Brother Liang's image is a mountain, a mountain with countless rocks and ravines.

Liang Shanbo pondered for a moment and replied, "Both of your questions, my good brother, are excellent. I will answer the first one first. When Emperor Wu of Han was controlling the Yellow River, he sank a white horse and a jade disc to worship the river god; this was a continuation of an ancient ritual."

The *Zhou Li* (Rites of Zhou), in the section on the Grand Minister of Rites (Chun Guan), states: "Six jade objects are made to worship Heaven, Earth, and the four directions. A blue-green jade disc (bi) is used to worship Heaven; a yellow jade cong (cong) to worship Earth; a green jade gui (gui) to worship the East; a red jade zhang (zhang) to worship the South; a white jade hu (hu) to worship the West; and a black jade huang (huang) to worship the North."

Jade discs were used for offerings to Heaven, but they could also be used to worship mountains and rivers. As for using a white horse, it was because white belongs to metal, and metal generates water; using a white horse to worship the river god was a way of representing the mutual generation of the five elements.

Actually, the practice of offering a white horse and a jade disc to the river god was not an innovation first created by Emperor Wu of Han. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Ping of Jin, before crossing the Yellow River to attack Qi, swore an oath by sinking a jade disc. Even earlier, when Yu the Great was controlling the floods, he also offered a black jade disc to Heaven. Emperor Wu of Han's actions were merely a continuation of ancient rituals to show solemnity.

Zhu Yingtai listened intently.

Liang Shanbo continued, "As for the second question, what is a 'bamboo screed'? My dear brother, do you know what the most commonly used material was for controlling rivers and blocking breaches in ancient times?"

Zhu Yingtai pondered, "Is it soil and rocks?"

Liang Shanbo nodded: "Soil and stones are naturally commonly used. However, when blocking the breach, the water flow is rapid. If soil and stones are poured directly into the breach, they will be washed away by the water and it will be of no use."

Therefore, the ancients invented a method: first, they wove a huge cage-like structure out of bamboo and wood, or used bamboo as a frame and wood as stakes to make something called a "jian," which they then sunk into the breach to stabilize the riverbed. After that, they filled it with soil, stones, and firewood. In this way, the soil and stones would not be washed away by the water.

The phrase "the bamboo of Qiyuan was used to make bamboo stakes" means that because there was a shortage of firewood due to burning grass in Dongjun, Emperor Wu of Han ordered the bamboo of Qiyuan to be cut down and made into bamboo stakes to block the breach.

The bamboo of Qi Garden has been renowned since ancient times. The poem "Qi Ao" from the "Wei Feng" section of the Book of Songs uses the bamboo of Qi Garden as a metaphor to praise the virtue of Duke Wu of Wei. Emperor Wu of Han cut down the bamboo of Qi Garden to control the river, demonstrating the severity of the breach at Huzi, to the point that he was willing to destroy this thousand-year-old garden.

After hearing this, Zhu Yingtai stared at him blankly.

She had thought that if Brother Liang could answer even a little bit of this question, that would be quite good. After all, the "Book of Rivers and Canals" was not a popular chapter, and ordinary scholars rarely paid much attention to it when reading the "Records of the Grand Historian".

Brother Liang not only answered, but he answered in such detail and with such thoroughness. He talked about the Five Elements from the Rites of Zhou, from the Spring and Autumn Period to Emperor Wu of Han, and from the shape of bamboo stakes to the story of the bamboo in Qi Garden. Every detail has its source, and every story has its origin.

Zhu Yingtai couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Brother Liang, you even have such knowledge about water conservancy!"

Liang Shanbo laughed and said, "My dear brother, you flatter me. Water conservancy is a practical science that is related to the people's livelihood and the national economy, and it cannot be ignored. When Sima Qian wrote the Book of Rivers and Canals, he began by saying, 'I climbed Mount Lu in the south to observe Yu's dredging of the nine rivers, and then went to Kuaiji and Taihuang, ascended Gusu, and looked out over the Five Lakes; I looked east to Luorui and Dapi, met the Yellow River, and traveled the Huai, Si, Ji, Luo and Luo canals; I looked west to the Min Mountains and Lidui in Shu; and I went north from Longmen to Shuofang.' It can be seen that he personally investigated many places in order to write this book."

His voice deepened: "Why did Sima Qian personally conduct the investigation? Because he knew that when it comes to water conservancy, theoretical discussions alone are useless. One must personally observe the terrain and water flow, and personally walk along the ditches and embankments, to know where the water comes from, where it goes, where embankments should be built, and where canals should be dug. This is the spirit of 'seeking truth from facts'."

He gazed at Zhu Yingtai, his tone solemn: "My dear brother, we should approach our studies in the same way. It's not just about memorizing the words, but about understanding their spirit. When Sima Qian wrote the Records of the Grand Historian, he didn't just sit in his study copying old news; he traveled all over the world, conducted on-site investigations, personally interviewed elders, and gathered up lost and forgotten stories. That's how this 'masterpiece of historical writing, a lament without rhyme' came to be."

