Song Dynasty: Yuan Dynasty, you didn't expect this, did you? I'm still alive.

In the fifth year of the Jingyan era (1280 AD), the sea breeze on Luzon Island lost some of its wild and fishy smell, carrying the sweetness of rice paddies and taro fields, and fluttering the Song Dynasty dragon flag that was flying over Luzon City.

That year, Zhao Shi, who sat upright in the main hall of Luzon Palace, had just turned eleven. He had shed some of his childishness, but his eyes still carried a lazy air of indulging in pleasure.

He remained in the inner palace to "recharge his energy," entrusting all the affairs of the court, large and small, to the Right Chancellor, Wen Tianxiang.

Lu Xiufu, holding the military tally, led the elite soldiers of the Eastern Song Dynasty, traversing the mountains and valleys of Luzon Island to wipe out the stubborn indigenous tribes and clear obstacles for the people who were reclaiming the land.

Only Privy Councilor Zhang Shijie remained concerned about the Yuan army far away in the Central Plains, fearing that large-scale naval exercises would expose the Eastern Song's presence. He only dared to lead a small number of warships to carefully explore the waters around Luzon Island, draw nautical charts, and search for harbors and undiscovered fertile lands suitable for anchoring.

Two years have passed since the promulgation of the Land Reclamation Law, and the vast plains along both banks of the Luzon River (now the Cagayan River) have long been reclaimed into a network of crisscrossing fields and continuous stretches of land.

Song Min's footprints extended southward, reaching as far as Bambang, Philippines.

Further south lay rolling hills and mountains, where miasma lingered in the forests, teeming with poisonous insects and wild beasts. Unruly indigenous tribes also lurked among them. Fearing that venturing too far would bring disaster, the Song people temporarily halted their southward advance and instead focused on cultivating the already reclaimed land.

Just as the reclamation efforts paused, Zhang Shijie's fleet made a startling discovery on the southwest side of Luzon Island. There lay a vast plain, at the edge of which was a natural harbor, surrounded by land on three sides and connected to the open sea by only a narrow waterway, resembling the Bohai Bay in its easily defensible nature.

Standing at the bow of the ship, Zhang Shijie gazed at the natural harbor before him, his eyes gleaming with fervent light. He couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh out loud: "Heaven is helping my Great Song! This is simply a naval training ground bestowed by the heavens, and a natural base for my Eastern Song Navy!" He made a decisive decision and ordered the fleet to dock here, cut down trees, and build barracks. Soon, a settlement of considerable size was established—which would later become the famous Manila.

Subsequently, Zhang Shijie sent people to explore further inland, and the news they returned filled him with ecstasy: the area of ​​this plain was in no way inferior to that of the Luzon River basin.

When the news reached Luzon, Wen Tianxiang was reviewing memorials on land reclamation in his residence. Upon hearing this, he abruptly stood up from his chair, his beard trembling slightly with excitement. He strode to the wall where the map of Luzon Island hung, traced the marks made by Zhang Shijie with his finger, pondered for a moment, and immediately made the decision: to divide the entire island of Luzon into two provinces.

The vast land extending north to the northern coast of the island and south to the Southern Mountains, with the Luzon River as the boundary, was named Luzon Prefecture; the newly discovered plains and surrounding areas south of the Southern Mountains were called Huai Song Prefecture. The name "Huai Song" is full of the deep meaning of cherishing the homeland and remembering the Song Dynasty in the Central Plains, which brought tears to the eyes of all the civil and military officials.

Immediately afterwards, Wen Tianxiang issued an imperial edict ordering Lu Xiufu to lead 50,000 Song people to Huai Song Prefecture to explore new territory. Lu Xiufu was already enthusiastic about pacifying the natives and expanding the territory, and he gladly accepted the order. He had long been "unsatisfied" with the scattered tribes in Luzon Prefecture and wanted to see the more untamed native tribes deep in Huai Song Prefecture.

After arranging the development of Huai Song Prefecture, Wen Tianxiang devoted all his energy back to the administration of Luzon Prefecture. Although Luzon was small, it was the foundation of the Eastern Song Dynasty. In its early stages of development, everything was in ruins and could not tolerate the slightest carelessness. He attended to every detail, from distributing farming tools for land reclamation to collecting grain taxes from the people and supplying provisions to the army. He personally oversaw every matter, often reviewing memorials until late at night, with candles burning one after another on his desk.

