On the wedding day, I was broken off, so I remarried his uncle

County Magistrate Ma argued, "Difficulties are only temporary. We cannot exterminate these disaster victims just because the county government cannot provide relief food for the time being."

"If the court catches on to this matter and uses it to criticize you, I'm afraid it will be detrimental to your career!"

When County Magistrate Zhou heard this, he was shocked. He did not seek any credit in this matter, but he must not make any mistakes.

After weighing the pros and cons, County Magistrate Zhou finally made the decision, "What you two said makes sense, but we can't act rashly on this matter. I think it's safest to follow what Lord Ma said."

Zeng Zhubu asked, "But where will the relief food come from?"

County Magistrate Zhou knew that the county government was poor and could not provide food relief. He pondered for a moment and said, "This matter is of great importance. After the county lieutenant confirms the situation in Nanyang County, I will submit a memorial to the court. Nanyang County is in such a situation now, the court will not turn a blind eye, right?"

Zeng Zhubu finally stopped objecting and obviously agreed with this approach.

County Magistrate Ma on the side reminded, "Sir, we need to write the petition and make the necessary preparations. Right now, you are not sure what the court will decide in the end, so we cannot put all our hopes on this."

County Magistrate Zhou nodded in agreement. He paced back and forth anxiously, obviously not having figured out how to settle these victims.

Seeing this, County Magistrate Ma took the initiative to suggest, "Sir, why not use work-for-relief? I heard that the prefectural city is full of vitality because of the prefect's decree to use work-for-relief."

"The reason why the drought is so severe this year is that there are no large reservoirs in our county to store water. Now that these disaster victims have arrived, we can just hire them to dig ponds and canals. This is a good thing that benefits both the country and the people!"

Zeng Zhubu poured cold water on him, saying, "How can the financial resources of our county compare with those of the prefectural capital? Right now the county government has neither money nor food. How can we implement work-for-relief?"

County Magistrate Ma was always refuted by Zeng Zhubu, and he became angry, so he said rudely: "Is Zeng Zhubu only good at complaining? Since we are your subordinates, we should share the worries of the people and your worries."

"You keep saying this and that, is this how Lord Zeng is as an official?"

There had been some friction between the two men in the county government office. Zeng Zhubu was a more smooth-talking person and was unwilling to get involved in many matters if he could help them.

County Magistrate Ma, who came from a poor family, was more willing to consider issues from the perspective of the common people, and was particularly displeased to see Chief Clerk Zeng, who was just sitting in office doing nothing.

Seeing that the two men were about to argue, County Magistrate Zhou immediately tried to smooth things over, saying, "Both adults have their reasons, but now is not the time to argue. I hope both adults will put the overall situation first, work together and solve the current dilemma together!"

Zeng Zhubu was about to say something back, but he swallowed it back. He snorted coldly, "You are so capable, so how do you think we should deal with the current situation?"

County Magistrate Zhou also looked at County Magistrate Ma.

The reason why County Magistrate Ma was so persistent was that he must have come up with a good idea.

He coughed lightly and suggested, "Sir, you can ask the local gentry to raise funds!"

"Since the drought this year, Your Excellency has never asked the gentry to raise funds. Now that this situation has occurred, I think as long as Your Excellency calls for it, at least some food can be collected."

County Magistrate Zhou thought about it and nodded. This was indeed a good idea.

These gentry and landlords have lived here for generations, and they naturally don't want to see their homes destroyed if the victims really rush into their homes.

That's not just the amount of food donated to the county government, I'm afraid all of it could be taken away by their families!

Although the principle is very simple, it would be extremely difficult for him to really ask them for food.

"Sir, the grain merchants headed by the Zhou family may resist passively and will not actively respond to you," Zeng Zhubu reminded.

How could County Magistrate Zhou not know that some time ago he organized grain merchants in his jurisdiction to stabilize grain prices. However, several grain merchants headed by the Zhou family refused to cooperate with him on the grounds that there was a shortage of grain.

The Zhou family had better keep a low profile. If they fall into his hands, he will make these unkind wealthy businessmen pay!

"Sir, let's use this method to collect food first. If it's not enough, maybe we can ask the Song family for some support. There is a lot of food in their fields now!"

County Magistrate Zhou hesitated. "They have already sold pumpkin seeds at a low price for the people in the county. Now they are asking them to donate grain? Isn't this too much?"

County Magistrate Ma thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps you can take out some land from the official farmland and promise to the people who donate grain to cultivate it for free for a year. In this way, everyone won't lose too much by donating grain, and the county government can get more relief grain!"

County Magistrate Zhou slammed the table excitedly, "This is a good idea!" He looked at Chief Clerk Zeng and asked, "What do you think of this idea, Master Zeng?"

Zeng Zhubu lowered his head and thought about it. This would not offend the powerful people in the county, nor would it cost him anything, so he cupped his hands and said, "Sir, this method is feasible!"

Seeing that his subordinates had no objections, County Magistrate Zhou waved his hand and said, "Then let's settle this matter. When County Lieutenant Zhang comes back, you two go to various villages and towns to contact the wealthy families and gentry. I will talk to the Song family!"

They both bowed in response.

When Village Chief Lin and his two companions arrived at Songjia Village, the entrance of Songjia Village was surrounded by villagers who came to buy things.

When Village Chief Lin saw this scene, his heart skipped a beat. At this rate, they might not be able to get any seeds today.

Just as he was thinking about camping outdoors tonight, three villagers who had arrived at Songjia Village earlier saw Village Chief Lin.

They ran towards Village Chief Lin with excitement on their faces, "Village Chief, you are finally here. The head of the village needs you to go over to collect it."

Hearing this, Village Chief Lin immediately walked towards the Song family without stopping.

The head of the Linjia Village was standing outside the Song family's gate. When he saw Lin the village chief coming, he immediately waved him over and said, "You are such a person. Why are you not so enthusiastic about collecting pumpkins?"

"Come and claim your village's share!"

Village Chief Lin didn't expect it would be his turn so soon, so he hurriedly stepped forward with a smile and said, "I didn't expect it would be our turn so soon."

The village head pulled people to the courtyard and explained, "Hey, the Song family has prepared pumpkins for your five villages early in the morning."

"Now all you need to do is sign as the village chief and you can take the things away. The four villages ahead have already taken the things away!"

Village Chief Lin's heart was burning with excitement when he heard this, and he followed him to a desk in the yard.

The head of the village said to Song Xile with a smile on his face: "Madam Song, this person is from Linjia Village, and he is here to get the pumpkin." After that, he asked Village Chief Lin to show his household registration certificate.

Upon hearing this, Song Xile glanced at the other person and saw that he was the one who complained to County Magistrate Zhou yesterday.

So she nodded, took out the document she had prepared in advance, and asked the other party to sign it.

"This is what I discussed with the county magistrate yesterday. I will give you the pumpkins directly. When you go back, divide the pumpkins equally with the villagers. The pumpkin seeds are enough for you to plant thirty acres of land."

Village chief Lin really didn't expect that they could share the whole pumpkin. He was so excited that he kept bowing to Song Xile to express his gratitude.

Song Xile waved his hand, "If you want to thank someone, thank the county magistrate. He also wants you to live a better life."

Village chief Lin was deeply moved and reaffirmed his choice.