strokinit Chapter 49 Cutting
Chapter 49 Cutting
The atmosphere froze instantly.
Sun Fulai opened his mouth, as if to say something.
The people around him quickly gestured with their eyes, approached one of them, and reached out to tug at Sun Fulai's sleeve.
Wu Yuanheng's face had turned ashen.
Fan Ling coughed lightly and quickly tried to smooth things over, "Let's drink, let's drink. This is such good wine, don't waste it."
As everyone descended the steps, they raised their glasses and changed the subject.
But they all had a new understanding of feudalism.
The topic then shifted to food.
"Summer irrigation will begin in another month."
"Is the River Law Enforcement Bureau still open?"
"Last month, the head of the Feng family went to negotiate, but the River Law Office didn't give a reply," someone said angrily.
"That's easy, just give the River Law Division another sum of money," Fan Ling interjected with a smile.
"Give it again? The River Law Office set a rule that we pay money to the River Law Office every year. If we pay again now, wouldn't that be paying twice?" someone retorted.
Fan Ling chuckled.
Feng Xiu and Lin Che exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing slightly.
Fan Ling's words were not befitting his status.
As the eldest son of the Fan family, the Fan family's influence in the grain business was no less than that of the Feng family.
How could he possibly say something like paying more money to the River Law Firm?
However, Fan Ling has always been known for his forthrightness, so no one cared.
"We were able to breathe a sigh of relief before because Brother Feng's grand prayer for rain brought us rain. Now what is the River Law Division's attitude? They keep closing their doors and making excuses to us?"
All eyes turned to Feng Xiu.
Although unwilling, he had to admit that Wu Yuanheng was nominally in charge of the banquet.
But the real figure in the discussion has always been Feng Xiu.
After the Ganlin Grand Ceremony, the heads of each family discussed it carefully in private, and many people listened in.
It is obvious that this is a tactic used by Feng Xiu to force the River Law Division to make a statement.
As for Fan Ling and Lin Che, they both said that the plans and schemes they devised were all Feng Xiu's ideas.
Later, they invited a true deity, a person no one dared to ignore.
"Brother Feng, speak up," someone said after a moment's thought. "The River Law Office is closed to all visitors these days. What will we do if the summer irrigation doesn't start?"
"Yes, Brother Feng, you make a decision."
"We'll do whatever you say."
Everyone started talking at once, and they all looked at Feng Xiu.
Feng Xiu had just picked up his wine cup. The white porcelain cup was as thin as a cicada's wing, and several green bamboo stalks were painted on the cup wall.
The wine swirls gently in the glass, reflecting a pale amber color.
After putting it down, Feng Xiu slowly spoke.
"There's not much to say."
The crowd quieted down.
"The River Laws were established long ago, and we have been paying money to the River Law Office all these years."
"But don't forget, it's clearly written in the River Law that those who possess the River Law Pass don't need to report to the River Law Office and can open the sluice gates to release water on their own. When it was built a hundred years ago, each family contributed money. This is our preferential treatment."
Someone paused for a moment.
"Yes, yes!"
"How could I have forgotten about that?"
Back then, when the River Law was formulated, its primary purpose was to make money.
The River Law Office only collected money; the subsequent water release was coordinated by each household themselves, which gradually formed an unwritten rule.
Whoever has the most farmland gets to water their plants first.
Later, as the River Law Office grew stronger, it became much stricter in its review of families issuing River Law Certificates.
However, the regulations of the River Law have remained unchanged.
In principle, families that possess river diversion permits are entitled to use them to directly open the gates of ponds and reservoirs to release water.
The River Law and the Agricultural Decree were the greatest safeguards for grain merchants.
"But there are River Law Enforcement officers stationed at Ketangku now... This might be difficult to handle," someone hesitated.
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiu reached out and picked up a piece of food.
The grilled venison chops were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with an irresistible aroma. I chewed them slowly and deliberately.
Everyone looked at him, but their minds were racing.
With Feng Xiu's current prestige, he prayed for rain, waived rent, opened porridge shops, and even his own tenants were spreading the word.
Anyone who can go to the Feng family to beg for food is truly blessed beyond measure.
Feng Xiu remained silent, but his meaning was already quite clear.
Lin Che pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Fan Ling.
What do you think?
Lin Che's eyebrows twitched. Feng Xiu's words had indeed broken free from the current constraints.
However, the River Law is separate from the River Law Office, and the two should not be confused.
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Che was somewhat lost in thought. Fan Ling, who was beside him, had already left at some point.
At this point, some people still hadn't quite grasped the situation. They first raised their cups in a toast, then drank it down in one gulp, and then directly asked Feng Xiu.
"Brother Feng, just tell me frankly, is it permissible for the River Law Office to open the reservoirs or not?"
Feng Xiu has responded directly this time.
He said calmly, "They have to open. If they dare not open, my Feng family will be the first to object."
The voice just fell.
An aged, slightly deep voice came from the artificial hill in front of the grass.
"Young Master Feng is right, the reservoir will definitely open this year!"