That day, Wen Tianxiang was engrossed in a pile of memorials concerning water conservancy, his brow furrowed, when a servant suddenly announced from outside the door: "Right Chancellor, Mr. Ye Li requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, Wen Tianxiang's weariness vanished instantly. He quickly put down his vermilion brush and said loudly, "Please! Please invite Mr. Ye in!"

Ye Li, originally a student at the Imperial Academy of the Song Dynasty, was not skilled in poetry and prose, but possessed extraordinary talent in water conservancy and water transport. As early as the third year of the Jingyan era, Wen Tianxiang keenly perceived the drawbacks of agriculture on Luzon Island: the island has a tropical monsoon climate, with torrential rains during the rainy season causing rivers to overflow and low-lying farmland to often become submerged; during the dry season, the scorching sun causes rivers to dry up, and crops wither due to lack of water; moreover, being a coastal area, seawater intrusion easily leads to salinization of arable land, greatly reducing the yield of grain.

Fortunately, taro is drought-resistant, flood-resistant, and salt-tolerant, with a strong vitality, which helped the Eastern Song Dynasty through its most difficult initial period. Wen Tianxiang often secretly rejoiced, thinking that if they had only planted rice, Luzon might not have survived until the fifth year of the Jingyan era, when internal strife broke out due to food shortages.

From that time onward, Wen Tianxiang conceived the idea of ​​constructing a water conservancy project. However, at that time, the Eastern Song Dynasty had just entered Luzon, and its foundation was not yet stable. The most urgent tasks were to eliminate the savages and reclaim wasteland. In addition, there was a shortage of food, so there was simply no way to support a massive water conservancy project. Helpless, Wen Tianxiang had to temporarily shelve the matter, but he also took precautions and ordered the gathering of experts in water conservancy from across the island. He instructed them to traverse the upper and lower reaches of the Luzon River, survey the terrain and water flow, and come up with a preliminary water management plan.

Ye Li is one of the best among this group of water conservancy talents.

Now, times have changed. After the bumper harvest in the fourth year of Jingyan, the granaries of Luzon Prefecture are already full of taro and rice, with enough grain to feed the entire island's population for three years. The land in Luzon Prefecture has also been initially cultivated, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. There is enough manpower and money to support this massive project that is crucial to the long-term development of the Eastern Song Dynasty.

Ye Li, dressed in a coarse cloth long gown, walked into the mansion, covered in dust, and bowed to Wen Tianxiang. He had just returned from an investigation of the saline-alkali lands of the lower Luzon River; his trousers were still stained with mud, but his face was filled with excitement.

"Mr. Ye, there's no need for such formalities." Wen Tianxiang quickly stepped forward to help him up, and eagerly asked, "Has the water conservancy plan for the Luzon River been finalized?"

Ye Li nodded, took out a meticulously drawn map from his pocket, spread it on Wen Tianxiang's desk, and began to speak eloquently. Addressing the persistent problem of salinization in coastal farmland, he drew upon the experience of the Southern Song Dynasty in managing Hangzhou Bay and the Zhejiang East River estuary, proposing a "river mouth tidal barrier + inland river diversion canal" solution: a sturdy tidal barrier would be built at the mouth of the Luzon River, closed during high tide to prevent seawater backflow; simultaneously, multiple inland river diversion canals would be dug to divert floodwaters from the rainy season, alleviating flood pressure and providing irrigation during the dry season.

To address the problems of flooding during the rainy season and water shortages during the dry season on Luzon Island, Ye Li combined the dike-building techniques of western Zhejiang with the water storage experience of mountain ponds in southern Fujian to create an irrigation network adapted to the tropical climate: sturdy dikes were built along the banks of rivers to reclaim low-lying land into polder fields to resist floods; mountain ponds and reservoirs were built to store rainwater for the dry season; and a network of irrigation canals was dug to bring river and pond water into every piece of farmland, ensuring a stable harvest regardless of drought or flood.

What's even more remarkable is that Ye Li deeply understands the principle that "water conservancy is 30% construction and 70% management." While proposing the construction plan, he also formulated a set of institutionalized water management rules for the Luzon reclamation area, which fundamentally prevented neighborhood disputes or even internal strife caused by unequal water use.

Firstly, the establishment of "water conservancy officials" and "canal chiefs" was implemented: a special water conservancy department was set up in the prefecture, and water conservancy officials were directly appointed by the imperial court to coordinate the construction and maintenance of water conservancy projects throughout the island; in each village, farmers who were familiar with farming and fair-minded were selected to serve as canal chiefs, responsible for the daily opening and closing of sluice gates, inspection and maintenance of canal banks, and ensuring the rational allocation of irrigation water.

