The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 25: Huang He has a bad temper

Looking at the rushing Yellow River, it is easy to feel a lot of emotions.

For the next two thousand years, emperors of every dynasty, if they wanted to be wise rulers, would have to take some measures to control the Yellow River.

It’s just that our mother river...she has such a bad temper.

After reading for a while, Fusu wrote a letter to Prime Minister Li Si in the county government office. He wrapped the bamboo slips in a cloth bag, tightened the rope at the bag's mouth, and handed it out. He then instructed: "Inform all counties along the way to Xianyang."

Zhang Han took the bamboo slips with both hands, nodded, and ran away quickly.

As early as the beginning of March, the late spring cold came severely and the Grain Rain came too quickly, which was indeed not a good sign.

Fusu walked out of the county government office and followed the official road all the way to the Yellow River, watching the river flow eastward.

The weather was still gloomy at this moment, and the muddy roads were not conducive to the army's trek.

"Where's General Wang?"

"My lord, the general is writing a letter home."

Fusu looked at the dark clouds in the sky and said with emotion: "The old general's family affairs are also quite complicated."

The atmosphere became much more relaxed, and Zhang Han nodded slightly in agreement.

When the cold wind blew, Zhang Han woke up and realized his identity. Wang Ben was still his general, so he shook his head again.

The wind from the Yellow River made his robe rustle. Fusu whispered, "I hope everything goes well."

Before they reached Hangu Pass, they saw that the Yellow River was about to enter its flood season, and they were also worried that the old general would lose his temper. What if he lost his temper and didn't come back?
Although he is a prince of the Qin Dynasty, it is not easy for him to interfere in other people's family affairs.

Furthermore, General Wang Ben enjoys great prestige in the army. He is a backbone among the young and middle-aged generals and is at the peak of his career.

The old general is just missing a rank of Grand Secretary.

If there is a quarrel between this father and son, I don’t know how it will end.

"I will go and check on the warhorses and fodder."

Seeing that the young master nodded, Zhang Han left.

A group of more than ten cavalrymen were dispatched from Ningqin County.

Going up the Luo River, a rider would go to each county they passed through to deliver the message.

In Xianyang City, Prime Minister Li Si was looking at the news about spring plowing in various places.

"Report! Prime Minister, Prince Fusu has urgent news."

Li Si raised his head slightly and waved, "Bring it here."

The visitor entered the Prime Minister's residence and handed over the bamboo slips with both hands.

The content written on the bamboo slips was very simple, just two things: the Peach Blossom Flood and the old general's family affairs.

After noon, Li Si hurried to Zhangtai Palace.

Under the candlestick, the First Emperor looked at the document with a serious expression.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is here."

Ying Zheng closed the bamboo slips in his hand, looked out of the hall, and said loudly, "Come in."

Li Si saluted in front of the hall, walked quickly into the hall, and presented the bamboo slips with both hands, "Your Majesty, this is the letter from the young master."

Ying Zheng put the bamboo slips aside, took the slips handed to him by the eunuch, and asked, "Where is Fusu?"

"It's time to go to Ningqin."

"I remember that it's not far from Hangu Pass, and a fast horse can reach it in one day."

Li Si nodded and continued, "I heard that the young master did not take any leisure activities or feast on the way, and he did not stop for too long. He drove all the way to Hangu Pass without any delay."

After hearing this, Ying Zheng looked at the urgent report and asked, "Does it say that Zhang Han can tell whether it will be sunny or rainy?"

"Your Majesty, I have written a review of Zhang Han."

Ying Zheng nodded slowly, "What do you think?"

"I have reviewed the documents from various counties in Guanzhong and there are indeed signs of river water backflowing. If it rains for another two days, I am afraid the fields will be flooded."

Ying Zheng put down the bamboo slips in his hand and said in a deep voice, "Let each county keep watch over the river."

Li Si bowed and said, "I obey your command."

Ying Zheng added: "Eat some loquats."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Si hurried out of Zhangtai Palace carrying a basket of loquats, and did not stop walking all the way out of the palace.

The prime minister took a bite of the loquat, chewed it in his mouth, and hurriedly waved to call a few clerks, giving them instructions as he walked.

Every time the prime minister spoke, a minor official would run away quickly.

Those who didn't know might think something had happened, but seeing the prime minister walking and chewing loquats all the way, he looked quite happy.

Two days later, Guanzhong was indeed hit by a heavy rain. The rain came very quickly, as if God was pouring water.

The water levels of rivers in Guanzhong rose again. Fortunately, the counties were well prepared. As early as two days ago, Prime Minister Li Si ordered the counties to strengthen the river embankments and prevent floods.

This year, a flood that was supposed to flow back into the fields was easily averted thanks to the counties' advance preparations.

Zhang Cang and Shusun Tong stood by the canal wearing straw hats and raincoats. Due to the heavy rain, the excavation of the well canal in Shangyan Mountain had to be stopped.

