Chapter 931 Shandong’s Biggest Problem
After three days of inspection in Tianjin, Zhu Yijun and his entourage boarded a special train and continued their journey south.

The train runs along the east side of the North Grand Canal, passing through Hejian County without stopping. Four hours later, it enters Shandong Province and slowly drives into Dezhou Station.

In Dezhou, the canal turns southwest towards the ancient city, and goes south through Linqing and Liaocheng in Dongchang County.

The railway goes directly through Pingyuan and Yucheng to Jinan in the south.

At the platform of Dezhou Station, Shandong Governor Wang Zongzai, Shandong Provincial Governor Chen Dake, together with the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner and the Military Preparation Commissioner, welcomed the emperor.

Zhu Yijun invited the four people to get on the car and head south to Jinan together.

The train stopped at Dezhou Station for twenty minutes and then started again.

In the dining car and conference car, Zhu Yijun met with four people, accompanied by Xu Zhenming and Pan Yinglong.

The four of them reported to Zhu Yijun the political, legal, military and overall situation of Shandong one by one.

The report was very brief, five minutes per person.

After listening, Zhu Yijun smiled at the four people, pointed at Wang Zongzai and Chen Dake and said: “I know that the four of you ran to Dezhou to welcome me with ulterior motives, especially Governor Wang and Governor Chen, who must be holding back to get a few big projects from me.”

The four of them chuckled, “I dare not.”

The atmosphere in the car became slightly more relaxed.

This was Zhu Yijun’s usual method to make the atmosphere of the meeting more relaxed so that the ministers would be willing to speak some real words and exchange some real situations.

Wang Zongzai was a native of Jingshan, Hubei Province, and became a Jinshi in the 41st year of the Jiajing reign.

Chen Dake was from Tongzhou, Jiangsu Province, and was one of the first graduates of Longhua Academy.

Wang Zongzai once served as the Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple and was in charge of compiling “A Detailed Study of the Four Barbarians”, which was the first official document of the Ming Dynasty introducing overseas countries.

Later, he served as the first Governor of Rinan and concurrently as the Diplomatic Envoy to Zhenla and Siam.

Chen Dake served as the Jinghai Household Department Councillor, Right Councillor and Left Councillor. He was a capable official who had been trained in the South China Sea.

Zhu Yijun thought about the two people’s resumes in his mind and then spoke.

“If you want projects, you have to show your advantages. Tell me about Shandong’s advantages and make me excited.

To be honest with you two, I do have quite a few big projects on hand, and if you can convince me, you can choose from them.”

Wang Zongzai and Chen Dake looked at each other, and finally Chen Dake came forward to report to Zhu Yijun.

“Your Majesty, we believe that Shandong’s biggest problem is water shortage.”

Zhu Yijun’s eyes flashed. When other people wanted projects, they would exaggerate their own advantages to the extreme.

It’s interesting that these two people actually did the opposite. It seems they put in a lot of hard work.

“Previously, Shandong was designated by the imperial court as a place for horse breeding, and the government vigorously promoted horse policies. Many fertile fields were abandoned and turned into meadows for horse grazing.

Since Zhang Xiang became the governor of Shandong, he has clarified the horse policy and returned grassland to farmland. Over the past decade, the farmland in Shandong has increased by one third.

The increase in farmland is a good thing, but it can also lead to more serious water shortages. Every year, the minister and the governor work very hard to get water for spring ploughing and autumn harvest, but we are always short of money.

In recent years, in addition to building railways, Shandong’s biggest project has been water conservancy. Canals are everywhere, and the Tuhe River (the old Yellow River), Daqing River, Dawen River, Yishui River, and Heshui River have all been used up. “

Zhu Yijun nodded and said, “I have read the report from Dushui Temple. At that time, I said that no river can leave Shandong with a smile.”

A few people laughed softly.

“I think this is a good thing. In many places in the Ming Dynasty, the water shortage is not really a water shortage, but the local officials do not pay attention to it and let it go.

Normally he would turn a blind eye to it, but when the water shortage came, he would not panic. Instead, he would pretend to write a few sacrificial texts, hold a couple of rain-praying ceremonies, and then proudly announce it to all directions.

You see, I attach great importance to people’s livelihood. I have worked hard to alleviate people’s water shortage. Now if the Dragon King doesn’t make it rain, there is nothing I can do.

