don't say it, I will also order the construction of a reservoir." Emperor Wu of Zhou naturally also watched Liang Taishou's performance and knew the benefits of building a reservoir. "This is a good thing for the benefit of the country and the people."

"Liang Taishou called on the people of Yangzhou to build a reservoir, and the largest reservoir in Yangzhou has been dug up." "The new reservoir dug up stores a lot of rainwater, which relieves a lot of burden on Yangzhou's rivers. He also plans to dig a larger reservoir to store more rainwater. ”

Liu Taishi said: "When building the embankment of the river, Liang Taishou also sent people to dredge the river, clean up a lot of silt, and make the river smoother. ”

He Xiang smiled: "I didn't expect Liang Taishou to know how to repair the river, it's really amazing." ”

Emperor Wu of Zhou smiled proudly: "He is worthy of being my father-in-law." ”

Listening to Emperor Wu Zhou's brazen words, He Xiang and Taishi Liu looked at him with contempt.

"Jiangnan is also the most important place for Cao Yun, and if the river is not smooth, it will also affect Cao Yun." Emperor Wu of Zhou put away the indecent expression on his face, and his expression became serious, "I have already ordered Liang Taishou to continue to repair the rivers in Yangzhou, and also asked Gusu Taishou to dredge the rivers. ”

When it comes to rivers, He Xiang and Liu Taishi think of the Yellow River, which often has accidents.

In recent years, due to the drought of the Yellow River, there have been no floods in the Yellow River. If there is a sudden increase in rain in the Yellow River in the future, the Yellow River will be prone to flooding.

"Your Majesty, while there is no accident in the Yellow River now, quickly send someone to repair the dredged Yellow River, otherwise ...... "Once the Yellow River floods, the people in many places will suffer."

"That's what I mean." In recent years, although the embankments of the Yellow River have been heightened and reinforced, this is a way to treat the symptoms rather than the root cause. If you want to make the Yellow River more honest, you still have to repair it. "By the way, what do you think of Liang Taishou's proposal to build a canal?"

Some time ago, Liang Taishou proposed to build a canal from Jiangnan to Beijing. Of course, this is also what Zhao Yao told him.

Liu Taishi and He Xiang glanced at each other, and then said: "Your Majesty, it is a good thing that Liang Taishou proposed to build a canal, but this will be a huge project, which will cost a lot of manpower and financial resources. ”

Liu Taishi continued He Xiang's words: "Building a canal from Jiangnan to the capital is a matter that benefits the country and the people, but as He Xiang said, it will cost too much manpower and financial resources. Judging from the current situation of the Great Zhou, it is simply impossible to afford the cost of building the canal. ”

"The most important thing is to build a canal, which requires a large number of people, but I am afraid that the number of people will be tens of thousands, which is not a good thing for the people." He Xiang said, "The people will complain." ”

"Now the people are finally living a good life in peace for a few years, and if the canal is built, the people have to be conscripted, and the people will not want to." Taishi Liu said with a serious expression, "Now the population of the Great Zhou has not completely recovered the number of the heyday of the previous dynasty, and the minister suggests waiting for a few more years, and when the population and financial resources have risen, it is not too late to build the canal." ”

He Xiang nodded and said: "The construction of the canal must be repaired, and after it is repaired, it will not only benefit the people along the way from Jiangnan to the capital, but also benefit future generations." "The construction of the canal is a good thing for the benefit of all people, and it must be built." But with the current situation of the Great Zhou, it is impossible to build it, and it will have to wait a few more years, or ten years. ”

"It's better to build a canal sooner rather than later." Emperor Wu of Zhou's eyebrows furrowed, "But, just like you said, at present, Great Zhou does not have the ability to build a canal. "In fact, judging from the current situation of Da Zhou, it is capable of building a canal, but once the construction of the canal begins, then the situation that has been recuperating in recent years will be destroyed. Moreover, once the canal is built, the treasury, which has managed to improve a little, will become poor and empty.

"It's still too poor at the end of the day."

