Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

The construction of the irrigation canal, like a slowly crawling earthen dragon, extended daily across the land between the northern mountain spring and Xinghuobao. The shouts, the pounding of earth, and the clanging of tools against stones became a new symphony on this land. Despite the arduous process, despite everyone's hands being blistered and their shoulders red and swollen from the carrying poles, a sense of almost creative joy and anticipation quietly grew in the hearts of the participants as they watched the increasingly long and orderly ditch, and the gradually compacted, slightly sloping canal bed.

However, when the project was about three miles from Xinghuobao, it encountered an expected but still difficult obstacle—a rocky beach.

This stretch of beach, about thirty paces wide, is littered with irregularly shaped stones ranging in size from chicken eggs to millstones, mostly remnants of floods or landslides. The stones are piled haphazardly, with sand filling the gaps. When using shovels and picks, sparks fly, and often only the small surface stones can be pried up. Larger, deeply buried stones are difficult to move even with the combined efforts of several people. To make matters worse, the beach is relatively flat. If a deep trench were to be dug directly into the ground as originally planned, the project would be enormous, and the loose gravel on both sides would easily collapse, making it extremely difficult to shape.

The excavation team responsible for this section was clearly slowing down. The old stonemason led his men in trying several methods, such as detouring or focusing on clearing key areas, but the results were unsatisfactory. Morale began to decline, and whispers started to rise. Some people began to miss the days of simply digging soil, feeling that this rocky beach was simply an obstacle deliberately set up by God.

When the news reached Chen Xing, he was inspecting a newly erected, simple bamboo aqueduct in the middle of the canal—it was to cross a small gully formed after rain. The aqueduct was made by splitting a dozen thick bamboo poles, removing the joints, and then weaving them together end to end. It was supported high by a wooden frame. Although it was rudimentary, after testing, the water flowed smoothly with only a little leakage.

"A rocky beach?" Chen Xing wiped the sweat from his brow, his brow furrowing slightly. This was indeed a difficult problem. Detour? Wu Xuejiu and the survey team had already confirmed that either the slopes on either side were steeper, or the soil was loose sand—both unsuitable. Forcibly dig? Too inefficient; time was of the essence.

"Master, how about... we burn it first, then pour cold water on it to make the stone crack?" A young man from Chen Xing's materials team timidly suggested. This was a method of quarrying stone that he had heard from an old man.

Chen Xing shook his head: "That's a method for dealing with large rocks. The rocks here are of varying sizes and buried at different depths, so this method is too inefficient and requires a lot of firewood, making it not worthwhile." He looked around at the craftsmen and team leader who were following him, "Do any of you have any other ideas?"

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, most shaking their heads. Someone muttered, "If all else fails, we can just slowly chisel our way through; we'll eventually get through, it'll just be time-consuming and laborious..."

Chen Xing didn't jump to conclusions immediately, but instead said, "Let's go take a look first."

When the group arrived at the construction site in the rocky wasteland, they saw the old stonemason squatting next to a large rock protruding from the ground, looking distressed as he tapped and hammered with a short pickaxe. Dozens of men from the excavation team were sitting or standing around him, most of them looking dejected, their tools lying aside.

Upon seeing Chen Xing arrive, everyone quickly stood up. The old stonemason reported with a bitter face, "Master, this place...it's a real tough nut to crack! We've been digging all morning and have only cleared less than two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) of land, and those are mostly small stones; the larger ones are still buried underneath! At this rate, we won't be able to cross this land for at least half a month!"

Chen Xing didn't speak. He squatted down and carefully examined the rocky beach beneath his feet. He picked up a few stones, observing their shape and how they were piled up, and then poked at the sand between the stones with a stick. His mind raced. Digging by hand definitely wouldn't work… He needed more efficient tools, or… a more ingenious method?

"Could we... not dig all the stones away?" A slightly hesitant voice came from behind the crowd.

Everyone turned to look and saw a thin, dark-skinned man, around forty years old, rubbing his hands nervously as he stood there. He was wearing a patched-up short brown coat, and his hands were covered in calluses and fresh scratches. He was one of the excavation team members, named Guo San. He had previously worked as a day laborer in a quarry in his hometown and had also helped with road repairs, so he had some relevant experience. However, he was usually quiet and unremarkable.

"Guo San, what's on your mind? Speak up!" The old stonemason recognized him and urged him quickly.

Guo San took two steps forward, pointed to the rocky beach at his feet, and gestured: "I see, although these stones are scattered, most of them are still touching solid ground underneath, not floating on top. We're digging a canal to let water flow through, not to level the ground. Since it's difficult to dig through the stones, could we... just build the canal directly out of these stones on this rocky beach?"

"Build a canal with stones?" someone asked, puzzled.

