Late Han Zhao Tang

Hebei suffered from drought in June, with no rain for fifty days before it finally rained in late July. However, the subsequent rainfall could not change the overall situation; except for fields with favorable irrigation conditions, the rest of the fields suffered nearly half of their harvest failure.

The poor harvest caused grain prices in Hebei to skyrocket, from over thirty coins per shi (a unit of dry measure) to one hundred coins. Zhuge Liang, as the transport commissioner of Hebei, wanted to transfer grain from Bingzhou to stabilize grain prices in Hebei.

Although Bingzhou was less affected by the drought and its grain production did not decrease significantly, people knew that the government was buying grain to aid Hebei, so they rushed to buy grain, fearing that there would be no grain left. As a result, grain prices in Bingzhou rose.

Seeing this, Zhuge Liang had no choice but to submit a memorial to Chang'an, requesting the court to allocate grain to Hebei, so as to stabilize grain prices and also profit from the price difference.

Zhong Yao urgently diverted one million shi of military grain stored in Luoyang and supplied it to Hebei via the Grand Canal. Zhuge Liang released the million shi of military grain into the Hebei market, causing the price of grain in Hebei to plummet and earning the court forty million coins.

Zhuge Liang handed over 40 million coins to the imperial court. Zhong Yao transported the coins into Guanzhong by boat, intending to distribute them to Bashu to purchase military rations for the army.

Zhong Yao mobilized 400 oxcarts to transport 40 million coins through multiple routes into the remote prefectures of Bashu. For example, the money allocated to Shangyong for purchasing grain entered the prefecture via the Kugu Road, while the money allocated to Hanzhong and Bashu was transported via the Baoxie Road.

The Kugu Road was built under the supervision of Wang Ling when he was in Shangyong County. Due to military affairs, construction was interrupted intermittently, and it took more than three years to complete before it was finally opened last year.

Zhong Yao planned to purchase grain from Hanzhong and Shangyong counties and transport it to Jingzhou via the Han River to supply Zhang Liao's army. The money transported to Bashu was used to purchase grain from Shu, in order to implement the previous plan and to supply the southern expeditionary tribes with grain from Yizhou.

As for the armies that were unable to reach the Yangtze River to drink, their provisions could only be stored in Yizhou for use in the next southern expedition to the southeast.

"The forty million coins have already departed from Chang'an and are being transported to the prefectures of Bashu and Hanjiang via the Kugu and Baoxie routes," Zhong Yao said. "If the coins can reach Yizhou, then the shortage of one million shi of military rations can be made up."

Zhang Yu glanced at the contents of the memorial and said, "The poor harvest in Hebei has caused grain prices to soar. I am grateful for the Prime Minister's assistance in lending us some grain!"

After a pause, Zhang Yu sighed, "Fortunately, the Pingzhun Granary was established two years ago, and the Equalization and Transportation Law was implemented. If the Equalization and Transportation Law had not been implemented this year, the price of grain in Hebei would not have dropped so drastically. Not to mention that we could have profited from it and resold grain from Sichuan to supply the army's supplies."

"The Equalization and Transportation Law is only a temporary measure. If the Central Plains suffer from severe droughts one after another, and the stored grain cannot be distributed, will the court be left with no other options?"

Zhong Yao straightened up slightly and said, "Droughts and floods have been frequent since ancient times. It is an auspicious year that there has been no disaster since the founding of the dynasty. Now our dynasty may be able to formulate strategies to prepare for the recurrence of droughts and floods. Even if the Central Plains suffer from drought one after another, there are still ways to alleviate it."

"Please speak freely, Prime Minister!"

Zhong Yao said, “Since the mid-Han Dynasty, the court has been plagued by infighting, powerful ministers have changed hands, and eunuchs have been in power. The water conservancy of the country has been neglected for many years and is now mostly abandoned. In particular, the country has been in turmoil for more than ten years, with disorder between the upper and lower classes and the people being displaced.”

"Therefore, I believe that the court should allow all prefectures and counties to build new water conservancy projects, firstly to irrigate the fields and fertilize the land, and secondly to store water in the reservoirs to prepare for droughts and floods. If the decree can be implemented, then the prefectures and counties throughout the country will greatly develop water conservancy, which will surely lead to great order throughout the country."

Zhang Yu pondered for a long time. In the context of the initial stabilization after a period of chaos, if Zhong Yao's method of building water conservancy could be implemented, it would indeed greatly benefit the agriculture of the prefectures and counties. However, water conservancy facilities have great potential for harm, and if not properly maintained, they could become a source of harm to the people.

