Great Song Dynasty Writer

Chapter 221 Bone and Flesh Perfection
"The students believe that there should be two approaches to handling the aftermath: one 'urgent' and one 'gradual'."

Lu Beigu spoke up: "The most urgent task is to 'pacify the people.' Epidemics often follow floods. The most pressing matter is not to argue about right and wrong, but to do everything possible to provide relief to the victims and prevent the spread of disease. The court should open the granaries to distribute food, provide medicine for epidemic prevention, and resettle the displaced people. This is the foundation for winning over the hearts of the people and stabilizing the local area."

"Secondly, 'strengthening the dikes' is crucial. With the breach of the Liuta River dike, it is impossible for the Yellow River to return to its original course during the Tang Dynasty. It must still follow the natural flow of the water and follow the northward course. However, this breach has undoubtedly shaken the foundation of the dikes along the northward course. The imperial court should immediately issue strict orders to all circuits in Hebei to mobilize resources and manpower to reinforce the existing dikes along the northward course at all costs, especially the vulnerable sections, to prevent a second breach. This is a case of locking the stable door after the horse has bolted, ensuring temporary safety."

"Finally, after the flood recedes, the river channels will be severely silted up. We should take advantage of the dry season in winter and spring to conscript laborers or mobilize local troops to carry out large-scale dredging of the river channels, remove silt and sand, and restore the flood discharge capacity. This is the key to relieving the pressure of the flood season next year."

Song Xiang nodded. In such a short time, Lu Beigu was able to come up with these most urgent things to do, which was already quite organized.

Then, Lu Beigu said, "As for a temporary solution, the first priority is to select truly capable people who are knowledgeable in hydrology, geography, and engineering to take charge of river defense, and to give them real power in surveying, planning, and supervision so that they can perform their duties. Major river engineering decisions must be based on their detailed surveys and demonstrations, and they should put forward several policies for the court to weigh."

"Secondly, the authority and responsibility should be clearly defined. For all large-scale water conservancy projects, the court must appoint a high-ranking official with the title of 'Supervisor of Rivers and Canals' or a similar title, who will carry the emperor's insignia, oversee the overall situation, coordinate local affairs, and make decisions on matters at hand. He should be given the power to make decisions on the spot and also bear the responsibility for the final success or failure. Only by combining power and responsibility can we prevent shirking responsibility."

"The regulations for river works should be re-established, and the responsibilities and powers of those in charge at each stage, from surveying, design, construction to acceptance, should be clearly defined, and the expenses should also be recorded. The success or failure of the project should be determined by reward and punishment according to responsibility, with generous rewards and severe punishments! In particular, there should be clear laws and regulations to punish those who fail to conduct accurate surveys, make design errors, cut corners, or fail to supervise the construction, so that future generations will know what to respect."

"Finally, we should stockpile materials and prepare contingency plans. We should set up 'river defense material yards' at dangerous locations along the Yellow River to store timber, stones, firewood, straw bags, ironware, etc., and manage them in fixed quantities and regularly check and update them. We should also instruct local officials to formulate flood control, emergency rescue, and evacuation plans in advance for different water levels, and train local militia and garrison troops to prepare for any eventuality."

After Lu Beigu finished reciting the "two strategies, one urgent and one slow," he felt a light sweat trickling down his back. The plan he proposed had a relatively complete institutional design and was designed to fit the institutional framework of the Song Dynasty as closely as possible, so it was certainly feasible to some extent.

However, the most crucial point is whether these can meet Song Xiang's standards and whether they can reflect the "degree" and "depth" that Song Xiang requires.

After all, the criteria for judging the essays in the provincial examinations are quite different from those in the prefectural examinations.

Song Xiang stopped stroking his beard, and his gaze fell on Lu Beigu's face.

After a long while, a faint but unmistakable hint of approval slowly appeared on his usually serious face.

"good."

A clear and powerful word broke the silence.

Song Xiang walked back to his desk and sat down, tapping the official gazette lightly with his fingers: "In terms of the strategy, the twelve characters 'the investigation was not thorough, the appointment was not dedicated, and the responsibility was not clear' can be said to hit the nail on the head. As for the follow-up measures, they are analyzed in detail and are not just empty talk."

