Jingming

Chapter 435 The No. [-] Yellow River Bridge in the World

"It spans hundreds of feet and is connected to thousands of ships! Now the largest bridge on the Yellow River in the world is no less than it was in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, right?"

Outside the west gate of Puzhou City, Shanxi Province, the Yellow River flows from north to south.Not far to the south is where the Wei River merges into the Yellow River.From there, go west directly to the city of Xi'an.

The name Xi'an Prefecture only came into existence from the time of Taizu.Just because during the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, that area was called Fengyuan Road, Taizu changed its name to Xi'an.

Now, several people who just came from Xi'an arrived at Pujin, west of Puzhou City, Shanxi Province, to cross the Yellow River in Xi'an, and saw the Pujin Bridge that has been repaired over the years.

The first bridge over the Yellow River in the world?
Facing the inquiry from his companion, a young scholar in his twenties smiled: "Iron is melted to cast oxen for piers, and iron is smelted to tie chains for cables. In terms of the amount of iron produced, how could it be so in the old days when Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty was at its peak? How can it be compared with today? I heard that during the Kaiyuan period in the past, the pig iron used to rebuild the Pujin Bridge was four-fifths of the annual output of the prosperous Tang Dynasty."

Now, these scholars all looked at the Pujin Bridge in front of them in amazement.

Such a place is naturally the best place to talk about the past and the present.

Showing his extensive knowledge, he told how it was the Spring and Autumn Period when there was the first bridge here.At that time, it was a floating bridge connected with bamboo ropes.However, the Yellow River has flood peaks in the summer and freezing floods in the winter. Repairs have to be made every year, which is a waste of people and money.

During the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, the real Pujin Bridge was built here.

For those who know a lot about Tao Lue, let me explain here why Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty spent so much time building Pujin Bridge.Li Tang emerged from Shanxi, and Puzhou was promoted to the central capital in the ninth year of Kaiyuan.If Chang'an changes and retreats to Zhongdu, then Shanxi can become the foundation for a comeback.

In addition, there were eighteen salt ponds in the Tang Dynasty. Among them, the salt ponds in Puzhou area produced tens of thousands of dendrobium salts every year, which was a strategic location for supplying Chang'an.As Pujin Ferry is a major crossing of the Yellow River, it is necessary to build a bridge in this strategic location, salt production area and important economic circulation area.

"It's true that Xuefu said this!" A scholar agreed with the 20-year-old man and said, looking at the Pujin Bridge today, "For more than two thousand years, even in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, it was rebuilt after the founding of the Ming Dynasty and destroyed by the wars of the Jin and Yuan Dynasties. The Pujin Bridge was connected to boats with iron chains and was still a pontoon bridge. Now this bridge hangs over the river. I really don’t know how to build it. Xuefu, you are from Shanxi, can you tell me in detail?"

"I'll talk about it while we're walking." The man called Xuefu smiled, "My sister married the Zhang family in Puzhou. Many families in Shanxi contributed to the renovation of Pujin Bridge."

A group of people crossed the Yellow River along the newly built Pujin Bridge.

For hundreds of years, the most eye-catching sights at both ends of the Kamado Bridge have been four giant iron bulls on each side.The iron chain across the water of the Yellow River is tied to the iron ox, and some boats are connected under the iron chain. This was the original appearance of the first bridge on the Yellow River in the world.

But now, the iron bulls on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are not the focus.The Iron Ox is still there, but there is a tall cement stone pier next to it, and there are iron pillars inside.The iron chain was hung from the top of the iron pillar to the bridge deck.

As for the bridge deck, although there are still iron cables and boats under it, it no longer extends all the way to the other side.Often there is a pier with a radius of several feet only about a hundred paces apart.

In the old days, pontoons were used as piles, with bridge decks on them, and they could not be very far from the water.Along the way, there are iron men, iron pillars, iron mountains, etc. to stabilize the center of gravity.

But now, under the bridge piers that are several feet in diameter, it can be seen that there is an iron boat.The inside and outside of this iron boat were both painted and coated with a layer of black material.The iron boat was connected again. It was first laid with iron plates, and then there was a cement stone pier mixed with iron bars in the middle. Then there were iron pillars reaching into the sky and iron chains hanging diagonally.On the pier formed by the iron boat, there are several thick iron anchors falling into the river from all directions.As a result, although the bridge piers still sway, it is not severe.

