Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 320: Prince, I will hand over the world to you immediately, how about it? (Second update)

The water is vast and the mountains are steep.

Flags are fluttering and there are many guns.

The dragon flag stood tall and stopped on the narrow plank road.

Ahead is the Sanmenxia of the Yellow River, with steep cliffs, majestic rivers and a magnificent sight of nature.

Li Shimin sat on a tall horse, looking at the spectacular scenery in the middle of the Yellow River, and remained silent for a while.

Li Chengqian followed the emperor and said seriously, "It is said that Sanmenxia is the three narrow valleys dug by Dayu to drain water when he was controlling floods. They are called Shenmen, Guimen, and Renmen."

Changsun Wuji followed behind and looked at Li Chengqian in surprise. He knew that the prince was very concerned about Sanmenxia, ​​but could the situation here be solved by just paying attention?
Li Chengqian pointed toward the river and said seriously, "The Ghost Gate is in the south, with turbulent currents that are impassable. The Divine Gate is in the middle, narrow enough for boats. Only the Human Gate in the north is accessible to boats. That's fine, but the real danger lies beneath the rapids, hidden by countless hidden reefs. The most typical of these is that place, which the people call the "Midstream Pillar."

Li Shimin's gaze fell on the river a little below, where a pillar of stone stood upright. He said softly, "Looking up at the Dizhu, looking north at the Dragon Gate, the vast Yu's footprints, the vast Changchun."

Li Chengqian didn't know what to say for a moment. The emperor was still in the mood to compose poetry at this time.

After collecting his thoughts for a moment, Li Chengqian spoke, "This pillar of the river protrudes about two feet above the surface during the shallow winter. During flood season, only a pointed tip of it appears, appearing as if it will be swallowed up by the floodwaters at any moment. It's incredibly dangerous. Yet, for thousands of years, despite the ravages of storms and the raging waves, it has remained unshakable in the midst of the Yellow River."

At this time, Changsun Wuji interrupted and said, "Generally speaking, after a ship passes through the three gates, it will head straight for Dizhu.

Just as the boat was about to collide with the pillar, the backwater of the waves in front of the pillar pushed the boat to the safe channel beside it, avoiding the reef of Ming Island and successfully sailing out of the canyon.

"Sanmenxia is dangerous. I know it, and so does Wuji." Li Shimin turned to look at Li Chengqian and asked, "Prince, what do you want to say?"

"The Wei River merges with the Yellow River at Tongguan, then flows through Sanmenxia and the Yellow River before finally turning into the Luo River and reaching Luoyang." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "Getting from Chang'an to Luoyang isn't difficult, but transporting grain from Luoyang to Chang'an is extremely difficult. Every year, countless ships capsize in this section of the river. Transporting grain from Luoyang to Chang'an is extremely difficult, and the losses are unimaginable."

Tang Jian stood a little further away with a heavy expression.

If we were to ask how many people in the court were most worried about the situation of this section of waterway, apart from Tang Jian and others from the Ministry of Revenue, everyone else was far behind.

"Except for the summer and autumn flood season, grain transported from Luoyang to Chang'an now has to travel along the mountain roads on either side. However, only two carts can travel side by side, and only one can go back and forth. This is a huge obstacle." Li Chengqian sighed and said, "So, I think if we can remove the three gates in this section and the hidden reefs below, the river will flow smoothly and the world will be peaceful."

"Are you considering the future?" The emperor glanced at Li Chengqian, then looked towards Chang'an City. He nodded and said, "Compared to the early years of the Wude era, the population of Chang'an City has almost doubled. Indeed, it will undoubtedly increase in the future. By then, the food supply in Guanzhong will probably be difficult to sustain."

"Just like Yang Guang back then, he was forced to move the capital to Luoyang." Li Chengqian couldn't help but sigh.

Changsun Wuji and Tang Jian lowered their heads at the same time.

The emperor and the prince could say this, but they couldn't.

"In the early years of the Daye era, the world's population was 50 to 60 million, but now it's only 20 million." The emperor nodded and said, "Indeed, once the population grows to a level similar to that of Yang Guang, a similar crisis will indeed occur."

"So we must consider this in advance." Li Chengqian frowned as he looked at the Sanmenxia Gorge of the Yellow River. "Father has been leading his ministers on tours eastwards from time to time in recent years. Although it's not intentional, I think it's because he realizes that once most of the civil and military officials in Chang'an are transferred to Luoyang, the price of grain in Chang'an will drop significantly, which will benefit the people."

Li Shimin smiled and didn't say much.

"Your Highness's intention to repair the Sanmenxia Gorge is good, but the undertaking is exceedingly difficult." Changsun Wuji interjected, looking at Li Chengqian and saying, "This section of the Yellow River is extremely treacherous. For thousands of years, regardless of the erosion of the river or human damage, it has remained intact. It's not easy to change it."

"That's right." Li Shimin nodded, looked at Li Chengqian seriously and said, "The current national strength of the Tang Dynasty is not as strong as that of the former Sui Dynasty. Even a crazy person like Yang Guang can't do it. Do you really think you can do it?"

"I've thought of a solution." Li Chengqian's face was filled with bitterness, and then he said, "I've thought of completely sealing the Ghost Gate, thereby raising the water level in this section, reducing the impact of the reef, and thus clearing the shipping route."

