Volume 83 Treatises 59: Rivers and Canals 1

黃河上

The Yellow River, Part One

黃河，自唐以前，皆北入海。宋熙寧中，始分趨東南，一合泗入淮，一合濟入海。金明昌中，北流絕，全河皆入淮，元潰溢不時，至正中受害尤甚，濟甯、曹、鄆間，漂沒千餘里。賈魯為總制，導使南，匯淮入海。

Before the Tang dynasty, the Yellow River flowed north into the sea. During the Xining period of the Song, the river first split and turned southeast: one branch joined the Si River to enter the Huai, and another joined the Ji River to reach the sea. In the Mingchang era of the Jin dynasty, the northern channel dried up and the whole river entered the Huai. Under the Yuan it burst its banks repeatedly; during the Zhizheng reign the devastation was especially severe, with more than a thousand li between Jining, Cao, and Yan submerged. Jia Lu was appointed overall commissioner and diverted the river southward, channeling it through the Huai to the sea.

明洪武元年決曹州雙河口，入魚臺。徐達方北征，乃開塌場口，引河入泗以濟運，而徙曹州治於安陵。塌場者，濟寧以西、耐牢坡以南直抵魚臺南陽道也。八年，河決開封太黃寺堤。詔河南參政安然發民夫三萬人塞之。十四年決原武、祥符、中牟，有司請興築。帝以為天災，令護舊堤而已。十五年春，決朝邑。七月決滎澤、陽武。十七年決開封東月堤，自陳橋至陳留橫流數十里。又決杞縣，入巴河。遣官塞河，蠲被災租稅。二十二年，河沒儀封，徙其治於白樓村。二十三年春，決歸德州東南鳳池口，逕夏邑、永城。發興武等十衛士卒，與歸德民並力築之。罪有司不以聞者。其秋，決開封西華諸縣，漂沒民舍。遣使振萬五千七百餘戶。二十四年四月，河水暴溢，決原武黑洋山，東經開封城北五里，又東南由陳州、項城、太和、潁州、潁上，東至壽州正陽鎮，全入於淮。而賈魯河故道遂淤。又由舊曹州、鄆城兩河口漫東平之安山，元會通河亦淤。明年復決陽武，汜陳州、中牟、原武、封丘、祥符、蘭陽、陳留、通許、太康、扶溝、杞十一州縣，有司具圖以聞。發民丁及安吉等十七衛軍士修築。其冬大寒，役遂罷。三十年八月決開封，城三面受水。詔改作倉庫於滎陽高阜，以備不虞。冬，蔡河徙陳州。先是，河決，由開封北東行，至是下流淤，又決而之南。

In the first year of the Hongwu reign, the river broke through at Shuanghekou in Caozhou and flowed into Yutai. While Xu Da was campaigning in the north, he opened Takouchang, diverted the river into the Si to support the grain transport, and relocated the Caozhou administrative seat to Anling. Takouchang was the channel west of Jining and south of Nailaopo, running directly to the Nanyang route in Yutai. In the eighth year, the river broke through the dike at Taihuangsi in Kaifeng. The emperor ordered An Ran, vice commissioner of Henan, to mobilize thirty thousand laborers to seal the breach. In the fourteenth year the river broke out at Yuanwu, Xiangfu, and Zhongmu, and local officials petitioned for repair work. The emperor treated it as a natural calamity and ordered that the old dikes simply be maintained. In the spring of the fifteenth year, the river broke out at Chaoyi. In the seventh month it broke through at Xingze and Yangwu. In the seventeenth year the river broke the Dongyue dike east of Kaifeng and spread crosswise for several tens of li from Chenqiao to Chenliu. It also broke out at Qixian and flowed into the Ba River. Officials were sent to seal the breach, and taxes were remitted for affected households. In the twenty-second year the river inundated Yifeng, and the county seat was relocated to Bailou Village. In the spring of the twenty-third year the river broke at Fengchikou southeast of Guide Prefecture and ran through Xiayi and Yongcheng. Troops from ten guards including Xingwu were mobilized to join the people of Guide in building dikes. Officials who had failed to report the breach were punished. That autumn the river broke out in Xihua and other Kaifeng counties, sweeping away homes. Envoys were dispatched to provide relief to more than 15,700 households. In the fourth month of the twenty-fourth year the river surged and broke through at Heiyangshan in Yuanwu; flowing east five li north of Kaifeng, it then turned southeast through Chenzhou, Xiangcheng, Taihe, Yingzhou, and Yingshang to Zhenyang Town in Shouzhou, where it fully entered the Huai. The old channel of the Jia Lu River was thus silted up. It also spread from the old confluence of Caozhou and Yancheng over Anshan in Dongping, and the Yuan-era Huitong Canal silted up as well. The following year it broke out again at Yangwu, inundating eleven prefectures and counties: Chenzhou, Zhongmu, Yuanwu, Fengqiu, Xiangfu, Lanyang, Chenliu, Tongxu, Taikang, Fugou, and Qi. Officials submitted detailed maps in their report. Corvée laborers and troops from seventeen guards including Anji were mobilized for repairs. That winter was bitterly cold, and the work was suspended. In the eighth month of the thirtieth year the river broke through at Kaifeng, and water threatened the city on three sides. An edict ordered granaries relocated to high ground at Xingyang as a precaution. In winter the Cai River changed course at Chenzhou. Earlier, when the river had broken out, it had flowed northeast from Kaifeng; now the lower reach silted up and it broke southward again.

永樂三年，河決溫縣堤四十丈，濟、澇二水交溢，淹民田四十餘里，命修堤防。四年修陽武黃河決岸。八年夥，河決開封，壞城二百餘丈，民被患者萬四千餘戶，沒田七千五百餘頃。帝以國家籓屏地，特遣侍郎張信往視。信言：「祥符魚王口至中灤下二十餘里，有舊黃河岸，與今河面平。浚而通之，使循故道，則水勢可殺。」因繪圖以進。時尚書宋禮、侍郎金純方開會通河。帝乃發民丁十萬，命興安伯徐亨、侍郎蔣廷瓚偕純相治，並令禮總其役。九年七月，河復故道，自封丘金龍口，下魚臺塌場，會汶水，經徐、呂二洪南入於淮。是時，會通河已開，黃河與之合，漕道大通，遂議罷海運，而河南水患亦稍息。已而決陽武中鹽堤，漫中牟、祥符、尉氏。工部主事蘭芳按視，言：「堤當急流之沖，夏秋泛漲，勢不可驟殺。宜捲土樹椿以資捍禦，無令重為民患而已。」又言：「中灤導河分流，使由故道北入海，誠萬世利。但緣河堤埽，止用蒲繩泥草，不能持久。宜編木為囤，填石其中，則水可殺，堤可固。」詔皆從其議。十四年決開封州縣十四，經懷遠，由渦河入於淮。二十年，工部以開封土城堤數潰，請浚其東故道。報可。

In the third year of the Yongle reign the river broke the Wenxian dike over a span of forty zhang; the Ji and Lao rivers overflowed together and flooded more than forty li of farmland, and repairs were ordered. In the fourth year the breached Yellow River banks at Yangwu were repaired. In the eighth year the river broke out at Kaifeng on a large scale, destroying more than two hundred zhang of city wall; over fourteen thousand households were affected and more than 7,500 qing of farmland were submerged. Because this was a critical frontier region of the realm, the emperor specially dispatched Vice Minister Zhang Xin to inspect the damage. Zhang Xin reported: "From Yuwangkou in Xiangfu to below Zhongwan, for more than twenty li, there is an old Yellow River bank level with the current water surface. If dredged and reopened along the old course, the force of the current can be reduced." He submitted a map along with his report. At the time Minister Song Li and Vice Minister Jin Chun were opening the Huitong Canal. The emperor mobilized one hundred thousand laborers, ordered Earl of Xing'an Xu Heng and Vice Minister Jiang Tingzan to assist Jin Chun, and put Song Li in overall charge of the project. In the seventh month of the ninth year the river returned to its old course from Jinlongkou in Fengqiu through Takouchang in Yutai, joined the Wen River, and passed the Xu and Lü narrows south into the Huai. By then the Huitong Canal was open, the Yellow River joined it, and the grain route was fully restored; sea transport was accordingly phased out, and flooding in Henan gradually eased. Soon afterward it broke the Zhongyan dike at Yangwu and flooded Zhongmu, Xiangfu, and Weishi. Lan Fang of the Ministry of Works inspected the site and reported: "The dike faces the full force of the current; in summer and autumn the floods rise, and the water cannot be abruptly checked. Earth should be rolled and stakes set for reinforcement, simply to keep it from becoming a renewed calamity for the people." He also argued: "Diverting the river at Zhongwan so that part of it follows the old northern course to the sea would be a benefit for generations. But the river dikes and revetments were built only with rush rope, mud, and grass, and could not endure. Timber cribs filled with stone should be used instead; that would reduce the current and secure the dikes." The emperor approved all his recommendations. In the fourteenth year it broke out in fourteen Kaifeng counties, passed through Huaiyuan, and entered the Huai via the Wo River. In the twentieth year the Ministry of Works, citing repeated breaches of Kaifeng's earthen city dikes, requested dredging of the old eastern channel. The request was approved.

宣德元年霪雨，溢開封州縣十。三年，以河患，徙靈州千戶所於城東。六年從河南布政使言，浚祥符抵儀封黃陵岡淤道四百五十里。是時，金龍口漸淤，而河復屢溢開封。十年從御史李懋言，浚金龍口。

In the first year of the Xuande reign, prolonged rains caused flooding in ten Kaifeng counties. In the third year, because of river damage, the Lingzhou garrison was relocated east of the city. In the sixth year, following a recommendation from the Henan provincial administration commissioner, a silted stretch of four hundred fifty li from Xiangfu to Huanglinggang in Yifeng was dredged. By then Jinlongkou was gradually silting up, and the river again overflowed repeatedly at Kaifeng. In the tenth year, on Censor Li Mao's recommendation, Jinlongkou was dredged.

正統二年築陽武、原武、滎澤決岸。又決濮州、範縣。三年，河復決陽武及邳州，灌魚臺、金鄉、嘉祥。越數年，又決金龍口、陽谷堤及張家黑龍廟口，而徐、呂二洪亦漸淺，太黃寺巴河分水處，水脈微細。十三年方從都督同知武興言，發卒疏浚。而陳留水夏漲，決金村堤及黑潭南岸。築垂竣，復決。其秋，新鄉八柳樹口亦決，漫曹、濮，抵東昌，沖張秋，潰壽張沙灣，壞運道，東入海。徐、呂二洪遂淺澀。命工部侍郎王永和往理其事。永和至山東，修沙灣未成，以冬寒停役。且言河決自衛輝，宜敕河南守臣修塞。帝切責之，令山東三司築沙灣，趣永和塞河南八柳樹，疏金龍口，使河由故道。明年正月，河復決聊城。至三月，永和浚黑洋山西灣，引其水由太黃寺以資運河。修築沙灣堤大半，而不敢盡塞，置分水閘，設三空放水，自大清河入海。且設分水閘二空於沙灣西岸，以泄上流，而請停八柳樹工。從之。是時，河勢方橫溢，而分流大清，不耑向徐、呂。徐、呂益膠淺，且自臨清以南，運道艱阻。

In the second year of the Zhengtong reign the breached banks at Yangwu, Yuanwu, and Xingze were repaired. The river also broke out at Puzhou and Fanxian. In the third year the river broke out again at Yangwu and Pizhou, flooding Yutai, Jinxiang, and Jiaxiang. Several years later it broke out again at Jinlongkou, the Yanggu dike, and Zhangjia Heilongmiao; the Xu and Lü narrows also grew shallower, and the diversion at Taihuangsi and the Ba River carried only a thin stream. In the thirteenth year, on Vice Commander Wu Xing's recommendation, troops were mobilized for dredging. But Chenliu waters rose in summer and broke through the Jincun dike and the south bank at Heitan. Repairs were nearly finished when the dike broke again. That autumn Baxiliushukou in Xinxiang also broke out, spreading over Cao and Pu, reaching Dongchang, striking Zhangqiu, breaching Shawān in Shouzhang, destroying the transport route, and flowing east to the sea. The Xu and Lü narrows thus became shallow and sluggish. Vice Minister of Works Wang Yonghe was ordered to take charge of the repairs. Yonghe reached Shandong, but repairs at Shawān were unfinished and work was suspended because of the winter cold. He also reported that the breach originated at Weihui and that Henan officials should be ordered to seal it. The emperor sharply rebuked him, ordered the Shandong provincial offices to repair Shawān, and directed Yonghe to seal Baxiliushu in Henan, dredge Jinlongkou, and restore the old river course. In the first month of the following year the river broke out again at Liaocheng. By the third month Yonghe had dredged the west bay of Heiyangshan and diverted its water through Taihuangsi to feed the canal. He repaired most of the Shawān dike but did not dare seal it completely; he installed diversion sluices with three openings to discharge water through the Daqing River to the sea. He also installed a two-opening diversion sluice on the west bank of Shawān to release upstream water, and requested that work at Baxiliushu be suspended. His request was approved. At this time the river was spreading widely, and with water diverted through the Daqing it no longer flowed exclusively toward the Xu and Lü narrows. The Xu and Lü narrows grew ever shallower and more clogged, and from Linqing south the transport route became treacherous.

景泰二年特敕山東、河南巡撫都御史洪英、王暹協力合治，務令水歸漕河。暹言：「黃河自陝州以西，有山峽，不能為害；陝州以東，則地勢平緩，水易泛溢，故為害甚多。洪武二十四年改流，從汴梁北五里許，由鳳陽入淮者為大黃河。其支流出徐州以南者為小黃河，以通漕運。自正統十三年以來，河復故道，從黑洋山後徑趨沙灣入海明，但存小黃河從徐州出。岸高水低，隨浚隨塞，以是徐州之南不得飽水。臣自黑洋山東南抵徐州，督河南三司疏浚。臨清以南，請以責英。」未幾，給事中張文質劾暹、英治水無績，請引塌場水濟徐、呂二洪，浚潘家渡以北支流，殺沙灣水勢。且開沙灣浮橋以西河口，築閘引水，以灌臨清，而別命官以責其成。詔不允，仍命暹、英調度。

In the second year of the Jingtai reign a special edict ordered Grand Coordinators Hong Ying of Shandong and Wang Xian of Henan to work together and ensure that water returned to the grain canal. Wang Xian reported: "West of Shaanzhou the Yellow River runs through mountain gorges and causes little harm; but east of Shaanzhou the terrain is flat and gentle, the river overflows easily, and the damage is far greater. The changed course of the twenty-fourth year of Hongwu—from about five li north of Bianliang through Fengyang into the Huai—is called the Great Yellow River. Its branch south of Xuzhou is the Lesser Yellow River, which serves the grain transport. Since the thirteenth year of Zhengtong the river has returned to its old course, rushing directly from behind Heiyangshan toward Shawān to enter the sea; only the Lesser Yellow River still exits from Xuzhou. The banks are high and the water low; no sooner is it dredged than it silts up again, so south of Xuzhou the channel cannot carry a full flow. I will personally supervise dredging from southeast of Heiyangshan to Xuzhou through the Henan provincial offices. For the section south of Linqing, I ask that Hong Ying be held responsible." Soon afterward Supervising Secretary Zhang Wenzhi impeached Wang Xian and Hong Ying for making no progress in flood control, and proposed diverting Takouchang water to aid the Xu and Lü narrows, dredging tributaries north of Panjiadu, and reducing the force of water at Shawān. He also proposed opening the river mouth west of the Shawān pontoon bridge, building sluices to draw water for Linqing, and appointing separate officials to ensure the work was completed. The emperor did not approve and ordered Wang Xian and Hong Ying to continue coordinating the work.

