Li Cong contracted the tidal flats to raise crabs, paying each household a contractual 15,000 in contracting fees. Swimming crabs surged in market value, making the villagers envious. Instigated by Uncle Wang and the village chief, they demanded a higher profit share. Uncle Wang lied about having a high-priced order, and the villagers pooled money to pay the contract breach penalty, forcing Li Cong to withdraw from the crab pond. Before leaving, Li Cong warned that a typhoon was coming and urged them to reinforce the crab pond, but the villagers ignored him. At night, he took away the crab seedlings and aquaculture equipment, and his companion leveled the flood-prevention embankment. The next day, when the villagers brought people to collect the crabs, the pond was completely empty, and they still had to pay the hotel a hefty breach of penalty, gaining nothing and losing out.