In Kunnan, on the east bank of Cheng Lake, a long concrete embankment rises from the ground, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Today is the day when the Chenghu Dam is completed, and it is also the day when the Kunshan Water Conservancy Project is successfully completed.

The lake embankment was full of colorful flags and people were crowded below. People from the whole county and even from neighboring counties flocked to the embankment. People from the county came to celebrate, and people from neighboring counties wanted to see what this miraculous "Kunshan miracle" looked like.

And I heard that Hai Qingtian will also be present.

Tens of thousands of boats, big and small, blocked the river leading to Cheng Lake. That's why Mr. Zhao had to abandon his boat and drive here, which made him carsick and he had to lie on Sister Ma's lap...

This made Mr. Zhao hate the bad roads in Kunshan County even more. He ordered Secretary Ma to write it down and urge Kunkaisi to repair the road this year.

In fact, Sister Ma feels that this bumpy road is not entirely useless.

~~

When Zhao Hao got off the carriage, he saw that there were at least 200,000 to 300,000 people gathered on the lake embankment in the distance, and there was no way they could get close.

The people of Kunshan beat gongs and drums in victory, happily danced the dragon and lion dances, walked on stilts and rowed land boats, celebrating this great moment with all their heart.

With the concerted efforts of 300,000 officials and civilians, they completed the 300-mile embankment project in just half a year. This is absolutely an unprecedented miracle.

The entire Jiangnan officialdom was shocked.

Not only did Suzhou prefect Cai Guoxi and the newly appointed military governor Wu Qing come to watch the ceremony, but even Yingtian Governor Hai Rui was invited to attend this memorable completion ceremony.

Cai Guoxi also specially ordered the county magistrates of the prefecture to come and visit and learn the "Kunshan experience", so that they could catch up and strive to be the first when they return...

"Can we win?" Zhang Defu, the magistrate of Changzhou, looked at the long dike that seemed to be a work of art by gods, and said with a resigned look on his face, "We should recognize the situation and follow the pace of Zhao Zhuangyuan."

"Haha, even the arrogant Brother Zhang has been convinced. It seems that it won't be long before Changzhou County can use cement." Wang Zhizhou of Taicang said with a smile.

"Master Wang, what you said is not very authentic. Didn't you also establish the Taikai Division in Taicang?" Yang Chenglin also laughed and said, "Your 70-mile Yangtze River embankment has only been built in the past one or two years, right?"

"Hey, don't try to play tricks on me. Didn't you two keep telling the Lord of the Palace to build Taihu Lake first? How could the Jiangnan Group put you ahead of us?" Wang Zhizhou said indignantly, "We have two directors!"

“Hehe…” Yang Chenglin played it safe and said with a smile, “Didn’t Taihu Lake just flood last year due to the typhoon?”

"Taihu Lake always floods every year. Compared with the Yangtze River, it's just a bathtub." Wang Zhizhou said depressedly.

"Brother Taili, there's no need to rush. Look at Kunshan, the 300-mile long dike was repaired in just over half a year. What does our project matter? It will all be solved while we're in office." Zhang Defu smiled and patted Wang Zhizhou's arm.

"That's true." Wang Zhizhou also laughed, thinking that there was really no need for him to be so anxious.

The magistrates of Chang and Jiading, who were standing nearby, also joined in carefully, begging the three of them to introduce Zhao Zhuangyuan to them later.

Only the Chongming County Magistrate Jin Xuezeng and the Wujiang County Magistrate Yi Kejiu did not come over.

The former had already gone to show his courtesy to the master, but the latter was too embarrassed to approach him.

Last year, Zhao Shouzheng came to him and begged him to build a Taipu River in Wujiang County to relieve the pressure on Wusong River. However, Yi Kejiu refused.

The two sides had a very unpleasant quarrel. County Magistrate Yi relied on the fact that his county had a 100-mile stone embankment and really didn't give face to Zhao Zhuangyuan. At that time, Zhao Shouzheng slammed the table and swore that he would build a 200-mile stone embankment and let Wujiang County have a taste of what it was like to soak in water for half a year!

At that time, County Magistrate Yi didn't believe it at all, and even teased them that they would not be able to repair it even in a hundred years!

Who would have thought that in just half a year, the boast would come true, and the dike would be three hundred miles long.