時議者謂：「沙灣以南地高，水不得南入運河。請引耐牢坡水以灌運，而勿使經沙灣，別開河以避其沖決之勢。」或又言：「引耐牢坡水南去，則自此以北枯澀矣。」甚者言：「沙灣水湍急，石鐵沉下若羽，非人力可為。宜設齊醮符咒以禳之。」帝心甚憂念，命工部尚書石璞往治，而加河神封號。

Contemporary opinion held that south of Shawān the ground was too high for water to enter the canal. Some proposed diverting Nailaopo water to feed the canal without passing through Shawān, and opening a separate channel to avoid the force of the breach." Others argued that diverting Nailaopo water southward would leave the northern section dry." Some went so far as to say that the water at Shawān was so swift that stone and iron sank like feathers, and the problem was beyond human remedy. They suggested performing Qi-style rites and talisman incantations to dispel the calamity." The emperor was deeply troubled; he ordered Minister of Works Shi Pu to take charge and added honorific titles for the River God.

璞至，浚黑洋山至徐州以通漕，而沙灣決口如故。乃命中官黎賢、阮洛，御史彭誼協治。璞等築石堤於沙灣，以禦決河，開月河二，引水以益運河，且殺其決勢。三年五月，河流漸微細，沙灣堤始成。乃加璞太子太保，而於黑洋山、沙灣建河神二新廟，歲春秋二祭。六月，大雨浹旬，復決沙灣北岸，掣運河之水以東，近河地皆沒。命英督有司修築。復敕中官黎賢、武艮，工部侍郎趙榮往治。四年正月，河復決新塞口之南，詔復加河神封號。至四月，決口乃塞。五月，大雷雨，復決沙灣北岸，掣運河水入鹽河，漕舟盡阻。帝復命璞往。乃鑿一河，長三里，以避決口，上下通運河，而決口亦築壩截之，令新河、運河俱可行舟。工畢奏聞。帝恐不能久，令璞且留處置，而命諭德徐有貞為僉都御史耑治沙灣。

Shi Pu arrived and dredged from Heiyangshan to Xuzhou to restore the grain route, but the breach at Shawān remained unchanged. He then appointed eunuchs Li Xian and Ruan Luo, together with Censor Peng Yi, to assist in the work. Shi Pu and his colleagues built stone dikes at Shawān to hold back the breached river, opened two bypass channels to augment the canal, and reduce the force of the breach. In the fifth month of the third year the river flow gradually diminished, and the Shawān dike was finally completed. Shi Pu was promoted to Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and two new temples to the River God were built at Heiyangshan and Shawān, with sacrifices offered each spring and autumn. In the sixth month torrential rains lasted ten days; the north bank of Shawān broke again, pulling canal water eastward and submerging all nearby land. Hong Ying was ordered to supervise local officials in the repairs. Eunuchs Li Xian and Wu Gen, together with Vice Minister of Works Zhao Rong, were again dispatched to manage the crisis. In the first month of the fourth year the river broke out again south of the newly sealed breach, and the emperor again added honorific titles for the River God. By the fourth month the breach was sealed. In the fifth month a violent thunderstorm broke the north bank of Shawān again, pulling canal water into the Salt River and blocking all grain boats. The emperor again ordered Shi Pu to return. He cut a three-li bypass channel around the breach, connecting it to the canal above and below, and built a dam to block the breach so boats could pass on both the new channel and the canal. When the work was finished he submitted his report. Fearing the repair would not hold, the emperor ordered Shi Pu to remain on site and appointed Lecturer Xu Youzhen Vice Censor-in-Chief with exclusive charge of Shawān.

時河南水患方甚，原武、西華皆遷縣治以避水。巡撫暹言：「黃河舊從開封北轉流東南入淮，不為害。自正統十三年改流為二。一自新鄉入柳樹，由故道東經延津、封丘入沙灣。一決滎澤，漫流原武，抵祥符、扶溝、通許、洧川、尉氏、臨潁、郾城、陳州、商水、西華、項城、太康。沒田數十萬頃，而開封患特甚。雖嘗築大小堤於城西，皆三十餘里，然沙土易壞，隨築隨決，小堤已沒，大堤復壞其半。請起軍民夫協築，以防後患。」帝可其奏。太僕少卿黃仕亻雋亦言：「河分兩派，一自滎澤南流入項城，一自新鄉八柳樹北流，入張秋會通河，並經六七州縣，約二千餘里。民皆蕩析離居，而有司猶徵其稅。乞敕所司覆視免徵。」帝亦可其奏。巡撫河南御史張瀾又言：「原武黃河東岸嘗開二河，合黑洋山舊河道引水濟徐、呂。今河改決而北，二河淤塞不通，恐徐、呂乏水，必妨漕運，黑洋山北，河流稍紆回，請因決口改挑一河以接舊道，灌徐、呂。」帝亦從之。

At this time flooding in Henan was severe; Yuanwu and Xihua both relocated their county seats to escape the water. Grand Coordinator Wang Xian reported: "The Yellow River formerly turned north of Kaifeng and flowed southeast into the Huai without causing harm. Since the thirteenth year of Zhengtong it has split into two courses. One branch enters Liushu from Xinxiang and follows the old course east through Yanjin and Fengqiu into Shawān. The other broke out at Xingze, spread over Yuanwu, and inundated Xiangfu, Fugou, Tongxu, Weichuan, Weishi, Linying, Yancheng, Chenzhou, Shangshui, Xihua, Xiangcheng, and Taikang. Hundreds of thousands of qing of farmland were submerged, and Kaifeng suffered most severely. Although large and small dikes totaling more than thirty li had been built west of the city, the sandy soil failed easily; no sooner were they built than they broke. The smaller dike was already submerged, and half the larger dike was destroyed again. He requested mobilizing soldiers and civilians for joint construction to prevent future disasters." The emperor approved his memorial. Vice Director of the Imperial Stud Huang Shijun also reported: "The river has split into two branches: one flows south from Xingze into Xiangcheng, and one flows north from Baxiliushu in Xinxiang into the Huitong Canal at Zhangqiu, passing through six or seven prefectures and counties over roughly two thousand li. The people were scattered and displaced, yet officials still collected taxes from them. He requested that responsible offices be ordered to reinspect the damage and remit taxes." The emperor also approved his memorial. Henan Grand Coordinator Censor Zhang Lan also reported: "On the east bank of the Yellow River at Yuanwu, two channels were once opened to join the old Heiyangshan course and supply water to the Xu and Lü narrows. Now the river has shifted northward; the two channels are silted shut. I fear the Xu and Lü narrows will run dry and obstruct grain transport. North of Heiyangshan the river winds slightly. I propose cutting a new channel from the breach to reconnect the old course and feed the Xu and Lü narrows." The emperor approved this as well.

有貞至沙灣，上治河三策：「一置水閘門。臣聞水之性可使通流，不可使堙塞。禹鑿龍門，闢伊闕，為疏導計也。故漢武堙瓠子終弗成功，漢明疏汴河逾年著績。今談治水者甚眾，獨樂浪王景所述制水門之法可取。蓋沙灣地土皆沙，易致坍決，故作壩作閘皆非善計。請依景法損益其間，置閘門於水，而實其底，令高常水五尺。小則拘之以濟運，大則疏之使趨海，則有通流之利，無堙塞之患矣。一開分水河。凡水勢大者宜分，小者宜合。今黃河勢大恆沖決，運河勢小恆乾淺，必分黃水合運河，則有利無害。請度黃河可分之地，開廣濟河一道，下穿濮陽、博陵及舊沙河二十餘里，上連東、西影塘及小嶺等地又數十里，其內則有古大金堤可倚以為固，其外有八百里梁山泊可恃以為泄。至新置二閘亦頗堅牢，可以宣節，使黃河水大不至泛溢為害，小亦不至乾淺以阻漕運。」其一挑深運河。帝諭有貞，如其議行之。

Xu Youzhen arrived at Shawān and submitted three policies for river control: "First, install water sluice gates. I have heard that water should be guided to flow freely, not dammed and choked off. Yu cut Longmen and opened Yique—both were plans for diversion, not obstruction. Emperor Wu of Han's attempt to block Huzi ultimately failed, while Emperor Ming of Han's dredging of the Bian River achieved results within a year. Many people discuss flood control today, but only the sluice-gate method described by Wang Jing of Lelang is worth adopting. Shawān's soil is all sand and collapses easily, so building dams and sluices is not a sound approach. I propose adapting Wang Jing's method: place sluice gates in the water, solidify their bases, and set them five chi above normal water level. When the flow is low, hold it back to aid transport; when it is high, release it toward the sea. That brings the benefit of free flow without the danger of blockage. Second, open a diversion channel. Where water force is great it should be divided; where it is weak it should be combined. The Yellow River's force is great and constantly breaches its banks, while the canal's force is weak and constantly runs dry and shallow. Diverting Yellow River water into the canal would bring benefit without harm. I propose surveying where the Yellow River can be divided and opening the Guangji Channel, running down through Puyang, Boling, and the old Sha River for more than twenty li, and connecting above with East and West Yingtang and Xiaoling for several tens of li more. Within lies the old Great Jin Dike for reinforcement, and without lies the eight-hundred-li Liangshan Marsh for discharge. The two newly installed sluices are also quite solid and can regulate flow, so that when the Yellow River runs high it will not overflow and cause harm, and when it runs low it will not dry up and obstruct grain transport." Third, dredge the canal deeper. The emperor instructed Xu Youzhen to carry out his proposals.

有貞乃逾濟、汶，沿衛、沁，循大河，道濮、範，相度地形水勢，上言：「河自雍而豫，出險固而之夷斥，水勢既肆。由豫而兗，土益疏，水益肆。而沙灣之東，所謂大洪口者，適當其沖，於是決焉，而奪濟、汶入海之路以去。諸水從之而泄，堤以潰，渠以淤，澇則溢，旱則涸，漕道由此阻。然驟而堰之，則潰者益潰，淤者益淤。今請先疏其水，水勢平乃治其決，決止乃浚其淤。」於是設渠以疏之，起張秋金堤之首，西南行九里至濮陽濼，又九里至博陵陂，又六里至壽張之沙河，又八里至東、西影塘，又十有五里至白嶺灣，又三里至李鞬，凡五十里。由李鞬而上二十里至竹口蓮花池，又三十里至大瀦潭，乃逾範暨濮，又上而西，凡數百里，經澶淵以接河、沁，築九堰以御河流旁出者，長各萬丈，實之石而鍵以鐵。六年七月，功成，賜渠名廣濟。沙灣之決垂十年，至是始塞。亦會黃河南流入淮，有貞乃克奏功。凡費木鐵竹石累數萬，夫五萬八千有奇，工五百五十餘日。自此河水北出濟漕，而阿、鄄、曹、鄆間田出沮洳者，百數十萬頃。乃浚漕渠，由沙灣北至臨清，南抵濟寧，復建八閘於東昌，用王景制水門法以平水道，而山東河患息矣。

Xu Youzhen then crossed the Ji and Wen, followed the Wei and Qin, traced the great river, and passed through Pu and Fan, surveying terrain and water flow. He reported: "From Yong to Yu the river emerges from rugged terrain into level plains, and its force is already unrestrained. From Yu to Yan the soil grows looser and the water grows more unrestrained. East of Shawān, at what is called Dahongkou, the river faced the full force of the current; there it breached and seized the Ji and Wen route to the sea. All waters followed and discharged through it; dikes breached and channels silted up; in flood they overflowed, in drought they ran dry; and the grain route was blocked. Yet if abruptly dammed, breaches would worsen and silting would increase. I propose first releasing the water; when the flow subsides, then repair the breach; and when the breach is sealed, then dredge the silt." He then dug diversion channels starting from the head of the Jin dike at Zhangqiu: southwest nine li to Puyang Luo, another nine li to Boling Po, six li to the Sha River in Shouzhang, eight li to East and West Yingtang, fifteen li to Bailingwan, and three li to Lijian—a total of fifty li. From Lijian the channel ran upstream twenty li to Zhukou Lianhuachi, then thirty li to Dazhutan, crossing Fan and Pu and continuing west for several hundred li through Chenyuan to connect with the He and Qin. Nine weirs were built to block lateral outflow, each ten thousand zhang long, filled with stone and bound with iron. In the seventh month of the sixth year the work was completed and the channel was named Guangji, "Broad Relief." The Shawān breach had persisted for nearly ten years; only now was it finally sealed. It also happened that the Yellow River flowed south into the Huai, and Xu Youzhen was thus able to report success. The project consumed tens of thousands of units of timber, iron, bamboo, and stone, employed more than fifty-eight thousand laborers, and took over five hundred fifty days. From this point the river flowed north to aid grain transport, and more than a million qing of marshland between A, Juancheng, Cao, and Yan were reclaimed. He dredged the transport channel from Shawān north to Linqing and south to Jining, rebuilt eight sluices at Dongchang using Wang Jing's sluice-gate method to regulate the watercourse, and flooding in Shandong subsided.

七年夏，河南大雨，河決開封、河南、彰德。其秋，畿輔、山東大雨，諸水並溢，高地丈餘，堤岸多沖決。仍敕有貞修築。未幾，事竣，還京入見。獎勞甚至，擢副都御史。

In the summer of the seventh year heavy rains in Henan caused the river to break out at Kaifeng, Henan, and Zhangde. That autumn heavy rains in the capital region and Shandong caused all rivers to overflow together; high ground stood more than a zhang under water, and many dikes were washed away. Xu Youzhen was again ordered to undertake repairs. Before long the work was finished; he returned to the capital and was received in audience. He was richly rewarded and promoted to Vice Censor-in-Chief.

七年春，河南布政司照磨金景輝考滿至京，上言：「國初，黃河在封丘，後徙康王馬頭，去城北三十里，復有二支河：一由沙門注運河，一由金龍口達徐、呂入海。正統戊辰，決滎澤，轉趨城南，並流入淮，舊河、支河俱堙，漕河因而淺澀。景泰癸酉，因水迫城，築堤四十里，勞費過甚，而水發輒潰，然尚未至決城壕為人害也。至天順辛巳，水暴至，土城磚城並圮，七郡財力所築之堤，俱委諸無用，人心惶惶，未知所底。夫河不循故道，並流入淮，是為妄行。今急宜疏導以殺其勢。若止委之一淮，而以堤防為長策，恐開封終為魚鱉之區。乞敕部檄所司，先疏金龍口寬闊以接漕河，然後相度舊河或別求泄水之地，挑浚以平水患，為經久計。」命如其說行之。

In the spring of the seventh year, Henan provincial registrar Jin Jinghui, upon completing his term and arriving at the capital, reported: "At the founding of the dynasty the Yellow River ran through Fengqiu; later it shifted to Kangwang Matou, thirty li north of the city. There were two branch rivers: one from Shamen fed the canal, and one from Jinlongkou reached the Xu and Lü narrows to the sea. In the wuchen year of Zhengtong it broke out at Xingze, turned toward the south of the city, and all flowed into the Huai; the old river and branch channels were all filled in, and the canal grew shallow and sluggish. In the guiyou year of Jingtai, because water threatened the city, a forty-li dike was built at enormous cost; yet whenever the water rose it breached, though it had not yet broken through the city moat to harm the people. By the xinsi year of Tianshun water surged suddenly; the earthen and brick city walls both collapsed; dikes built with resources from seven prefectures were all rendered useless; and the people were terrified, not knowing where it would end. When the river abandons its old course and all flows into the Huai, it is running wild. It is urgent now to dredge and guide the river to reduce its force. If we merely consign it to the Huai and rely on dikes as the long-term solution, I fear Kaifeng will ultimately become a realm of fish and turtles. I request that the ministry instruct responsible offices to first dredge Jinlongkou wide enough to connect with the canal, then survey the old river or find another outlet, and dredge to calm the flooding as a lasting solution." An order was issued to carry out his proposal.

