Han Shizu

Chapter 598 Huazhou River Defense
On the 25th day of the first lunar month of the sixth year of Qianyou, Emperor Liu Chengyou of the Han Dynasty left Beijing to enjoy Huazhou. Concerned about the destruction of the river, he came to inspect the construction of the embankment of the Yellow River.

In the winter of last year, natural disasters visited the Han Dynasty again.In October, floods occurred in Ying, Mo, and You prefectures in Hebei Province, and more than 20 people were affected, resulting in a lot of mourning.In December, the Yellow River broke through Zhengzhou and Huazhou again.

However, for today's Han Dynasty, it is enough to bear, and the court has already established a set of emergency mechanism for disaster prevention and relief.For the refugees affected by the disaster, they have their own government relief.

As far as Emperor Liu Chengyou was concerned, the fear of flooding in the Yellow River began to grow in his heart again.Since he succeeded to the throne, the Yellow River has burst more than ten times before, and the Zhengzhou and Huazhou sections are the hardest hit areas.

Fortunately, the royal driver stayed in Huazhou and stayed in Baima. Before he had time to rest, Liu Chengyou was directly accompanied by Bai Chongzan, the envoy of the Yicheng Army in Huazhou, to inspect the repair work of the river fortress.

In the fall of last year, after King Wei and Fu Yanqing, the governor of the Tianxiong Army, were transferred to Tokyo as the commander-in-chief, Guo Congyi, the former governor of the Yicheng Army, was transferred to Daming Mansion in the northern capital as a left-behind.

Afterwards, the imperial court issued an imperial edict to abolish Huazhou Jiedu and replace it with the Yicheng Army. Bai Chongzan, the governor of Tumen, was appointed as the envoy of the Yicheng Army to lead the Forbidden Army in Huazhou to consolidate the defense of the northern part of Tokyo.

This Bai Chongzan also joined the army as a young man. He was brave in battle and had many military careers.Among the former generals retained in the early Han Dynasty, there was also a figure like him.

However, in the years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, Bai Chongzan has been more like a "household dog".When Quan transferred Shi Hongzhao to stay in Xijing, Bai Chongzan was the guard of Sishui.

Shi Hongzhao moved to Shuofang, and was transferred to Tumen to control the dangerous pass of Taihang and watch the gate of Hedong for the imperial court.Up to now, he has guarded the key to the north gate of Huazhou for the imperial court.

However, this Bai Chongzan, every time he takes office, is still conscientious and hardworking.Originally, this person was not included in the list of Liu Chengyou's "trustworthy confidants".However, looking at his resume, he found that he was diligent in the affairs of the king, and he had a bold and unyielding spirit, so he trusted him.

Huazhou is in the hinterland of the Han Dynasty, so it is unlikely to experience another war, but as long as the capital is in Kaifeng, its importance is beyond doubt, and its defenders must also be trusted generals of the court.

When the Yellow River breached, Liu Chengyou issued an edict directly, asking Bai Chongzan to lead soldiers and servants to build fortifications and dikes.

Standing on a high slope on the south bank of the Yellow River, Liu Chengyou looked at the embankment from a distance. After nearly a month of repairs, a simple anti-blockade has been constructed.What needs to be done next is to rebuild the fortress and strengthen the river defense.Fortunately, the breach happened during the dry season, otherwise the damage and loss caused by the disaster would have been even greater.

Bai Chongzan served in front of the king and reported the situation to Liu Chengyou. At this time, he was not wearing armor, but only a light sackcloth, not like a general, but more like a river worker.

"Your Majesty, the breaches in Huazhou this time are mainly in the Dacheng and Liuhe dikes. The government has recruited [-] men to serve, and the last general has also dispatched [-] soldiers to take turns to repair them. Now that the initial repairs have been completed, several breaches have been completed. It's blocked, and it's only waiting for the follow-up reconstruction and plugging." Bai Chongzan pointed his hand and reported to Liu Chengyou:

"It's the dry season right now, and the farming season is approaching. The next plan is to concentrate people's and material resources and strengthen the dikes. At least to ensure that there will be no mistakes in the big decision before the flood season arrives!"

Listening to Bai Chongzan's explanation, one can feel his familiarity with the river affairs from his words, and it is obvious that he is dedicated.Nodding his head, Liu Chengyou expressed his satisfaction, and asked, "Not bad! Are there any shortages in money, food, materials, and people's strength? What's the difficulty?"

Hearing this, Bai Chongzan also directly asked Liu Chengyou: "Previously, most of the defenses were made of cattail bags and straw bags for temporary defense. It is really difficult to withstand the erosion of the river. At the end of the day, the general will ask for instructions, and the court will allocate hardwood, sandbags, bricks and stones. Only when the material is well prepared can it be guaranteed to be strong. In addition, if you add some servants, it will be even better!"

