Chapter 765 - 36: Changing Times in Kyushu, the Peril of National Ruin

This situation is becoming increasingly apparent.

Even in Gu Yi’s view,

the impact of these several centuries of chaotic times has even surpassed the development of the entire Kyushu in the previous nearly thousand years.

The vitality sparked amidst the conflicts can only be fully displayed in the present.

This is certain!

Kaifeng.

The early spring scene of the Bian River should have been one of a thousand sails competing and boats weaving like a shuttle, but this year, the river section east of Huainan fell into a disturbing stasis.

Inside the Chuigong Hall, the atmosphere was even more chilling than the lingering spring cold outside.

The nearly forty-year-old Emperor Zhao Lihui rarely restrained his usual gentle expression, a layer of unremovable sorrow shrouding his brows. He held an urgent report from the eastern Huainan region, squeezing it so hard that his knuckles turned white.

"Gentlemen..." His voice carried a subtle weariness, "The Transport Commissioner of Huainan urgently reports that in the Si Province section of the Bian River, due to the abnormal cold last winter, the spring ice blockage, coupled with silt from last year’s floodwaters, has caused the main channel... to collapse."

A suppressed sound of inhalation rippled through the hall.

The Bian River, the lifeline of the nation!

The millions of stone of tribute grain each year and the finances of the southeastern half rely on this river for transport.

The collapse of the main channel means the interruption of the transport for at least a month, possibly longer.

"Over three hundred grain ships are jammed, with twenty-seven sunk." Zhao Lihui’s voice was filled with sorrow, "Over ten thousand stone of military and civilian provisions lie at the riverbed."

"Following thousands of transport ships are all stuck in Huainan, with no way forward or back."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the civil and military officials, finally settling on the poised middle-aged man at the head of the ranks—Gu Jun.

This was the current representative of the Gu Clan in the court and also the person overseeing both military and political affairs of the Great Song today.

Then, he habitually asked the question.

"Lord Gu, what should be done about this?"

By the end of his speech, his voice had begun to tremble slightly.

This has also become a norm in the Great Song.

If it were a minor issue, it wouldn’t even be brought to court; anything on the table must be a matter concerning the foundation of the state.

Such as this disruption in transport!

For the current Great Song, the transport is like a single thread pulling the whole body.

It concerns not only the supply issue for the Border Army.

It also relates to commerce and even matters of livelihood.

Any one of these factors could be fatal, let alone when they’re combined.

Just as in history,

Kaifeng, this city, still depends on grain and forage transported by river to survive; this is due to geographical reasons that no one can change. In fact, the current problem for Kaifeng is even more severe than it was historically.

From the chancellor to the Forbidden Army, from merchants to commoners, the daily consumption of rice is enough to make any local official despair.

Most of this grain relies on river transport from places like Huainan and Jiangnan to the north.

The smooth or blockaded state of transport directly determines the stability of grain prices in Bianjing, thus affecting public sentiment and social order in the capital.

In fact, this problem has always existed in the Great Song.

That’s why—+

Almost every generation of the Gu Clan has successively worked on the maintenance of transport, with very strict management in this regard.

Yet, as the saying goes:

In the current era, even though the Gu Clan has achieved comprehensive leadership, they still can’t grasp it 100%.

For instance, this problem arose simply because of abnormal weather, causing the entire transport system to collapse.

This is simply unavoidable.

Voices of discussion immediately rose.

Everyone understood what this meant, and their expressions changed dramatically.

Facing the emperor’s gaze full of reliance and trepidation, Gu Jun did not immediately answer. He furrowed his brow, his gaze dropping to the tablet in his hand, his mind rapidly considering various possibilities and consequences.

Compared to Gu Jin,

Gu Jun’s capabilities took a step down.

Even with the help of the Luoshu Harmonizing Device, it was difficult for him to immediately figure out the various issues, and if not for this, the matter wouldn’t have been brought to the entire court but rather solved within the Imperial Censorate.

As for Gu Yi... he was equally powerless in this matter.

Even though he was a modern person, he was helpless.

The transport system of the Great Song is too complex, involving various aspects of hydraulic knowledge that only professionals might directly solve. He was just a freshly graduated college student, after all.

As everyone knows, the knowledge reserve of these college students nowadays... is even worse than high school.

Seeing Gu Jun remain silent,

Zhao Lihui’s expression became increasingly grim, and the atmosphere in the hall grew considerably tenser.

In view of this, Gu Jun’s brow furrowed deeper.

Seeing the expressions of the ministers becoming more severe, he had no choice but to stand up, bow to the emperor on the dragon throne, and solemnly say, "Your Majesty, although the matter arose suddenly, it is not without solution."

"I believe the immediate needs are ’speed, stability, and skepticism.’"

He was actually the first to receive this information.

He had been contemplating for a long time, but was just feeling some concerns.

But reaching this point, he naturally had to stand up to stabilize public sentiment.

Carefully recalling the strategies in his mind, he gradually looked toward those present, earnestly saying, "Speed means to urgently clear the river; there is no time to lose."