The importance of large bridges to the Tang Empire was self-evident. Both the normal laying of railways and the convenient passage of roads were inseparable from large bridges. Moreover, there were many water systems in the Tang Dynasty, which meant that there were many places where large bridges were needed, especially places where people and goods flowed frequently.
In the past, due to the limitations of materials and technology, it was almost impossible to build a bridge over a relatively large water system. But now, with the successful development and production of reinforced concrete, this wish could be realized and was being implemented.
Since large bridges could be built successfully and gradually popularized throughout the Tang Dynasty, it was necessary to have a special organization responsible for the work of bridges to promote the rapid and steady development of the bridge industry and to show the importance of large bridges to the imperial court.
Long before the construction of the Luoshui Railroad Bridge, Li An had already considered the importance of establishing a bridge-building government office. But because there was too much preparatory work before the construction of the bridge, Li An had wasted too much of his time, causing Li An to temporarily give up on this idea. He focused all of his attention on how to build the Luoshui Railroad Bridge, and even personally went to the vicinity of the Luoshui to direct the construction of the bridge.
This time, he suddenly returned to Chang 'an City not only to go to the R&D Center to solve various problems encountered by the craftsmen in the research and development process and to urge the development of bridge construction machinery, but also to propose to the emperor to establish a special bridge-building government, just like the Railway Bureau of the Minister of Internal Affairs.
However, what Ang Lee did not expect was that not only did he think of this problem, but Guo Xuji, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Works, also thought of this problem. In order to make the bridge-building government belong to the Ministry of Works, Guo Xuji did not hesitate to wait for him at the Changan City Railway Station to persuade him to support the idea of the bridge-building government belonging to the Ministry of Works.
It had to be said that Guo Xuji, the old fox, was quite insightful. He could see the glory of the bridge-building project of the Tang Dynasty in the future and grasped it in advance, so that his name would go down in history. As a scholar, the most important thing was reputation. There was almost nothing more important than reputation and going down in history.
Just imagine, if Guo Xuji had lived for a few more years, and under his personal guidance, the Yellow River and the Yangtze River Bridges had been successfully built. This way, the long history of the world would remember Guo Xuji's name, and the name of Guo Xuji would be associated with the first Yellow River Bridge of the Great Tang.
Ang Lee did not care which department the bridge-building yamen belonged to. However, since Guo Xuji was willing to wait for him at the Changan City Railway Station in the cold wind, he felt that it was not a bad choice to put the bridge-building yamen under the Ministry of Works. After all, when the Railway Bureau was established, a large number of talents were taken away from the Ministry of Works, causing the Ministry of Works to suffer heavy losses. This time, if he did not give some compensation, it would be too unfair to the Ministry of Works.
However, Ang Lee wasn't sure if the Emperor thought the same, so he couldn't promise Guo Xuji anything. He didn't want Guo Xuji to be disappointed and complain about him.
"Assistant Minister Li, since the establishment of the Railway Bureau, a large number of talents were taken away from the Ministry of Works. The Ministry of Works has already suffered heavy losses. This time, when the bridge-building yamen is established, the Ministry of Works will definitely need talents from the Ministry of Works. If we can't put the bridge-building yamen under the Ministry of Works, there will be no one left in the Ministry of Works."
Guo Xuji's face was pitiful. Standing in the cold wind, he looked like a leaf that would fall at any time.
Ang Lee couldn't bear to see Guo Xuji sad, so he said, "Assistant Minister Guo, you don't have to worry. I promise you that I will fight for the Ministry of Works in front of the Emperor. I believe the Emperor will agree."
"Oh, thank you, Assistant Minister Li. Why don't we go to the palace now to have an audience with the Emperor and settle the matter of the bridge-building yamen?"
Guo Xuji struck while the iron was hot and said with a smile.
"It's almost dark. Is this appropriate?"
Ang Lee was shocked by Guo Xuji's enthusiasm. At this time, the Emperor might be having fun with his concubines in the backyard. It would be inappropriate to disturb him rashly.
"Assistant Minister Li, there are many people watching the bridge-building yamen. Even the nine temples and five directorates have their eyes on it. They say that they want to establish a bridge-building bureau and change it to nine temples and six directorates. If we don't settle it as soon as possible, I'm afraid there will be more problems!"
Guo Xuji said nervously. He was worried that Ang Lee would be brainwashed by the officials of the various departments after he returned to the side courtyard and make a decision against the Ministry of Works. In this way, the chances of the Ministry of Works getting the bridge-building yamen would be much lower.
"Okay, okay, okay. Since Assistant Minister Guo wants to go to the palace so late, I'll accompany you. Let's go to the palace. "
Let's go! "Ang Lee agreed readily and immediately went with Guo Xuji to the Daming Palace to have an audience with Emperor Li Longji.
