When Han Qian came to Qianyang this time, he not only used the road to inspect Langxi and Quyang counties, but also made a special trip to Qianyang City to meet with Guo Rong and ask him to come and serve in Xuzhou.

As a deputy envoy, when he and Han Qian went to the capital of Shu to welcome his bride, Guo Rong was accompanied by some palace attendants. However, it was precisely because of the existence of these palace attendants that Guo Rong helped Han Qian in the capital city of Shu to kidnap Princess Qingyang and escape from Shu.

There is no way to hide it.

Guo Rong was unwilling to kill the palace attendants he usually served, so he could not return to Jinling and had no place to live in Yueyang. Finally, he came to Xuzhou to live alone.

For more than a year, he has lived in the guest house behind Guanyue Building. He has almost used up all his money, and his robes have been patched many times. Recently, he has been writing letters for others in exchange for some wine money. He has been living a small life.

Quite miserable.

Han Qian had no plans to stay in Qianyang City for a long time. Guo Rong hurried back to the guest house and simply packed his bags. When he came out, he found that the guards around Han Qian had already paid off the room and wine money for him, and no one was in Qianyang City.

After a delay, he separated from Tian Cheng, the magistrate of Qianyang County, and then left the city and boarded a boat to the south bank of the Ruan River, then changed to horses and took the road southward on the east bank of Qushui.

Although Canal Water is one of the five major tributaries of the Ruan River, from Langxi City to the mouth of the river, the water surface is 30 to 40 feet wide, but there are many dangerous shoals and reefs in the river, and there are rugged rocks in the river. Even in the rainy season, it can only pass through a hundred rocks.

The following are small and medium-sized ships, and they travel against the current at a slow speed. However, they may be able to reach Langxi City faster by riding horses and taking the trails.

The official road from Langxi to Qianyang was built on the east bank of the canal and winds along the cliff bank. Although it has been renovated with great efforts in the past two years, it is only five feet wide. It is extremely difficult for two horses to run parallel.

You have to be extremely careful when doing so.

One side is a mountainous area, and the other side is a turbulent river. If you are not careful, you will slip on the jagged river beach and break your bones and limbs. You can also see many vehicles along the way.

It fell upside down on the river beach.

Langxi Road was first built in the Qin Dynasty a thousand years ago. At that time, the Qin Emperor moved 500,000 people from the Central Plains to fill Qianyang, Guilin and other southwest counties, and mixed with the Yue Yi officials.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty built post roads twice, sent troops to conquer the Yunnan region, and established Yizhou County under the jurisdiction of the Yizhou Governor's Department. This not only greatly increased the population of the southwest, but also truly opened up the connection between the Central Plains and the southwest, and also made Qianyang

Wait for some areas to become rich and prosperous.

However, due to the frequent wars in the Central Plains since the end of the Han Dynasty, the southwest region became closed again, the agricultural economy and culture even experienced a considerable degree of degradation, and a large number of post roads built by the Qin and Han dynasties were abandoned.

Like the Xuefengshan Post Road, Xuzhou invested tens of thousands of money and grain, and hired a large number of slave workers from Sizhou. It has only now returned to the scale of the "Five Feet Road" in the Qin and Han Dynasties; while Langxi Road is located in Xuzhou,

But it was only after a renovation that it was restored to the scale of the "Five Feet Road" in the Qin and Han Dynasties.

What is really a pity is that the reefs in the canal are too dangerous, especially the reefs hidden under the water. If the boat is not careful during the trip, the boat will be destroyed and people will be killed. The benefits of the waterway are far from being fully utilized, so that Langxi and Qianyang City

The exchange of goods between the two countries mainly relies on wheelbarrows, and even large vehicles are difficult to pass, which directly limits the transportation of bulk goods.

Looking at Han Qian, Feng Liao was surrounded by thirty or forty retinues, walking and stopping all the way. Guo Rong saw that Han Qian was not necessarily rushing to Langxi City today, but was more focused on looking at the mountains and rivers on both sides.

After traveling for more than twenty miles, it was already dusk and dusk. At this time, I saw a new post house built in the mountain col next to the road. It was composed of several buildings across the courtyard, with no village buildings in front or behind.

Guo Rong traveled to Langxi in July and August last year and did not see any houses built here. He saw that there were many carriages and horses parked on the flat land in front of the courtyard. He followed the crowd and rushed over. The words "Xindian Township Inspection Department" were hung on the gate.

At this time, I saw a young man in official robes, with two sword archers, coming quickly from the river beach in front and saluting Han Qian: "Master Ji is still on the river beach in front, staring at the iron-bone sword.

The boat broke into the reef and I couldn't escape. I didn't know that you would pass by Xindian Township today..."

Only then did Guo Rong see clearly that the young man in front of him was one of the retinue who accompanied Han Qian on his mission to Shu, and was also one of the representatives of the family soldiers trained by the Han family.

