Emperor Kangxi knew that he had been on the throne for forty-two years, that is, in the first month of 1703, he made his fourth southern tour. During this southern tour, he inspected various places in detail along the way, and when he arrived in Haidao, he had in-depth exchanges with local leaders to discuss strategies for continuing to improve governance work.
Zhang Pengxi's "obedience to his words" and Kangxi's specific instructions on the location of digging a deep river diversion river, the place to strengthen and extend the embankment, and the opening or closing of the sluice gates and repairs were all given to Zhang Pengxi.
After Kangxi returned to Beijing, he announced to the scholars and Jiuqing:
On this southern tour, I inspected the river engineering plan, and the results were remarkable!"The water of the Yellow River has always been six feet high, and the water of the Huai River is six feet lower, so it cannot compete with the Yellow River, so it often suffers from siltation." Now I've blocked six dikes to raise the water level of Hongze Lake to rival that of the Yellow River, so that the canal will no longer be in danger of backfilling. It was thanks to these measures that the river works were able to be completed on schedule. ”
According to Hechen's report, Haikou has now been opened on a large scale, the river is unfathomable, the waterway is unimpeded, the Huai River flows smoothly, there is no risk of backfilling the Yellow River, and the low-lying areas in the lower reaches have abundant fields and stable residents.
Kangxi fully affirmed Zhang Pengxi's achievements.
Emperor Kangxi pointed out that Dong Anguo and Yu Chenglong did not act according to his wishes, resulting in no success, while Zhang Pengxi was able to carry out his orders and make progress in the river work.
He recounted: Zhang Pengxi followed my orders and completed the construction of the dam (Qingkou Lifting Dam). The yellow slip leads directly to Taozhuang, so the clear water flows out directly, and even after experiencing the sharp rise in Fuqiu, there is no backfilling. The diversion of rivers from Junzhangfukou and other places, the construction of Quy Nhon embankments, the dredging of rivers such as herringbones, mangdao, and jingjian, and the excavation of Datongkou were all completed one by one according to my wishes. In the spring of this year, when I was inspecting the Taoyuan River, I found that there was an expected risk of erosion in Longwo and other places, and ordered the construction of the dam to be increased, and the project was completed on time, and the momentum of the river was stabilized.
The Zhonghe Zhongzhuang Gate was originally opposite to the Qingkou, but now it has been changed to Yangjiazhuang, so that it can better carry out water transportation and appease the merchants, and solve the problems such as bank leveling or overflow that may occur when the yellow water rises in the past. Now the Yellow River is deep and smooth, and the bank of the river is more than ten meters high from the water surface, even if it encounters heavy water, there will be no danger. Although the project in charge of Zhang Pengxi has been approved by me, he has been doing his best and working tirelessly for several years, and every penny and grain has been used for river work, without wasting any resources, and I am very happy about this. It is also commendable that the subordinate river members at all levels are also actively engaged in their work and jointly promote river affairs.
Zhang Pengxi was named the crown prince Taibao because in November of the 43rd year of Kangxi (1704), the river work was completed.
During his fifth southern tour in 1705, the Kangxi Emperor found Zhang Pengxi showing a tendency to be complacent and arrogant, so he instructed him: "The river work has been completed, and now it is all the more necessary to start formulating a plan for the aftermath." ”
He reminded Zhang Pengxi again:
When I inspected Gaojiayan in the 42nd year of Kangxi, you reported that the stone embankment was expected to be completed in ** month. Three years have passed and the work is still unfinished. If a flood strikes, how can you rely on these haystacks to defend against it?
Zhang Pengxi said: "I can guarantee that there is no harm without any doubts. He spoke with a mixture of blind optimism.
Emperor Kangxi declared:
The grass has been in place for two or three years, and many places have rotted and collapsed. In the event of a sudden flood, the situation is unpredictable, and if it is not carefully reinforced, it will be washed away by the water, costing unnecessary money and food. Leave that aside for now, but last year's river construction was completed, and this year there was another washoutYou must be vigilant day and night to ensure that protection is carried out. The most important thing in managing the river is to find the right people to watch the people you use, and every time there is a mistake. Can these people still be relied upon to guard the embankment?When you see water flowing out of your mouth, you think you have done your job, but you don't think about it. If the six dams in Gaojiayan flood, the flow rate of the clear water will be weakened, and the yellow water will inevitably backflow. The key position of Gaojiayan cannot be ignored, and it must be carefully maintained, not neglected!
