The Red Mansion

Chapter 305 Presenting a Memorial to the Emperor, Yuan Yi Displays His Talent

Inside Qingxi Study, there was a moment of complete silence.

The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated the diverse expressions on everyone's faces.

Emperor Jingning was deep in thought, his eyes, which had seen through the world, scrutinizing Yuan Yi closely as he recalled the many amazing performances of this grandson who had returned to the imperial family from the common people.

Suddenly, Emperor Jingning spoke up and asked, "Yi'er, although your talent has been proven time and again, water conservancy is a matter of national importance, concerning the safety of the country. I ask you, how much do you really know about water conservancy?"

This question weighed heavily on their minds. Fu Qi and Wang Tingyu exchanged a glance, both seeing doubt in each other's eyes; Prince Zhongyi smiled silently, his gaze filled with anticipation.

Yuan Yi respectfully replied, "Your Majesty is wise. Water conservancy is indeed no ordinary matter. It may seem like a civil engineering project, but it is actually a profound subject that integrates astronomy, geography, people's livelihood, governance, economy, and military affairs." He paused slightly, his voice clear and melodious, "What I know is but a drop in the ocean. Since Your Majesty has inquired, I will present what I know, hoping that Your Majesty and Father will enlighten me, and that my Thirteenth Uncle, Minister Fu, and Minister Wang will correct me."

After saying this, Yuan Yi calmly replied, "The key to water management lies in the four words: 'prevention, dredging, guidance, and control'."

He recounted in detail the four-word key to water conservancy that Lin Ruhai had recently taught him. He had an exceptional memory and had been fully focused during Lin Ruhai's lecture, so he had memorized it.

This discourse, though not a lengthy treatise, clearly outlines the key tasks of water conservancy management from a macro to a micro perspective. It incorporates Lin Ruhai's practical experience from many years of official service, far exceeding the capabilities of those who merely engage in theoretical discussions.

After Yuan Yi finished explaining the four-word key points, he saw that Emperor Jingning, Emperor Taishun, Prince Zhongyi, Fu Qi, and Wang Tingyu were all listening attentively. He then, based on Lin Ruhai's recent lectures, cited classical texts and reviewed the past events of several famous ministers of the Daqing Dynasty in water management, analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of their strategies, the key to success or failure, and analyzed various situations such as hydrology and geography, engineering difficulties, laborer deployment, and expenditure of money and grain.

Yuan Yi concluded: "Therefore, water management requires not only a broad vision and a clear understanding of the overall situation, but also keen observation and a thorough understanding of the local conditions. Furthermore, it requires unwavering determination and the ability to reconcile the interests of all parties. Without these qualities, it is impossible to accomplish this great undertaking that will last for generations."

This presentation had unknowingly taken two quarters of an hour. Emperor Jingning and Emperor Taishun did not interrupt, partly because they were engrossed in listening, and partly because they were once again amazed by Yuan Yi's insight.

This prince and duke, who was only seventeen years old and had just returned to the imperial family, actually knew so much about water conservancy!
Striving diligently will bring good fortune! This is Yuan Yi's main advantage. Because Yuan Yi had planned ahead and focused on water management, and had consulted Lin Ruhai in detail about water conservancy beforehand, he was able to perform so amazingly in front of Emperor Jingning, Emperor Taishun, and Prince Zhongyi today!
His profound discourse on water management astonished everyone present.

When Emperor Jingning saw Yuan Yi stop, he felt that he hadn't said enough and asked, "Are you finished?"

Yuan Yi respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, just now your subject mentioned the matter of water conservancy and agricultural development in the capital region. Your subject also has some rudimentary thoughts on this matter. If Your Majesty and Father do not mind, your subject will humbly present them to you."

Emperor Jingning and Emperor Taishun exchanged a glance and said with a smile, "Tell me in detail."

This smile made Fu Qi and Wang Tingyu, who were standing nearby, secretly marvel.