成化七年命王恕為工部侍郎，奉敕總理河道。總河侍郎之設，自恕始也。時黃河不為患，恕耑力漕河而已。

In the seventh year of the Chenghua reign Wang Shu was appointed Vice Minister of Works and ordered by imperial command to oversee river channels. The office of Vice Minister for General River Affairs was established beginning with Wang Shu. At the time the Yellow River was not causing trouble; Wang Shu devoted himself solely to the canal.

十四年，河決開封，壞護城堤五十丈。巡撫河南都御史李衍言：「河南累有河患，皆下流壅塞所致。宜疏開封西南新城地，下抵梁家淺舊河口七里壅塞，以泄杏花營上流。又自八角河口直抵南頓，分導散漫，以免祥符、鄢陵、睢、陳、歸德之災。乃敕衍酌行之。明年正月遷滎澤縣治以避水，而開封堤不久即塞。

In the fourteenth year the river broke out at Kaifeng, destroying fifty zhang of the moat dike. Henan Grand Coordinator Li Yan reported: "Henan has repeatedly suffered from river flooding, all caused by blockage in the lower reaches. The new city area southwest of Kaifeng should be dredged down to the seven-li blockage at the old river mouth of Liangjiaqian to release upstream water from Xinghuaying. Also from Bajiaokou straight to Nandun, water should be divided and dispersed to prevent flooding in Xiangfu, Yanling, Sui, Chen, and Guide. An edict ordered Li Yan to implement this as appropriate. In the first month of the following year the Xingze county seat was relocated to escape the water, and the Kaifeng dike was soon sealed.

弘治二年五月，河決開封及金龍口，入張秋運河，又決埽頭五所入沁。郡邑多被害，汴梁尤甚，議者至請遷開封城以避其患。布政司徐恪持不可，乃止。命所司大發卒築之。九月命白昂為戶部侍郎，修治河道，賜以特敕，令會山東、河南、北直隸三巡撫，自上源決口至運河，相機修築。

In the fifth month of the second year of the Hongzhi reign the river broke out at Kaifeng and Jinlongkou, entered the Zhangqiu canal, and also breached five revetment heads into the Qin River. Many prefectures and counties suffered; Bianliang suffered most severely; some even proposed relocating Kaifeng to escape the flooding. Provincial administration commissioner Xu Ke argued against this and the proposal was dropped. Responsible offices were ordered to mobilize large numbers of troops for repairs. In the ninth month Bai Ang was appointed Vice Minister of Revenue to repair river channels, granted a special edict, and ordered to coordinate with the grand coordinators of Shandong, Henan, and North Zhili to repair from the upstream breach to the canal as circumstances required.

三年正月，昂上言：「臣自淮河相度水勢，抵河南中牟等縣，見上源決口，水入南岸者十三，入北岸者十七。南決者，自中牟楊橋至祥符界析為二支：一經尉氏等縣，合潁水，下塗山，入於淮；一經通許等縣，入渦河，下荊山，入於淮。又一支自歸德州通鳳陽之亳縣，亦合渦河入於淮。

In the first month of the third year Bai Ang reported: "I surveyed the water flow from the Huai River to Zhongmu and other counties in Henan and found thirteen breaches on the south bank and seventeen on the north bank at the upstream break. Of the southern breaches, from Yangqiao in Zhongmu to the Xiangfu border the water divided into two branches: one passing through Weishi and other counties, joining the Ying River, descending Mount Tu, and entering the Huai; one passing through Tongxu and other counties, entering the Wo River, descending Mount Jing, and entering the Huai. Another branch from Guide Prefecture through Bozhou in Fengyang also joined the Wo River and entered the Huai.

北決者，自原武經陽武、祥符、封丘、蘭陽、儀封、考城，其一支決入金龍等口，至山東曹州，沖入張秋漕河。去冬，水消沙積，決口已淤，因並為一大支，由祥符翟家口合沁河，出丁家道口，下徐州。此河流南北分行大勢也。合潁、渦二水入淮者，各有灘磧，水脈頗微，宜疏浚以殺河勢。合沁水入徐者，則以河道淺隘不能受，方有漂沒之虞。況上流金龍諸口雖暫淤，久將復決，宜於北流所經七縣，築為堤岸，以衛張秋。但原敕治山東、河南、北直隸，而南直隸淮、徐境，實河所經行要地，尚無所統。」於是並以命昂。

Of the northern breaches, from Yuanwu through Yangwu, Xiangfu, Fengqiu, Lanyang, Yifeng, and Kaocheng, one branch broke into Jinlong and other openings, reaching Caozhou in Shandong and rushing into the Zhangqiu canal. Last winter, as the water receded sand accumulated and the breaches silted up; they merged into one great branch from Zhaijiakou in Xiangfu joining the Qin River, exiting Dingjiadaokou, and descending to Xuzhou. This is the general pattern of the river dividing north and south. The branches joining the Ying and Wo waters to enter the Huai each have shoals and bars with only thin streams; they should be dredged to reduce the river's force. The branch joining the Qin to reach Xuzhou runs through a channel too shallow and narrow to receive it, raising the risk of wash-away and submersion. Moreover, although Jinlong and other upstream openings are temporarily silted, they will breach again in time; dikes should be built in the seven counties through which the northern flow passes to protect Zhangqiu. But the original edict covered Shandong, Henan, and North Zhili, while the Huai and Xu territory of South Zhili—a key area through which the river actually passes—had no oversight." Bai Ang was then given charge of this as well.

昂舉郎中婁性協治，乃役夫二十五萬，築陽武長堤，以防張秋。引中牟決河出滎澤陽橋以達淮，浚宿州古汴河以入泗，又浚睢河自歸德飲馬池，經符離橋至宿遷以會漕河，上築長堤，下修減水閘。又疏月河十餘以泄水，塞決口三十六，使河流入汴，汴入睢，睢入泗，泗入淮，以達海。水患稍寧。昂又以河南入淮非正道，恐卒不能容，復於魚臺、德州、吳橋修古長堤；又自東平北至興濟鑿小河十二道，入大清河及古黃河以入海。河口各建石堰，以時啟閉。蓋南北分治，而東南則以疏為主云。

Bai Ang recommended Director Lou Xing to assist and mobilized two hundred fifty thousand laborers to build the long dike at Yangwu to protect Zhangqiu. The breached river at Zhongmu was diverted through Yangqiao in Xingze to reach the Huai; the old Bian River in Suzhou was dredged to enter the Si; the Sui River was dredged from Yinmachi in Guide through Fuli Bridge to Suqian to join the canal; long dikes were built upstream and flood-release sluices repaired downstream. More than ten bypass channels were dredged to release water; thirty-six breaches were sealed, routing the river into the Bian, the Bian into the Sui, the Sui into the Si, the Si into the Huai, and on to the sea. The flooding gradually subsided. Bai Ang also held that routing Henan water into the Huai was not the proper course and feared the Huai could not ultimately contain it; he again repaired the old long dike at Yutai, Dezhou, and Wuqiao; and from Dongping north to Xingji cut twelve small channels entering the Daqing River and the old Yellow River to reach the sea. Stone weirs were built at each outlet and opened or closed as needed. Thus north and south were managed separately, while the southeast relied chiefly on diversion.

六年二月以劉大夏為副都御史，治張秋決河。先是，河決張秋戴家廟，掣漕河與汶水合而北行，遣工部侍郎陳政督治。政言：「河之故道有二：一在滎澤孫家渡口，經硃仙鎮直抵陳州；一在歸德州飲馬池，與亳州地相屬。舊俱入淮，今已淤塞，因致上流沖激，勢盡北趨。自祥符孫家口、楊家口、車船口，蘭陽銅瓦廂決為數道，俱入運河。於是張秋上下勢甚危急，自堂邑至濟寧堤岸多崩圮，而戴家廟減水閘淺隘不能泄水，亦有沖決。請浚舊河以殺上流之勢，塞決河以防下流之患。」政方漸次修舉，未幾卒官。帝深以為憂，命廷臣會薦才識堪任者。僉舉大夏，遂賜敕以往。

In the second month of the sixth year Liu Daxia was appointed Vice Censor-in-Chief to manage the breach at Zhangqiu. Previously the river had broken out at Daijiamiao in Zhangqiu, pulling the canal and Wen River together northward; Vice Minister of Works Chen Zheng was dispatched to supervise repairs. Chen Zheng reported: "The river's old courses are two: one at Sunjiadukou in Xingze, passing Zhuxian Town straight to Chenzhou; one at Yinmachi in Guide Prefecture, contiguous with Bozhou territory. Both formerly entered the Huai but are now silted shut, causing upstream water to rush with full force and turn entirely northward. From Sunjiakou, Yangjiakou, and Chechuan kou in Xiangfu and Tongwaxiang in Lanyang, several breaches formed, all entering the canal. The situation above and below Zhangqiu became extremely critical; from Tangyi to Jining many dikes collapsed, and the flood-release sluice at Daijiamiao was too shallow and narrow to discharge water and also breached. He requested dredging the old river to reduce upstream force and sealing the breach to prevent downstream damage." Chen Zheng was gradually undertaking repairs when he soon died in office. The emperor was deeply troubled and ordered court officials to jointly recommend someone capable of the task. All recommended Liu Daxia, and he was granted an edict to proceed.

十二月，巡按河南御史塗升言：「黃河為患，南決病河南，北決病山東。昔漢決酸棗，復決瓠子；宋決館陶，復決澶州；元決汴梁，復決蒲口。然漢都關中，宋都大樑，河決為患，不過瀕河數郡而已。今京師專藉會通河歲漕粟數百萬石，河決而北，則大為漕憂。臣博採與論，治河之策有四：

In the twelfth month, Henan touring censor Tu Sheng reported: "When the Yellow River causes calamity, a southern breach harms Henan and a northern breach harms Shandong. In Han times it breached at Suanzao and again at Huzi; In Song times it breached at Guantao and again at Chuanzhou; In Yuan times it breached at Bianliang and again at Pukou. Yet Han's capital was in Guanzhong and Song's in Daliang; when the river breached, only a few riverside commanderies suffered. Today the capital relies solely on the Huitong Canal to transport millions of shi of grain each year; if the river breaks northward, grain transport will be gravely threatened. I have gathered wide opinion and discussed it; there are four policies for controlling the river:

「一曰疏浚。滎、鄭之東，五河之西，飲馬、白露等河皆黃河由渦入淮之故道。其後南流日久，或河口以淤高不泄，或河身狹隘難容，水勢無所分殺，遂氾濫北決。今惟啉麗上流東南之故道，相度疏浚，則正流歸道，餘波就壑，下流無奔潰之害，北岸無沖決之患矣。二曰扼塞。既殺水勢於東南，必須築堤岸於西北。黃陵岡上下舊堤缺壞，當度下流東北形勢，去水遠近，補築無遺，排障百川悉歸東南，由淮入海，則張秋無患，而漕河可保矣。」三曰用人，薦河南僉事張鼐。四曰久任，則請專信大夏，且於歸德或東昌建公廨，令居中裁決也。帝以為然。

"First, dredging. East of Xing and Zheng and west of the Five Rivers, the Yinma, Bailu, and other rivers are all old courses of the Yellow River entering the Huai through the Wo. Over time, as the southern flow persisted, some outlets silted up too high to discharge while others were too narrow to contain the water; with nowhere to divide the force, the river overflowed and broke northward. If the old southeastern upstream course is now cleared and dredged after survey, the main flow will return to its channel, excess water will settle into proper courses, the lower reach will suffer no rushing breaches, and the north bank will be free of breakouts. Second, blocking and sealing. Having reduced water force in the southeast, dikes must be built in the northwest. Above and below Huanglinggang the old dikes are broken; the lower reach's northeastern terrain and distance from water should be surveyed and repairs completed without omission, guiding all streams southeast to enter the sea through the Huai—then Zhangqiu will be safe and the canal preserved." Third, employing the right men—recommending Henan Assistant Commissioner Zhang Nai. Fourth, long tenure—requesting that exclusive trust be placed in Liu Daxia, with an official office established at Guide or Dongchang for him to decide from the center. The emperor approved.

七年五月命太監李興、平江伯陳銳往同大夏共治張秋。十二月築塞張秋決口工成。初，河流湍悍，決口闊九十餘丈，大夏行視之，曰：「是下流未可治，當治上流。」於是即決口西南開越河三里許，使糧運可濟，乃浚儀封黃陵岡南賈魯舊河四十餘里，由曹出徐，以殺水勢。又浚孫家渡口，別鑿新河七十餘里，導使南行，由中牟、潁川東入淮。又浚祥符四府營淤河，由陳留至歸德分為二。一由宿遷小河口，一由亳渦河，俱會於淮。然後沿張秋兩岸，東西築臺，立表貫索，聯巨艦穴而窒之，實以土。至決口，去窒沉艦，壓以大埽，且合且決，隨決隨築，連晝夜不息。決既塞，繚以石堤，隱若長虹，功乃成。帝遣行人齎羊酒往勞之，改張秋名為安平鎮。

In the fifth month of the seventh year Eunuch Li Xing and Earl of Pingjiang Chen Rui were ordered to join Liu Daxia in jointly managing Zhangqiu. In the twelfth month the work of sealing the Zhangqiu breach was completed. Initially the river was swift and fierce and the breach more than ninety zhang wide. Liu Daxia inspected it and said: "The lower reach cannot yet be treated; the upper reach must be treated first." He then opened a three-li bypass channel southwest of the breach so grain transport could pass, dredged the old Jia Lu river south of Huanglinggang in Yifeng for more than forty li through Cao to Xuzhou to reduce the water's force. He also dredged Sunjiadukou and cut a new seventy-li channel guiding water south through Zhongmu and east of Yingchuan into the Huai. He also dredged the silted river at Sifuying in Xiangfu, dividing it into two branches from Chenliu to Guide. One through Xiahekou in Suqian and one through the Bozhou Wo River, both joining the Huai. Then along both banks of Zhangqiu he built platforms east and west, set stakes and strung ropes, linked great ships pierced to block the breach, and filled them with earth. At the breach the block was removed and ships were sunk, weighted with great revetments; as repairs held they broke again, and as they broke they rebuilt, working day and night without rest. Once the breach was sealed, it was encircled with stone dikes like a long rainbow, and the work was completed. The emperor sent an envoy bearing sheep and wine to reward them and renamed Zhangqiu Anping Town.

