Seeing Li Hui's gloomy expression, Zhang Zizhong felt a little worried. He said in a deep voice: "County Magistrate Li, everyone does not agree with this matter. It is indeed a bit reluctant. These are our private property, and how to deal with them is our own business. County Li
You can't make the decision for us. County Magistrate Li has said that private property is sacred and inviolable. We shouldn't have to keep our word."
Li Hui laughed. He stood up and walked in front of everyone and said: "Everyone, since you don't agree, let's drop this matter. I'm just discussing with you. It's your private property. You can do whatever you want. If
As Mr. Shen said, when grass grows and trees grow and thorns grow, no one else has the right to comment."
Everyone was stunned. They didn't expect Magistrate Li to give up like this. The battle seemed to be won, but this victory always made people feel uneasy.
Li Huidao: "Everyone, I first came to Juchao County as an official. I originally just wanted to have an official career and be a springboard. I never thought that I would encounter so much trouble. I was a lake bandit and a refugee. It was not easy to calm down the banditry.
, and I have to face the trouble of resettling the people. Moreover, I have just recently learned that Chao County, where I live, has been hit by major floods every three years and minor floods every year. It is really not a good place. There is a large area of wasteland in the polder area.
, but cannot be used because of these floods. Although the large lakes in the territory support people, they are also a disaster. It is really a headache."
Everyone was indifferent and silent. They thought to themselves: What does it have to do with us if you say this? You know it is not easy to be the magistrate of Juchao County, just get out of here.
Li Hui continued: "However, this county has never been one to retreat when difficulties arise. The county has actually formulated a plan to reclaim wasteland in the polder area. The polder area is huge. If all of the polder areas are reclaimed, tens of thousands of acres of fertile land can be reclaimed.
.And it is all fertile lake mud, so you can get a harvest by scattering seeds. It is an excellent fertile soil for farmland."
Zhang Zizhong, Shen Songnian and others looked at Li Hui with ridicule, thinking: You are probably crazy. Farming in the polder area will make you cry. When a flood destroys the polder field, the people will not eat you.
.
Li Hui didn't seem to notice their expressions, and looked out of the lobby with his hands behind his hands, and continued: "However, the polder area will encounter floods, and even if you plant it, it will be white. This is a problem. When the flood comes, won't the people's work be in vain?
This is impossible."
Everyone thought: "It's good if you know."
"...So to control the water, we must control the water. But strengthening the dikes is impossible. It cannot be prevented, and there is no manpower and material to strengthen the dikes. The only way, the most feasible way, is probably only one."
Li Hui seemed to be talking to himself, paused, suddenly turned his head, glanced at everyone in the hall, and said in a deep voice: "After much thought, I have only one way, and that is to set up a flood discharge area. When the flood season is coming, we can take the initiative to
Flood discharge is used to ensure the water level and ensure that the fertile fields in the polder area are not flooded. This is an impossible method, but it must be the most beneficial. The flood discharge area will be flooded and the people there will suffer disaster, but if you keep the crops, you will keep your livelihood. Two
It’s the lesser of harms, so this is the only way to do it.”
Zhang Zizhong and others were stunned. This method seemed feasible, but had never been used. Taking the initiative to discharge the flood would submerge a large area, but this was still a way to abandon soldiers to save the car. This guy has a very flexible mind.
"Everyone, I have a map here. I have demarcated three flood discharge areas to ensure the safety of the polder area. You all belong to a wealthy family in my hometown in Chao County. You might as well give me some advice and see if my arrangement can be successful.
"
Li Hui smiled, walked quickly behind the public case, took out a yellow paper scroll from the wooden cabinet next to it, and slowly unfolded it. It was a huge simplified map of Juchao County, with the Jiaohu County seat of Juchao County marked on it. Rivers, hills and large areas of wasteland.
Li Hui hung the scroll on one side of the wall, pointed at the shadows on it and said with a smile: "These three places are where the county has decided to release the flood. They are all wilderness areas. Once the flood is released, I estimate that It is completely possible to keep the dike of the lake in the polder area from collapsing or overflowing. The combined area of these three areas is half the size of Jiaohu Lake. We only need to build a sluice gate on the Ruxu River to prevent the river water from flowing back at a slower rate. As long as there are no obstacles, the problem can be solved. Let's take a look and see if it is feasible."
Everyone was curious and came closer to take a look. Although the map was simple, the markings were very clear. Basically, the lakes, mountains, rivers, cities, markets and towns in Juchao County were all represented, and they were completely understandable.
Shen Songnian only glanced at it for a few times, then his expression suddenly changed. He pointed at the map and said, "This... how... is this... possible? Magistrate Li, how can this flood discharge area be like this?"
Li Hui pinched the slight stubble on his chin and smiled: "Clan Chief Shen has any objections?"
Shen Songnian's face was ashen and he shouted loudly: "Conspiracy, this is a conspiracy. It is extremely despicable."
Others also understood at this moment that the three flood discharge areas marked on the map were exactly where their manors were located. The east and northeast sides of Juchao County, the north side of Dongguan Ruxu River, and the large area of Huailin Town.