This is naturally because of the taller and stronger bridge piers on the sandbar that bisects the Yellow River, which holds the bridge deck to the left and right.

"What a great bridge!"

When we reached the sandbank, everyone couldn't help but sigh.

"How can such a huge pillar and many iron cables be transported here and erected?"

"I heard it's just an experimental bridge." The man named Xuefu explained again, "Datong has coal and iron, Huailai is an ordnance park, and Puzhou is a heavy industry park. It's not difficult to transport a lot of new iron here. When it is erected, there is also a pulley crane used for the dock. The main thing is these iron ropes."

He pointed at the iron cables extending from the top of the iron pillars of the bridge pier to both sides, and gradually stretched farther and farther: "I heard that this is something that has been studied for a long time in the Polytechnic Institute, and it has the magic of sharing the huge force. Although this Pujin New Bridge is more than ten thousand It weighs a kilogram, but with many physical mysteries, it is more stable than before. Don't you see that the bridge piers on the river are iron boats floating on water? Iron can float on the water, with anchors below to hold it in place, and piers above to hold it down. It does not sink, and those who see it are amazed.”

"It's really amazing..."

It is normal for wood to float on water. How can an iron ship float on water?
Some people say that it is probably because the wooden boat was covered with iron sheets, so that the wooden boat would not be easily damaged and would need to be repaired frequently.

Some people paid more attention to Huangming University and the Polytechnic Institute, and said that research has already been done, and they talked about new words such as density and buoyancy.

As a result, their topic changed again and they began to discuss next year's examination.

These people are all from Shanxi and Shaanxi.We went to Beijing together to study together, and now we have arrived in Shanxi first.

Puzhou is located at the southwest end of Shanxi Province, adjacent to Shaanxi Province.With the establishment of the Hetao Border Area, tracing the Yellow River from Puzhou to the Hetao, or going to Xuanning by road, has become the choice of many people in Guanzhong, Sichuan, Huguang, and Shaanxi.

There are both business travelers and ordinary people.

The new development in Puzhou is not only due to the emperor's recognition of the experimental renovation project of Pujin Bridge, but also due to the support of Shanxi merchants in recent years.

Starting from the earliest special treasury bonds, and then getting permission from border trade merchants, Shanxi merchants gradually became more and more famous.

Because Datong began to mine a large amount of coal and iron, and Puzhou had the foundation of the salt industry and papermaking industry, as well as the transportation advantages of the ancient ferry on the Yellow River, an industrial park was formed here.

"Beside the river, there are cattails and lotuses. There is a beautiful person, how can it be hurt?" Cattails are not only beautiful, but also a raw material for high-quality paper.Puzhou is named after the cattail grass, and the papyrus paper here has regained its vitality due to the prosperity of the printing industry.

And this young man named Xuefu was Wang Chonggu, the heir of the Wang family in Shanxi who was summoned by Tang Shunzhi to buy special national bonds.As the most promising young member of the Wang family to become an official, he first traveled to Hetao last year and visited Tang Shunzhi.Then he went to Shaanxi and met many "quasi-students", and then they made an appointment to go to Beijing together.

Not only did he go on a study tour, he also learned about the Wang family's business in Hetao, Shaanxi and even the border city of Xining in Qinggan-Gansu Border Region.

Now in Puzhou, his eldest sister is married to the Shen family here, and his second sister is married to the Zhang family here.

The Shen family and Zhang family in Puzhou are not simple either. They have always been salt merchants.Today, the salt business in Daming is handled by the Baoyan Bureau, and they still cooperate with it.

Even though the imperial court was under pressure from the construction of the Beijing-Guangzhou Straight Road, the Pujin Bridge was still rebuilt, which was naturally the appeal of these Shanxi merchant groups.

No, Puzhou City is more prosperous now.Shanxi merchants go here to Guanzhong, Qinggan, Sichuan, Yunnan, and the original Xuanda border trade business. Puzhou can become the starting point of trade routes.The Shen family and the Zhang family are now not only engaged in the salt industry, but are also involved in paper making, ironware, grain, cattle, sheep, and fur.

As half the host, Wang Chonggu brought his friends to Zhang's house.They are all future Jinshi seedlings, and it goes without saying that the Zhang family had a good reception. Wang Chonggu was invited to the backyard by his second sister and second brother-in-law.