Historically, the Cao Wei dynasty valued water conservancy, undertaking repairs throughout the country. However, due to their eagerness for quick results and the unique climate of Huainan, problems arose with the dikes and ponds in the region. For example, during the Western Jin dynasty, torrential rains in the prefectures of Yan and Yu caused widespread flooding in the Central Plains and Huainan. To address the problem, the Western Jin dynasty specifically sent Du Yu to inspect the Central Plains. After his inspection, Du Yu immediately pointed out that Cao Wei officials had acted hastily and opportunistically in repairing the dikes and ponds in the Central Plains, and that the dikes and ponds were of poor quality and ineffective.

On Du Yu's advice, the Western Jin Dynasty destroyed numerous dikes and ponds built by the Cao Wei Dynasty in the Huai River basin, thus solving the flooding problem. Therefore, to avoid a situation like that of the Cao Wei Dynasty, preparations must be made in advance.

"I believe your plan to develop water conservancy projects is feasible. However, its specific implementation still needs further discussion!"

After considering for a moment, Zhang Yu said, "If local officials, in pursuit of political achievements, arbitrarily order the people to repair water conservancy projects, improper repairs may affect daily supplies, or even be futile and harm the people."

As he spoke, Zhang Yu added: "The construction of water conservancy projects must be reviewed and approved by the central government. Orders can be issued to all prefectures and counties to verify the acreage of abandoned farmland, the reasons for abandonment, the water conservancy situation, the plans for repairing or building new water conservancy projects, and the amount of money and grain required. These should be compiled into maps and reports and submitted to the prefecture, where officials will be dispatched to verify and sign them. If the impact is significant or the cost is high, the matter must be submitted to the imperial court for verification by court officials."

"Moreover, the villagers have lived in the village for many years and are familiar with water conservancy and geography. Now, we can invite citizens to offer their suggestions. If the water conservancy project is successful, we will reward them according to the magnitude of the benefits. If they can greatly promote water conservancy, they will be employed according to their talents and put in charge of water affairs."

"As for officials, those who have made meritorious contributions to water conservancy projects will be given priority for recognition and promotion by the court; those who are corrupt and pervert the law will be punished accordingly."

Du Ji said, "Your Majesty's considerations are thorough, and the Prime Minister's plan benefits the people. However, if all the prefectures and counties in the country are ordered to carry out water conservancy projects, I wonder where the funds and provisions will come from?"

Zhong Yao pondered for a moment and said, “The scale of water conservancy projects varies. Large-scale repairs should be undertaken by the prefecture or county. If the prefecture or county cannot undertake the repairs, the state can send an official to oversee the project and allocate funds and grain. Small-scale projects should be undertaken by the beneficiary households, who should contribute labor and money. If the beneficiary households cannot contribute, the government can lend them money, but no interest is allowed.”

"Those who contribute funds to water conservancy projects should be rewarded according to the size of their contributions. If any beneficiary deliberately fails to contribute labor or money, the government may impose a fine in addition to demanding payment."

"In short, if there are any feasible water conservancy projects, the prefectures and counties must do them to the best of their ability and not delay official business. Moreover, for counties that suffer from floods year after year, the prefectures can send officials to draw up maps and plans, and then report them to the capital."

"The Prime Minister's words are detailed. Water conservancy matters can be handled in public or private matters. However, if the undertaking is complicated and costly, regardless of whether the funds are allocated by the court, it is necessary to request the court's approval."

Zhong Yao's strategy regarding water conservancy primarily aimed to mobilize the people's enthusiasm for water conservancy projects, with the government taking the lead. After all, the foundation for people's well-being lies in agriculture, and the prosperity of agriculture depends heavily on water conservancy. With the extensive development of farmland irrigation, the people would benefit greatly.

Zhang Yu nodded slightly and said with satisfaction, "Therefore, we might as well first formulate the Water Conservancy Law, and then hand it over to the Accounting Department and the Secretariat to check for omissions and deficiencies. If the army can conquer the southeast, and the Water Conservancy Law is completed, we may be able to promote the Water Conservancy Law throughout the country."

After a pause, Zhang Yu praised, "When the drought struck suddenly, you dismantled military rations and purchased grain from Shu, bringing peace and prosperity to the land. The Prime Minister is truly a pillar of the nation. Now, you have presented a water conservancy plan to revitalize the country. If the land can be well-governed, it will be thanks to the Prime Minister's assistance!"

"Your Majesty flatters me!"

Zhong Yao humbly replied, "This was not the work of one person, but rather the collective effort of the court officials!" (End of Chapter)