Secondly, "water allocation according to land area and labor contribution based on acreage": It is clearly stipulated that farmers should be allocated water according to the area of ​​land they cultivate, with those who have more land receiving more and those who have less receiving less, in order to prevent the phenomenon of forcibly seizing water; at the same time, during the off-season each year, labor days are allocated according to the number of acreage to organize farmers to repair ponds and reinforce canal embankments. If any farmer refuses to participate in canal repair, their water consumption for that year will be reduced by 30% as a deterrent.

Thirdly, "Water Level Markers" were erected to set standards: at key points along the main canal, stone markers with water level markings were erected, modeled after the Water Level Markers established by Wu Qian, a famous minister of the Southern Song Dynasty, in Ningbo. The markers had two key markings: when the water level reached the "flood line," the canal chief had to immediately open the sluice gates to release floodwater without delay; when the water level dropped to the "dry line," all sluice gates of the branch canals were closed to prioritize irrigation water for the core farmland. The markings were clear and visible to everyone, fundamentally eliminating the possibility of favoritism and corruption.

Wen Tianxiang became more and more excited as he listened, his eyes fixed on every ditch and sluice gate on the drawing. He couldn't help but clapp his hands in praise: "Wonderful! Incredibly wonderful! Mr. Ye's plan has truly solved a major problem for our Eastern Song Dynasty!" When he first heard Ye Li's initial plan, he thought it was ingenious. Now, Ye Li has modified it based on the actual situation in Luzon, and it is even more comprehensive. It can be described as amazing.

He immediately issued an edict appointing Ye Li as the Director of the Water Conservancy Department, giving him full authority over the construction of the Luzon River water conservancy project. In no time, the people of Luzon responded enthusiastically. Young men carried hoes and pushed wheelbarrows to the construction site, while women delivered water and food, creating a scene of bustling activity.

Hard work pays off. The Luzon River irrigation project showed initial results in its first year. During the rainy season, floods were kept out of the dikes, and the taro in the polder fields grew vigorously; during the dry season, water from the mountain ponds and reservoirs flowed along the ditches, nourishing every inch of land. That year, the yield of taro per mu (a Chinese unit of area, approximately 0.165 acres) exceeded 600 kilograms, far surpassing previous years.

By the third year, the entire water conservancy project was completely completed. Coupled with continuous improvements in farming techniques and the gradual increase in soil fertility, the yield of taro reached an astonishing 800 kilograms per mu!

Looking out over the fields along the Luzon River, taro vines have climbed all over the land, and the rice stalks are heavy with grain, bowing low. Apart from the occasional typhoon that brings some damage, Luzon Island has become a veritable land of plenty, with abundant grain production and prosperous people.

Abundant food supplies led to rapid population growth. In the fifth year of the Jingyan era alone, Luzon Island saw an increase of 50,000 surviving newborns. Half of these children were born to Song men and indigenous women. During the initial southward migration, in order to preserve manpower, the court primarily selected strong men, resulting in a severe gender imbalance within the Eastern Song territory, with Song women being extremely scarce. Left with no other option, many Song soldiers and civilians had to marry indigenous women who had submitted to the Song dynasty.

Wen Tianxiang personally investigated this matter. He discovered that children born from unions between Song people and local inhabitants were virtually indistinguishable from Song people in appearance and intelligence. He couldn't help but lament: whether a person is a Song person or a barbarian depends not on bloodline, but on education. Like Zhang Hongfan, who, despite being of Han Chinese origin, willingly served the Yuan court and slaughtered Han people—how could such a person be considered a Han person?

The fifth year of the Jingyan era was destined to be a crucial turning point in the history of the Eastern Song Dynasty.

In that year, the Eastern Song Dynasty completely escaped the problem of food shortages and, relying on the unique resources of Luzon Island, began a golden age of rapid development.

In that year, the Eastern Song Dynasty court, led by Wen Tianxiang, officially launched a water conservancy project that was crucial to the foundation of the nation, laying a solid foundation for the continued prosperity of agriculture.

Also in this year, the Eastern Song Dynasty held its first imperial examination since its relocation to the south. Although the number of students participating in the examination was small due to the need for reconstruction, the significance of this examination was extraordinary—it demonstrated to the world that the Eastern Song Dynasty was not a remnant force that had fled overseas, but a normal country with a complete system and good order.

