Chapter 47: New Chapter of Water Rhythm
The successful introduction of the golden ear greatly increased the alliance's food reserves, but it also exposed new problems. One hot summer day, while inspecting the wheat fields, Lin Chen noticed that the crops at the edges were sluggish, while those near the stream were growing well.
“Irrigation is uneven,” he told Yunshan and Xiaoyu, who were accompanying him. “We need more effective water management.”
After this question was raised at the Alliance meeting, each tribe offered their own wisdom on water conservation. Shuihen from the Lakeside Tribe spoke first: "We have lived with water for generations and know how to guide its flow rather than fight it."
Feng Yi of the nomadic tribe added: "On the arid grasslands, we collect dew, dig shallow wells, and cherish every drop of water."
Shi Feng from the mountain tribe shared: "Our terraced field system effectively conserves water and soil and prevents erosion."
Bei Liang, the new representative of the Shell Tribe, also contributed his knowledge: "We observe the tides and harness the power of nature."
Lin Chen integrated these suggestions and proposed the "Alliance Water Conservancy Plan": not simply digging canals to divert water, but systematic management of water resources, including the entire process of collection, storage, distribution and recycling.
The first project was to improve the Silvermoon Tribe's irrigation system. The Lakeside Tribe provided guidance in digging the diversion canal; the Mountain Tribe helped build terraced reservoirs; the Nomadic Tribe designed a dew collection device; and the Shell Tribe contributed tidal principles to water flow control.
The results were immediate: the new system not only provided even irrigation but also saved a significant amount of water.
"I didn't know water could be managed so meticulously!" Yunshan recorded the data. "Unit output has increased, but water consumption has actually decreased."
The successful experience was quickly replicated across tribes. The Alliance dispatched a "water conservancy team" to help each tribe improve its system based on its specific characteristics: mountain irrigation for highland tribes, aquaculture systems for lakeside tribes, and mobile water solutions for nomadic tribes.
The most innovative project was the Alliance Reservoir—a massive water storage facility built from a natural depression to collect rainwater for use during the dry season. All tribes collaborated on its design and construction: the Silver Moon Tribe coordinated planning, the High Mountain Tribe provided masonry expertise, the Lakeside Tribe provided waterproofing, and the Nomadic Tribe provided a water delivery plan.
After the reservoir was built, it not only provided water for irrigation, but also became a new fishing area and even improved the local climate.
Advances in water management led to a cascading series of innovations. To precisely control water flows, the Alliance improved measurement tools; to efficiently distribute water, it developed allocation rules and record-keeping systems; and to maintain water facilities, it established specialized maintenance teams.
An unexpected benefit was the use of water power. The lakeside tribes improved their waterwheel design, using water power to grind flour, beat fibers, and even drive simple machinery.
"The power of the water flow is so strong!" exclaimed the young man in charge of the hydraulic project. "It can help us do so much work."
Water management also fostered the development of alliance governance. Water allocation required fair decision-making, conflicts resolved through mediation, and maintenance through collaboration. The alliance established a "Water Council," where representatives from each tribe jointly made decisions on water-related matters.
"Water teaches us how to share limited resources," Elder Shi Yan said after a water conservancy council meeting. "This is the embodiment of the alliance spirit."
During the golden autumn, the Alliance suffered a rare drought. However, thanks to a new water conservancy system, the tribes weathered the drought safely. Reservoirs provided emergency water, efficient irrigation reduced waste, and even provided aid to neighboring non-Alliance tribes.
"In previous years, droughts like this would have caused severe shortages," one elderly man recalled. "Now, we have enough to help others."
During the aid operation, the alliance not only provided water but also helped build water conservancy facilities and shared management experience. "It is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish," Lin Chen emphasized. "Helping others become self-reliant is the long-term solution."
After the drought, the Alliance held a "Water Wisdom" exchange meeting. The tribes shared their water innovations: the Silvermoon Tribe's distribution system, the Mountain Tribe's terraced field design, the Lakeside Tribe's aquaculture, the Nomadic Tribe's water-saving techniques, and the Shell Tribe's tidal applications.
The most popular display was the children's hydraulic model show, where they used simple materials to create hydraulic system models, demonstrating the principles of water flow and their innovative ideas.
"Children's imaginations are unconstrained," Feng Yi said, praising an innovative design. "They can see possibilities that adults overlook."
The exchange meeting decided to compile the "Alliance Water Conservancy Manual" to systematically record the water conservancy wisdom of each tribe, with detailed diagrams and operating guides.
"Let future generations know not only how to do it, but also why to do it," Lin Chen wrote in the preface.
The development of water conservancy even influenced artistic creation. Water patterns became a common theme in Union art; geometric knowledge gained from water conservancy projects was applied to decorative design; and even a new musical form, water music, emerged, utilizing the sounds of flowing water and water instruments.
On a quiet evening, Lin Chen and Canglan strolled by the reservoir. The water was like a mirror, reflecting the setting sun and distant mountains. The water conservancy facilities looked both practical and beautiful in the twilight.
"From fighting floods to harnessing water flows," Canglan said with emotion, "we have learned to coexist peacefully with water."
Lin Chen nodded: "Water teaches us flexibility and perseverance: to adapt flexibly to the terrain and to flow persistently towards the goal. This is also the spirit of the alliance."
He pointed to the water system and said, "See, the contributions of each tribe are like different streams of water, coming together to form a stronger whole."
In the reservoir, schools of Alliance-stocked fish leaped from the water, stirring up ripples. In the distance, a water mill hummed softly, processing food for the tribes. Even further away, signal beacons from various tribes began to flicker, heralding peace and harmony.
In this world without modern engineering but full of hydraulic wisdom, human beings are managing water resources in the most essential way: not through strong control, but through clever guidance; not through monopoly, but through fair distribution; not through short-term utilization, but through long-term planning.
This not only solved practical problems but also deepened the alliance's bonds. Joint water projects allowed the tribes to better understand each other, shared water resources strengthened their reliance on each other, and cooperative water management fostered greater trust.
The soul from another world, standing by the reservoir, no longer misses the tap water system in modern society, but cherishes this water conservancy network based on understanding and respect.
Here, water conservancy is not a cold technology, but the wisdom of life; it is not an isolated project, but an overall system; it is not a competition for resources, but an art of sharing.
Starlight rises, reflected in the mirror-like surface of the reservoir, as if heaven and earth are connected, stars and water blending together. The Silvermoon Tribe and its allies are ready to continue their water exploration. The journey of water has just begun, but the direction is clear: respect, guide, share, and recycle.
On this night where stars and water blend together, human civilization continues its eternal exploration in one of the oldest yet freshest ways: how to coexist with nature, how to share with others, and how to be responsible for the future.
And all this is just the beginning of countless explorations.
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