allonlinenovel Chapter 61 Prince Canal, Daming Lake
Chapter 61 Prince Canal, Daming Lake
After the imperial decree was issued, Wang Qiong did not immediately return to the capital. Instead, he stayed in Ningyang County under the pretext of "seeking more advice from Magistrate Yang" and would wander around every day.
On the fourth day after Wang Qiong announced the decree, the ditch from the Dawen River to the artificial lake in Liumiao Village was completed, one day earlier than Yang Shaofeng's minimum five-day construction period.
Yang Shaofeng and Wang Qiong stood on the embankment of the Dawen River and breathed a long sigh of relief: "Thanks to the tools bestowed by His Highness the Crown Prince, this canal was finally completed before the severe drought."
Wang Qiong smiled and nodded, echoing, "It's also because the people of Ningyang County are willing to put in the hard work; otherwise, even with tools, it would be difficult to dig such a long ditch in just four days."
Speaking of the people of Ningyang County's willingness to work hard, Wang Qiong was truly impressed. In order to excavate the ditch from the Dawen River to the artificial lake in Liumiao Village before the severe drought, nearly a thousand people in Ningyang County, including strong women, took turns working, almost day and night to meet the deadline.
Every day at dawn, when Wang Qiong arrives at the ditch construction site, she can see a large number of young men digging ditches, and a large number of strong women and teenagers clearing away the soil dug out the night before.
As evening approached, some elderly people would bring a large amount of firewood and torches, and light bonfires in sections along the edge of the ditch and inside the ditch, sticking torches on them, and continue digging the ditch through the night.
And the young widows in the widow village, every day at dawn they would pull carts full of buns and soup in wooden buckets to the construction site, and they would deliver them again at noon and in the evening.
Wang Qiong had eaten the steamed buns made by the young widows. Compared to the famous old brands in the capital, they were definitely much worse, and even worse than those made by the cooks in many officials' homes. But no matter what, the young widows had done their best. The buns were full of filling. With one bite, you could taste the fragrance of wild vegetables and the savory aroma of meat. In addition, the buns were filled with a lot of lard. A young and strong man could eat five or six buns and it would sustain him for half a day's work.
Sometimes Wang Qiong couldn't help but sigh, thinking that if a severe drought had occurred before the irrigation ditches were dug, given how hard the people of Ningyang County were working, it would truly be a case of God being blind.
However, the final result was not bad. It was as if God had opened his eyes and allowed the people of Ningyang County to dig the ditches before the drought. All that was left was to fill the artificial lake before the drought, and then, as Magistrate Yang had said, continue to dig the next artificial lake.
Smiling and shaking her head, Wang Qiong then turned her gaze to Yang Shaofeng: "Magistrate Yang, this ditch has now been dug and will soon be able to draw water to irrigate the lake and help the people get through this severe drought. Doesn't Magistrate Yang intend to give this ditch a name?"
Upon hearing Wang Qiong's suggestion, Yang Shaofeng's heart stirred, and he asked, "May I ask, Lord Wang, are there any taboos regarding naming this child?"
Wang Qiong was slightly taken aback, and asked in return, "What taboo?"
Yang Shaofeng chuckled and pointed to the ditch, saying, "According to my calculations, if it weren't for the farming tools and oxen and horses bestowed by His Highness the Crown Prince, this ditch would have taken at least five days to complete, and if it had been slower, it could have taken ten days to half a month."
"So, if I were to name this canal the Crown Prince Canal, would that violate any taboos?"
Wang Qiong laughed and said, "Magistrate Yang wants to name this canal the Crown Prince Canal. This is to express the people of Ningyang County's gratitude for His Highness the Crown Prince's gift. If word gets out, it will only be a good story. How could it possibly be taboo?"
Yang Shaofeng laughed heartily, beckoned over Lame Wu, and said, “Tell the people that the repair of this canal is thanks to their hard work, the shovels, hoes, and oxen bestowed by His Highness the Crown Prince, and the fact that His Majesty and the Crown Prince exempted Ningyang County from taxes for three years. They also arranged to transport grain from Jiangnan to aid the people of Ningyang County after a drought. We must not forget their kindness, so I will name this canal the Crown Prince Canal, hoping that the people will remember the kindness of His Majesty and the Crown Prince.”
The lame man nodded in agreement: "Yes, Your Excellency, I will go and tell the people right away. Also, should we find a stonemason to put up a monument here?"
Yang Shaofeng nodded, which was considered as agreeing to Limpy Five's suggestion.
