Chapter 295: Chapter 49 Evolution! Ping’an Town Gradually Becomes Stronger_2
On Earth, some flood gates use high-power pumps for drainage. The simple manufacturing of a pump is not difficult; the challenge lies in the absence of electricity in this world.
However, human wisdom is boundless.
In this world, there are naturally some water wheels for irrigation as well.
Over the years, Wang Shouzhe has worked on many projects, including researching with professionals for water wheel improvement plans.
Among the three major flood gates, the Fenggu Gate located at Fenggu Farm was originally built by Ancestor Zhou Xuan.
In the past eight years, Wang Shouzhe has undertaken multiple renovations and reconstructions of this gate, making it a primary flood outlet.
Now, there are two "Water Dragon Arrays" on either side of the tall gate.
The "Water Dragon Array" sounds impressive, but it is essentially a large water wheel with a relatively simple structure.
When the river flows, it drives the water wheel, similar to a small Ferris wheel, into motion. The water wheel’s rotation works on a simple reciprocating pump through precise and durable bearings and gears crafted by Artifact Refiners.
This reciprocating pump then pumps the water inside the gate into the Anjiang River.
Inside the gate, the waterways connect seamlessly, linking to all the channels and lakes within Ping’an Town.
Wang Shouzhe possesses quite a bit of Earthly knowledge. Though it’s not his expertise, he understands the overall direction, and the world is not short of clever craftsmen and Artifact Refiners.
Through their collaboration, the "Water Dragon Array" was developed.
Of course, this large water wheel is not simply exposed in the river path.
Wang Shouzhe drove piles along the river edge and constructed a large base with concrete, forming a funnel-shaped channel broader at the front and narrower towards the back along the gate’s embankment.
In this way, the funnel mouth can draw in more water, and as the channel narrows, the flow speeds up, generating more power for the water wheel.
At the channel entrance before the water wheel, there is a two-zhang wide winch lift gate. When the water wheel’s operation is unnecessary, you just need to lower the gate to cut off the water flow.
Additionally, at the funnel mouth, an iron grid is set up to intercept larger debris or waterborne ferocious beasts rushing with the flow, preventing damage to the water wheel.
The two Water Dragon Arrays at the Fenggu Gate, though having simple principles and structures, took Wang Shouzhe five full years to communicate with craftsmen and Artifact Refiners, continually testing and improving small-scale structures before formal construction, costing over ten thousand Qian Gold in total.
Obviously, the effects are very noticeable.
The person in charge of this gate is a capable member of the Wang Family’s collateral line. Upon meeting Wang Shouzhe, he enthusiastically reported, "Reporting to the Patriarch, both Water Dragon Arrays are operating very smoothly."
Amidst the turbulent channel, the massive water wheel rotates steadily. It appears slow, but in fact, it is not slow; the large perimeter of the water wheel merely creates this mirage.
Driven by the water wheel, water continuously sprays out from the pipe mouth pointing at the Anjiang, resembling two white and grand Water Dragons.
Such a scene is the origin of the Water Dragon Array’s name!
"Monitor all twelve hours, and if the Water Dragon Array encounters any failure, spare no cost for repair."
Seeing his many years of hard work and huge investment in the Water Dragon Array play an active role, Wang Shouzhe felt quite proud.
He regarded Ping’an Town as his territory, as his home, naturally wishing to fortify it to withstand all kinds of natural disasters.
Previously calculated, a large Water Dragon Array in full operation can drain about two hundred thousand cubic meters in a day.
Across the three flood gates, there are six in total. At full speed, they can drain about one million two hundred thousand cubic meters per day.
It sounds like a lot.
But in fact, taking Zhuwei Lake as an example, it covers about ten thousand acres, holding approximately twenty-eight million cubic meters of water when fully stored.
These six large Water Dragon Arrays would need over twenty days of full operation to empty Zhuwei Lake!