"Your Majesty, this is also something that can't be helped, after all, the Great Zhou has only been established for a long time." He Xiang comforted Emperor Wu of Zhou, "At present, the development of the Great Zhou is still good. ”

"Now that the Great Zhou is in a thriving state as a whole, in a few years, the treasury will be filled, and it will not be too late to build a canal at that time."

"The construction of the canal can only be put on hold for the time being, but in the years that it has been put on hold, we have to make all preparations for the construction of the canal." The index finger of Emperor Wu of Zhou's right hand tapped lightly on the imperial table, "Recruiting the people to build canals can exempt them from taxes and servitude, and you can also reward them with something." ”

"That's what the emperor said."

"In this regard, the two of you will draw up a charter." Although the construction of the canal has not yet begun, everything must be prepared in advance, so that the people will not be so resistant or repulsed to the construction of the canal. "Also, you two calculate the human and financial resources needed to build the canal."

He Xiang and Liu Taishi said in unison: "Yes, Your Majesty." ”

"I will ask the officials on the way from Jiangnan to the capital to inspect the terrain." Emperor Wu of Zhou thought for a while, and said, "There are still materials needed to build the canal, and you must also count them in advance......

The construction of the canal is not a trivial matter, but the biggest thing since the establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and it can even be said to be the biggest thing in the past few hundred years, after all, no canal has been built in the previous dynasties.

After talking about the construction of the canal, He Xiang talked about Zheng Xilin's three sons.

Zheng Xilin's three sons have been in the capital for a while, and after He Xiang's investigation, He Xiang already knows how to arrange them.

"Your Majesty, Lao Zheng's eldest son does have a bit of Lao Zheng's true biography, and his temperament is mature and steady, and the minister wants him to be the prime minister."

"Prime Minister's Affair?" Emperor Wu of Zhou raised his eyebrows in some surprise, "You value Lao Zheng's eldest son so much?" "The Prime Minister is the Prime Minister's subordinate officer. Although there are only five official positions, not everyone can do the prime minister's recruitment.

"Lao Zheng's eldest son still has some ability, and if he cultivates it well, it will come in handy in the future." During this period of contact, He was very satisfied with Zheng Rang.

"Don't you have a levy?"

"There isn't one more."

Taishi Liu said on the side: "Your Majesty, He Xiang intends to cultivate Lao Zheng's eldest son, and wants Lao Zheng's eldest son to take over his class in the future." ”

When Emperor Wu of Zhou heard this, he showed a look of surprise on his face: "Oh, what Xiang, are you cultivating Lao Zheng's eldest son as a successor?" ”

"That's what I'm going to do at the moment, but whether he's up to the job or not has to continue to investigate." He Xiang stroked his beard and said with a smile, "This kid has good qualifications, but he has to hone it well." ”

"I didn't expect you to have such a high opinion of Lao Zheng's eldest son."

"This kid is a good kid." He Xiang likes it very much and admires Zheng Rang very much.

"His second son and youngest son, what are you going to arrange?" Emperor Wu of Zhou asked.

"The second son is infatuated with the Mo family, and it is most suitable to arrange for him to enter Shang Fangling to be a craftsman." He Xiang said, "He himself is willing to enter Shang Fangling to be a craftsman." ”

Emperor Wu of Zhou said with a shocked face: "The craftsman has no official position, and his salary is not high, is he really willing?" ”

"Yes, very willingly." He was also frightened by Zheng Cheng's words from time to time, "He said that he didn't want to be an official, he just wanted to be a craftsman and do what he liked." He also said that the craftsmen in Shang Fang Lingli were the best craftsmen in the Great Zhou, and he could learn a lot with them. ”

"I just want to do what I like to do, which is a bit similar to Lao Zheng." Emperor Wu of Zhou complained sharply, "Sure enough, Lao Zheng and his son are weirdos. ”

Regarding Emperor Wu Zhou's words, He Xiang and Taishi Liu agreed.

Emperor Wu of Zhou asked, "What about his youngest son?" ”

At the mention of Zheng Qian, He Xiang's expression became complicated in an instant.

