The people of Feng Prefecture hated the people of the surrounding prefectures to the bone. They thought to themselves, why are you so troublesome? It's fine if you use the curved plow and submit a memorial, but don't say a lot of good things about the County Magistrate of Sanshui County in your memorial. You even mention the auspicious signs and the gifts to the people of the county.
When the auspicious signs were mentioned in Feng Prefecture, they only mentioned the auspicious signs of the prefecture, but the gifts on New Year's Eve were not mentioned at all. Now, the report from the higher-ups had already been sent to the prefecture. The wording was not harsh at all, but it was constantly scolding from all aspects. Why didn't Feng Prefecture report this kind of thing and let other prefectures report it?
It was because the wording was not harsh that the people in the prefecture were afraid. If the wording was harsh, it meant that the higher-ups had a close relationship with you. This kind of bland questioning was the most frightening. If one did not do well, it was easy to lose one's position, or even be locked in prison to suffer.
While everyone was busy with the spring plowing, the people in the prefecture were discussing how to deal with this matter. No one dared to continue suppressing the credit of the County Magistrate of Sanshui County. In desperation, everyone discussed a solution.
*****
The sky was gloomy, as if it could fall at any time. The wind also cheered. At this time, the villagers in various places looked up at the sky, waiting for the rain to fall.
The people of Sanshui County were the same. However, the sky was gloomy for a few hours, and in the afternoon, the clouds disappeared and the wind stopped.
When all the villagers saw this situation, their hearts sank. Today was the grain rain, which should be the time to sow seeds. If it didn't rain, who would dare to sow seeds? Especially some old people who knew how to look at the sky, their eyes were full of panic. It's over, there won't be rain for a few days.
County Magistrate Cheng of Sanshui County was also sitting in the yamen, staring blankly at the sky. After a while, he turned his head and asked the person beside him, "Little Luoshui, how's the water?" This time, he finally called the person by his full name.
"Sir, the water is very shallow. It hasn't rained for a few days, and the melted snow has already flowed away." The person beside him answered carefully.
"It's over, hurry, immediately send people to this official. This official wants to dig a well." County Magistrate Cheng trembled as he stood up. He anxiously called for all the people in the yamen to come over and arrange for them to dig the well according to the surrounding areas. However, he was also worried that there would not be enough manpower as everyone was waiting to sow the seeds.
After everyone left, County Magistrate Cheng stood alone at the entrance of the yamen. From time to time, commoners would pass by and greet him. He was not in the mood to respond to them one by one. The commoners seemed to be able to understand the difficulty of the county magistrate. It had not rained for the past few days, even when it was guyu. Furthermore, it seemed that there would not be any rain for the next few days.
In the evening, there was good news. However, this news was nothing to be happy about for County Magistrate Cheng. The people from the state sent a token, which meant that they recognized his contribution and would report it to the imperial court. However, the reason why the state didn't report it before was because he didn't want people from the state to report it.
"Sir, you don't have to share your credit with others anymore," said the deputy district magistrate. He wanted to cheer the district magistrate up.
"Merit, merit, what merit is there left? If this drought is not handled properly, I will be at fault. Have all the people I sent returned? How is the situation? " County Magistrate Cheng was listless. He sat on the chair and leaned his entire body against the back of the chair. Even so, he was still slipping down.
"Most of the people have returned. Qiyang Village is experiencing drought and the villagers are fighting for water. A few of them are injured and the water they snatched is barely enough to sow the grains. However, if it still doesn't rain in a few days, we will have to think of other solutions. Xihe Village is still alright. There is still some water in the river that can last for half a month. Now, they have blocked the river. However, Donghe Village is finished.
But … "News after news came out from the deputy district magistrate's mouth. Usually, there was no water. When it was not used, there was always water. However, when it was used, they realized that there was not enough water at all. The places that had water could not last for long.
"Is there no good news? All of them are like this? Yes, there is one place that I haven't mentioned. Zhangjia Zhuangzi over at Tuqiao Village. How is he doing over there? "County Magistrate Cheng suddenly remembered that the people over there had not returned yet.
"Sir, there is a river over there. However, that river is formed by the convergence of four small rivers. Three of the rivers are not enough for the village and they have diverted the river water away. The remaining river is usually waist-deep and is completely useless. The main thing is that it has been like this for the past few years. It looks like a drought but in fact, it will rain continuously before and after the grain rain. The people and we are all used to it."
The deputy district magistrate sighed. Zhangjia Zhuangzi had given the yamen too many surprises. However, this time, no one could escape.
"Reporting, Sir, Sir, I am back. I am back from Zhangjia Zhuangzi." Just as the deputy district magistrate finished speaking, a voice came from outside the door. Following that, a person ran in. Looking at his travel-worn appearance, one could tell that he had rushed all the way.
This person was carrying a large bag on his back. He didn't look heavy, but when he entered the courtyard and stopped, he couldn't say a word. He just stood there, panting.
"If you're back, then so be it. Find a place to rest. What are you carrying? Asking for things from Zhangjia Zhuangzi again? It's fine if you want it during normal times, but they are also suffering from drought now. How can you … "County Magistrate Cheng was so angry that he couldn't finish his sentence.
