mtl008 Chapter 390 The Timber Thief
Chapter 390 The Timber Thief
Pei Heng held Su Li's hand and comforted her:
"Don't worry. Ever since I mentioned this to the Emperor, he's had the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works focus on this matter. Right now, although many areas haven't been completely completed, we've already taken emergency precautions before the rainy season. There won't be any major problems."
Flood disasters have been a major problem since ancient times.
The new emperor has been on the throne for just over a year. Completely resolving the flood problem in the south won't yield significant results for another decade or two. We can only do our best to minimize the losses and take preventative measures.
Su Li also understood this principle.
From ancient times to the present, flood control has consumed countless people's efforts, but hasn't it always been a cycle of repeated flooding, repeated flooding, and then again flood control?
To be able to achieve this in one year is extraordinary!
"I've already notified the shops in the south to stock up on food and supplies in advance, so that they can be prepared for any emergencies."
"Yes! The Ministry of Revenue had already reserved disaster relief grain at the end of last year and made emergency preparations in advance."
"I'd better write another letter to Madam Qian, so that she can be mentally prepared in advance. If there really is a flood, she will have to actively respond in the south and organize wealthy merchants to donate money and grain."
The couple acted separately.
Li Ji in the palace also got the news.
He was very happy that Pei Yan was really taking the path he had prepared step by step. As long as he dared to rebel, he would have a legitimate reason to capture him in one fell swoop and make him fall into eternal damnation.
……
The rain in the south never stops.
The rain has been intermittent for more than a month, and the heavy rain in front of us has been going on for several days in a row.
The river flooded.
On the embankment, my third uncle Pei Shijie, wearing a straw raincoat and cloak, was giving orders nervously.
The dam here is located at the most critical juncture of the river.
Last year, during his patrol here, he discovered that the old embankment had become a rat's nest and ant holes, unable to withstand the fierce attack of the flood. If it were damaged, the area within a hundred miles of the river below would become a swamp.
Fortunately, some emergency measures were urgently added last year, so the flood season was not severe and we got through it safely.
Afterwards, he immediately started rebuilding it.
After much hard work, the project is almost completed, but the rainy season is already approaching.
"But you must hold on!"
Pei Shijie looked at the strong wind and heavy rain outside and prayed silently.
"father!"
Pei Xin's voice was heard outside, and she walked in, wearing a smart men's suit, opening the curtain of the straw hut.
"Xin'er! Why are you here? Go back, go back quickly!"
Before Pei Xin could even find her feet, Pei Shijie started to chase everyone out! He was already so busy that he had no time to take care of his daughter.
"Dad, you don't have to chase me away. I came here with Mom's consent. Dad works day and night on the dam, and I'm here to take care of your food and daily life. This is also a way to contribute my own efforts to flood control."
"you!"
Pei Shijie was about to scold his daughter a few more times when he heard the soldiers outside report:
"Sir, the wood thief has been caught."
"Go! Go and see!"
Pei Shijie had no time to scold his daughter as he was so busy with the things happening on the dam that he was completely overwhelmed.
It's muddy outside.
The rain was still pouring, but the work of building the dam did not dare to stop for a moment. Countless workers were soaked in mud and water, rushing to complete the dam before the flood.
Several soldiers forced a few cowering men to kneel on the ground.
"Sir, these are the ones who slacked off at work and even cut corners. Last night, during the heavy rain, I and my men spotted them secretly transporting lumber and captured them. Please punish them, sir!"
Soldier said.
As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding farmers and workers were filled with indignation.
In order to complete the dam as soon as possible, they worked day and night. But these guys, not only did they not work hard, they also stole the wood from the dam and sold it for money?
Simply hateful!
"Kill them!"
Pei Xin, who was following behind Pei Shijie, suddenly spoke.
Pei Shijie glared at his daughter with dissatisfaction.
How could an unmarried girl want to fight and kill?
But as soon as Pei Xin finished speaking, the migrant workers around him also shouted:
"Kill them!"
"Kill them!"
"Worms!"
"mouse!"
Suddenly, the crowd on the dam was outraged.
Pei Shijie raised his hand to suppress the voices, and when the workers quieted down a little, he said loudly:
"Fellow villagers, please be patient! They are indeed despicable for stealing timber and selling it! But the country has its own laws, and the family has its own rules. We cannot abuse lynching. Take them to the government office, and the government will deal with them according to the law."
The migrant workers were very convinced by Master Pei, who did everything himself, had no official airs, and ate and drank with them. Now, after hearing what he said, they all calmed down their anger.
"We believe in Lord Pei. Lord Pei led us to repair dams and control floods, and he has filled so many holes. All of this has benefited the local people! Lord Pei is a good official, and we trust you."
Pei Shijie bowed to the people and said through the layers of rain:
"Fellow villagers, the heavy rain is about to come. Let's work harder and close the levee before the flood. This is the most important thing!"
"Okay, I'll listen to you! Let's go to work!"
The onlookers picked up their hoes and jumped into the mud to continue working.
"It's getting late today. Tie them up and send them to the government office early tomorrow morning." Pei Shijie said.
"Yes!"
The soldiers took the thugs away.
They didn't see that one of the one-eyed thugs had maliciousness and resentment in his eyes.
At night.
A hole was dug behind the room where the thugs were imprisoned. A thin man dressed as a migrant worker came in and quietly untied the ropes of several thugs.
Several people crawled out from the hole in the back house and fled into the forest under the cover of night.
As soon as they entered the woods, the thin man shouted:
"Brother, I'm sorry for wronging you."
The one-eyed man, who was called Big Brother, had a face full of flesh and a rather large build. He spat on the ground and cursed:
"That old bastard Pei Shijie has cut off our source of income since he took office. In the past, all the work of building dams and dikes was done by us brothers. We build them, break them, and then we build them again. There's a constant flow of money here!"
"Now, they're watching even a piece of wood so closely! All of us brothers are going to starve!"
Someone next to me said:
"Brother, we've been bullied for a year now. We can't hold it in any longer! Let's just go all out and kill Pei and take back everything that belongs to us!"
"Okay! Find an opportunity to kill him!"
The one-eyed dragon said viciously.
"What will happen if I kill him?"
Suddenly, a man emerged from the dark woods. He was dressed in rags, with unkempt hair and a dirty face. However, his face was fair and tender, not at all like someone from a poor family. Instead, he looked like a pale-faced scholar or a weak scholar.
"who are you?"
Everyone was horrified and became alert.