He sighed faintly and said, "Lao Zheng's youngest son is really as rebellious as he said. ”

Looking at He Xiang's headache, Emperor Wu of Zhou asked with interest, "What did Lao Zheng's youngest son do?" ”

"This kid originally planned to kick the door of one academy and one academy to see if the scholars in the capital were smart." He Xiang was stunned when he heard Zheng tell them what Zheng Qian was doing in his hometown a few days ago. "He also wants to go to the Taixue Kick Gym. If there was no one smarter than him in Taixue, he would never go to Taixue to study. ”

"Is Lao Zheng's youngest son so rampant?" Emperor Wu of Zhou smiled playfully, "This is not like Lao Zheng." ”

Zheng Xilin is a very humble person, never relying on his cleverness to underestimate others, nor relying on his own deep use and no one in his eyes. He was very polite and friendly to the ministers of the court, which is why the ministers of the court liked and respected him.

"His youngest son is not only rampant, but he is also self-respecting, and he looks down on people who are stupider than him." As an elder, He Xiang naturally would not worry about a child. "This kid is not only extremely intelligent, but he is also good at divination. It is said that he has no last resort. ”

"Divination?" Emperor Wu of Zhou said with a look of surprise on his face, "Lao Zheng doesn't seem to be good at divination. ”

"Lao Zheng's youngest son is self-taught."

"Self-taught?" Emperor Wu of Zhou was surprised, "That's really powerful." ”

"This kid is really smart and proficient in many things, it is said that he learned it by reading books by himself, and Lao Zheng didn't teach him anything specifically." He Xiang sighed, "This kid is a genius!" ”

Hearing He Xiang praise Zheng Xilin's youngest son like this, Emperor Wu of Zhou was a little curious about Zheng Qian.

"Then how are you going to arrange Lao Zheng's genius son?"

"He doesn't need a minister's arrangement." He Xiangyan said, "He said that he came to the capital to look for the lord." ”

"Looking for the lord?" Emperor Wu of Zhou asked with a look of surprise on his face, "Who is his lord?" ”

"I don't know. Before he came to the capital, he calculated a hexagram for himself, and learned that the lord he wanted to serve was in the capital, so he came to the capital with his two brothers. He Xiang continued, "At present, he plans to take the Taixue exam, and then challenge the students of Taixue." ”

"He's going to go to the Taixue Kicking Gym?"

"That's right, otherwise he will challenge all the academies in the capital." He Xiang said funny, "When this kid is in his hometown, he often goes to the academy to kick the hall......"

He Xiang told Emperor Wu of Zhou what Zheng had asked them to tell him.

After hearing this, Emperor Wu of Zhou showed a shocked look on his face.

"I didn't expect Lao Zheng's youngest son to be so arrogant."

Taishi Liu frowned, and said with a somewhat unsightly face: "Lao Zheng's youngest son is a troublemaker, if he doesn't look good at him, I'm afraid that he will disturb the peace of the capital." ”

Emperor Wu of Zhou raised his eyebrows on the right side and said, "Lao Zheng did it on purpose, deliberately sending his unconscious little son to the capital to harm us." ”

He Xiang agreed with Emperor Wu of Zhou's statement: "The minister guessed that Lao Zheng couldn't control his youngest son, so he let his youngest son harm the capital." ”

Emperor Wu of Zhou snorted coldly: "Lao Zheng is still as cunning as always, but he is not afraid that something will happen to his youngest son?" ”

"Lao Zheng estimates that he wishes that something happened to his youngest son, so that his youngest son will become honest." He Xiang said, with a look of regret on his face, "The minister feels that the minister was cheated by Lao Zheng, and Lao Zheng deliberately threw his hot potato little son to the minister." Although Zheng Xilin told He Xiang to let him leave his three sons alone, how could He Xiang, who was a good friend, really ignore his three sons.

Taishi Liu gloated on the side and said: "I told you, Lao Zheng let his three sons come to the capital with bad intentions. ”

"If Lao Zheng's youngest son really does something that violates the law, the minister will never spare him." He Xiang said, sighed slightly and said, "I hope that Taixue has a student who is smarter than Lao Zheng's youngest son, and poke his sharpness." ”

Taishi Liu has seen Lao Zheng's youngest son and has also inspected him, and he is indeed a genius.

"Unlikely."

