Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 336 Success Will Inevitably Include Me
The emperor's words shocked Zhu Guangzuo and Bi Ziyan so much that they were speechless for a long time.

Viewing refugees as a force that can be utilized, rather than simply a burden, demonstrates a vision that transcends the conventional approach of rulers and ministers throughout history in providing disaster relief and helping the people.

Zhu Guangzuo spent his life managing rivers, and all his thoughts and concerns were about water, dikes, and river channels. He never imagined that his water management strategies could be so closely connected with the foundation of the nation—the people.

Looking at the excessively young emperor, he felt a sense of awe and reverence once again.

"Your Majesty's wisdom is truly enlightened. I... am so foolish that I have only now come to understand this profound truth." Zhu Guangzu bowed his head and knelt down, his voice filled with heartfelt reverence.

Zhu Youjian simply smiled faintly and helped him up: "My dear minister, there's no need for that. I summoned you two here today not to hear your praises. What I just said was merely the beginning. What follows is the real work I intend to do."

He returned to the enormous map, his gaze deep, as if he had taken in the entire landscape.

"What I just discussed were all methods of replacing relief with work, which are human strategies. However, the essence of river management ultimately lies in water. To transform floods into water resources, empty talk is useless; there must be practical strategies."

He paused, his tone becoming extremely solemn: "My strategy for governing the river is implemented in three steps, taking into account both the near and the far, and connecting the beginning and the end. I call it the Three-Tier Governance."

"The first stage, which I call the Foundation for Peace and Prosperity, is expected to take four years."

Zhu Youjian stretched out his finger and pointed to the area on the map from Lanyang in Henan to Caoxian in Shandong, the region that was most deeply colored in blue.

"This place has historically been a source of breaches. My intention is no longer to passively block the breaches in the main river channel, for the more we block, the higher the breaches rise, and the higher the breaches rise, the more dangerous they become. Instead, we should take the initiative to excavate!"

"Actively excavate?" Bi Ziyan was startled upon hearing this.

The Yellow River is so violent that we should avoid it, yet we dare to provoke it.

Zhu Youjian saw his doubts and explained, “Minister Bi, do not worry. This is not a rash move, but rather a strategic one. I intend to dig a main canal here to divert a portion of the Yellow River’s water and carry the majority of its silt into the vast low-lying areas and saline wastelands of eastern Henan, northern Anhui, and southwestern Shandong.”

He looked at Zhu Guangzuo and said, “I have named this canal ‘Heaven-Given Canal.’ It means ‘a land bestowed by Heaven,’ and I also want all people to know that this is the will of Heaven and the favor of the Emperor.”

"To ensure the accuracy of the water diversion route and prevent secondary disasters, I will order Western missionaries such as Johann Adam Schall von Bell to bring their new surveying equipment and work with the craftsmen of the Water Conservancy Bureau to determine the canal route."

Along the way, multiple stone sluice gates and water diversion gates need to be constructed. First, the water flow is slowed in the vast, flooded area to settle the coarse sand; then, the fertile water is diverted into a planned grid-like irrigation area.

Zhu Guangzuo's eyes lit up and his breathing became rapid.

He was a master of river management, and although the emperor's words were brief, they hit the nail on the head.

This method is like splitting a wild and unruly dragon apart, settling its violent coarse sand, and taking its silt, which nourishes all things, to moisten those barren and abandoned lands!
"Your Majesty! This method... if this method succeeds, it will be nothing short of rebuilding the mountains and rivers!" Zhu Guangzuo trembled with excitement. "As the ancients said, 'How long will people live if they wait for the Yellow River to run clear?' If we follow Your Majesty's plan, diverting the Yellow River's silt to irrigate and turning barren land into fertile fields, this is... this is the achievement of Yu the Great, a miraculous strategy unprecedented in a hundred generations!"

Zhu Youjian nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with such praise, and continued:
“To accomplish great things, not only are good methods needed, but also capable people. I intend to set up a separate camp in Andu Prefecture to be in charge of this matter. Tian Ergeng will recruit and select 30,000 young men from among the displaced people, provide them with generous pay, train them in weapons, and have them practice martial arts, reclaim wasteland and build canals on a regular basis.”

At this point, he paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Tian Ergeng, a hint of coldness in his eyes: "These 30,000 elite troops are not only the backbone of the project, but also a steel knife that I have planted among hundreds of thousands of refugees!"

Hundreds of thousands of refugees gathered in one place. Although they were serving the country, their hearts were unpredictable, and the slightest incitement could lead to disaster.

With these 30,000 elite troops at our side, they can serve as role models, leading the way, and, when necessary, suppress troublemakers and quell unrest, ensuring that these hundreds of thousands of people remain docile tools in the hands of the court, rather than sharp blades that turn against us. In times of war, they will be an elite reserve force for our Great Ming.”

He turned to Zhu Guangzuo and said, “Under the command and supervision of these 30,000 elite troops, we will organize hundreds of thousands of displaced people into a ‘River Control Engineering Corps’ by imitating the military’s organizational structure. The corps will be divided into sections, districts, battalions, and outposts, with strict discipline and unified command.”