大夏等言：「安平鎮決口已塞，河下流北入東昌、臨清至天津入海，運道已通，然必築黃陵岡河口，導河上流南下徐淮，庶可為運道久安之計。」廷議如其言。乃以八年正月築塞黃陵岡及荊隆等口七處，旬有五日而畢。蓋黃陵岡居安平鎮之上流，其廣九十餘丈，荊隆等口又居黃陵岡之上流，其廣四百三十餘丈。河流至此寬漫奔放，皆喉襟重地。諸口既塞，於是上流河勢復歸蘭陽、考城，分流逕徐州、歸德、宿遷，南入運河，會淮水，東注於海，南流故道以復。而大名府之長堤，起胙城，曆滑縣、長垣、東明、曹州、曹縣抵虞城，凡三百六十里。其西南荊隆等口新堤起於家店，曆銅瓦廂、東橋抵小宋集，凡百六十里。大小二堤相翼，而石壩俱培築堅厚，潰決之患於是息矣。帝以黃陵岡河口功成，敕建黃河神祠以鎮之，賜額曰昭應。其秋，召大夏等還京。荊隆即金龍也。

Liu Daxia and his colleagues reported: "The Anping Town breach is sealed; the lower river flows north through Dongchang and Linqing to Tianjin and the sea; the transport route is open. Yet the Huanglinggang river mouth must be fortified and the upper river guided south to Xu and Huai as a long-term plan for the transport route." The court approved their proposal. In the first month of the eighth year seven openings including Huanglinggang and Jinglong were sealed, completed in fifteen days. Huanglinggang lies upstream of Anping Town and is more than ninety zhang wide; Jinglong and other openings lie upstream of Huanglinggang and are more than four hundred thirty zhang wide. The river reaching here spreads wide and runs freely—all are critical choke points. Once the openings were sealed, upstream force returned to Lanyang and Kaocheng, divided through Xuzhou, Guide, and Suqian, entered the canal south, joined the Huai, and flowed east to the sea—the southern old course was restored. The long dike of Daming Prefecture ran from Zuocheng through Huaxian, Changyuan, Dongming, Caozhou, and Caoxian to Yucheng—a total of three hundred sixty li. The new southwest dike at Jinglong and other openings started at Yujia Store, passed Tongwaxiang and Dongqiao to Xiaosongji—a total of one hundred sixty li. The large and small dikes supported each other, stone dams were all built solid and thick, and the threat of breach and collapse thus ceased. Because the Huanglinggang river mouth work succeeded, the emperor ordered a Yellow River god temple built to secure it, granting the plaque title Zhaoying, "Manifest Response." That autumn Liu Daxia and his colleagues were recalled to the capital. Jinglong is Jinlong.

十一年，河決歸德。管河工部員外郎謝緝言：黃河一支，先自徐州城東小浮橋流入漕河，南抵邳州、宿遷。今黃河上流於歸德州小壩子等處沖決，與黃河別支會流，經宿州、睢寧，由宿遷小河口流入漕河。於是小河口北抵徐州水流漸細，河道淺阻。且徐、呂二洪，惟賴沁水接濟，自沁源、河內、歸德至徐州小浮橋流出，雖與黃河異源，而比年河、沁之流合而為一。今黃河自歸德南決，恐牽引沁水俱往南流，則徐、呂二洪必至淺阻。請亟塞歸德決口，遏黃水入徐以濟漕，而挑沁水之淤，使入徐以濟徐、呂，則水深廣而漕便利矣。」帝從其請。

In the eleventh year the river broke out at Guide. River-management clerk in the Ministry of Works Xie Ji reported: One branch of the Yellow River formerly entered the canal from Xiaofuqiao east of Xuzhou city, south to Pizhou and Suqian. Now the upper Yellow River has broken out at Xiaobanzi and other places in Guide Prefecture, joined another branch, passed through Suzhou and Suining, and entered the canal through Xiahekou in Suqian. Thus from Xiahekou north to Xuzhou the flow gradually diminished and the channel grew shallow and obstructed. Moreover the Xu and Lü narrows rely solely on Qin water for support; from Qinyuan, Henei, and Guide to Xiaofuqiao in Xuzhou it flows out. Though of different source from the Yellow River, in recent years the He and Qin flows have merged into one. Now the Yellow River has broken south from Guide; I fear it will drag Qin water southward as well, and the Xu and Lü narrows will surely grow shallow and obstructed. I request urgently sealing the Guide breach, restraining Yellow River water to enter Xuzhou to aid transport, and dredging Qin silt so it enters Xuzhou to feed the Xu and Lü narrows—then the water will be deep and broad and transport will run smoothly." The emperor approved his request.

未幾，河南管河副使張鼐言：「臣嘗請修築侯家潭口決河，以濟徐、呂二洪。今自六月以來，河流四溢，潭口決齧彌深，工費浩大，卒難成功。臣嘗行視水勢，荊隆口堤內舊河通賈魯河，由丁家道口下徐、淮，其跡尚在。若於上源武陟木欒店別鑿一渠，下接荊隆口舊河，俟河流南遷，則引之入渠，庶沛然之勢可接二洪，而糧運無所阻矣。」帝為下其議於總漕都御史李蕙。

Before long, Henan river-management vice commissioner Zhang Nai reported: "I once requested repairing the breach at Houjiatan kou to aid the Xu and Lü narrows. Since the sixth month the river has overflowed in all directions; the breach at Tan kou gnaws ever deeper; labor costs are vast and success is hard to achieve. I once inspected the water flow; within the Jinglong kou dike the old river connects with the Jia Lu River, descending through Dingjiadaokou to Xu and Huai—its trace still remains. If at the upper source at Mulian Store in Wuzhi a separate channel is cut, connecting below with the old river at Jinglong kou, and when the river shifts south water is led into the channel, the surging flow can reach the two narrows and grain transport will meet no obstruction." The emperor referred his proposal to Grand Coordinator of Grain Transport Li Hui.

越二歲，兗州知府龔弘上言：「副使鼐見河勢南行，欲自荊隆口分沁水入賈魯河，又自歸德西王牌口上下分水亦入賈魯河，俱由丁家道口入徐州。但今秋水從王牌口東行，不由丁家口而南，顧逆流東北至黃陵岡，又自曹縣入單，南連虞城。乞令守臣亟建疏浚修築之策。」於是河南巡撫都御史鄭齡言：「徐、呂二洪藉河、沁二水合流東下，以相接濟。今丁家道口上下河決堤岸者十有二處，共闊三百餘丈，而河淤三十餘里。上源奔放，則曹、單受害，而安平可虞；下流散溢，則蕭、碭被患，而漕流有阻。浚築誠急務也。」部覆從之，乃修丁家口上下堤岸。

Two years later, Yanzhou prefect Gong Hong reported: "Vice Commissioner Zhang Nai, seeing the river trend south, wished to divide Qin water from Jinglong kou into the Jia Lu River, and also divide water above and below Xiwangpai kou in Guide into the Jia Lu River, all entering Xuzhou through Dingjiadaokou. But now autumn water flows east from Wangpai kou, not south through Dingjiakou but countercurrent northeast to Huanglinggang, then from Caoxian into Shan and south connecting Yucheng. I request that local officials be ordered urgently to establish policies for dredging and construction." Then Henan Grand Coordinator Zheng Ling reported: "The Xu and Lü narrows rely on the He and Qin waters joining and flowing east together for mutual support. Now above and below Dingjiadaokou twelve breaches in dikes and banks total more than three hundred zhang wide, and the river is silted for more than thirty li. If the upper source runs freely, Cao and Shan suffer and Anping is threatened; if the lower reach disperses and overflows, Xiao and Dang suffer and canal flow is obstructed. Dredging and construction are truly urgent tasks." The ministry approved, and dikes above and below Dingjiakou were repaired.

初，黃河自原武、滎陽分而為三：一自亳州、鳳陽至清河口，通淮入海；一自歸德州過丁家道口，抵徐州小浮橋；一自窪泥河過黃陵岡，亦抵徐州小浮橋，即賈魯河也。迨河決黃陵岡，犯張秋，北流奪漕，劉大夏往塞之，仍出清河口。十八年，河忽北徙三百里，至宿遷小河口。正德三年又北徙三百里，至徐州小浮橋。四年六月又北徙一百二十里，至沛縣飛雲橋，俱入漕河。

Initially the Yellow River from Yuanwu and Xingyang divided into three: one from Bozhou and Fengyang to Qinghekou, joining the Huai to enter the sea; one from Guide Prefecture passing Dingjiadaokou to Xiaofuqiao in Xuzhou; one from the Wani River passing Huanglinggang, also reaching Xiaofuqiao in Xuzhou—the Jia Lu River. When the river breached Huanglinggang, struck Zhangqiu, and flowed north seizing the canal, Liu Daxia went to seal it, and it still exited Qinghekou. In the eighteenth year the river suddenly shifted north three hundred li to Xiahekou in Suqian. In the third year of the Zhengde reign it again shifted north three hundred li to Xiaofuqiao in Xuzhou. In the sixth month of the fourth year it again shifted north one hundred twenty li to Feiyun Bridge in Peixian, all entering the canal.

是時，南河故道淤塞，水惟北趨，單、豐之間河窄水溢，決黃陵岡、尚家等口，曹、單田廬多沒，至圍豐縣城郭，兩岸闊百餘里。督漕及山東鎮巡官恐經鉅野、陽穀故道，則奪濟甯、安平運河，各陳所見以請。議未定。明年九月，河復沖黃陵岡，入賈魯河，泛溢橫流，直抵豐、沛。御史林茂達亦以北決安平鎮為虞，而請浚儀封、考城上流故道，引河南流以分其勢，然後塞決口，築故堤。

At this time the southern old course was silted shut; water turned only northward; between Shan and Feng the river was narrow and overflowed; Huanglinggang, Shangjia, and other openings breached; fields and dwellings in Cao and Shan were mostly submerged, even surrounding Fengxian's walls; both banks spread more than a hundred li wide. Grain-transport supervisors and Shandong frontier officials feared that if it passed the old course through Juye and Yanggu it would seize the Jining and Anping canal; each stated their views and petitioned. No decision was reached. In the ninth month of the following year the river again rushed Huanglinggang, entered the Jia Lu River, overflowed and spread crosswise, reaching directly to Feng and Pei. Censor Lin Maoda also feared a northern breach at Anping Town and requested dredging the old upstream course at Yifeng and Kaocheng, diverting Henan flow to divide its force, then sealing the breach and rebuilding the old dike.

工部侍郎崔巖奉命修理黃河，浚祥符董盆口、滎澤孫家渡，又浚賈魯河及亳州故河各數十里，且築長垣諸縣決口及曹縣外堤、梁靖決口。功未就而驟雨，堤潰。巖上疏言：「河勢沖蕩益甚，且流入王子河，亦河故道，若非上流多殺水勢，決口恐難卒塞。莫若於曹、單、豐、沛增築堤防，毋令北徙，庶可護漕。」且請別命大臣知水利者共議。於是帝責巖治河無方，而以侍郎李堂代之。堂言：「蘭陽、儀封、考城故道淤塞，故河流俱入賈魯河，經黃陵岡至曹縣，決梁靖、楊家二口。侍郎巖亦嘗修浚，緣地高河澱，隨浚隨淤，水殺不多，而決口又難築塞。今觀梁靖以下地勢最卑，故眾流奔注成河，直抵沛縣，藉令其口築成，而容受全流無地，必致回激黃陵岡堤岸，而運道妨矣。至河流故道，堙者不可復疏，請起大名三春柳至沛縣飛雲橋，築堤三百餘里，以障河北徙。」從之。六年二月，功未竣，堂言：「陳橋集、銅瓦廂俱應增築，請設副使一人耑理。」會河南盜起，召堂還京，命姑已其不急者。遂委其事於副使，而堤役由此罷。

Vice Minister of Works Cui Yan was ordered to repair the Yellow River, dredged Dongpenkou in Xiangfu and Sunjiadu in Xingze, dredged the Jia Lu River and Bozhou old river each several tens of li, and repaired breaches in Changyuan counties, the Caoxian outer dike, and the Liangjing breach. The work was unfinished when sudden rain caused the dike to breach. Cui Yan submitted: "The river's force rushes and scours ever more severely, and it also enters the Wangzi River, an old river course; unless upstream force is greatly reduced, the breach may be hard to seal quickly. It would be better to build up dikes at Cao, Shan, Feng, and Pei and prevent northward shift—then perhaps transport can be protected." He also requested appointing senior ministers knowledgeable in water works for joint discussion. The emperor then rebuked Cui Yan for having no effective method of river control and replaced him with Vice Minister Li Tang. Li Tang reported: "The old courses at Lanyang, Yifeng, and Kaocheng are silted shut, so all river flow enters the Jia Lu River, passes Huanglinggang to Caoxian, and breaks out at Liangjing and Yangjia. Vice Minister Cui Yan also once dredged, but because the ground was high and the river silted, no sooner was it dredged than it silted again; water force was little reduced, and the breach was again hard to seal. Below Liangjing the terrain is lowest, so all streams rush together forming a river reaching directly to Peixian; even if its mouth were sealed, there is no place to contain the full flow—it would surely back-rush against Huanglinggang dikes and obstruct the transport route. As for the river's old course, what is filled in cannot be dredged again; I request building a dike more than three hundred li from Sanchunliu in Daming to Feiyun Bridge in Peixian to block the river from shifting north." This was approved. In the second month of the sixth year, before the work was finished, Li Tang reported: "Chenqiaoji and Tongwaxiang both need additional construction; I request appointing one vice commissioner to manage exclusively." Bandits rose in Henan; Li Tang was recalled to the capital and ordered to suspend non-urgent work. The matter was entrusted to the vice commissioner, and dike work was thus halted.

八年六月，河復決黃陵岡。部議以其地界大名、山東、河南，守土官事權不一，請耑遣重臣，乃命管河副都御史劉愷兼理其事。愷奏，率眾祭告河神，越二日，河已南徙。尚書李鐩因請祭河，且賜愷羊酒。愷於治河束手無策，特歸功於神。曹、單間被害日甚。

In the sixth month of the eighth year the river again broke out at Huanglinggang. The ministry noted that the area bordered Daming, Shandong, and Henan and local officials had inconsistent authority; they requested dispatching a senior minister, and River-management Vice Censor-in-Chief Liu Kai was ordered to take charge. Liu Kai reported that he led a ceremony offering sacrifice to the River God; within two days the river had shifted south. Minister Li Zong therefore requested a river sacrifice and also granted Liu Kai sheep and wine. Liu Kai was helpless in river control and attributed success solely to the god. Between Cao and Shan the damage grew daily worse.

