Henan Province, Qu Village.
Luoyang County Magistrate Zhou Hongde gave an order. Under the command of the local magistrate, a large number of commoners began to move to the highlands.
During the early Tang Dynasty, the government's control over the villages was very strong. Furthermore, the local commoners lived in low-lying areas and suffered from floods all year round.
Once they heard that a flood was coming, they immediately obeyed orders and began to move. Rows of commoners lined up and dragged their families to avoid the flood.
However, there were always some people who were unwilling to give up the wealth they had accumulated with great difficulty. An old woman in Qu Village looked at her hundred chickens and could not help but cry bitterly.
"I'm not leaving. Even if I die, I want to die here with you," the old woman said stubbornly.
She had bought them from her younger brother Mo Jiazi when spring came. She had painstakingly raised them for half a year. It could be said that she had poured all her effort into raising them.
The old woman, who had been poor all her life, had never owned more than a hundred chickens. She, who had suddenly become rich, could not give up such a huge fortune.
"Mother, I'm begging you. If these chickens are gone, they can be raised again. If the people are gone, then everything is over. "The old woman's son pleaded bitterly.
However, no matter how her son persuaded her, the old woman refused to agree. Her son went forward to drag her away and even hugged the door frame without letting go.
Hearing the news, Li Zheng rushed over and roared, "Men, carry Madam Zhang away."
The Luoyang County Magistrate had given them an urgent order. The Yellow River's water had already exceeded the warning line. A flood was imminent.
Immediately, a few strong men from Qu Village and Madam Zhang's son carried Madam Zhang away. Madam Zhang looked back at her flock of chickens while crying bitterly.
The old woman was the last family. Li Zheng led a group of people and ran for five kilometers before arriving at a high slope. This was the place where their village had avoided the flood all year round.
When they arrived at the high slope, they saw that many villagers had already gathered. In fact, Madam Zhang's reluctance to leave her home was not an exception. The entire high slope was filled with the sound of crying.
"Everyone, don't be sad. The imperial court will definitely come to provide relief. His Majesty is a benevolent ruler. Once the flood is over, he will definitely rebuild everyone's homes." After a few hours, the people finally calmed down a little. They started to cook in an organized manner and set up temporary shelters.
On the embankment of the Yellow River, Luoyang County Magistrate Zhou Hongde looked at the roaring Yellow River beneath his feet with a solemn expression.
"Milord, we can't wait any longer. Many of the Yellow River's levees are gushing. If it weren't for the soldiers of the Sixteen Guards, the levees would've burst long ago."
The advisor kept urging him. In his view, since the court had already given the order to divert the flood, if Zhou Hongde did not divert the flood in time and caused the Yellow River to burst, it would be a great responsibility.
"How long has it been since the evacuation order was issued?" Zhou Hongde asked.
"My Lord, it's already been sixteen hours. They were all sent by fast horses. I believe these villages have already received the news. "The advisor replied.
Zhou Hongde raised his hand a few times before putting it down. Sixteen hours was indeed not enough.
"Wait for another hour. When the time is up, the dam will immediately burst," Zhou Hongde said painfully. Even if it was only for an hour, the chances of the people moving would be greatly increased.
Immediately, everyone quietly stared at the funnel in front of them. At a time like this, every second was a test of life and death.
After a long half an hour, it was finally over.
"Burst the dam!"
With Zhou Hongde's order, many youths immediately began to burst the dam.
At this time, the Yellow River's dam was already very fragile. The young man had just dug a hole when the surging Yellow River water suddenly gushed out. It was like a roaring beast that had been trapped for a long time. Moreover, it quickly tore the breach apart.
"Everyone, retreat immediately!" Zhou Hongde loudly said.
In truth, without waiting for Zhou Hongde's order, the youths had already thrown down their tools and began to run along the Yellow River's levees.
But as the Yellow River's breach continued to expand, the roaring waters of the Yellow River gushed out along the breach, swallowing up everything in its path.
But no matter how fierce these scourges were, they obediently followed the predetermined path and surged toward the low-lying areas.
"The water level is dropping!"
"My Lord, the water level is dropping!"
… … …
The advisor suddenly pointed at the Yellow River at his feet and excitedly said. Many youths also cheered.
Zhou Hongde hurriedly looked down and saw that the surging waters of the Yellow River had clearly dropped. He immediately breathed a sigh of relief. A drop in the water level meant that the danger of the Yellow River was decreasing.
"Don't let your guard down. Immediately send people to check the water level of each section of the Yellow River. At the same time, immediately organize people to search and rescue the trapped people in the flood discharge area. Inform the counties to prepare for the resettlement of the victims. We must ensure the safety of the victims, "Zhou Hongde ordered.
This was only the end of the danger. There was still more troublesome work to be done in the flood discharge area.
"Yes!" the advisor immediately replied.
At the same time, a large number of people were divided into two groups. Most of them began to search and rescue and resettle the victims in the flood discharge area, while a small number began to explore the upper and lower reaches of the Yellow River.
It was not until three days later that the water level of the Yellow River, with Qu Village as the center, fell to a safe level that Zhou Hongde truly felt relieved.
Not only that, but the water situation in the flood discharge area was also stabilized and fixed in the planned flood discharge area. Except for the loss of money, almost all the people were safely evacuated.
"Immediately go to Chang 'an City to report the victory. Tell them that Henan Province has lived up to their expectations and the flood of the Yellow River has passed," Zhou Hongde ordered.
"Yes!" The advisor also said excitedly. If Zhou Hongde could survive the disaster of the Yellow River this time, it would definitely be a great achievement for the Henan Circuit. It would definitely add a lot to Zhou Hongde's political achievements, and maybe even surpass Su Luosheng in Chang 'an.
"Victory in the Yellow River! The flood has passed! "
When the yamen runner who reported the victory set off from Henan Province on a fast horse, everywhere he went, he shouted loudly. In an instant, there was a burst of jubilation.
When the news of the victory reached Chang 'an City, the whole city was in an uproar. All the merchants and residents ran to the streets and cheered as if it was a festival.
Many people still remembered that the last time Chang 'an City celebrated like this was a few years ago when the news of the victory of the Tang dynasty over the Turks came.
In the Taiji Palace, Li Shimin read the news of victory from Henan Province and could not help but feel ecstatic. The method of the flood discharge area was indeed effective. A great disaster had been resolved invisibly. For the first time in history, the flood of the Yellow River was overcome by manpower.
The disaster of the Yellow River had been around for a long time. It could be said that it was the greatest pain in the hearts of every generation of Chinese people. However, there was finally a way to tame this unruly dragon.
Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "The officials are absent for a day to celebrate with the people. Tonight, Jin Wu will not stop."
Chang 'an City was the capital, so the curfew system was very strict. Except for some major festivals such as New Year's Eve and the Lantern Festival, the rest of the cities were all under curfew.
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