Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 424 The Birth of Tianjin, The Second Campaign Against Yuan Shao

Cao Cao's greatest contribution to the world was not the unification of the north, but the repair of the canal connecting the Yellow River and the Hai River. This canal was the precursor to the Sui-Tang Grand Canal and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal in Hebei Province. The later city of Tianjin was formed because the waterways converged there.

As for why Cao Cao repaired this canal, the reason was simple: it was to conquer the Wuhuan.

Xianyu Fu's current motivation is to control Youzhou and subsequently conquer Liaodong, which is similar to Cao Cao's purpose in repairing the Grand Canal.

Xu You stroked his beard and pondered, then said, “My lord, when Yuan Shao was in power, some people proposed to repair the Grand Canal in order to conquer Youzhou. However, due to military matters, the project was abandoned. In my opinion, if you wish to connect the old course of the Yellow River to the Lu River in the north, you must first divert water to irrigate the old course, which is now called Baigou.”

"The water flowing into Baigou is nothing more than the waters of Zhang, Qi, Ming and Juluze. After flowing through Baigou, it first flows northeast. In order to reach Youzhou and enter the sea, it is necessary to dredge a river in Youzhou so that the water of Baigou can be diverted. Only in this way can ships from the Central Plains reach Youzhou directly."

Seeing that Xu You explained in such detail, Zhang Yu couldn't help but take a few more glances. He hadn't expected Xu You to have such talent in water conservancy.

"Do you have any water map showing the dredging of the canal?" Zhang Yu asked.

Xianyu Fu hesitated for a moment, then said, “There are many rivers, and I cannot report them all. However, I do have maps of the Hutuo River and the Pi River. If we can dredge these two rivers and connect the Baigou Canal to the Hutuo River, then the Hebei Canal will be completed. The Hutuo River used to flow into the Yellow River, making it a tributary of the Yellow River. But now the Yellow River has changed its course, and the Hutuo River flows into the sea on its own.”

After speaking, Xianyu Fu presented the water map.

Zhang Yu glanced at it a few times, recalled the course of Baigou, and said, "Baigou and Hutuo River are connected by a waterway. If we want to build a canal, there is no need to make great efforts to build it here. We can change the course of Hutuo River to flow through Youzhou and connect with the Pi and Lu rivers, so that it can flow directly into the sea."

As he spoke, Zhang Yu gestured on the map with his finger, vaguely pointing to the location where the two rivers connected. He felt that it overlapped with Tianjin in later generations, and then laughed and said, "If the two rivers are connected, I'm afraid people will gather here, just like Dingtao in the Central Plains."

"That's about right!"

Xu You was very enthusiastic, pointing to the canals on the map and saying, "Where the rivers converge, merchants gather. If the canal is completed, the people of Youzhou who wish to connect with Jizhou will all need to go through the confluence of the rivers here, and then travel upstream along the Baigou Canal to reach Anping, and even Yecheng. If it can be dredged to the south to connect with the Yellow River, boats can go directly to Yanzhou."

Xun You added, "If we divert water from the Yellow River to dredge the Baigou Canal, we might have to change the course of the Qi River!"

“Although the canal can facilitate economic circulation and make it easier to control Youzhou, I fear that the forced labor will be too excessive and exhaust the people of Hebei.” Zhang Yu was slightly tempted, but hesitated and said, “Besides, our army has just entered Jizhou, and Yuan Shao is still on the coast.”

"If Your Excellency wishes to repair the canal, it would be better to dredge it in sections. First, make the Baigou River passable by boat, then dredge the Hutuo River and the Youzhou River, and finally connect the nine rivers of Youzhou. When the canal is completed, the counties of Youzhou will be in awe and submission, the counties of Jizhou will prosper, and Liaodong will be within reach," Xu You continued to persuade.

Zhang Yu looked to his left and right and asked, "What do you gentlemen think of Ziyuan's view?"

“Water conservancy is about circulation. When it flows smoothly, it irrigates the fields. When the fields are fertile, the people become wealthy. When the people become wealthy, the country becomes strong. The old course of the Yellow River still exists. Why should you hesitate, my lord?” Xun Chen said.

"I am not knowledgeable in water conservancy and dare not speak rashly. If the canal is completed, it will benefit Your Majesty in deploying troops to conquer the world and in controlling Hebei. However, the timing of the canal's construction and the manpower required are worth discussing. If the cost is enormous, Your Majesty should be cautious."