"Uncle!" A boy of fourteen or fifteen years old saluted Wang Chonggu respectfully.

"Ziwei, I haven't congratulated you for your outstanding talent. Not bad." Wang Chonggu is only 11 years older than him, but now he looks very old-fashioned.

"Just a student, uncle, don't make fun of me. This time my uncle comes to Beijing to take the exam, he will definitely be on the gold list, and that is worthy of congratulations."

Wang Chonggu smiled and said nothing. His nephew had become famous at the age of seven, and he was young and mature.

This year, I became a student at the age of fifteen, which can be regarded as a successful first step in my scientific career.

Of course, Wang Chonggu himself was already a candidate, and he was determined to win this time.

At this time, Wang Chonggu's second brother-in-law Zhang Yunling revealed the purpose of inviting Wang Chonggu to the backyard: "Xuefu, among the scholars who came with you this time, are there any who have good family backgrounds and talents and are not yet married? Siwei's sister I am now sixteen, Your Majesty, I am no longer a member of the Zhang family. Let me see if I can help..."

Zhang Siwei looked at his father helplessly. Was this the reason?Then why did you call yourself here?
"...Brother-in-law, although I have a reputation as a talented person, I come from a businessman's family after all. Most of the friends I have made friends with along the way are not from official families. In my opinion, with the current wealth of the Zhang family, the person we should look for cannot still be a businessman. "

Wang Chonggu's background is determined by his background, and most of the friends he can make now are also from this background.

A real official family and a scholarly family cannot become true friends with him, at least the brief contact during the friendship is not enough for them to make a decision and have a heart-to-heart relationship with him.

He knew what his sister and brother-in-law were struggling with. Although there were one or two other people from poor backgrounds who were talented, Wang Chonggu felt that they were not suitable.

"Sister, brother-in-law, you don't need to worry. I am going to Beijing, and I will pay attention after entering Beijing. With the current status of the Zhang family, and the upbringing of Yu Chan, why worry about not finding a good family? "

"Just keep it in mind." Zhang Yunling was happy, and then said, "Siwei also has a life experience. During these few days, you and your friends should give him some guidance."

"That's natural."

Wang Chonggu and Zhang Siwei, the uncles and nephews, then led Wang Chonggu and other friends to travel around Puzhou.

The Pujiu Temple near Pujin Bridge is now even more prosperous due to the deliberate promotion of the Song Yi Department. There is a scene in "The Romance of the West Chamber" where Zhang Sheng meets Cui Yingying by chance.

According to legend, Puzhou was also the capital of Emperor Shun.

Today, Puzhou has also prospered due to the development of industry and commerce in the Ming Dynasty, and the city and outside are bustling with activity.

Zhang Siwei was a local, wanted to make friends with his seniors, and was a well-known local "prodigy". His deliberate performance was naturally praised by other scholars.

Isn’t that what happens among scholars?Fame can gradually be brought to Beijing.

At this time, another tall and tall man also came to Puzhou. He wanted to take the land route here and go to Guihua City.

Before entering Beijing to participate in next year's martial arts examination, he was recommended by the Sichuan Army Chief and was going to Guihua City to visit the Hetao Border District Chief Army Officer, Pinghu Hou Ji Weimin.

Ji Weimin had stayed in Sichuan, so Liu Xian naturally knew him.

Liu Xian, also 26 years old, walked alone from Nanchang, Jiangxi to Sichuan.After so many years, he already has a martial arts status.

But for now, he's still a nobody.Although he was appointed as a small lieutenant under the Sichuan General Military Officer and led a hundred-man team, after the military reform, the hinterland provinces were already very quiet and there was not much possibility of making achievements.

If you want to make some achievements, you can only continue to take the exam again.Only after passing the martial arts examination and going to the border area did I have a chance.

Liu Xian didn't plan to stay in Puzhou for long, so he went to Tongyi Bureau Posthouse outside the city the next day.

Nowadays, almost every post house in Tongyi Bureau has become a small town.

In addition to hotels, restaurants, and tea shops, there are also horse and carriage shops.

Liu Xian had no official mission this time. He was traveling in a private capacity to prepare for the exam in Beijing, so he had to pay for it himself.

"Going to Guihua City?" The employee at Tongyi Bureau Puzhou Station raised his head behind the counter, "Puzhou does not have a direct carriage to Guihua City. Please take me to Shuozhou and transfer there."