Needless to say, the capacity from the myriad of large and small rivers, channels, and sheep-scattered small lakes within Ping’an Town.
Thus, before the rainy season each year, these six Water Dragon Arrays must start pre-operational drainage to lower the internal water levels of Ping’an Town, preventing the awkward situation of being too late in flood drainage when the flood season hits.
Even as it continues to rain now, though the majority of rainwater is absorbed by the land or enters underground water channels, the remaining small portion that flows into the channels is still not negligible.
As such, even under full operation, the water in the river channel continues to rise bit by bit.
Slowly, but still rising.
Fortunately, by starting early drainage before the rainy season, Ping’an Town’s water level was at a relatively low state. Otherwise, many wheat fields might already be flooded by river water backflowing now.
Wang Shouzhe’s expression was somewhat heavy.
Six Water Dragon Arrays are ultimately too few.
Even if this year’s flood season is far from reaching the levels of the historical two floods, it is almost at the limits of the Water Dragon Vehicles.
Having spent eight years gradually building hydraulic infrastructure is ultimately just a fledgling effort, Wang Shouzhe thought to himself. Once this flood season passes, more investment must be made into water management construction again.
After all, now the entire Ping’an Town belongs to the Wang Family, and investing even more is just long-term investment. Preventing one flood disaster recoups the cost.
In the following six or seven days, the entire Wang Family led Ping’an Town’s forty thousand people in a tense flood-fighting effort.
At times like this, no outsiders could assist the Wang Family.
After all, during the fierce flood season, every place faced the threat of flooding.
During this period, breaches appeared in three river embankments, and the situation nearly spiraled out of control. Wang Shouzhe and his wife personally stationed themselves on the front lines to join the flood fight.
In the face of nature’s grand forces, their Spirit Platform Realm abilities were limited, but with them present, everyone had a backbone. Together with the Wang Family and all the town’s citizens, they sealed the breaches time after time, preventing flooding from occurring.
Finally.
After two consecutive days of clear skies, the turbulent flow of the Anjiang slightly abated, and the total water level began to slowly decrease, dropping over half a meter in two days.
This heralded the end of the flood season.
It also signified that Ping’an Town successfully crossed the tribulation, surviving the flood-prone flood season.
Nevertheless, all of Ping’an Town remained vigilant, still united in reinforcing weak spots in the embankments to guard against the flood season’s return.
Thus, after several more days.
The water level of the Anjiang continued to drop, and the water flow gradually stabilized.
The flood season finally passed completely, and Ping’an Town promptly fell into a joyful celebration.
This flood season arrived menacingly; a decade or two ago, flood disasters would have been nearly unavoidable, causing significant damage.
But this time, apart from some areas experiencing reduced yields after waterlogging, the overall grain production remained at a high level.
Most importantly, only a few people died during this flood season.
This was a great victory!
Although Wang Family’s prestige in Ping’an Town was already sky-high, after this, public sentiment soared to a new level.
Celebrations filled Ping’an Town, but the Shouzhe couple lay exhausted at home, not stepping out for two whole days.
They were utterly worn out.
Two days later, only when Wang Shouzhe’s trusted "favorite general" Wang Mei came secretly to report work did Wang Shouzhe manage to muster up a bit of energy.
Wang Shouzhe privately received Wang Mei in his study.
He reviewed the intelligence Wang Mei had compiled, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
Heh~ After so many years, he set out so many baits, and finally, the mastermind behind the scenes from sixty years ago couldn’t hold back and exposed a flaw!
Next, things might get turbulent again.
The entire Changning Guard is likely about to enter some turmoil.
"Wang Mei, you’ve worked hard." Wang Shouzhe’s expression was slightly complicated as he glanced at Wang Mei.
The complexity in his expression was due to her appearance today.
She wore a peculiar attire.
Her evil makeup technique had reached an innovative stage.
If she was thrown into the academy, she would undoubtedly be like some sort of goddess senior.
"""