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東南諸水上
Southeastern Waters (Part One)
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開寶間，議征江南。 詔用京西轉運使李符之策，發和州丁夫及鄉兵凡數萬人，鑿橫江渠于曆陽，令符督其役。 渠成，以通漕運，而軍用無闕。
During the Kaibao reign, the court debated an expedition against the Jiangnan region. The emperor approved the plan of Li Fu, transport commissioner for Jingxi, who raised tens of thousands of corvée laborers and local militia from He Prefecture to cut the Cross-River Canal at Liyang; Li Fu was put in charge of the project. Once the canal was finished, it opened the grain transport route, and military provisions were never in short supply.
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八年，知瓊州李易上言：「州南五里有度靈塘，開修渠堰，溉水田三百余頃，居民賴之。」
In the eighth year, Li Yi, governor of Qiongzhou, reported: "Five li south of the prefectural seat lies Dulings Pond. By clearing and repairing its channels and weirs, over three hundred qing of flooded fields could be irrigated, and the local people depend upon it."
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初，楚州北山陽灣尤迅急，多有沈溺之患。 雍熙中，轉運使劉蟠議開沙河，以避淮水之險，未克而受代。 喬維岳繼之，開河自楚州至淮陰，凡六十里，舟行便之。
Long before this, the current at Beishan Yang Bay north of Chuzhou ran especially fast, and many vessels were lost to sinking. During Yongxi, transport commissioner Liu Pan proposed digging the Sha River to bypass the dangers of the Huai, but the work was not finished before he left office. Qiao Weiyue took over and opened a river from Chuzhou to Huaiyin, sixty li in all, which made navigation far easier.
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天禧元年，知升州丁謂言：「城北有後湖，往時歲旱水竭，給為民田，凡七十六頃，出租錢數百萬，蔭溉之利遂廢。 令欲改田除租，跡舊制，復治岸畔，疏為塘陂以畜水，使負郭無旱歲，廣植浦芡，養魚鱉，縱貧民漁采。」 又明州請免濠池及慈溪、鄞縣陂湖年課，許民射利。 詔並從之。
In the first year of Tianxi, Ding Wei, governor of Sheng Prefecture, reported: "North of the city lies Hou Lake. In years past, when drought drained it, the lakebed was parceled out as farmland—seventy-six qing in all—bringing in millions in rent, while the benefits of irrigation and shade were lost. I propose to restore the farmland to the lake, cancel the rent, follow the old regulations, rebuild the banks, and dredge ponds and reservoirs to hold water so the suburbs never suffer drought. We could plant water chestnuts and gorgon fruit widely, raise fish and turtles, and let the poor fish and forage freely." Ming Prefecture also asked that the annual levy on the moat ponds and the reservoir lakes of Cixi and Yin counties be waived, allowing commoners to profit from them. The emperor approved all of these proposals.
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二年，江、淮發運使賈宗言：「諸路歲漕，自真、揚入淮、汴，曆堰者五，糧載煩於剝卸，民力罷於牽挽，官私船艦，由此速壞。 今議開揚州古河，繚城南接運渠，毀龍舟、新興、茱萸三堰，鑿近堰漕路，以均水勢。 歲省官費十數萬，功利甚厚。」 詔屯田郎中梁楚、閣門祗候李居中按視，以為當然。 明年，役既成，而水注新河，與三堰平，漕船無阻，公私大便。
In the second year, Jia Zongyan, Jiang-Huai transport commissioner, reported: "Annual tribute grain from every circuit passes from Zhen and Yang into the Huai and Bian, crossing five barrages. Cargo must be unloaded and reloaded at each lock, laborers are worn out hauling boats, and both government and private vessels are ruined in the process. We propose reopening Yangzhou's ancient river, skirting the south of the city to join the transport canal, demolishing the Longzhou, Xinxing, and Zhuyu barrages, and cutting a new transport channel near the locks to even out the water level. This would save the government several hundred thousand cash each year, with substantial overall benefit." The emperor ordered Liang Chu of the Bureau of State Farms and Li Juzhong, a gate attendant, to inspect the site; they reported that the plan was sound. The following year the project was finished. Water flowed into the new channel and stood level with the three former barrages; grain boats passed without hindrance, to the great benefit of government and merchants alike.
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四年，淮南勸農使王貫之導海州石闥堰水入漣水軍，溉民田； 知定遠縣江澤、知江陰軍崔立率民修廢塘，浚古港，以灌高仰之地。 並賜詔獎焉。
In the fourth year, Wang Guanzhi, Huainan agricultural commissioner, diverted water from the Shita barrage in Haizhou into Lianshui Army district to irrigate farmland; Jiang Ze, magistrate of Dingyuan County, and Cui Li, commander of Jiangyin Army, led the people in repairing abandoned ponds and dredging old harbors to water fields on higher ground. All received imperial edicts of commendation.
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神宗熙甯元年十月，詔：「杭之長安、秀之杉青、常之望亭三堰，監護使臣並以'管幹河塘'系銜，常同所屬令佐，巡視修固，以時啟閉。」 從堤舉兩浙開修河渠胡淮之請也。
In the tenth month of the first year of Xining, Emperor Shenzong decreed: "For the three barrages at Chang'an in Hangzhou, Shanqing in Xiuzhou, and Wangting in Changzhou, the supervising commissioners shall all take the additional title 'Director of River Ponds' and, together with their local magistrates and assistants, regularly inspect and maintain them, opening and closing the locks on schedule." This followed a petition from Hu Huai, who had been nominated to oversee river and canal works in the two Zhe circuits.
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二年三月甲申，先是，淩民瞻建議廢呂城堰，又即望亭堰置閘而不用。 及因浚河，隳敗古涇函、石閘、石鹈達，河流益阻，百姓勞弊，至是，民瞻等貶降有差。
On jiashen day in the third month of the second year: earlier, Ling Minzhan had proposed abolishing the Lücheng barrage and had installed gates at Wangting barrage but left them unused. Dredging work then destroyed the ancient sluice culverts, stone gates, and Shitida structures, making the river even harder to navigate and exhausting the populace. At this point Minzhan and his associates were demoted to varying degrees.
