Why did Kangxi repair the Grand Canal?

The Kangxi Emperor ordered repairs to the Grand Canal to ensure the reliable transport of large quantities of grain from the agriculturally productive southern regions to the capital in the north.1

During his reign, the canal had suffered from long-term neglect, which hindered its function as a vital arterial waterway connecting the Huang He (Yellow River) with the lower Yangtze River. By stabilizing the flow of the Huang He—which had been causing significant damage to northern Jiangsu through repeated flooding—and dredging the canal, Kangxi facilitated the smooth movement of essential food supplies to support the northern population and the imperial government.1