Lu Beigu felt relieved and quickly bowed, saying, "Sir, you flatter me. I am humbled."

“No need for such modesty.” Song Xiang waved his hand, his tone much gentler than yesterday. “To have thought this far is already commendable. In the imperial court, how many people discuss this matter, only to shirk responsibility and launch attacks, or to engage in empty talk about ‘following the will of Heaven and responding to the people’?”

Immediately afterward, Song Xiang changed the subject, his tone carrying a reminder: "However, while your intentions are lofty and incisive, you must pay extra attention to the 'degree' when writing. When analyzing the flaws of the system, you must avoid being too sharp and directly targeting the central leadership. Instead, you should take 'learning from past mistakes' as the guiding principle, focusing your argument on how to improve the system and avoid repeating the same errors."

Lu Beigu felt a chill run down his spine and immediately understood Song Xiang's deeper meaning.

This was teaching him how to be both incisive and self-protective in his policy arguments, avoiding getting caught in the vortex.

From Song Xiang's perspective, although Lu Beigu didn't write it down, Song Xiang didn't know whether Lu Beigu understood or should avoid these issues.

He bowed deeply again with gratitude: "I will remember your teachings, Master! I will be extremely cautious."

"Hmm." Song Xiang nodded in satisfaction. "Use this matter as a starting point, and integrate the ideas, analysis, and countermeasures discussed today into a complete policy document. Don't rush it; focus on clarifying the main points, refining the writing, and striving for 'correct structure,' 'rich content,' and 'refined expression.'" He pointed to the stack of official gazettes: "The details in the gazettes may be worth consulting. Remember, writing is like managing water; it requires a combination of dredging and blocking. It must be direct and to the point, but also leave room for maneuver."

Song Xiang was personally guiding him on how to write a policy essay that would truly stand out in the provincial examinations and even the palace examinations.

"Yes, sir! I will do my utmost."

Lu Beigu picked up the brush, which was heavily dipped in ink, and with a focused mind, began to write the first character on the clean white paper.

Song Xiang said no more, sat back in his seat, picked up a book, but his gaze kept sweeping over the young figure who was writing furiously at the desk.

Outside the window, the autumn sunlight streamed through the carved wooden window, casting dappled shadows on the smooth floor and clearly outlining the boy's focused profile.

Inside the study, only the subtle rustling of paper rubbing against sleeves as the pen moved swiftly across the paper, and a silent, solemn sense of passing on the torch, remained.

The vague idea in Song Xiang's mind became clearer and clearer.

If this child undergoes this hundred-day training, he will likely stir up quite a storm in the spring imperial examination of the second year of the Jiayou era.

I only wrote this one policy essay in the whole afternoon.

After Lu Beigu finished writing, Song Xiang provided further guidance, and the manuscript was revised several times.

The day's teaching did not end until nearly dusk.

Upon learning that Lu Beigu was going to a banquet at Qingfeng Tower that evening, Song Xiang said nothing, only saying, "Uncle Ouyang is fond of mentoring younger generations and has broad knowledge. Listening, observing, and thinking more will also be beneficial. Just don't let drinking interfere with your business."

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Mr. Xie. I will take my leave now."

Stepping out of the Song residence, Lu Beigu felt his tense nerves relax slightly as the autumn wind at dusk blew through him.

In fact, he had to be extremely attentive in every exchange with Song Xiang.

Today's essay on the Liuta River was incredibly insightful, but it also made him more acutely aware of the perils that come with approaching the end of the imperial examination path.

The policy essays in the provincial and palace examinations were far more than just a contest of literary talent and rhetoric; they were a comprehensive test of one's insight into the current situation, political sensitivity, and practical wisdom.

He looked up at the sky; the sun was already quite far in the west.

There was still some time before the gathering of the Qingsong Society at Xushi, but even though the location of Qingfenglou in Tokyo City had been found out, we still needed to set off early.

So he left the area where the powerful and wealthy lived and found a donkey cart.

Thinking about meeting Ouyang Xiu, the literary leader and historian whose name will be remembered for all time, Lu Beigu couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

This "Drunken Old Man" was not only a literary leader in history, but also known for his uprightness, outspokenness, and keen eye for talent. What will the gathering be like tonight? And which historical figures will he meet?
(End of this chapter)