Coincidentally, Li Longji was not resting at this time. Instead, he was thinking about the bridge-building yamen. In the past few days, many officials had proposed to establish a bridge-building yamen, mainly responsible for building large bridges, which were strategic bridges. However, the officials' opinions were not unified. The Ministry of Works, the Prefectural Water Administration, and the Minister of Internal Affairs were all fighting for this job. In addition, there were also officials who suggested establishing a bridge-building bureau, which would be on the same level as the six ministries of the Minister of Ministers and the nine temples and five directorates. This would show the importance the imperial court placed on bridge-building.
Li Longji was very hesitant about how to establish a bridge-building yamen. All the officials who suggested it were very reasonable and could be said to be conclusive. This made him feel that it was better to listen to Ang Lee's opinion. After all, the large bridges were designed and built by Ang Lee. In this aspect, Ang Lee would definitely be able to give a better opinion.
"How long has it been since Assistant Minister Li left for Luoyang?"
Li Longji looked at Gao Lishi and asked.
"Everyone, Assistant Minister Li has already left for half a month."
Gao Lishi hurriedly replied. Li Longji could not remember the date of Ang Lee's departure, but as a trusted eunuch, Gao Lishi had to remember. This was a requirement of being a servant.
"Oh, it's already been half a month. That long?"
Li Longji frowned. In the past year, Ang Lee had rarely left the capital for so long.
"Everyone, do we need to send someone to Luoyang and have Assistant Minister Li come back?"
Li Longji shook his head and said, "No, there's no need. The construction of the bridge is important. We cannot distract Assistant Minister Li. We are still hoping to see the bridge as soon as possible."
In Li Longji's view, there was no need to rush the establishment of the bridge-building yamen. He could not disturb Ang Lee's plans for the construction of the bridge because of this trivial matter.
"Everyone, Assistant Minister Li and Assistant Minister Guo request an audience outside the hall."
A minor eunuch rushed in.
"What? Ang Lee is back?"
Li Longji completely ignored Guo Xuji and excitedly asked.
"Yes, Everyone. Assistant Minister Li just got off the train and accompanied Assistant Minister Guo to the palace. They are waiting outside the hall."
"Haha! This Guo Xuji is rather fast. He ran into Assistant Minister Li right after he got off the train. What a coincidence! "
Li Longji chuckled.
"Everyone, this old servant has heard that Assistant Minister Guo has been going to the train station every evening and only leaving when the train arrives. It turns out that he was waiting for Assistant Minister Li!"
Gao Lishi also chuckled.
"Oh, he's actually waiting at the train station every day. This Guo Xuji is quite determined, but if he can persuade Ang Lee a little sooner, it's worth it."
Li Longji chuckled and indicated for the eunuch to summon the pair.
"The lowly subjects Ang Lee and Guo Xuji pay respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise! Assistant Minister Li, why have you suddenly returned to the capital? How is the construction of the Luoshui Bridge going?"
Li Longji ignored Guo Xuji and directly greeted Ang Lee.
"Your Majesty, the Luoshui Bridge is progressing smoothly and will be completed in a few months. Once it's finished, we can begin the construction of the canal bridge."
Ang Lee hurriedly replied.
"Good. Assistant Minister Li, if there's anything you need, feel free to tell me. These bridges are extremely important to the Tang Empire and must be built first."
Li Longji wanted to give Ang Lee the green light and fully support Ang Lee to ensure the large-scale popularization of strategic bridges within the Tang Empire.
"Your Majesty, this lowly subject has returned to the capital for three reasons. First, the bridge construction has entered a stable stage and this lowly subject has nothing to do there. Second, the R&D Center needs this lowly subject's guidance. Third, it's about the construction of the bridge construction office."
Ang Lee revealed the reason for his sudden return to the capital and subconsciously looked at Guo Xuji beside him.
"Your Majesty, the construction of the bridge construction office is imperative. This lowly subject boldly recommends himself and is willing to share Your Majesty's burden."
Guo Xuji hurriedly added.
Li Longji glanced at Guo Xuji and then looked back at Ang Lee. "Assistant Minister Guo, it seems that you didn't wait in vain for so many days at the railway station! Assistant Minister Li can enter the palace together with Assistant Minister Guo. It seems that you support the idea of the bridge construction office belonging to the Ministry of Works. "
"Yes, Your Majesty. This lowly subject is indeed moved by Assistant Minister Guo's sincerity. I support the idea of the bridge construction office belonging to the Ministry of Works to make up for the losses caused to the Ministry of Works when the Railway Bureau was established. Moreover, this lowly subject believes that Assistant Minister Guo will definitely manage the bridge construction office well."