Then, he looked at Bi Ziyan: "The Ministry of Revenue should issue the 'Decree on Land Acquisition and Granting of Land,' which should be clearly proclaimed to the world that all those who participate in river management, whether soldiers or civilians, will be provided with daily rations and a meager monthly salary."

Upon completion of the project, those who have made contributions will have priority in receiving the fertile land they personally cultivated and created, and will be exempt from all taxes for ten years from the date of the land grant!

Upon hearing this, Bi Ziyan had already clearly calculated the score in his mind.

Transform millions of potential bandits into the empire's most loyal self-sufficient farmers and reserve soldiers who will not leave their homeland at the lowest possible cost!

The establishment of those 30,000 elite troops was a stroke of genius, employing both kindness and force. On one hand, land was granted to reassure them, while on the other hand, sharp weapons were used to intimidate them, firmly locking this force within the controllable range of imperial power.

"Your Majesty's strategy combines kindness and severity, achieving multiple benefits in one fell swoop. It not only pacifies the displaced people but also creates fertile land and strengthens national defense. Your subject...is completely convinced!" Bi Ziyan bowed deeply, his words devoid of any doubt.

Zhu Youjian did not stop, his finger slowly moving upwards along the main channel of the Yellow River on the map.

"This is the first stage, laying the foundation for stabilizing the people." Zhu Youjian's gaze shifted to the Hongze Lake and Dongping Lake areas on the map. "Once the downstream area is initially stabilized, we will need to move on to the second stage: consolidating the midstream and coordinating efforts across the entire region. This is expected to take three to eight years."

"The goal at this stage is to regulate the middle reaches of the river to ensure the smooth transport of grain and to establish a water situation early warning system."

"My intention is to renovate Hongze Lake and Dongping Lake. The dikes around the two lakes should be raised and reinforced on a large scale, especially the Gaojiayan dike, which should be as solid as a rock. The most advanced multi-hole interlocking stone gates that can be built at their outlets should be constructed. This will transform them from lakes that passively contain floods into reservoirs that can actively regulate the storage and release of water."

Zhu Guangzuo's eyes lit up, and he said first, "Your Majesty is wise! If this move succeeds, it can store the floodwaters from the Huai River and the Yellow River during the flood season, ensuring the safety of the downstream areas and protecting the Grand Canal. During the dry season, the sluice gates can be opened to release water, replenishing the Grand Canal and irrigating the surrounding farmland for thousands of miles! This is the essence of the word 'adjustment'!"

“That is exactly right.” Zhu Youzhong gave him an approving look. “In addition, I will establish an unprecedented method for flood early warning.”

“Starting from Tongguan in Shaanxi, a ‘River Watch Tower’ was set up every fifty li along both banks of the Yellow River. During the flood season, people were stationed in the towers to monitor the water level day and night, and warning lines were carved on the tower walls. Once the water level exceeded the line, a signal fire was immediately lit, and at the same time, fast horses were dispatched to quickly alert the prefectures and the Water Conservancy Bureau downstream through the postal relay system!”

He looked at Tian Ergeng: "This matter requires the full cooperation of Andu Prefecture. Every year when the flood season is approaching, the captains under your command must stand guard together with the people of Wanghe Tower to ensure that military orders are carried out smoothly and that intelligence is delivered instantly."

Tian Ergeng, who had remained silent until now, immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a voice as firm as metal and stone: "Your subject obeys the decree! I will certainly not fail in my mission!"

Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction: "If this system is built, the early warning of the Yellow River flood peak can be extended from the current state of almost no preparation to ten or even fifteen days. These precious ten days are enough for the military and civilians downstream to evacuate calmly, and for the engineering corps to reinforce dangerous sections. This is a race against time, and also a race against fate!"

The three people in the hall were now completely immersed in the grand blueprint drawn up by the emperor. Their thoughts followed the emperor's finger as he traced the map, sometimes marveling at the irrigation and land reclamation downstream, sometimes admiring the lakes and reservoirs in the middle reaches, and sometimes being awestruck by the early warning system that stretched for thousands of miles.

However, before Zhu Youjian could finish speaking, he took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping across the middle and lower reaches of the river, pointing directly to the Loess Plateau at the westernmost end of the map.

"The above two measures, one is 'dredging' and the other is 'adjusting,' which can resolve the immediate crisis and bring benefits for decades, but they are still not what I ultimately seek. What I want is long-term stability and security. Therefore, there is a third stage: upstream source stabilization and ecological layout."

"It may take twenty or thirty years, or fifty or ten years, or even longer for its effects to become apparent."

His voice became unusually solemn, as if he were announcing a national policy to be passed down to future generations.

"I will promulgate the 'Soil Conservation and Reclamation Law.' Its core is just one sentence: 'The key to controlling the Yellow River lies in controlling the sand; the key to controlling the sand lies in conserving the soil.'"

