The Daily Life of a Rich Peasant's Boy in the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1384: It’s not too much for the government to pay for the construction of a canal

Because he had just returned to the yamen and still had a lot of official business to deal with, Sun Shan was busy for several days before he had a chance to catch his breath.

Although Yuanlu County is remote, there are many things to do.

The duties of a county magistrate are all-encompassing.

Not only do they have to hear lawsuits, but they also have to manage land taxes.

In addition, even if he did not need to do these tasks personally, such as arresting thieves, eliminating evildoers and protecting the good, promoting culture and education, and developing agriculture and sericulture, he still had to carefully read the reports made by his subordinates, and every task required Sun Shan's stamp.

The stamp represented responsibility for the matter. If anything went wrong in the future, Sun Shan would bear some, if not the main, responsibility.

If it goes further, it might become a handle for political opponents.

Sun Shan has always been cautious and will not stamp his seal until he has completed his review.

Working alongside Sun Shan was Master Zhang.

All important matters were first reviewed with Master Zhang, who circled the key issues so that Sun Shan could understand them clearly.

When two people work together, they can greatly improve work efficiency.

At this moment, Sun Shan was sitting in his "office" looking at the documents submitted by County Magistrate Wang. One of the suggestions was to "dig canals and divert water for irrigation." After taking a closer look at where the suggestion was to be implemented, he couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Damn it! County Magistrate Wang was planning to "use public power for personal gain" so that the government would pay for water conservancy projects in the village where the Wang family lived.

If Sun Shan and Zhang had been careless or had not reviewed the documents, County Magistrate Wang would have almost succeeded in his evil plan.

Zhang Shiye said helplessly, "Sir, we absolutely cannot allocate funds. Wangjia Village already has money. Building a canal can be done with the money raised by the clansmen. Our government has many other places where we need money."

Even without Master Zhang telling him, Sun Shan would have put a big "X" on this document.

Sun Shan would never allow the rich to remain rich forever and the poor to remain poor forever.

Wangjia Village is not ranked first or second in terms of wealth in Yuanlu County, but it can definitely be ranked third.

County Magistrate Wang worked openly and secretly to seek benefits for his clansmen.

Sun Shan looked at the report written by County Magistrate Wang, which explained why the canal needed to be built.

To be honest, the reason given by County Magistrate Wang was very reasonable. Because Wangjia Village relied on its large population to develop a lot of wasteland. Once the wasteland was developed, in order to turn it into paddy fields, water had to be diverted into the canal.

After the wasteland is turned into paddy fields, the amount can be added to the government's land register, which not only allows for more tax collection, but can also be used to count towards Sun Shan's political achievements, achieving multiple goals at one stroke.

It's a pity that County Magistrate Wang met Sun Shan. If he had been the next county magistrate, he would have approved the decision.

Sun Shan is different. Political achievements are important, but spending money in the right place is more important.

Whether Wangjia Village reclaims wasteland or not, life is considered good, and it is not a target for poverty alleviation. Giving money to build canals is just icing on the cake.

Many village heads in Yuanlu County are waiting for timely assistance. After weighing the pros and cons, they believe that "common prosperity" is more important than political achievements.

Sun Shan said to Zhang, "Return this document to County Magistrate Wang and tell him not to approve it. As for repairing the canal, if Wangjia Village can do it themselves, the government won't react."

If you want to repair it, just form a joint venture and the government will not stop you.

Master Zhang quickly agreed: "Yes, sir."

Then he asked, "What are the reasons for your opposition?"

Sun Shan said bluntly: "The government has no money and cannot allocate funds."

Well, just tell County Magistrate Wang so clearly that he will have nothing to say.

Mr. Zhang handed the "report" to County Magistrate Wang.

County Magistrate Wang looked at it in confusion. It was the canal construction report he had written, so how come it was sent back to him?

When I opened it, the vermilion regular script came into view clearly.

