The Yellow River in this era did not pass through Zhengzhou but turned north from Kaifeng.
In later generations, this river course was known as the Three Kingdoms Old Road.
Therefore, moving the capital to Zhengzhou did not require consideration of the hidden danger of Yellow River floods, as the river course had not changed at least until the Song Dynasty.
Li Shimin pondered Fang Er's proposal for a long time, and after a while, he finally made a decision.
Tomorrow I will fly to Zheng County, I want to go and see it myself!
Additionally, send a telegram to Chang'an, instructing the six ministers and the Censorate to send people to Zheng County to wait!
After giving these instructions, he turned and left.
Shortly after he left, Wang Xuance outside the door announced that Fang Yizhi had arrived.
The selected craftsmen had been arranged, and he had come because of Liu Ke's idea.
Fang Er looked at Liu Ke's rough drawing on the notebook, and Fang Yizhi explained Liu Ke's exact words beside him.
After listening, Fang Er smiled, closed the notebook, and handed it back.
For such matters, Fang Jiangzong could make decisions himself. He could allow Liu Ke to be detached from the firearm workshop, give him a separate room in the workshop, and assign him a few assistants, letting him ponder his ideas.
You should know that anyone can work on an assembly line, but very few craftsmen have ideas in their minds.
Only when there are many such people can the overall national strength of the Tang Dynasty be improved.
Therefore, from now on, all such matters will follow this precedent: provide people, provide money, provide materials!
This Duke is not afraid of spending money, but afraid that no one will ask for it!
Fang Yizhi was deeply moved by these words. If someone could have supported him so forcefully during the Ming Dynasty, he dared to guarantee that his achievements would have been far more than just those few books.
Duke Anguo is righteous! Fang will remember this, I bid you farewell!
In the afternoon, the news reached the workshop. Zhou Zhi came into the shed with his hands behind his back, looked around, and then spoke.
Liu Ke! Put down your work, your idea has been approved by the Duke, and you can choose four familiar colleagues as assistants!
Next to the large granary, a room has been prepared for you. From now on, you will ponder the bird-head pickaxe there.
Later, you can figure out what you need and submit a list.
The Duke said he is not afraid of you spending money on your work, but afraid you don't have the ability to spend it. After the work is done, there will be generous rewards!
Liu Ke had been regretting being the first to speak, never expecting happiness to come so quickly. Zhou Zhi's words left him stunned on the spot, unable to react for a moment.
What are you still standing there for, quickly express your gratitude!
A fellow worker beside him nudged him gently with a screwdriver on his back, and Liu Ke finally came to his senses.
Thank you, Master Zhou, thank you, Duke. I will do my best to produce the bird-head pickaxe!
He bowed deeply to Zhou Zhi in excitement, then turned around and called out four of his closer colleagues from the assembly line, leaving the shed and heading towards the large granary.
The bird-head pickaxe task force was officially established!
Those who had mocked him before, watching the five figures depart, could not help but show envy in their eyes.
The leader of the pickaxe team, who was joking, actually spoke it into reality?
Fang Er was completely unaware of these matters, and even if he knew, he would not pay attention to them. Opportunities always go to those who are prepared, and the lazy can only watch opportunities slip away.
The next morning, the helicopter departed from the Duke's mansion and flew towards Zheng County.
Ma Zhou, Yuan Tiangang, and Li Chunfeng were all summoned by Li Shimin and accompanied him southward.
Ma Zhou's abilities had already been recognized by Li Shimin, and this trip was considered his first time accompanying the emperor.
As for Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng, it was because of their Taoist identities that the new capital's location still required geomancy as a reference.
The gas stations along the route from Shenyang to Bianzhou had already been set up. As everyone discussed the railway under construction in sections, they unknowingly passed through Zhizhou.
Continuing forward from Zhizhou was Xiuwu, and further ahead, the mighty Yellow River could be seen. Across the river, on the other side, was Yangwu County in Bianzhou Prefecture.
On the wide river surface, two rows of sturdy bridge piers stood securely in the river, connecting both banks of the Yellow River.
On both sides of the Yellow River, two cement pillars, even thicker than the bridge piers, were erected, connected by steel cables in the middle. From the steel cables hung safety ropes, tied to the waists of the craftsmen to prevent them from falling into the river.
Under these conditions, the craftsmen worked suspended in the air.
The scene was incredibly spectacular. Li Shimin, upon seeing this, requested the plane to land for a closer look.
The sound of the propellers had already attracted the attention of the craftsmen below. When they landed, a group of people surrounded them. Leading them was Hao Jianshe from China Construction First Bureau.
He had seen Li Shimin before. After recognizing the group of people getting off the plane, he hurried over to pay his respects.
Your subordinate Hao Jianshe greets His Majesty!
Those behind him also quickly paid their respects.
Greetings, Your Majesty!
You may be excused!
Li Shimin extended his hand with a smile to help them up and then pointed to the craftsmen still working and asked, Tell me, what is the progress of this great bridge?
Hao Jianshe pulled someone from behind him: Your Majesty, the matter of bridge construction has always been the responsibility of Li Chun. Let him tell you.
Li Chun? Fang Er looked at him upon hearing the name.
Li Chun wore the standard uniform of China Construction First Bureau, his trouser legs were covered in mud, he wore straw sandals, and a hammer was tucked at his waist. His height was not remarkable, and his appearance was aged. His hands were covered in rough calluses, but his eyes were bright and spirited.
He first bowed.
Your subordinate Li Chun greets Your Majesty and Duke.
There is one matter that needs to be communicated to the Duke first. The previously estimated dimensions were incorrect, and I made some changes. I hope the Duke will not mind.
It's alright, it's alright. You are the expert in bridge building, you handle it as you see fit. Fang Er waved his hand, indicating he did not mind.
An outsider directing an insider is a great taboo!
He appointed Li Chun to oversee the bridge construction because he himself did not understand. How could he be bothered by such a thing?
Li Chun felt reassured and led the group towards the riverbank, explaining the situation of the bridge as they walked.
The previously designed bridge piers were found to have insufficient strength after testing, and their number was too dense, which could easily cause siltation, so changes were made.
The current bridge abutments and foundations all adopt two reinforced concrete pipe piles with a diameter of 3.6 meters, with a penetration depth of about 30 meters.
The abutments are built directly on the pipe piles, connected by crossbeams at the top to form a portal frame. The total weight of the steel structure of the entire bridge is tens of thousands of tons, and the concrete usage is fifty thousand cubic meters.
All the bridge piers have now been completed, and a small portion of the bridge deck paving has also been done. It is expected to be operational by the end of the year.