Jiang Chuan looked at everyone, his tone resolute, "We can plant rice."
After hearing this, there was a stunned silence from the crowd. After a moment of quiet, they started discussing amongst themselves again, "Rice can't be grown! Have you forgotten how poor the harvest was last autumn? This is a waste of effort!"
Someone retorted, "Right, in my whole life, I've never heard of rice not filling the husk! If not a single grain grows in the ear, it must be because our village's land simply can't grow rice! Let's not delay our efforts."
Jiang Chuan explained, "The poor rice harvest is due to lack of water..."
Someone immediately countered, "So are you saying that by next spring, when you plant the rice, there won't be a water shortage?"