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六年五月，杭州于潛縣令郟亶言：「蘇州環湖地卑多水，沿海地高多旱，故古人治水之跡，縱則有浦，橫則有塘，又有門堰、涇瀝而棋布之。 今總二百六十餘所。 欲略循古人之法，七里為一縱浦，十里為一橫塘，又因出土，以為堤岸，度用夫二十萬。 水治高田，旱治下澤，不過三年，蘇之田畢治矣。」 十一月，命亶興修水利。 然措置乖方，民多愁怨，僅及一年，遂罷兩浙工役。 又數月，中書檢正沈括復言：「浙西涇浜淺涸，當浚； 浙東堤防川瀆堙沒，當修。 請下司農貸緡募役。」 從之，仍命括相度兩浙水利。
In the fifth month of the sixth year, Zheng Dan, magistrate of Yuqian County in Hangzhou, reported: "Land around Lake Tai in Suzhou is low and prone to flooding, while coastal land is high and prone to drought. The ancients left their waterworks everywhere: longitudinal channels, transverse embankments, and sluice gates, barrages, and drainage ditches laid out like a chessboard. Today more than two hundred sixty such works remain. I propose roughly following the ancient method: a longitudinal channel every seven li, a transverse embankment every ten li, using excavated earth to build dikes, at an estimated cost of two hundred thousand laborers. Water would serve the high fields and drought the low marshes; within three years all farmland in Suzhou could be brought under control." In the eleventh month, Zheng Dan was ordered to launch water conservancy projects. But the execution was misguided, the people grew bitter, and after barely a year labor service in the two Zhe circuits was suspended. Several months later, Shen Kuo of the Secretariat reported again: "The channels and creeks of western Zhe are shallow and dry and should be dredged; the dikes, rivers, and defenses of eastern Zhe are silted over and should be repaired. I ask that the Ministry of Revenue be directed to lend funds and hire labor for the work. The court agreed and also ordered Shen Kuo to survey waterworks throughout the two Zhe circuits.
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九年正月壬午，劉瑾言：「揚州江都縣古鹽河、高郵縣陳公塘等湖、天長縣白馬塘沛塘、楚州寶應縣泥港射馬港、山陽縣渡塘溝龍興浦、淮陰縣青州澗、宿州虹縣萬安湖小河、壽州安豐縣芍陂等，可興置，欲令逐路轉運司選官覆按。」 從之。
On renwu day in the first month of the ninth year, Liu Jin reported: "Projects could be revived at the ancient salt river in Jiangdu County, Yangzhou; Chen Gong Pond and other lakes in Gaoyou County; Baima and Pei ponds in Tianchang County; Nigang and Shema harbors in Baoying County, Chuzhou; Dutang Ditch and Longxing Creek in Shanyang County; Qingzhou Stream in Huaiyin County; the small river of Wan'an Lake in Hong County, Suzhou; and Shaopi in Anfeng County, Shouzhou, among others. I ask that each circuit transport office select officials to reinspect these sites." The court approved.
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元豐五年九月，淮南監司言：「舒州近城有大澤，出灊山，注北門外。 比者，暴水漂居民，知州楊希元築捍水堤千一百五十丈，置泄水斗門二，遂免淫潦入城之患。」 並璽書獎諭。
In the ninth month of the fifth year of Yuanfeng, Huainan supervisory officials reported: "Near Shuzhou city lies a great marsh fed by Qian Mountain, which discharges north of the outer gate. Recently a flash flood swept away residents. Prefect Yang Xiyuan built flood-control dikes 1,150 zhang long and installed two drainage sluice gates, thereby preventing floodwaters from inundating the city." Imperial commendations under the imperial seal were sent to all involved.
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六年正月戊辰，開龜山運河，二月乙未告成，長五十七里，闊十五丈，深一丈五尺。 初，發運使許元自淮陰開新河，屬之洪澤，避長淮之險，凡四十九里。 久而淺澀，熙寧四年，皮公弼請復浚治，起十一月壬寅，盡明年正月丁酉而畢，人便之。 至是，發運使羅拯復欲自洪澤而上，鑿龜山裏河以達於淮，帝深然之。 會發運使蔣之奇入對，建言：「上有清汴，下有洪澤，而風浪之險止百里淮，邇歲溺公私之載不可計。 凡諸道轉輸，涉湖行江，已數千里，而覆敗於此百里間，良為可惜。 宜自龜山蛇浦下屬洪澤，鑿左肋為復河，取淮為源，不置堰閘，可免風濤覆溺之患。」 帝遣都水監丞陳祐甫經度。 祐甫言：「往年田棐任淮南提刑，嘗言開河之利。 其後淮陰至洪澤，竟開新河，獨洪澤以上，未克興役。 今既不用閘蓄水，惟隨淮面高下，開深河底，引淮通流，形勢為便。 但工費浩大。」 帝曰：「費雖大，利亦博矣。」 祐甫曰：「異時，淮中歲失百七十艘。 若捐數年所損之費，足濟此役。」 帝曰：「損費尚小，如人命何。」 乃調夫十萬開治，既成，命之奇撰記，刻石龜山，後至建中靖國初，之奇同知樞密院，奏：「淮水浸淫，沖刷堤岸，漸成墊缺，請下發運司及時修築。」 自是，歲以為常。
On wuchen day in the first month of the sixth year, work began on the Guishan transport canal; on yiwei day in the second month it was declared complete—fifty-seven li long, fifteen zhang wide, and one zhang five chi deep. Earlier, transport commissioner Xu Yuan had cut a new channel from Huaiyin to Hongze Lake, forty-nine li in all, to bypass the dangers of the main Huai. Over time it silted up. In the fourth year of Xining, Pi Gongbi petitioned for renewed dredging, starting on renyin day in the eleventh month and finishing on dingyou day in the first month of the following year, to everyone's benefit. At this point transport commissioner Luo Zheng proposed cutting an inner channel at Guishan from Hongze upstream to reach the Huai, and the emperor strongly approved. When transport commissioner Jiang Zhiqi came before the throne, he argued: "Above lies the clear Bian Canal, below Hongze Lake, yet the only real danger is the hundred li of the Huai. In recent years countless government and private cargoes have been lost there. Goods travel thousands of li across lakes and rivers from every circuit, only to be wrecked in this final hundred li—a grievous waste. We should cut a return channel along the left bank from Guishan and Shepu down to Hongze, drawing water from the Huai without barrages or gates, to escape wind, waves, and sinking." The emperor sent Chen Youfu, assistant director of the Directorate of Waterways, to oversee planning. Youfu reported: "Years ago, when Tian Fei served as Huainan judicial intendant, he spoke of the benefits of opening such a channel. A new channel from Huaiyin to Hongze was eventually completed, but the section above Hongze was never undertaken. Since we need no gates to impound water, we need only follow the Huai's level, deepen the channel bed, and draw the river through—a favorable arrangement. But the labor costs would be enormous." The emperor said: "The cost may be great, but the benefit is greater still." Youfu replied: "In past years as many as one hundred seventy vessels were lost on the Huai each year. The losses of just a few years would more than pay for the project." The emperor said: "Material loss is a lesser matter—what of human lives?" One hundred thousand laborers were mobilized for the work. When it was finished, Zhiqi was ordered to compose a commemorative inscription and carve it on stone at Guishan. Later, at the beginning of Jianzhong Jingguo, Zhiqi, now vice commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, memorialized: "Huai floodwaters are seeping and scouring the dikes into sunken breaches. I ask that the transport office be ordered to repair them promptly." From then on this became an annual obligation.