Also in that year, Wen Tianxiang defied public opinion and promulgated an unprecedented decree—the Compulsory Education Law.

He knew that the Eastern Song Dynasty, confined to the South Seas and far removed from the core of Central Plains civilization, would inevitably be assimilated by barbaric customs and eventually become a tribe indistinguishable from the natives if its people were left to fend for themselves in this wild land. To prevent the Song people from becoming barbaric in the South Seas, Wen Tianxiang resolved to promote universal education.

The decree stipulated that all citizens of the Eastern Song Dynasty, regardless of age or gender, were required to learn to read and write. Children aged eight and above could attend government-run schools free of charge until the age of twelve; children with exceptional talent and a strong desire to learn could continue their studies, supported by the court. As for adult men, those who had never attended school could attend classes free of charge in government schools to learn basic literacy, arithmetic, and agricultural skills. The court also distributed printed books such as the *Three Character Classic*, *Hundred Family Surnames*, and *Essentials of Agriculture and Sericulture* free of charge to adult men to encourage self-study.

To encourage people to study, Wen Tianxiang also introduced a reward policy: annual examinations were held to assess the people's literacy level, and those who passed the examinations could have their taxes reduced by half for five years.

Such a policy was simply impossible to implement in the Central Plains. The fundamental reason was that for thousands of years, the Han people of the Central Plains had been shrouded in the shadow of hunger. The common people toiled year-round, yet still struggled to fill their stomachs, leaving them with no spare time or energy for reading and writing. Education had always been a privilege enjoyed only by a small, privileged class of officials who had taken a break from their jobs.

But on Luzon Island, this problem that had plagued the Central Plains for millennia was completely solved by the tropical climate and high-yield crops. Abundant water and heat allow crops to ripen multiple times a year, meaning the people only need to spend a small amount of time cultivating the land to harvest enough food to satisfy their hunger. Furthermore, surrounded by the sea with a long coastline, the near-shore fishing grounds are plentiful, with fish, shrimp, and shellfish readily available, ensuring that meat is never lacking on the people's tables. This land is truly exceptionally fertile.

Wen Tianxiang often pondered while looking out at the fields: Why did the local indigenous people, who clearly possessed such uniquely favorable living conditions, remain stuck in the primitive stage of slash-and-burn agriculture and unable to develop an advanced civilization?

Finally, he found the answer in an ancient book: "Therefore, when Heaven is about to entrust a great task to someone, it will first test his mind, strain his muscles and bones, starve his body, leave him destitute, and thwart his actions, so as to strengthen his resolve and increase his abilities."

For the local indigenous people, food came far too easily. Wild fruits and vegetables covered the mountains and plains, enough to fill their stomachs with a simple foraging; a handful of seeds scattered about required no careful tending, and the following year they would reap a sufficient harvest. Since survival was so easy, why would they bother to study complex farming techniques? Why would they bother to painstakingly smelt iron and forge sophisticated farm tools?

Wen Tianxiang then realized: the trajectory of civilization development often occurs in harsh and difficult places, where people have to rack their brains to develop sufficient technology in order to survive; only when these technologies have accumulated to a certain level can they move to rich and fertile lands and create a brilliant civilization. If one starts in fertile land and lacks the pressure of survival, civilization will stagnate.

The first generation of Song people fled from the Central Plains, a land ravaged by blood and fire, and their very being was imbued with a spirit of hard work and perseverance. Even after accumulating enough food for several years, they would still cultivate the land diligently, never daring to slacken their efforts.

But when the second generation of Song people were born on this rich and peaceful land, never having experienced the torment of hunger or witnessed the iron hooves of the Yuan army, could they still maintain the enterprising spirit of their fathers?

Wen Tianxiang didn't know the answer. But that didn't stop him from considering this issue concerning the future of the Eastern Song Dynasty from the most pessimistic perspective. He didn't know how to fundamentally prevent this situation from happening, so he could only do his best to promote education.

He firmly believed that the difference between humans and beasts lay not in bloodlines, but in education. Only through education could the descendants of the Song people remember their homeland in the Central Plains, inherit Chinese civilization, and allow the Eastern Song Dynasty to take root and flourish in this fertile land of Southeast Asia, eventually returning to the Central Plains.

Whether these policies are truly effective remains to be seen; only time will tell.