Chapter 507: Hongwenguan Direct Scholar
“Your Majesty, what Master Su said makes sense.
In fact, north of the Yellow River, to the Yinshan area, there are large areas of lush grasslands with abundant water and grass, which have always been occupied by the Turks.
The Turks are a nomadic people, and it is unrealistic for them to suddenly switch to farming.
It would be better to settle some of them north of the Yellow River along the Yin Mountains from west to east and allow them to continue their nomadic life.
"We should also relocate some of them to open areas in Yanzhou and Yu and convert them into farmers," suggested Prime Minister Fang.
"?" The emperor was puzzled. "Aren't they talking about diverting the Yellow River to control desertification? Why do they also want to disperse the Turks?"
“Your Majesty, if all of them are settled north of the Yellow River and allowed to thrive for a dozen years, the Turks will become powerful. They never know when they will rebel, and they will be doomed to fail.” Prime Minister Fang did not believe in the Turks.
In fact, several decades later, this group of Turks did return to the north of the Yellow River to restore their country, namely the Later Turkic Khaganate.
"What about diverting water to the Yellow River and controlling sand? Who will do it?" The emperor was confused.
"Your Majesty, I think both sides of the river should implement the Yellow River diversion and sand control measures." Prime Minister Fang pointed to the map and said.
"South of the Yellow River, many grasslands in the Hetao region have also become desertified. Diverting the Yellow River not only controls desertification but also prevents the Turks from causing trouble by cutting off the water flow or suddenly releasing water.
Sand control networks were built on both the north and south banks. On the south bank, water intakes were located at the front and back ends of the "J"-shaped bend, while on the north bank, water was drawn from the middle. "Prime Minister Fang was thinking further ahead."
Su Ying looked at Fang Xiang. Amazing! He could even think of this.
"Your Majesty, I have another suggestion!" Strike while the iron is hot, Su Ying quickly added fuel to the fire.
"It won't be difficult to get the Turks to truly submit to the Tang Dynasty! Follow the example of the Lingnan Support Education Order and organize students to set up schools and teach in Turkic settlements.
It is stipulated that children between the ages of seven and fifteen must receive Chinese education.
In addition to literacy, the course focuses on teaching etiquette, righteousness, benevolence, wisdom, and trustworthiness. After two or three generations, they will be able to integrate into the Tang Dynasty."
"Hiss!" The emperor, who was stroking his curly beard, paused and pulled out a dragon whisker.
Su Qing's idea is very good. Just surrender. You can't be in Cao's camp with your heart still with Han. The child is young and has strong adaptability.
Starting from childhood and starting with ideological transformation, the Turks were forged with a new consciousness, and after a few decades, they became true citizens of the Tang Dynasty.
Fang Xiang looked at Su Ying with admiration, and the more he looked at her, the more he liked her.
"Su Qing, who do you think is suitable to divert the Yellow River to control desertification?" asked the emperor.
"?" Su Ying looked embarrassed.
"Your Majesty, I have just returned to the capital and am not aware of anyone in the Ministry of Works who is skilled in water management. This is a groundbreaking undertaking, combining river management with desert improvement. It requires multifaceted talent, so I dare not recommend anyone rashly!"
"Hahaha! Xuanling, look, you were talking so eloquently just now, but now you are so clumsy!" The emperor laughed.
"Master Su, how is Mr. Su?" Prime Minister Fang said slowly.
"My second uncle?" Su Ying finally reacted and hurriedly objected.
"He's no match for him. He only knows how to build roads and mountains, and has never worked on rivers or water conservancy projects. This project involves a lot of water conservancy technology, so if we have to choose someone, we should choose one from the Capital Water Conservancy Bureau!"
"Of course we have to select people from the Capital Water Conservancy Bureau. Isn't the Dayuling official road unprecedented? Didn't Su Yuanwailang also come up with it?"
The emperor was certain that Su Laoer was the culprit in this matter.
A few days ago, Su Laoer and Su Laosan were summoned. Both brothers looked exhausted and frosted.
At first glance, he is a down-to-earth official. Upon further questioning, it turns out that he travels back and forth across Lingnan all year round.
The emperor was deeply moved. There are too few officials like him.
How many officials, after being promoted, stay in the government office, thinking all day about how to make money and how to engage in internal conflicts.
