Although everyone knew it was a banquet with ulterior motives, there were still many pleasantries to be exchanged.
These people were either wealthy merchants or influential gentry, and none of them were fools.
Furthermore, Han Mo had not revealed his purpose, so the atmosphere at the banquet remained lively.
While the banquet prepared by Han Mo that day was indeed a bit simple, the guests' minds were not focused on the food.
After the greetings and three rounds of drinks,
Led by Lu Ying, more than a dozen yamen runners entered carrying two large tables.
After cupping their hands towards Han Mo, they directly placed the two massive tables in the center of the courtyard.
"Sir, what is this?"
Everyone's hearts skipped a beat. It was obvious to all that the main event of the evening's banquet had likely arrived.
"Han Mo is new here and does not have a very clear understanding of the situation in Neihuang County. Therefore, I specially had this small thing made. I ask all of you to correct me today and see if there are any errors or omissions in the markings here?"
As Han Mo spoke, he gestured for Lu Ying to remove the red cloth covering the tables.
Amidst everyone's curious gazes, Lu Ying directly reached out and yanked off the red cloths covering the two tables.
A huge sand table appeared before everyone's eyes.
The other locations were fine, but only the four rivers within Neihuang were clearly marked.
"These past few days, I have walked along the Wei River up and down. I have clearly seen the riverbanks on both the east and west sides. I have marked all the places where the riverbanks need repair. Do any of you have any objections?"
After pouring himself a cup of wine, Han Mo spoke unhurriedly.
Han Mo's words instantly cast a somber atmosphere over the scene.
The wealthy merchants and gentry all closed their mouths tightly, their attention fixed on Ma Wengui.
"What does Sir mean by that?"
"What I mean is, don't you understand? There are thirteen sections of embankment along the Wei River that need reinforcement. However, you should be aware of the court's situation. Recently, all the court's money and grain have been used for bandit suppression, so..."
Han Mo stopped speaking at this point and drank his wine in one gulp.
At this, everyone immediately understood his meaning, but at this moment, no one dared to respond. After all, repairing riverbanks was not something that could be settled with a few hundred strings of cash.
Even though these people were all well-off, in the end, no one's money came from a gust of wind.
At this moment, whoever spoke first would undoubtedly offend everyone.
Seeing them staring at each other, with no one daring to speak first, Han Mo was not in a hurry. He simply continued to pour wine and drink by himself.
"Lord Han, if you have something to say, please say it directly. If the treasury is short of money and grain, this old man has hundreds of piculs of grain at home. I will have someone deliver it later!"
Seeing Han Mo's expression, he knew that today's matter could not be easily resolved. Ma Wengui coughed and cupped his hands towards Han Mo, saying.
"Yes, yes, repairing riverbanks is for our own good. I am willing to contribute thirty thousand cash!"
"I am also willing to contribute thirty thousand cash!"
...
In an instant, thirty thousand cash became the standard for almost everyone.
Although it pained them, these people still vied with each other to shout out their prices.
"Are you all joking with me? Thirty thousand cash?"
Han Mo smiled, then poured himself another cup of wine, looking at their performance coldly.
It sounded like a lot, but when converted to strings of cash, it was barely three hundred strings of cash!
The previously lively atmosphere suddenly quieted down. Looking at Han Mo's disdainful smile, even Ma Wengui felt a jolt.
"If you all find it difficult, then consider that I haven't said anything today. Oh, right, I forgot to tell you something. Repairing riverbanks, ultimately, is a matter for the court. So, I have directly squeezed out five thousand strings of cash from the county office's daily expenses. Construction will officially begin tomorrow. We will build as much embankment as we have money for. When the money and grain run out, and the floodwaters come, I will at least have an explanation to the court!"
All their land was basically located near the west bank.
Therefore, hearing Han Mo's nonchalant threat, some people even felt like laughing.
"Sir, where do you plan to start the construction?"
Ma Wengui instinctively felt that something was not right, so he asked tentatively.
"Repairing embankments takes a long time and cannot be completed in a single day. However, to widen the river channel and reduce the impact of the floodwaters on the banks, it is much simpler. Therefore, I have decided to breach the embankment here early tomorrow morning!"
As Han Mo spoke, he pointed to the embankment on the west bank.
After clearly seeing the position Han Mo was pointing to, the gentry and landlords who had been watching the excitement on the sidelines were completely stunned.
"This..."
"Sir, absolutely not!"
"Yes, Sir, if you breach the embankment, what will happen to the farmland on the west bank?"
Seeing their enraged expressions, Han Mo was not in a hurry. He calmly returned to his seat and poured himself another cup of wine.
"There's no other way. But don't worry, I will do my best to repair the embankments before the money and grain in my hands are spent!"
"Sir, we have only heard of reinforcing riverbanks, never of anyone breaching them to repair them again. Your method of repairing riverbanks is truly novel!"
Even Ma Wengui was exasperated after hearing Han Mo's words. This was clearly unreasonable!
"I forgot to explain this to you all. Please look here. This is where the Qi River and Huan River merge into the Wei River. The previously constructed embankments encroached too far into the river channel, forcefully taking away hundreds of mu of land from the river's mouth. If we return this land to the river channel, the channel will widen, and the scour of the floodwaters on the channel will naturally be reduced. This will lower the cost of repairing the riverbanks!"
At this point, Ma Wengui finally understood that this fellow was intentionally causing trouble today.
This was not a discussion with them at all, but a blatant act of robbing them of their money!
His eyes quickly scanned the huge sand table. As he looked, Ma Wengui suddenly remembered something, and a glint of joy flashed in his eyes.
"Sir, if you say so, then let it be done according to your wishes. We are all just common folk, so naturally, we will do as you say! I am feeling unwell, so I will take my leave now!"
After speaking, Ma Wengui turned and left.