Emperor Wu of Zhou said coolly: "Old He, you can ask for more blessings for yourself." ”

He Xiang didn't want to talk about Zheng Xilin's youngest son anymore, so he changed the topic and got down to business.

After finishing business, He Xiang and Taishi Liu returned to Lanyuan Pavilion.

When they returned to the mansion in the evening, He Xiang asked someone to invite Zheng to come over.

He Xiang handed him Zheng Rang's letter of appointment and said softly: "From today on, you will be the prime minister." Starting tomorrow, go to court with me. ”

Zheng Rang hurriedly stood up and solemnly bowed to He Xiang: "Uncle, thank you!" ”

"You do a good job is the best thank you for me."

"Don't worry, the little nephew will work hard and never let down your expectations." Zheng Rang's face was calm, but his heart was excited. The Prime Minister's campaign is the first step in his ambitions, and he will definitely perform well.

"I'll wait." He Xiang looked at Zheng Cheng again and said, "The emperor has agreed that you will go to Shang Fangling to do things, and you can go to Shang Fangling to do things tomorrow." ”

Zheng Cheng's face was full of joy. He also made a big salute to He Xiang: "Uncle Xie." ”

"Shang Fang Lingli has gathered the best craftsmen in the world, and you will definitely learn a lot when you go."

"That's exactly what the little nephew wanted." Zheng Cheng is not interested in being an official, nor is he interested in studying, he just wants to be a craftsman.

"Brother Qian, are you going to take the Taixue exam tomorrow, are you confident?"

"Yes." For elders like He Xiang, Zheng Qian still has some etiquette.

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Taixue will not let you down." Let him go to the scourge of Taixue.

Zheng Qian said lightly: "Hopefully." ”

He Xiang began to tell Zheng about the rules of the palace. Although he said it before, but tomorrow they will all enter the palace, and he must say it again.

After talking about the rules, He Xiang inspected the etiquette they had learned in the past few days.

After coming to the capital, Zheng let the three brothers learn etiquette. They have always lived in the countryside, are used to being idle and free, and have not learned the etiquette rules of the court and the palace.

Before they came to the capital, He Xiang invited a gentleman with good etiquette for them.

If you don't learn the rules of etiquette well, you are not qualified to be an official in the court. In addition, it will also invite trouble or danger to yourself.

Zheng made them understand the importance of etiquette and rules, and they learned very seriously these days.

Although Zheng Qian was disdainful of etiquette rules, he was also forcibly escorted to school by his two brothers.

Early the next morning, Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng followed He Xiang to the palace. As for Zheng Qian, the rest of the He family accompanied him to Taixue to participate in the assessment.

When I came to the gate of the palace, many ministers had already arrived.

When the ministers saw He Xiang appear with two strange young people, they all asked He Xiang curiously who these two young people were.

He Xiang introduced to the ministers that he was Zheng Xilin's eldest son and second son.

When the ministers heard that it was the son of Taiwei Zheng, they all showed surprised looks.

Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng couldn't help but panic a little when they saw the ministers staring at them, but they were very calm in front of them.

Under the introduction of He Xiang, they saluted the ministers politely and politely.

The ministers were very curious about Zheng and the two of them, but they were even more curious about their father. They asked a lot of things about Mrs. Zheng, such as whether Mrs. Zheng's body is well-healed? When will Taiwei Zheng come back......

Seeing that the ministers cared so much about their father, Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng sighed in their hearts: It seems that their father is very respected in the court.

The arrival of Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng caused quite a stir among the ministers.

Both the crown prince and the acting king hit Zheng and his brothers with their ideas, trying to win them over.

Of course, they are not interested in Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng, but Zheng Xilin behind them.

Zheng Xilin was not only deeply respected and reused by Emperor Wu of Zhou, but also deeply supported by the ministers, and even had a high reputation among the people.

Leaving these aside, let's talk about Zheng Xilin's ability.

If you can get Zheng Xilin's guidance, then the throne will become a bag.

There is also a shift in the evening.

Zheng Xilin: Without my youngest son by my side, life is really comfortable.

He Xiang: (╯‵□′)╯(┻━┻You old fox, you actually let your little son come to harm me!

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(End of chapter)