Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 617 Death Warrant (asking for monthly ticket)
Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

Huai'en submitted to Zhu Youtang a report submitted by the Ministry of Works regarding the diversion of the Yellow River and the results of investigations in Henan, Nanzhili and other places.

Beside Huai En, there stood the silent Qin Ji.

Huai En and Qin Ji are now the top two in the Imperial Household Department. Whenever important events occur, they both attend the meeting together.

But obviously, Huai En did not intend to let Qin Ji participate deeply.

Zhu Youtang only took a quick glance and asked in confusion, "The talent has just been sent out, and you're reporting back so soon? Isn't it too hasty and sloppy?"

Huai En said: "Your Majesty has always been serious and careful in his work, and he will not easily let his subordinates make false reports. This is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty. However, I have seen that the people who went to the local area to investigate not only personally inspected the site, but also consulted local officials and people, and observed the hydrological conditions of all rivers. These are very capable professionals and are trustworthy."

"Oh?"

Zhu Youtang nodded in praise and said, "It seems that the people in the Ministry of Industry are very capable."

Huai En smiled and said, "Your Majesty, although most of the people who went south were from the Ministry of Works, there were also some who did not work in the Ministry of Works. They were carefully selected by the Minister of Rites, Li Zisheng, and some of them were only proficient in Feng Shui. If it were any other time, these people might not be able to make it to the stage."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "Even though Li Zisheng has a bad reputation and many people have impeached him, my father-in-law is still very close to him. And with my father-in-law's vision, he should not have made a mistake in judging people."

Huai En agreed: "Yes, no one is perfect. Li Zisheng did a lot of wrong things during the time of the late emperor, but in terms of ability and ability to judge people, he is also a first-class talent. If not, the late emperor would not have relied on him so much."

After hearing this, Zhu Youtang began to look carefully at the memorial in his hand.

After reading for a long time, Zhu Youtang raised his head and asked, "Huai Daban, there is too much content, I will ask the key points first... Did you have any major problems with the selection of the new channel of the Yellow River?"

"no problem."

Huai En replied, "Before these people went, there was a lot of criticism from both the court and the Ministry of Works, especially from those who had experience in managing the Yellow River.

"But after we conducted on-site inspections and inquired with local officials and people, we realized that the location was very accurate. It could be said that it opened up another path for the Yellow River to merge with the Huai River and flow eastward into the sea."

Zhu Youtang began to find fault: "Could it be that someone wanted to cater to my opinion, so they reported it this way? They have only been there for a short time, how could they investigate so thoroughly?"

Huai En explained: "This is a summary report for your majesty, and there is also a detailed map, which involves the height difference of the terrain and the options available in the surrounding area. But after comprehensive consideration, Zhang Guozhang's choice is the best solution."

"Oh, there is a detailed argument, right?"

Zhu Youtang seemed to finally feel relieved.

"Yes."

Huai En reported seriously, "This investigation covers a wide range. The people who went there were divided into six groups, and they went to different places. They investigated separately and then summarized and reported. Because the different groups took different routes and the directions of the investigations were also different, the people from the Ministry of Industry would sort out the reports after they came up.

"Then I discovered that although the people who went there were different, the places they went to were different, and the routes they took were even more different, the results of the survey were surprisingly consistent."

Zhu Youtang was surprised and asked, "You mean, no matter who they are or where they are, they all think that the location for the Yellow River diversion is the best?"

Wynn nodded and said, "Yes."

"That's... pretty amazing."

Zhu Youtang was stunned for a while before asking, "Since my father-in-law was able to determine the location for the Yellow River diversion without leaving the capital, why didn't the local authorities report it before? Instead, it took so many people to conduct on-site inspections before they could make a conclusion?"

Huai En smiled and replied: "Your Majesty, the matter of the Yellow River's diversion has actually been demonstrated and deduced as early as the time of the previous emperor..."

"Kai Daiban, what exactly do you want to say? Just say it."

Zhu Youtang interrupted Huai'en and urged.

Huai En introduced what he knew: "In fact, not only the old ministers, but also many people below, including those who went to the local area to investigate, are also discussing that the site selection this time is actually very consistent with the results deduced by the previous emperor. In other words...it is very likely that many people have contributed behind this matter, and it may not be the credit of Zhang Guozhang alone."

Zhu Youtang was relieved and asked with a smile, "Huai Daban, what you mean is that Li Zisheng actually handed over the results of the investigations of those who had conducted the investigation to my father-in-law, and then he reported it. Is that what you mean?"

Huai En said quickly: "These are just groundless guesses by the people below, and may not be accurate. But no matter what, Zhang Guozhang's contribution is great."

Zhu Youtang disagreed and said, "In fact, in my opinion, my father-in-law may not want to fight for this credit, just like Li Zisheng himself did not fight for it.

"If you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have known that Lizi Province had also made great efforts in this matter. That means there is no problem with the site selection for the Yellow River diversion, and we can start the construction next, right?"

"This one……"

Huai En seemed very embarrassed and said, "Your Majesty, site selection is one thing, and the actual construction is another. Everything needs to be further demonstrated, and it depends on whether the local towns and villages need to be relocated. It involves houses and fields, etc., and may face the migration of a large number of people."

Zhu Youtang asked, "You mean to say that my father-in-law never considered these issues when he chose the site?"

"It's been considered."

