Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 470 Three Years of Yangshuo
Yangshuo three years,

Wang Yanshi was still inspecting the situation on both banks of the Yellow River.

He lacked political acumen.

He was an unparalleled expert in flood control.

He Bo admires him very much.

Although this river paper-mending craftsman, in order to demonstrate his determination to control the river to the fearful and anxious people and to appease their emotions, would frequently come to the temple to scold He Bo,
But He Bo is not human.
He's shameless!
He only wants talented people, especially those who seem destined to work themselves to death from overwork!
Therefore,
As Wang Yanshi tirelessly traversed the increasingly frail and unwieldy dike...

He would occasionally encounter a young and handsome gentleman.

The latter stood not far away, showing no fear of the raging torrent beside him, nor any concern about the dike beneath his feet that could collapse at any moment.

A strong wind swept in, carrying waves.

A few drops of river water fell onto the hem of his clothes.
A strong wind blew his robes.

However, this could not diminish his elegant demeanor.

The people who had been summoned and commanded by Wang Yanshi to repair the river embankment walked past him, carrying bamboo cages filled with stones, sweating profusely, without showing the slightest interest in this strange gentleman.

It was as if they couldn't see each other at all.

Wang Yanshi noticed this and became curious.

Unfortunately, during their first encounter...

Wang Yanshi was too busy to talk to him.

When they met for the second time,

He finally had a chance to walk over and ask the other person, "Where are you from?"

“I’m a local!” the man replied.

The third encounter
Wang Yanshi asked him, "What are you doing here?"

The other person replied, "I'm a local, why can't I be here?"

Wang Yanshi was surprised:
“You and I have met three times, and each time it was in the same place, and we have crossed many counties!”

How can you still refer to yourself like that?

I never expected this.
He's so good-looking, yet he's a liar who lies the moment he opens his mouth!
The other person wasn't angry; they just shrugged and said:
"You are from Jianwei County in Shu, so why do you frequently appear along the Yellow River?"

"Because I am here to control the floods and bring peace to the world!"

"Oh!" He Bo responded indifferently, then pointed to the torrent beside him and said, "I am the river that you are currently working to control!"

what?
Wang Yanshi was stunned.

He Bo winked at him. "What's wrong?"

"If you still don't believe me, do you really want me to yell at you again before you'll admit your rudeness?"

Wang Yanshi glanced at him, then at the Yellow River, and then looked around at the people who were still hurrying about, yet who didn't spare him a single glance.

He swallowed hard, then bowed deeply to He Bo, saying, "I'm sorry."

He Bo waved his hand, "I know why you said those things in the temple; I also know how hard it is for you to travel between the two sides of the strait."

"It must have been like this when King Yu controlled the floods thousands of years ago."

He Bo didn't believe it.
After enduring such intense and frequent elbow strikes as those from the Mother River,

Holding a wooden shovel, with his trousers tied up, and having soaked his leg hair away in the water, Yu the Great would be a filial son.

This ancestor must have spat into the Yellow River while controlling the floods!

"But what's the point of all this hard work?"

He Bo and Wang Yanshi stood side by side on the embankment, facing the waves.

The former pointed to the surging river and said, "When Yu the Great controlled the floods, he used tools that were far more primitive than those of today, and the manpower he gathered was far less than what we have now, not to mention the resources and manpower he could mobilize back then."

"But why was he able to succeed?"

"It was simply because people's hearts were united at the time, and they worked together to accomplish something."

After all,

He Bo turned around and asked Wang Yanshi, who was staring blankly at the river:
"Time may pass and oceans may turn into mulberry fields, but human nature will never change."

"How do you think people's hearts are now compared to those in the time of Yu the Great?"

Wang Yanshi remained silent.

He knew that the ghosts and gods were simply trying to tell him the truth: "When people's hearts are scattered, it's hard to lead a team."

Such a great river,
If everyone is of one mind, then even if he risks his life, he still won't be able to cure the disease.

"But all I know is how to control floods."

He sighed, then said with a firm gaze:
“Since I can alleviate the burden on the people, allowing them to face disaster later and have more time to prepare and protect themselves… why should I hesitate?”

"I'll just do my best!"

"That way, when I die, I can face my ancestors with a clear conscience and without any regrets!"

His name is now "Yonse".

Why not do something and bring the expectations hidden in this name to life?

He Bo smiled happily, "Yes, yes, yes!"

"I love your idea!"

He patted Wang Yanshi on the shoulder and said, "When you're exhausted, I'll definitely come to pick you up myself!"

"By then, I'll introduce you to some friends... I'm sure you'll get along very well with them!"

When Wang Yanshi heard him say this, he was stunned again, wondering whether he should thank the ghosts and gods for their appreciation and preferential treatment.

Fortunately, He Bo did not force him to answer.

After Wang Yanshi finished his internal struggle...
He Bo was no longer in front of him.