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是年，將作監主簿李湜言：「鼎、澧等州，宜開溝洫，置斗門，以便民田。」 詔措置以聞。 七年十月，浚真、楚運河。
That year Li Chen, registrar of the Directorate of Palace Buildings, reported: "In Ding, Li, and other prefectures, ditches and canals should be opened and sluice gates installed to benefit farmland." The emperor ordered plans to be drawn up and reported back. In the tenth month of the seventh year, the transport canals at Zhen and Chu were dredged.
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哲宗元祐四年，知潤州林希奏復呂城堰，置上下閘，以時啟閉。 其後，京口、瓜州、奔牛皆置閘。 是歲，知杭州蘇軾浚茆山、鹽橋二河，分受江潮及西湖水，造堰閘，以時啟閉。 初，杭近海，患水泉咸苦，唐刺史李泌始導西湖，作六井，民以足用。 及白居易復浚西湖，引水入運河，復引溉田千頃。 湖水多葑，自唐及錢氏後廢而不理。 至是，葑積二十五萬餘丈，而水無幾。 運河失湖水之利，取給于江潮，潮水淤河，泛溢闤闠，三年一浚，為市井大患，故六井亦幾廢。 軾既浚二河，復以餘力全六井，民獲其利。
In the fourth year of Yuanyou, Lin Xi, governor of Run Prefecture, petitioned to restore the Lücheng barrage with upper and lower gates opened and closed on schedule. Gates were subsequently installed at Jingkou, Guazhou, and Benniu as well. That year Su Shi, governor of Hangzhou, dredged the Mao Mountain and Salt Bridge rivers to receive both tidal water from the river and water from West Lake, building barrages and gates operated on schedule. Long ago Hangzhou lay near the sea, and its springs ran brackish and bitter. Tang prefect Li Bi first channeled West Lake water and dug six wells, giving the people an adequate supply. Bai Juyi later dredged West Lake again, channeling its water into the transport canal and irrigating a thousand qing of fields. Duckweed choked the lake; from the Tang through the Qian kingdom it was neglected. By now duckweed had piled up to more than two hundred fifty thousand zhang, leaving scarcely any open water. The transport canal lost West Lake's benefits and relied on tidal water instead. Tides silted the canal, flooded the markets, and required dredging every three years—a constant plague on the city—so the six wells nearly fell into disuse as well. After dredging the two rivers, Su Shi used the remaining labor to restore all six wells, to the people's great benefit.
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十二月，京東轉運司言：「清河與江、浙、淮南諸路相通，因徐州呂梁、百步兩洪湍淺險惡，多壞舟楫，由是水手、牛驢、扌牽戶、盤剝人等，邀阻百端，商賈不行。 朝廷已委齊州通判滕希靖、知常州晉陵縣趙竦度地勢穿鑿。 今若開修月河石堤，上下置閘，以時開閉，通放舟船，實為長利。 乞遣使監督興修。」 從之。
In the twelfth month the Jingdong transport office reported: "The Qing River links the Jiang, Zhe, and Huainan circuits, but at Xuzhou the Lüliang and Baibu rapids are treacherous, shallow, and violent, wrecking countless vessels. Boatmen, haulers, ox-drivers, and extortionists exploit every obstruction, and merchants refuse to travel the route. The court has already assigned Teng Xijing, vice-prefect of Qi Prefecture, and Zhao Song, magistrate of Jinling County in Changzhou, to survey the terrain and cut a channel. If we now open a bypass channel with stone dikes and upper and lower gates operated on schedule, vessels could pass freely—a lasting benefit. We ask that an envoy be dispatched to supervise construction." The court approved.
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紹聖二年，詔「武進、丹陽、丹徒縣界沿河堤岸及石鹈達、石木溝，並委令佐檢察修護，勸誘食利人戶修葺。 任滿，稽其勤惰而賞罰之。」 從工部之請也。
In the second year of Shaosheng an edict decreed: "River dikes along the boundaries of Wujin, Danyang, and Dantu counties, and the Shitida and Shimugou works, shall be inspected and maintained by local magistrates and assistants, who shall encourage households that profit from the waterways to carry out repairs. At the end of their terms, their diligence or neglect shall be assessed and rewarded or punished accordingly." This followed a petition from the Ministry of Works.
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四年四月，水部員外郎趙竦請浚十八里河，令賈種民相度呂梁、百步洪，添移水磨。 詔發運並轉運司同視利害以聞。
In the fourth month of the fourth year, Zhao Song of the Water Bureau petitioned to dredge the Eighteen-li River and ordered Jia Zhongmin to survey the Lüliang and Baibu rapids and relocate water mills. The emperor ordered the transport commissioner and circuit transport offices jointly to assess costs and benefits and report back.