世宗初，總河副都御史龔弘言：「黃河自正德初載，變遷不常，日漸北徙。大河之水合成一派，歸入黃陵岡前乃折而南，出徐州以入運河。黃陵歲初築三埽，先已決去其二，懼山、陝諸水橫發，加以霖潦，決而趨張秋，復由故道入海。臣嘗築堤，起長垣，由黃陵岡抵山東楊家口，延袤二百餘里。今擬距堤十里許再築一堤，延袤高廣如之。即河水溢舊堤，流至十里外，性緩勢平，可無大決。」從之。自黃陵岡決，開封以南無河患，而河北徐、沛諸州縣河徙不常。

At the beginning of the Jiajing reign, Grand Coordinator of Rivers Vice Censor-in-Chief Gong Hong reported: "Since the early Zhengde period the Yellow River has changed course irregularly, shifting north day by day. The great river waters merged into one stream, reaching Huanglinggang then turning south, exiting Xuzhou to enter the canal. At Huangling three revetments were built at the year start; two had already breached; fearing floods from Shanxi and Shaanxi waters together with prolonged rain, it would breach and rush toward Zhangqiu, again reaching the sea by the old course. I once built dikes from Changyuan through Huanglinggang to Yangjiakou in Shandong, extending more than two hundred li. Now I propose building another dike about ten li from the existing dike, matching it in height and width. If river water overflows the old dike and flows ten li outward, its force will be gentler and level, and there may be no great breach." This was approved. Since the Huanglinggang breach, south of Kaifeng had no river flooding, while north of the river the prefectures and counties of Xu and Pei saw the river shift irregularly.

嘉靖五年，督漕都御史高友璣請浚山東賈魯河、河南鴛鴦口，分泄水勢，毋偏害一方。部議恐害山東、河南，不允。其冬，以章拯為工部侍郎兼僉都御史治河。

In the fifth year of the Jiajing reign, Grand Coordinator of Grain Transport Gao Youji requested dredging the Jia Lu River in Shandong and Yuanyang kou in Henan to divide and release water force and not harm one region alone. The ministry feared harm to Shandong and Henan and did not approve. That winter Zhang Zheng was appointed Vice Minister of Works and concurrently Vice Censor-in-Chief to manage the river.

先是，大學士費宏言：「河入汴梁以東分為三支，雖有沖決，可無大害。正德末，渦河等河日就淤淺，黃河大股南趨之勢既無所殺，乃從蘭陽、考城、曹、濮奔赴沛縣飛雲橋及徐州之溜溝，悉入漕河，泛溢彌漫，此前數年河患也。近者，沙河至沛縣浮沙湧塞，官民舟楫悉取道昭陽湖。春夏之交，湖面淺涸，運道必阻，渦河等河必宜亟浚。」御史戴金言：「黃河入淮之道有三：自中牟至荊山合長淮曰渦河；自開封經葛岡小壩、丁家道口、馬牧集鴛鴦口至徐州小浮橋口曰汴河；自小壩經歸德城南飲馬池抵文家集，經夏邑至宿遷曰白河。弘治間，渦、白上源堙塞，而徐州獨受其害。宜自小壩至宿遷小河並賈魯河、鴛鴦口、文家集壅塞之處，盡行疏通，則趨淮之水不止一道，而徐州水患殺矣。」御史劉欒言：「曹縣梁靖口南岸，舊有賈魯河，南至武家口十三里，黃沙淤平，必宜開浚。武家口下至馬牧集鴛鴦口百十七里，即小黃河舊通徐州故道，水尚不涸，亦宜疏通。」督漕總兵官楊宏亦請疏歸德小壩、丁家道口、亳州渦河、宿遷小河。友璣及拯亦屢以為言。俱下工部議，以為浚賈魯故道，開渦河上源，功大難成，未可輕舉，但議築堤障水，俾入正河而已。

Previously, Grand Secretary Fei Hong said: "East of Bianliang where the river enters, it divides into three branches; though there are breaches, there may be no great harm. At the end of Zhengde the Wo River and other rivers daily grew silted and shallow; with nothing to reduce the Yellow River main current southward trend, it rushed from Lanyang, Kaocheng, Cao, and Pu toward Feiyun Bridge in Peixian and Liugou in Xuzhou, all entering the canal and overflowing—this was the river calamity of recent years. Recently the Sha River to Peixian has floating sand blocking it; official and private boats all take the route through Zhaoyang Lake. Between spring and summer the lake surface runs shallow and dry and the transport route must be obstructed; the Wo River and other rivers must urgently be dredged." Censor Dai Jin said: "The Yellow River routes into the Huai are three: from Zhongmu to Jingshan joining the long Huai is the Wo River; from Kaifeng through Geogang Xiaoba, Dingjiadaokou, Mamuji Yuanyang kou to Xiaofuqiao kou in Xuzhou is the Bian River; from Xiaoba through Yinmachi south of Guide city to Wenjiaji, through Xiayi to Suqian is the Bai River. In the Hongzhi period the upper sources of the Wo and Bai were filled in, and Xuzhou alone suffered the harm. From Xiaoba to the Suqian small river, and blocked places at the Jia Lu River, Yuanyang kou, and Wenjiaji, should all be dredged, then water rushing to the Huai will not be limited to one route and Xuzhou flooding will be reduced." Censor Liu Luan said: "On the south bank at Liangjing kou in Caoxian there was formerly the Jia Lu River, south to Wujiakou thirteen li, filled with yellow sand; it must be opened and dredged. From Wujiakou down to Mamuji Yuanyang kou one hundred seventeen li is the Lesser Yellow River old route connecting Xuzhou; water has not yet dried and should also be dredged." Grain-transport commander-in-chief Yang Hong also requested dredging Guide Xiaoba, Dingjiadaokou, Bozhou Wo River, and Suqian small river. Gao Youji and Zhang Zheng also repeatedly spoke thus. All were referred to the Ministry of Works for discussion; they held that dredging the Jia Lu old course and opening the Wo River upper source were great works hard to achieve and should not be lightly undertaken; they only discussed building dikes to block water and make it enter the main river.

是年，黃河上流驟溢，東北至沛縣廟道口，截運河，注雞鳴臺口，入昭陽湖。汶、泗南下之水從而東，而河之出飛雲橋者漫而北，淤數十里，河水沒豐縣，徙治避之。

That year the upper Yellow River suddenly overflowed northeast to Miaodaokou in Peixian, cutting the canal, pouring into Jimingtai kou, and entering Zhaoyang Lake. Wen and Si waters flowing south followed eastward, while the river exiting Feiyun Bridge spread north; silt accumulated for several tens of li; river water submerged Fengxian and the seat was moved to avoid it.

明年，拯言：「滎澤北孫家渡、蘭陽北趙皮寨，皆可引水南流，但二河通渦，東入淮，又東至鳳陽長淮衛，經壽春王諸園寢，為患叵測。惟寧陵北坌河一道，通飲馬池，抵文家集，又經夏邑至宿州符離橋，出宿遷小河口，自趙皮寨至文家集，凡二百餘里，浚而通之，水勢易殺，而園寢無患。」乃為圖說以聞。命刻期舉工。而河決曹、單、城武楊家、梁靖二口、吳士舉莊，沖入雞鳴臺，奪運河，沛地淤填七八里，糧艘阻不進。御史吳仲以聞，因劾拯不能辦河事，乞擇能者往代。其冬，以盛應期為總督河道右都御史。

The next year Zhang Zheng said: "Sunjiadu north of Xingze and Zhaopizhai north of Lanyang can both draw water south, but the two rivers connect with the Wo, enter the Huai eastward, and east again to Changhuai Guard in Fengyang, passing the gardens and tombs of the Prince of Shou-chun—calamity is unpredictable. Only one channel at Benhe north of Ningling connects with Yinmachi, reaches Wenjiaji, passes through Xiayi to Fuli Bridge in Suzhou, exits Xiahekou in Suqian—from Zhaopizhai to Wenjiaji in all more than two hundred li; dredge and open it and water force is easily reduced, and the gardens and tombs will be free of calamity." He then drew a map and explanation and submitted it. An order was issued to begin work on a fixed schedule. But the river breached at Yangjia and Liangjing in Cao, Shan, and Chengwu, and Wushijuzhuang, rushing into Jimingtai, seizing the canal; Pei territory silted for seven or eight li; grain boats were blocked and could not advance. Censor Wu Zhong reported this and impeached Zhang Zheng for being unable to manage river affairs, requesting that a capable person be chosen to replace him. That winter Sheng Yingqi was appointed Right Censor-in-Chief supervising river channels.

是時，光祿少卿黃綰、詹事霍韜、左都御史胡世寧、兵部尚書李承勳各獻治河之議。綰言：「漕河資山東泉水，不必資黃河，莫若浚兗、冀間兩高中低之地，道河使北，至直沽入海。」

At this time Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments Huang Wan, Junior Guardian Huo Tao, Left Censor-in-Chief Hu Shining, and Minister of War Li Chengxun each submitted policies for river control. Huang Wan said: "The canal relies on Shandong spring water and need not rely on the Yellow River; better to dredge the low land between two heights in Yan and Ji, channel the river north to Zhigu to enter the sea."

韜言：「議者欲引河自蘭陽注宿遷。夫水溢徐、沛，猶有二洪為之束捍，東北諸山亙列如垣，有所底極，若道蘭陽，則歸德、鳳陽平地千里，河勢奔放，數郡皆壑，患不獨徐、沛矣。按衛河自衛輝汲縣至天津入海，猶古黃河也。今宜於河陰、原武、懷、孟間，審視地形，引河水注於衛河，至臨清、天津，則徐、沛水勢可殺其半。且元人漕舟涉江入淮，至封丘北，陸運百八十里至淇門，入御河達京師。御河即衛河也。今導河注衛，冬春溯衛河沿臨清至天津，夏秋則由徐、沛，此一舉而運道兩得也。」

Huo Tao said: "Those in discussion wish to lead the river from Lanyang to Suqian. When water overflows Xu and Pei, there are still the two narrows to restrain it; northeastern mountains stand in rows like walls with some limit; if channeled from Lanyang, then Guide and Fengyang have level ground for a thousand li, river force runs freely, several prefectures all become gullies—calamity is not limited to Xu and Pei alone. The Wei River from Jixian in Weihui to Tianjin entering the sea is still the ancient Yellow River. Now between Heyin, Yuanwu, Huai, and Meng one should survey terrain and lead river water into the Wei River to Linqing and Tianjin—then Xu and Pei water force can be reduced by half. Moreover Yuan grain boats crossed the Yangtze into the Huai, reached north of Fengqiu, were transported overland one hundred eighty li to Qimen, entered the Imperial River and reached the capital. The Imperial River is the Wei River. Now guide the river into the Wei; in winter and spring ascend the Wei River along Linqing to Tianjin, in summer and autumn use Xu and Pei—one move and the transport route gains both ways."

世寧言：「河自汴以來，南分二道：一出汴城西滎澤，經中牟、陳、潁，至壽州入淮；一出汴城東祥符，經陳留、亳州，至懷遠入淮。其東南一道自歸德、宿州，經虹縣、睢寧，至宿遷出其東，分五道：一自長垣、曹、鄆至陽穀出；一自曹州雙河口至魚臺塌場口出；一自儀封、歸德至徐州小浮橋出；一自沛縣南飛雲橋出；一自徐、沛之中境山、北溜溝出。六道皆入漕河，而南會於淮。今諸道皆塞，惟沛縣一道僅存。合流則水勢既大，河身亦狹不能容，故溢出為患。近又漫入昭陽湖，以致流緩沙壅。宜因故道而分其勢，汴西則浚孫家渡抵壽州以殺上流，汴東南出懷遠、宿遷及正東小浮橋、溜溝諸道，各宜擇其利便者，開浚一道，以泄下流。或修武城南廢堤，抵豐、單接沛北廟道口，以防北流。此皆治河急務也。至為運道計，則當於湖東滕、沛、魚臺、鄒縣間獨山、新安社地別鑿一渠，南接留城，北接沙河，不過百餘里。厚築西岸以為湖障，令水不得漫，而以一湖為河流散漫之區，乃上策也。」

Hu Shining said: "From Bian onward the river divides south into two routes: one exits west of Bian city at Xingze, passes Zhongmu, Chen, and Ying, to Shouzhou entering the Huai; one exits east of Bian city at Xiangfu, passes Chenliu and Bozhou, to Huaiyuan entering the Huai. Its southeast route from Guide and Suzhou passes Hongxian and Suining to Suqian exiting east, dividing into five routes: one from Changyuan, Cao, and Yan to Yanggu exiting; one from Shuanghekou in Caozhou to Takouchang kou in Yutai exiting; one from Yifeng and Guide to Xiaofuqiao in Xuzhou exiting; one from Feiyun Bridge south of Peixian exiting; one from Jingshan and Beiliugou between Xu and Pei exiting. All six routes enter the canal and south join at the Huai. Now all routes are blocked; only the Peixian route barely remains. Combined flow makes water force already great and the river bed also narrow and unable to contain it, therefore it overflows and causes calamity. Recently it also spread into Zhaoyang Lake, causing slow flow and sand blockage. Old courses should be used to divide its force: west of Bian dredge Sunjiadu to Shouzhou to reduce upstream force; southeast exiting Huaiyuan, Suqian, and east Xiaofuqiao and Liugou routes—each should choose the convenient one and open one channel to release downstream flow. Or repair the abandoned dike south of Xiuwu city, reaching Feng and Shan connecting Miaodaokou north of Pei, to guard against northward flow. These are all urgent tasks in river control. For the transport route, east of the lake between Teng, Pei, Yutai, and Zou counties at Dushan and Xinanshe land a separate channel should be cut, south connecting Liucheng, north connecting the Sha River—in all not more than one hundred li. Thickly build the west bank as a lake barrier so water cannot spread, using one lake as the area for river dispersion—this is the superior policy."

承勳言：「黃河入運支流有六。自渦河源塞，則北出小黃河、溜溝等處，不數年諸處皆塞，北並出飛雲橋，於是豐、沛受患，而金溝運道遂淤。然幸東面皆山，猶有所障，故昭陽湖得通舟。若益徙而北，則徑奔入海，安平鎮故道可慮，單縣、谷亭百萬生靈之命可虞。又益北，則自濟寧至臨清運道諸水俱相隨入海，運何由通？臣愚以為相六道分流之勢，導引使南，可免沖決，此下流不可不疏浚也。欲保豐、沛、單縣、穀亭之民，必因舊堤築之，堤其西北使毋溢出，此上流不可不堤防也。」

Li Chengxun said: "The Yellow River tributaries entering the transport canal are six. Since the Wo River source was blocked, it exited north at the Lesser Yellow River, Liugou, and other places; within a few years all places were blocked and all exited north together at Feiyun Bridge; thus Feng and Pei suffered calamity and the Jingou transport route silted. Yet fortunately the east is all mountains and still has some barrier, so Zhaoyang Lake could carry boats. If it shifts further north it will rush directly to the sea; the Anping Town old course is threatened and the lives of a million people in Shanxian and Guting are at risk. If it shifts further north still, then from Jining to Linqing all transport-route waters will follow into the sea—how can transport pass? I think that surveying the six-route divided flow pattern and guiding it south can avoid rush-breach—this downstream must be dredged. To protect the people of Feng, Pei, Shanxian, and Guting, old dikes must be built up, diking the northwest so it does not overflow—this upstream must be diked."

其論昭陽湖東引水為運道，與世寧同。乃下總督大臣會議。

His discussion of drawing water east of Zhaoyang Lake for the transport route agreed with Hu Shining. It was then referred to the supervising grand minister for joint discussion.

