Hundreds of officials gathered in Taiji Palace. Now that the Tang dynasty was at peace and the imperial court was getting richer day by day, good news came one after another. The past three years could be said to be Li Shimin's most comfortable three years.
This made him feel relaxed, but at the same time, he felt that something was missing. His eyes involuntarily drifted towards Modun, who was at the back. However, Modun was silent, which made Li Shimin feel slightly disappointed. He couldn't help but miss the Mo family's son who kept tormenting him. At that time, although he loved and hated the Mo family's son who kept tormenting him, his life was very fulfilling.
"Your Majesty, now the brick road from the south bank of the Yangtze River in Hankou to Lingnan has been completed. From now on, the road north to Taiyuan and south to Lingnan has been connected. Your Majesty, please check it!" Zhang Liang, the Minister of Works in Taiji Palace, said proudly.
The past three years were also the most brilliant three years for the Ministry of Works. With the financial improvement of the Tang dynasty, the money allocated to the Ministry of Works also rose. With the support of a large amount of money, brick roads were laid one after another, and various projects were launched. The Ministry of Works' achievements were very gratifying. As the Minister of Works, Zhang Liang naturally rose in status and became a popular person in the imperial court. He was repeatedly praised by Li Shimin.
Moreover, the brick road from the north to the south was smooth, which formed a cross-shaped traffic with the Longhai Line in the Tang dynasty. Its role could be said to be like a catalyst, which instantly made the traffic in the Tang dynasty unimpeded and endless business trips. It could be expected that the tax in the Tang dynasty would rise again this year.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Now the Tang dynasty is connected from the north to the south, and the east to the west is convenient. The world is one family. It's really a prosperous scene! "Xiao Yu, Duke of Song, said with joy.
The construction of the brick road from the south to the north was very beneficial for Jiangnan. In the past three years, relying on their superior natural conditions, the south actively promoted the development of Jiangnan. They transported fruits in summer and vegetables in winter. Coupled with the promotion of rice in Johor and the popularization of water conservancy workshops, Jiangnan made a lot of money in recent years. The development was changing with each passing day, and the tax had soared year after year. It could be said that the prospects of the development of Jiangnan that Meton had imagined had almost been realized.
This made Xiao Yu, the Duke of Song, even more important in the court. He was also sought after by the aristocratic families of Jiangnan, becoming an existence that was not inferior to Zhang Liang. As for the other courtiers, they paled in comparison to the two of them. In addition, Moton had been in seclusion for three years, making the two of them even more prominent.
It's because of the joint efforts of all of you that the Tang dynasty has such a scene. Now the world is peaceful, and everyone lives and works in peace. I thank all of you on behalf of the people of the world. " Li Shimin was overjoyed. The prosperity of the Tang dynasty in the past three years was obvious to all. Li Shimin naturally saw it, but it made him feel quite proud. It was a pity that Li Yuan had passed away. Otherwise, he would definitely let his father see this scene.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. This is the credit of Your Majesty's wise leadership!" The officials congratulated one after another. In an instant, the entire imperial court was harmonious.
"Your Majesty, I still have one more thing to ask Your Majesty." Zhang Liang, the Minister of Works, bowed again.
"Oh! Just say it! "Li Shimin was in a good mood. He waved his hand and said.
"Around Chang 'an, there is also a super project comparable to the north-south brick road. That is the Wei River Bridge. The Wei River Bridge is the northern gateway of Chang' an. Its status is irreplaceable, and there is a lot of waste. We can't be the slightest bit careless. However, God is jealous of talents. The chief engineer of the Wei River Bridge, Li Yun, is seriously ill. Please choose another person. "Zhang Liang, the Minister of Works, bowed and said in the imperial court. At the same time, he took out a stack of ink magazines and distributed them to the officials.
"Chief engineer Li Yun."
"Li Yun after Li Chun!"
"Li Yun from the Xiangfu family of the Mo family."
The eyes of the officials flashed. They looked at the report in the ink magazine and couldn't help sighing. Such a young talent suddenly suffered from such a strange disease. It was really God was jealous of talents.
Li Shimin's eyes flashed. He suddenly remembered the high-spirited young man four years ago. He couldn't help sighing slightly when he matched him with the thin man in a wheelchair in the ink magazine.
"Has Li Yun submitted his resignation?" Li Shimin suddenly asked.
Zhang Liang was startled. "Your Majesty, Li Yun hasn't submitted his resignation. However, it is said that Li Yun can no longer walk and needs a wheelchair to move. I'm afraid that he is no longer suitable to lead the construction of the Wei River Bridge."
After Zhang Liang finished speaking, the officials nodded. If a bridge building master couldn't personally lead the bridge, it would be like scratching an itch with one's boots. If something went wrong and the Wei River Bridge fell short, it would be a great loss for the Tang dynasty. After all, the importance of the Wei River Bridge was well known.
