The Spirits of the earth

Verse 2

The earth has spirits
Very solemn and dignified gods
They rejuvenate the country and assist the state
They respect the ruler and protect the people

  Emperor Yangdi when starting the work on the Grand Canal:
“地狱未空誓不成佛”   “The yang of the Yu river and the spirits of the earth should not be offended”
  The Grand Canal Da Yunhe is a waterway of amazing grandeur and importance.

Linking north and south China it provided safe transportation insulated from the threats of storms and pirates on the high seas. It spans 1,100 miles (1,770 kms) making it the longest canal system in the world.
Like the Great Wall it was not all built at the same time as a single project. Boats were pulled by teams of oxen; horses or men along a tow path.

The main building phase came during the Sui dynasty when Yangdi commenced the project in 605CE As many as five million people, including women and children, were conscripted into the project. All men aged from 15 to 50 were liable to be called up. The majority of the canal was made an impressive 131 feet (40 meters) in width.
Between 604 and 609, Emperor Yang Guang (or Sui Yangdi) of the Sui dynasty completed the project.align="center"

The Grand Canal furthered an indigenous and growing economic market in China’s urban centers since the Sui period. It has allowed faster trading and has improved China’s economy. The southern portion remains in heavy use to the present day.
Not offending the Earth is always important, and nowadays we can see, more clearly than ever, what happens when we don’t honor her.

More information in Wikipedia

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