Chapter 0061: May Our Jian’an Dynasty Last Ten Thousand Generations, With Civilization Eternal!

Hearing the commotion, the students immediately perked up and turned to Ouyang Jiu. “Brother Ouyang, what have you noticed? Tell us quickly!”

“Indeed! Among us, you’re the most knowledgeable about mountains and rivers!”

Ouyang Jiu’s ancestors were from Jinzhou in the Jingxi South Circuit, where high mountains and clear waters produced many skilled folk singers and fishermen. Having grown up there, Ouyang Jiu possessed considerable understanding of terrain and waterways, making everyone trust his observations.

Without holding back, Ouyang Jiu stepped forward excitedly and said, “Look everyone—isn’t the notch on the left side of this wooden bucket as wide and high as the Min River’s original course? Meanwhile, the notch on the right resembles the currently excavated channel: narrow and low?”

Hearing this, the students instinctively glanced toward the Min River nearby.

Sure enough, the river workers had all gathered on the eastern side of the Min River. Judging by their positions and distribution, one could deduce that the channel being dug was significantly narrower than the untouched western section. Moreover, due to sand excavation, the eastern channel sat much lower than the original western course.

These characteristics perfectly matched the notches on the wooden bucket.

Ouyang Jiu continued his analysis, “The water poured from the yamen runner’s bucket represents the Min River’s flow. When the current is slow and sparse, water preferentially flows toward the lower notch. But when the river runs swift and voluminous, most water will rush through the notch that’s only slightly higher but much wider! Meanwhile, the lower notch, being narrower, actually discharges less water!”

Pointing at the wooden basin on the ground, he asked, “See how the water flowing out is uneven between the two sides?”

The crowd observed and confirmed it was true: nearly twenty percent more water flowed from the high-and-wide notch compared to the low-and-narrow one.

“Oh! I understand now!” Bian Yangchun exclaimed in sudden realization. “During spring and summer, the Min River runs rapid and abundant. If we dig the eastern channel narrower, when mountain floods arrive, sixty to seventy percent of the water will flow along the original course, while the remaining thirty to forty percent will follow the low, narrow channel toward the Yu Ji Mountain river mouth, supplying irrigation water for eastern county farmlands!”

“And during autumn and winter, when the Min River’s flow diminishes, the deeper eastern channel will naturally draw most of the water. Even during dry seasons, this ensures sufficient irrigation supply for all counties!”

“This way, flood season water splits sixty-west to forty-east, while dry season distribution reverses to forty-west and sixty-east. Regardless of conditions, downstream farmers will always have adequate water for their fields!”

The students felt profoundly enlightened by this explanation. “So that’s what it means!”

“To consider both summer and winter river conditions across Yi Province—planning water distribution according to seasonal flow rather than simple equal division… What meticulous brilliance!”

“How shortsighted we were, thinking only summer flood control mattered…”

“Why should everyone be disheartened? Water flows downward while people strive upward. Now that we have witnessed the patterns of mountain waters flowing, it means we have advanced further in geographical and phenological studies—this is truly cause for celebration!”

“Brother Li speaks well! This is indeed something worth celebrating and rejoicing over!”

The scholars beamed with joy. Standing in this magnificent landscape of towering mountains and great rivers as insignificant beings, yet comprehending the mysteries of nature’s waterways, made them feel as if they were viewing the earth from above the clouds—their minds and horizons suddenly broadening as if stepping into a new realm.

Is this what it feels like to conquer nature?

Amid the harmonious atmosphere, Ouyang Jiu remained frowning in thought after his explanation. Only when the crowd gradually settled did he speak up: “Brother Zhu, I have a question.”

Zhu Xiaobiao turned to him, his eyes flickering slightly. “Go ahead.”

“I might be overthinking this, but when you demonstrated the river channel’s mechanism, the sediment in the wooden bucket seemed excessive.” Ouyang Jiu pointed at the accumulated silt in the basin. “Was this intentional symbolism, or mere coincidence?”

“Ah, right.” The group nodded in realization. If demonstrating water volume was the goal, clear water would have sufficed. Why add so much sediment?

Zhu Xiaobiao gave Ouyang Jiu a profound look before admitting, “Indeed, I did it deliberately.”

It was intentional? Why?

“The Min River carries vast, turbulent waters that inevitably sweep large amounts of sediment downstream. The channel we dug at Yu Ji Mountain has a narrow opening, making it highly susceptible to silt blockage.” Zhu Xiaobiao pointed at the now-still wooden bucket. “Observe—aren’t there thick muddy deposits around that narrow gap?”

Bian Yangchun was first to lean in for a closer look. “There truly is silt.”

“What shall we do then?” Worry resurfaced among the group. “Does this mean our efforts digging Yu Ji Mountain’s channel were in vain?”

Zhu Xiaobiao shook his head with a smile. “Not at all. Do you all recall the true lesson behind the tale of The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountains?”

The scholars ventured: “Utilizing nature? Defying nature?”

“Precisely,” Zhu Xiaobiao affirmed. “Using nature to defy nature. Just as we derived the method for seasonal Min River diversion from the phenological principle of water flowing downward, we can likewise draw solutions for sediment accumulation from other phenological patterns.”