"The Wei River Bridge is the northern throat of Chang 'an. We need to be careful. I think it's better to choose another person." The director of the Ministry of Works revealed his true intentions.
"Your Majesty, it's a big taboo to replace a general before a battle! Although Chief Engineer Li is seriously ill, he didn't stop the construction of the Wei River Bridge. Moreover, Chief Engineer Li got this strange disease because of the bridge. If we replace him now, we don't know if we can find a suitable candidate. This will make the meritorious officials even more disappointed! " There were also officials who retorted. After all, Li Yun had done a good job in the past four years. He had smoothly completed the Wei River Bridge, and even though he was suffering from a strange disease, he still insisted on building the bridge. This made many officials sympathize with him.
Li Shimin couldn't help but feel a headache. The Wei River Bridge was a new type of bridge that no one had ever tried before. The design and construction methods were all based on the bridge building techniques of the Xiangfu Clan. If they were to rashly replace him, there really wouldn't be a suitable candidate. Moreover, he had seen Li Yun's sacrifice for the Wei River Bridge. It could be said that he had poured all his heart and soul into the Wei River Bridge. If they were to rashly replace him, it would be a cruel thing for Li Yun.
"The Wei River Bridge is a matter of great importance. How can personal feelings be mixed in? I trust that Craftsman Li will understand. As for replacing him, it's even simpler. Ever since the Wei River Bridge was built, my Bureau of Works has been paying close attention. The Bureau of Works will definitely be able to find a suitable candidate," the manager loudly said.
A voice suddenly rang out in the court. "In my view, Your Excellency must have seen that the Wei River Bridge is about to be completed and wanted to pick the fruits of your labor!"
Everyone was taken aback and turned to see that the speaker was none other than Meton, who had been silent for three years. Although Meton had attended court many times in the last three years, he had never said a single word. The court had long since grown accustomed to this.
The manager had long since known that Meton would come out to stop him, so he responded with ease, "Merton, do not slander me. This one is doing this for the sake of the public good. I trust that Chief Engineer Li will understand and is not willing to let his efforts go to waste."
Meton nodded. "Chief Engineer Li has poured all his efforts into the Wei River Bridge. Naturally, he is not willing to let his efforts go to waste."
The manager of the Ministry of Works couldn't help but reveal a smug smile. The son of the Mo family was the architect of the Wei River Bridge. If even he said so, then didn't that mean that he had already given up on Li Yun? The Minister of Works, Zhang Liang, frowned. With his understanding of the son of the Mo family, he knew that giving up so easily wasn't the son of the Mo family's style.
As expected, Meton continued, "Thus, Chief Engineer Li has decided to continue building the Wei River Bridge until it is completed."
"Continue building!" The officials couldn't help but burst into an uproar. After all, Li Yun was already paralyzed and couldn't even walk. Although they admired Li Yun's efforts, they knew that it was no longer appropriate for him to continue building the Wei River Bridge.
"Merton's words are too arrogant. Are you thinking that there is no one else in our Tang dynasty? Could it be that other than Li Yun, there is no one else who can build the Wei River Bridge? "The manager of the Ministry of Works said angrily.
Meton nodded matter-of-factly. "Indeed. In the entire Tang dynasty, other than Li Yun, there is probably no one else who can build the Wei River Bridge. Even if I were to personally build it, it would probably take me at least two years to understand the Wei River Bridge like the back of my hand. As for the others, I'm not boasting. Even if the blueprint of the Wei River Bridge was placed in front of the great craftsmen of the Ministry of Works, they wouldn't be able to understand it."
In an instant, the faces of the people from the Ministry of Works darkened. Meton's words could be said to belittle them, but they had nothing to say. After all, what Meton said was the truth.
Zhang Liang had no choice but to speak for the Ministry of Works. "We naturally know that Chief Engineer Li is the best candidate. However, Chief Engineer Li is disabled and can't walk. There is no medicine to cure him. He can't even walk on the bridge. How can he preside over the bridge?"
Meton smiled. "That's not difficult. In the southeast of the Wei River Bridge, there is a three-story building. It is the headquarters of the Wei River Bridge construction. The Mo Family Village will urgently renovate it into five stories. Chief Engineer Li will live on the top floor. Coupled with the telescope that the Mo Family specially prepared for the Star Observatory, he will be able to see the entire Wei River Bridge at a glance. Even if Chief Engineer Li doesn't step out of his house, he will know the Wei River Bridge like the back of his hand."
"Desiring to see a thousand miles, one can reach a higher level!" Meton's poem involuntarily appeared in the minds of the officials. They hadn't expected Mo Jiazi to use this poem to its fullest. The telescope of the Star Observatory was a divine tool that could observe the moon. Using it to observe the Wei River Bridge was a bit of a waste.
Zhang Liang couldn't help but snort. "How laughable. Repairing a bridge is not climbing. No matter how clear Chief Engineer Li's vision is, how can he hear the workers on the bridge far away? How can he supervise the progress of the bridge?"