There were beads of sweat on Huai En's forehead, which showed how fast his mind was turning at this moment. "But if it is actually implemented, it will be a bit troublesome."

At this point, Huai En could clearly feel the pressure the emperor was putting on him.

However, in the opinion of Qin Ji who was standing by, the pressure did not come from the emperor at all, but from Zhang Luan.

Qin Ji thought to himself, this is not a simple matter. In the previous emperor's time, who else but the emperor himself could put such great pressure on this eunuch Huai? Even making him sweat profusely when he was summoned by His Majesty in the cold winter?
It's not that His Majesty wants to give you a difficult problem, but you want to forcibly downplay the contribution of Zhang Guozhang, but in the end even you can't find too many flaws. You force you, the eunuch Huai, to force an explanation to make your own story justified!

In this case, if you are not under much pressure, then who is more stressed?
"But the Yellow River will eventually change its course."

Zhu Youtang said, "Otherwise, when the flood came, how much damage would the local area suffer? Not to mention how many people died, the victims would be displaced, and the court would have to spend a lot of money to provide relief to the victims. If all these expenses had been spent on river works, this natural disaster could have been avoided."

"Yes."

Huai En quickly agreed.

Zhu Youtang asked, "Didn't my father-in-law report earlier that the local government should be responsible for the diversion project? Have you discussed this matter with the local government? What are their opinions?"

"Oh."

Huai En replied, "Local governments generally say that it is very difficult. The main reason is that the project is too large and requires the dispatch of tens of thousands of people, which may delay farming. If it is completed during the slack season... the climate is not convenient, especially in winter..."

Zhu Youtang said angrily, "We are only asking them to provide manpower, not money. Isn't this possible? Do we have to wait until the Yellow River bursts its banks and then let it run rampant and choose a course to flow into the sea? How many people will die then?"

"Your Majesty, don't be anxious."

Huai En comforted him, "There is no actual evidence that the Yellow River will burst its banks. We can take a long-term view on everything."

"Can't wait any longer."

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said, "The construction period will take at least a year, and we won't be able to catch up with the spring flood next year. It would be best to wait until the spring flood the year after to complete the new Yellow River channel. If such a huge project is delayed...if it is not completed, it will be delayed for another year, wasting time.

"If the Yellow River bursts its banks and changes its course, wouldn't all the preparations we made previously be in vain? We just can't wait any longer!"

"Yes."

Huai En seemed to empathize with the other person when he spoke.

But even Qin Ji found that there seemed to be more beads of sweat on his head, and they were dripping down more densely.

Zhu Youtang looked at Huai En carefully and said, "Huai Daban, I think it would be best if you contact your father-in-law about this matter. The work must start by the first month of next year at the latest, and the court will do everything it can to arrange the money and grain."

"But... Your Majesty..."

Huai En said, "Now the rations of the soldiers in the northwest are not dispatched in time, and the salaries of officials are also unavailable. If we rashly carry out such a large project, I'm afraid it will be..."

"I see."

Zhu Youtang said, "In the eyes of many people, this is a waste of money and labor. But my father-in-law and I agree that only by preparing for a rainy day can we recover as much loss as possible.

"If the imperial court pays to reduce casualties among the people, then the money is well spent. Otherwise... even if the imperial court really doesn't pay a penny, and the people are displaced and lose their homes, the loss suffered by the Ming Dynasty will be huge."

"Your Majesty is merciful."

Wynn complimented.

"You have to hurry up."

Zhu Youtang said this. With his rigorous and careful character, he still studied the memorial in his hand carefully. The more he read, the more fascinated he became. After a long time, he couldn't help but sigh, "I thought that the Yellow River diversion plan was just a draft outline. I never thought... I wouldn't know if I didn't send people to investigate on the spot. It turned out to be so detailed and accurate? Father-in-law and Yanling have never been to the bank of the Yellow River, right? They made very detailed arrangements."

Huai En had a more relaxed smile on his face and said, "That further proves that there are others who are helping us."

Zhu Youtang said: "If there really is such a person, the court will have to use him in the future. Huai Daban, when you go to contact my father-in-law, you must ask who has such ability. If it is not just one person, but a group of people, find them all and report them here, I want to use them."

"Your Majesty... How do you use this?"

Wynn seemed hesitant.

Because even he himself was doubting that it was very likely that the Yellow River diversion plan was really concocted by Zhang Luan and his son, and there was no third party involved.

If you insist on finding someone to help you out, you may end up shooting yourself in the foot.

Zhu Youtang asked curiously, "Huai Daban, do you think this is unnecessary? For such a big thing as the Yellow River diversion, a lot of people need to be sent to supervise it... Isn't it a great use to send these capable people to the local area to assist in the construction of the river? Could it be that I am wrong?"

"Yep."

Wynn looked embarrassed.

I instantly felt like I was slapped in the face by the emperor.

"That's great, that's great."

Zhu Youtang had a satisfied look on his face, and the more he read, the happier he became. "I will present it to the court tomorrow, ask for the opinions of the ministers, and share my joy with them. I may be able to help my father realize his unfulfilled ideal. This is benevolence and filial piety."

Wynn suddenly felt under great pressure.

The more enthusiastic the emperor was, the more it seemed like he was putting Huai En to death. It was so torturous.

(It’s the end of the month again, please give me some monthly tickets! Thank you for your support!)
(End of this chapter)