After Limpy Wu turned and left, Yang Shaofeng smiled and said to Wang Qiong, "Lord Wang, the waterwheel below is about to be joined together to draw water. Why don't you give the order?"
Wang Qiong waved his hands repeatedly: "How can that be? I am staying in Ningyang County to learn more from Magistrate Yang, not to seek credit."
Yang Shaofeng, however, grabbed Wang Qiong and pulled her toward the waterwheel, saying with a smile, "His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince have bestowed many tools, farm implements, and oxen and horses upon us, but it is all thanks to Wang Sheren who delivered them all the way. How can you say that we are taking credit for this? Come, come, let's ask Wang Sheren to give the order to close the waterwheel and draw water today!"
This is the way of being an official.
The irrigation canal was named the Prince Canal, and the credit went to Xiao Zhu. Old Zhu would definitely be very satisfied with this, Xiao Zhu would definitely be satisfied, and Wang Qiong would certainly have no objections.
However, Wang Qiong, as the interpreter of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, had traveled a long distance to Ningyang County to deliver an imperial edict and bring so many farm tools, hoes, and livestock such as cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, chickens, and ducks to Ningyang County. Surely Wang Qiong couldn't be left out of everything?
Yes, if we carve a stone tablet as Limpy Wu suggested, it will surely record Wang Sheren's name and deeds, and Wang Sheren will be able to become famous. But who would complain about having more benefits?
Otherwise, why would Wang Qiong stay in Ningyang County under the pretext of seeking advice?
Magistrate Yang Shaofeng tried to bribe Wang Qiong with real money, but he was reluctant and didn't dare to. After all, Wang Qiong had come on Zhu's orders and had been beaten up in Ningyang County. If he bribed him, who knew if the guy would go back and call it bribery?
In addition, Wang Qiong was a bit pedantic from his studies, so Magistrate Yang Shaofeng completely gave up the idea of giving Wang Qiong money.
Therefore, having Wang Qiong issue the order to close the dam and draw water is a cost-effective and convenient task, which is very suitable for the current situation.
In any case, Magistrate Yang Shaofeng has already amassed a great deal of benefits, both in terms of practical gains and reputation, so giving up a little bit of face-saving benefits is no big deal.
Wang Qiong, naturally unable to refuse Yang Shaofeng, the magistrate, after repeatedly declining, stood not far from the waterwheel and shouted loudly, "Close the sluice gate! Draw water!"
As Wang Qiong finished speaking, several villagers near the waterwheel began to push a winch on the riverbank. As the rope on the winch gradually loosened, the waterwheel, which was originally above the water level, began to slowly descend. Once the axle of the waterwheel landed in the grooves that had been dug on both sides of the waterwheel, the water trough near the water surface was completely submerged in the water.
The water flow was quite rapid where the waterwheel was built. Driven by the water flow, the waterwheel began to turn slowly. When the water flow pushed the water-filled trough to its highest point, the water in the trough was poured into the water tank that had already been built and began to flow towards the Taizi Canal. Then, it flowed from the Taizi Canal towards the artificial lake in Liumiao Village.
Yang Shaofeng's nose tingled slightly, and he grabbed Wang Qiong's arm and shook it: "It's done! It's done! Hahahaha!"
After laughing heartily, Yang Shaofeng simply pulled Wang Qiong to the riverbank and said, "Wang Sheren, why don't we come with me and follow the Prince Canal to the artificial lake in Liumiao Village?"
Wang Qiong naturally wouldn't refuse Yang Shaofeng's suggestion. The two mounted their horses and slowly followed the water flow, heading towards Liu Miao Village along the Taizi Canal.
As they walked, Yang Shaofeng said with a smile, "By the way, the artificial lake in Liu Miao Village can't just be called an artificial lake forever, can it? What if it were called Daming Lake..."
Wang Qiong smiled and said, "If Magistrate Yang wants to call it Daming Lake, then let him call it Daming Lake. As long as he doesn't directly use the emperor's name, there won't be any taboos."
Yang Shaofeng smiled and nodded: "Then let's call it Daming Lake."
After laughing, Yang Shaofeng continued, "Actually, I've also thought that I must raise fish in the Ming Dynasty in the future, and when I have free time, I'll get a fishing rod and go fishing, hahahaha."
Wang Qiong glanced at Yang Shaofeng and asked, "Magistrate Yang, have you ever raised fish?"
Yang Shaofeng's laughter stopped abruptly: "I've never raised one before, is there a problem?"
Wang Qiong said, "That's a big problem."