The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

In fact, due to its geographical location, Wanqiu County did not suffer from severe famine in the first year of the Zhenguan era. This year's locust plague is slightly more severe, but it is not enough to cause serious damage.

The imperial court implemented a work-for-relief program, which was originally intended to prioritize those who could not survive. Wanqiu County was able to get the funds approved because of Chenjiazhuang.

Otherwise, with so many counties in the country needing money, why would Wanqiu County get a chance?

Therefore, it's good enough to have money; how could Pei Shouzhou dare to ask for more? He could only take it one step at a time.

Chen Huai'an pondered for a moment and asked, "At your current construction speed, how long would it take to dredge the Cai River and connect it to the Ying River in the south?"

Pei Shouzhou considered for a moment and then replied, "Your Excellency, it will probably take about ten years."

Upon hearing this answer, Chen Huai'an couldn't help but frown slightly.

Pei Shouzhou seemed to realize his dissatisfaction and quickly explained, "Your Excellency, there is a reason why it will take ten years."

"The Cai River has not been properly dredged and is already silted up in many places. To dredge a large river like the Cai River, we need a lot of manpower, otherwise it will be very difficult to clear."

"Given the current situation, it will probably take three years just to dredge the Cai River."

"As for connecting with the Ying River to the south," Pei Shouzhou said helplessly, "the Ying River itself is connected. From Chenzhou, it flows southeast along the Ying River, passing through Yingzhou and Yingkou before entering the Huai River, and then connecting with the Han River to the Yangtze River."

"It has always been an important waterway for grain transport."

"However, the Ying River is located south of Wanqiu County, neither too far nor too close. Connecting the Cai River to the Ying River for use as a transit point for grain transport would take even longer."

"Ten years is the fastest possible time under ideal circumstances."

"What do you mean by 'undesirable'?" Chen Huai'an countered.

Pei Shouzhou opened his mouth and said, "Wanqiu County actually does not meet the standards for work-for-relief programs. The fact that it has some quotas is entirely due to Chenjiazhuang and Your Excellency."

"If one day a more severe disaster occurs and the imperial court cuts off funding to Wanqiu County, the project will naturally be unable to continue."

Chen Huai'an nodded slightly and pondered, "Ten years? I definitely can't wait that long."

"Wanqiu County actually has a very favorable geographical location. It is surrounded by the Cai River and the Ying River is not far away. If the Cai River is cleared and connected to the Ying River, Wanqiu County, as a transit point for canal transport, can truly usher in an opportunity for development."

"Otherwise, such a great location will be wasted, and we'll just be stuck farming like before."

As he spoke, Chen Huai'an fell into deep thought.

Pei Shouzhou didn't dare to speak, but he felt a little excited inside.

He knew it, he knew it!

Chen Huai'an's triumphant return to his hometown was certainly not just a simple visit!

Based on the previous situation, Pei Shouzhou could only wait patiently for the court to allocate funds each year, and then proceed slowly.

It will take about ten years to dredge the Cai River and connect it to the Ying River, after which Wanqiu County will be able to develop completely.

Pei Shouzhou's achievement was undoubtedly a great accomplishment.

At that time, a promotion is a certainty.

But by then, he would be almost forty-eight years old, and no one could say for sure whether he could still advance in his career, or even how many more years he could remain an official.

In officialdom, sometimes the earlier you get promoted, the better; otherwise, you may never get promoted.

If Chen Huai'an were to lend a helping hand, he might be able to achieve his political accomplishments in less than two years.

The difference is not simply eight years.

"Okay, then, you should stop the current project for now," Chen Huai'an said, pointing to the Cai River on the feng shui map. "You just said yourself that it's very difficult to dredge the Cai River when there are few people."

"Since it's difficult, we can give up for now."

"You should repair the city walls and gates first. This is not only a military necessity, but also a symbol of the county's authority. So, repair the city walls and gates first and establish a positive image."

"The east gate will be renamed Wangxi Gate, the south gate Tongcai Gate, the north gate Gongchen Gate, and the west gate Yinghui Gate!"

"The main street from the county government office to the south gate should be paved with bricks and stones, and drainage ditches should be set up on both sides. We should first do a good job of the county town itself."

Pei Shouzhou was very serious. He did not question why the repair of Caihe River was temporarily abandoned, and he kept in mind everything Chen Huai'an said.

After Chen Huai'an had finished speaking, he asked at the opportune moment, "And then?"

"And then?" Chen Huai'an asked with a slight smile. "After you've done all that, you can build something else."

"May I ask, Your Excellency, what is this?"

"Fuxi Mausoleum!"

Pei Shouzhou was stunned, and so were everyone in Chenjiazhuang.

They assumed Chen Huai'an was probably going to build some kind of dock, or at the very least clean up the old streets.

I never expected that Chen Huai'an would actually request the construction of the Fuxi Mausoleum.

The people of Chenjiazhuang simply couldn't understand it.

Why build a mausoleum first when other projects are still underway?

Pei Shouzhou was somewhat puzzled, but he forced a smile and asked, "May I ask, Your Excellency, why is the Fuxi Mausoleum being built first?"

Chen Huai'an explained calmly, "The Tang Dynasty has a sacrificial system for the tombs of previous emperors, but it has not yet extended to Fuxi."

"Besides its geographical location, Wanqiu County has an advantage that other counties in Chenzhou don't have: the Mausoleum of Fuxi!"

"You go ahead and build the Fuxi Mausoleum. Remember, build it well. Make it as grand as possible, build it on the largest scale, and every part must be built to the highest standards."

"Once it's repaired, you should petition the court to include the Fuxi Mausoleum in the 'Mausoleums of Former Emperors' sacrificial rites, with the Prefect of Chenzhou or the Magistrate of Wanqiu representing the court in the spring and autumn sacrifices."

In an instant, Pei Shouzhou understood Chen Huai'an's plan.

To put it bluntly, once the Fuxi Mausoleum is completed, Wanqiu County will have its own cultural heritage and a prestigious reputation.

This kind of thing might actually benefit Wanqiu County for a thousand years to come.

Once his memorial to the throne was approved by the imperial court, the historical status of Wanqiu County would be definitively established.

The mausoleum of one of the Three Sovereigns is located here, making it difficult for Wanqiu County not to be famous.

but......

Pei Shouzhou said with difficulty, "Your Excellency, I understand what you mean, but... the Fuxi Mausoleum is not a small project, and it cannot be completed in a short time."

"Foolish!" Chen Huai'an scolded, "Just build a small shrine in front of Fuxi's Mausoleum for use during sacrifices. It doesn't need to be luxurious, but it must be orderly and solemn, isn't that enough?"

"Just erect a stele that reads 'Tomb of Taihao Fuxi,' and I'll personally write the inscription and write the calligraphy. Wouldn't that make me famous?"

"Furthermore, the fifteenth day of the second lunar month will be designated as the 'Fuxi Emperor Sacrifice Day,' during which folk sacrifices will be held in front of the Fuxi Mausoleum, allowing people to offer sacrifices, burn incense, and sing and dance."

"I remember that Chenzhou itself has a tradition of 'shamanistic song and dance,' so this doesn't seem out of place."

"Oh." Pei Shouzhou suddenly understood. Chen Huai'an's meaning was clear: he was saying that the Fuxi Mausoleum could be repaired slowly, since it was already there anyway.

First, build a small ancestral hall for everyone to burn incense and worship.

"..."