Abstract
This chapter illustrates the contextualization of Chinese sources on hydraulic engineering within statecraft revealing the various ideals and purposes that affected technical content. Through history flood control has been the most challenging mission for every ruler of China and no virtuous government can afford to neglect it. Yu's leadership in flood control became a touchstone for emperorship and served as an unbroken link to connect successive dynastic rulers through Chinese history, from Wudi and Chengdi of the Han to Taizu, Taizong, Zhenzong of the Northern Song and to Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing. The process consisted of not only dynastic and political changes but also technological choices, because the interest created a very special atmosphere. There is no doubt that the Yu flood myth still plays a significant role in twenty-first century China; flood control and other large-scale hydraulic works remain an imperial technology. Keywords:ecology; emperorship; flood; hydraulic engineering; northern song china; Yu's
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