The Wei River appeared to be an ordinary river on the surface, but Han Mo happened to know what that simple name represented.
The Wei River's predecessor was essentially the Yongji Canal of the Grand Canal during the Sui Dynasty, built upon Cao Cao's excavation of the Baigou, connecting some natural rivers and old Yellow River courses.
After repairs over successive dynasties, it was essentially not an empty boast that all waters north of the Yellow River in Hebei and Hedong circuits that did not flow into the sea all flowed into the Wei River.
Among the main tributaries on the west bank of Neihuang, the Qi River and the Huan River both originated from the Taihang Mountains. Their sources were short and their currents rapid. Whenever the flood season arrived, the entire Neihuang county would suffer.
However, the problem was that a complete solution was not something a single prefecture or county could handle.
The entire Great Song Dynasty, before the Zhezong Emperor's reign, might still have had the opportunity and ability to carry out such large-scale water conservancy projects.
After Emperor Huizong ascended the throne, the entire Great Song Dynasty's annual total revenue was not enough for Emperor Huizong and his parasites to eat, drink, and play. Where would the money come from for such things?
"My lord, actually, if you intended to repair it, it might not require much money and grain. Since the spring, there has been insufficient rainfall. Little..."
Just as Han Mo was troubled, a man in his forties suddenly spoke in a low voice.
However, his words were cut off by someone beside him before he could finish.
"Who are you?"
Although it was just a simple question, it piqued Han Mo's curiosity.
"My lord, he's talking nonsense, don't listen to his rambling!"
Several village elders who followed him quickly stood in front of him.
"No, I observe that he is not speaking randomly. What is your name?"
Han Mo was not so easily fooled and immediately saw the extraordinary in this man.
"My lord, your humble servant is named Gao Zhuo, with the courtesy name Zhiyao!"
"Gao Zhiyao?"
Just by his self-introduction, Han Mo immediately looked at him with new eyes.
After all, in this era, anyone who could give themselves a courtesy name had at least studied for a few years.
Ordinary people were busy with their daily lives and had no time to waste on such matters.
"Your humble servant is here!"
"Continue what you were saying!"
Seeing the smile on Han Mo's face, Gao Zhiyao seemed to have genuinely gained confidence.
"My lord, please look at this hydrological map of Neihuang County that I have drawn!"
After speaking, Gao Zhiyao directly took out a scroll from his sleeve.
"Did you draw this yourself?"
With just a cursory glance, Han Mo's pupils constricted.
In later generations, this kind of thing might be dropped on the street without anyone paying much attention.
But in this era, this simple hydrological map was truly astonishing.
"Yes! Within Neihuang County, there are a total of thirteen river sections that require large-scale repairs. Other places, although they appear dangerous, will be fine if this year's flood season does not exceed previous years!"
"Are these the places you marked in red?"
Han Mo carefully examined the locations on the map and realized that where he was standing seemed to be one of them.
"That's right! These places need major repairs, otherwise, once the flood comes, these areas are very likely to breach directly!"
"Have you studied?"
Han Mo looked at him again.
"Your humble servant's ancestors were involved in Yellow River conservancy work. Later, by the grace of officials, they became a Du Shui Jian Cheng (Director of Water Conservancy), but later declined..."
"Your surname is Gao? You were once a Du Shui Jian Cheng, could you be Gao Chao, who invented the Three-Stage Embankment Method?"
Han Mo suddenly recalled this name, as this person was too famous.
His method had been used by successive dynasties in later generations.
"My, my lord knows?"
Gao Zhiyao's entire body trembled. He truly did not expect Han Mo to know about his ancestor.
"Not only do I know, your grandfather invented the Three-Stage Embankment Method, which is still in use today. Without this method, not only would Shanghu Port have suffered countless casualties, but the losses from Yellow River breaches in the following years would have at least multiplied tenfold! Please accept my bow on behalf of your ancestor!"
After speaking, Han Mo meticulously adjusted his robes, took half a step back, and then bowed again.
"My, my lord..."
Han Mo's actions truly startled him, as Han Mo was a legitimate scholar.
Gao Chao, on the other hand, was just an ordinary river worker, a mere insignificant figure in the river defense camp at that time.
Even after inventing the Three-Stage Embankment Method and receiving the grace of Emperor Renzong, becoming a minor Du Shui Jian Cheng later, in the eyes of true scholars, he was still just a "mud leg."
Han Mo's bow today almost made Gao Zhiyao cry.
"This bow is accepted on behalf of your ancestor; you need not be concerned. You mentioned earlier that it would not cost much money and grain. Do you have something specific in mind?"
"Your humble servant has written all the proposed remedies in this small booklet. Please have a look, my lord!"
After speaking, Gao Zhiyao directly took out a thin booklet from his sleeve and handed it to Han Mo.
Han Mo looked at him deeply before reaching out to accept it.
There were no Confucian sayings or flowery words, only simple and straightforward text. Yet, what was written there made Han Mo's eyes light up.
However, after carefully reading it through, Han Mo's brow furrowed again. The method was good, but it was still not something a mere county magistrate could accomplish.
After all, the Wei River flowed not only through the small Neihuang County. To fundamentally solve the Wei River problem, the main focus had to be on the two tributaries, the Huan River and the Qi River.
"A fundamental solution cannot be achieved at present. However, following your method, repairing the riverbanks is still worth a try. I just don't know how much money and grain this would cost?"
The crux of the matter, in the end, still came down to the issue of money and grain.
After all, the funds that could be mobilized within Neihuang County were very limited.
Han Mo still had many plans to implement. If he used up all the money he had on hand, it would be almost impossible to rely on the imperial court for further allocations.
Moreover, the richness of the treasury was an important indicator in assessing an official's performance. He did not want to leave an empty shell for his successor.
"If we follow this method, it would likely cost at least five hundred thousand strings of cash!"
Gao Zhiyao hesitated for a moment before quietly stating.
The budget of five hundred thousand strings of cash for repairing riverbanks startled Han Mo, as this was merely for a small county!
"Didn't you say it wouldn't require much money and grain?"
Han Mo frowned again.
"There is a method, but I fear, my lord, that you may not dare to use it..."