"Shuozhou?" Liu Xian thought for a moment, "That's fine."

Tongyi Bureau also operates horse-drawn carriage routes between different stations. The price is not expensive and Liu Xian can afford it.

If you have a lot of money, the best way is to rent a horse and go there by yourself along the post road.But Liu Xian didn't know how he grew up in Sichuan. He won the martial arts examination and was recruited into the Sichuan army. Now he doesn't have much money saved.

Chief Meng thought highly of him, and although he gave him thirty silver dollars as a financial aid, the money would have to be used at least until next year's martial arts examination, so Liu Xian naturally did not dare to waste it.

Going to the capital would cost even more.

The "shuttle bus" to Shuozhou is not available immediately.Unlucky, Liu Xian had to wait two days for the horse-drawn carriage train that came every three days.

With nothing to do, he arrived at the dock at Pujin Ferry and prepared to work as a laborer for two days, just as he had done when he was a child.

The boats on the Yellow River are not big, and this Pujin Ferry is not like Guangzhou, Ningbo or the docks on the canal, which have used pulley cranes on a large scale.

Laborers still have a job here.

While moving goods, you can also hear some things in the conversations of others.

"I heard that the Zhang family, Shen family and many other owners who have a lot of goods at the dock are now urging the government to use pulley cranes." Taking advantage of the break in busy work, a laborer sat there and moved his arms, saying , "With that thing, we laborers only need to keep [-]%. One side is on the shore, and the other side is on the boat. I don't know how long we can last for this meal."

"If you can't go to the Hetao, my boss and the others also bought a lot of fields there. The Tatars only know how to herd sheep, not farm."

"Speaking of the Loop, I heard that there are many more Tatar women than men there now. Maybe you can find a Tatar wife."

"You're not afraid of dirtying your ancestors' seeds!"

"Students have said that there are three types of unfilial piety, and the worst is not having an heir. Isn't it better than being a bachelor all your life?"

"You kid, if you had kept more of the money you saved through hard work and gone to the theater less to listen to plays, you would have been dissing your mother-in-law a long time ago!"

"Hey! If you say that, let me tell you about the figure of Miss Cui from Puyun Society..."

Liu Xian listened to their discussion silently, thinking about the situation in Sichuan.

Your Majesty has been implementing the new law for so many years, and the lives of ordinary people are indeed better than what I remembered when I was a child.

But those who plow the fields still plow the fields, and those who make a living still make a living.Although there are many more opportunities for ordinary people in the corvee procurement, primary and secondary schools, and enterprises, how can they compare with the benefits that the wealthy households of the gentry and gentry can enjoy?

On the one hand, wealthy officials, gentry, and wealthy households also had to pay taxes and taxes.But on the other hand, because they have a wider network, they can earn more.

Buying land, hiring people to farm, and evading taxes and servitude, the money is really nothing compared to the profit from the provincial government's corvee purchase now. What's more, buying land can still be done, as long as you pay it in a regular manner. If you pay the tax, then don’t evade the tax every year in the future.

Nowadays, "Ming Pao" has taught farming experience and skills for many years. After taking many measures, such as iron farm tools, fertilizers, and improved seeds, the crops that can be harvested in the fields have increased, but the fixed taxes have not increased with it, and the accounts can be settled.

On the other hand, since the Ministry of Rites and Communication established the Department of Folk Arts six years ago, there have been more miscellaneous books in various places, more theaters and theaters, and more storytellers in teahouses.Ordinary people's lives are a little better, but they spend more on these aspects.

Although more and more primary schools are being built in each county, where you can drink milk and eat meat once every three to five days, and the tuition is not expensive, the better-run private schools are still run by some officials and gentry together.And even if ordinary people have good children, after they have achieved success in primary school or middle school, they still need to prepare a lot of money to take the imperial examination or the Jinshi examination. After all, they have to concentrate on studying.

However, the family's modest financial resources, the dazzling array of clothes, crafts, and listening to books, operas, and music in the city have actually made many families who have given birth to good children regret not saving more money.

It is indeed good for students to be able to make a living in the government, but with Liu Xian's current experience, he can naturally see hidden worries.

On the pier, a group of well-dressed scholars came over.The employer who hired Liu Xian today hurriedly came over to greet him, bending down to please him: "Master, Mr. Wang, the boat is ready."

