Chapter 52: Digging Trenches to Lead Water Down the Mountain

Jiang Xiaoxiao took a few looks and then withdrew her gaze, her mood inexplicably heavy.

She understood in her heart that once a drought occurred in this era, the villagers had no other way but to pin their hopes on praying to gods and Buddhas, unlike the modern world she lived in before, where even if a major drought occurred, there was modern artificial rain technology that could solve it.

Jiang Wei walked to the side of the Li Zheng and whispered a few words.

Jiang Xiaoxiao stood on the side and clearly saw an incredible expression appear on the Li Zheng's face, and then he walked toward her, saying in surprise: "Xiaoxiao, your mother said you found a water source on the mountain?!"

Jiang Xiaoxiao: "..."

Why did her mother push all the credit onto her?

"Yes, Uncle Li Zheng, it was discovered by me and my mother when we were digging for wild vegetables on the mountain!"

"Th-then hurry and take me to see!" Hopeful light appeared in the Li Zheng's eyes, and even his voice was trembling.

He brought his two sons along to follow them up the mountain.

Upon hearing there was water, the few people were all extremely excited and hurried toward the mountain.

They had long legs and walked very fast. Jiang Xiaoxiao couldn't keep up with their pace after walking for a while. Jiang Wei was about to bend down to pick her up when Liu Dagang directly picked her up and carried her on his shoulder, saying joyfully: "Xiaoxiao, you found water; you really are the lucky star of our village!"

Jiang Xiaoxiao was a bit embarrassed by his praise and lowered her head, blushing, but she could only see the tops of their heads.

Ever since she transmigrated into this five-year-old body, she hadn't experienced such a high perspective for a long time and couldn't help but look around with some novelty.

She could even reach out to pick the leaves hanging from the trees, pluck a few, and put them on her head, which could even provide shade.

Seeing her playing happily, Jiang Wei simply let her be.

Liu Dagang was tall and strong, a big guy of one meter seventy-eight, easily carrying Jiang Xiaoxiao on his shoulder, walking up the mountain without turning red or panting.

Arriving at the destination, Jiang Xiaoxiao pointed to the mark her mother had made and said: "Big Brother Dagang, that is the place where there is water underground. You can put me down!"

Jiang Wei walked up, moved the stones, and a large amount of spring water gushed out.

"Water! It really is mountain spring water!" The Li Zheng hurriedly walked up, letting the spring water splash all over his face. He stretched out his hands, cupping the water with a pious expression, and drank a large mouthful, murmuring: "There is hope, the people in the village are saved!"

Liu Dagang put down Jiang Xiaoxiao, also walked up, knelt in front of the pit, cupped it with his hands, and drank a few large mouthfuls, making a satisfied sigh: "This mountain spring water is actually quite sweet. With this mountain spring water, everyone won't have to worry anymore!"

After speaking, he was about to go down the mountain to call people to fetch water.

"Wait a moment, Dagang." Jiang Wei called him to stop.

She took out the prepared grass paper from her sleeve, then took out a small piece of charcoal from her waist bag and started drawing on the grass paper.

The Li Zheng was also curious and gathered around to watch.

"Uncle Liu, I've observed the surroundings. There is a lot of spring water stored in this mountain. If our village arranges manpower to dig a trench from here, connecting it to the village's fields, and uses the natural slope of the mountain to lead the spring water into the fields, the crops in the fields will be saved..."

Jiang Wei said while drawing the shortest path from the water source on the mountain to the fields below the mountain on the grass paper.

Finally, fearing the Li Zheng wouldn't understand, Jiang Wei also took the map and compared it with the mountain road to explain it.

The Li Zheng compared it with the map and looked at the fields below the mountain, his eyes gradually brightening.

This water source was not far from the fields below the mountain. If they really dug a trench manually, it didn't seem impossible...

"Father, I think Xiaoxiao's mother's method is feasible!" Liu Dagang listened on the side and nodded in agreement: "With so many people in our village, as long as we work together, this trench can be dug in three or four days!"

"Fine, then I will go down the mountain to summon manpower!" The Li Zheng asked for the map Jiang Wei drew, rolled it up like a treasure, put it in his bosom, and said: "Xiaoxiao, you and your mother are both great contributors! Let's go, let's go down the mountain together; I want to tell everyone in the village about this!"

Thus, Xiaoxiao was again carried on Liu Dagang's shoulder, and the few people went down the mountain.

When they returned to the village, everyone was still gathered at the Ancestral Hall.

The Li Zheng took advantage of the crowd and said loudly: "Everyone, be quiet, I have a big announcement!"

The people who were kowtowing for rain stopped their actions and listened to what the Li Zheng wanted to say.

The Li Zheng cleared his throat and said: "Everyone, stop doing this, hurry and pack up, bring your tools and go up the mountain. Xiaoxiao and her mother found a water source in the mountain. Let's all work together as a village to dig a trench and lead the water down. The crops in our fields will be saved!"

Once these words were spoken, the villagers were in an uproar.

"What? A water source was found on the mountain!!?"

"There is actually water in this big mountain? How was it discovered? The luck is too good, right?"

"This mountain is full of stones and trees, and we still have to dig a trench. Is this feasible?"

The Li Zheng took out the map Jiang Wei drew, explained it to the crowd, and then said: "We looked along the way when we came down the mountain. There are no rocks, grass, or trees near this road. Everyone, rest assured, this method is feasible!"

But some people still questioned: "I don't think it's feasible. Digging a trench is not easy; it's time-consuming and laborious. If other problems arise, wouldn't it be digging in vain!"

"Exactly, exactly. Jiang Shi is just a woman; what does she know? Giving bad ideas, letting us dig a trench. Why doesn't she go dig it herself?"

Jiang Xiaoxiao frowned on the side.

These people would rather spend their energy on praying for rain and worshipping gods than be willing to put in the effort to dig a trench to lead water down the mountain to irrigate the fields. She really didn't know what to say...

The Li Zheng glanced at the few people who spoke and said coldly: "If you don't dig the trench, then your fields won't have water to irrigate. I'll see what you eat this winter!"

After speaking, he said loudly to the crowd: "Every household in the village must send at least one man. Let's be united, and the trench can be dug in three or four days!"

He waved Liu Dagang over, told him to go home and get paper and pen, and recorded the households willing to participate in digging the trench one by one. "I won't force those who are unwilling to dig. When the spring water is led down the mountain, don't use it at your house!"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone stood up and signed up: "Li Zheng, I am willing to participate in digging the trench!"

"Well done, Zhao Youcai. Dagang, write down the name!" The Li Zheng instructed his son.

Being praised by the Li Zheng in front of so many people, Zhao Youcai scratched his head embarrassedly: "Anyway, the weather has been dry these past few days, and the crops in the fields are about to die of thirst. Since we are idle, we might as well find some work to do. I think digging a trench to lead water is a good idea!"

Hearing this, Jiang Xiaoxiao also cast an approving look at Zhao Youcai.

That's the logic. Anyway, everyone is idle. Instead of praying to gods and Buddhas, it's better to solve the problem yourself.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 53 =====