It seems that the Emperor Emeritus greatly appreciates and is very tolerant of this newly reinstated grandson of the Emperor!
Yuan Yi straightened his clothes and calmly began his report: "As far as I know, in the first year of the Taishun reign, the water management in Zhili was led by local officials, with temporary clerks temporarily assigned to supervise it. If a systemic reform is to be implemented this year, princes and ministers should be appointed to oversee water conservancy and agricultural land management in the capital region. It would be best to establish a special Water Conservancy and Agricultural Land Management Office and a separate River Conservancy Directorate to manage different areas. Only in this way can the division of powers and responsibilities be clear and orders be effectively enforced."

Yuan Yi had just mentioned this strategy, and even so, Emperor Jingning nodded slightly upon hearing it, while Emperor Taishun's eyes shone brightly. Prince Zhongyi, standing to the side, touched his nose in deep thought, carefully savoring the profound meaning of these words.

Yuan Yi continued, "Furthermore, in the first year of the Taishun reign, the water management in Zhili was combined with disaster relief. As a result, able-bodied men were responsible for dredging, while the elderly and weak provided logistical support. Moreover, the compensation was uniform, with a daily allowance of 1 liter of rice and 5 cash. This year, we can implement a technical stratification system, with craftsmen responsible for key facilities. Work will be assigned according to physical strength, and differentiated incentives will be implemented. The basic daily allowance will be 1.5 liters of rice and 5 cash, with an additional 5 cash for craftsmen, and there will be a bonus for exceeding the allowance."

Wang Tingyu couldn't help but praise, "The Fourth Prince has thought things through thoroughly, even considering the details of wages. This arrangement is both considerate of the people's strength and encourages diligence; it is truly a good strategy."

Yuan Yi smiled modestly and said, "Regarding money and grain, in the first year of Taishun, the Zhili provincial treasury allocated silver to intercept the grain transported from Shandong. This year, the Ministry of Revenue can allocate special funds to intercept the grain transported from Jiangnan and Henan. Jiangnan has sufficient grain, and Henan is relatively close to the capital, so we can ensure that there is no shortage of grain and provisions."

Following that, Yuan Yi continued, "In the first year of the Taishun reign, the water management in Zhili involved manual dredging, ramming earth, and building dikes. The project relied mainly on manpower, using shovels, winnowing baskets, and wooden wheelbarrows to transport the soil. This year, we can introduce the 'flood diversion gate' technology from Jiangnan, promote the 'willow roller dike protection method,' use a level to survey the river channel, use animal power to pull earth-carrying carts, use pulley systems to hoist stones, and use an improved version of the 'dragon bone waterwheel' for drainage."

Yuan Yi continued his memorial: "The acceptance standards should also be reformed. In the first year of Taishun, the acceptance was done in a rough manner, based only on the amount of earthwork completed. This year, quantitative indicators should be set: the height of the dike must be greater than or equal to two zhang, the bottom width must be greater than or equal to five zhang, the depth of the river channel must be greater than or equal to one zhang and five fen, and the slope ratio must be one to three. Only in this way can the quality of the project be ensured."

Finally, Yuan Yi steered the conversation toward a more far-reaching plan: "As Sun Chen just mentioned, if we implement the three policies of water management, land reclamation, and people's well-being this year, we can also take the opportunity to rectify official corruption and promote new policies. We can include the accounts of river works in the 'money and grain audit,' combine it with the 'land tax reform,' and even link military and land reclamation. We can take the opportunity to repair the Gubeikou post road and strengthen border defenses, and have the grain produced from land reclamation directly supply the northern army camps."

He looked around at everyone and said firmly, "In this way, we can turn this year's flood in Zhili into a turning point in Daqing's efforts to manage the flood in Zhili, prompting the court to strengthen its direct control over the river affairs in Zhili, promote large-scale water conservancy construction, and lay the foundation for the subsequent water conservancy system."

After his presentation, Emperor Jingning, Emperor Taishun, Prince Zhongyi, Fu Qi, and Wang Tingyu were all amazed. They had never expected that Yuan Yi would not only propose excellent water management strategies and demonstrate his extraordinary knowledge of water conservancy, but also have such specific procedures for carrying out water conservancy and agricultural development in the capital region.

