The Old Course of the Grain Transport River

The Old Course of the Grain Transport River

The Old Course of the Grain Transport River

Commonly known as Empress Xiao’s Grain Transport River, it has now dried up, but its former course can still be seen. It originated at Qigou (an ancient important town, now part of Zhuozhou), flowed southward through Qiaoliufan, passed west of Gaobeidian Village, went by Dongxima and Shunhezhuang, and then headed southeast into the territory of Dingxing County. In earlier years, ship anchors, planks, and wooden piles were unearthed from the riverbed. According to the History of Liao: “In the fourth year of the Tonghe era, on the fifth month, day gengwu, the Liao army fought against Cao Bin and Mi Xin of the Song Dynasty at Qigou and decisively defeated them… Tens of thousands of laborers hauling grain hid in the empty city of Qigou. On the day renshen, marking the Empress Dowager’s birthday, they were released and allowed to return.”

Note: The fact that tens of thousands were involved in hauling grain (pulling boats and loading/unloading cargo) indicates the scale of the water transport activities at that time.