"Okay." The leader smiled and said to the others, "Now the post roads are extending in all directions. Since everyone was interested, they went up the river together, went to the fortress to the south of the Yangtze River to see the border, and then to Datong. Governor Tang Taiwan is always willing to support young people, and I have taken the liberty to write to you and introduce you. Unfortunately, I have something to do at home, so I need to go back to Taiyuan first, so I will ask you to take good care of Ziwei. We will meet again in Datong during the Mid-Autumn Festival in August."

"It's a pity that scholars can't travel together."

"My father has called me, so I dare not not return. Have a safe journey, Ziwei. Please ask your elders for advice along the way."

"Uncle, don't worry."

At the dock, these people boarded the passenger ship.Liu Xian saw many servants and maids, carrying burdens or boxes, and got on the boat to serve them.

Liu Xian had moved a lot of cargo on this boat before.There is wine, food, fresh vegetables, dried meat, as well as pen, ink, paper and inkstones.

It turns out that it is just for these scholars to have fun along the way.

He knew that behind his employer was the Zhang family in Puzhou, and silently watched the boat leave the dock of Pujin Ferry.

After seeing them off, his boss came to Li Gong again: "Get up, get up. There will be a shipment of goods later, and they are all the high-quality papyrus that the Zhang family in Zhangqiu, Shandong Province wants. Be careful when loading the ship. Don't scratch the tung oil paper."

While he was talking, a motorcade was already coming noisily outside.

The shopkeeper came over and greeted the other shopkeeper who got out of the car.

"Shopkeeper Peng, please go to the paper factory to see it in person. Don't worry now."

The shopkeeper nodded a little arrogantly: "If your Zhang family's papyrus paper is easy to use, since we are from the same sect, we will use it more in the future."

"Don't worry, Shopkeeper Peng, it will definitely be useful!" Liu Xian's boss bowed repeatedly, "This year's Longevity Ceremony, your uncle also has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, right? If you need any help from our master, just ask."

"That's not necessary." Shopkeeper Peng chuckled, "The Department of Folk Arts naturally has a heavy responsibility, but how important is His Majesty's Longevity Ceremony? Although I have always been trusted by Your Majesty, this matter was handled by Yan Guolao himself. Do I need to worry about it?"

"Shopkeeper Peng's words are obvious. Mr. Yan Guolao and Director Li are naturally busy with big things, but there are always some small things. We can help with them..."

The two of them walked towards the pavement of the dock as they talked. Liu Xian then just moved the cowhide boxes filled with paper.In order to be waterproof, the outside is also sealed with a layer of tung oil paper.

He heard Yan Guolao and Director Li in his heart, and his heart trembled.

That was of course Yan Song, and Li Kaixian, who had been a bachelor's student in the royal study and was now the director-general of the Department of Folk Arts.

Is that shopkeeper Peng from Li Kaixian's father-in-law's family?
The prince whom the Zhang family in Puzhou calls is the uncle of their young master, and has contacts with Tang Shunzhi, the Marquis of Jingbian.The Zhang family's business also has dealings with the father-in-law's family, who is the head of the Folk Art Department.

Officials and businessmen...Liu Xian quietly worked hard.

The Ming Dynasty is indeed very different from the past. The lives of ordinary people are better, but some things have never changed.

In fact, businessmen are no longer looked down upon as they were in the past, and the exchanges between officials and businessmen have become closer.

Liu Xian is just a martial artist, he doesn't have to worry about this.

He couldn't understand this either.

While carrying his goods, someone suddenly ran to the dock and shouted in panic: "It's not good! It's not good! The iron boat on one of the piers of Pujin Bridge has broken, and three iron cables have been torn! If the bridge If it collapses, I'm afraid there will be a big disaster! Zhizhou is destined, and all the dock workers will go to help!"

Liu Xian looked over there in shock.

For such a large project, haven't these eventualities been taken into consideration?Or did the people who originally supervised and organized it cut corners?

He couldn't think too much about the matter. Soon, an officer came over on horseback and urgently recruited dock workers to make emergency repairs.

When he arrived in front of Liu Xian, Liu Xian stepped forward and said: "Lieutenant Liu Xian, the commander-in-chief of the Sichuan Army, I will lead the laborers on the dock to work together."

The officer looked at him dressed like a hard worker on the dock and saw his calm demeanor. He hesitated for a moment and nodded: "Okay! Follow the emergency and get to the bridge as soon as possible!"

(End of this chapter)