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元符元年正月，知潤州王悆建言：「呂城閘常宜單水入澳，灌注閘身以濟舟。 若舟遝至而力不給，許量差牽駕兵卒，並力為之。 監官任滿，水無走泄者賞，水未應而輒開閘者罰，守貳、令佐，常覺察之。」 詔可。
In the first month of the first year of Yuanfu, Wang Yu, governor of Run Prefecture, proposed: "At the Lücheng lock, a steady stream should be channeled into the basin to fill the lock chamber and assist passing vessels. If vessels arrive in numbers beyond local capacity, hauling soldiers may be temporarily assigned to assist. Supervising officials who complete their terms without water leakage shall be rewarded; those who open the gates prematurely shall be punished. Prefectural deputies and magistrates shall oversee this regularly." The emperor approved.
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三月甲寅，工部言：「淮南開河所開修楚州支家河，導漣水與淮通。」 賜名通漣河。
On jiayin day in the third month the Ministry of Works reported: "The Huainan river-opening office has completed the Zhijia River in Chuzhou, connecting Lianshui water with the Huai." It was given the name Tonglian River (River Connecting to Lianshui).
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二年閏九月，潤州京口、常州奔牛澳閘畢工。 先是，兩浙轉運判官曾孝蘊獻澳閘利害，因命孝蘊提舉興修，仍相度立啟閉日限之法。
In the intercalary ninth month of the second year, the basin locks at Jingkou in Run Prefecture and Benniu in Chang Prefecture were completed. Earlier Zeng Xiaoyun, transport vice-commissioner for the two Zhe circuits, had presented an analysis of basin-lock benefits and costs. He was placed in charge of construction and directed to establish regulations governing when the locks should open and close.
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三年二月，詔：「蘇、湖、秀州，凡開治運河、港浦、溝瀆，修壘堤岸，開置斗門、水堰等，許役開江兵卒。」
In the second month of the third year an edict declared: "In Suzhou, Huzhou, and Xiuzhou, for all work on transport canals, harbors, ditches, dikes, sluice gates, and water barrages, river-opening troops may be employed."
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徽宗崇甯元年十二月，置提舉淮、浙澳閘司官一員，掌杭州至揚州瓜洲澳閘，凡常、潤、杭、秀、揚州新舊等閘，通治之。
In the twelfth month of the first year of Chongning, Emperor Huizong created the post of commissioner for Huai-Zhe basin locks, overseeing all locks from Hangzhou to Guazhou in Yangzhou—including old and new locks in Chang, Run, Hang, Xiu, and Yang prefectures.
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崇寧二年初，通直郎陳仲方別議浚吳松江，自大通浦入海，計工二百二十二萬七千有奇，為緡錢、糧斛十八萬三千六百，乞置幹當官十員。 朝廷下兩浙監司詳議，監司以為可行。 時又開青龍江，役夫不勝其勞，而提舉常平徐確謂：「三州開江兵卒千四百人，使臣二人，請就令護察已開之江，遇潮沙淤澱，隨即開淘； 若他役者，以違制論。」 確與監司往往被賞，人以為濫。
Early in the second year of Chongning, Chen Zhongfang proposed dredging the Wusong River from Datong Creek to the sea, estimating more than 2.227 million labor units at a cost of 183,600 in cash and grain rations, and requesting ten supervising officials. The court referred the proposal to supervisory officials in the two Zhe circuits, who judged it feasible. The Qinglong River was also being opened at the time, and corvée laborers were overwhelmed. Xu Que, commissioner for the Ever-Normal Granaries, argued: "The three prefectures have 1,400 river-opening troops and two envoys. Let them guard the opened channels and dredge immediately whenever tidal sand silts them up; any use of them for other duties shall be prosecuted as a violation of regulations. Xu Que and the supervisory officials were repeatedly rewarded, which many regarded as excessive.
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十二月，詔淮南開修遇明河，自真州宣化鎮江口至泗州淮河口，五年畢工。
In the twelfth month an edict ordered Huainan to open the Yuming River from the river mouth at Xuanhua Town in Zhen Prefecture to the Huai estuary at Si Prefecture, with completion in five years.
26
明年三月，詔曰：「昨二浙水災，委官調夫開江，而總領無法，役人暴露，飲食失所，疾病死亡者眾。 水仍為害，未嘗究實按罪，反蒙推賞，何以厭塞百姓怨咨。」 乃下本路提刑司體量。 提刑司言：「開浚吳松、青龍江，役夫五萬，死者千一百六十二人，費錢米十六萬九千三百四十一貫石，積水至今未退。」 於是元相度官轉運副使劉何等皆坐貶降。
In the third month of the following year an edict declared: "Last year's floods in the two Zhe circuits led officials to mobilize laborers for river works, but there was no effective leadership. Laborers were left exposed, without adequate food or shelter, and many fell ill and died. Flooding continued unabated, yet no one was held accountable—instead officials were promoted and rewarded. How can this satisfy the people's outrage?" The circuit judicial intendant's office was ordered to investigate. The judicial intendant's office reported: "Dredging the Wusong and Qinglong rivers employed fifty thousand laborers. One thousand one hundred sixty-two died. Costs reached 169,341 guan and shi in cash and grain. Floodwaters have still not receded." Thereupon the former planning officials, including transport vice-commissioner Liu He, were all demoted.
27
四年正月，以倉部員外郎沈延嗣提舉開修青草、洞庭直河。
In the first month of the fourth year, Shen Yansi of the Granary Bureau was appointed to oversee opening the Qingcao and Dongting direct channels.