The people carrying sandbags and gabions were still chanting as they walked along the riverbank.

The wind and waves continued to crash in.
The wind made Wang Yanshi's eyes involuntarily squint.

He stood there for a while, suppressing the conversation he had just had, and then went to inspect the condition of the river embankment.

When summer comes,

The rain became plentiful.

Wang Yanshi's constant worry that "the floodwaters would rise so fiercely that they would breach the riverbanks" did not unfortunately come to pass.

He was greatly relieved by this.

People on both sides of the strait cheered, feeling that their efforts had not been in vain.

However, natural disasters can be mitigated through human intervention.
Man-made disasters are unacceptable.

The more arduous the work,
The more burdens are placed on the people at the bottom of society.

How many officials like Wang Yanshi are there in the world?
They may be trying their best to bring some benefits to the people, so that they can reduce their burden and breathe a little easier.

But most of the powerful and wealthy will only believe from the bottom of their hearts:
I've already exploited you like this
You can still breathe?
This is not good!

We need to intensify our efforts!
then,

Despite the turbulent times, a group of powerful and wealthy people, led by the Wang family, relatives of the emperor, remained immersed in pleasure and extravagance.

They seized farmland, mountains, and rivers.
To make these natural wonders a part of one's own estate or manor.

The powerless people could only be pushed into even darker, narrower corners.

Ugh!
Why take every last penny, yet use it like dirt?
So that the pillars supporting the roof are more numerous than the farmers in the southern fields?
Are there more rafters than women working at the loom?

The nail heads are shiny and numerous, more so than the millet grains in the granary.

"We will not accept this kind of oppression!"

"To hell with those nobles!"

Also in summer,
Right here in Yingchuan of the Han Dynasty,
On the very land of Yu the Great, who, according to legend, also dedicated his life to controlling the floods,
A group of ironworkers, who spent their lives working with flames and forging copper and iron for the government, launched a protest.

They were not the farmers who lost their farmland because wealthy people acquired it.

They were just a group of convicts controlled by the imperial court who selflessly dedicated their labor to the Han Dynasty.

According to identity,

They were the "workers" in the social hierarchy of "scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants".

According to identity,

They were no different from the convicts of the Lishan convicts who built the mausoleum for Qin Shi Huang.

The only difference is that

This time, there was no need to wait for local "Chen Sheng" and "Wu Guang" to lead the people in an uprising.

They themselves are Chen Sheng and Wu Guang!

Farmers who have lost their land
There is no difference between them and oppressed workers when they are angry!

A man named Shen Tu Sheng took the lead in gathering 180 people and launched an uprising.

He then proclaimed himself general, killed the hateful official, and led his men out of Yingchuan, traversing the territory of nine prefectures.

The Han Dynasty was shaken by this and quickly responded and mobilized its resources even more powerfully than it had done to control the floods, delivering a heavy blow to these lowly people who dared to challenge its status and rule!
Faced with the heavy blow to the Han Dynasty,
This uprising inevitably ended in failure.

Shen Tu Sheng and other "bandit leaders" who dared to provoke trouble were all executed.

Those who followed the traitors were also severely punished.

Many more people were taken away by the powerful and wealthy with a clear conscience and turned into slaves on their estates.

More anger accumulated and intensified as the copper and iron broke apart.

One day,
This raging fire is destined to overturn the lid that is pressing down on it, melting the copper and iron and burning away the filth.

Having been in the Central Plains for some time, but hampered by their shallow foundations and lack of development, the Taiping Dao, upon hearing this, couldn't help but say:
"This is a sign of impending chaos!"

"The number of people traveling with us will increase from now on!"

"Let's act quickly, and not let this nascent flame go out!"

In Chang'an City,

The nobles were still basking in the joy of successfully suppressing the rebellion.

They merely stroked their beards smugly, denouncing the insolence of these lowly people, completely forgetting how their ancestors had established the Han Dynasty over a hundred years ago—

of course,

Even if we remember the glory and achievements of our ancestors,

They knew where they came from.
These younger generations would also say with a straight face:
"The Han Dynasty's territory was won through the efforts of my ancestors!"

"The hardships I should have endured, my ancestors have already borne for me long ago!"

"I was born to be blessed by my ancestors and enjoy such wealth!"

"A bunch of despicable people! The wealth they've accumulated through a lifetime of hard work isn't even worth a single meal or a piece of jewelry in my home!"

"Why should they fight me?"

Only those with a conscience, like Kong Guang, frowned deeply at this.

They caught a whiff of fire in the raging storm, but they didn't know where it came from or where it was going.

then,

They could only kowtow repeatedly to the emperor in the court, filled with anxiety, hoping that this emperor who ruled over the nine provinces and governed the central country could rouse his spirits and revitalize the court.

"Wang Feng is seriously ill!"

He's about to die!

