Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1330 - 1283: Not on the Same Wavelength

However, for Li Shu, given that the engineering volume of transforming the five major grain-producing areas is already so formidable, and the amount of water required for this construction is not merely ordinary.

If that’s the case, why not view the construction of the water network as a whole, plan and integrate it, using the Grand Canal as the core for development? After all, the project is already huge, no need to worry about it becoming more extensive.

For ordinary people, there’s not much difference between a twenty-five year project and a thirty-year one. By integrating them into a unified construction, we can even interlink and integrate the involved water channels, forming an internal river network, thoroughly solving the water network issues of several provinces in the Central Plains.

The blueprint Li Shu presented made everyone startled, but the scale of this project is simply terrifying, so daunting that Chen Xi felt a bit overwhelmed; this is fundamentally not a canal construction plan, but rather a northern agricultural transformation project.

Li Shu explained his entire plan in detail, leaving everyone present somewhat at a loss. The blueprint is drawn quite large, and from Li Shu’s meticulous planning, everyone can perceive the feasibility of the scheme, yet the plan is enormous.

"Overall, that’s about it. With the current execution power under Lord Xuande, along with the labor input during farming idle times, and the segmented construction of the overall plan, by my calculations, the main construction should be completed in thirty years," Li Shu put down the plan book and looked at everyone present, with a slightly smug expression.

Jia Xu, Li Youu, and others instantly began estimating the effects after the completion of the water network, while Lub Su started calculating the level of investment required once construction begins. Xun Yue frowned, contemplating the changes in input and output.

Li Shu’s plan apparently bears the mark of several generations, possibly representing the wisdom of several generations of the Li family. Even with the intelligence of Jia Xu and others, it’s challenging to quickly identify flaws.

"This plan, I cannot approve from my side." But not needing such a long time, Chen Xi directly vetoed this plan.

"Why?" The originally slightly smug Li Shu showed a trace of dissatisfaction at this moment, looking at Chen Xi and asked in return.

"Have you conducted a comprehensive assessment of how many rivers this canal needs to pass through according to your construction method?" Chen Xi did not mind Li Shu’s expression, theoretically everything seemed fine, but practically, such an outcome was impossible.

"Over two hundred." Li Shu responded almost without pause, clearly demonstrating that their family has indeed done a lot of research in this area.

"Hmm, let’s put it this way, do you have data on the annual rainfall of the five major grain-producing areas?" Chen Xi asked another question, "Do you have data on the actual rainwater requirements per acre?"

"This, indeed, we don’t have." Li Shu bluntly said.

"Have you calculated the amount of water needed for your water network construction, or the water extraction from river routes along the way?" Chen Xi smiled and said, this project is not suitable for this era, it’s too large; if completed, it’s even more extravagant than the South-To-North Water Diversion of the East Line.

"We don’t have accurate data for that." Li Shu said, frowning slightly.

"Have you studied the impact of massive river rerouting on the climate?" Chen Xi looked at Li Shu, remaining calm.

"For this, indeed there are some studies regarding the impact of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River rerouting on the climate of both regions." Li Shu pondered a little before speaking, indeed their family has some relevant materials, though generally this aspect is not heavily emphasized.

"Then, what impact do you think such construction will have on the five major grain-producing areas and Yangzhou?" Chen Xi sighed and said, in ancient times, people indeed sometimes liked to record matters that didn’t mean much to them but hold significant research value for future generations. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Li Shu was silent, after a long time, he looked at Chen Xi and asked, "Marquis Chen means that such construction of the water network not only lacks benefits but will also have drawbacks? Causing local climate change?"

"Yes, here I have the annual precipitation records of the five major grain-producing areas, and changes in local river hydrology. Overall, the five major grain-producing areas do not lack water; it’s merely a matter of planning." Chen Xi nodded and said.

This is why the effect of Chen Xi’s spiritual talent is so good. Precisely because, overall, there’s no lack of water, Chen Xi’s spiritual talent merely rescheduled the timing of rain and sunshine, leading to a bountiful harvest.

If it were in a place like the Taklamakan with such scarce rainfall, even if Chen Xi wanted rain, he would have to drag rain clouds from elsewhere; otherwise, merely rescheduling rain and sunlight times wouldn’t make much difference.

This is also why Chen Xi utilizes less spiritual capacity in these areas. After all, there’s no need to transport rain clouds over mountains and rivers, basic adjustments suffice.

"Such reasons are actually the grounds for rejecting our Li family’s proposal?" Li Shu accused.

"..." Chen Xi rolled his eyes, "I think your Li Family had better verify it first, and moreover, this project is also unsuitable."

"How can we forgo undertaking such an eternally significant task merely because of its grand scale? Haven’t you heard of the saying, ’A nine-storey terrace begins with a single base!’" Li Shu looked at Chen Xi indignantly, even showing disdain in his eyes for Chen Xi.

"The problem is, your project’s negatives are too great. I am indeed aiming to develop the five major grain-producing areas, and indeed planning to construct a water network, but not by this means. The essence of constructing the Grand Canal, for me, is, fundamentally, to strengthen the link between the North and the South." Chen Xi shrugged and said.

"As for passing through the five major grain-producing areas, I reckon everyone here knows the reason. The canal will eventually merge into the Yellow River westward, finally reaching Chang’an." Chen Xi explained indifferently.

The enormous reversed "人" character on the map just happens to enclose the Central Plains’ grain-producing area within, which holds substantial meaning for central governance.

Additionally, upon completion of the Grand Canal, except for Liangzhou and Yizhou, other provinces can mostly utilize waterways for rapid troop movements. The simultaneous operation of land and water transportation significantly enhances governing power, and currently, these places form the cornerstone of the dynasty, making its development significantly meaningful!

Therefore, whether it’s to strengthen central governance or to promote North-South communication, the construction of the canal is imperative, which is beyond doubt. But clearly, the Li Family misunderstood Chen Xi’s perspective, treating the Grand Canal’s ultimate significance as linking the water networks of the Five Provinces!

This is not Chen Xi’s intention. While the Five Provinces’ water network indeed needs to be constructed, if this network is not based on the internal waterways of the Five Provinces but rather on the transfer from the Yangtze, Yellow, Huai, and Hai Rivers, then the successful construction could indeed become a disaster.