"Yes!" Guo San seemed to have mustered his courage, speaking faster. "We won't dig deeper. Instead, we'll choose a relatively flat spot on the surface of this rocky beach, and use slightly larger stones to build up the sides, creating the canal walls. The gaps between the stones will be sealed with a mixture of clay, fine sand, and grass fibers—he pointed to several types of resilient wild grasses growing along the edge of the beach—just like… just like building a wall! The groove left in the middle will be the canal! Any uneven areas will be leveled with small stones and mud to create a slope. This way, we won't have to waste so much effort digging out those large stones; we'll just clear away the protruding, obstructive ones, and the rest will become ready-made materials for building the canal!"

His eyes grew brighter as he spoke, his rough fingers tracing lines in the air as if he could already see the stone canal winding its way up the rocky beach. "Moreover," he continued, "a canal built of stones is much sturdier than an earthen one; it's not afraid of being washed away by water, nor of landslides on either side!"

After he finished speaking, silence fell over the room. Everyone was digesting his "outlandish" idea.

The old stonemason frowned in thought. Building a channel with stones... it seemed feasible? But the stones were of different sizes and shapes, how could they be laid neatly and securely? Would mud seal the gaps and keep out the water? How could the slope be guaranteed?

Chen Xing's eyes lit up. Wasn't this the idea of ​​adapting to local conditions and turning waste into treasure? It was even somewhat similar to the primitive "dry masonry" or "mortar masonry" techniques! Although Guo San's description was simple, the core idea was correct—to change the mindset of confronting difficulties head-on and instead utilize existing conditions to achieve the goal.

"Guo San, tell me in detail how to select these stones, how to lay them, how to mix the mortar, and how to control the slope?" Chen Xing walked up to Guo San and asked with bright eyes.

Seeing that the fortress lord not only didn't rebuke him for talking nonsense but also inquired seriously, Guo San's face flushed with excitement, and he began to stammer an explanation. What he said certainly wasn't any professional technique; it was mostly some rudimentary methods based on his past experiences. For example, choosing long, flat stones as "face stones," using irregular but hold-up stones to fill the "belly stones," repeatedly pounding the mud to increase its stickiness, adding crushed grass fibers to prevent cracking, and using long wooden strips with a simple level to control the height and slope of the stack…

As Chen Xing listened, he quickly refined his ideas in his mind. Guo San's ideas provided an excellent foundation, but their implementation required more systematic organization and a grasp of some key points. For example, it would require the coordination of a dedicated "stone selection team" and a "laying team"; it would require testing to determine the optimal mortar mix ratio; and it would require the development of simple laying specifications.

"Great!" After listening, Chen Xing patted Guo San's shoulder forcefully. "Guo San, your method is very insightful! It turns the difficult into the easy and the waste into the treasure! If this succeeds, you should be credited with the greatest contribution!"

Guo San was startled by the slap, and upon hearing the words "first merit," he was even more flustered, repeatedly saying, "I dare not, I dare not, I was just thinking wildly..."

"This isn't just wild speculation, it's brainstorming!" Chen Xing raised his voice, addressing all the men in the excavation team around him. "Everyone heard that! Guo San's 'stone beach canal construction method' might just help us overcome this hurdle! When faced with difficulties in engineering projects, we can't just bury our heads in hard work; we also need to look up, see where we're going, and use our brains to find solutions! Guo San, from this moment on, you'll temporarily take over as the foreman for the stone beach section, responsible for testing and implementing this method! If you need any personnel or materials, just contact Wang Jian and Zhou Dashan directly! Old stonemason, you're experienced; assist him and help him oversee things!"

Seeing that the lord had set the tone, the old stonemason put aside his doubts and nodded in agreement. Guo San was trembling with excitement; in his entire life, had he ever been so trusted and entrusted with such an important task?

Chen Xing immediately gathered several core craftsmen and team leaders, and using wooden sticks to draw a diagram on the stone beach, quickly finalized the experimental plan: first, a ten-zhang-long section of the stone beach was designated as the test section; manpower was organized to select stones and prepare materials according to Guo San's method; under Guo San's guidance, a small section of demonstration channel was built; then, a small amount of water was drawn from the already repaired upstream to test its firmness and leakage; if it was feasible, it would be immediately promoted to the entire stone beach section.

The atmosphere at the rocky construction site transformed that afternoon. Gone was the somber mood of workers toiling away at their tasks; instead, it was filled with the excitement of experimentation and exploration. Those selecting stones carefully searched for suitable blocks, sorting and stacking them according to size and shape; those mixing mud vigorously pounded the clay-straw mixture; and Guo San, with the assistance of an experienced stonemason and several skilled craftsmen, personally built the first demonstration stone channel. He worked with extreme seriousness, frequently pausing to adjust the stones' positions or carefully filling gaps with mud. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but his eyes shone with focused concentration.