Emperor Jingning stroked his beard in deep thought, Emperor Taishun's eyes showed approval, Prince Zhongyi nodded repeatedly, and Fu Qi and Wang Tingyu exchanged glances, both secretly praising Yuan Yi, this newly returned prince, for his extraordinary insight.

After pondering for a moment, Emperor Jingning sighed, "Yi'er's plan is truly flawless. He has considered even the details of the project, the allocation of funds and grain, and the rectification of officialdom. It is beyond my expectations." His words contained both satisfaction and a hint of disbelief.

Although Emperor Taishun was pleased, he deliberately put on a stern face and asked, "Yi'er, you are still young, how come you are so familiar with water conservancy? And how can you come up with such a comprehensive plan in such a short time?"

Yuan Yi turned to Emperor Taishun and respectfully replied, "To be honest, Father, as early as the first year of Taishun's reign, when there was a flood, you ordered my thirteenth uncle to consult me ​​on disaster relief strategies. At that time, I took the matter of flood control to heart. For the past two years, I have been paying close attention to it and have not dared to slack off."

He paused slightly, then continued, “Recently, it is the flood season, which is most prone to floods. In addition, on the 26th of last month, I brought my newly appointed wife to Changchun Garden to express my gratitude. On the way back, I experienced a torrential rain. I thought that Zhili might suffer from floods again this year, and that Father Emperor might inquire about disaster relief and flood control. Therefore, I recently asked my tutor, Lin Ruhai, to impart all his knowledge of water conservancy to me.”

These words, like a breeze on water, stirred ripples in everyone's hearts.

Prince Zhongyi couldn't help but exclaim, "What foresight! Such thoughtfulness is truly rare." He turned to Emperor Taishun, "Your Majesty, Yi-ge'er's insight and dedication are a blessing to our Great Qing." Emperor Taishun also nodded slightly, "Lin Ruhai has taught him well."

Lin Ruhai was a trusted former official of Emperor Jingning, not Emperor Taishun. Furthermore, his performance in the Lianghuai salt administration over the past few years had been subpar, leading Emperor Taishun to perceive him as a talent who was not truly "dedicated to his duties." Consequently, Emperor Taishun appointed him as a fourth-rank Hanlin Academy Reader, a position that was prestigious but lacked real power.

Now, Emperor Taishun couldn't help but feel a good impression of Lin Ruhai, thinking that Lin Ruhai had taught his prince Yuan Yi well, and even had the idea of ​​promoting Lin Ruhai.

Now that things have come to this, Emperor Taishun and Prince Zhongyi both feel that Emperor Jingning would be willing to let Yuan Yi manage the water conservancy and agricultural affairs in the capital region.

However, Emperor Jingning gave Yuan Yi a meaningful look and said, "The affairs of water conservancy and farmland in the capital region are of great importance. Moreover, it is still unknown whether the disaster situation in Zhili will continue to worsen this year. The matter of managing the affairs of water conservancy and farmland in the capital region and the establishment of a special water conservancy and farmland administration should not be rushed for now. We should decide on it after a few days depending on the situation."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over someone, instantly freezing the previously lively atmosphere.

Just as Emperor Taishun was about to speak, a senior eunuch rushed in, knelt down, and reported: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, we have just received an urgent report from Baoding Prefecture that three prefectures and counties have been flooded!"

Emperor Jingning's expression tightened, and he hurriedly took the memorial to examine it closely, his expression growing increasingly solemn with each reading. After finishing, he handed it to Emperor Taishun, who, after reading it carefully, also became serious.

"What a huge flood!" Emperor Taishun handed the memorial to Prince Zhongyi, "You should all take a look too."

After Prince Zhongyi finished reading it, he passed it on to Fu Qi, who then passed it on to Wang Tingyu, who in turn passed it on to Yuan Yi.

The memorial stated: "Baoding Prefecture has experienced continuous heavy rains, causing rivers to swell and breach dikes in multiple places. Three prefectures and counties have already been submerged. The floods have destroyed over a hundred miles of official roads, inundated countless farmlands, and displaced many people. Even more seriously, the rains continue, and the floodwaters are still rising, threatening to affect even more prefectures and counties."

