The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 214 No Need for Thanks

Cao Can looked at the child suspiciously, thinking to himself that the child was quite knowledgeable, even knowing about Du Shui Changlu.

However, looking at the boy behind this young man, Cao Can was wary, but seeing that the boy's expression was kind, he felt that the two people in front of him were very strange.

Zhang Jingdao said, "Before the Jingye Canal was dug, and when the Xianyang Bridge was being built, the head of the water management department gave instructions to Prince Fusu."

Heng said, "I know."

Zhang Jing said, "Prince Fusu once said that to govern a country, one must strictly enforce the laws and, more importantly, manage the waters to make the people prosperous. Since then, Prince Fusu has been working on water management. The Bai Canal is a result of water management in recent years. Jingyang County was built here. This place is not only upstream of the Zheng Guo Canal, but also through which the Bai Canal flows. This place has great advantages. It is only right for Magistrate Xiao to go and inquire about the Chief Water Conservancy Officer."

"Hmm?" Cao Can looked at the burly man with even more suspicion, yet he also felt that this burly young man knew more.

These two lads are even more formidable.

The two bid farewell to Cao Can and left the county government.

Heng greatly admired Zhang Jing's knowledge. Few people could not only dominate the entire Weinan region with their martial prowess, but also possess knowledge far exceeding that of their peers. Such a person was simply too perfect.

Brother Zhang Jing was the old master's personal disciple, whom he taught with all his heart and was also very strict with.

Therefore, Brother Zhang Jing was the master's proudest disciple, but the master never said so and even constantly punished him.

In fact, Zhang Jing's father, Zhang Han, was stationed in the northwest, and he was raised by the old scholar.

Zhang Jing said, "If we go to Shanglin Garden now, it will probably be nighttime, and we might even miss Magistrate Xiao."

Heng said, "Since everyone's out traveling, it would be a shame not to go on a longer trip."

Zhang Jing said, "I will do as you say, young master."

Cao Shen didn't hear what the two boys were saying; he just went about his own business after they left.

In the few years since Cao Jian came to Guanzhong, he had met many extraordinary people, so it was not surprising that he met two knowledgeable young men. Besides, both of them were disciples of the great scholar Shusun Tong.

Cao Shen was busy with official duties all day and naturally did not want to think about it anymore. He continued to work hard, but when he thought about how Liu Ji really wanted to send his sons Liu Ying and Liu Fei to Guanzhong, he was still worried.

Thinking about all this, Cao Shen felt completely confused. Nothing good ever came from Liu Jizhun; that man was a troublemaker.

When Heng and Zhang Jing arrived at Shanglin Garden, it was already night.

A large number of people had gathered there, and soldiers were also moving around outside.

Zhang Jingdao said, "Du Shuichang has been in charge of water management in Longxi for many years, opening up tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land, resulting in bumper harvests in Longxi year after year, and even more than three times the amount of grain harvested in Guanzhong."

Heng asked, "Are those the magistrates of each county?"

The two boys watched from afar for a moment.

Zhang Jing said, "I understand. These county magistrates have come to ask the Chief Water Conservancy Officer for advice on water management. I have seen the documents on the promotion of officials. I did not know how the Prime Minister's Office decided on the promotion of officials before, but now I know, and I also know why these county magistrates came to see the Chief Water Conservancy Officer."

"Xiao He was promoted to county magistrate for three reasons: land tax, population and people's livelihood."

Heng hesitated and said, "It's not just these three, there's also character."

Zhang Jing nodded.

The more land tax a country receives, the more land it owns; therefore, they complement each other.

Secondly, there's the issue of population. It's not just about having a large population, but also about maintaining stability in the county. That's about people's livelihood; it's about seeing whether the people in a place are doing well.

If things don't go well, that's the magistrate's responsibility.

Therefore, it seems that the key to the promotion of local officials is nothing more than this.

Under the current policies of the Prime Minister's Office, those who wish to be promoted cannot simply remain stagnant and do nothing; they must expand their landholdings to increase land taxes, and simultaneously increase the population while ensuring that people live well.

In the past, whether people lived well or poorly had nothing to do with the scholar-officials.