28
大觀元年五月，中書舍人許光凝奏：「臣向在姑蘇，遍詢民吏，皆謂欲去水患，莫若開江浚浦。 蓋太湖在諸郡間，必導之海然後水有所歸。 自太湖距海，有三江，有諸浦，能疏滌江、浦，除水患猶反掌耳。 今境內積水，視去歲損二尺，視前歲損四尺，良由初開吳松江，繼浚八浦之力也。 吳人謂開一江有一江之利，浚一浦有一浦之利。 願委本路監司，與諳曉水勢精強之吏，遍詣江、浦，詳究利害，假以歲月，先為之備。 然後興夫調役，可使公無費財，而歲供常足； 人不告勞，而民食不匱，是一舉而獲萬世之利也。」 詔吳擇仁相度以聞，開江之議復興矣。
In the fifth month of the first year of Daguan, Xu Guangning of the Secretariat reported: "During my time in Suzhou I questioned officials and commoners alike, and all agreed that the best way to end flooding is to open rivers and dredge creeks. Lake Tai lies among the prefectures; its waters must be channeled to the sea before they can drain away. Between Lake Tai and the sea lie the Three Rivers and numerous creeks. Clear those channels and flood control becomes effortless. Flood levels within the region are two chi lower than last year and four chi lower than the year before—thanks to opening the Wusong River and dredging the eight creeks. The people of Wu say that every river opened brings its own benefit, and every creek dredged brings its own. I ask that circuit supervisory officials, together with capable officers who understand water conditions, visit every river and creek, study costs and benefits in detail, and prepare over time before work begins. Then when labor is mobilized, the state need spend nothing while annual tribute remains secure; the people will not suffer undue hardship, and food supplies will not run short—a single undertaking bringing benefit for generations." The emperor ordered Wu Zeren to survey the project and report back, and the proposal to open rivers was revived.
29
十一月，詔曰：「《禹貢》：'三江既導，震澤底定。 '今三江之名，既失其所，水不趨海，故蘇、湖被患。 其委本路監司，選擇能臣，檢按古跡，循導使之趨下，並相度圩岸以聞。」 於是復詔陳仲方為發運司屬官，再相度蘇州積水。
In the eleventh month an edict declared: "The Tribute of Yu states: 'When the Three Rivers were led forth, Lake Zhen was settled. Today the Three Rivers have lost their proper courses, water no longer reaches the sea, and Suzhou and Huzhou suffer flooding as a result. Circuit supervisory officials shall select capable officers, inspect ancient waterways, guide the waters downward, survey polder dikes, and report back." Chen Zhongfang was then reappointed as an official of the transport commission to survey Suzhou's floodwaters again.
30
二年八月，詔：「常、潤歲旱河淺，留滯運船，監司督責浚治。」 三年，兩浙監司言：「承詔案古跡，導積水，今請開淘吳松江，復置十二閘。 其餘浦閘、溝港、運河之類，以次增修。 若田被水圍，勸民自行修治。」 章下工部，工部謂：「今所具三江，或非禹跡； 又吳松江散漫，不可開淘泄水。」 遂命諸司再相度以聞。
In the eighth month of the second year an edict declared: "Chang and Run suffer drought and shallow rivers each year, delaying transport vessels. Supervisory officials shall oversee dredging." In the third year the two Zhe supervisory officials reported: "Following the edict we have surveyed ancient waterways and drained floodwaters. We now request dredging the Wusong River and restoring twelve locks. Other creek locks, harbors, ditches, and transport canals shall be repaired in sequence. Where fields are flooded, encourage the people to undertake repairs themselves." The memorial went to the Ministry of Works, which replied: "The Three Rivers now proposed may not be Yu's original waterways; moreover the Wusong River is too diffuse to be dredged effectively for drainage." All relevant offices were then ordered to survey again and report back.
31
四年八月，臣僚言：「有司以練湖賜茅山道觀，緣潤州田多高仰，及運渠、夾岡水淺易涸，賴湖以濟，請別用天荒江漲沙田賜之，仍令提舉常平官考求前人規畫修築。」 從之。 十月，戶部言：「乞如兩浙常平司奏，專委守、令籍古瀦水之地，立堤防之限，俾公私毋得侵佔。 凡民田不近水者，略仿《周官》遂人、稻人溝防之制，使合眾力而為之。」 詔可。
In the eighth month of the fourth year a courtier reported: "Officials have granted Lian Lake to the Maoshan Daoist abbey. Run Prefecture's fields lie mostly on high ground, and the transport canal and inter-ridge waters run shallow and dry easily—the region depends on the lake. Grant wilderness sand flats from river floods instead, and direct the Ever-Normal commissioner to study earlier plans for repair and construction." The court approved. In the tenth month the Ministry of Revenue petitioned: "As the two Zhe Ever-Normal office proposed, prefects and magistrates should register ancient water-storage lands, set limits on dikes and defenses, and prohibit public or private encroachment. For farmland far from water, follow roughly the ditch and dike system of the Zhou Offices, mobilizing collective labor." The emperor approved.
32
政和元年十月，詔蘇、湖、秀三州治水，創立圩岸，其工費許給越州鑒湖租賦。 已而升蘇州為平江府，潤州為鎮江府。
In the tenth month of the first year of Zhenghe an edict ordered Suzhou, Huzhou, and Xiuzhou to manage floodwaters and build polder dikes, with labor costs drawn from Jian Lake rents in Yue Prefecture. Suzhou was soon elevated to Pingjiang Prefecture and Runzhou to Zhenjiang Prefecture.
33
二年七月，兵部尚書張閣言：「臣昨守杭州，聞錢塘江自元豐六年泛溢之後，潮訊往來，率無寧歲。 而比年水勢稍改，自海門過赭山，即回薄岩門、白石一帶北岸，壞民田及鹽亭、監地，東西三十餘里，南北二十餘里。 江東距仁和監止及三里，北趣赤岸口二十里。 運河正出臨平下塘，西入蘇、秀，若失障禦，恐他日數十里膏腴平陸，皆潰于江，下塘田廬，莫能自保，運河中絕，有害漕運。」 詔亟修築之。
In the seventh month of the second year Zhang Ge, minister of war, reported: "When I governed Hangzhou, I learned that since the Qiantang River flooded in the sixth year of Yuanfeng, tidal surges have brought scarcely a peaceful year. In recent years the current has shifted. From Haimen past Zhe Mountain it now strikes the north bank at Yanmen and Baishi, destroying farmland and salt works over thirty li east to west and twenty li north to south. East of the river, Renhe Salt Office lies barely three li away; Chi'an mouth is twenty li to the north. The transport canal runs from Linping Xiatang west into Suzhou and Xiuzhou. Without protective barriers, tens of li of fertile lowland could be swallowed by the river, Xiatang's farms and homes would be lost, the canal cut off, and grain transport ruined." The emperor ordered immediate repairs.
