I was watching short videos and historical figures were collectively vomiting blood!

Chapter 21 The 7 Most Difficult Roads to Build in China, Some Took 50 Years

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the dense network of highways that spanned the entire territory and couldn’t help but feel deeply moved.

“It seems that the people in the future thought the same as we did. To get rich, first build roads,” he remarked.

Beside him, Hu Weiyong quickly replied, “Your Majesty, just a month after you ascended the throne, you ordered the national postal system to be reorganized and set up water-horse relay stations, post offices, express delivery stations, and other services across the country.”

“When you conquered a region during the downfall of the Yuan Dynasty, you would change the local ‘station’ to a ‘relay station,’ and then you ordered the construction of roads and relay stations by military engineers. This was a key factor in the rapid establishment of the Ming Dynasty,” Hu Weiyong continued.

Hu Weiyong was not just flattering; this was a true account of what Zhu Yuanzhang had done. Coming from humble beginnings, Zhu understood the crucial importance of roads for the economy, culture, and military.

“It seems that the future economy will be very developed, and it must be a powerful nation!” Zhu Yuanzhang said, excited.

Although he couldn’t witness that day, he could still catch a glimpse of the prosperous future through the celestial screen, seeing a part of the vibrant future era.

Next to him, the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, pointed to the fleeting image on the celestial screen. “Why do those vehicles on the highways seem to be going so fast? Why are they not pulled by horses?”

Zhu Biao, the crown prince, also quickly noticed it.

“Hmm? Just like that ‘plane’ from earlier, this vehicle too seems to be running on its own!”

If someone had told Zhu Biao that vehicles could run on their own or that an iron shell could fly into the sky before this, he would have slapped them awake. But now, he wanted to slap himself to check if he was hallucinating. Since the celestial screen appeared, he felt like his worldview had collapsed.

…

At that moment, the video on the celestial screen shifted again. Due to the influence of big data, this was yet another highway.

“The 7 Most Difficult Roads to Build in China, Some Took 50 Years.”

“China has always been a resilient nation, and no matter what obstacles we face, we will build the roads, benefiting future generations. This is the spirit of China!”

“Today, let’s take a look at the 7 most difficult roads to build in China—roads forged with blood, sweat, and tears.”

“No.1, The Khunjerab Highway in the Western Regions.”

“A road built with lives, with one person sacrificing their life every 1.5 kilometers.”

“The geological conditions along the route are extremely complex, with snow, ice, avalanches, falling rocks, landslides, and earthquakes, among other geological disasters.”

“This is a road built with blood and sweat. A total of 810 lives were lost, with both China and Pakistan making sacrifices!”

“G314, a road connecting western China to Pakistan, is known as KKH in English and is called ‘The Eighth Wonder of the World’!”

“No.2, The Duku Highway in the Western Regions.”

“It took 10 years to complete, with 168 road-building soldiers sacrificing their precious lives.”

“The Duku Highway spans 561 kilometers and connects the southern and northern parts of the western regions. Nowadays, many people only see the beauty of this highway online.”

“Few realize that it took 10 years to build this road.”

“It crosses 10 major rivers of the Tianshan Mountains, climbs over 4 snow-capped mountain passes, with nearly one-third of the route surrounded by deep, bottomless cliffs, and one-fifth of it lies above the permanently frozen ground!”

“13,000 people dedicated their youth to this road. They climbed rocks, dug tunnels, and carved ice. Over 2,000 soldiers were injured and disabled, and 168 soldiers lie here, never to return!”

Emperor Liu Che of the Han Dynasty tightly gripped the armrests of his dragon throne, his eyes filled with shock, and his whole body tingled with a strange sensation. This time, the shock he felt was even stronger than when he saw China’s nationwide highway network.

“From the images on the celestial screen, it seems these road builders volunteered for the work. There were no forced labor or exploitation; they willingly gave of themselves, even sacrificing their lives!”

What kind of spirit is this?

Liu Che pondered, if it were a military campaign, fighting for the country and family, he could command the army. However, in the harsh environment of the Western Regions, the spirit, will, and sentiment were truly admirable.

What exactly is it that supports them to accomplish all of this?

Liu Che fell into deep thought. As an emperor, he naturally knew that if he could understand the logic behind it, the Han Dynasty would certainly experience earth-shattering changes.

NO3. Tibetan Plateau – Motuo Road

A total length of 117 kilometers, construction began in 1965 and was completed after 50 years.

This road is known as the most difficult road to build in China.

The road’s elevation varies significantly, with a height difference of more than 6,700 meters. The terrain is rugged, and construction was hindered by earthquakes, mudslides, landslides, collapses, and heavy rainfall.

NO4. Sichuan Province – Wenma Expressway

A total length of 172 kilometers, with 86.5% of the route being bridges and tunnels, and a total investment of 28.7 billion yuan.

The Wenma Expressway is characterized by “five extremes”: extremely complicated terrain, geology, climate, construction environment, and ecological conditions.

NO5. Sichuan Province – Yakan Expressway

This expressway connects the Sichuan Basin to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, almost entirely elevated.

The Yakan Expressway is part of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, with a total elevation difference of 1,900 meters. Its bridge and tunnel ratio is the highest in the province and one of the most difficult construction projects in the country.

NO6. Shanxi Province – Kunshan Cliffside Road

This road took 25 years to build and was carved out of the cliffside by hand, earning the nickname “Sky Road.”

Due to the difficult terrain in the Wang Mangling Scenic Area, the project was extremely challenging. Workers used hammers and chisels to create a hanging road, which demonstrates the magnitude of the project.

NO7. Yunnan Province – Dulongjiang Road

This road is the only passage connecting the Dulong ethnic group’s settlement area to the outside world.

Before this road was built, people had to carry goods on their backs or by horse for three days. Even after the road was constructed, it was closed for half a year due to heavy snow.

The construction faced numerous difficulties, including pests like leeches and mosquitoes, the thin air at the Gaoligong Mountains, and harsh weather conditions, making progress difficult. Despite this, the project was completed.

These are the seven most difficult roads to build. These roads are monuments to the indomitable will of the Chinese people and stand as immortal tributes. Let us be proud of every road worker and honor the unsung heroes who sacrificed their youth and lives for these projects.

At this moment, across different realms, everyone paused. Ying Zheng straightened his back, adjusted his crown, and smoothed his black dragon robe.

Then, he solemnly said, “We pay tribute to these road heroes!”

“Tribute to the road heroes!”

All his officials knelt in unison.

…

In the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Li Shimin, with a solemn expression, clasped his hands and spoke to the sky, “Tribute to the road heroes!”

“Tribute to the road heroes!”

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In the Han Dynasty, Emperor Liu Che, with deep respect, said, “Tribute to the road heroes!”

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In the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, with a serious tone, said, “We pay tribute to the road heroes of the future!”

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“Tribute to every road hero!”

“Tribute!”