The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 44 Pan Mi Offers Advice, Adapting to Local Conditions

The relocation of the village proceeded very smoothly.

Guan Ping fully cooperated.

The officials in charge of county affairs dared not refuse to cooperate.

When neither side causes any trouble, things proceed in a fairly efficient manner.

Just two days later, Guan Ping and his six or seven hundred cavalry (with some casualties) were firmly stationed in Yingcheng, protecting the northeastern side of Jiangling.

However, they encountered problems when they tried to clear the road to the Han River.

Even though people stopped causing trouble, they couldn't stop the heavens from sending rain.

The rainfall is not heavy in winter.

But after three days of intermittent rain, not only were people, horses, and livestock shivering from the cold, but the roads also became muddy and impassable once again.

Notice.

The eastern suburbs of Jiangling, the former site of the so-called "Yunmeng Great Marsh", was originally a vast wetland that was half water and half land.

Although floods occur from time to time during the summer when the water level is high, it is at least beneficial for shipping.

But now it's that time of year.

Although there is more land, it is divided into sections by lakes.

It's impossible to travel smoothly by carriage alone.

Conversely, it could also be said that although the lake did not completely dry up, it was cut into pieces by the land.

It's also impossible to travel smoothly by boat alone.

Often, goods would be transported by cart and horse for a distance, and then transferred to ships.

Then there's another part, and we have to get back to the carriage.

Repeating this process over and over again will naturally result in low efficiency.

Not to mention that after it rains, the roads become difficult to travel, and the carriages often get stuck in the mud.

It's all troublesome.

Miwei was so worried about this that his head swelled up like a bucket.

A strange thought even inexplicably arose:
If my transfer of military supplies goes wrong this time, will I end up like Mi Fang in history, being "punished" by Guan Yu?

Wouldn't that really make me a clown?

"My Lord, there's no need to worry!"

“The rivers in the south do not freeze in winter, making water transport difficult. You know this better than anyone else.”

"Or rather, it is precisely because he knew this matter was not easy that he entrusted this important task to you."

"After all, you once single-handedly saved Jiangling from the overwhelming force of Lü Meng's army!"

Hearing Guan Ping's words of comfort.

Seeing the other person's familiar face, flushed as if they had been drinking fake alcohol.

Miwei did not feel relaxed at all.

The pressure is greater.

What does it mean to "rely on one's own wisdom"?
How come I didn't know I was this smart?!

Who exactly is it that keeps bragging about me in front of Lord Guan every day?

"Reporting to the Imperial Physician, a young man outside the city, claiming to be the son of Pan Zhizhong, requests an audience!"

The young master of the Pan family... Pan Mi?
Why is he here?

Miwei rubbed his throbbing forehead and decided to go out to meet people, hoping to clear his head.

……

"I, Pan, have taken the liberty of coming to see you. May I inquire about your well-being, Zhonglang?"

Pan Mi was a few years younger than Mi Wei, but he spoke very politely.

Mi Wei was in a state of utter distress and had no time for pleasantries; he went straight to asking the purpose of their visit.

Pan Mi countered, "Is the Grand Secretary troubled by the matter of dredging the canal?"

Mi Wei nodded and said, "You have a good plan?"

After all, that's what they asked.

Pan Mi clasped his hands and said, "I am of limited talent and learning, and am not qualified to offer advice to Zhonglang."

"But recently, in my spare time, I read the Records of the Grand Historian, where the Grand Historian said that the Xia people 'traveled by carriage on land, by boat on water, by sled on mud, and by raft on mountains.'"

"I wonder if this can offer any inspiration to Zhonglang?"

Mi Wei certainly wouldn't take the claims that he was too incompetent or lacked the ability to offer advice seriously.

After all, this is Pan Jun's son.

Then he asked for advice:

“Riding by car, boat, or sedan chair are all easy to understand.”

"But what exactly does 'riding a sled in mud' mean?"

Pan Mi explained:

"A sled is a long plank with a smooth bottom. It can be used to drag people across muddy or slippery surfaces, such as wet soil or snow."

It turned out to be the case.

It's just a sled!

It's surprising that the ancients already knew how to use this tool, and it was even mentioned by Sima Qian in the Records of the Grand Historian.