34
四年二月，工部言：「前太平州判官盧宗原請開修自江州至真州古來河道湮塞者凡七處，以成運河，入浙西一百五十里，可避一千六百里大江風濤之患； 又可就土興築自古江水浸沒膏腴田，自三百頃至萬頃者凡九所，計四萬二千餘頃，其三百頃以下者又過之。 乞依宗原任太平州判官日已興政和圩田例，召人戶自備財力興修。」 詔沈鏻等相度措置。
In the second month of the fourth year the Ministry of Works reported: "Former Taiping vice-prefect Lu Zongyuan proposed reopening seven silted ancient channels from Jiang Prefecture to Zhen Prefecture to form a transport canal 150 li into western Zhe, bypassing 1,600 li of dangerous river winds and waves; excavated earth could also reclaim fertile fields long submerged by the river—nine sites ranging from 300 to 10,000 qing, totaling over 42,000 qing, with many smaller plots besides. Following the polder precedent from Zongyuan's tenure in Taiping, households should be invited to supply their own funds and labor." Shen Lin and others were ordered to survey and arrange the project.
35
六年閏正月，知杭州李偃言：「湯村、岩門、白石等處並錢塘江通大海，日受兩潮，漸至侵齧。 乞依六和寺岸，用石砌疊。」 乃命劉既濟修治。
In the intercalary first month of the sixth year Li Yan, governor of Hangzhou, reported: "Tang Village, Yanmen, Baishi, and other sites along the Qiantang River open to the sea receive two tides daily and are being steadily eroded. I ask that the banks be faced with stone courses, as at Liuhe Temple." Liu Jiji was ordered to carry out the repairs.
36
八月，詔：「鎮江府傍臨大江，無港澳以容舟檝，三年間覆溺五百餘艘。 聞西有舊河，可避風濤，歲久湮廢，宜令發運司浚治。」
In the eighth month an edict declared: "Zhenjiang Prefecture lies on the great river without a harbor to shelter vessels. In three years more than five hundred boats have been lost. An old channel to the west could shelter boats from wind and waves, but it has long been abandoned. The transport commission should dredge it."
37
是年，詔曰：「聞平江三十六浦內，自昔置閘，隨潮啟閉，歲久堙塞，致積水為患。 其令守臣莊徽專委戶曹趙霖講究利害，導歸江海，依舊置閘。」 於是，發運副使應安道言：「凡港浦非要切者，皆可徐議。 惟當先開昆山縣界茜涇塘等六所； 秀之華亭縣，欲並循古法，盡去諸堰，各置小斗門； 常州、鎮江府、望亭鎮，仍舊置閘。」 八月，詔戶曹趙霖相度役興，而兩浙擾甚。 七年四月己未，尚書省言：「盧宗原浚江，慮成搔擾。」 詔權罷其役，趙霖別與差遣。
That year an edict declared: "Among Pingjiang's thirty-six creeks, locks were installed long ago and opened and closed with the tides. Over the years they silted up, causing flooding. Governor Zhuang Hui shall assign Zhao Lin of the household bureau to study costs and benefits, channel the waters back to the rivers and sea, and restore the locks." Transport vice-commissioner Ying Andao then reported: "Nonessential harbors and creeks can be discussed later. Only six sites such as Qianjing Pond on the Kunshan border should be opened first; in Huating County, Xiuzhou, follow the ancient method: remove all barrages and install small sluice gates at each site; Changzhou, Zhenjiang Prefecture, and Wangting Town shall retain their existing locks. In the eighth month Zhao Lin was ordered to survey labor mobilization, but the two Zhe circuits were in great turmoil. On jiwei day in the fourth month of the seventh year the Secretariat reported: "Lu Zongyuan's river dredging risks causing widespread disruption." The work was temporarily suspended, and Zhao Lin was reassigned.
38
宣和元年二月，臣僚言：「江、淮、荊、漢間，荒瘠彌望，率古人一畝十鐘之地，其堤閼、水門、溝澮之跡猶存。 近絳州民呂平等詣御史台訴，乞開浚熙甯舊渠，以廣浸灌，願加稅一等。 則是近世陂池之利且廢矣，何暇復古哉。 願詔常平官，有興修水利功效明白者，亟以名聞，特與褒除，以勵能者。」 從之。
In the second month of the first year of Xuanhe a courtier reported: "Between the Jiang, Huai, Jing, and Han, wasteland stretches everywhere—land that once yielded ten zhong per mu. Traces of dikes, water gates, and ditches still survive. Recently Lü Ping and others of Jiang Prefecture petitioned the Censorate to reopen Xining-era canals for broader irrigation, offering to pay one grade higher in taxes. Even recent pond and reservoir benefits are being abandoned—how can we hope to restore the ancients' methods? I ask that Ever-Normal officials report promptly the names of those with clear achievements in waterworks, that they receive special commendation and promotion to encourage capable men." The court approved.
39
八月，提舉專切措置水利農田所奏：「浙西諸縣各有陂湖、溝港、涇浜、湖濼，自來蓄水灌溉，及通舟楫，望令打量官按其地名、丈尺、四至，並鐫之石。」 從之。
In the eighth month the office for water conservancy and farmland reported: "Western Zhe counties each have ponds, lakes, harbors, channels, and marshes used for irrigation and navigation. Measuring officials should record their names, dimensions, and boundaries and inscribe them on stone." The court approved.
40
三月，趙霖坐增修水利不當，降兩官。 六月，詔曰：「趙霖興修水利，能募被水艱食之民，凡役工二百七十八萬二千四百有奇，開一江、一港、四浦、五十八瀆，已見成績，進直徽猷閣，仍復所降兩官。」
In the third month Zhao Lin was demoted two ranks for mismanaging water conservancy repairs. In the sixth month an edict declared: "Zhao Lin undertook water conservancy, recruiting flood victims in distress. He mobilized over 2.782 million labor units, opening one river, one harbor, four creeks, and fifty-eight channels, with clear results. He is promoted to direct attendant of the Huiyou Pavilion and his two demoted ranks are restored."