Now the world is different. Qin has unified the country, and the emperor dares to standardize writing, unify the width of cart tracks, and abolish old rituals. Adding a new method for the promotion of officials is not necessarily a big deal.

What Qin was about to do was something that had never happened before in the history of the world.

In Zhang Jing's view, these decrees were all correct.

After revealing his identity to the officers and soldiers, without mentioning that he was the young master of Heng, Zhang Jing said he was a disciple of the Grand Master and handed over a token from the Academy of Scholars before being allowed to pass. Zhang Jing was only fifteen, not yet old enough to enter the Academy of Scholars; the token was actually given to the Grand Master by a volunteer teacher.

The volunteer teacher was named Gao, who was also his uncle, Gongzi Gao.

This uncle kept saying he wanted to come to Guanzhong, but he never actually came back.

This time, Du Shuichang returned, but he still didn't come back. It's said that he's been writing history books in the Northwest.

The two entered the Shanglin Garden and saw many officials still queuing up.

Seeing that the officials from various counties had lined up in long queues and were taking turns to enter the room to ask the chief water official questions, Heng was now completely unable to tell who Xiao He was.

You can't exactly shout, "Magistrate Xiao, come out here!"

This is extremely rude and goes against the teachings of the old master.

But Heng no longer cares about Xiao He; he cares more about Du Shui Changlu.

Therefore, Heng and Zhang Jing waited outside until late at night, and only after the county magistrates of each county had left did they finally meet Du Shuichang.

Heng had not been to Shanglin Garden for many years, and his memory of the last time he came to Shanglin Garden was also very vague. He remembered that he came here with his father. At that time, the place was very dilapidated and desolate.

But look here again, the fields are neatly arranged under the moonlight, and there is a large house.

The two entered the house and saw a man with gray hair and beard; he didn't have a lot of white hair, but there was still quite a bit.

"Student Zhang Jing has met Du Shuichang."

"Student Heng has met Du Shuichang."

Lu sat by the oil lamp, looking at a map, and asked, "What brings you two here?"

With a respectful expression, Zhang Jing said, "Du Shuichang has opened up fertile fields in Longxi, benefiting tens of thousands of households in Longxi. I have come here specifically to meet you."

Lu finally looked away from the map, glanced up at the two people in front of him, and said, "Well, it's just my duty, no problem."

Du Shuichanglu was truly remarkable. In Heng's memory, he opened up the Lingqu Canal in the south over five years, which led to the later establishment of military farms and prefectures, irrigating tens of thousands of acres of land. It is also the main waterway in the south today.

People in the future will also rely on the Lingqu Canal for their livelihood or for transporting grain and fodder.

The Lingqu Canal has been dug, and it will continue to flow no matter how many years pass.

Lu said in a low voice, "You'd better tell me now, because I'm leaving Guanzhong first thing tomorrow morning."

"Is Du Shuichang going back to Longxi?"

Lu slowly shook his head.

Heng pressed on, "Isn't the Water Conservancy Chief going back to Xianyang to take up his post?"

Looking at the bright moon outside the window, Lu said, "The chief of water management is responsible for controlling the water. Naturally, I need to see the situation in person before I can manage the water. I do not want to stay in Xianyang. I have already asked Prince Fusu for permission to go to Sanchuan County to manage the water in various parts of the Central Plains."

Zhang Jing and Heng were at a loss for words and could only remain silent.

The next day, just as dawn broke, Du Shui Changlu left Shanglin Garden.

Young Master Heng and Zhang Jing followed this Chief Water Conservancy Officer across the Xianyang Bridge. Suddenly, he stopped and said, "Chief Water Conservancy Officer, my father is Prince Fusu."

Lu turned around and suddenly smiled, saying, "You look exactly like the young master when you were young, how could I not tell?"

Aren't you going to see my father?

Lu turned his back, waved goodbye, and said, "Everything that needs to be said is written in the documents, as you know, young master."

Heng said loudly, "Father has always wanted to thank you!"

"Young master, there's no need for thanks."

After speaking, Heng stood still and watched as Du Shuichang led a group of craftsmen into the crowd.

(End of this chapter)