Subsequently, Emperor Kangxi went to the Huiji Temple, sat down on the river embankment, and said to the ministers:
Every time I arrived at the river, I would go to the Huiji Temple to observe the water situation. Before the 38th year of Kangxi, the Yellow River was overflowing, and the places where it stood at that time were flooded by yellow water. At that time, when seen from the boat, the water was level with the shore, and the shore could be seen from a distance, and then the water gradually returned to the river channel, and the bank was above the water. Now, the shore is more than a foot higher than the water. The clear water approached the yellow water and rushed to the north shore, where the yellow water became only a line. Observing this situation, I am very happy about the success of the river project.
Kangxi is very pleased with his achievements. He continued to encourage Zhang Pengxi to repair the river diligently, and issued an edict to Zhang Pengxi, asking him to:
The benchmark in front of the Huiji Temple and the Siwan behind the temple are suitable for building a dam to protect the silt, but neither of these dams should be too long, so as not to affect the entrance gate of Yangjiazhuang. Bian Jiawang's dam is very well built, and it will be more complete if it is slightly widened and lengthened.
At the same time, he gave Zhang Pengxi an imperial poetry fan to show his encouragement.
2, the sober Kangxi and the minister who is fanatical about affairs.
On the way back to Beijing from the north, Kangxi learned the news of the collapse of Hongze Lake, and learned after investigation
This year, due to the impact of the flood, the embankments in Gugou and other places have been washed away by water, which is due to the fact that Zhang Pengxi, the governor of the river, ignores this on weekdays and is obsessed.
Due to Zhang Pengxi's lack of careful planning, the embankment was washed away, showing obvious dereliction of duty, so it was recommended that he be dismissed from his post. In view of Zhang Pengxi's past performance, Kangxi considered giving him the treatment of dismissal and retention.
In the first month of the forty-fifth year of Kangxi (1706), Ashan, the governor of Jiangnan and Jiangxi, submitted the above table:
The river opening project will lead the Huai water to the confluence of Huangjiayan and Zhangfukou, and by diverting the water and building embankments, it can not only reduce the water accumulation in Sizhou and Xuyi areas, but also prevent flooding in Hongze Lake. In this way, Gaojiayan and the ships transporting grain and commercial goods can avoid the danger of storms in Hongze Lake. At the same time, it is also conducive to controlling the diversion of the water potential of the Huai River.
This river project will cost about 1.8 million taels of silver, and the emperor is requested to come and instruct him. Kangxi had made five southern tours and was very familiar with the planning and construction of the river, so he was reluctant to inspect it in person. However, under the repeated pleas of Zhang Pengxi, Ah Shan, Sang E and other Jiuqing, Kangxi considered that the stakes were very important to open the river in Huaitao, and finally agreed to go on another southern tour.
In the first month of 1707, the Kangxi Emperor embarked on his sixth tour of the south.
After Kangxi landed, he carefully observed the local situation, and after summoning the civil and military **, local size**, river governors and river workers**, etc., he asked Zhang Pengxi:
What do you do when you see the opening of the Huai set?Zhang Pengxi replied: "My emperor is as loving as a son, and he does not spare millions of gold coins to save him, and the people of the whole world praise the grace of God." ”
Kangxi immediately interrupted his speech and said:
All you say is inconsequential nonsense. I'm asking you a question about river engineering matters......You can report in detail whether the river should be excavated or not.
The general judgment Xu Guangqi was downgraded, and he also made a set of patterns privately. The minister, along with Ahsan and Sang'e, reported the matter to the imperial court, and was approved by the ministers and others. Because the stakes are so high, we have repeatedly implored the emperor to come and review it and give instructions to make a decision.
His Majesty Kangxi said:
Along the way**, I found that the signs standing were intricate, and I was completely unaware of the inquiry at the time. Ask the river affairs **, and they don't know. River work is your responsibility, why hasn't this matter been paid attention to?What will get your attention?
3. Professional quality of river management.
Zhang Pengxi was silent, Kangxi turned around and asked the others, but they were just talking. These people have a terrible reputation for answering questions and estimating abilities.