Everyone suddenly looked up.
The old man wore a dark gray robe, his beard and hair were all white, his face was thin, and his eyes held a faint air of authority.
And supporting the old man was none other than Fan Ling, who had disappeared long ago.
"Old Qin!"
"What brings you here?"
Everyone's eyes widened, their expressions somewhat shocked.
The visitor was Qin Huan, the current director of the Qingyan City River Law Division.
Even though everyone has taken charge of the family affairs, they still rarely encounter such a great figure!
At this moment, everyone subconsciously looked at Wu Yuanheng.
Heyang Yayan is a gathering of the younger generation, so Qin Huan's appearance is very unusual.
Wu Yuanheng was also taken aback. The Wu family was in the business of theaters and brothels.
Aside from the thousand or so acres of land that feed their own family, they have absolutely no connection with the River Law Office.
What is Qin Huan doing here?
Immediately, Wu Yuanheng's eyes narrowed as he looked at Fan Ling, who was being supported by Qin Huan.
Lin Che and Feng Xiu were both taken aback.
When did Fan Ling get involved with He Lusi?
Qin Huan stood there, his eyes slowly sweeping over everyone present.
His gaze was neither sharp nor fierce, but rather indifferent, as if he were looking at a group of juniors.
Everyone felt uneasy, as if they were being watched by something.
One moment they were talking about how to coerce He Lusi, and the next person in charge arrived, making them feel somewhat embarrassed.
Some people lowered their heads and subtly averted their gaze.
Only Feng Xiu, after regaining his senses, remained seated in his original position, picked up his wine glass with black gloves, and gently caressed it.
Qin Huan's gaze lingered on Feng Xiu for a moment, a subtle, unusual glint flashing in his eyes.
He smiled slightly and said, "They are all outstanding young talents. Good, very good."
He paused, then added, "Young Master Feng was right. The reservoirs will definitely open this year, so you can all rest assured."
Everyone looked at each other.
Someone mustered up the courage to ask, "Mr. Qin, what...do you mean by that?"
Qin Huan glanced at the man and said calmly, "The literal meaning."
The man choked for a moment and awkwardly shut his mouth.
Then someone asked, "Why didn't the River Law Office open before?"
Qin Huan didn't answer, but instead glanced at everyone again, his eyes clearly showing a more scrutinizing look.
Everyone felt uneasy under his gaze, and no one dared to speak again.
Qin Huan then withdrew his gaze and turned it back to Feng Xiu.
Feng Xiu did not flinch but met the attack head-on.
"Feng Yujin, you truly have a knack for raising your son."
Qin Wenyuan's aged eyes held a hint of appreciation and a touch of reminiscence.
"I personally signed the River Law Certificate issued to the Feng family back then," Qin Huan said slowly. "You weren't even born then, and now you're all grown up."
Feng Xiu, neither humble nor arrogant, stood up and cupped his hands in greeting to Qin Huan.
"Mr. Qin, you flatter me."
Qin Wenyuan nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Fan Ling, supporting him, said respectfully, "Old Qin, please take it easy."
After the two left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"That scared me to death, Old Qin's eyes!"
"Yeah, just one look from him and my back was soaked with sweat."
"Why is he here? Who invited him?"
The crowd began to discuss amongst themselves and then looked at Wu Yuanheng.
Wu Yuanheng's face was grim, and he remained silent.
Feng Xiu sat down again, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip.
The wine is still the same wine, but the taste seems a little different.
Everyone looked at each other.
Someone angrily shouted, "Fan Ling, that traitor!"
"I knew something was off when he said he needed to pay more money to the River Law Firm!"
"What exactly does he mean?"
Someone else hesitated and said, "Would the River Law Enforcement Bureau be so kind as to open the sluice gates and release water without any conditions?"
Everyone remained silent for a while, unable to figure it out.
"I've heard things aren't going well in Jinzhou," someone whispered. "Could the River Law Enforcement Bureau also have its reasons?"
"Dilemmas?" someone sneered. "Emperors for centuries, noble families for millennia. No matter how chaotic the world is, we are still the ones with food. Were they trying to force the people to their deaths by not releasing water before?"
Feng Xiu listened and chuckled.
Why didn't you think of this earlier? Now you're thinking about the people?
However, Fan Ling's siding with He Lusi was indeed beyond his expectations.
The crowd discussed it for a while, but still couldn't figure out the River Lawyer's intentions.
Wu Yuanheng continued to preside over the banquet, but the atmosphere was much more somber than before.
The elegant banquet ended unhappily.
Feng Xiu stood up and walked outside.
"Brother Wenzheng, about this matter..." Lin Che followed up and whispered.
Feng Xiu frowned. "We'll talk about it when we get back."
He stopped at the door.
Fan Ling was standing not far away, talking to Qin Huan in his car.
The many family disciples who left the elegant banquet glared at him with hostility and all avoided Fan Ling's direction.
Feng Xiu, Lin Che, and Fan Ling exchanged glances for a moment, but none of them spoke.
Then, the two turned and left.