"After his death, Your Majesty can reclaim power, appoint virtuous and capable ministers, and with their assistance, become a wise and benevolent ruler like the previous emperors of the Han Dynasty!"

Kong Guang, with a rare smile of happiness on his face, addressed his friends and disciples at his residence.

He turned to Wang Mang, who was sitting beside him, and said, “Once your uncle passes away and his suppression is gone, you will surely be able to enter officialdom and become a capable minister who helps the Han Dynasty to be restored and cleanses the world of its filth!”

Upon hearing this, Wang Mang merely offered a faint smile as a response to his teacher's expectations.

But within that smile,
Does it embody humility and gentleness?

Or does it contain a hint of sarcasm?

No one but Wang Mang himself could know the answer.

Even Wang Feng, who had suspected Wang Mang for many years, was unable to remove the mask from his nephew's face before his own death.

He could only lie helplessly on the bed, accepting Wang Mang's service—

As the saying goes:
There is no dutiful son before a long-term illness.

Even though Wang Feng wielded immense power, to the point that even the emperor was forced to avoid his brilliance,
This could not reverse the increasingly decadent and corrupt atmosphere of the Wang family.

His several beloved sons, who were dedicated to paving the way for him.

His bones had long been eroded by that unparalleled power and wealth.

They spend their days chasing chickens and fighting dogs, comparing wealth and power.
Yet she couldn't even spare a single ounce of energy to care for her seriously ill father.

Even at the very beginning of Wang Feng's illness,
They couldn't help but show expressions of rejection when they saw the old and frail body of the Grand Marshal and General of the Han Dynasty, who needed help to eat and drink.

They are born to be waited on.

How can I possibly serve others?!
Therefore,
As Wang Feng's condition worsened,
His sons visited him less and less often.

At last,
Only Wang Mang, his nephew whose true nature was unclear, stayed by Wang Feng's bedside and took care of his health.

"...Are you truly a virtuous and benevolent person who follows moral principles?"

When Wang Mang helped his uncle to prepare medicine for him,
The latter turned his head slightly and asked Wang Mang a question.

Wang Mang's eyes widened, and he said with some fear and surprise, "Serving elders is simply my duty!"

"Is merely doing this enough to be called a gentleman?"

Wang Feng angrily threw away the medicine he offered, slapped the sickbed and said, "I'm a person who's about to die from illness!"

"Why bother pretending with me anymore!"

"It disgusts me!"

Wang Mang became even more terrified.

He cleaned up the mess of soup on the floor, knelt down beside Wang Feng, and expressed his doubts and guilt.

Perhaps it's because I didn't serve them well enough.
That's what made my uncle angry, right?
After all, during this period of time, Wang Feng

It happens very frequently that people use others to distract themselves from their unbearable pain.

Wang Feng looked at him quietly for a while.
Then, with trembling lips, she closed her eyes.

Wang Mang heard him mutter to himself:
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter!"

"What can I do now?"

"What can those good-for-nothings who only know how to enjoy themselves do?"

"Whether you mean it sincerely or not... this glamorous Wang family is going to become your resources!"

Wang Mang, who was prostrate to the side this time,
Finally, there was no longer a response of "fear".

The mingled odors of medicine and illness permeated the room.

All that remained was Wang Feng's painful coughing.

Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun came to visit her brother.

Looking at Wang Feng's haggard and aged appearance, she couldn't help but shed tears and said:
"After her brother's passing, who else in the Wang family can assist the ignorant emperor?"

“Wang Yin, Wang Gen, and Wang Shang, they are all suitable.”

Wang Feng softly uttered a few names.

The last one among them.

He shares the same name as Prime Minister Wang Shang, who was slandered and killed by Wang Feng.

However, their personalities are completely different; he is a pure member of the Wang family of Yuancheng.

The Empress Dowager continued to inquire, "They are all our brothers, and the Emperor's elders."

"If they also leave, which young and talented men will be needed to assist the Han dynasty?"

Wang Feng gritted her teeth and spat out two words.

"Wang Mang!"

"He can perpetuate the wealth and power of my Wang family and share the emperor's worries!"

As for Wang Mang's reputation for virtue,

The Empress Dowager had heard of it.

She even knew that Wang Mang, who was both a member of the Wang clan (a powerful maternal family) and a disciple of the great Confucian scholar Kong Guang, was an excellent link between these two factions of court officials!
However, before Wang Feng,

He has consistently used the excuse that "his nephew is too young and his studies are incomplete" to prevent Wang Mang from taking office, which is why he has not yet obtained an official position.

it's good now,

Everything is fine now!
"I will take good care of him!"

The Empress Dowager spoke to her brother in this way, her tone filled with firmness and trust.

Wang Feng kept her eyes closed, her chest rising and falling slightly, without saying a word.

Shortly after,
Wang Feng passed away.

Wang Mang was appointed as a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate, finally gaining access to the Han Dynasty court, which had lasted for nearly two hundred years.

(End of this chapter)