Kangxi was deeply outraged and posted:
Yesterday I went to Wujiadun, and I thought that as Ahsan and others had reported, the Huaitao would open up passage. Today, riding a horse from Qingkou to the Caojiamiao place, careful observation found that the terrain is very steep, even if the river is dug can not reach Qingkou directly, which is completely different from their plan, and most of the poles they erected are on the graves. Digging rivers according to the benchmarks they have erected will not only damage people's fields and houses, but also destroy ethnic graves. If you want to open up the Huai Tao, you must dig mountains and mountains, which is not only difficult but also may not even have a very small chance of success, even if it succeeds, the future flooding will not only flood into Hongze Lake, but also inevitably wash away the canal.
Kangxi asked Zhang if he could ensure that the river was clear, but Zhang Pengxi knew nothing about it.
Therefore, Kangxi made such a conclusion:
The magistrate is not the only one who seeks personal gain, and even the river workers are delusional about promotion. However, there is not a single person of integrity among the river workers, which is a ridiculous sight on the river.
Kangxi pursues a realistic attitude and is committed to unifying the aspects of "river governance", "people's livelihood" and "business benefit".
In the end, Kangxi criticized Zhang Pengxi's slackness in government affairs and improper appointments, and said:
You have built the Gaojiayan embankment and blocked the six dams to ensure the smooth flow of the Huai Shui, which is all your creditYou are also credited with the construction of the dam to force the yellow water to flow to the north shoreThere is also the credit of blocking the Zhongzhuang Gate and rebuilding the Yangjia Gate so that the yellow water will not pour into the mouth. These major projects have nothing to do with you, what else do you have to praise?
Kangxi affirmed Zhang Pengxi's previous "one by one instructions, all can be followed" in river affairs, so the credit of "the gradual performance of river work over the years" has still been confirmed.
As the main person responsible for river control, Zhang Pengxi proposed such a major project as the opening of the Huaitao without conducting an on-the-spot investigation, "it is really a dereliction of duty to propose dredging when it is impossible to open the dredging."
After deliberation, Jiuqing and others decided to remove Zhang Pengxi from his post. The Kangxi Emperor supported the proposal to reclaim the Huai River valley and led the group with Ah Shan, which was not Zhang Pengxi's wish, so he ordered him to be removed from his position as crown prince and removed from his official position, but still let him continue to hold office.
In October of the 47th year of the reign of Kangxi, the protection of the Huang, Yun, Lake, and River was stabilized, so the emperor ordered the palace to be rebuilt, and continued to hold the position of the head of the river, and exempted from the silver coins that should be recovered.
Kangxi realized after six southern tours:
Managing rivers needs to be considered from year to year, and the key is to identify where the relationships are most important and then protect them. Instead of blindly following the traditional method of river management, we should take into account the gradual decrease in the water volume of the Huai River and take preventive measures to avoid danger caused by the increase of water potential in the future. The river near the existing natural dikes should be dredged to measure the capacity of grain vessels, and gates should be built so that they can be closed to store water when the water level is low and open to allow water to flow when the water level is high. At the same time, the waterway from Wujiadun to the canal and to Gaoyou Lake should be built, so that both merchant and civilian ships can travel unimpeded, so as to bring long-term benefits.
In September, Kangxi again ordered Zhang Pengxi to work hard to protect the people along the river from floods, and to pay special attention to protecting the people's fields.
4. Kangxi's advocacy of "successful learning of river governance".
Zhao Shixian succeeded Zhang Pengxi as governor of the river, and he concentrated on strengthening the defense of the embankments of the Yellow River and the Huai River.
From the 49th year of the Kangxi reign (1710) to the 52nd year (1713), he carried out the lengthening of the west dam of the imperial dam, aiming to ensure the smooth flow of clean water and prevent the backflow of yellow water.
Repair the decay of firewood workers near the lake in Gaojiayan to strengthen the protective function;In the shallow place of sand accumulation in the area from Huanglinzhuang to Mao'er's Nest, carry out the dredging project;In the dangerous area of the upstream waters of the Qingkou West Dam on the south bank of Qinghe County, a new Yanyi embankment was added to improve the smoothness of the riverDemolition and reconstruction of the old gate of the Yanhe River in Qingyi to improve the efficiency of opening and closing;In addition, at the bend of the river body below the gate seat of Gaoyou, the navigation conditions are improved and smoother.