Emperor Taishun said to Emperor Jingning, "Father, it seems that the disaster in Zhili this year may indeed be as I predicted, and quite severe."

Emperor Jingning couldn't help but gaze out the window.

Outside the window, the sky was overcast, and the rain was pouring down.

After pondering for a while, Emperor Jingning still insisted on his opinion and said to Emperor Taishun: "The matter of water conservancy and land reclamation in the capital region is a long-term strategy and should not be rushed. We will decide on it after some time. The most urgent task is to provide disaster relief and help the people."

Emperor Taishun nodded: "Father is right. The most important thing right now is to provide relief to the disaster victims and stabilize public morale. Even if we need to develop irrigation and farming, that should wait until the floodwaters recede. How can we talk about irrigation and farming now that the floodwaters have not yet receded?"

In fact, Emperor Jingning had already made up his mind that if he were to establish water conservancy and agricultural projects in the capital region, or even set up a Water Conservancy and Agricultural Projects Office, he would appoint Yuan Yi to manage the matter. Yuan Yi's performance today had convinced him that this grandson of the emperor was capable of handling this important matter concerning the people's livelihood. However, as a great ruler, he knew that the more important the matter, the more composed he needed to be and not make hasty decisions.

Next, Emperor Jingning discussed in detail with Emperor Taishun, Prince Zhongyi, Fu Qi, and Wang Tingyu the emergency disaster relief and people's aid plan, and also specifically asked Yuan Yi for his opinion.

After the discussion was completed, Yuan Yi respectfully addressed Emperor Jingning, saying, "Grandfather, a month ago, I earnestly requested Grandmother to bestow upon me the imperial blue paper and genuine gold ink, so that I may use this precious paper and gold ink to transcribe the Heart Sutra and the Infinite Life Sutra, specifically to pray for the good health and longevity of Grandfather and Grandmother. Father Emperor thus bestowed upon me a great deal of blue paper and genuine gold ink."

He paused, his voice growing more sincere: "For the past month, I have been burning incense and washing my hands every day, and have been devoutly copying Buddhist scriptures. I have now respectfully copied the Heart Sutra forty-nine times and the Infinite Life Sutra once. Today, I brought them into the garden on the occasion of the New and Full Moons, intending to present them to my grandmother."

Emperor Jingning and Emperor Taishun were both pleased to hear this.

Emperor Jingning surprisingly said, "Can you carry the copied Buddhist scriptures with you? If so, let me take a look."

Yuan Yi hurriedly replied, "I'll keep it with me in the outer room."

Having said that, he quickly went out and soon returned carrying a brocade package. When he opened it, he found Buddhist scriptures neatly folded inside, copied on fine blue paper and in genuine gold ink.

Emperor Jingning examined the paper and found it to be the color of the deep sea, with the true gold ink shimmering and flowing. Each stroke was neat and beautiful, shining brightly against the blue background. The Heart Sutra had been read forty-nine times, and the handwriting was consistent in every reading; the Amitabha Sutra was written without a single mistake.

Emperor Taishun couldn't resist his curiosity and took a look. With his extensive experience in copying scriptures, he was deeply moved by what he saw: "Such neat handwriting could not have been achieved without a sincere heart and firm will."

Prince Zhongyi, Fu Qi, and Wang Tingyu also watched in turn.

Prince Zhongyi sighed, "I have also copied scriptures before, and I know very well that this blue-green paper absorbs ink very well, and the ink paste is so thick and sticky that it is extremely difficult to write on. It is truly remarkable that Yi-ge'er was able to copy so much in just over a month."

Wang Tingyu also said, "What is even more remarkable is that every character is neat and upright, which shows that he was single-minded and sincere when copying the sutra."

"It is indeed not easy to copy all this in just one month," Emperor Jingning said slowly, his tone clearly showing his approval. "I have felt your filial piety. When you send it to Ningchun Hall later, I think your grandmother will also feel it."

Yuan Yi bowed and said, "This humble servant is unable to share the burdens of my imperial grandfather and grandmother, but can only offer this small token of my wish for their well-being."

(End of this chapter)