七年正月，應期奏上，如世寧策，請於昭陽湖東改為運河。會河決，於廟道口三十餘里，乃別遣官浚趙皮寨，孫家渡，南、北溜溝以殺上流，堤武城迤西至沛縣南，以防北潰。會旱災修省，言者請罷新河之役，乃召應期還京，以工部侍郎潘希曾代。希曾抵官，言：「邇因趙皮寨開浚未通，疏孫家渡口以殺河勢，請敕河南巡撫潘塤督管河副使，刻期成功。」帝從其奏。希曾又言：「漕渠廟道口以下忽淤數十里者，由決河西來橫沖口上，並掣閘河之水東入昭陽湖，致閘水不南，而飛雲橋之水時復北漫故也。今宜於濟、沛間加築東堤，以遏入湖之路，更築西堤以防黃河之沖，則水不散緩，而廟道口可永無淤塞之虞。」帝亦從之。

In the first month of the seventh year Sheng Yingqi submitted his report following Hu Shining strategy, requesting changing east of Zhaoyang Lake into a canal. The river breached at more than thirty li at Miaodaokou; separate officials were dispatched to dredge Zhaopizhai, Sunjiadu, and south and north Liugou to reduce upstream force, and dikes were built from Wucheng west to south of Peixian to guard against north breach. Because of drought disaster and self-examination, critics requested halting new canal work; Sheng Yingqi was recalled to the capital and Vice Minister of Works Pan Xizeng replaced him. Pan Xizeng upon taking office said: "Recently because Zhaopizhai dredging was not yet open, Sunjiadu kou was dredged to reduce river force; I request ordering Henan Grand Coordinator Pan Kan to supervise the river vice commissioner with a fixed deadline for success." The emperor approved his memorial. Pan Xizeng also said: "Below Miaodaokou on the canal suddenly silted for several tens of li because breached river water came from the west cross-rushing upstream, also dragging sluice-river water east into Zhaoyang Lake, causing sluice water not to flow south while Feiyun Bridge water sometimes again spread north. Now east dikes should be added between Ji and Pei to block the route into the lake, and west dikes built to guard against Yellow River rush—then water will not disperse and slow, and Miaodaokou can forever be free of silt blockage worry." The emperor also approved this.

八年六月，單、豐、沛三縣長堤成。九年五月，孫家渡河堤成。逾月，河決曹縣。一自胡村寺東，東南至賈家壩入古黃河，由丁家道口至小浮橋入運河。一自胡村寺東北，分二支：一東南經虞城至碭山，合古黃河出徐州；一東北經單縣長堤抵魚臺，漫為坡水，傍穀亭入運河。單、豐、沛三縣長堤障之，不為害。希曾上言：「黃由歸德至徐入漕，故道也。永樂間，浚開封支河達魚臺入漕以濟淺。自弘治時，黃河改由單、豐出沛之飛雲橋，而歸德故道始塞，魚臺支河亦塞。今全河復其故道，則患害已遠，支流達於魚臺，則淺涸無虞，此漕運之利，國家之福也。」帝悅，下所司知之，乃召希曾還京。自是，豐、沛漸無患，而魚臺數溢。

In the sixth month of the eighth year the long dikes of Shan, Feng, and Pei three counties were completed. In the fifth month of the ninth year the Sunjiadu river dike was completed. After a month the river breached Caoxian. One from east of Hucun Temple southeast to Jiaba dam entering the old Yellow River, through Dingjiadaokou to Xiaofuqiao entering the canal. One from northeast of Hucun Temple divided into two branches: one southeast through Yucheng to Dangshan, joining the old Yellow River exiting Xuzhou; one northeast through the Shanxian long dike reaching Yutai, spreading as slope water, beside Guting entering the canal. The long dikes of Shan, Feng, and Pei three counties blocked it and it caused no harm. Pan Xizeng submitted: "Yellow River water from Guide to Xu entering the canal is the old course. In the Yongle period the Kaifeng branch river was dredged reaching Yutai to enter the canal to aid shallow sections. From the Hongzhi period the Yellow River changed to exit through Shan and Feng at Feiyun Bridge in Pei; the Guide old course was then blocked and the Yutai branch river also blocked. Now the whole river has restored its old course, so calamity is already far away; tributaries reach Yutai, so shallow drying is without worry—this is transport benefit and the state fortune." The emperor was pleased, ordered responsible offices informed, and recalled Pan Xizeng to the capital. From this Feng and Pei gradually had no calamity, while Yutai overflowed repeatedly.

十一年，總河僉都御史戴時宗請委魚臺為受水之地，言：「河東北岸與運道鄰，惟西南流者，一由孫家渡出壽州，一由渦河口出懷遠，一由趙皮寨出桃源，一由梁靖口出徐州小浮橋。往年四道俱塞，全河南奔，故豐、沛、曹、單、魚臺以次受害。今患獨鐘於魚臺，宜棄以受水，因而道之，使入昭陽湖，過新開河，出留城、金溝、境山，乃易為力。至塞河四道，惟渦河經祖陵，未敢輕舉，其三支河頗存故跡，宜乘魚臺壅塞，令開封河夫卷埽填堤，逼使河水分流，則魚臺水勢漸減，俟水落畢工，並前三河共為四道，以分泄之，河患可已。」

In the eleventh year Grand Coordinator of Rivers Vice Censor-in-Chief Dai Shizong requested entrusting Yutai as a water-receiving place, saying: "The northeast bank of the river neighbors the transport route; only southwest-flowing water: one from Sunjiadu exiting Shouzhou, one from Wo River kou exiting Huaiyuan, one from Zhaopizhai exiting Taoyuan, one from Liangjing kou exiting Xiaofuqiao in Xuzhou. In former years all four routes were blocked and all flowed south, so Feng, Pei, Cao, Shan, and Yutai suffered in turn. Now calamity falls solely on Yutai; it should be abandoned to receive water and be channeled into Zhaoyang Lake, passing the newly opened river, exiting Liucheng, Jingou, and Jingshan—then it will be easier. As for blocking the four river routes, only the Wo River passes the imperial tombs and cannot be lightly attempted; the other three branch rivers still preserve old traces. While Yutai is blocked, Kaifeng river laborers should roll revetments and fill dikes to force river water to divide; then Yutai water force will gradually diminish. When water falls and work is finished, together with the three rivers above making four routes to divide and discharge, river calamity can cease."

明年，都御史硃裳代時宗，條上治河二事，大略言：「三大支河宜開如時宗計，而請塞梁靖口迤東由魚臺入運河之岔口，以捍黃河，則穀亭鎮迤南二百餘里淤者可浚，是謂塞黃河之口以開運河。黃河自穀亭轉入運河，順流而南，二日抵徐州，徐州逆流而北，四日乃抵谷亭，黃水之利莫大於此。恐河流北趨，或由魚臺、金鄉、濟甯漫安平鎮，則運河堤岸沖決；或三支一有壅淤，則谷亭南運河亦且沖決。宜繕築堤岸，束黃入運，是謂借黃河之水以資運河。」詔裳相度處置。

The next year Censor-in-Chief Zhu Shang replaced Dai Shizong and submitted two river-control items, broadly saying: "The three great branch rivers should be opened as Dai Shizong planned, and I request blocking the fork east of Liangjing kou where the river enters the canal through Yutai to resist the Yellow River—then more than two hundred li of silted land south of Guting Town can be dredged; this is called blocking the Yellow River mouth to open the canal. Yellow River water from Guting entering the canal flows south with the current; in two days it reaches Xuzhou; from Xuzhou against the current northward, four days reach Guting—the benefit of Yellow River water is greatest here. I fear if the river trends north it may spread through Yutai, Jinxiang, and Jining over Anping Town, and canal dikes and banks will breach; or if one of the three branches is blocked, the canal south of Guting will also breach. Dikes and banks should be repaired and built to constrain Yellow River water into the canal—this is called using Yellow River water to support the canal." An edict ordered Zhu Shang to survey and manage.

十三年正月，裳復言：

In the first month of the thirteenth year Zhu Shang again said:

「今梁靖口、趙皮寨已通，孫家渡方浚。惟渦河一支，因趙皮寨下流睢州野雞岡淤正河五十餘里，漫於平地，注入渦河。宜挑浚深廣，引導漫水歸入正河，而於睢州張見口築長堤至歸德郭村，凡百餘里，以防泛溢。更時疏梁靖口下流，且挑儀封月河入之，達於小浮橋，則北岸水勢殺矣。

"Now Liangjing kou and Zhaopizhai are open and Sunjiadu is being dredged. Only the Wo River branch, because below Zhaopizhai the main river at Yeji Hill in Suizhou is silted for more than fifty li, spreads over level ground and enters the Wo River. It is appropriate to dredge deep and wide, guide spreading water back into the main river, and from Zhangjiankou in Suizhou build a long dike to Guocun in Guide for more than one hundred li to guard against overflow. Also periodically dredge below Liangjing kou and cut the Yifeng moon channel into it to reach Xiaofuqiao—then north-bank water force will be reduced.

夫河過魚臺，其流漸北，將有越濟甯、趨安平、東入於海之漸。嘗議塞岔河之口以安運河，而水勢洶湧，恐難遽塞。塞亦不能無橫決，黃陵岡、李居莊諸處不能無患。徐州迤上至魯橋泥沙停滯，山東諸泉水微，運道必澀。請創築城武至濟甯縷水大堤百五十餘里，以防北溢。而自魯橋至沛縣東堤百五十餘里修築堅厚，固之以石。自魚臺至谷亭開通淤河，引水入漕，以殺魚臺、城武之患，此順水之性不與水爭地者也。

When the river passes Yutai its flow gradually turns north and will gradually trend beyond Jining toward Anping and east into the sea. It was once discussed to block the fork mouth to secure the canal, but water force is surging and may be hard to block quickly. Blocking also cannot be without lateral breach; Huanglinggang, Lijuzhuang, and other places cannot be free of calamity. From Xuzhou upward to Luqiao sand and mud stagnate and Shandong spring waters are slight—the transport route must run sluggish. I request building a new thread-water great dike from Chengwu to Jining for more than one hundred fifty li to guard against north overflow. And from Luqiao to Peixian east dike for more than one hundred fifty li should be built solid and thick, reinforced with stone. From Yutai to Guting open the silted river and draw water into the canal to reduce calamity at Yutai and Chengwu—this follows water nature and does not contend with water for land.

孫家渡、渦河二支俱出懷遠，會淮流至鳳陽，經皇陵及壽春王陵至泗州，經祖陵。皇陵地高無慮，祖陵則三面距河，壽春王陵尤迫近。祖陵宜築土堤，壽春王陵宜砌石岸，然事體重大，不敢輕舉也。清江浦口正當黃、淮會合之沖，二河水漲漫入河口，以致淤塞滯運，宜浚深廣。而又築堤以防水漲，築壩以護行舟，皆不可緩。往時淮水獨流入海，而海口又有套流，安東上下又有澗河、馬邏諸港以分水入海。今黃河匯入於淮，水勢已非其舊，而諸港套俱已堙塞，不能速泄，下壅上溢，梗塞運道。宜將溝港次第開浚，海口套沙，多置龍爪船往來爬蕩，以廣入海之路，此所謂殺其下流者也。

The Sunjiadu and Wo River branches both exit Huaiyuan, join Huai flow to Fengyang, pass the imperial tombs and the Prince of Shou-chun tombs to Sizhou, passing the ancestral tombs. The imperial tombs are on high ground without worry; the ancestral tombs are bounded by river on three sides and the Prince of Shou-chun tombs are especially close. Earthen dikes should be built at the ancestral tombs and stone banks at the Prince of Shou-chun tombs, but the matter is weighty and cannot be lightly undertaken. Qingjiangpu kou is directly at the rush of Yellow and Huai joining; when both rivers rise and flood the river mouth, silt blockage slows transport—dredging should be deep and wide. Also build dikes to guard against water rise and dams to protect passing boats—all cannot be delayed. Formerly Huai water alone entered the sea, and at the river mouth there were also loop currents; above and below Andong there were also Gou River, Maluo, and other ports to divide water into the sea. Now the Yellow River gathers into the Huai; water force is no longer as before, and all ports and loops are filled in and cannot discharge quickly; blockage below and overflow above obstruct the transport route. Canals and ports should be opened and dredged in order; at the river mouth loop sand, many dragon-claw boats should scrape back and forth to broaden the route to the sea—this is what is called reducing the lower reach.

河出魚臺雖藉以利漕，然未有數十年不變者也。一旦他徙，則徐、沛必涸。宜大浚山東諸泉以匯於汶河，則徐、沛之渠不患乾涸，雖岔河口塞亦無虞矣。」工部覆如其議，帝允行之。未幾，裳憂去，命劉天和為總河副都御史代裳。

Although the river exiting Yutai aids transport, there has never been several decades without change. Once it shifts elsewhere, Xu and Pei must run dry. Shandong springs should be greatly dredged to gather in the Wen River—then Xu and Pei channels need not fear drying; even if the fork mouth is blocked there is no worry." The Ministry of Works replied following his proposal and the emperor approved. Before long Zhu Shang left due to mourning; Liu Tianhe was appointed Grand Coordinator of Rivers Vice Censor-in-Chief to replace Zhu Shang.

是歲，河決趙皮寨入淮，穀亭流絕，廟道口復淤。天和役夫十四萬浚之。已而河忽自夏邑大丘、回村等集沖數口，轉向東北，流經蕭縣，下徐州小浮橋。天和言：「黃河自魚、沛入漕河，運舟通利者數十年，而淤塞河道、廢壞閘座、阻隔泉流、沖廣河身，為害亦大。今黃河既改沖從虞城、蕭、碭，下小浮橋，而榆林集、侯家林二河分流入運者，俱淤塞斷流，利去而害獨存。宜浚魯橋至徐州二百餘里之淤塞。」制可。

That year the river breached Zhaopizhai into the Huai; Guting flow ceased and Miaodaokou silted again. Liu Tianhe employed one hundred forty thousand laborers to dredge it. Soon the river suddenly from Daqiu and Huicun in Xiayi and other breaches turned northeast, passing Xiaoxian, descending to Xiaofuqiao in Xuzhou. Liu Tianhe said: "Yellow River water from Yutai and Pei entering the canal has allowed transport boats to pass smoothly for several decades, yet silt blocking the channel, ruined sluices, obstructed spring flow, and widened river bed have also caused great harm. Now the Yellow River has changed and rushed from Yucheng, Xiao, and Dang, descending to Xiaofuqiao, while Yulinji and Houjialin branches dividing into the canal are both silted and cut off—benefit gone and harm alone remains. The silt blockage from Luqiao to Xuzhou for more than two hundred li should be dredged." Approval was granted.