41
宣和二年九月，以真、揚等州運河淺澀，委陳亨伯措置。 三年春，詔發運副使趙億以車畎水運河，限三月中三十綱到京。 宦者李琮言：「真州乃外江綱運會集要口，以運河淺澀，故不能速發。 按南岸有泄水斗門八，去江不滿一里。 欲開斗門河身，去江十丈築軟壩，引江潮入河，然後倍用人工車畎，以助運水。」 從之。
In the ninth month of the second year of Xuanhe, because transport canals in Zhen, Yang, and other prefectures had silted up, Chen Hengbo was assigned to address the problem. In the spring of the third year an edict ordered transport vice-commissioner Zhao Yi to use water wheels to fill the transport canal, with thirty convoys required to reach the capital by the third month. Eunuch Li Cong reported: "Zhen Prefecture is the critical junction where outer-river convoys gather. Because the transport canal is silted, vessels cannot depart promptly. On the south bank are eight drainage sluice gates less than one li from the river. I propose opening the sluice channel, building a soft dam ten zhang from the river to draw tidal water into the canal, then doubling manual water wheels to raise the water level for transport." The court approved.
42
四月，詔曰：「江、淮漕運尚矣。 春秋時，吳穿邗溝，東北通射陽湖，西北至末口。 漢吳王濞開邗溝，通運海陵。 隋開邗溝，自山陽至揚子入江。 雍熙中，轉運使劉蟠以山陽灣迅急，始開沙河以避險阻。 天禧中，發運使賈宗始開揚州古河，繚城南接運渠，毀三堰以均水勢。 今運河歲淺澀，當詢訪故道，及今河形勢與陂塘瀦水之地，講究措置悠久之利，以濟不通。 可令發運使陳亨伯、內侍譚稹條具措置以聞。」
In the fourth month an edict declared: "Jiang-Huai grain transport has a long history. In the Spring and Autumn period Wu cut the Han Gou, connecting northeast to Sheyang Lake and northwest to Mokou. Under Han, King Pi of Wu reopened the Han Gou to reach Hailing. The Sui dynasty opened the Han Gou from Shanyang to Yangzi on the river. During Yongxi, transport commissioner Liu Pan opened the Sha River to bypass the dangers of Shanyang Bay. During Tianxi, transport commissioner Jia Zong opened Yangzhou's ancient river around the south of the city to join the transport canal and demolished three barrages to even the water level. Today the transport canal silts up yearly. Old channels, the present river's configuration, and pond and reservoir sites should be investigated to devise lasting solutions for the blockage. Transport commissioner Chen Hengbo and inner attendant Tan Zhen shall itemize arrangements and report back."
43
八月，臣僚言：「比緣淮南運河水澀逾半歲，禁綱舟篙工附載私物，今河水增漲，其令如舊。」
In the eighth month a courtier reported: "Because the Huainan transport canal was shallow for more than half a year, convoy boatmen were forbidden to carry private cargo. Now that water levels have risen, restore the former regulations."
44
初，淮南連歲旱，漕運不通，揚州尤甚，詔中使按視，欲浚運河與江、淮平。 會兩浙有方臘之亂，內侍童貫為宣撫使，譚稹為制置使，貫欲海運陸輦，稹欲開一河，自盱眙出宣化。 朝廷下發運司相度，陳亨伯遣其屬向子諲視之。 子諲曰：「運河高江、淮數丈，自江至淮，凡數百里，人力難浚。 昔唐李吉甫廢閘置堰，治陂塘，泄有餘，防不足，漕運通流。 發運使曾孝蘊嚴三日一啟之制，復作歸水澳，惜水如金。 比年行直達之法，走茶鹽之利，且應奉權幸，朝夕經由，或啟或閉，不暇歸水。 又頃毀朝宗閘，自洪澤至召伯數百里，不為之節，故山陽上下不通。 欲救其弊，宜於真州太子港作一壩，以復懷子河故道，於瓜州河口作一壩，以復龍舟堰，於海陵河口作一壩，以復茱萸、待賢堰，使諸塘水不為瓜洲、真、泰三河所分，於北神相近作一壩，權閉滿浦閘，復朝宗閘，則上下無壅矣。」 亨伯用其言，是後滯舟皆通利雲。
Earlier Huainan had suffered drought year after year, blocking grain transport—Yangzhou especially. An imperial envoy was sent to inspect and dredge the transport canal to the level of the Jiang and Huai. The Fang La rebellion broke out in the two Zhe circuits. Eunuch Tong Guan served as pacification commissioner and Tan Zhen as disposition commissioner. Guan favored sea transport and overland carriage; Zhen proposed opening a channel from Xuyi to Xuanhua. The court referred the matter to the transport commission for survey. Chen Hengbo sent his subordinate Xiang Ziyin to inspect the site. Ziyin reported: "The transport canal stands several zhang above the Jiang and Huai. From the river to the Huai is hundreds of li—manual dredging is impractical. In Tang times Li Jifu abolished gates, built barrages, managed ponds and reservoirs, discharged surplus water and conserved shortages, and grain transport flowed freely. Transport commissioner Zeng Xiaoyun strictly enforced opening locks every three days, rebuilt return-water basins, and conserved water like gold. In recent years direct transport was instituted to pursue tea and salt profits. Powerful favorites passed through daily, opening and closing locks at will with no time to restore water levels. The Chaozong lock was recently destroyed. From Hongze to Shaobo, hundreds of li went unregulated, blocking passage above and below Shanyang. To remedy these ills: build a dam at Taizi Harbor in Zhen Prefecture to restore the Huaizi River's old course; a dam at Guazhou mouth to restore the Longzhou barrage; a dam at Hailing mouth to restore the Zhuyu and Daixian barrages, so pond waters are not divided among the Guazhou, Zhen, and Tai rivers; a dam near Beishen, temporarily closing Manpu lock and restoring Chaozong lock—then passage above and below will be unobstructed." Hengbo adopted his plan, and thereafter delayed vessels all passed smoothly.
45
三年二月，詔：「趙之鑒湖，明之廣德湖，自措置為田，下流堙塞，有妨灌溉，致失常賦，又多為權勢所占，兩州被害，民以流徙。 宜令陳亨伯究實，如租稅過重，即裁為中制； 應妨下流灌溉者，並馳以予民。」
In the second month of the third year an edict declared: "Yue's Jian Lake and Ming's Guangde Lake, since being converted to farmland, have silted downstream, hindering irrigation and disrupting regular tax revenues. Powerful interests have seized much of the land. Both prefectures suffer, and the people flee. Chen Hengbo shall investigate. If rents and taxes are excessive, reduce them to moderate levels; and whatever obstructs downstream irrigation shall be promptly returned to the people."
