Liu Xie recounted, one by one, the historical allusions concerning the Yellow River's muddy waters.
The Yellow River's waters were clear in later ages because they were well managed. How could the present have the conditions available in those later ages?
But his ministers were all somewhat taken aback.
Although everyone present was well versed in poetry and the classics and knew all these allusions, what did any of this have to do with a severe drought?
Liu Xie continued, "The Yellow River is muddy throughout the year because of sediment. The reason its waters have turned clear this year is that the rivers feeding its upper reaches have dried up, preventing sediment from flowing downstream. That is why the water has become clear."
"The rivers in the Yellow River's upper reaches have dried up because rainfall has been scarce, and scarce rainfall means there will inevitably be a severe drought!"
Liu Xie's certainty astonished every minister.
Did the Yellow River's clear waters really mean that a drought rarely seen in a hundred years was coming?
Lu Su had also thought the clear waters were an auspicious omen, but these words shocked him, and he hurriedly said, "If that is truly the case, we should immediately order the granaries along the Yellow River to stockpile more grain in preparation for a severe drought!"
"This matter requires caution!"
As soon as Lu Su finished, Fa Zheng spoke up. His expression was grave as he cupped his hands toward Liu Xie. "Your Majesty, drought prevention is no small matter. Every commandery and county in the realm must be notified early, and the grain reserves in the granaries alone would need to increase by over fifty percent! That alone would cost at least several million strings of cash!"
"Clear waters in the Yellow