Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1329 - 1282: The Waterworks Network Added to the Agenda

Actually, when it comes to noted scholars of the Late Han, most of them possessed this attitude. Although they weren’t all fearless of death, a majority valued their reputation more than their life. Most of these individuals didn’t possess exceptional abilities, but relatively speaking, their morals were guaranteed.

Cui Yan was a model among them, having both ability and morality. However, his temperament was overly rigid, and he didn’t like to speak softly. He was a typical example of uprightness. Under a wise ruler, he would be recorded in history, but under a foolish ruler, he was the kind who’d die at the start.

Although he was very capable, having Cui Yan manage political affairs would be unnecessary. Even though Liu Bei’s civil officials were somewhat lacking, they weren’t in need of someone like him. When Chen Xi initially brought Cui Yan into Liu Bei’s circle, it was essentially to have Cui Yan serve as an upright official.

Among Liu Bei’s circle, from Chen Xi downwards, none could count as upright officials. While they were all intelligent, it was precisely due to this intelligence that their personalities leaned towards seeking benefits and avoiding harm.

Bringing Cui Yan in was, besides for his occasional candid advice, to ensure the overall governance wouldn’t form a civil servant circle centered on cunning and profit-seeking. More importantly, it was to have Cui Yan uncover things that Chen Xi and others couldn’t see, issues that lower-ranked individuals dared not raise!

These two points were very important. Currently, although the top circle under Liu Bei worked naturally for their advantage, thanks to their wisdom, they could solve all issues. So, there wasn’t a significant impact on the overall power.

However, that might not be the case in the future. If the upper echelons don’t have someone who dares to give straight talk, or don’t use an upright official, when these people die off, the circle will completely corrupt, and it would begin corrupt.

Once the upper echelon collectively fears to shout for the right path, then the country is nearing its end. Thus, from the very start, Chen Xi ensured to bring in an upright official.

The presence of this upright official was to ensure at any time that the upper echelon dared to shout for the national interest, not retreat like clay statues at the slightest danger. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

So, when Cui Yan joined Liu Bei’s side, Chen Xi gifted him a screen with the phrase "If it benefits the country to live or die, why avoid fortune and misfortune?" Simply put, it was to encourage Cui Yan to undertake such dangerous tasks; Liu Bei needed a smart and fearless person to do this!

Of course, after receiving the screen with just two phrases, Cui Yan was very pleased. He was inherently a classic example of upright integrity, and these phrases helped him find his ultimate destination. No words were needed; dying for the country posed no fear to him!

Thus, after ascertaining Chen Xi’s intentions, Cui Yan immediately started addressing the administrative conduct in Qing, Xu, Yan, Yu, and Ji, as their group expanded, a lot of debris inevitably got mixed in!

"Marquis Chen, Administrator Lub, the Li Family Head has already conducted on-site inspections of the hydraulic network under their governance and has come to report to the two of you," a messenger reported as Chen Xi and others finished handling a pile of political affairs.

"Let him in," Chen Xi and Lub Su exchanged a glance, both noticing the joy on the other’s face. The construction of the hydraulic network was finally on the agenda. Although the Yellow River only flooded once every two to three years, it was enough to give Chen Xi a headache.

"Greetings, Marquis Chen, greetings to all the Military Marquis," Li Shu offered a slight bow, appearing somewhat self-assured.

"Please sit, and many thanks to the Li Family for designing and arranging for Lord Xuande’s governance," Chen Xi ordered a chair for Li Shu to sit. Sitting on the mat was seldom used anymore, except in very formal occasions, but it seemed that soon even sitting on mats might exit history.

"Marquis Chen, you are too kind." Li Shu smiled slightly, being a bit surprised by Chen Xi’s title, although he had heard it before, seeing it in person was still a bit astonishing.

"Kindness or not, it’s all for governing the territory. Yuanchang, please speak candidly to us," Chen Xi replied with a light smile.

The Li family’s water control methods slightly differed from the blocking and channeling recorded in other classic texts. The Li family focused more on adjustment and compatibility, with their water management texts primarily centered on how to guide according to the situation and turn danger into safety.

"Very well." Li Shu produced a roll after roll of maps, which he procured after coming to Liu Bei’s side, as maps were strategic resources during this era.

Therefore, when handed the maps, Li Shu showed clear satisfaction with Liu Bei’s display of trust. Although his family owned these maps and had researched them for a long time.

Upon opening the map, there were already noticeable differences compared to Chen Xi’s initial rough plan for the Grand Canal. If Chen Xi’s earlier sketch resembled a slightly overextended "person" after tilting, it now appeared much more complex.

Overall, the canal’s water intake points hadn’t changed much, but compared to the original canal, the new one added two nodes, with several water flow direction changes. In total, it was much more complex than the previous canal.

"In my view, the canal’s value is less about enhancing communication across the Central Plains and more about deeply transforming the five major grain-producing areas," Li Shu shook his head and said, "Therefore, my design focuses more on the hydraulic network and not the main canal construction."

"With my current design, the canal’s main construct requires twenty years. After connecting the five water intake points, the canal can be completed. But, if I may speak bluntly, if it’s simply for transport of goods, troops, and strengthening communication, using sea routes is feasible," Li Shu stated frankly.

Liu Bei’s side had used the sea routes frequently, so now many under heaven knew sea routes could be traversed. Though flat-bottomed ships weren’t reliable at sea, if they could travel, improvements were possible, naturally reducing the Grand Canal’s inherent canal transport significance.

"Moreover, Master Gong Youu has consistently built official roads, which with fast horses, are not inferior to waterways. Master Wen He’s horse management has always aimed to resolve the horse issue, so once Lord Xuande unifies the world and official roads are laid across it, the canal’s significance would be minimal," Li Shu stated plainly, entirely indifferent to dismantling his specialty as a river and water management expert.

After listening, Chen Xi slowly nodded, affirming Li Shu’s words. Although not entirely correct, these were facts and somewhat reasonable, albeit a bit digressive.

Although due to the maritime transport, the Grand Canal’s logistical significance was diminishing, its role in strengthening north-south governance still existed. As for insurance, Chen Xi rarely pinned hopes on a single entity; roads and waterways were all needed!

As for the five major grain-producing areas, indeed, they needed modification. Even if it took breaking the bank, there ought to be grain-producing lands in the Central Plains core that ignored drought and flooding. This required a complete hydraulic network system, but if it relied on other water veins activated by the Grand Canal, it wouldn’t bode well!