A sense of reverence welled up in Zhu Yingtai's heart.

It wasn't out of reverence for Sima Qian. She had long held that reverence for him.

It is out of respect for Brother Liang!

Brother Liang never reads books in a rote manner. He always manages to glean something alive from those texts written a thousand years ago. When he reads "Biographies of Merchants," he learns the way of the merchant; when he reads "Book of Rivers and Canals," he learns the spirit of seeking truth from facts.

How can one not admire Brother Liang?

She said sincerely, "Brother Liang, you're absolutely right. Yes, the process of Sima Qian writing the Records of the Grand Historian is itself a spirit, a spirit worthy of our learning."

A hint of shame flashed in her eyes: "When I read 'The Book of Rivers and Canals' today, I thought it was just some dry stuff about ditches and irrigation. If I hadn't remembered that Brother Liang said he wanted to learn practical subjects like water conservancy and agriculture, I probably would have just skimmed over it and not read it carefully. Now that Brother Liang has said this, I realize that there is so much knowledge and so many principles hidden in this book."

Liang Shanbo's gaze was gentle: "My dear brother, there's no need for shame. Reading is a gradual process. Today, you were able to find problems in the 'Book of Rivers and Canals' and were willing to ask me for guidance, which shows your dedication. If you read diligently over time, you will naturally be able to appreciate its meaning."

Zhu Yingtai nodded, and the corners of her mouth curved into a smile.

She glanced down at the notes on the paper again, then said, "Brother Liang, I have another question. At the end of the 'Treatise on Rivers and Canals,' Sima Qian wrote, 'I followed the firewood-carrying troops to the Xuanfang Pass, and, saddened by the poem 'The Gourd,' composed the 'Treatise on Rivers and Canals.' What is this poem 'The Gourd'?"

Liang Shanbo laughed and said, "Your question is quite timely. Just yesterday, I was reading the 'Treatise on Canals and Ditches' in the Book of Han, which contains the poem 'Hu Zi'. The poem 'Hu Zi' is a couple of poems written by Emperor Wu of Han at the breach in the Hu Zi dike. At that time, Emperor Wu of Han personally went to manage the river and ordered his officials to carry firewood to fill the river. Moved by the scene, he wrote these two poems."

Sima Qian was among the officials who were carrying firewood to fill the river at the time, and he personally heard Emperor Wu of Han reciting poetry. Moved by this, he wrote about it in the "Treatise on Rivers and Canals." However, these two poems are not found in the "Records of the Grand Historian," but they are in the "Treatise on Canals and Ditches" in the "Book of Han."

After a moment's thought, he recited the poem "Gourd".

"One of them reads: 'The gourd bursts its banks, what will become of it? The vast expanse of water, so abundant and turbulent, has become a river! Exhausted by the river, the land is never at peace; the work never ends, and my mountains are leveled. My mountains are leveled, the great fields overflow, fish boil and swell in the winter sun. The riverbed is widened, deviating from its usual course; dragons roam freely, wandering far and wide. Returning to the old river, how divine and abundant! Without performing the Fengshan ceremony, how can we know what lies beyond! I say to the River God, why are you so cruel? The floods never cease, causing sorrow to my people! Mulberry leaves float on the water, the Huai and Si rivers are full, and the waters have not returned for a long time, their flow slow and gentle.'"

The second poem reads: "The river flows swiftly and turbulently, its northward crossing murky and difficult to dredge. We gather long reeds and sink beautiful jade, but the River God grants our request, and the firewood is not provided. The firewood is not provided, the people of Wei are guilty; we burn desolate trees, alas, how can we control the water! We crumble the forest and bamboo, we secure the rocks and reefs, we proclaim the gates and seal them, may ten thousand blessings come."

After reciting it, he paused and said, "These two poems, the first one describes the disaster of the Yellow River breach and the suffering of the people; the second one describes the difficulty of controlling the river and the hope for success. Emperor Wu of Han, a great ruler, had no choice but to sacrifice jade to the gods, cut bamboo for stakes, and carry firewood with his ministers to fill the river when faced with the flood. Sima Qian personally experienced this, so he was deeply moved."

Zhu Yingtai listened quietly, feeling a deep sense of admiration.

Every time she thought she had a good understanding of Brother Liang's talent, he would always amaze her once again.

Brother Liang is like a mountain, with countless cliffs and valleys, and endless scenery.

And she often discovers new scenery in this mountain.

Looking at Liang Shanbo, she couldn't help but say, "Brother Liang, it is my honor to study with you."

Liang Shanbo replied, "My dear brother, it is my honor to study with you."

The two looked at each other and smiled.