The officials nodded. Zhang Liang's words were true. Even if Li Yun could see clearly from the fifth floor, he would still be too far away. Whether it was transmitting or supervising the construction, he would always be a step too late and would easily make a mistake.
Meton had long since thought of this plan. He nodded and said, "Thus, we need someone to act as Li Yun's right-hand man, supervising the construction of the bridge in his place. And it just so happens that Li Yun has such a person at his side. He has been participating in the construction of the Wei River Bridge ever since it was built, and he has made great contributions. Other than Li Yun, he is probably the most familiar with the Wei River Bridge."
"He is Zu Mingjun of the school of mathematics!" Meton firmly declared.
"Zu Mingjun!"
Everyone nodded. In the Mo Journal's report, Li Yun, who was proficient in the parabola, had made great contributions to the construction of the Wei River Bridge. The two of them were both erudite and multi-talented, each with their own strengths. They had become close friends and confidantes.
Meton boldly declared, "Li Yun was responsible for the design and planning, and Zu Mingjun was responsible for transmitting and supervising the construction. The two of them worked together to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses, and they would definitely be able to complete the Wei River Bridge on time. This would be a wonderful tale of Boya Ziqi, one that would be passed down for all future generations."
"Boya Ziqi!" The hearts of all the ministers moved. They were all well-versed in poetry and were naturally very familiar with the story of Boya Ziqi.
It was said that Boya was good at playing the zither, and Zhong Ziqi was good at listening. Boya played the zither, and his ambition was high in the mountains. Zhong Ziqi said, "Excellent, Alas, like Mount Tai!" His ambition was flowing water. Zhong Ziqi said, "Excellent, like the ocean, like the river!" Whatever Boya read, Zhong Ziqi would obtain. After Ziqi's death, Boya no longer had a confidante in the world. He was like a broken zither without strings, never to play again.
Boya Ziqi was a confidante, and many people yearned for it. Now they suddenly realized that the story between Li Yun and Zu Mingjun was actually Boya Ziqi of the Tang dynasty.
The two of them worked together to build the Wei River Bridge. When the bridge was about to be completed, Li Yun, who was disabled, insisted on supervising the construction of the bridge with a telescope. Zu Mingjun became Li Yun's mouth and arm, personally supervising the construction of the bridge for Li Yun. Such a confidante was enviable.
Li Shimin couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. The Wei River Bridge was related to the northern passage of Chang 'an, and naturally couldn't be lost. The sooner it was completed, the more benefits there would be. Now that Li Yun and Zu Mingjun worked together, not only could they display their talents, but they could also complete the Wei River Bridge on time. Wasn't it the best of both worlds?
"More importantly, although the Wei River Bridge is a super project that surpasses all the bridges of the Tang dynasty, it is only a new attempt for a new bridge. In the future, the more magnificent Yellow River Bridge and the Yangtze River Bridge will need Chief Engineer Li's bridge building knowledge. As the saying goes, one can't achieve a thousand miles without taking a few steps. If Chief Engineer Li can't even complete the small Wei River Bridge, it will be impossible to design the Yellow River Bridge and the Yangtze River Bridge," Meton said solemnly.
Zhang Liang said that the brick road from the north to the south was unblocked, but there were at least two obstacles on the brick road from Taiyuan to Lingnan, and they were the Yangtze River and the Yellow River. Whether it was goods from the south of the Yangtze River or the north, once they reached the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, they could only be transported by water and by boat, which wasted a lot of effort and made it more urgent to build the Yellow River Bridge and the Yangtze River Bridge.
In an instant, the whole court fell silent. Meton was right. Although the Wei River Bridge was currently the largest bridge of the Tang dynasty, there were many rivers that were wider and more complicated than the Wei River. Thinking about the future, the seemingly magnificent Wei River Bridge now was really a small project, and it was even more important to accumulate bridge building experience.
Li Shimin nodded slowly and said, "The Wei River Bridge is a new attempt for the bridges of the Tang dynasty, and it can be said to be crossing the river by feeling the stones. Since Li Yun is already halfway there, it is indeed a big taboo to change the general at the last minute. I hope he will live up to my trust and work with Zu Mingjun to compose a real poem of high mountains and flowing water for me."
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!" Meton solemnly cupped his hands and said.
Everyone looked at Meton with complicated eyes and suddenly understood that Mo Jiazi, who used to show off his ability, was back. Today, when he made a move, his ideas could be said to be unconstrained, but they couldn't help but believe in him. Such a difficult situation was easily solved by him.
"This is the real Mo Jiazi, who didn't make a sound for three years, but when he didn't make a sound, he was already amazing." The officials sighed.
If Meton knew what everyone was thinking, he would definitely laugh and say, "No! It's because my daughter has already entered the school, and I finally have time to do something. "
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