"Yes! I am satisfied with you!" Liu Chengyou said: "Tokyo will allocate another batch of money and food, and the local governments of Hua and Pu should also fully cooperate in raising supplies and building materials. In order to repair the embankment, I intend to use Tokyo's Restoration, stop for a while, focus on manpower, so far! You have to do it well, this year, I don't want to hear the bad news of the Yellow River breach in Huazhou!"

Facing the eyes of the emperor, Bai Chongzan suddenly felt a huge pressure on him, and with a serious expression, he promised Liu Chengyou in a deep voice: "Your Majesty trusts so much, how dare the last general trust you! If you make a mistake, please behead your head." !"

Bai Chongzan obviously made up his mind, listening to his decisive tone, Liu Chengyou couldn't help showing a hint of approval.

Taking a serious look at Bai Chongzan, he saw that his face was full of exhaustion, his beard and hair were in a bun, and he looked a bit sloppy with little care.Liu Chengyou said: "Bai Qing has such pride, and I also have some confidence!"

"I heard that during this period of time, Bai Qing has been rushing to command on the embankment, and has not returned to the camp for food and lodging. It's hard work! Your intentions are commendable, and I didn't use the wrong person!" Liu Chengyou praised Bai heavily.

With the approval of the emperor, Bai Chongzan felt that the hard work of these days was not in vain. He smiled a little on his tired face, and replied: "I was ordered to guard Huazhou, and I was also responsible for protecting the water and soil. I will live up to your majesty's entrustment." , not to lose the hope of the people!"

"Good!" Listening to his words, Liu Chengyou couldn't help clapping his hands, and his words were full of sweet praise: "Among the great generals, there are not many who have Bai Qing's level of awareness! Bai Qing, you can be a role model!"

"Zhang Dejun, reward Bai Qing with ten catties of imperial wine and twenty catties of venison!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand and gestured towards Zhang Dejun.

"As ordered!"

Without waiting for Bai Chong's praise and thanks, Liu Chengyou looked at him softly again, and said with a light smile: "When Bai Qing succeeds in sailing the river, I will give you the title of Marquis directly!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I will definitely do my best to live up to the grace of God!" Bai Chongzan immediately bowed down.

It can be seen that Liu Chengyou at this time has a lot of appreciation for Bai Chongzan.Then, he looked at the Huazhou officials who were accompanying him, and said, "Have you heard that? From now on, when farming is removed, we must fully support the river block. If you have time, go to the embankment for a walk. Although I am innocent You are acting as the state officials, and repairing the river defenses is also your duty. As long as you devote yourself to the king's affairs and seek benefits for the people, the imperial court will not hesitate to reward and promote you!"

"Yes! I would like to follow His Majesty's instructions!" The group of people naturally respectfully responded.

"Come on, let's go to the embankment to have a look!" Liu Chengyou greeted everyone.

The magistrate of Huazhou immediately went in to persuade him, saying that the fortification site was chaotic and dangerous, but Liu Chengyou refused, saying that he was not here to inspect the river plug project for show, and it was not his style to take a look at it from a distance.

So accompanied by the generals, Liu Chengyou went to the embankment in person to look at the materials and ask the servants. He returned to the county in the evening and continued to carry forward the Mingjun style of seeing things personally.

"Li Fang, what did you gain from visiting Baima?" At night, Liu Chengyou summoned Li Fang and asked.

Li Fang did not go to the embankment with Liu Chengyou, but was sent to visit the people and inquire about state affairs.Upon hearing this, Li Fang reported: "Huazhou is a county in Kinki Prefecture, Tokyo. The people's livelihood is generally stable. Although the people are not rich, they can still be called stable. However, the government is a bit negligent. The Yellow River bursts, and the government is negligent. The reason for less defense.

In addition, in the Huazhou Prison, there are many errors and biases in the cases and punishments that are judged.The minister checked the files and found several prison cases. The severity of the punishment and sentencing is debatable, and they were all left over by Guo Shijun when he was in office."

Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou thought about it a little bit, and told Li Fang: "In this way, you don't have to accompany me to the Daming Mansion, but stay in Huazhou, serve as magistrate, clean up officials, act as government affairs, and clear up prison cases! You are here Around me, I am in contact with all important military and political affairs, now, I entrust you with the affairs of a state, and take the responsibility, there should be no problem!"

In this regard, Li Fang seemed to have expected it long ago, without any accidents, and met the emperor's gaze, and solemnly replied: "Obey!"

In this way, the emperor lost another close minister.As for Liu Chengyou, who stayed in Huazhou for a day, he set off in his imperial car and went north to visit the Daming Mansion.This is the first time after three years, Liu Chengyou set foot on the land of Hebei again.

(End of this chapter)