The heavy rain was still pouring down, and the big drops of rain hitting his body were still a little painful. Shusun Tong held up his hat with one hand and said, "I heard that this time it was the young master who sent a letter to the Prime Minister, asking him to prepare in advance."

Zhang Cang looked at the vertical shaft that had just collapsed. This vertical shaft had just been dug and had not been reinforced yet. It collapsed under the heavy rain.

I feel a little annoyed, but there is nothing I can do about it. Nothing can go smoothly.

The newly excavated vertical shaft collapsed and the newly planted mulberry seedlings were washed away by the heavy rain.

Fortunately, however, the work on the canal was stopped in time, and fortunately, no one was in the collapsed shaft.

Zhang Cang was walking back wearing straw sandals and a straw raincoat.

Because the muddy ground washed by rain was a bit slippery, Shusun Tong almost fell down. Zhang Cang hurriedly supported him and he did not fall down.

Standing here, one could still hear the rumbling sound of the main channel of the Luo River. Zhang Cang walked back to the village and saw children from every household watching the heavy rain.

Some children leaned against the windows and watched the rain silently.

Other children sat at their doorsteps, looking up at the rainwater flowing down from the thatched roofs.

Zhang Cang also walked under the eaves. He took off his straw hat and raincoat, and sat down to wait for the rain to stop, regardless of the mud on his ankles and straw sandals.

Shusun Tong hurried into the house as soon as he returned, and came out with a bowl of hot ginger soup, "Drink a sip to drive away the cold."

Zhang Cang took the ginger soup and said, "The children here are very sensible."

Shusun Tong stood aside. When he sat down, he was a head shorter than Zhang Cang. He sighed and said, "These children all know that if the heavy rain soaks the fields, they will starve this year."

Zhang Cang nodded while drinking ginger tea.

The mulberry trees were washed away by heavy rain before they were planted. Everything is difficult at the beginning. Zhang Cang was not discouraged, but Shusun Tong was very pessimistic.

On the third day, the heavy rain finally stopped.

When people walked into the fields one after another, they saw that the ditches in the fields had drained out all the water and that the fields were not soaked, so they felt relieved.

In fact, Shangyan Mountain is very fragile. If there is a flood this year, the three thousand servants of the young master will starve. Fortunately, we have taken precautions in advance.

"Censor Zhang, documents from the imperial court!" A cavalryman came quickly and handed over a roll of documents.

Zhang Cang took the document, opened the bamboo slips and looked at the contents. The document mentioned an official named Jianlu.

The Prime Minister asked Jianlu to investigate the various river channels in advance.

After reading the document, Zhang Cang handed in his own report and instructed, "Send it to the Censorate."

The cavalry took the documents and rode away again.

After the heavy rain, the whole village looked messy. Zhang Cang felt that the other counties were not much better. When the sun came out again, the people of Shangyan Mountain began to get busy again.

A heavy rain trapped the team that came to welcome General Wang Jian at the bank of the Yellow River for three whole days.

A thousand cavalrymen, eating and chewing, are almost making the county magistrate's face turn green.

After all, there are only a thousand people, but there are also a thousand war horses to feed. The pressure is huge, and the grain reserves in a county's official granary are not much.

"Sir, and General, the road ahead has been repaired. We can set off now."

Zhang Han was reporting outside the house.

The rain had only stopped for half a day, but the land in Guanzhong was still wet and the Yellow River was still raging.

Fusu and Wang Ben were eating cakes and river fish, and said, "General Zhang Han, let's have some river fish together."

"The last general takes orders."

When you live by the Yellow River, you don’t have to worry about going hungry, because there is endless river food to eat.

Tian An sat by the two stoves, still cooking fish porridge.

Fusu said: "When you are away from home, you must eat well and sleep well."

Zhang Han took a bite of the cake and nodded, saying, "I will obey your command."

Hearing this, Tian An explained, "Young Master once said that sleeping and eating are the most important things in a person's life."

After the meal, Fusu took a short nap before the team set off.

The army finally left, and the county magistrate and other county officials had tears in their eyes when they said goodbye.

The team headed towards Hangu Pass again.

Walking slowly along the Yellow River, Wang Ben rode beside the young master's carriage, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. He whispered, "I've already sent a letter home to Xianyang, and a reply has been sent back from Xianyang. I'm worried that family matters will delay the old general's return to Xianyang. If my father refuses to enter the pass, I will return to Xianyang to take responsibility. It has nothing to do with you, young master."

"We haven't reached Hangu Pass yet, General Wang, don't worry."

Wang Ben said, "I will immediately urge the front troops to find a camp where they can stay tonight."

The team walked along the Yellow River for another day and was only half a day's journey away from Hangu Pass.