十四年從天和言，自曹縣梁靖口東岔河口築壓口縷水堤，復築曹縣八里灣至單縣侯家林長堤各一道。是年冬，天和條上治河數事，中言：「魯橋至沛縣東堤，舊議築石以禦橫流，今黃河既南徙，可不必築。孫家渡自正統時全河從此南徙，弘治間淤塞，屢開屢淤，卒不能通。今趙皮寨河日漸沖廣，若再開渡口，併入渦河，不惟二洪水澀，恐亦有陵寢之虞，宜仍其舊勿治。舊議祥符磐石、蘭陽銅瓦廂、考城蔡家口各添築月堤。臣以為黃河之當防者惟北岸為重，當擇其去河遠者大堤中堤各一道，修補完築，使北岸七八百里間聯屬高厚，則前勘應築諸堤舉在其中，皆可罷不築。」帝亦從之。

In the fourteenth year, following Liu Tianhe, from Liangjing kou in Caoxian to the east fork at Chahekou thread-water dikes were built, and long dikes from Baliwan in Caoxian to Houjialin in Shanxian were each rebuilt. That winter Liu Tianhe submitted several river-control items, saying among them: "The east dike from Luqiao to Peixian—formerly discussed building stone to resist cross-flow—now the Yellow River has shifted south and need not be built. Sunjiadu since the Zhengtong period when the whole river shifted south from here—in the Hongzhi period silted and was opened and silted repeatedly, ultimately unable to pass. Now Zhaopizhai river daily grows wider with rush; if the crossing is opened again and merged into the Wo River, not only will the two narrows run sluggish, but there is also fear for the imperial tombs—the old state should be maintained and not treated. Formerly discussed adding moon dikes at Panshi in Xiangfu, Tongwaxiang in Lanyang, and Caikou in Kaocheng. I hold that what the Yellow River must guard is only the north bank as weighty; where the river is far, great and middle dikes each one route should be chosen, repaired and completed, so that between seven or eight hundred li on the north bank they join high and thick—then all previously surveyed dikes to be built are included and can all be halted." The emperor also approved this.

十五年，督漕都御史周金言：「自嘉靖六年後，河流益南，其一由渦河直下長淮，而梁靖口、趙皮寨二支各入清河，匯於新莊閘，遂灌裏河。水退沙存，日就淤塞。故老皆言河自汴來本濁，而渦、淮、泗清，新莊閘正當二水之口，河、淮既合，昔之為沛縣患者，今移淮安矣。因請於新莊更置一渠，立閘以資蓄泄。」從之。

In the fifteenth year Grand Coordinator of Grain Transport Zhou Jin said: "Since the sixth year of Jiajing the river has trended increasingly south; one route descends directly through the Wo River to the long Huai, while Liangjing kou and Zhaopizhai branches each enter the Qing River, gathering at Xingzhuang Sluice, thus flooding the inner canal. When water recedes sand remains and daily grows silted. Old men all say the river from Bian was originally turbid while the Wo, Huai, and Si were clear; Xingzhuang Sluice is directly at the mouth of the two waters; once He and Huai joined, what formerly harmed Peixian has now moved to Huai'an. Therefore I request at Xingzhuang placing another channel and building a sluice for storage and discharge." This was approved.

十六年冬從總河副都御史於湛言，開地丘店、野雞岡諸口上流四十餘里，由桃源集、丁家道口入舊黃河，截渦河水入河濟洪。十八年，總河都御史胡纘宗開考城孫繼口、孫祿口黃河支流，以殺歸、睢水患，且灌徐、呂，因於二口築長堤，及修築馬牧集決口。

In the winter of the sixteenth year, following Grand Coordinator of Rivers Vice Censor-in-Chief Yu Zhan, Diqiudian, Yeji Hill, and other upstream openings for more than forty li were opened, through Taoyuanji and Dingjiadaokou entering the old Yellow River, cutting Wo River water into the He to aid the narrows. In the eighteenth year Grand Coordinator of Rivers Censor-in-Chief Hu Zong opened Sunji kou and Sunlu kou Yellow River branches at Kaocheng to reduce Guide and Suizhou water calamity and irrigate Xu and Lü, and at the two openings built long dikes and repaired the Mamuji breach.

二十年五月命兵部侍郎王以旂督理河道，協總河副都御史郭持平計議。先一歲，黃河南徙，決野雞岡，由渦河經亳州入淮，舊決口俱塞。其由孫繼口及考城至丁家道口，虞城入徐、呂者，亦僅十之二。持平久治弗效，降俸戴罪。以旂至，上言：「國初，漕河惟通諸泉及汶、泗，黃河勢猛水濁，遷徙不常，故徐有貞、白昂、劉大夏力排之，不資以濟運也。今幸黃河南徙，諸閘復舊，宜浚山東諸泉入野雞岡新開河道，以濟徐、呂；而築長堤沛縣以南，聚水如閘河制，務利漕運而已。」明年春，持平請浚孫繼口及扈運口、李景高口三河，使東由蕭、碭入徐濟運。其秋，從以旂言，於孫繼口外別開一渠泄水，以濟徐、呂。凡八月，三口工成，以旂、持平皆被獎，遂召以旂還。未幾，李景高口復淤。

In the fifth month of the twentieth year Vice Minister of War Wang Yiqing was ordered to supervise river channels, coordinating with Grand Coordinator of Rivers Vice Censor-in-Chief Guo Chiping. One year earlier the Yellow River shifted south, breaching Yeji Hill, entering the Huai through the Wo River via Bozhou; old breaches were all blocked. That from Sunji kou and from Kaocheng to Dingjiadaokou, Yucheng entering Xu and Lü, was also only two-tenths. Guo Chiping long managed without effect and was demoted in salary with punishment. Wang Yiqing upon arrival submitted: "At the founding of the state the canal only connected various springs and the Wen and Si; Yellow River force was fierce and water turbid, shifting irregularly, so Xu Youzhen, Bai Ang, and Liu Daxia forcefully excluded it and did not rely on it to aid transport. Now fortunately the Yellow River has shifted south and all sluices are restored; Shandong springs should be dredged into the Yeji Hill newly opened channel to aid Xu and Lü; and build a long dike south of Peixian, gathering water like sluice-river system, solely to benefit grain transport." The next spring Guo Chiping requested dredging Sunji kou and Huyun kou and Lijingao kou three rivers, making them east through Xiao and Dang enter Xu to aid transport. That autumn, following Wang Yiqing, outside Sunji kou a separate channel was opened to discharge water to aid Xu and Lü. In all eight months the three openings were completed; Wang Yiqing and Guo Chiping were both rewarded, and Wang Yiqing was recalled. Before long Lijingao kou silted again.

先是，河決豐縣，遷縣治於華山，久之始復其故治。河決孟津、夏邑，皆遷其城。及野雞岡之決也，鳳陽沿淮州縣多水患，乃議徙五河、蒙城避之。而臨淮當祖陵形勝不可徙，乃用巡按御史賈太亨言，敕河撫二臣亟浚碭山河道，引入二洪，以殺南注之勢。

Previously the river breached Fengxian and the county seat was moved to Huashan; only after long time was the old seat restored. The river breached Mengjin and Xiayi and both moved their cities. When Yeji Hill breached, Fengyang Huai-shore prefectures and counties had much water calamity; moving Wuhe and Mengcheng was discussed to avoid it. But Linhuai faced the ancestral tombs terrain and could not be moved; following touring censor Jia Taiheng edict, river grand coordinators were ordered urgently to dredge the Dangshan channel, leading into the two narrows to reduce southward flow force.

二十六年秋，河決曹縣，水入城二尺，漫金鄉、魚臺、定陶、城武，沖穀亭。總河都御史詹瀚請於趙皮寨諸口多穿支河，以分水勢。詔可。

In the autumn of the twenty-sixth year the river breached Caoxian; water entered the city two chi, spread over Jinxiang, Yutai, Dingtao, and Chengwu, and rushed Guting. Grand Coordinator of Rivers Censor-in-Chief Zhan Han requested at Zhaopizhai and other openings cutting many branch rivers to divide water force. An edict approved.

三十一年九月，河決徐州房村集至邳州新安，運道淤阻五十里。總河副都御史曾鈞上治河方略，乃浚房村至雙溝、曲頭，築徐州高廟至邳州沂河。又言：「劉伶臺至赤晏廟凡八十里，乃黃河下流，淤沙壅塞，疏浚宜先。次則草灣老黃河口，沖激淹沒安東一縣，亦當急築，更築長堤磯嘴以備沖激。又三里溝新河口視舊口水高六尺，開舊口有沙淤之患，而為害稍輕；開新口未免淹沒之虞，而漕舟頗便。宜暫閉新口，建置閘座，且增築高家堰長堤，而新莊諸閘甃石以遏橫流。」帝命侍郎吳鵬振災戶，而悉從鈞奏。

In the ninth month of the thirty-first year the river breached from Fangcunji in Xuzhou to Xin'an in Pizhou; the transport route silted and was obstructed for fifty li. Grand Coordinator of Rivers Vice Censor-in-Chief Zeng Jun submitted river-control strategy, dredging from Fangcun to Shuanggou and Qutou, building from Gaomiao in Xuzhou to Yi River in Pizhou. He also said: "From Liulingtai to Chiyan Temple in all eighty li is the Yellow River lower reach; silt and sand block it and dredging should come first. Next is the old Yellow River mouth at Caowan; rush and scour submerged Andong county—this should also be urgently built, and long dikes and stone groins added to guard against rush. Also Sanligou new river mouth compared to the old mouth is six chi higher in water; opening the old mouth has sand silt worry but harm is slightly lighter; opening the new mouth cannot avoid submersion worry but grain boats are somewhat convenient. The new mouth should temporarily be closed, sluice seats built, and the Gaojia Embankment long dike augmented, and Xingzhuang sluices faced with stone to restrain cross-flow." The emperor ordered Vice Minister Wu Peng to relieve disaster households and fully followed Zeng Jun submission.

三里溝新河者，督漕都御史應檟以先年開清河口通黃河之水以濟運。今黃河入海，下流澗口、安東俱漲塞，河流壅而漸高，瀉入清河口，沙停易淤，屢浚屢塞。溝在淮水下流黃河未合之上，故閉清河口而開之，使船由通濟橋溯溝出淮，以達黃河者也。

Sanligou new river was where Grand Coordinator of Grain Transport Ying Biao in prior years opened Qinghekou to connect Yellow River water to aid transport. Now the Yellow River enters the sea; downstream Jiankou and Andong are all risen and blocked; river flow is dammed and gradually high, pouring into Qinghekou; sand stops and easily silts, repeatedly dredged and repeatedly blocked. The channel is above the Huai lower reach where the Yellow River has not yet joined; therefore Qinghekou was closed and it was opened so boats from Tongji Bridge ascend the channel out of the Huai to reach the Yellow River.

時浚徐、邳將訖工，一夕，水湧復淤。帝用嚴嵩言，遣官祭河神。而鵬、鈞復共奏請急築浚草灣、劉伶臺，建閘三里溝，迎納泗水清流；且於徐州以上至開封浚支河一二，令水分殺。其冬，漕河工竣，進鈞秩侍郎。

When dredging Xu and Pi was nearly finished, in one night water surged and silted again. The emperor following Yan Song words dispatched officials to sacrifice to the River God. Wu Peng and Zeng Jun jointly submitted requesting urgent building and dredging at Caowan and Liulingtai, building sluices at Sanligou, receiving clear Si water; and from Xuzhou upward to Kaifeng dredge one or two branch rivers to divide water force. That winter canal work was finished and Zeng Jun was promoted in rank to vice minister.

三十七年七月，曹縣新集淤。新集地接梁靖口，曆夏邑、丁家道口、馬牧集、韓家道口、司家道口至蕭縣薊門出小浮橋，此賈魯河故道也。自河患亟，別開支河出小河以殺水勢，而本河漸澀。至是遂決，趨東北段家口，析而為六，曰大溜溝、小溜溝、秦溝、濁河、胭脂溝、飛雲橋，俱由運河至徐洪。又分一支由碭山堅城集下郭貫樓，析而為五，曰龍溝、母河、梁樓溝、楊氏溝、胡店溝，亦由小浮橋會徐洪，而新集至小浮橋故道二百五十餘里遂淤不可復矣。自後，河忽東忽西，靡有定向，水得分瀉者數年，不至壅潰。然分多勢弱，淺者僅二尺，識者知其必淤。

In the seventh month of the thirty-seventh year Xinjii in Caoxian silted. Xinji adjoins Liangjing kou, passing through Xiayi, Dingjiadaokou, Mamuji, Hanjiadaokou, Sijiadaokou to Jimen in Xiaoxian exiting Xiaofuqiao—this is the Jia Lu River old course. Since river calamity was urgent, separate branch rivers were opened to the small river to reduce water force, and the main river gradually grew sluggish. By this time it breached, trending northeast to Duanjiakou, dividing into six: Daligou, Xiaoligou, Qingou, Zhuohe, Yanzhi Gou, and Feiyun Bridge—all through the canal to Xu narrows. Another branch from Jianchengji in Dangshan down Guoguanlou divided into five: Longgou, Muhe, Lianglou Gou, Yangshi Gou, and Hudian Gou, also through Xiaofuqiao joining Xu narrows, and the old course from Xinji to Xiaofuqiao for more than two hundred fifty li was silted and could not be restored. Afterward the river suddenly east suddenly west without fixed direction; water could divide and discharge for several years without damming and breach. Yet with many divisions force was weak; shallow places were only two chi deep—those with insight knew it must silt.

至四十四年七月，河決沛縣，上下二百餘里運道俱淤。全河逆流，自沙河至徐州以北，至曹縣棠林集而下，北分二支：南流者繞沛縣戚山楊家集，入秦溝至徐；北流者繞豐縣華山東北由三教堂出飛雲橋。又分而為十三支，或橫絕，或逆流入漕河，至湖陵城口，散漫湖坡，達於徐州，浩渺無際，而河變極矣。乃命硃衡為工部尚書兼理河漕，又以潘季馴為僉都御史總理河道。明年二月，復遣工科給事中何起鳴往勘河工。

By the seventh month of the forty-fourth year the river breached Peixian; above and below for more than two hundred li the transport route was all silted. The whole river flowed countercurrent; from Sha River to north of Xuzhou to Tanglinji below Caoxian, north divided into two branches: the south-flowing branch circled Yangjiaji at Qishan in Peixian, entering Qingou to Xu; the north-flowing branch circled northeast of Huashan in Fengxian through Sijiaotang exiting Feiyun Bridge. It again divided into thirteen branches, some crossing, some counterflowing into the canal to Hulingcheng kou, spreading over lake slopes reaching Xuzhou, vast without bound—and the river change reached its extreme. Zhu Heng was appointed Minister of Works to manage rivers and grain transport jointly, and Pan Jixun Vice Censor-in-Chief to oversee river channels. In the second month of the following year Supervising Secretary of the Construction Bureau He Qiming was again dispatched to inspect river work.

衡巡行決口，舊渠已成陸，而盛應期所鑿新河故跡尚在，地高，河決至昭陽湖不能復東，乃定計開浚。而季馴則以新河土淺泉湧，勞費不貲，留城以上故道初淤可復也。由是二人有隙。起鳴至沛，還，上言：「舊河之難復有五。黃河全徙必殺上流，新集、龐家屯、趙家圈皆上流也，以不貲之財，投於河流已棄之故道，勢必不能，一也。自留城至沛，莽為巨浸，無所施工，二也。橫亙數十里，褰裳無路，十萬之眾何所棲身，三也。挑浚則淖隱，築岸則無土，且南塞則北奔，四也。夏秋淫潦，難保不汙，五也。新河開鑿費省，且可絕後來潰決之患。宜用衡言開新河，而兼採季馴言，不全棄舊河。」廷臣議定，衡乃決開新河。

Heng inspected the breach; the old channel had become dry land, but traces of Sheng Yingqi's new river remained; the ground was high and water reaching Zhaoyang Lake could not turn east again—he decided to open and dredge a new channel. Pan Jixun argued that the new river had shallow soil and spring seepage at prohibitive cost, while the old course above Liucheng, though initially silted, could be restored. From this the two men developed a rift. He Qiming reached Pei and returned, reporting: "Restoring the old river faces five difficulties. If the Yellow River fully shifts upstream force must be reduced; Xinji, Pangjiatun, and Zhaojiaquan are all upstream; investing boundless funds in an abandoned old course is impossible—first. From Liucheng to Pei lies a vast flood with nowhere to work—second. Stretching crosswise for several tens of li with no dry path—where can one hundred thousand workers lodge—third. Dredging encounters hidden mire; building banks finds no earth, and blocking south sends water north—fourth. Summer and autumn floods make breach hard to prevent—fifth. Opening the new river costs less and can prevent future breaches. Heng's proposal to open the new river should be adopted, while also taking account of Pan Jixun's views and not wholly abandoning the old river." The court decided; Zhu Heng then resolved to open the new river.