When Su Ying suggested diverting the Yellow River to control desertification, Su Laoer immediately popped up in his mind. He felt that such a major project could only be entrusted to such a person with confidence.
"Uh..." Su Ying had no words to refute.
"Since that is the case, Your Majesty, please arrange for a few veterans who are proficient in water conservancy and familiar with the hydrology of the Yellow River to give the Yuanwailang extra lessons.
So as to avoid being ignorant and fooled by others, which would be a disservice to His Majesty's grace!"
"Okay! Minister Fang, please inform the Capital Water Conservancy Bureau to find a few experienced officials. Otherwise, you can go directly to Shengzhou for an on-site inspection and come up with a detailed construction plan as soon as possible, and start construction after the spring." The emperor couldn't wait.
"Yes!" Su Ying bowed.
"Minister Fang, Su Buqing, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works, has been promoted to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, with the rank of fourth grade, and is in charge of the project of diverting the Yellow River and controlling sandstorms in Shengzhou!" the emperor continued.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Fang Ying said.
Su Ying was stunned. She didn't expect such good news to happen.
"Hmm!" Seeing that Su Ying didn't respond, Fang Xiang coughed lightly.
"I thank the Emperor for his grace on behalf of my second uncle!" Su Ying said hurriedly.
"Commander Su Ying from the Firearms Research Institute, please listen to my orders!" The emperor looked at Su Ying with a smile.
"I'm here!" Su Ying bowed again.
"Su Ying is an outstanding talent and quick-witted. She is admitted as a direct scholar of the Hongwen Academy with the rank of sixth grade!" After the emperor finished reading, he waited for Su Ying to kowtow and thank him for his grace.
"Ah?" Su Ying looked at the emperor and declined, "Your Majesty, I am not talented or educated enough to be admitted to the Hongwen Academy."
The Eighteen Scholars were scholars during the Daye period of the previous dynasty. They were strategic talents selected through the national examination. With my limited talent, I am not worthy of being on par with them. I still have some self-awareness.
"Haha, Su Qing, you're full of brilliant ideas, even coming up with the idea of diverting water to the Yellow River to control desertification. Is this what you call a lack of talent and learning?"
There are too many great scholars of classics and history in the Hongwenguan, but no extraordinary talent like Su Qing. The Hongwenguan needs to appropriately adjust its talent structure.
After a long talk with Su Ying today, His Majesty realized the importance of science and technology, and also realized that the talent pool at Hongwenguan was too limited.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Su Ying showed gratitude on her face. After all, it was a happy thing to be appreciated by others.
"Congratulations, Lord Su!" said Prime Minister Fang with a smile.
"Minister Fang, you are too polite. I am a humble official with limited knowledge, so I would like to welcome your guidance!" Su Ying saluted Minister Fang modestly.
"Master Su is too polite. When you build a big ship in the future, remember to bring my son with you!" Prime Minister Fang joked.
"My son is very strong and hates studying. Today, he chatted with Master Su and he really wanted to sail!"
"Oh? What did Su Qing say to make Second Young Master Fang change his nature?" The emperor was curious.
After discussing political affairs, the emperor was in great joy and still felt unsatisfied.
"Master Xiao Su drew a picture based on the description in the Classic of Mountains and Seas.
It was said that the Tang Dynasty only accounted for a very small part of the total, and the princes and several companions argued that it was impossible.
"Master Xiao Su plans to go out to sea in a large ship in the future. He has verified everything according to the description on the blueprint. Your Highness and his companions are clamoring to go too!" Fang Xiang replied.
"Oh, Su Qing, tell me, according to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, how much larger is the East Land outside of the Tang Dynasty? Where is its end?"
His Majesty also wants to know where the end of the world is.
"Your Majesty, do you know where the Turks fled westward?" Su Ying asked.
"I heard it's in the area of Bukhara in the Western Regions!" Li Jing once reported.
"It's still very far to the west, where there is a vast territory. The same is true to the east from the Tang Dynasty. The territory of the Tang Dynasty is just a small piece!" Su Ying replied.
"Is the territory really that vast?" The emperor suddenly felt that the map in his hand was no longer attractive. "Draw one for me tomorrow!"
There's so much fertile land! I can't sleep without holding it in my arms!
"Yes! Your Majesty!" Su Ying was helpless. Her boss offered her a promotion and a raise, so this request was not excessive.
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