Next, Zhao Shixian carried out projects in various places, including the area of Nanjiaolou outside the city of Huai'an Prefecture, Zhumawan, the east embankment of the canal in Baoying County, and Zhangjiazhi, Lujiazhi, Wuliqian, Longwangmiao and other places. He used sorghum stalks, wheat stalks and reed stalks as tip materials, and then filled them with soil, layer by layer, layer by layer, layer by layer, and all carried out "nailing and adding to keep the transportation channel smooth". In addition, he demolished the right side of the Yong'an West Embankment in the north of Gaoyou City to strengthen the embankment;In Lijiazhuang and Zhangjiazhuang in Xiao County, Laoditou, Zhuojiazhuang and Liujiazhuang in Suqian County, Tanjiazhuang and Jiuligang in Taoyuan County, Tongjiaying and Fanjiazhuang in Shanyang County, Dianhu Lake and Yaowan in Andong County, and other dangerous sections of the "forced slippery top", dams have been built and embankments have been strengthened to resist the impact of the rapids.
With the support and guidance of Kangxi, the above-mentioned series of projects have achieved remarkable results, so that the river can operate normally.
In November 1712, the Kangxi Emperor expressed his joy and pride.
This year, the river is stable, and the power of yellow water and clear water is equal. Although the clear water flows in before the yellow water, it often backs up. I ordered the construction of a dam to divert the clear water from the north bank, so that the yellow water would no longer flow back. At the same time, the Yangjia gate was repaired and huge benefits were obtained. Because I am well aware of the importance of river relationships, I keep the river map with me and check it often, even paying special attention to the small place names.
It can be seen that Kangxi has invested great effort in the construction of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.
In the summer of the 58th year of Kangxi, floods raged, and the "top chong and big slip" areas in Shunheji in Xiao County, Wangjiaji in Suining County, Liuxiaba and Yanjiazhuang in the middle of Taoyuan County, and Tanjiadaokou and Xiajiaqiao in Suqian County suffered huge floods. Under these circumstances, Zhao Shixian organized manpower to build the embankment, and strictly followed the instructions of the holy oracle to "strengthen the protection and open the sluice gates such as the Jiangjia Dam at Hongze Lake in order to drain the floodwater", and finally succeeded in maintaining the balance of the embankment.
For this reason, Zhao Shixian also realized:
The nature of the river changes from time to time, so extra care needs to be taken to defend and protect the levees to ensure that the dikes are strong. This is a long-term work.
In the practice of governing the Huanghuai region, Kangxi gradually realized that river control requires long-term and sustained efforts.
He believed that the Yellow River was turbulent, the same as the hinterland, and its nature was uncertain, and when the east bank was stable, the west bank would be silted up into landWhen the west bank is stabilized, the east bank is silted up into land. He once ordered Shi Shilun, the governor of Caoyun, to go back up the Yellow River from Mengjin, Henan, in order to fundamentally solve the problem of flooding of the Yellow River.
In April, Kangxi still said in 1721.
The relationship between the Yellow River is the most important, from the Yuan Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, almost every year, for more than 20 years has not been calm today. However, we must always be vigilant and not let up just because we have already managed a part of it. Even if the river has been repaired, it is still necessary to strengthen patrols and must not be negligent.
He instructed Zhao Shixian, the head of the river, to send a skilled river affairs **, and at the same time prepare a large number of construction materials and make a number of preparations to prevent the Yellow River from bursting in Henan.
The bottom of the river in the Henan region does not freeze in winter. It is now suitable for the rapid construction of a lifting dam, but when it comes to building a lifting dam, the river needs to be guided. The Yellow River has many twists and turns, forming many continents, so when building a dam, it is important to carefully survey and consider and choose the straightest path to guide the river. After the river is selected, wait for the Yellow River to break the mouth and complete the dredging, and then introduce the water into the Qinji Canal. The eight locks and the north eight locks in the temple of the dragon king divide the water, the water level is shallow in spring, which can hinder the passage of boats, so the water of the Qin River should be introduced into the canal here. If the canal cannot be accommodated, it is beneficial for the canal to allow the salt river sea to receive its water potential. The water in the south of the Longwang Temple is larger, and there is no need to replenish it with other water, and then it flows down to Xuzhou, and the Yellow River will not have a problem. Only in the upper reaches of Xuzhou, the Yellow River has a lot of siltation, and in order to prevent the river from bursting, the relevant authorities should be notified of this intention and prepare for prevention in advance.
When Kangxi was sixty-one years old, the situation showed that he knew the river affairs well and had been persevering. Under the careful management of the acting governor of rivers, Chen Pengnian, the flood was alleviated.