If the flood discharge area is distributed like this, almost all the farmland of more than a dozen wealthy families will be included, and it will become a vast ocean after the flood is discharged.
You must know that once the real fertile farmland is washed away by floods, the upper soil layer will be washed away, leaving behind the gravel and gravel under the soil layer. The farmland of the rich is different from the polders. The terrain of the polders is different. In low-lying areas, silt can be re-accumulated. However, the farmlands of rich families are on higher ground and cannot be flooded by floods. Once floods accumulate, the soil will wash away from the surrounding low-lying areas, and the fertile fields will become barren and cannot be planted at all in the future. The crops are gone.
Everyone also fully understood Li Hui's sinister intentions. He must have done this on purpose, just to destroy everyone's farmland and turn it into barren land. There are so many low-lying areas that can be used as flood discharge areas, but these three were chosen. The place has clear intentions.
"Extremely despicable, extremely despicable. Magistrate Li, how could you do this? Isn't this destroying our farmland?"
"It's extremely shameless. We will never agree to it. If County Magistrate Li does this, we will file a lawsuit to the death, and we will die."
Everyone started shouting and couldn't care less at the moment. It would be better to kill the mighty stick than to destroy the village. Once the village is destroyed, the loss will be immeasurable, which is what they must protect. Although they can let the village be deserted, but It is precisely because of the presence of Zhuang Tian that they have the confidence. After Zhuang Tian is destroyed, they have nothing to rely on. This is the most cherished property of all high-ranking families and even local wealthy families. It is where their family's confidence lies.
"Don't agree? Hahaha, I can't help but you disagree. Discharging floods to protect land is the county's decision, and there is no need to discuss it with you. This is a matter within the power and responsibility of the county magistrate. If someone's land is flooded, there is nothing we can do about it. There has to be a price to pay for everything. What's more, those are desolate lands. Could it be that in order to protect your desolate farmland, you want to destroy the people's polders? If you want to appeal, that's up to you. But the flood It was a natural disaster. It was the flood that flooded your land, but I did not occupy your land. When the water recedes, the farmland is still yours, and others have not occupied your land at all. No matter where I say this, so does I. Don’t be afraid. Just go ahead and file a complaint. This flood discharge area has been demarcated by the official. I won’t let the people suffer because of your wasteland. They will starve to death here in the future, or become refugees begging and wandering around. Even if this matter is This county is not afraid of making trouble in the court or in front of the emperor." Li Hui put his hands behind his hands and sneered and shouted loudly.
Everyone gnashed their teeth and wished they could rush forward and tear this shameless man into pieces. However, this was obviously not possible.
It is obvious that Li Hui did this deliberately just to force everyone to submit. What he said was correct. He was just fulfilling the responsibilities of the county magistrate, draining floods to protect crops, and the reasons were high-sounding. Those farmlands were indeed barren land, and there were no
Reasons prevent him from doing so.
It is true that he did not invade his own farmland, but if he did so, he would completely destroy those farms. This person would use any means to achieve his goals, and he would use such despicable and shameless means. It is really chilling.
At this moment, although all the noble families hated Li Hui deeply, they had to admit that his methods were fierce.
In the awkward silence, Jiang Yun spoke softly in the corner: "Everyone, I think we should follow County Magistrate Li's suggestion and come back to cultivate the farmland. This way... it may be better."
Shen Songnian and others turned to glare at Jiang Yun, who lowered his head in guilt and remained silent.
Zhang Zizhong knew in his heart that unless everyone could spare no effort and carry on to the end, they would not care what Zhuangtian became. Otherwise, there would be only one way to go. As far as the Zhang family is concerned, it is impossible to give up Zhuangtian.
With this breath, thousands of acres of his family's farmland were destroyed, and he would become the sinner of his family.
Zhang Zizhong sighed and said softly: "Hey, the matter has come to this, and it can only be like this. County Magistrate Li, my Zhang family in Huailin is also willing to come back and resume farming."
"What? Bo Zhi, how can you be forced by him?" Shen Songnian shouted in shock.
Zhang Zizhong smiled bitterly and said: "Weng Shen, this is the only way, otherwise, our farmland will not be saved."
Just when Shen Songnian was about to speak, Shen Youzhi of Dongguan Town sighed and said, "My Shen family will also come back to resume farming."
Shen Songnian stared and wanted to scold Shen Youzhi, but he heard everyone around him talking.
"My family is also back to resume farming."
"I'll be back too."
"I also respond to County Magistrate Li's call and do my best for the people of Juchao County."
For a time, everyone except Shen Songnian expressed their intention to come back and resume farming.
Li Hui smiled and nodded, stroking his palms repeatedly and saying: "Thank you, thank you, thank you all the sages in the countryside for your understanding of justice and for making the right choice. This county thanks you all on behalf of the people living in Chao County and the naturalized refugees."
Shen Songnian lowered his head, gasping for breath, and his face was ashen.
Li Hui walked up to him and said in a deep voice: "Clan Chief Shen, what do you say?"
Shen Songnian glared at Li Hui fiercely and said in a deep voice: "In that case, what else can I say? But I am not surrendering to you, but following your decision."