Just when the Xu brothers were on trial, Zhao Gongzi had already left Changxing and rushed to the third stop of the trip, Liyang.

In fact, from Changxing to Liyang, it is more convenient to take the dry road. Go out of Changxing County, walk a few miles to the north, cross the Yixing boundary, and arrive at the Liyang boundary.

But Zhao Gongzi had to investigate an extremely important line of water transportation. It is close to the far, first take a small boat along the Xiaqi River into Taihu Lake. Returning to his own Science Ship, he traveled more than 60 miles north along the shore of the lake, only to see a large river flowing into Taihu Lake.

"This is Dongjiu, also known as Dongxi." Jin Ke said in a deep voice: "Since then, the Zhongjiang River has flowed into Taihu Lake, which is the main source of water for Taihu Lake. ”

"Hmm." Zhao Hao nodded, in fact, no one knew Zhongjiang better than him.

This is an artificial water system with a long history, and there is a legend of 'Dayu controlling the water and guiding the middle river' since ancient times. Whether Zhongjiang is opened by Dayu, Zhao Hao did not dare to pack a ticket, but it has been clearly recorded in the "Hanshu Geographical Chronicles" that this stretches from Wuhu to Yixing in the east. It originates from the Yangtze River and flows into the ancient waterway of Taihu Lake.

The 300-mile Zhongjiang River connects the Yangtze River and Taihu Lake water system, and ships can go directly to Susong from Wuhu Lake through Taihu Lake, which is one of the most important water transportation lines in the Ming Dynasty. Because the end of this traffic line is Shanghai, it is also called 'Wushen Canal'.

If the Yangtze River route from Wuhu to Shanghai is compared to a bow, the Wushen Canal is the string on the bow. It is almost a straight line throughout the whole process, which can save more than 300 miles. Moreover, the water flow is not as fierce as the Yangtze River, and it is not so difficult to sail against the current, and there is no need to pull the fiber throughout the process.

In Zhao Hao's overall plan for the future of Jiangnan, Wuhu and Shanghai are the two most important fulcrums at its east and west ends. Therefore, for him and the Jiangnan group, the importance of the Wushen Canal even exceeds that of the Yangtze River.

At the turn of summer and autumn last year, Zhao Hao had already inspected this core artery, but it was the wet season at that time. He needs to conduct another on-site survey of the canal's navigable capacity in the dry season before he can be completely assured.

~~

When the ship entered the Zhongjiang River, Jinke took his leave. His work as a guide has come to an end, and he has to hurry back to Xishan Island to hand over.

The two sides made an appointment to see Chongming again, and Zhao Hao watched him get off the Science and leave on a fast boat.

Secretary Ma behind him was also very happy. This journey is so easy that there is no little county lord and Miss Jiang, only she and Qiaoqiao are accompanied. Jin Ke pestered his son all day long, and he was about to kill people.

Zhao Hao didn't notice Sister Ma's careful thoughts, his attention was all on the Science into the river.

The Science is a 200-material flat-bottomed vessel with a displacement of more than 50 tons according to the scientific unit of measurement. Nice and sturdy, smart and fast, but not too big.

Because when Uncle Wu sent him the boat, he considered the seaworthiness of the main river in the south of the Yangtze River, so he chose this size.

In other words, the main cargo ship of shipping in the Jiangnan area is so big. If the Science is still inconvenient, the full cargo ships will not be able to pass.

Fortunately, the Dongjiu waterway is very wide, and the water volume is not too affected by the season. Even in this season, the width of the estuary into the lake is more than 100 meters, the river channel is not less than 50 meters, and the depth of the channel is more than 3 meters. It should not be a problem to navigate 400 sand ships...... Four hundred materials is already the maximum size that the Ming Dynasty allowed to be built by the people.

Uncle Mi personally steered the steer, commanded the sailors to adjust the sails, and measured the depth of the river while going upstream.

As a result, it took two days for Science to complete the waterway from Yixing to Liyang.

Arriving in Liyang, the Science docked at the county wharf. Uncle Mi will take the sailors, transfer to a cargo ship of 400 materials, and continue to survey and map.

Zhao Hao entered Liyang County. Liyang belongs to Yingtianfu, and the Danjin Licao River passes through the city, which can go directly to Zhenjiang and meet with the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.

Not surprisingly, this is another land of fish and rice with excellent landscapes and beautiful Zhong Lingyu, rich in silk and tea. Although it is overshadowed by the light of the surrounding big cities, its reputation is not well-known in the world, but the products are abundant, the transportation is convenient, and there is no risk of flooding, and the people live and work in peace and contentment.

Living here is actually much more comfortable than in big cities such as Susongchang Town, Hangjiahu and Jinwu.

In the words of later generations, it is the high happiness index of residents. Of course, in the south of the Yangtze River, where the essence of the Ming Dynasty is located, there are actually many such counties, not just Liyang.

However, Zhao Hao's trip was not to investigate Liyang, he directly changed to a small boat through the city, turned southwest and traveled seven or eight miles, and went ashore under a rolling hill.

"Childe, this is Yanshan." Sister Ma was finally able to resume her work, and said softly, "Wuben Academy is on the edge of the lake in front. ”

"I'm pretty good at picking places." Zhao Gongzi jumped out of the boat, and saw that at the foot of the mountain and on both sides of the river, there were farmland connected to each other everywhere.

Just after the second day of February, the farmers have already started a busy year, they have to rush to level the fields, repair the pond ridges, and dredge the canals before planting the seedlings...... Many people set fires in the fields to burn the weeds in the fields, and the ashes of the plants and trees also fertilized the fields.

Seeing this group of well-dressed people, walking through the fields, the farmers who cultivated were not surprised at all. Someone stood up and asked politely, "Dare to ask your guests, but look for Mr. Menghe?" ”

Zhao Hao and the others couldn't help but be surprised, only to see that this person had a dark complexion and rough skin, and he looked like he was working in the field all day. His speech and demeanor are polite, and he still speaks official language, which is really very different from ordinary farmers.

"Exactly." Zhao Hao smiled and saluted: "I came from Kunshan, Hudong, and in a hurry, I didn't have a post, I don't know where Mr. Meng He is?" ”

"The mountain grows over there." The man pointed to the sunny side of the hillside in the distance, and could vaguely see an old man with a hoe, directing a few brown-clothed peasants to dig a pit there. He smiled: "There are not so many rules in our academy, I will take you there." ”

"Brother Lao Ren is so there, and you haven't asked for the name of Gao?" Zhao Hao nodded happily.

"In the history of the next surname, the name Jizhi, and the cursive word Sishan." The peasant put down the shovel in his hand, jumped barefoot on the ridge of the field, and led him towards the old man.

The corners of Zhao Hao's mouth twitched when he heard this, and he sneered: "Is Ding Maoke's Ying Tianfu Juren?" ”

Secretary Ma behind her opened her mouth slightly when she heard this, this was the most unsuitable lifting person she had ever seen.

"yes, you know me?" The farmer couldn't help but laugh, but he wasn't too surprised. Ying Tianfu has printed a record of people who are registered in the department, and it is not surprising that others see their names.

"Yes." Zhao Hao nodded, put on a bright smile, and saluted him again: "Junior Zhao Hao pays a visit to Uncle Shi Shi." ”

"Oh?" Shi Jizhi obviously heard his name, and couldn't help but be surprised: "You are the son of Brother Gongming?" ”

"My father is Zhao Gongming." The corners of Zhao Hao's mouth twitched again, I don't know why his grandfather gave his father such a word.

With the name of the God of Wealth, the first place to spend money.

ps. The first update of the three consecutive changes, asking for a monthly pass!!