He retrieved a wooden plank and splashed sediment-laden river water onto it. The water splattered outward, carrying grains of sand with it. “The Min River’s torrential flow can be harnessed. By constructing a high stone embankment beside the channel opening, the current will first strike this barrier. Since the location is at a bend, the obstructed water will create backflow, causing sand to spray outward. By building a weir at the landing spot of this flying sediment, we can concentrate all accumulation there.”

“This resolves the siltation issue. We plan to name this high stone embankment Lidui (Separation Mound), and the sediment-catching weir Feishayan (Flying Sand Weir),” Zhu Xiaobiao explained.

The scholars’ eyes brightened with growing understanding.

“Flying Sand Weir—what an excellent name!”

“Lidui—meaning the stone mound that separates sand from river water! How aptly named!”

“Since these two locations already have names, what about the channel opening at Yu Ji Mountain?” Ouyang Jiu asked curiously. “Has that been named yet?”

Zhu Xiaobiao shook his head. “His Exce- ahem, our lord did give it a name – Precious Vessel Opening. But upon reflection, he thought it would be more meaningful to let the local people name it themselves.”

The scholars nodded in agreement. “Indeed, since the channel opening was dug by the people themselves.”

“Brother Zhu, is there anything else?” Ouyang Jiu went straight to the point. “The river diversion project must involve more than just this, right? Don’t hold back – tell us everything.”

“Yes, yes!” The other scholars nodded eagerly, looking at Zhu Xiaobiao with anticipation.

Zhu Xiaobiao nodded and took down a cylindrical case hanging from his shoulder, from which he extracted a drawing.

When unrolled, the paper revealed the construction blueprint for the river diversion project.

“Here,” he pointed, “we’ll fill hemp sacks with river stones to build a diversion weir that splits the Min River’s flow east and west. It will be shaped like a fish’s mouth – the sharp, rounded angle will effectively divide the river current, providing both buffering effect and preventing excessive splashing.”

Zhu Xiaobiao indicated another spot on the blueprint. “During mountain flood season, even forty percent of the river flow entering the eastern channel could be dangerous. Therefore, we’ll create another diversion right between the fish mouth and the Feisha Weir, using the terrain to redirect part of the flow back to the original river course.”

“Meanwhile, we’ll widen the original western channel to ensure it can accommodate more water volume during summer, thus sharing the pressure with the eastern channel.”

“With the fish mouth dividing water, Precious Vessel Opening limiting water, and Lidui obstructing water – these three working in coordination, Yi Province’s flood problems will be solved.”

After finishing his explanation, Zhu Xiaobiao suddenly smiled. “Interestingly, there’s already a naturally formed river island right at the fish mouth location. We only need to modify it to achieve better water diversion.”

“This is the charm of nature.”

The scholars couldn’t help but marvel. “Nature… so natural, like the changing seasons and the cycle of life and death. Calling these vast landscapes ‘nature’ is truly wonderful!”

“Isn’t this the unity of heaven and man, the interconnection of all things, the way of following nature?”

“If this method succeeds, Yi Province will become vast fertile land, and its people will demonstrate to the entire Jian’an Dynasty what it means to neither fear nature nor be defeated by heaven!”

“What magnificent words – neither fear nature nor be defeated by heaven!”

The scholars cheered loudly, their eyes moist and noses tingling with emotion. Witnessing such a moment where ideology, culture, and historical brilliance converged filled them with overwhelming excitement and complex feelings.

“So Brother Zhu, who actually devised this method?” one scholar seized the opportunity to ask. “So detailed yet bold – did some mountain immortal really appear in Governor Liang’s dream to tell him?”

“Hahaha!” Zhu Xiaobiao couldn’t help laughing heartily. “What mountain immortal! If such immortals existed, would they tolerate us digging through mountains?”

“Then…” the scholars grew excited, “what kind of person conceived this?”

“Well, actually, it was devised by a capable man named Li Bing, who comprehended it by understanding the geographical and hydrological patterns of mountains, rivers, and landforms.”

Zhu Xiaobiao smiled and said, “Working for the welfare of the people is far more than just reading classics. The classics teach you integrity and etiquette, but to truly benefit the people, one must observe with the heart, see with the eyes, understand their hardships, and comprehend their needs—that is the true way.”

He bowed slightly to the students, his eyes bright. “Though the Jian’an Dynasty has just been established, places like Yi Province still suffer deeply. I hope that when you achieve success in the imperial examinations, you will remember today’s reflections—harness nature, transform nature, and make our Jian’an Dynasty a land of blessings, enduring for millennia, with civilization everlasting!”

“May our Jian’an Dynasty endure for millennia, with civilization everlasting!” The students raised their hands in return bows, their voices resolute and fervent.

“Today’s tale of diverting the river ends here, yet it will never truly end.” Zhu Xiaobiao’s eyes glistened with tears as he addressed the crowd. “Everyone, there is still a long future ahead. If fate allows, we shall meet again.”

After finishing his bow, he lifted his head to leave, but his gaze inadvertently met Ji Songhua’s.

Zhu Xiaobiao gave him a slight nod, his smile natural, then turned and walked away.

He didn’t know the complex emotions stirring in Ji Songhua’s heart.

Nor did he care anymore.