"Your Excellency, we didn't take it. It's, it's the things that they, Zhuang, Zhuangzi brought back to your Excellency's yamen. Good, good stuff. Wood ears. Ten, ten catties. Dry, dry." The yamen runner stammered.
"What? Ten catties of dried wood ear, how dare you accept such a valuable thing? The drought is so bad. These wood ears can be exchanged for a lot of money. Digging a well requires money. Buying food from outside also requires money. Send them back. We can't accept these things. "County Magistrate Cheng and deputy district magistrate were shocked. Where did Zhangjia Zhuangzi get so many dried wood ears?
The yamen runner was still panting. He was anxious. In the end, he picked up the bowl of tea from the county magistrate's table and drank the tea in one gulp. He wiped his mouth and finally felt comfortable. He opened the bag and said,
"Your Excellency, these wood ears were planted by them. They said that they would bring them back to share with the people in the yamen. Originally, they wanted to give twenty catties, but I didn't dare to accept it. I only brought back ten catties. After they are brewed, the people in the yamen will be able to share some and eat fresh."
"Planted? Wood ears can be planted? " The county magistrate and deputy district magistrate were shocked again. They even stood up from their chairs. Both of them did not know how to locate Zhangjia Zhuangzi.
Cucumbers could be grown in the winter. There was vegetable oil. They bought carrots that others did not want and made a lot of money. They also found a very simple method of turning brown sugar into white sugar and made chili sauce. A few days ago, they had a curved shaft plow. Now, they could even plant wood ears. Was there anything in this world that they could not do?
"Well, since they can plant wood ears, they have made a fortune again. Even if there is a drought, they are not afraid. How about his side? Did he not plant anything? "
County Magistrate Cheng was relieved. Wood ears were precious. If they wanted to eat them, they could go to the mountains or some trees to find them. They could also be found at the place where firewood was transported. This was money.
"Your Excellency, they have all been planted. Zhangjia Zhuangzi, Wang Zhuangzi and Ge Zhuangzi have all been planted. The Ge Zhuangzi borrowed water from the Zhang Zhang and Wang Zhuangzi."
"They have all been planted? Borrowed water? If the Ge Family does not have water in Zhuangzi, could it be that the Zhang Zhang and Wang Zhuangzi have water? " The county magistrate felt a little dizzy. At this time, the Zhang Zhang and Wang Zhuangzi did not have water. Even if they had water, how could they lend it to others? He suspected that the yamen runner was lying, so his face darkened.
"It's true, Milord. This lowly one doesn't dare to lie. You don't know, but the Zhang and Wang Family's farmstead have dug six large ponds, and they are all filled with water. There are still some small streams in the small river, and they are all led to the six ponds. When this lowly one arrived, there were already seven wells there, and three more were being dug.
The Ge family's manor had just been dug up, the well water was sweet and cold, it was delicious. When I got there, I drank three big bowls in one go, and the horse I was riding also drank it, the horse drank it too … "
"Okay, stop talking nonsense. You said that there are six ponds full of water in Zhangjia Zhuangzi? And there are seven wells that have already been dug? "County Magistrate Cheng interrupted the yamen runner's useless words and found the key point to ask again.
"That's right, Milord. This lowly one saw it with his own eyes. There were even children from three farmsteads playing in the pond. There were more than a thousand ducks and geese swimming in the pond. There were even people carrying water up the mountain. This lowly one even helped. There were more than six thousand chickens laying eggs on the mountain, and the farmsteads even caught pigs.
Other than that, I also saw grains moved from other places. Because they needed land during the spring plowing season, they moved the grains to the two main families of Zhuangzi. There were open spaces there, and each one was like a mountain. That was why I dared to bring back ten catties of wood ear. I know that they are not poor. "
The yamen runner's eyes lit up when he talked about Zhangjia Zhuangzi. He explained everything from the beginning to the end of the Zhuangzi and pointed to the ten catties of wood ear.
County Magistrate Cheng and Deputy County Magistrate Zhang Mingsheng sat back in their chairs. To be exact, they fell back. Two pairs of eyes stared straight at the wood ear. Suddenly, they said at the same time, "If I had known, I would have brought back twenty catties of wood ear."
"Your Excellency, if you really want it, I will go again. I am not afraid of being tired. I will change to another horse." The yamen runner was also an honest person. He turned to leave after saying that.
"Stop, are you crazy from being poor? Do you have any shame? They gave it to you. What are you doing asking for it? This Zhangjia Zhuangzi is evil. They raised so many things. They dug six big ponds and seven wells in advance. No wonder the Ge family wanted to borrow water from them.
Ge Yingxi is considered to have a good neighbor. A few days ago, he was playing tricks behind their backs. In the end, he did not do anything to them. The people of Zhangjia Zhuangzi knew about it and they even lent water to Ge family. If he becomes an official, he will be a good official who brings good fortune to the people. "
County Magistrate Cheng stopped the yamen runner and evaluated him.
"Your Excellency is also a good official." The deputy county magistrate said.
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