The stone and the grass nodded repeatedly, completely believing it.

The three children played for a while longer before Stone and Grass ran back to their parents in the deserted village.

"Father! Mother!" Stone tugged at Zhao Si's sleeve mysteriously, "We know! The vegetables, water, and all those treasures here were given to Miss Jiang by the Mountain God!"

Grass nodded vigorously: "The Mountain God lives high up on the mountain! He has a white beard! And he shines!"

Zhao Si and his wife were tidying up the thatch they had just cut when they heard this. They were stunned for a moment, then looked at each other and saw the shock and relief in each other's eyes.

Mountain God!

I see!

No wonder! In this year of severe drought, when the land is barren and desolate, only this place enjoys favorable weather and abundant harvests! No wonder Miss Jiang could conjure up so many magical objects out of thin air!

Everything now has a "reasonable" explanation!

"Remember!" Zhao Si said sternly, lowering his voice to Shi Tou and Cao'er, and also to the other newcomers beside him, "Keep the matter of the Mountain God in your heart! Don't tell anyone! And don't bother Miss Jiang! We're alive and have food to eat all thanks to the Mountain God and Miss Jiang! Anyone who talks too much and angers the Mountain God will be the first to suffer the consequences!"

"yes!"

"We understand!"

Everyone readily agreed, their eyes filled with awe for the "mountain god" and a deeper reverence for Jiang Chan. This explanation perfectly dispelled all their doubts and anxieties. Following Miss Jiang, who could communicate with the mountain god, how could they possibly lack a good life?

The news spread like wildfire, quickly and quietly among the newly arrived migrants and the old villagers.

"Mountain God..."

"No wonder…"

"Miss Jiang is the messenger of the mountain god..."

The way everyone looked at Jiang Chan now carried an extra layer of almost religious devotion, in addition to the original awe and gratitude. They worked even harder and followed the rules more strictly, fearing that the slightest slackening would offend the "mountain god" in the shadows.

Jiang Chan quickly noticed this subtle change. She saw the more respectful, even somewhat fearful, eyes and heard Xiao Tao's childish words about the "Mountain God," and instantly understood what was going on.

She was speechless, but too lazy to explain.

Mountain God?

Alright. As long as they behave themselves, work hard, and treat her like a mountain goddess, that's fine.

She walked to the edge of the cellar.

At the bottom of the pit, the storage room had been dug, with thick round log beams firmly erected and thick wooden planks laid on top.

Zhao Sizheng led his men to carefully apply mud mixed with gravel to the gaps in the wooden planks and the walls of the cellar for final moisture-proofing.

"Miss, do you think this is alright?" Zhao Si saw Jiang Chan and quickly climbed up to her, asking respectfully.

Jiang Chan looked at the huge cellar, which was more than two meters deep, spacious, dry, and divided into several storage rooms, and nodded: "Not bad. Starting tomorrow, move some of the perishable grains and vegetables from the deserted village down here for storage."

"Yes, miss!" Zhao Si smiled憨厚ly, his enthusiasm growing even stronger.

Jiang Chan looked at the bustling scene before her and then gazed towards the official road.

The cellar is being dug deeper.

The camp is taking root.

Hope is also extending to even more distant places.