In ancient China, the Ling Canal was like a waterway leading to the depths of history, left behind by Shi Lu, a water conservancy expert. The magnificent project of building the Ling Canal is not only the victory guarantee of Qin Shi Huang's march into the Baiyue War, but also a world miracle that connects the north and south water systems and promotes the integration of civilizations. Let's delve into the wisdom of Shi Lu and the historical exploits of Lingqu, as well as the far-reaching impact behind this miracle.
Shi Lu, born at an unknown time and place, is rumored to be a Yue person. In the "Historical Records", he assumed the responsibility of supervising the history as the supervisor of the imperial history, and was respected as Shi Lu by later generations. His name, like a stubborn lamp, illuminates the chapter in the history of hydraulic engineering. And his most amazing stroke is the construction of the world's first lock-type canal - Ling Canal.
In 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang launched the Battle of Baiyue in order to unify the southern Baiyue. The 500,000-strong army marched towards Baiyue, but in the bumpy and rugged land at the junction of Hunan and Guangxi, the land route was difficult, and the waterway Xiangjiang and Li rivers were not passable, which brought great trouble to the army's march and supplies. Qin Shi Huang immediately ordered Shi Lu to dig the Ling Canal to solve the problem of food supply and ensure a smooth penetration into Baiyue.
In ancient times, water transportation was the main part of the south, and the difference in water levels between the Xiang and Li rivers prevented the water from flowing naturally to lower places. The low water level of the Xiangjiang River and the high water level of the Li River make the Xiangjiang River in the north have to cross the mountains and enter the Li River in the south, which is unprecedented in human history.
Shi Lu and his colleagues went deep into the mountainous areas to survey the terrain and formulate engineering plans. They built a "zinc embankment" in the upper reaches of the Xiangjiang River, and by diverting the river water, they formed the North and South Canals. The twists and turns of the North Canal extend the flow and slow down the flow rate, which is conducive to the passage of water, and also expands the irrigation area of the Xiangjiang River. The South Canal connects Lingshui (Guangxi) to the northeast of Xing'an City, and eventually joins the Li River.
The ingenuity of the Lingqu lies in the "Steep Gate", which is a major invention in human history. The function of the steep gate is to raise the water level and allow the boat to float along the way. This technology made it possible for boats to easily climb over the mountains and into the Li River in the south, which was the key to the success of the Ling Canal.
At that time, there were no modern measuring instruments, excavation machinery, and gunpowder, so the project could only rely on visual inspection and foot measurement, and excavation with iron cones, iron drills, hoes, and shovels. Every step of exploration and every transportation is a challenge to ancient water conservancy projects. The outstanding contributions of Shi Lu and his colleagues are reflected in this arduous engineering practice.
The construction of the Ling Canal solved a series of problems for the Central Plains troops to march in the south and replenish food and wages, and provided strong support for Qin Shi Huang to unify Baiyue. The Ling Canal not only connects the Yangtze River (Xiangjiang River) and the Pearl River (Li River), but also closely connects the Central Plains with Lingnan, promoting the integration of different civilizations.
The completion of the Ling Canal improved the transportation between the Central Plains and Lingnan, and promoted the economic development of the north and south. All kinds of commodities such as gold, silver, bronze, ceramics and silk entered Lingnan from the Central Plains, and Lingnan's Nanzhu, ivory, rhino horn, tortoiseshell, jade, silver and copper minerals were also exported to the whole country through Lingqu. Chen Yuanlong once said: "Although the steep gate is small, it is the throat of the steep river and the wide." The food supply of the master and the circulation of the goods of the merchants, this is the only water that depends. ”
Lingqu transmitted the Central Plains culture and Chinese civilization to Lingnan, changing the status quo of Lingnan's production mode. In some parts of Lingnan in the past, there was a situation of slash-and-burn cultivation and hunting, but the construction of the Ling Canal has injected new vitality into Lingnan's economy and culture. Even in the Tang Dynasty, the first champion appeared in Guangxi, and a group of jinshi appeared.
After Shi Lu, the Ling Canal was repaired 24 times in total. In order to commemorate the achievements of Shi Lu and his descendants in repairing the Lingqu, people established the "Lingji Temple" next to the Lingqu, which was later changed to the "Temple of the Four Sages" to enshrine the heroic souls of the builders of the Lingqu. This ancestral hall has witnessed the hard work of generations of people for the cause of water conservancy.
Lingqu is a miracle of water conservancy engineering that connects the north and the south and gives birth to the integration of civilizations. Shi Lu is a legendary figure in the history of Chinese water conservancy, and his wisdom and perseverance are fully reflected in the construction of the Ling Canal. The miracle of Lingqu not only provided strong support for the battle of Baiyue of Qin Shi Huang, but also built a bridge between the Central Plains and Lingnan, and promoted the integration of civilizations of various ethnic groups. Today, the Lingqu still stands in the long river of history, witnessing the ancient hydrological legend.