These people do not care about people’s livelihood and national affairs. They just muddle through as long as they can get by. When something goes wrong, their first thought is to shirk responsibility. If they can’t blame anyone, they will blame the gods.

This is the most typical example of lazy governance!”

Wang Zongzai and Chen Dake were startled.

After Wang Yi’e took over as Prime Minister, the first of the three things a new official did was to put an end to lazy and indolent government, just like when Zhang Juzheng first took office as Prime Minister, the first thing he introduced was the performance evaluation system.

The two have the same effect.

The Emperor is now on a tour of inspection in the south. As soon as he arrived in Shandong, he began to sound the alarm, urging people to be vigilant against inaction and laziness in government affairs.

It seems that the emperor and Wang Yi’e have the same opinion.

Once the emperor and his ministers reached a consensus, tremendous pressure came down like a mountain.

This may be one of the important purposes of the emperor’s southern tour.

Zhu Yijun continued, “It is very rare that you can deeply understand this. Well, continue.”

“As you wish.

Your Majesty, the court began to implement the Yellow River main channel northward project in the fifth year of Wanli, and the people of Shandong welcomed it with open arms. In the eighth year of Wanli, we dredged the Guangji Canal and connected it to the Wei River, diverting part of the Wei River water into Shandong every year.

In order to get this part of the Wei River water, we in Shandong have to pay a lot of tribute to Henan every year.”

Zhu Yijun raised his head and laughed out loud. This should be the earliest unequal treaty between Shandong and Yu.

However, local officials are willing to rack their brains and come up with all kinds of methods for the sake of people’s livelihood and national affairs. This is a good thing, a very good thing.

Zhu Yijun waved his hand, signaling Chen Dake to continue.

“Your Majesty, the main channel of the Yellow River will return to the north, and it is planned to flow into the sea from the four original Yellow River channels: Daqing River, Nantu River, Ma River, and Beitu River. Two of the four channels are entirely in Shandong, and the other two are also partially in Shandong.

Dushui Temple predicts that two-thirds of the river water will be used for irrigation in Shandong, which is a great thing for us,” Chen Dake continued.

“Shandong is short of water. In addition to the huge amount of water used in farmland, it also needs to support the canal water to ensure smooth transportation. Since the establishment of the country, in order to compete for water sources with the canal, various places in Shandong have fought with the Caodinghe Army many times, and countless disputes have been caused every year.

Fortunately, in the 43rd year of Jiajing’s reign, the imperial court opened up sea transportation, and the pressure on water transport was suddenly reduced a lot, and a portion of the water could be allocated to us in Shandong every year.

Unfortunately it’s still far from enough.

Water for farming is very scarce, and building factories requires a lot of water. I don’t have the courage to ask the emperor for a project. I just want to ask the emperor and the cabinet to give Shandong more support in agriculture.”

Chen Dake finished his report sincerely.

The carriage was very quiet, with only the clanging sound of the iron wheels rubbing against the rails.

Zhu Yijun knew very well that Wang Zongzai and Chen Dake must have wanted to get some big projects from him first, and he had prepared a lot of information for this purpose.

It was only Wang Yi’e who launched a campaign in the capital to eliminate lazy and indolent government, and to oppose bureaucratic styles such as being out of touch with reality, engaging in fraud, and being stupid and incompetent.

The news had already spread across the country via telegram.

During his three-day inspection in Tianjin, Mingfa’s speech was also spread across the country through telegrams. Many of the contents of his speech echoed Wang Yi’e’s anti-bureaucratic style.

Wang Zongzai and Chen Dake were able to become the governor and provincial governor of Shandong, so they must have had a nose for officialdom. They felt that the previous plan was inappropriate and would most likely be refuted by themselves.

Once you leave a bad impression on yourself, your career will be in jeopardy.

Wang Zongzai and Chen Dake urgently changed the plan to demonstrate their governing philosophy and abilities from another angle.

But Zhu Yijun knew that he had to give warm praise to Wang Zongzai and Chen Dake.

No matter if they are loyal to their superiors, at least they know how to do things and what is good for the local area and the people. It’s just that the wind direction from above is not right, and they have to change with it for the sake of their own career prospects.