Guo Rong remembered that his name was He Liufeng. He was young but extremely capable. When he heard a clerk coming out to greet him in the courtyard, he realized that he was here as a township inspector at this time.

Seeing that it was still early, Han Qian was not busy going to the countryside to inspect the division courtyard. He asked He Liufeng to lead the way and rushed to see how Ji Xiyao and the others used the iron boat to break the reef.

The location of the broken reef was three or four miles away in front of the Xindian Township Inspection Department. Han Qian and others rushed over, while Ji Xiyao and a dozen people stood on the river beach with muddy faces on their faces.

Seeing Han Qian coming, Ji Xiyao led two engineers to climb up the post road on hands and feet, pointed at the iron boat dragged to the river beach, shook his head and said to Han Qian: "The rocks are too hard, the iron boat looks strong, but

If it hits the rocks, it will only collapse the stone pillars hidden under the water. The hull will be severely deformed, leaked and sinking, and it can no longer be used - this method is probably not feasible and would cost too much."

Only then did Guo Rong realize that Ji Xiyao, who was a worker in the army, was actually trying to use a ship with an iron keel loaded with sand and gravel to break through the reef in order to open up a smoother shipping channel between Langxi and Qianyang.

.

Just look at the iron-framed boat that was dragged to the river beach. Although the deformation is not too severe, the hull plates are much broken and can no longer be used.

Although Xuzhou is said to be the best in the world for cast iron armor, an iron-framed ship more than two feet long, although only the keel and side plates are made of fine iron, consumes a lot of iron.

What's more, it also needs to be cast into shape, which is extremely labor-intensive.

An iron-framed ship that is more than two feet long costs a lot of money.

Seeing that Han Qian did not hesitate to teach Ji Xiyao to use such an iron-framed boat to break the reef through constant trial and error, Guo Rong could really feel Han Qian's determination to further expand the land and water transportation between Langxi and Qianyang. This also represents Han Qian's determination to further expand the land and water transportation between Langxi and Qianyang.

Determination to run Xuzhou modestly.

Seeing that Han Qian was not wearing official robes, and his concubine Zhao Ting'er's clothes were also quite ordinary, he must have spent every copper on the management of Xuzhou. I don't know that he simply wanted Xuzhou to take care of his father and son.

To build according to the will of others, or is there an ambition different from ordinary people hidden deeper in the heart?

Han Qian personally climbed onto the river beach and looked at the damage to the hull and the collision angle. He felt that the value of repairing the ship was not high. The iron frame ship might have to be dismantled on the spot and the useful iron materials could be transported to the iron casting yard for re-melting.

Recast.

Even the most inconspicuous rocks can easily weigh hundreds or thousands of tons. If a ship is used to smash them, how strong a ship can be to break the rocks without causing any damage to itself?

Even though Han Qian knew in his heart that these were stupid methods, the waterway connecting Langxi and Quyang counties, with a width of more than 100 meters, was restricted by these reefs. It was a pity that it would also directly restrict the development of these two counties.

No matter how difficult it was, in order to further expand the traffic from Langxi to Qianyang, Han Qian still asked Ji Xiyao to find ways to clear out the easily cleared reefs in the main channel of the canal water by various means, and to remove those in the main channel.

Reefs that cannot be cleaned temporarily are marked with cast iron parts above the water surface.

Otherwise, even if this channel can barely pass a hundred-stone ship, it will be hit and sunk by the reef at every turn, and countless people will drown. The cost of using this channel will be too high.

Han Qian and Ji Xiyao discussed further expanding the Langxi Road. Ji Xiyao complained, saying that there were mostly rocky slopes on the left side and it was too difficult to excavate. In the early stage, efforts should be concentrated on building a post road from Langxi to Quyang Nanliao Village.

From Langxi to Quyang Nanliao Village, there are no existing post roads for more than 40 miles, only mountain trails trampled by mules and horses in the mountains, which are extremely steep.

In addition, the resistance in Fanzhai in the south was serious. Ji Xiyao strongly suggested that Han Qian go south from Langxi to Quyang and be sure to bring more soldiers and horses from Langxi County to accompany him.

"From Langxi to Nanliaozhai, there are many deep gorges on both sides of the canal. The navigation conditions should be better, right?" Han Qian asked.

"Theoretically, this is true, but we haven't carefully surveyed this channel yet, and there are also reefs hidden under the water," Ji Xiyao said.

He did not advocate that Han Qian take the risk of taking a boat to Nanliao Village now. In early February, when Zhao Wuji took a large number of people to Nanliao Village, as well as the second batch of women and children who moved westward, more than a hundred families among them settled in Quyang.

They all go by land.

In addition to the dangerous rapids, hundreds of villages in the upper reaches of the canal are all unnaturalized immigrants. Now these immigrants are required to pay taxes and accept rule, and some of them have to be moved from particularly remote mountains.