"Do you have any insights into the long article?" Zhang Yu asked.

As an outsider, Chen Qun dared not say much, only vaguely stating, "Xuzhou's prosperity lies in the Si River. If Jizhou had a waterway connecting to Youzhou, the entire route would surely prosper. However, the Grand Canal is laborious for the people, and its repairs must be carried out with caution."

Seeing that everyone had reached a consensus on repairing the canal, Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Let's follow Ziyuan's suggestion and first have boats sail on the Baigou Canal to see if we can travel from Baigou to the Hutuo River. Ziyuan will be in charge of this matter, and we will have Governor Du allocate resources and manpower, and try to recruit people during the off-season for farming."

"promise!"

Xu You responded with delight, as if he had found a treasure.

“Xianyu Jun not only made meritorious contributions in the campaign against Gongsun, but now he has also contributed the strategy of the Grand Canal.” Zhang Yu pretended to think for a moment and said, “You can be promoted to Tiger Tooth General to assist Governor Liu in managing the military affairs of Youzhou and reorganizing the border defenses of Youzhou.”

"Thank you, my lord!" Xianyu Fu said with delight, bowing in gratitude.

In order to consolidate his control over Youzhou, Zhang Yu consciously dismantled the military and political powers. Although Liu He previously lacked prestige, he was at least the nominal ruler of Youzhou and had the power to command troops from various prefectures. Now, Zhang Yu, using Xianyu Fu, who was more prestigious in the army, under the pretext of reorganizing the border defenses, gradually stripped Liu He of his military power, leaving him only with personnel, administrative, and judicial powers.

After exchanging a few more words about the affairs of Youzhou, Zhang Yu finally got to the main topic.

"Yuan Shao fled to Linzi, intending to rise again from the coast, hence there are many remnants of the Yuan family in Bohai. This year, during the off-season for farming, I intend to attack Yuan Shao again, and I need to mobilize various troops." Zhang Yu asked with a smile, "I wonder if the soldiers and generals of Shanxi are still capable after such a long campaign?"

"After capturing Yijing, Liao saw that the tribes were eager to return home, so he allowed them to return in turn. Now, troops are gradually returning to their ranks, and the morale of the tribes is high. How could they dare to disobey your orders, my lord!" Zhang Liao said in a deep voice.

Zhang Yu said, "Wen Yuan's troops are currently stationed in Anping and Hejian counties. When I marched south to Pingyuan, Wen Yuan led Gao Lan's troops with 10,000 infantry and cavalry, and 10,000 more were transferred from Youzhou counties to be at his command. In total, there are 20,000 elite troops, which is enough to pacify Bohai."

"This subordinate obeys!" Zhang Liao said excitedly.

Where is Berning?

"The general is here!"

Zhang Yu instructed, "You shall lead your troops of five thousand to cross the river and attack Jibei Commandery, cut off the Ji River, and prevent the Qi and Lu troops from going west to aid Yuan Xi."

“What about Dongjun?” Man Chong asked.

Zhang Yu said, "Li Song is leading 10,000 troops on an expedition. He will first control Liyang and then pacify Dongjun. I will also write to Lü Bu, asking him to send troops to Dongpingjun as a support."

As he spoke, Zhang Yu looked at Chen Qun and asked, "Now that you have returned to Yanzhou, I wonder if you can persuade Fengxian to send troops?"

"I am willing to obey your command, my lord!"

"good!"

Zhang Yu showed an appreciative expression and said, "Sir, you have rendered meritorious service on your mission. You may temporarily serve as the city's prime minister. If you achieve further merits in the future, I will bestow additional rewards upon you." "Thank you, Your Excellency!"

Zhang Yu looked around at everyone and said, "This time, we will first attack the remnants of the Yuan family in Hebei, and then control the He and Ji rivers to gradually erode Yuan Shao's forces. Even if this campaign cannot destroy Yuan Shao, it will at least ensure that Yuan Shao has no hope of rising again."

"Yes!" the generals responded in deep voices.

Seeing that no appointment had been made, Zhang Yan became anxious and stepped out from the crowd, asking, "My lord, I am the governor of Qingzhou. How can I not be appointed this time?"

"General, come with me to conquer Pingyuan." Zhang Yu laughed, "Once we take Pingyuan, you will have a place to stay."

