The Grand Canal Establishes a Prestige

At the Spring Equinox, all things come back to life.

The celebration marking the completion of the entire Grand Canal was held at the Bianhe Hub, the most important project in the history of the Tang Dynasty's water transport.

Holding Princess Taiping, who was wrapped in an apricot-yellow swaddling cloth, Wu Zetian stood on the newly built viewing platform, where she saw a magnificent scene of thousands of sails racing and hundreds of boats vying for position.

(Inner monologue: This project would be a mega-project even by modern standards!)

Li Zhi, dressed in ordinary clothes, pointed to the numerous grain transport boats coming and going and patiently explained to his daughter, "Taiping, look, those with red flags are grain ships, those with blue flags are salt ships, and those with yellow flags are disaster relief ships..."

Little Taiping opened her big, bright eyes, her little hands following the direction of her father's finger, and she made babbling sounds.

Holding the thick ledgers of the grain transport system, Li Hong reported meticulously: "Last year, grain transport tax revenue increased by 40% year-on-year, grain prices remained stable across the country, and there was no longer any worry about famine in Guanzhong."

He turned to one of the pages, "Especially after the implementation of the Empress Dowager's segmented transportation method, losses were reduced to less than 10%."

Li Xian excitedly pointed to the latest-style cargo boat on the river: "I helped design the sail and rigging system on this boat! It can automatically adjust the sail angle according to the wind direction!"

He even brought a delicate model ship, insisting on giving it to his sister as a toy.

Even two-year-old Li Xian pointed at the river and said in his childish voice, "Boats...are...so...beautiful..."

This little guy's language skills have improved by leaps and bounds recently; he can already say simple phrases.

Wu Meiniang looked at the children surrounding her with satisfaction when she suddenly felt her clothes being tugged.

Looking down, he saw Taiping in his arms stretching out her hand and pointing firmly at a cargo ship flying the "Di" flag.

The newly appointed Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, Di Renjie, stood at the bow of the ship, giving orders with composure. Under his command, the canal workers moved in unison, loading and unloading cargo in an orderly manner.

"Your Majesty," Wu Meiniang said with a smile, "Minister Di has only been in office for half a year, yet he has already managed the Grand Canal transport office so well. This shows that there are truly hidden talents among those from humble backgrounds."

At this moment, a lavishly decorated private boat attempted to cut in line, disregarding orders and forcibly squeezing into the canal boat convoy.

Taiping suddenly pouted as if she was about to cry, her little face turning bright red.

Strangely enough, the boat suddenly stopped running in full view of everyone, blocking half of the waterway and prompting the cargo boats behind it to sound their horns as a warning.

(Inner monologue: This coincidence is too timely! Could it be that this child really has some kind of special intuition?)

Li Zhi's face immediately darkened: "Issue the order: any private boats violating regulations will be impounded and fined! This vital waterway for grain transport is not to be treated lightly!"

When inspecting the new dock in the afternoon, Wu Zetian specially arranged for Princess Taiping to participate in the opening ceremony.

When the little princess placed her hand on the specially made sluice gate, the heavy sluice gate slowly opened, and the spectacular sight of the river rushing out drew praise from officials and people on both banks.

"This is an auspicious sign!" Liu Rengui's voice trembled with excitement. "Her Highness the Princess has personally ushered in a new chapter in the Grand Canal transport, signifying that the Grand Canal transport of our Great Tang Dynasty will surely be smooth for a hundred years!"

As dusk deepened, Wu Zetian, carrying Princess Taiping, strolled through the archives of the Grand Canal Administration.

Looking at the shelves full of documents, she said softly, "Taiping, these are not just account books, but also the guarantee for the well-being of every household. Look at this scroll..."

She pulled out a grain depot record book, "which records the grain stored in granaries across the country, and is related to the food and clothing of millions of people."

Li Zhi embraced his wife and daughter from behind, gazing at the endless rows of boat lights outside the window: "When Taiping grows up, this canal network will be even denser, and the world will be even more prosperous. Your mother laid the best foundation for this golden age."

That night, Wu Zetian drafted the "Grand Canal Transportation Supervision Regulations" under the lamp.

Taiping lay in the cradle beside her, gesturing with her little hands as if imitating her mother reviewing official documents. Occasionally, she would babble, as if offering her opinion.

(Inner monologue: Could this child truly be a born ruler?)

——

[Mini-Theater: The Little Supervisor of the Grand Canal]

(Records of the Grand Canal Transport Office)

Princess Taiping has recently become the "mascot" of the Grand Canal Transport Office, which is quite interesting.

Ever since the princess came to inspect the area last month, the canal workers have been working extra hard.

Some say it's because His Highness is adorable, while others say it's because of His Highness's noble status.

But the most amazing thing is that whenever the princess came to inspect, even the grain transport boats would run faster, which is truly unbelievable.

A strange thing happened today during the inspection of the new dock:

A cargo boat nearly crashed into a bridge pier due to improper operation. At the critical moment, the little princess on the viewing platform exclaimed, and the boat miraculously veered off course, narrowly missing the pier.

Now the canal workers are whispering among themselves: Her Highness the Princess is the reincarnation of the guardian deity of the canal transport.

Some people even secretly drew a small portrait of His Highness and hung it on the bow of the ship, saying it would ensure a safe voyage.

The most interesting thing was that His Highness placed his little hand on next year's budget book today, and the Ministry of Revenue immediately approved the supplementary budget.

The Vice Minister added with a smile, "How could we not fully support a project personally overseen by Her Highness the Princess?"

(This is probably the youngest "project director" in Datang's history.)