Jiang Wei was an exceptionally talented individual.
From a young age, Jiang Wei was "well-read and proficient in military strategy and martial arts."
He distinguished himself in the defense of Tianshui, twice uncovering Zhuge Liang's schemes, thwarting the Shu army's plan to capture Tianshui, and commanding his troops to defeat renowned generals such as Zhao Yun, Guan Xing, and Zhang Bao. He even surrounded Zhuge Liang, forcing him to escape on horseback, demonstrating remarkable skill.
This attracted Zhuge Liang's high regard. Even at the cost of letting a powerful figure like Xiahou Lin, the Wei general and commander of the Wei army, escape, Zhuge Liang used a counter-espionage plot to force Jiang Wei into a desperate situation, ultimately leading to Jiang Wei's surrender with sincerity…
Zhuge Liang groomed Jiang Wei as his successor in scholarship and career, promising to impart all his knowledge to him, demonstrating his high regard and affection for Jiang Wei's character, abilities, and potential.
Jiang Wei indeed lived up to Zhuge Liang's expectations, participating in almost every battle during Zhuge Liang's six expeditions to Qishan, and consistently demonstrating remarkable skill.
At Xiping Pass, he lured the enemy to ambush and defeat the Qiang troops; when the Shu army was bogged down at Chencang, unable to break through and facing a dilemma, Jiang Wei proposed abandoning a direct assault and instead launching a surprise attack on Qishan. He then feigned surrender to Cao Zhen, the Wei commander, and ambushed and annihilated 50,000 troops led by General Fei Yao at Xiegu Pass, inflicting a heavy blow on the Wei army.
Jiang Wei thus became a trusted general of Zhuge Liang, repeatedly undertaking important and arduous tasks such as vanguard, main attack, protection, and rearguard.
He consistently performed admirably, earning deep trust and reliance.
On his deathbed, Zhuge Liang passed on all his research on military strategy and the art of the repeating crossbow to Jiang Wei, not only signifying the complete transmission of his mantle but also implying that he was entrusting Jiang Wei with his unfinished mission of restoring the Central Plains and reviving the Han Dynasty.
His nine campaigns against the Central Plains yielded few victories, whether due to unfavorable timing, terrain, or popular support.
In short, failure was failure, and no achievements were made.
However, his loyal character remained trustworthy. Even though Liu Chan was incompetent later on, he harbored no ambition to betray him, which was commendable.
Lu Ming simply watched Jiang Wei direct the workers, observing his every move.
Then he inquired about Deng Ai's arrangements. After listening to the report, he suddenly asked, "Did you come up with this arrangement, or did he?"
If it were someone else, they might have been greedy for credit, claiming all the credit for themselves.
But this was Deng Ai. A genius also possesses a strong sense of pride, disdaining to steal others' work.
Therefore, Deng Ai lowered his head and respectfully replied, "It was something Boyue and I came up with together."
"Oh, that's good."
Lu Ming nodded. This, in fact, was a limitation.
Some people are excellent as generals and vanguards, but not as commanders.
Zhao Yun is a perfect example. He can be a vanguard, possessing sufficient intelligence and resourcefulness, and he can also be a fierce general, possessing extraordinary martial prowess.
However, he cannot be a commander, because a commander needs to consider too many things, exceeding his capabilities.
"An incompetent general can ruin an entire army"—this is no joke, but a very real truth.
Therefore, Lu Ming will not easily appoint a commander. Instead, he will send a strategist to consult with him.
Having someone to consult is far better than having one person make the decision alone.
True commanders are few and far between.
Lu Ming stroked his chin, knowing how to utilize Jiang Wei effectively, to use him where it matters most.
So he continued to walk around the dam area, then offered several suggestions, which he instructed Deng Ai to implement.
If this dam is built,
it will become a reservoir.
It can store river water, and the unique steel sluice gates can be used for flood discharge, helping to alleviate drought during the dry season.
There's a specific method to this, as ships inevitably travel on the river, so creating a navigation channel requires careful planning.
"Using irrigation and water storage for ship navigation?"
Jiang Wei, summoned over, found Lu Ming's explanation quite intriguing.
Deng Ai, deep in thought, also couldn't understand it.
Once the reservoir is built, there will inevitably be differences in elevation. The only solution is to unload goods and then transfer them to upstream ships. While this is time-consuming, it solves the problem.
Lu Ming then brought over three bowls and had the craftsmen come over, covering for them.
He took a straw and threw it into one bowl, then filled the third bowl with water.
"This is the bottom, and this is the top.
After the boat reaches the lower level, it enters the compartment we've prepared.
Then, we close the lock, forming a bowl, and fill it with water."
Lu Ming fills the second bowl with water…
The straw slowly floats up, stopping only when it reaches the level of the third bowl.
"Now that we're at the same height, we open the upstream lock, allowing the boat to sail out, thus achieving the method of moving from upstream to downstream and vice versa."
The demonstration and explanation made the previously vague question clear, instantly enlightening everyone.
"Your Highness is truly a genius! I admire you!"
Jiang Wei was completely convinced of Lu Ming's abilities.
He admired Lu Ming for stabilizing Xiliang and Guanzhong.
But he admired Lu Ming even more for repairing bridges and roads—crucial for people's livelihoods. Good things benefit everyone.
Once the dam is successfully built, it will effectively prevent floods and alleviate droughts, which is a truly great thing.
At least, he had never heard of any of the warlords in the Central Plains undertaking such a project.
"Your Highness is a man of extraordinary talent!"
"Your Highness is wise!"
"Long live the Prince!"
The last compliment was clearly a bit overstepping the bounds of propriety, but Lu Ming didn't reprimand him. Instead, he waved his hand and said, "We'll have an extra meal of meat for everyone tonight. You've all worked hard."
At present, Guanzhong and Xiliang are not lacking in meat, because there are still many primeval forests, making it convenient for raising wild boars.
After capturing wild boars, they are kept in captivity. Even the most ferocious wild boars will become obedient, and the disobedient ones have already been slaughtered.
Relatively speaking, wild boars are much easier to raise.
Plus, with potatoes and sweet potato leaves, potatoes can be used to fill stomachs, and sweet potatoes can also be used to fill stomachs...
And sweet potato leaves reproduce and grow very quickly.
It can be eaten by humans and wild boars, maximizing its utilization.
Furthermore, with the addition of special medications to reduce mortality among wild boars and poultry, raising them is actually not difficult in the absence of African swine fever.