"Leader!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the civil and military officials, Zhang Yu dismissed them, but Chen Qun stayed behind because he had other business to attend to.

"My lord!"

Seeing that Chen Qun had something to report, Zhang Yu asked, "Wen Chang, do you have anything to report?"

Chen Qun bowed and said, "My lord is about to attack Yuan Shao, but I need to return to Yanzhou first to report the situation of the mission to General Lü."

"Won't you stay a few more days and return to Ye City with me?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Military emergency, there's no time to lose!"

As he spoke, Chen Qun joked, "After serving you for several days, I already know what kind of person you are, my lord."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yu, intrigued, asked, "Who am I?"

Chen Qun looked solemn and said, "Your Excellency's decisiveness and courage are unmatched. You are also open-minded, studious, and have nothing to hide, which shows the qualities of a wise ruler. When I return to Yanzhou, I will definitely persuade General Lü to send his family to repay Your Excellency's kindness."

"Changwen, a hero of the Central Plains, I hope to meet you again!" Zhang Yu said.

During the half-month that Zhang Yu had been in contact with Chen Qun, although he knew that Chen Qun was fickle by nature and lacked the talent of a national hero, Chen Qun still had many merits that he appreciated, such as his extraordinary knowledge and understanding of the past and present. In particular, Chen Qun was well-versed in Han law and had unique insights into the law. Otherwise, how could he have been valued by Cao Pi?

"My lord, Xianyu Fu is still outside the camp. He says he has important matters to report!"

While Chen Qun was out of the tent, the attendant reported this.

"please!"

After a short while, Xianyu Fu, who had left but returned, paid another respect to Zhang Yu.

"What brings you here?" Zhang Yu asked with a gentle smile.

Xianyu Fu reported: "My lord, the matter of repairing the Hebei Canal is not the opinion of Fu alone, but rather Fu has virtuous people assisting him. I would like to recommend them to you."

"Who can win your favor?"

"Tian Yu of Yuyang is currently the Chief Secretary under the Assistant Commander!"

Xianyu Fu revealed the truth, saying, "He has foresight. When you were fighting against Yuan Shao, he predicted that you would win and advised me to join you so that you would be valued by you. Now that he knows you are going to see me, he knows that you will ask about Youzhou. So he asked me to present the strategy of the Hebei Canal so that you can understand Youzhou better."

"Tian Yu possesses national talent and serves under the Grand Tutor; his abilities should be used discreetly. If he can gain the favor of the Lord, then Tian Yu will have found the right master!"

Tian Yu had a complicated life. He followed Liu Bei in his youth. When Liu Bei followed Zhang Yu to conquer Guanzhong, Tian Yu served in Liu Bei's army. However, when Liu Bei took office in Luoyang, Tian Yu returned to Youzhou to follow Gongsun Zan because his mother was old and he could not bear to leave his hometown.

Gongsun Zan killed Liu Yu, and Tian Yu was indignant at Gongsun Zan's actions. So, at the invitation of Xianyu Fu, a fellow villager, Tian Yu followed Xianyu Fu and participated in Zhang Yu's expedition against Gongsun Zan.

Therefore, strictly speaking, Tian Yu had always served Zhang Yu indirectly, and was essentially an outsourced employee of Zhang Yu's group. Because of his long-term service to Zhang Yu and his experience with Zhang Yu's military strategies, he became convinced that Zhang Yu was bound to win and repeatedly tried to persuade Xianyu Fu to surrender to Zhang Yu.

Of course, the reason Tian Yu kept changing rulers was not because he was fickle, but because Tian Yu belonged to a typical local gentry family. They didn't particularly care who they served, but rather who was the ruler of their hometown.

Therefore, these local gentry families had distinct characteristics: although their loyalty was not high, they had a strong work ethic and were willing to work hard for the monarch, such as Chen Deng and Lu Xun in the Three Kingdoms period.

Upon learning of Tian Yu's connection to him, Zhang Yu couldn't help but laugh and say, "Tian Guorang has served me for a long time, and only now do I learn of his name. It's truly a pity!"

Then Zhang Yu asked, "Where is Tian Guorang?"

"He is currently in my tent!"

"Order him to come to the main tent immediately!"

"promise!"

ps: There will be another chapter tonight

(End of this chapter)