46
五年三月，詔：「呂城至鎮江運河淺澀狹隘，監司坐視，無所施設，兩浙專委王復，淮南專委向子諲，同發運使呂淙措置車水，通濟舟運。」
In the third month of the fifth year an edict declared: "The transport canal from Lücheng to Zhenjiang is shallow, silted, and narrow while supervisory officials do nothing. Wang Fu is assigned for the two Zhe circuits, Xiang Ziyin for Huainan, and transport commissioner Lü Cong shall coordinate water wheels to restore boat passage."
47
四月，又命王仲閎同廉訪劉仲元、漕臣孟庾專往來措置常、潤運河。 又詔：「東南六路諸閘，啟閉有時。 比聞綱舟及命官妄稱專承指揮，抑令非時啟版，走泄河水，妨滯綱運，誤中都歲計，其禁止之。」
In the fourth month Wang Zhonghong was also ordered, together with surveillance commissioner Liu Zhongyuan and grain transport official Meng Yu, to oversee the Chang and Run transport canals. Another edict declared: "Locks throughout the six southeastern circuits must open and close on schedule. I have heard that convoy boats and commissioned officials falsely claim special orders, forcing locks open at improper times, draining the canals, delaying transport, and harming the capital's annual grain plan. This is forbidden."
48
五月，詔：「以運河淺涸，官吏互執所見，州縣莫知所從。 其令發運司提舉等官同廉訪使者，參訂經久利便列奏。」 是月，臣僚言：「鎮江府練湖，與新豐塘地理相接，八百餘頃，灌溉四縣民田。 又湖水一寸，益漕河一尺，其來久矣。 今堤岸損缺，不能貯水，乞候農隙次第補葺。」 詔本路漕臣並本州縣官詳度利害，檢計工料以聞。
In the fifth month an edict declared: "Because the transport canal has run shallow, officials dispute one another's views and prefectures and counties do not know whom to follow. The transport commission's supervisory officials and surveillance envoys shall jointly devise lasting solutions and memorialize them. That month a courtier reported: "Lian Lake in Zhenjiang Prefecture connects with Xinfeng Pond—over eight hundred qing irrigating farmland in four counties. One cun of lake water raises the grain canal one chi—a principle long established. The dikes are now damaged and cannot hold water. I ask that repairs proceed in sequence during gaps in the farming season. Circuit grain transport officials and local prefectural and county officers were ordered to assess costs and benefits, calculate labor and materials, and report back.
49
六年九月，盧宗原復言：「池州大江，乃上流綱運所經，其東岸皆暗石，多至二十餘處； 西岸則沙洲，廣二百餘里。 諺雲'拆船灣'，言舟至此，必毀拆也。 今東岸有車軸河口沙地四百餘里，若開通入杜湖，使舟經平水，徑池口，可避二百里風濤拆船之險，請措置開修。」 從之。
In the ninth month of the sixth year Lu Zongyuan reported again: "The great river at Chi Prefecture lies on the upstream convoy route. Its east bank is lined with hidden rocks—more than twenty sites; the west bank is sandbars stretching over two hundred li. A proverb calls it 'Boat-Dismantling Bay,' for vessels that reach this point are invariably wrecked and broken up. On the east bank lies more than four hundred li of sand flats at Chezhou River mouth. If a channel were opened into Du Lake, vessels could travel calm waters directly to Chikou, avoiding two hundred li of wind, waves, and wreckage. I request that plans be made to open and repair the route. The court approved.
50
七年九月丙子，又詔宗原措置開浚江東古河，白蕪湖由宣溪、溧水至鎮江，渡揚子，趨淮、汴，免六百里江行之險，並從之。
On bingzi day in the ninth month of the seventh year, Zongyuan was again ordered to open and dredge the ancient channel east of the Yangzi from Wuhu via Xuan Creek and Lishui to Zhenjiang, cross the Yangzi, and reach the Huai and Bian—bypassing six hundred li of river dangers. This too was approved.
51
靖康元年三月丁卯，臣僚言：「東南瀕江海，水易泄而多旱，歷代皆有陂湖蓄水。 祥符、慶曆間，民始盜陂湖為田，後復田為湖。 近年以來，復廢為田，雨則澇，旱則涸。 民久承佃，所收租稅，無計可脫，悉歸御前，而漕司之常賦有虧，民之失業無算。 可乞盡括東南廢湖為田者，復以為湖，度幾凋瘵之民，稍復故業。」 詔相度利害聞奏。
On dingmao day in the third month of the first year of Jingkang, a courtier reported: "The southeast borders rivers and sea. Water drains away easily and drought is common. Every dynasty maintained ponds and lakes to store water. Between the Xiangfu and Qingli reigns, people first encroached on ponds and lakes for farmland, then later restored fields to lakes. In recent years they have again been converted to farmland, bringing floods in rain and drought in dry seasons. Tenants have held these lands for years, and the rents and taxes collected cannot be recovered—all flow to the imperial privy purse. Meanwhile the transport office's regular revenues suffer, and countless people lose their livelihoods. I ask that every lake in the southeast converted to farmland be restored, so that impoverished people might gradually regain their former livelihoods." The emperor ordered a survey of costs and benefits and a memorial report.
52
八月辛丑，戶部言：「命官在任興修農田水利，依元豐賞格，千頃以上，該第一等，轉一官，下至百頃，皆等第酬獎； 紹聖亦如之。 緣政和續附常平格，千頃增立轉兩官，減磨勘三年，實為太優。」 詔依元豐、紹聖舊格。
On xinchou day in the eighth month the Ministry of Revenue reported: "For commissioned officials who undertake farmland waterworks while in office, under the Yuanfeng reward scale: projects of one thousand qing or more qualify for the first grade and earn one rank of promotion; projects down to one hundred qing receive graded rewards; The Shaosheng reign followed the same scale. But the Zhenghe supplement to the Ever-Normal regulations added two ranks of promotion and a three-year reduction in merit review for projects of one thousand qing—far too generous." The emperor ordered a return to the Yuanfeng and Shaosheng scales.