In early May, the weather became increasingly hot. In previous years, there would be two heavy rains in April, but this year there was not a drop of rain at all.
With everyone's efforts, the waterwheel was finally completed. They no longer had to go to the mountain to fetch water every day. They deliberately found a water source and did not intend to compete with the villagers for water.
Several villages at the foot of the mountain also discovered the problem and went to the commune to report the situation in their respective places.
Lu Shiyi and Su Jin went to the supply and marketing cooperative at the foot of the mountain in advance, but were blocked by Lu Boyuan at the foot of the mountain on their way back.
"Ayi, the situation in the village is not good. Several neighboring brigades have been fighting over water." Lu Boyuan saw that the situation in the village was too dire. After discussing with the elders of the tribe, he decided to ask Lu Shiyi for help. "The elders also hope that you can come forward."
Lu Shiyi looked at Lu Boyuan. After just a few months of not seeing him, Lu Zhuang looked much older.
Ever since Lu Shiyi had a falling out with the villagers, he has not gone down the mountain again. He is not clear about the situation down the mountain. He heard that many educated youth came to the village, and these people are difficult to manage.
"I can only help you apply. I am in charge of the farm now. I carry water from the deep forest and will not use nearby water sources." Lu Shiyi told Lu Boyuan.
Lu Boyuan smiled awkwardly, feeling relieved. Since Lu Shiyi was able to speak up, he believed that the higher-ups would consider their team's situation in advance.
"Ayi, after the summer harvest, come and walk around the village." Lu Boyuan wanted to ease the relationship between the villagers and Lu Shiyi.
When Lu Boyuan heard the educated youth mention Lu Bairen's status in the imperial capital, even the elders of the clan regretted that their relationship with Lu Shiyi had become strained.
"No need. We were already out of the family tree at that time. My grandfather's lineage has been in the imperial capital ever since." Lu Shiyi shook his head and refused. "There are a lot of things going on in the village. The elders have never left the village, and they like to give orders blindly."
Lu Shiyi had experienced the arrogance of the elders in the tribe and their love for imposing their own old ideas on them.
In fact, Lu Bairen warned Lu Shiyi a few years ago that if he had the chance, he should immediately leave the family tree.
"Ayi, you...really don't want to come back?" Lu Boyuan asked awkwardly, "Your grandfather hasn't been home for a long time. It's important to return to one's roots."
Lu Shiyi nodded: "I've already told Grandpa. Grandpa said that he has been away for a long time and doesn't understand the specific situation here. If he intervenes rashly, it will most likely do more harm than good."
After hearing what Lu Shiyi said, Lu Boyuan realized that Lu Bairen had heard that the villagers were using his reputation to threaten the commune.
"Ayi, we did something wrong. We used your grandfather's reputation to blackmail the commune for grain. That was for relief grain for the whole village." Lu Boyuan wanted to explain hurriedly.
"Grandpa knew about it, so he didn't tell you." Lu Shiyi waved his hand. "At home, Grandpa never seeks benefits for the younger generation. You are making an exception."
Su Jin sat in the car, rolled down the window a little, and heard the conversation between Lu Boyuan and Lu Shiyi.
Lu Boyuan heard his words and smiled bitterly. Lu Bairen would never return to the village. The elders wanted to control Lu Bairen's lineage, but the other party didn't care at all.
"Ayi, go back and tell your grandfather that the elders still want you to come back." Lu Boyuan stopped persuading him.
"Village Chief, I appreciate your kindness." Lu Shiyi thanked him. "We need to store water in advance. The weather is too dry this year."
After expressing their gratitude, Lu Shiyi and Lu Boyuan drove directly into the mountains.
Lu Boyuan stood there and watched for a long time. When Lu Shiyang returned home from the county town, he passed by the side entrance of the mountain and found Lu Boyuan standing there with his cart.
"Dad, why are you here?" Lu Shiyang parked his bike beside Lu Boyuan, "Are you looking for big brother?"
"I just saw Ayi. The elders said they wanted to let your great-grandfather's lineage return to the clan, but they found out they don't want to come back." Lu Boyuan sneered, "The elders thought everyone wanted to join the clan again."
"Dad, the elders have never left the village and don't know the situation outside. Great grandfather fought for his achievements with his life, and even my eldest brother and the others won't use him easily. Don't always think about using his reputation to gain benefits again and again." Lu Shiyang knew how difficult it was for Lu Bairen.
Whenever the elders encountered problems, they would think of calling Lu Bairen. Later, when Lu Shiyi came to the armed forces department, those people went to bother him again when they encountered problems.
"I have to explain to the elders when I get back!" Lu Boyuan went to the commune for a meeting today, where they were collecting information about the drought.
The villagers were all waiting for Lu Boyuan to bring back news so that they could get relief food as early as possible. Even when all the strong laborers in the village went to fetch water, many seedlings in the fields still died.
The father and son returned to the village. The elders were waiting at Lu Boyuan's house and saw that the father and son looked calm.
"A Yuan, did you get any response from the commune meeting?" The elders were worried about the situation in the village. Most of the seedlings had died. Even if they were replanted, the water problem could not be solved. It would be useless to replant several times.
"No, the commune is just collecting information from each village. They'll distribute relief food only after they've studied it," Lu Boyuan told the elders. "Also, I ran into Ayi, and he refused to return to the tribe."
The elders looked at Lu Boyuan in surprise: "Have you told Bairen?"
"Grandfather and grandson must have spoken, otherwise, Ayi wouldn't have said it directly." Lu Boyuan spread his hands and said, "You've heard from the educated youth that uncle is in a position in the imperial capital, and you always use him to get benefits. How long can uncle tolerate you?"
The elders regretted agreeing to Lu Shiyi's request so easily. If they could wait a little longer, they should be able to negotiate terms with Lu Shiyi.
"Forget it, you handle the clan's internal affairs. The Third Brother is even less willing to get involved in the affairs of the Elders Council." The elders said helplessly, "If you have any questions in the future, go to the Third Brother. There's no need to come to us."
After saying this, several elders left Lu Boyuan's house directly. When peace returned to the house, Lu Boyuan's wife looked at him.
"Lu Shiyi is not planning to come back?" Lu Boyuan's wife likes Lu Shiyi very much. Every time he comes, he brings a lot of things.
"Well, it should be decided over there. Uncle knows about what happened last time. If it wasn't for life-saving food, he would probably tell me directly." Lu Boyuan told his wife, "I saw Ayi bought a lot of things. Uncle should be in the mountains."
What?!
The mother and son looked at Lu Boyuan in surprise, thinking he was wrong.
"Master, are you serious?" Lu Boyuan's wife asked hurriedly, "Should we send some food into the mountains? At least we can make a good impression on Uncle."
"No need!" Lu Boyuan refused. "Ayi didn't even tell the village. He probably doesn't want to contact us anymore."
Lu Shiyang comforted his parents: "Don't ask Grandpa for help with village matters in the future."
Lu Boyuanyuan nodded and decided to listen to his son. Apart from the water problem, the villagers were self-sufficient.
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