19GuoShoujingUndertakingWaterConservancy

1、Guo Shoujing Undertaking Water ConservancyAD 1251 Xingzhou City, Hebei Province. On the approximately 10-meter-high gate tower of Xingzhou City, some bricks in the wall were weathered or mossy due to erosion by the wind.Outside the gate tower was a lonely ancient path which winded its way to the dis

2、tance with yellow sands roaring in the air and a few people passing by occasionally.of water conservation.The official was Zhang Wenqian, an imperial court official in chargeIn the northern suXbinugrzbhofu, there was abridge mired in morass for many years. Nowadays, His Majesty is undertaking water

3、conservation methods to connect the north and south.We must find the bridge foundation of the broken bridge and fix it. The one who finds the specific location will be rewarded with fifty taels of silver, ” said Zhang Wenqian.When hearing this considerable reward, all people burst into an uproar, wh

4、ispering and discussing.A man murmured, “ Iheard the bridge was damaged after the warand no one knowsof its position anymore.Its no use saying any more”, another man replied,I bet youno luck to enjoy the reward. But I know that if the bridge foundation is found, a new bridge can be built, is it righ

5、t?Yeah, that s right! ” Severaolepde.ople echAt this point, a young man stood out and said with confidence:I know where it is!Really,are you sure? ”the official stared at this young manhesitantly, not believing he would know.The young man recognized what the official was thinking, “Yes, Sir.It is at

6、 the place three miles westward from here.As surprised as the official, all people were looking at him suspiciously.Sir, dear fellows! My name is Guo Shoujing. I am willing to helpyou find the bridge foundation to benefit society, for free!”Hey! Young one, tell us how you know the location of the br

7、idgefoundation, ” someone asked.That esasy! I have carefully explored the upstream anddownstream terrain of the river. From upstream to downstream, if there was once a stone bridge, it would certainly have an effect on the terrain.As long as we constantly compare the changes of the address and flow,

8、 the bridge foundation can be found!Wow!”People exclaimed with great admiration. That was not aneasy thing. It called for professional knowledge on water conservancy!As expected, the bridge foundation was dug out by the official ofXingzhou at the position pointed out by Guo Shoujing three days later

9、.Guo Shoujing revealed his remarkable talent in water conservancy when he was just twenty. Zhang Wenqian was thirsty for talent and tookGou Shoujing in as an apprentice.Zhang Wenqian took Guo Shoujing for field study and then sketched and made comparisons on a map. Zhang Wenqian was very fond of thi

10、s apprentice and couldnt wait to pass on all his knowledge to him.Guo Shoujing knsowledge and abilities improved rapidly for his diligence and the generosity of his teacher.In AD 1262, the aged Zhang Wenqian recommended Guo Shoujing to Kublai Khan, the Emperor Shizu of Yuan Dynasty. Since then, GuoS

11、houjing had started his official career and became an expert in water conservation and the pillar of the state.In the audience hall of the Great Capital of the Yuan Dynasty, the aged Zhang Wenqian in court dress took his apprentice Guo Shoujing who also dressedthe official costume to have an audienc

12、e with KublaiKhan, the Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty.Zhang Wenqian reported:Your Majesty, I have a favourite pupil, atalented young man who has the unique understanding on water conservancy. I especially recommend him to you to serve the court.Seated solemnly on the throne with a heroic spirit,

13、Kublai Khan looked into Guo Shoujing eyses, expecting to test his talent and hear some excellent plans.GuoShoujing, water conservancy is closely bound up with thepeople livses in our court. Do you have any excellent plan? ”KublaiKhan asked in a sonorous and dignified voice.Yes, Your Majesty! I have

14、six proposals at present: first, renovatethe grain transporting river channel from Zhongdu (now known asBeijing) to Tongzhou (now known as Tongxian County); second,Shoujing replied eloquently.Guo Shoujing delivered a stack of materials to a eunuch who respectfully presented them to Kublai Khan.Kubla

15、i Khan attentively leafed through the materials and laughed:You are really a talent! Zhang Wenqian recommended a young talent to me. I will put you in an important position. Guo Shoujing, I appoint you10as the Supervisor of Rivers and Canals to take charge of rebuilding andmanaging the rivers and ca

16、nals throughout the country. But you shouldcomplete the Tongzhou Canal in Tongzhou to widen my vision.Guo Shoujing hurried to kneel down and expressed his thanks to theemperor:Thank you, Your Majesty. I will try my betsto complete thismission.GuoShoujing rode off on the paths among mountains with hi

17、sattendants to carefully survey all the transport roads from Tongzhou toZhongdu.In the dim candlelight, Guo Shoujing and Zhang Wenqian wereexcitedly discussing the construction scheme at a table.Guo Shoujing reported to his teacher in detailed, simplebutprofound words, with his hands pointing on the

18、 map now and then.Zhang Wenqian nodded and stroked his white beard:Shoujing, I amtoo old now. You can be bold to do whatever you want and I willusegreat strength to support you! I think your scheme is feasible. Donothesitate. Just draw this stream of spring into the Gaoliang River.Hundreds of worker

19、s were busy excavating the canal in the valley.Some were carrying stones with wheelbarrows and some were removingsilts.Come on, everybody! The spring in Yuquan Mountain will be dugout soon! ” Guo Shoujing yelled.In the canal at the shady face of Shijing Mountain in West Beijing heaped numerous stone

20、swith different sizes. The stream was too small and shallow for navigation. One year had passed by this moment, and the project had failed.Guo Shoujing was so anxious that his young face looked much older and silver hairs began to appear on his head.Guo Shoujing came to Zhang Wenqian and said with s

21、hame:TeacherI, have studied that insufficient water is the reason for the failure. I plan to take advantage of the river channel of the Jin Dynasty to draw the water of Hunhe River and open a distributary channel back toDonHunhe River. ”Zhang Wenqian looked at his apprentice with appreciation:afraid

22、 of failure and dont be discouraged. I will ask for instructions fromHis Majesty. ”However, Guo Shoujing got new troubles after solving the flow problem: because the slope of the channel was too steep and the flow wastoo strong, the huge grain ships couldnt go upstream without the controlof a water

23、gate. As a result, the excavation of the Tongzhou Canal failedfor the second time.At that moment, Zhang Wenqian was completely bedridden forweakness. Seeing Guo Shoujing crestfallen, he said weakly:Take itShoujing. You can begin construction after the experience is summed upand the plan becomes matu

24、red. Well, its a pity I cyoouuld. nYout helpshall rely on your own efforts.Pleasebe assured, I will keep your words in mind, ”said GuoShoujing, with tears trickling down his cheeks.In 1291, Guo Shoujing proposed the third scheme to Kublai Khan.Kublai Khan, seated in the throne, complained with dignifiedexpression: “ Shoujing,it is the third time you have applied to me forexcavating the canal. If you fail again, what punishment do you think youdeserve? ”Guo Shoujing knelt down and said: “ YourMajesty. If I fail again,I m willing