Such a large-scale flood control project is naturally not sothing that can be achieved overnight.
After leaving Luoyang, Gu Kang personally led his entourage to inspect the Yellow River and Bian River, to make final preparations for the great cause of flood control.
This was destined to be a major project.
Even though he had envisioned it countless tis in his mind, when he was on-site for more detailed inspection, Gu Kang still felt the enormity of the task.
What he planned was not rely to manage the flood, but to use this opportunity to benefit all the people under heaven.
In fact, Gu Kang had always been like this.
Whether it was during his early days in Julu, or in his recent years overseeing the empire’s lands, he would assist the people in building water conservancy projects.
However, the scale and difficulty of this flood control project were far beyond those previous water projects.
Gu Kang had no choice but to think deeply and carefully.
After the inspection, he began more detailed and comprehensive planning with water managent experts like Wang Jing and Wang Wu.
This matter could not afford the slightest negligence.
If any mistake occurred, causing the Yellow River to change course or the Bian River to breach, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Fortunately, Liu Zhuang was not a muddle-headed ruler; once he made a decision, he would provide the greatest support.
To say nothing else.
At least the budget had been raised to the highest, and the people were also very supportive of it.
Both favorable timing and favorable circumstances were for Gu Kang to use.
In such a situation, after many days of discussion.
Gu Kang and others finally formulated a final plan.
— First, reinforce the old embanknts;
and according to the terrain and water flow, build strong new dams.
At the sa ti, new channels need to be excavated and cleared.
To divert the Yellow River and Bian River more smoothly into the sea, and also set up irrigation channels to ensure the navigability and irrigation function of the Bian River.
Once all plans are complete, in the sumr of the eleventh year of Yongping.
The flood control project officially broke ground.
Jizhou State, Yu Province, and other regions being the most severely affected areas.
The people of these places naturally paid more attention to the matter of flood control.
They had been eagerly awaiting this day for a very long ti.
Now that this day had finally arrived.
They naturally gave their utmost support.
Even the powerful and influential families of these two places contributed greatly.
In addition, Liu Zhuang also directly issued an edict to mobilize troops and people in Jizhou State, Qing Province, and other places.
The entire Great Han Empire was set in motion.
People were moving in crowds, responding from all directions.
The experience Gu Kang acquired from managing the empire’s lands in recent years now proved valuable.
To avoid chaos caused by the multitude of people, and side effects from uneven distribution.
He quickly made a series of more detailed plans.
Arrangents were made for division of labor, rotation, and other such details.
All eyes in the Great Han Empire were now focused on this.
By comparison, the news coming from the Western Regions seed less noteworthy.
After all, the difference in manpower and resources invested was huge, not to ntion that the matter of managing water was of vital interest to all the people under heaven!
...
Yiwulu City.
Gu Cheng was discussing the matter of deploying troops with Dou Gu.
Upon hearing Gu Cheng’s plan to send troops, Dou Gu was quite shocked.
Now that the entire Great Han is engaged in flood control, it is known throughout the land.
Deploying troops at this ti, isn’t it destined to make reinforcents hard to obtain?
But Gu Cheng had his own reasons, and he said to Dou Gu with a solemn expression, "General, if you have such thoughts, wouldn’t more so the Northern Xiongnu?"
"Now that Zhong Sheng is dispatched to the Western Regions."
"To complete this mission successfully, our army cannot slack even the slightest, nor miss any opportunity."
"The Northern Xiongnu have rampaged in the Western Regions for years, although they suffered a serious defeat before, the influence of our army in the entire Western Regions is still insufficient."
"Now that the Great Han is busy with flood control, the Northern Xiongnu will certainly think that our army wouldn’t dare to act rashly."
"Isn’t this a golden opportunity?"
"If our army truly remains inactive, it will increase the difficulties and dangers for Zhong Sheng’s mission."
"Mobilizing troops now, not only can it catch the enemy off guard, but it can also create montum for Zhong Sheng, enabling him to fulfill His Majesty’s wish of pacifying the Western Regions sooner!"
"Most importantly... I understand the Minister of Agriculture."
Gu Cheng’s expression was particularly solemn as he looked at Dou Gu, "If our Great Han truly lacked the capacity to mobilize troops, the Minister of Agriculture would definitely call back to the capital."
This was precisely the key to Gu Cheng’s insistence on deploying troops.
He understood his older brother too well.
Gu Kang handled affairs calmly and understood his temperant thoroughly.
If ever Great Han reached a point unsuitable for military movents, he would indeed summon him back to Luoyang, rather than the current situation.
Gu Cheng even suspected that Gu Kang intended for him to take the initiative himself.
To accomplish as much as his abilities would allow.
Upon hearing this, Dou Gu’s expression also beca serious.
He had to admit that Gu Cheng’s analysis made a lot of sense, but he still couldn’t easily decide.
Although he had gained so understanding of Gu Kang’s character during these years of interaction.
But to say he could understand him as Gu Cheng, who is his own brother, naturally wasn’t possible.
He sought stability in warfare as a principle.
Moreover, ever since Liu Zhuang ascended the throne, the entire Dou Clan had suffered unprecedented setbacks.
They had just started being appointed to positions again recently.
If another misstep were made now, resulting in a lost battle, he would have no more chances.
After pondering this, Dou Gu had made his decision, looking at Gu Cheng, he said, "Zhenyu, don’t be hasty."
"Why not submit it to the court and let His Majesty decide?"
"The window of opportunity in battle is fleeting; can we afford the delay of exchanging letters?" Gu Cheng did not insist; he simply shook his head and said, "In that case, General, please remain on standby."
"I will personally lead the troops to attack!"
"If anything goes wrong, the General will not be implicated."
Being a general of miscellaneous duties, Gu Cheng did not necessarily need Dou Gu’s consent now.
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