The flood causes soil erosion, harming only the common people. The court has dispatched several ministers to manage the water, but the effects are minimal. As an emperor, today I summoned the two sons to hear their opinions.
Li Changnian paused in contemplation, then confidently said, "In my humble opinion, we should establish dikes along the banks to contain the floodwaters, so they no longer spread everywhere."
Isn't it the principle that the soil stops the water?
"So what is Qian'er's opinion?" Emperor Jingping neither dismissed nor confirmed, his sharp gaze turning to his eldest son.
Li Qian rejected this answer: "Father, addressing the water issues is of utmost importance; it still requires a strategic use of maps to understand the mountains and rivers. It's easy to say setting dikes will contain the flood, but much harder to do. Allow me to first investigate, and I will provide a response tomorrow."
This is undoubtedly opposing the Crown Prince.