時季馴持復故道之議，廷臣又多以為然。遂勘議新集、郭貫樓諸上源地。衡言：

At the time Pan Jixun held to restoring the old course and many court ministers agreed. They then surveyed and discussed upstream lands at Xinji, Guoguanlou, and elsewhere. Zhu Heng said:

「河出境山以北，則閘河淤；出徐州以南，則二洪涸；惟出境山至小浮橋四十餘里間，乃兩利而無害。自黃河橫流，碭山郭貫樓支河皆已淤塞，改從華山分為南北二支：南出秦溝，正在境山南五里許，運河可資其利；惟北出沛縣西及飛雲橋，逆上魚臺，為患甚大。

"When the river exits north of Jingshan, the sluice river silts; when it exits south of Xuzhou, the two narrows run dry; only between Jingshan and Xiaofuqiao for more than forty li is there benefit on both sides without harm. Since the Yellow River flowed crosswise, branch rivers at Guoguanlou in Dangshan were all silted; it changed from Huashan into north and south branches: south through Qingou, about five li south of Jingshan—the canal can benefit; only north through west of Peixian and Feiyun Bridge, flowing countercurrent to Yutai, causes very great calamity.

朝廷不忍民罹水災，拳拳故道，命勘上源。但臣參考地形有五不可。自新集至兩河口皆平原高阜，無尺寸故道可因，郭貫樓抵龍溝頗有河形，又系新淤，無可駐足，其不可一也。黃河所經，鮮不為患，由新集則商、虞、夏邑受之，由郭貫樓則蕭、碭受之，今改復故道，則魚、沛之禍復移蕭、碭，其不可二也。河西注華山，勢若建瓴，欲從中鑿渠，挽水南向，必當築壩橫截，遏其東奔，於狂瀾巨浸之中，築壩數里，為力甚難，其不可三也。役夫三十萬，曠日持久，騷動三省，其不可四也。大役踵興，工費數百萬，一有不繼，前功盡隳，其不可五也。惟當開廣秦溝，使下流通行，修築南岸長堤以防奔潰，可以蘇魚、沛昏墊之民。」

The court could not bear the people suffering flood damage and earnestly sought the old course, ordering survey of the upper source. But I find five impossibilities when surveying the terrain. From Xinji to Lianghekou are level plains and high mounds with no old course to follow; from Guoguanlou to Longgou there is some river form but it is newly silted with nowhere to stand—first impossibility. Where the Yellow River passes, calamity is nearly universal; from Xinji Shang, Yu, and Xiayi suffer; from Guoguanlou Xiao and Dang suffer; restoring the old course would shift disaster from Yutai and Pei back to Xiao and Dang—second impossibility. River water west of Huashan pours down like tipping a jar; to cut a channel through the middle and pull water southward requires building a cross dam to restrain its eastward rush—in raging flood building a dam several li long is extremely difficult—third impossibility. Three hundred thousand laborers, prolonged over time, disturbing three provinces—fourth impossibility. Great labor follows in succession at a cost of millions; if funding fails once, all prior work is destroyed—fifth impossibility. Only widening Qingou so the lower reach flows freely and building the south-bank long dike to guard against breach can relieve the submerged people of Yutai and Pei."

從之。衡乃開魚臺南陽抵沛縣留城百四十餘里，而浚舊河自留城以下，抵境山、茶城五十餘里，由此與黃河會。又築馬家橋堤三萬五千二百八十丈，石堤三十里，遏河之出飛雲橋者，趨秦溝以入洪。於是黃水不東侵，漕道通而沛流斷矣。方工未成，河復決沛縣，敗馬家橋堤。論者交章請罷衡。未幾，工竣。帝大喜，賦詩四章誌喜，以示在直諸臣。

This was approved. Zhu Heng opened a channel from Nanyang in Yutai to Liucheng in Peixian for more than one hundred forty li, and dredged the old river from below Liucheng to Jingshan and Chacheng for more than fifty li, thereby joining the Yellow River. He also built the Majiaqiao dike for thirty-five thousand two hundred eighty zhang and a stone dike for thirty li, directing river water from Feiyun Bridge toward Qingou and into the narrows. Thus Yellow River water did not spread east, the transport route was restored, and flow through Pei was cut off. While work was still unfinished the river again breached Peixian and destroyed the Majiaqiao dike. Critics submitted memorials in succession requesting Zhu Heng be dismissed. Before long the work was finished. The emperor was greatly pleased, composed four poems recording his joy, and showed them to ministers on duty.

四年秋，黃河暴至，茶城復淤，而山東沙、薛、汶、泗諸水驟溢，決仲家淺運道，由梁山出戚家港，合於黃河。大立復請因其勢而浚之。是時，淮水亦大溢，自泰山廟至七里溝淤十餘里，而水從諸家溝傍出，至清河縣河南鎮以合於黃河。大立又言：「開新莊閘以通回船，復陳瑄故道，則淮可無虞。獨黃河在睢寧、宿遷之間遷徙未知所定，泗州陵寢可虞。請浚古睢河，由宿遷曆宿州，出小浮橋以泄二洪之水。且規復清河、魚溝分河一道，下草灣，以免沖激之患，則南北運道庶幾可保。」時大立已內遷，方受代，而季馴以都御史復起總理河道。部議令區畫。

In the autumn of the fourth year the Yellow River surged; Chacheng silted again, while Shandong Sha, Xue, Wen, and Si waters suddenly overflowed, breaching the transport route at Zhongjiaqian, exiting Liangshan through Qijiagang, and joining the Yellow River. Weng Dali again requested dredging according to its force. At this time Huai water also greatly overflowed; from Taishan Temple to Qiligou silted for more than ten li, and water exited beside Zhujia Gou to Henanzhen in Qinghe County joining the Yellow River. Weng Dali also said: "Open Xingzhuang Sluice to pass returning boats and restore Chen Xuan's old course—then the Huai need not be worried. Only the Yellow River between Suining and Suqian shifts with no fixed course—the Sizhou imperial tombs are threatened. I request dredging the old Sui River from Suqian through Suzhou, exiting Xiaofuqiao to discharge water from the two narrows. Also plan restoring one divided route of the Qinghe and Yugou rivers, descending to Caowan, to avoid scour damage—then north and south transport routes may perhaps be preserved." At the time Weng Dali had already been transferred inward and was about to be replaced, while Pan Jixun was again raised as Censor-in-Chief to oversee river channels. The ministry ordered planning.

九月，河復決邳州，自睢甯白浪淺至宿遷小河口，淤百八十里，糧艘阻不進。大立言：「比來河患不在山東、河南、豐、沛，而專在徐、邳，故先欲開泇河口以遠河勢、開蕭縣河以殺河流者，正謂浮沙壅聚，河面增高，為異日慮耳。今秋水洊至，橫溢為災。權宜之計，在棄故道而就新沖；經久之策，在開泇河以避洪水。」乞決擇於二者。部議主塞決口，而令大立條利害以聞。大立遂以開泇口、就新沖、復故道三策並進，且言其利害各相參。會罷去，策未決，而季馴則主復故道。

In the ninth month the river again breached Pizhou; from Bailangqian in Suining to Xiahekou in Suqian silted for one hundred eighty li; grain boats were blocked and could not advance. Weng Dali said: "Recently river calamity lies not in Shandong, Henan, Feng, and Pei but solely in Xu and Pi; therefore wishing first to open Yikou to distance river force and open the Xiaoxian river to reduce flow was precisely because floating sand gathers and the river surface rises—a worry for the future. Now autumn floods arrive in succession and spread as disaster. The expedient measure is to abandon the old course and follow the new rush; the lasting policy is to open the Yi River to avoid flood water." I beg a decision between the two. The ministry favored blocking the breach and ordered Weng Dali to itemize benefits and harms and report. Weng Dali then advanced three policies together—opening Yikou, following the new rush, restoring the old course—and said their benefits and harms intermixed. He was dismissed before policy was decided, while Pan Jixun held to restoring the old course.

時茶城至呂樑，黃水為兩崖所束，不能下，又不得決。至五年四月，乃自靈璧雙溝而下，北決三口，南決八口，支流散溢，大勢下睢甯出小河，而匙頭灣八十里正河悉淤。季馴役丁夫五萬，盡塞十一口，且浚匙頭灣，築縷堤三萬餘丈，匙頭灣故道以復。旋以漕船行新溜中多漂沒，季馴罷去。

At the time from Chacheng to Lüliang Yellow water was bound by both banks, unable to descend and unable to breach. By the fifth year fourth month from Shuanggou in Lingbi downward, three openings breached north and eight south; tributaries spread and overflowed; the main force descended through Suining to the small river, and the eighty-li main channel at Chitouwan was all silted. Pan Jixun employed fifty thousand laborers, fully blocked eleven openings, dredged Chitouwan, built thread-water dikes for more than thirty thousand zhang, and restored the Chitouwan old course. Soon because grain boats traveling the new current mostly sank, Pan Jixun was dismissed.

六年春，復命尚書衡經理河工，以兵部侍郎萬恭總理河道。二人至，罷泇河議，專事徐、邳河，修築長堤，自徐州至宿遷小河口三百七十里，並繕豐、沛大黃堤，正河安流，運道大通。衡乃上言：「河南屢被河患，大為堤防，今幸有數十年之安者，以防守嚴而備禦素也。徐、邳為糧運正道，既多方以築之，則宜多方以守之。請用夫每裏十人以防，三里一鋪，四鋪一老人巡視。伏秋水發時，五月十五日上堤，九月十五日下堤，願攜家居住者聽。」詔如議。六月，徐、邳河堤工竣，遂命衡回部，賞衡及總理河道都御史萬恭等銀幣有差。

In the spring of the sixth year Minister Zhu Heng was again ordered to manage river work, and Vice Minister of War Wan Gong was appointed to oversee river channels. When the two arrived they abandoned the Yi River proposal and devoted themselves solely to the Xu and Pi rivers, building long dikes from Xuzhou to Xiahekou in Suqian for three hundred seventy li, and repairing the great Yellow dikes of Feng and Pei; the main river flowed peacefully and the transport route was fully open. Zhu Heng then submitted: "Henan has repeatedly suffered river calamity and greatly built dikes; the several decades of peace now enjoyed are because defense is strict and preparedness longstanding. Xu and Pei are the main route of grain transport; having built in many ways, they should also be guarded in many ways. I request employing ten men per li for defense, one post every three li, one elder inspecting every four posts. When autumn floods rise, ascend the dike on the fifteenth of the fifth month and descend on the fifteenth of the ninth month; those wishing to bring families to dwell are permitted." An edict approved the proposal. In the sixth month Xu and Pi river dike work was finished; Zhu Heng was ordered back to the ministry and he and Grand Coordinator of Rivers Wan Gong and others were rewarded with silver and silk in differing amounts.

是歲，御史吳從憲言：「淮安而上清河而下，正淮、泗、河、海沖流之會。河潦內出，海潮逆流，停蓄移時，沙泥旋聚，以故日就壅塞。宜以春夏時浚治，則下流疏暢，泛溢自平。」帝即命衡與漕臣勘議。而督理河道署郎中事陳應薦挑穵海口新河，長十里有奇，闊五丈五尺，深一丈七尺，用夫六千四百餘人。

That year Censor Wu Congxian said: "Above Huai'an and below Qinghe is directly the confluence of Huai, Si, river, and sea. River flood exits inward while sea tide flows countercurrent; water stagnates and sand and mud quickly gather—therefore daily growing blockage. Dredging in spring and summer will keep the lower reach clear and overflows will subside on their own." The emperor immediately ordered Zhu Heng and the grain-transport minister to survey and discuss. Meanwhile Acting Director Chen Yingjian of river-channel supervision dredged the new river at the river mouth for more than ten li long, five zhang five chi wide, one zhang seven chi deep, using more than six thousand four hundred laborers.

衡之被召將還也，上疏言：「國家治河，不過浚淺、築堤二策。浚淺之法，或爬或澇，或逼水而沖，或引水而避，此可人力勝者。然茶城與淮水會則在清河，茶城、清河無水不淺。蓋二水互為勝負，黃河水勝則壅沙而淤，及其消也，淮漕水勝，則沖沙而通。水力蓋居七八，非專用人力也。築堤則有截水、縷水之異，截水可施於閘河，不可施於黃河。蓋黃河湍悍，挾川潦之勢，何堅不瑕，安可以一堤當之？縷水則兩岸築堤，不使旁潰，始得遂其就下入海之性。蓋以順為治，非以人力勝水性，故至今百五六十年為永賴焉。清河之淺，應視茶城，遇黃河漲落時，輒挑河、潢，導淮水沖刷，雖遇漲而塞，必遇落而通，無足慮也。惟清江浦水勢最弱，出口處所適與黃河相值。宜於黃水盛發時，嚴閉各閘，毋使沙淤。若口則自隆重慶三年海嘯，壅水倒灌低窪之地，積瀦難泄。宜時加疏浚，毋使積塞。至築黃河兩岸堤，第當縷水，不得以攔截為名。」疏上，報聞而已。

As Zhu Heng was summoned to return he submitted: "The state controls rivers by no more than two policies: dredging shallow sections and building dikes. Methods of dredging: sometimes scraping, sometimes pumping, sometimes forcing water to scour, sometimes drawing water aside—these human force can overcome. Yet when Chacheng meets Huai water it is at Qinghe; at Chacheng and Qinghe water is always shallow. The two waters mutually prevail; when Yellow River water prevails sand dams up and silts, and when it recedes Huai and canal water prevails, sand is scoured and passage opens. Water force comprises seven or eight tenths—not relying solely on human force. Building dikes distinguishes blocking water from threading water; blocking water suits the sluice river, not the Yellow River. The Yellow River is swift and fierce, bearing the force of river floods—what solidity does it not breach? How can one dike withstand it? Threading water builds dikes on both banks without lateral breach, allowing it to follow its nature of descending to the sea. Govern by yielding, not by human force overcoming water nature—therefore for one hundred fifty or sixty years it has been a lasting reliance. Shallowness at Qinghe should be viewed like Chacheng; when the Yellow River rises and falls, promptly dredge rivers and pools and guide Huai water to scour—even if blocked when rising, it must open when falling; there is no need for concern. Only at Qingjiangpu water force is weakest; the outlet happens directly to meet the Yellow River. When Yellow River water greatly rises, strictly close all sluices and do not let sand silt up. As for the river mouth, since the third year of the Longqing reign a sea tsunami dammed water and poured back into low-lying land, accumulating stagnant water hard to discharge. It should be dredged periodically and not allowed to accumulate and block. As for building dikes on both Yellow River banks, only threading water applies—blocking must not be the aim." The memorial was submitted and acknowledged—that was all.

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