"I hereby order a strict ban on deforestation and land reclamation on steep slopes in the loess-covered areas of Shanxi and Shaanxi. The government will dispatch experienced farmers and craftsmen to guide the local people in building terraced fields. I promise the people there that all newly built terraced fields, as well as mountain land planted with economic trees, will be 'never subject to additional taxes'!"

"In addition, I will implement the policy of 'grass and trees bank'. Local gentry and wealthy households will be encouraged to invest in planting alfalfa, sea buckthorn, elm and other drought-resistant and soil-fixing grasses and trees on barren mountains. The grasses and trees they plant will become their assets, which can be cut down and sold. The government will not only not interfere, but will also reward them."

At this point, Zhu Youjian's three-stage river management strategy had been fully revealed.

Upon careful reflection, Bi Ziyan realized that this was clearly a comprehensive strategy encompassing downstream pacification, midstream regulation, and upstream resource conservation, integrating water conservancy, agriculture, military affairs, transportation, civil administration, and ecology!

Its grand vision, meticulous planning, and magnificent spirit far exceeded the scope of what he and Zhu Guangzuo had learned and known throughout their lives.

They seemed to see a giant dragon, unruly for thousands of years, being shackled layer by layer by this young emperor, from its tail to its body and then to its head, until it was finally tamed and transformed into an auspicious symbol to protect the land.

Zhu Youjian looked at the two dumbfounded men and slowly said, "This three-tiered strategy cannot be accomplished overnight. I roughly estimate that in order to make it initially effective, the amount of silver required will be no less than 25 million taels!"

"Twenty-five million taels!" Bi Ziyan gasped.

This figure is almost equivalent to the total fiscal revenue of the Ming Dynasty over several years! Even he, the Minister of Revenue, was shocked by this number.

Zhu Youjian looked at him calmly: "Minister Bi, do you think this number is too large?"

Bi Ziyan opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed back the words "the national treasury is empty".

He knew that pleading poverty in front of this emperor was useless.

Zhu Youjian snorted coldly: "I will find a way to get the money. Whether it succeeds or not, my intention is to do it first and then talk about it later!"

Tears welled up in Bi Ziyan's eyes.

He said nothing, but the old minister's heart was deeply moved by the emperor's resolute determination.

His shock and admiration grew stronger every day!

Who in the world doesn't know how frugal the current emperor has been since he ascended the throne?

In order to raise funds for military expenses and disaster relief, he even ordered the suspension of the restoration projects of the three main halls, as well as the construction of his own imperial mausoleum!
That's an imperial tomb!
It is the final resting place of emperors after ten thousand years, the rule of ancestors, and the dignity of the nation!

The emperor said it was time to stop, and that was it!

At first, the old scholars in the Ministry of Rites thought the emperor was just putting on an act. They quoted classics and even threatened to die to remonstrate, saying that this move violated ancestral rules and undermined the foundation of the country.

The results of it?
A merciless beating in court left the ringleaders with lacerations and shattered the illusions of the entire court.

They then realized that the young emperor was not joking!

He truly intends to halt all non-essential large-scale projects and use every penny taken from the national treasury for purposes beneficial to the people!

Since then, even the most demanding officials have been unable to find fault with the emperor in these matters.

Because everyone can see that from pacifying the refugees in Shaanxi to rectifying the officialdom of the country, and now to this grand plan to manage the river, every single thing he has done is for the benefit of the people.
At this moment, Bi Ziyan looked at the emperor before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

To say that he is 100% certain that this plan will succeed is to deceive himself.

The problems caused by the Yellow River have been accumulated for thousands of years; how can they be eliminated in a single day?
The difficulties and obstacles involved are enough to deter even the most optimistic person.

However, the magnanimity and planning that the emperor has shown today have led him to a realm he had never dared to imagine!

In the past, they thought about how to block and prevent floods, how to patch up the old laws of their ancestors, and seek temporary stability; but the emperor thought about how to dredge, how to guide, how to turn floods into water conservancy, and even wove together river management with the well-being of the people, trade, military affairs, agriculture and even water conservation into a magnificent and awe-inspiring picture!

Such a vast difference in perspective made this old minister admire him from the bottom of his heart.

Bi Ziyan even had a thought: if even His Majesty, with his profound foresight and mastery of all methods, which directly addresses the root of the problem, cannot completely quell the rage of the Yellow River, then unless there are truly immortals descending to earth who can move mountains and rocks and summon wind and rain, then perhaps no one in future generations will be able to surpass His Majesty in this matter!

At this moment, the emperor was envisioning a magnificent undertaking that would take twenty, fifty, or even a hundred years to complete!
To be able to follow such an emperor and lay a foundation for this everlasting achievement is a life well-lived!

Involuntarily, a sentence the emperor had said before echoed in Bi Ziyan's mind. Reflecting on it now, he felt that every word carried immense weight and was truly thought-provoking—

"Success doesn't have to be achieved by me, but I will definitely be a part of it!"

(End of this chapter)