"We might not have enough stones. I'll go collect some more tomorrow. The earliest we can release the water will be the day after tomorrow!" Si Cheng looked at the pile of stones in the corner. There were still more than half left to enclose all four sides.

"If you plan to dig a reservoir, remember to prepare the stones in advance, otherwise some places might leak." Si Cheng was also regretting that he hadn't prepared enough stones, but with his strength, he should be able to collect them all by tomorrow.

"Then let's start collecting stones tomorrow, and we'll need everyone's help." One of the quick-witted people seized the opportunity to invite everyone to help out.

"We can't do it like that. Let's draw lots to decide who goes first." Ever since the village started using lotteries to arrange things, everyone likes to use lotteries to solve any problems that arise in the village.

"The premise is that you have to prepare the stones before you can draw lots, otherwise everyone will just be waiting there."

“Of course, once Brother Cheng’s place is finished, we can draw lots once. Everyone can collect stones in the next couple of days, and we can only draw lots after we’ve collected enough.” The rules were settled in just a few words, and no one had any objections, which left the newly moved-in villagers quite bewildered.

“We really made the right decision to move to this village. A few days ago, when a few of us went to the city to bring back our last things, we ran into people from several nearby villages. They kept complaining the whole way. It seems like every village has conflicts, and there have even been a few fights. And the conditions are really bad. Some people have even been bitten by snakes because their wooden houses weren't properly sealed. Apparently, the antidote for snake venom was traded from our village.” Huang Suicheng hung a basket full of soil on a rope, signaling the people standing on it to pull it up, before turning to Wu Yong beside him and saying this.

"Don't let their respectable appearance fool you; their character isn't all that great. Otherwise, they wouldn't be getting along so badly with the locals. Didn't you see all those people who came here to carry limestone? Everyone greeted them with a smile, and they were all very kind and honest. Even if they had relatives here, they brought their own food to visit." Wu Yong felt that although they didn't get along, it wouldn't lead to fights. After all, from his interactions with the locals over this period, he felt they were still very kind and honest.

“Yes, if we have any difficulties here, they will help us. Like last time, they took us to find so many tea seeds. At that time, our family was following behind and we couldn’t walk very fast. They didn’t even complain about us slowing us down. They don’t treat us like outsiders,” Liu Xinwei said with emotion.

“So we should cherish this even more. Look at the home we’ve built with our own hands during this time. You know how desperate we were when we were in the city. Now we’re part of this village.” Huang Suicheng was a university professor before; his hands had only ever held a pen, never any tools. His wife was a doctor, but in a situation where there weren’t even hospitals, doctors had no future. After the disaster, he too fell into deep self-doubt. How could he support his family with just the books in his head? Fortunately, Captain Yun found out about their situation and came to their door, persuading them to come to Pinghe Village. Luckily, they agreed; otherwise, where would they find such a stable environment to live in now?

“But we don’t have a place big enough to dig a reservoir. Maybe we can all dig one together.” Wu Yong thought back to how the families built their houses close together to help each other out, which meant there was less open space.

"That's a good idea. Let's all build a big reservoir together on the outskirts. Even though it's a bit far from the houses, it's still better than each family building a small one." Wu Yong's suggestion was approved by his two neighbors, and they discussed where it would be most convenient to dig the reservoir while they were working on it.

Si Cheng looked up and estimated the depth of the pit. When he felt it was almost done, he called out that everyone could stop working and that they could finish repairing the stone wall on the side tomorrow.

“This could have been a private swimming pool before, but Cheng-ge, you need to finish piling up the stones by tomorrow. It looks like water is starting to seep up from the bottom.” Liu Fengya noticed that the spot where he was standing was a bit damp, so he squatted down and examined it carefully.

"If that's the case, won't the stored water be lost?" No one thought about this problem when they first started digging, but now everyone is starting to worry that it might be a waste of time.

"I plan to add another layer of rammed earth underneath, which will reduce water loss to some extent. If it really is a drought, reservoirs like ours will only help us get through a longer period of time, and we can't rely on them for long." Although Si Cheng said this, the underground rivers here have water, which is more abundant than in other places. At least this reservoir should be able to guarantee everyone's livelihood for the year before the drought.

"Of course, everyone can also consider not doing it. If the drought really gets too bad, the big lake outside can provide a water source." Si Cheng couldn't say everything he wanted. If Pinghe Village was lucky and managed to get through the drought in the next few years, he didn't want to be blamed later.

"How can we not do it? Besides, it will be more convenient for everyone to use water after we build a reservoir like this. If all else fails, we can even raise some fish in it." Yun Xun was determined to follow in Cheng Ge's footsteps. Even if there is no drought, it can be used as a fish pond.

"Yes, I'll go collect stones tomorrow. Don't try to beat me to first place then."

"No one will go easy on you then; everyone will have to rely on their own abilities."

Lin Zhiming stood up and listened to their banter below. He shouted, "Everyone's ready. If you don't hurry up, I'm taking all the good wine back with me."

"No, Uncle Ming! I won't be able to sleep tonight if I don't get to drink your wine." Yun Yang, the little drunkard, got anxious as soon as he heard that.

"Uncle Ming was just teasing you. Can't you even tell?" Yunxiang looked at his little cousin with amusement, thinking he was really turning into a little drunkard.

"Hurry up and go up, you'll have a good drink to your heart's content today." Si Cheng tied all the tools together and gestured for them to go up first.

When they reached the ground, they were greeted by a wonderful fragrance.

"Oh my god, Uncle Ming, you even have cumin at home? It's just the right flavor, it smells so good."

"It would be even more perfect with some ice-cold beer." Yun Jianying took a deep breath, reminiscing about his carefree life in the past.

"Go wash your hands quickly, can't you see they've all taken up their spots?" Yun Yang didn't have time to sigh at this moment. The people who had been standing on it to catch the mud had already washed their hands and were gathered around the stove to barbecue.