Besides wanting to shout Niu Boyi, he now wanted to ask where he could buy medicine for regret.

Xiao Yi also wants cement...

~~

At this time, the crackling sound of firecrackers rang out, attracting everyone's attention to the lake embankment.

The celebration reached the most important stage, 'erecting a monument as a commemoration'.

In the octagonal pavilion on the dike, Hai Rui, the governor of Yingtian, and Wu Qing, the military governor of Susong, together removed the red silk from the stele.

On the two-meter-high bluestone stele is engraved an inscription written by Mr. Wang Shizhen of Fengzhou, which details the great achievements made by Zhao Zhuangyuan within half a year since he took office. It is called "Records of Zhaogong Dike".

Because the article is too obscure and will make the reader feel frustrated that they are too uneducated, it is hidden.

I would like to share this excerpt from the Old Ming History: Biography of Zhao Shouzheng for the benefit of the readers:

'…Shouzheng was appointed as the magistrate of Wu County. Before he took office, his reputation as the top scholar in the imperial examination had spread throughout Jiangnan. The prefect Cai Gong thought that such a talented person should not be underestimated. It happened that a flood occurred in Kunshan, destroying the city walls, flooding farmhouses, and drowning countless people and livestock. So he recommended him as the governor. The governor summoned him for a talk and introduced him as an ancient sage, saying: "Kunshan can only be governed by you, but will you accept it?" The governor said with emotion: "It must be you. So he was transferred to be the governor of Kunshan."'

'When Shouzheng arrived at Kunshan, the city was about to fall, and the rich people rushed out to avoid the flood. Shouzheng said: "The rich people are leaving, and the people are all shaken. Who will I defend with? As long as I am here, the water will never fall! ' He drove the people back in, but the people were still worried and uneasy. Shouzheng then lived on the embankment and led his sons out with shovels and hoes. The elders of Kunshan were moved and said: "The county magistrate still did not avoid the flood, and we, the humble people, should follow his orders! ' So tens of thousands of officials and civilians went to the embankment together, and swore to live and die with the river embankment. '

'There was a deputy censor Pan Gong who was on duty. He was moved by Shouzheng's noble character and came from Huzhou to help. That year, the rain continued day and night, and the flood was the worst in decades. The river embankment was shaky and dangerous. Shouzheng commanded calmly and talked and laughed freely, and the army and the people were at peace. He also ordered officials to block the river and build Ge, Yao, Lu, and Yue dikes to protect the river and pond, and finally the county was safe. '

'When plum blossoms appeared, the danger was resolved. Shouzheng discussed with Mr. Pan and others and requested to mobilize 100,000 people to build a stone embankment for a hundred years. Mr. Yi from a neighboring county once said, "The champion talked about the scorching heat, but it will take a hundred years to build it." Mr. Yi laughed when he heard this and said, "How can a summer insect talk about ice?" So he ordered Zihao to make cement with lime as the material, and mix it with rough stones to make an embankment. Two miles were built every day, and the river embankment was completed in one month. People at home and abroad thought it was a miracle.'

'After half a year, he led the government and the people to build a 300-li long dike. He walked on foot in plain clothes, working day and night. He did not open a blanket in the hot summer, nor wear a fur coat in the cold winter, saying: "The people are working hard, how can I bear to suffer alone?" The work was completed in the first month of the following year. Since then, Kunshan has bid farewell to floods forever, and farmland has benefited greatly. It has once again become a land of fish and rice, and the people have realized the joy of life. However, the public is as haggard as an old farmer. '

"During the flood control period, the public health campaign was launched to eradicate schistosomiasis and eliminate the four pests, which was also a move that would benefit future generations. The people of Kunshan still call him "Father Zhao" and say "Without Father Zhao, there would be no Yu Kunshan"..."

According to the Annotated Old History of Ming Dynasty:

"People often compare Zhao Zi's great achievements to Zhao Gong's great achievements, just like comparing the elder Su to the younger Su, saying 'If one person gets the Tao, the father will be honored by his son'."

"Even worse, some people slandered Mr. Zhao as a 'puppet', 'cone bucket', and 'repeater'. However, considering Mr. Zhao's heroic deeds in Kunshan, this is a big mistake. Alas, the talent of the top scholar and the ability of the prime minister are all ignored by the critics. Have their consciences been eaten by dogs?"

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