Ang Lee said seriously.
"Your Majesty, this lowly subject will definitely live up to your expectations and manage the bridge construction office well."
Guo Xuji eagerly expressed his stance.
Li Longji pondered for a moment, then looked at Guo Xuji and asked, "I'd like to hear what Assistant Minister Guo has to say about the bridge construction office and how to promote the development of the bridge construction office in the future."
"Your Majesty, I will personally supervise my subordinates to seriously repair every bridge. I will severely punish those who are corrupt and irresponsible. I will also personally go to the place where the bridges are built and arrange for the construction of the bridges …"
Guo Xuji said a bunch of big words, but they were all empty.
Li Longji shook his head and said seriously, "I don't care which department the bridge-building yamen belongs to. What I care about is how to quickly build enough large bridges to make life easier for the people. Actually, Assistant Minister Li is the most suitable person to establish the bridge-building yamen. However, Assistant Minister Li has too many things to take care of. Since Assistant Minister Li supports putting the bridge-building yamen under the Ministry of Works, then let it be under the Ministry of Works! What should we name it? "
"Your Majesty, how about we call it the Bridge Department? This way, the four divisions under the Ministry of Works will become five. "
Ang Lee suggested.
In the Tang dynasty, the Ministry of Works was divided into four departments, namely the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Army, the Ministry of Irrigation, and the Ministry of Water. Now, there was also the Ministry of Bridge.
"Okay, then let's call it the Bridge Department! However, the position of the Bridge Department's Langzhong is higher than the other four departments. Let's make it the upper fifth-rank! "
Li Longji happily made the decision.
The Langzhong of the four departments under the Ministry of Works of the Tang dynasty, namely the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Army, the Ministry of Irrigation, and the Ministry of Water, were all at the upper fifth-rank. The Langzhong of the Bridge Department was at the upper fifth-rank, which was obviously the highest position. Its position in the Ministry of Works was only second to the Minister of Works and the Assistant Minister of Works. From the rank of this position, one could see how much importance the Imperial Court placed on the Bridge Department.
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. This humble subject will do his best to complete the construction of the Bridge Department and build more bridges for the Tang dynasty."
Guo Xuji excitedly knelt down to express his gratitude. He had been waiting for this day for too long.
Li Longji didn't have time to pay attention to Guo Xuji. Putting the Bridge Department under the Ministry of Works was completely out of respect for Ang Lee. After all, all of this was created by Ang Lee. He couldn't refuse Ang Lee.
"Assistant Minister Li, the Luoshui Bridge must be very grand! I wonder what it will look like after it's finished? "
Li Longji asked curiously. He couldn't wait to see what the Luoshui Bridge would look like after it was finished.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject has already asked the carpenters to carve the Luoshui Bridge. It's now outside the hall and is being presented to you."
Ang Lee had already made preparations. Before he came back, he had already asked the carpenters to carve the Luoshui Bridge according to the blueprint and present it to Li Longji so that Li Longji could have a look at it in advance.
"Oh, it's already been carved. Assistant Minister Li is really thoughtful!"
Li Longji happily stood up and looked at the wooden bridge model that was presented to him in amazement.
"Assistant Minister Li, for such a large bridge, there are only a few thin pillars at the bottom. Can they really guarantee its safety?"
Li Longji realized that the model of the Luoshui Bridge before him was different from the Longshou Canal Bridge that he had seen a few days ago. This bridge had more supports, but they were also more loose and thin. It looked like it would be difficult to support the bridge deck.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. This humble subject has carefully calculated that these pillars are enough to support the bridge. Moreover, even if it is full of pedestrians, it will never collapse."
Ang Lee answered confidently and pointed to the bridge and said, "Your Majesty, the bottom layer is a dedicated railway track. After the tracks are laid, the trains can pass freely inside, but pedestrians and carriages can't pass, so as not to interfere with the normal operation of the trains. The upper layer is the road, which is specially designed for pedestrians and carriages. In this way, the trains and pedestrians and carriages will be separated and there will be no danger. The two bends on both sides are the approach bridges of the road to reduce the slope and avoid interfering with the passage of the railway track. The maximum distance between the piers of the main bridge is three times the width of the caisson, so the caisson can pass between the two piers. The distance between the water surface and the bottom of the bridge is much greater than the height of the caisson, so the caisson won't hit the bottom of the bridge."
"The two-layer road, the trains and pedestrians and carriages will be separated, and the bottom of the bridge won't affect the passage of the caisson. The bridge designed by Assistant Minister Li is really ingenious! In the entire Tang dynasty, you can't find a second person like him! "
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