After hearing Li Chengqian's idea, Li Shimin suddenly thought it was feasible. He couldn't help but look at the ghost gate under his feet.

The Ghost Gate is located in the south. It is narrow and the water flows fast, making it impossible to cross.

"But I've been talking nonsense." Li Chengqian looked at the majestic river and shook his head. "I'm overthinking it. If we want to block the Ghost Gate, even if we don't consider the summer floods, even if we start the work in winter, the manpower, material resources and financial resources required are too huge for the court to bear at the moment." The emperor couldn't help but smile. Then he looked at Li Chengqian with satisfaction and said, "The Crown Prince has made great progress. At least he knows he's wrong."

"Your Majesty is right." Changsun Wuji nodded in agreement.

Tang Jian took a step forward, looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Your Highness, what you mean is that we should find a way to increase the water level."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded, looking towards both banks, and said, "Only when the water level rises will the reefs under the water stop harming ships. Only when the water level rises will the river become wider and the turbulent waters become calmer, making it easier for ships to travel back and forth, and for grain to flow east and west. Only then will the people of Chang'an live a better life."

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, Li Shimin, Zhangsun Wuji, and Tang Jian all fell silent.

"It's a pity that God's will is so difficult." Li Chengqian looked at the Sanmenxia Gorge of the Yellow River in front of him and shook his head slightly. "I have thought of many ways to control the Sanmenxia Gorge. I even thought of digging the Yellow River from Lanzhou, then digging a ditch to Tianshui, connecting it to the Wei River, and then widening the Wei River to increase the water level in Sanmenxia. But then I thought, not only is the project difficult, but it is also likely to cause war and floods."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "The Yellow River flows north through Henan. If something happens to the Yellow River in Henan, the Turks will go crazy."

If the Yellow River turns from Lanzhou to Tianshui, then the Yellow River that originally flowed through Hetao will inevitably be reduced. It would be strange if the Turks did not go crazy at that time.

"Besides, the universe is unpredictable. If we really change the course of the Yellow River, who knows if it will affect the natural world and ultimately destroy the Guanzhong Plain." Li Chengqian shook his head in fear and said, "And the Yellow River waterway. If it floods, what will happen downstream is unimaginable."

Li Shimin suddenly smiled, looked at Li Chengqian and said, "The Crown Prince finally has a fear of heaven and earth, not bad."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Since I left Chang'an, I have received many instructions from my father. I finally understand the difficulties of the world. I believe that extreme caution is the way to govern."

Li Shimin nodded, turned sideways to look at the Yellow River, and said with emotion: "If the Crown Prince can always remain cautious, even if I immediately hand over the world to you, there will be nothing to worry about."

"Your Majesty, you must be joking. Governing the country is difficult, and your son's small body cannot handle it." Li Chengqian bowed with a bitter face.

"Hahaha!" Li Shimin couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Li Chengqian could only bow his head helplessly.

After a long while, the emperor finally stopped laughing and looked at Li Chengqian and asked, "I remember you mentioned that you wanted to use the power of Xuanzang to improve shipping in Sanmenxia. What are your ideas?"

"I'm thinking of building a Buddhist temple on the north bank of the Yellow River for Xuanzang to reside in, and also a suspension bridge so people can cross the river." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian smiled faintly and said, "This will certainly be inconvenient for transportation, so the Buddhist community will definitely need to find a solution. There are countless talented people in the Buddhist community, and if they can find a way to improve the Sanmenxia waterway, that would be a tremendous achievement!"

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, Li Shimin, Zhangsun Wuji, and Tang Jian all couldn't help but feel a little funny.

"Your Highness, what you mean is that you want the Buddhist sect to contribute manpower, material resources and financial resources to improve the waterway for the court, and the court does not have to pay any price?" Tang Jian finally bowed and looked up at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian nodded and said seriously, "Don't underestimate Buddhism. Buddhists often carve mountains to create Buddhas, and this has happened over and over again, for ten years, a hundred years. When Xuanzang returned to the East, Buddhists all over the world revered him. It's hard to say that in a hundred years, this section of the Sanmenxia waterway will remain unchanged."

"Also, the person truly affected by Xuanzang's return to the East was actually Zen Master Daoxin." Li Chengqian looked at the Yellow River before him and said softly, "Buddhism will inevitably be divided into the Xuanzang and Daoxin factions in the future. Let them fight it out. After all, the court and the people will not suffer any losses. If Buddhism succeeds, it will greatly increase his prestige, so what's the harm?"

"The Buddhist sect isn't that stupid." The emperor shook his head and said, "If they really understood your intentions, their first thought wouldn't be to clear the Sanmenxia shipping lanes, but to do everything in their power to kill you and replace you with someone else as the crown prince."

Li Chengqian's expression changed slightly, and he bowed slightly to the emperor.

"Let's take our time on this matter. I'll take care of the planning." Li Shimin shook his head, then looked at Zhangsun Wuji and Tang Jian and said, "Pass the order down. Not a single word of what the Crown Prince and I said today can be leaked. Anyone who disobeys this order will have their entire clan exterminated."

"Yes!" Everyone bowed solemnly.

The emperor raised his head and looked coldly at Li Zhi who was a little later.

Li Zhi immediately bowed heavily.

(End of this chapter)