At night, the water of the Yellow River would occasionally overflow the banks and then flow back, repeating this process over and over again.

The young master followed the army all the way as before. Under the strict escort of the army, the young master did not make any requests and even cooperated with the army by stationing by the Yellow River.

Not only that, this young man could also eat and chat with the soldiers.

This made Zhang Han feel that the soldiers in the army were a lot more relaxed.

"Sir, I was born in the north. I'm from Yan. My father joined the Qin army, and my family followed him to Xianyang. We Yan people are good at riding and shooting, so I joined the Iron Cavalry."

"The Qin cavalry is used to charge into battle." Another person added.

The Yan brother said again: "So what! I can help you fight the Huns. Have you ever seen the Huns? Do you know how the cavalry fights the Huns on the grasslands?"

When they talked about this, they started arguing.

While eating the dried meat, Fusu noticed that there were some old Qin soldiers with gray hair and beards among the cavalry. These old Qin soldiers were all centurions.

Don't be fooled by their silence at this moment, while a group of young soldiers are making a lot of noise.

These silent old Qin soldiers are all experienced in battle.

It has to be said that war is cruel. After Qin unified the six kingdoms, it almost drained the national strength, and there were still old Qin soldiers with white hair in the army.

The next day, Prince Fusu woke up early. He didn't want to delay the march, nor did he want to sleep for an extra hour or two. The soldiers woke up, and the prince also woke up.

In the court and the public, people talked a lot about Prince Fusu. In the past, they all said that Prince Fusu was very kind, filial, and wise.

Of course, the current Prince Fusu is still benevolent, filial and wise.

However, in the past two years, the young master has taken Prime Minister Li Si as his teacher, and has become very close to Xunzi's disciples. He seems to be associating with Xunzi's disciples and is determined to promote Xunzi's teachings.

On the third day after the heavy rain, the Yellow River finally calmed down a lot.

Today, Fusu saw many cavalrymen traveling back and forth along the Yellow River, as well as teams of merchants or farmers heading west from Hangu Pass into Guanzhong.

Tian An sat on the shaft of the cart, looking into the distance and said, "Sir, Mount Xiao is just ahead."

Upon hearing this, Fusu looked up and saw the green mountains in the distance. The mountains were connected together. If he climbed to the top of the mountain at this time, he should be able to see the ancient Qiaohan Road.

Hangu Pass is just to the north of Mount Xiao. As long as you can see Mount Xiao, you are very close to Hangu Pass.

The team walked for another two hours, and at dusk, people from the guards of Hangu Pass kept coming to ask questions.

Fusu sat on the shaft of the carriage and looked up. In the red sunlight of dusk, the tall and majestic pass standing at the foot of the mountain was right in front of him.

This is the place where the various countries joined forces to attack Qin but were defeated.

The Qin State relied on Hangu Pass to resist the coalition forces of various countries, and then the Qin State went eastward and was invincible.

The commander guarding Hangu Pass was none other than Xin Sheng, the old general who had defeated Yan.

The old general Xin Sheng, with white hair and beard, came forward, supported by a lieutenant general. He saluted and said, "I am honored to meet you, young master."

Fusu hurried forward to support the old general, "No need to be so polite, old general."

Xin Sheng stood leaning on a cane and continued, "Sir, General Wang is stationed at Hangu Pass. I have already sent someone to inform him."

Fusu said, "I will go see the old general right away, no need to bother."

Xin Sheng nodded and said, "Sir, please come this way."

Whether it is General Meng Wu or the old general in front of him, the generals who attacked the various countries in the past are all old, and there are even many veterans in Hangu Pass.

Seeing this scene, Fusu couldn't help but feel that time is unforgiving. Qin had just unified the world, but the old generals were already old.

Fusu walked into Hangu Pass. Looking around, he saw that the city gate was built against the mountain. Looking up, he could vaguely see the beacon tower on the distant mountain ridge. He walked into the city from the inner gate and then walked out. The area in front of him became much narrower.

Walking towards the outer gate, Fusu was taken into the camp outside Hangu Pass before he had time to appreciate the scenery.

The camp was right by the river. Fusu took a look and saw that all those who remained there and had not yet entered the pass were elderly Qin soldiers. They had white hair and beards and sat in groups of three or four.

Xin Sheng explained: "The young men all had to go through the pass to see their families, farm and raise children, so General Wang Jian only left these old Qin soldiers with him."

As he was walking towards the big tent, Fusu heard a voice full of energy.

"Humph! King Wei of Qi? You rat!"

Hearing his father's scolding, Wang Ben's expression tensed. Seeing that the young master had stopped, he walked into the tent in a hurry with a stern face.

When the loud shouting and cursing stopped, General Wang Jian came out with the help of others, looking as sluggish as a candle in the wind, and he even coughed twice.

Fusu could tell that the two coughs were probably intentional.

(End of this chapter)