Chen Xing didn't leave, but watched from the sidelines, occasionally offering a question or suggestion. For example, he suggested laying a thick layer of clay at the bottom of the canal and compacting it as a seepage barrier before starting to build the side walls; or he reminded them to leave appropriate "contraction" when building the walls to increase stability. These details made Guo San and the old stonemason nod repeatedly, feeling that the fortress lord was indeed meticulous.

At sunset, a rough stone channel, about two zhang long, one and a half chi wide, and two chi high, appeared prominently on the rocky beach. Although its appearance was not very neat, its structure was solid, and the gaps were filled with dark mud, making it look quite sturdy.

Chen Xing personally diverted a small stream of water from upstream, which was then channeled into this section of the stone canal. The clear water gurgled and flowed, crashing against the stone walls with a pleasant sound. Everyone held their breath, watching intently. The water flowed smoothly through the entire stone canal, with only a few minor gaps showing slight seepage, but this did not affect the main flow of water at all.

"It's done! It's really done!" Someone shouted first, and then the entire construction site erupted in enthusiastic cheers. Guo San looked at the clear water flowing in the canal, grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and chuckled foolishly, but his eyes were glistening with tears.

That evening, the council hall of Xinghuobao was brightly lit.

Chen Xing summoned all the core members and specially invited Guo San to attend. Li Shu publicly read out the situation at the rocky beach construction site today, as well as the "rocky beach canal construction method" proposed by Guo San and the successful results of its experiment.

"According to Article 6 of the Merit Order: Anyone who improves tools, proposes effective methods to increase work efficiency, or overcomes difficulties shall be awarded a major merit to a special merit, depending on the value of their contribution." Chen Xing's voice was clear and resonant. "Guo San's method solved the difficulties in the construction of the stone beach, saved a great deal of manpower and time, and ensured the timely progress of the irrigation canal project. His contribution is remarkable! After discussion with Mr. Wu, Commander Chen, and others, Guo San is hereby awarded a 'Class C Special Merit'! He is rewarded with 500 merit points, 3 shi of millet, 1 bolt of fine cloth, and promoted to deputy captain of the 'Craftsmen's Group' stonemasonry team, specializing in stonework!"

"Class C Special Merit! Five hundred points!" A collective gasp filled the hall. Merit points were extremely valuable. An ordinary soldier participating in a medium-sized battle and achieving some success would only earn a few dozen to a hundred points. Five hundred points were enough to exchange for the ownership of several acres of prime farmland, or a considerable amount of grain and cloth! Not to mention the physical goods like millet and cloth, and the potential for a promotion!

Guo San was already dumbfounded. Only after Li Shu reminded him did he hurriedly step forward, kneel down with a thud, and choke out, "Thank you... thank you for your generous reward, Lord! Guo San... Guo San is unworthy of such a favor..."

"This is what you deserve." Chen Xing personally helped him up, then looked around at everyone, his tone solemn, "Gentlemen! Today, Guo San is being rewarded not only for his single method, but also for the spirit he represents—diligence in thinking and courage in innovation! For Xinghuo Fortress to establish itself and develop in this chaotic world, it cannot rely solely on brute force, but also on the wisdom of everyone! Anyone with a skill, anyone who can propose a good plan that benefits the fortress and its people, regardless of their background or position, will be richly rewarded according to the 'Order of Merit'! I hope that everyone will take Guo San as their role model!"

After the words were spoken, the hall was initially silent, then erupted in enthusiastic applause and discussion. Zhao Tiezhu clapped the loudest; although he still felt somewhat awkward about Murong Mingyue's situation, he was genuinely impressed by this reward earned through merit. Zhou Dashan, Wang Jian, and others were also visibly excited; their respective areas of responsibility also required innovation and ingenuity. Even the usually composed Chen Wei showed a hint of approval in his eyes. Murong Mingyue, seated in the guest seat, watched this exciting scene, gaining a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of the "Merit Order."

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire fortress overnight. The next day, whether in the fields, at the irrigation canal construction site, or in the workshops, the topic of conversation was invariably "Guo San's strategy has been richly rewarded." The light in many people's eyes had changed; it was no longer just a desire for merit and material rewards, but a ignited flame called "hope" and "possibility."

It turns out that here, using your brain and coming up with solutions can really be seen, valued, and bring tangible rewards!

The method of building irrigation ditches on the rocky beach was quickly adopted, greatly accelerating the progress. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in other parts of the fort was also quietly changing. Some people began to think about how to improve their farm tools, some secretly experimented with new weaving or tanning methods, and even the women in charge of cooking were discussing whether they could make more delicious meals using newly harvested wild vegetables and limited seasonings.

Chen Xing knew that the seed he had sown, the seed of "inspiring innovation," had begun to sprout. This was perhaps more significant than simply building an irrigation canal.