"I have read it. This matter is not acceptable. We will discuss it another day."

This made County Magistrate Wang very angry.

His "memorial" was secretly mixed in with a pile of documents that needed to be stamped, hoping to get it through. If no one was paying attention, it might be approved.

County Magistrate Wang was also convinced. Sun Shan actually reviewed so many documents one by one and rejected his suggestions.

County Magistrate Wang asked unconvincedly, "Master Zhang, building the canal is a good thing, why doesn't Lord Sun agree?"

He thought that Lord Sun would agree to build the canal after seeing his "petition".

I need to make a profit for my clan, but I also want to add to Lord Sun's political achievements. The canal was built, and dry land was turned into paddy fields. Yuanlu County received an additional grain tax, and reporting this to Chenzhou Prefecture would be even more prestigious.

The Wang family worked so hard to reclaim the land and cultivate it. Now all they have left is to dig canals to bring water. Even if they can't make it into top-quality paddy fields, they can at least make it into medium-quality ones.

Since it can contribute to the land register of Yuanlu County, it is not too much for the government to pay for the construction of a canal.

Mr. Zhang actually didn't think it was excessive. The only regret was that the government office had only a little money, and this money had to be used in poorer places.

So he patiently explained, "Master Wang, I agree that the canal should be built, but, alas, you know how much money is left in the government treasury. I simply can't spare the money to do this. Master Sun is also very distressed and resents his own incompetence for not being able to increase Yuanlu County's income. Alas, Master Wang, Master Sun has to bear the pain and refuse this."

County Magistrate Wang looked at Mr. Zhang expressionlessly.

I thought Sun Shan could act, but I didn't expect that Lame Zhang could act too.

Yes, like master, like servant.

Birds of a feather flock together. If Lame Zhang wasn't treacherous, Lord Sun wouldn't want him.

County Magistrate Wang's heart sank to the bottom, but he still struggled to speak, "Master Zhang, then what do you think the government has money for? Although my surname is Wang, I have no selfish motives. All it takes to turn the wasteland in Wangjia Village into fertile farmland is a canal. I dare to make this suggestion because I see that there is still enough money in the treasury."

Master Zhang, turning wasteland into paddy fields is a great thing. Building a canal can be done with very little money and the benefits are huge. Master Zhang, why don't you try to persuade Master Sun again?

Mr. Zhang pretended to be embarrassed and said, "Master Wang, Master Sun's decision will not be changed. The canal construction will wait. When the government has money, we will allocate funds immediately.

"Master Wang, you must trust Master Sun. He will definitely find a way to increase the government's revenue, and once the revenue increases, he will definitely allocate funds to repair the canal."

County Magistrate Wang: .....

Che Gulu kept saying it over and over again, but he just refused to agree.

County Magistrate Wang shook his sleeves in anger.

He snorted coldly, "Since Lord Sun is unwilling to build the canal, then forget it. I will inform Wangjia Village of this news. Tell them that the canal they long for will never be built by the government. Master Zhang, I can only pass on Lord Sun's intentions."

Oh, this is a naked threat! But Sun Shan is not afraid at all, and neither is Master Zhang.

With a bitter look on his face, he said, "Master Wang, alas, there is nothing we can do. Master Sun is also very sad. But please rest assured, fellow villagers, as soon as the government has money, we will definitely allocate funds to repair the canal, we will definitely do so."

Mr. Zhang's indifferent look made County Magistrate Wang so angry that he shook his sleeves repeatedly.

County Magistrate Wang said "goodbye" and left angrily with his sleeves thrown.

As for whether to go back and repair the canal or not, County Magistrate Wang was also troubled.

I have a feeling it will all be repaired eventually, but the money can only be raised by the Wang family.

He wanted to borrow money from the government office to handle his own affairs, but ended up messing it up. County Magistrate Wang was in a bad mood!

I plan to make a voodoo figurine myself and beat it tonight, with Sun Shan’s name written on it!