If they were to encounter someone like the Emperor, they would definitely come up with another plan.

What the superior likes, the subordinates will like even more. Sometimes it is very important for the superior to lead by example.

Zhu Yijun was delighted, and pointed at the two men and said to Xu Zhenming, “Mr. Rudong, these two are as hard-working as you are.”

Xu Zhenming smiled and nodded to the two of them kindly.

Zhu Yijun continued to say to Wang Zongzai and Chen Dake: “Your idea is very good and very practical. Are there any minerals in Shandong? Of course there are! But that amount is not enough compared to Taiyuan, Luanzhou, Fushun and Anshan.

You are right, Shandong’s biggest problem is water shortage. Agriculture can barely support itself, so where will the huge amount of water needed to build factories come from?

Stealing food from agricultural cultivation? Or taking water from people’s daily life?
Neither of these options is a good solution.”

Zhu Yijun nodded and continued to praise the two, “Your attitude is very good. You are not impatient for success, nor are you reckless and greedy for credit. You are down-to-earth and plan measures that benefit the country and the people based on reality.

Okay, not only the cabinet should strongly support this matter, but I should also strongly support it.

Mr. Rudong, you are in charge of agriculture. Shandong is willing to make great achievements in agriculture. You must help them.

If policies are needed, they should be given. This year, Sinong Temple’s agricultural planning can also be appropriately tilted towards Shandong, taking advantage of Shandong’s stable government and harmonious people to explore a way out.

There are many places in the Ming Dynasty that are short of water. Basically, the north is short of water, especially the northwest. What should we do if there is a lack of water and sufficient resources?
Let Shandong take the lead and blaze a new trail.”

“I obey your order.” Xu Zhenming responded honestly.

Zhu Yijun pointed at Wang Zongzai and Chen Dake and said, “I’ll give you a few ideas, too.”

When they heard this, they were overjoyed.

Everyone says that Yang Jinshui, the Minister of the Imperial Household, is the God of Wealth, but everyone in the court and the public knows that the real God of Wealth is the Emperor.

Many of Yang Jinshui’s brilliant ideas were given to him by the emperor.

Besides, would the Cabinet and the Supervisor of the Imperial Household have the nerve to just stand by and watch and not implement the ideas put forward by the Emperor?
Zhu Yijun said.

“You just work hard on agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery.

Have you heard about Nangong Ye’s vegetable basket project in Shuntian Prefecture? “

“In reply to your Majesty, we have studied it carefully and benefited greatly from it.”

“Yes, that’s right, we should learn more from others.

Nangongye’s vegetable basket project was very effective, but the population of the capital was still growing. In addition, Luanzhou and Qinhuangdao now have two million industrial workers, and Tianjin has developed into a light industrial center in North China, adding hundreds of thousands of workers.

These people also need to eat and have food. They have wages and benefits, which is called strong purchasing power in economics. Shandong is engaged in the food business of these millions of people.

Shandong not only puts effort into wheat, but also into vegetables, fruits, poultry eggs, pork, fish and shrimp, etc. It will build flour mills, vegetable and fruit planting bases, poultry egg pig and fish and shrimp breeding bases.

Then, relying on the rapid transportation of railways, fresh agricultural products can be supplied directly to millions of people in Tianjin, Jingji and Luanzhou.

Or reprocess agricultural products. Based on flour, poultry and eggs, vigorously develop the food industry. The Food Research Bureau has developed a variety of new foods to supply military rations.

Bread, cakes, ham, and various canned foods are not only made into finished products, but can also provide raw materials, such as flour and various edible oils, forming a whole industrial chain. “

Wang Zongzai and Chen Dake couldn’t help but show surprise on their faces.

The emperor is truly the God of Wealth of the Ming Dynasty. Just a few words from him can bring great benefits to Shandong.

He said a few words about the strategy for the industrial direction and asked the secretary sitting next to him to write it down. When it was sorted out, someone from the Secretariat of the Ministry of Internal Affairs would inform the Cabinet and Shandong.

At that time, they will also supervise the cabinet and Shandong to implement the emperor’s will and implement it as soon as possible.

Zhu Yijun changed the subject and asked with a smile, “I heard that there was quite a stir in your Shandong province during the recent spring provincial exam?”

(End of this chapter)