Xiāoshān

Xiaoshan lies south of the Qiantang River. Nearby Xiang Lake was made into a reservoir under the Song, when embankments between the hills retained water for fields below. In wet seasons it stored runoff; in dry weather it supplied irrigation. From the Ming onward, farmers and powerful local families disputed the use of the lake, as parts were enclosed for cultivation. In 1689, during a severe drought, members of the Sun family built an embankment across the dry lakebed. Local officials and residents opposed the work because it interfered with the reservoir on which surrounding communities relied.