OBS Chapter 276 Dam
Chapter 276 Dam
With Liu Jiang's initial survey, Jia Hu and Liu Jiang later discovered through continuous discussions and experiments that the terrain of that place did not meet the requirements, so the two had to look around along the river again.
Their location was at a crucial point on the river, and this area was also where the most dike breaches occurred every year. After surveying the area, Jia Hu and Liu finally selected a spot to build a dam. However, the original breached river mouth was also a problem, causing siltation and blockages over time.
This place was another difficult one to deal with. After discussing it, Liu Jiang and Jia Hu could only try to change the flow of the water in this place so that it could flow back into the river in the next section.
Looking at the rolling river, Liu Jiang couldn't help but shed tears again. His dark face, full of ravines, showed unspeakable heartache, and he couldn't help but curse Liao Ting.
Jia Hu felt uncomfortable watching this and started cursing along with him.
Because Liu Jiang travels frequently, he is familiar with this area, while Jia Hu, looking at the rolling river, cannot distinguish where he is. Liu Jiang, however, can tell you the original location of this place by the distant mountains, or even a tree with a small tip still sticking out. He also mentioned that the people living there had invited him to eat at their home, a story that is heartbreaking.
After Liu Jiang finished his tirade, he looked at Jia Hu, who had joined in the cursing, and somewhat embarrassedly wiped away his tears.
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, young friend. You mustn't learn these swear words from me."
"I'm a rough man, so I let it go. But you're a young master; those filthy people are only dirtying your mouth by cursing him."
Jia Hu said:
"I'll join in with a few curses to vent my anger. Now that things have already happened, we can only try to figure out a solution."
"You're right, let's go! Let's continue to look. I didn't have confidence before, but now with my friend and that magical cement, we're sure we can manage to control this water!"
He ran around like this for more than half a month. Every day when Jia Hu came back, he was covered in mud. He was so tired that he would wash up and fall asleep as soon as he got to bed.
Looking at his grandson's darkened face, Jia Daishan felt a pang of heartache, but he also knew that what his grandson had done was a momentous event that would be remembered for generations. As elders, they couldn't help him, but they should support him even more.
Two days later, Jia Hu and Liu Jiang finally confirmed that all the investigations were indeed feasible, and the two went to report to the Emperor.
The Emperor was overjoyed. He was certain that Liu Jiang was a trustworthy person with genuine talent and learning, and immediately appointed him as the Governor-General of Water Management.
Liu Jiang knelt down in fear.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject cannot do it!"
He was just a peasant by birth, and he only liked water. How could he possibly deserve such an official position!
Jia Hu pulled him aside and said:
"Since the Emperor has bestowed this title upon you, then you are worthy of it."
Liu Jiang only learned in the last few days that this young master was not only the young master of the Duke's mansion, but also had a title, and was actually the emperor's adopted grandson.
When Liu Jiang first learned about it, he was quite apprehensive. He thought Jia Hu was so young yet so capable, and that he was not afraid of getting tired or working hard, showing no airs whatsoever. However, he himself was a rough and unrefined man, and sometimes he didn't watch his words, so he was afraid of offending the young master.
Who knew that Jia Hu would act the same way as him, and over time, Liu Jiang began to regard Jia Hu as a close friend despite their age difference.
At this moment, Liu Jiang grabbed Jia Hu's hand nervously and said, "Young Master, you know I didn't do anything. How could I possibly deserve this?"
Liu Jiang genuinely felt unworthy of the man; he was merely running errands, and the cement and other supplies were provided by the young master and the emperor.
"If I say you are worthy of it, then you are worthy of it. Are you going to disobey my decree?"
"Governor Liu, disobeying an imperial edict is punishable by beheading!"
Jia Hu smiled slyly.
If Liu Jiang can't take the job, then no one can now.
Refusing the imperial decree means not becoming an official, and even worse, it means being beheaded!
Liu Jiang had no choice but to kowtow several times.
With cement, the dam and river embankment were officially built.
The emperor was still not at ease and decided to wait until the dam was built to a basic level before leaving. In the end, they decided to stay here for another month or so.
Liu Jiang and Jia Hu were naturally happy. Jia Hu thought the emperor was about to leave once he made up his mind, but little did he know that he would have to stay for a while longer.
This way he could keep an eye on the construction. Jia Hu was happy, as this was his first time participating in such a large project, and he would really regret it if he left without taking a look.
This made Jia Hu even busier, leading a life of leaving early and returning late. Liu Jiang even had a shed built for him, where he ate and slept and kept an eye on things. With the help of cement, everything went according to their plan.
Time flew by in their busy work. The river embankment was completed, the dam foundation was laid, and the Emperor was about to set off. They had been here for a long time and needed to continue their southern tour. They also needed to return to the capital before the New Year.
But this time it will be different. Before, we traveled by horse-drawn carriage overland, but this time we will travel by boat directly to Suzhou.
After the departure time was set, Jia Hu became even busier, and his servants were also busy, running around with the steward preparing things.
Traveling by water is different from traveling by land. You can rest and buy what you need during your rest time. Only the royal family needs to make purchases. The waterway will only stop at the port, and time is very tight.
This means we need to prepare plenty of everything, especially the snacks and treats that the two young masters love, as well as plenty of preserves that can be stored.
Neither of them had ever been on a boat before, but the older servants said there was nothing else to do on board. So, to keep the young masters from getting bored, they decided to prepare even more snacks to pass the time.
This was Jia Hu's first time riding on such a large ship. He had seen even larger cruise ships in modern times, but only in videos.
He had neither the free time nor the money to ride it, but he could experience it in ancient times.
Jia Hu stood on the shore and looked at the three-story imperial ship. The ship was very ornate, with dragon patterns carved on it and gold decorations everywhere.
The following boats were two-story, much smaller, but still decorated with carved beams and painted pillars. Although not as grand as the imperial boats, they were still very exquisite and beautiful.
Jia Hu immediately understood that they were on a two-story ship, which was already quite large, and he was eager to try it out.
The Emperor boarded the ship, and the young prince and his sons naturally followed him. The young prince was a little unhappy, as he wouldn't be able to see Jia Hu and Jia Zhen along the way.
He also wanted to go to his grandfather, the Emperor, and ask Jia Hu and Jia Zhen to live with him. Jia Hu quickly stopped him, as he didn't want to be on the same boat as the Emperor.
Unlike on land, where you're constantly in the same boat and everything is restricted, life on water is much easier.
The young prince was quite unhappy about this. It wasn't until Jia Daihua returned and asked what was wrong that they learned that they hadn't just been rushing along the way; there had also been times to stop and rest.
When the ships dock for rest and repairs, they will be connected to each other, and then we will be able to see each other. Hearing this, the little prince was a little happier.
After seeing the Emperor off to his ship, it was the ministers' turn. Jia Hu got up to board the ship when he suddenly heard someone calling him. Jia Hu turned around and saw that it was Liu Jiang.