Overjoyed, Mi Wei noticed that Pan Mi seemed to have more to say, so he said:

"You've come all this way today to offer your advice; you must have something to ask of me. Out of respect for Master Pan, I'll help if I can." Upon hearing this, Pan Mi bowed deeply and said:
"I am not very talented, but I have some ability in memorization, so I recommend myself as a scribe for the Imperial Secretary. I hope the Imperial Secretary will not find me clumsy!"

Is Pan Mi going to be my clerk?
Mi Wei was slightly surprised.

A scribe is a private writing secretary.

It wasn't a proper official position.

They were prevalent from general's mansions to prefectural, county, and county government offices.

Given Pan Mi's family background in education, he could have had a much higher starting point.

Why did you have to come here to be a lowly secretary?

Mi Wei's heart stirred slightly, and he said, "This must be Master Pan's intention, right?"

"Your Excellency is wise!" Pan Mi readily admitted.

"Actually, the mud sled method was originally devised by my family members."

"Because it was inconvenient for him to come to the army, he asked me to speak to the Zhonglang."

Miwei understood now.

Pan Mi was actually the "hostage" that Pan Jun handed over to Guan Yu.

However, handing the person over directly to Guan Yu inevitably raises concerns about potential sabotage.

So, after going around in circles, he handed the person over to his own disciple.

At least someone is looking out for you.

No wonder he made a point of introducing Pan Mi to him that day.

Old Deng is still the same old Old Deng.

Miwei, of course, gladly accepted.

He vaguely remembered that Pan Jun's two sons had both held high-ranking official positions in Eastern Wu.

The second son, Pan Mi, was particularly outstanding.

This is a talent capable of shaping the future; why not recruit him?
……

Although Pan Mi claimed that the "mud sled" method was his father's idea.

However, after implementation, Mi Wei discovered that Pan Mi himself actually had quite a few good ideas.

For example, using mud sleds to pull goods could solve the problem of horse-drawn carriages easily getting stuck in mud.

However, once they reached the border between land and water, they still had to go through the trouble of transferring goods back and forth to the ship.

Therefore, Pan Mi suggested replacing the boat with a simpler bamboo raft.

When transporting goods from muddy ground to watery areas, the entire cargo, including the sled, is moved onto a flat bamboo raft.

Then, once they reach the next landmass, they will be unloaded as a whole and towed away.

This eliminates the hassle of transporting goods back and forth.

It greatly improves transportation efficiency.

For example, after several days of surveying, they thoroughly understood the road conditions leading from the northern suburbs of Jiangling to the banks of the Han River.

Pan Mi then suggested setting up two transportation nodes along the route, based on the differences in terrain.

Temporary warehouses were set up at the nodes, and Guan Ping's cavalry were stationed there in batches.

This has two advantages.

Firstly, having a temporary base meant that cavalrymen wouldn't have to travel hundreds of miles every day.

It's tough and tiring, and there's no guarantee that support will be available in time.

They only need to split up and guard a small section of the route.

If they encounter enemy troops or bandits, they can hold out in fortifications, enough to hold out until reinforcements arrive.

Secondly, just as cavalry can patrol in sections, laborers can also transport goods in sections.

Notice.

The journey covers hundreds of miles and involves complex terrain.

Some are suitable for carriages and horses, while others are suitable for boats and sleds.

The thousands of laborers each possessed different talents.

Some people are good at driving horses, and some are good at rowing boats.

If you don't distinguish right from wrong, you'll drag everyone to run the whole race.

Inevitably, you will encounter scenarios that you are not good at handling, which reduces efficiency.

After segmentation, temporary warehouses serve as transportation nodes.

Let those skilled at driving horses drive horses, and those skilled at rowing boats row boats.

Everyone does what they are good at within their capabilities.

Efficiency will naturally improve.

When Mi Wei heard Pan Mi's suggestion, he was overjoyed and immediately thought of the concept of "water warehouse".

This is a creative invention derived from the Grand Canal's water transport system in later generations.

Although the hydrological conditions of the Grand Canal are more complex, the basic principles are the same.

It is precisely about “adapting to local conditions, transporting in segments, and utilizing each other’s strengths”.

"Indeed, every era has its share of intelligent people."

"It's simply a matter of how much historical experience we can draw upon."

Mi Wei was filled with admiration, feeling that he had truly struck gold this time.

(End of this chapter)