It is impossible to move out of the distant ridges, go to river valleys, build river embankments and villages, and cultivate fields beside the valleys without any resistance at all.

Under the influence of his father, Han Qian's state of mind has changed a lot, but this does not mean that he has the kindness of a woman. He knows the choices and trades, knows how to weigh the pros and cons, and also knows that there is no perfect way between heaven and earth.

Even if some blood has to be shed at this time, as long as matters such as naturalization and registration can be thoroughly carried out, the hidden dangers of division and opposition can truly be eliminated.

Therefore, Han Qian also asked Zhao Wuji to use force to suppress Zhao Wuji after arriving in Quyang, and not to be merciful.

If you do this in the early stage, it will be difficult to completely avoid bloody conflicts.

Zhao Wuji had only been stationed in Nanliao Village for a short period of time, and had limited control over the mountains on both sides of the canal. Han Qian thought that if they were to go retrograde by boat, if they encountered an attack, it would be more dangerous than traveling by land. After all, there was no way to defeat the most powerful force in the water camp.

The warships were transferred from Qianyang.

Han Qian thought for a while and just promised Ji Xiyao to wait for them to meet Gao Bao and others in Langxi City tomorrow and then wait until they see the situation. He immediately asked Ji Xiyao to pack up and follow him to the Xindian Township Inspection Department to spend the night, and introduced Guo Rong.

Get to know him.

When Ji Xiyao was in Jinling, he was just an insignificant soldier who was incorporated into Taowu Ji as a hungry civilian.

Because he and his father Ji Fu knew how to build and sail ships, when Han Daoxun went to Xuzhou as an official, he was selected by Han Qian to accompany him. In the blink of an eye, almost five years had passed.

In the past five years, Ji Xiyao participated in and presided over the construction of shipyards, weaving yards, coal and iron mines, iron foundries, and a large number of factories in Xuzhou; Chen Jitang only followed Han Qian to Xuzhou in the early stages of the war to reduce the vassal state.

Ji Xiyao's father, Ji Fu, was old and had been enjoying a happy life in his house for the past two years. Zheng Tong decided to stay in Jinling and not return to Xuzhou, so Han Qian appointed Ji Xiyao to take charge of all construction matters in Zheng Tong's place.

Xuzhou is included in the sequence of the Dachu states, and is counted as Xiazhou. The military officers of the Cao Cao are only in the eighth rank, but what is the importance?

At this time, when Ji Xiyao faced Guo Rong, he showed no restraint at all. He bowed and bowed, sat on a rock and washed the mud off his boots and trouser legs before climbing ashore with Han Qian and heading to the Xindian Township Inspection Department.

Walk to the courtyard.

Today, a villager happened to hunt an elk and brought it to the township inspection department to sell it. The weather is getting hotter in early summer, and the venison cannot be preserved for a long time without being marinated or smoked with fireworks. So he brought it to the post road to buy the meat.

It's also extremely mean.

Xi Rong walked over, took out a thousand dollars and bought the whole elk, skinned and bloody.

An elk that is still in the growth stage is not very strong, but if you peel off the skin and remove the internal organs, you still have about 200 kilograms of meat.

Kong Xirong took He Liufeng and Xi Faer took it upon themselves to marinate the other venison to supplement the meat. They took the two fattest hind legs, carefully rubbed them with spices, oil sauce, and refined salt, then put them in the backyard and grilled them.

The meat oil dripped onto the charcoal and sizzled, and the aroma filled the small courtyards of the township inspection department.

Han Qian's entourage was less than 30 people, and the township inspection department had subordinates and more than 20 sword archers. They took away a deer leg weighing more than 20 kilograms, and the remaining deer leg was Han Qian's.

The two daughters Zhao Ting'er, Xi Lin, Feng Liao, Guo Rong, Kong Xirong, Xi Fa'er, He Liufeng, Ji Xiyao and Gong Cao were sitting around the bonfire, holding a knife to roast the tender legs until they were sizzling with oil.

Cut off the meat and talk while drinking wine in the starry night.

Only then did he have free time to talk about the situation in Jinling. It was only then that Guo Rong knew more details about the battle to capture Jinling, and it was not just the lies he had heard from business travelers in the restaurants and teahouses in Qianyang City.

Indiscernible gossip.

Yang Yuanwo's health must have failed a long time ago. The courtiers who surrendered to Anning Palace and Zong Zhengqing Yang Tai and others have not seen Yang Yuanwo again a year ago. Many military and political orders are passed through Niu Gengru from Anning Palace.

Wen Muqiao and others may have promulgated it through the hands of the fifteen-year-old prince Yang Fen.

All signs indicate that Yang Yuanwo should have passed away years ago, but everything is under the control of Anning Palace and the burial will not be kept secret. As far as Anning Palace is concerned, it is also worried that Yang Yuanwo will die just one year after taking the throne.
To be continued...