“I was just about to talk to everyone about this,” Village Chief Li sighed. “How can we really exclude those families? We’ve all lived in the same village for generations. Even if we don’t care about their reputation, we should at least consider the reputation of their ancestors.”
"Besides, if anything happens to us in the future, especially if we want to do something privately, what if they don't come with us and gossip about it, or even go to the authorities to sue us?"
Jiang Qinyu had also considered what Village Chief Li had said, and immediately nodded and said, "That makes sense. Since Uncle Village Chief knows what's going on, I won't say any more. But I have something else I'd like to ask you to make a decision about."
"What's wrong? Are you having some difficulties after the family division? Just tell me what's wrong, your uncle is here!" Village Chief Li patted his chest before even hearing what it was about.
Jiang Qinyu felt a warmth in her heart and smiled, "It's nothing major. It's just that we need to find someone to explore the underground river we discovered in the mountains; and that valley, have Grandpa Jiang and the others finished making the water pump? Shouldn't we think of a way to bring the water back to irrigate the fields and prepare for the autumn planting?"
“Oh dear, I forgot to tell you,” Village Chief Li slapped his forehead. “While you were away, Grandpa Jiang and a few young men in the village who were willing to learn carpentry made what you wanted according to the blueprints you gave us. We’ve already tested it, and it can indeed pump water from a low place to a high place!”
At this point, Village Chief Li became excited, "Just the day before yesterday, Grandpa Jiang led people into the mountains to install it in the valley! And there's something else you definitely didn't expect."
"The road to Yezhuping has been cleared by everyone, and now it only takes two hours to get there from the village!"
"Wild Boar Plain?" Jiang Qinyu was taken aback.
Village Chief Li quickly replied, "It's the place where we found the wild boars fighting. That's the name everyone gave it. Everyone calls that valley Tiger Valley, since it used to be tiger territory."
Jiang Qinyu's lips twitched. Should she say this name selection was good or bad?
However, upon hearing that it would only take two hours to get there, Jiang Qinyu couldn't help but smile. "Uncle Village Chief really knows how to get things done. In the days we've been gone, everyone has accomplished so much."
"Alas, there's nothing we can do about it. It's a drought. If we don't find a way to farm, what will we do when we can't find any food in the mountains anymore?" Village Chief Li sighed.
The most convenient and readily available water source they can find is the lake in Tiger Valley. Although irrigating the land will be hard work, the villagers are willing to endure the hardship as long as there is hope.
“It’s too hard for everyone to carry water up the mountain. We need to find out as soon as possible where that underground river leads to our village. If it’s not far, I’ll think of a way to bring the water out, and then the village won’t have to worry about water for irrigation,” Jiang Qinyu said earnestly.
Village Chief Li nodded repeatedly, "That's what I meant too, but right now, Old Meng is the most skilled in our village, so he'll have to lead the way in going underground."
After all, it was unknown whether there were any dangers underground, and he dared not let ordinary villagers go down rashly.
“There’s someone else who might be able to help Brother Meng,” Jiang Qinyu said thoughtfully.
"who?"
“Wang Bo,” Jiang Qinyu said to Village Chief Li, “He served in the army for six years, so his skills are definitely better than the average person. With him and Brother Meng together, the others who go with us will be much safer.”
Village Chief Li pondered, "You're right. It seems I need to talk to everyone about getting them to join us as soon as possible, and try to get Wang Bo and Lao Meng to lead a group down to scout ahead tomorrow."
He wasn't worried at all that Jiang Qinyu wouldn't be able to handle things once they found the place; his only concern was that the underground river was too far from Dingshui Village.
“Okay, I’ll go into the mountains with everyone tomorrow, but I won’t go underground with them. We’ll wait until Brother Meng and the others have scouted the route,” Jiang Qinyu nodded.
Once the matter was settled, Jiang Qinyu went home first.
When she got home, she saw Shufan and Pan'er just coming out of the house. The two of them were rubbing their eyes in unison. When they opened their eyes and saw her, their faces immediately lit up with bright and innocent smiles.
"aunt!"
Jiang Qinyu stepped forward, smiling as she touched their faces. "Did you sleep well? Go wash your face and hands, and eat first."
She wanted to go to the field again in the afternoon. She had turned the tap on a bit too high in the morning, and she didn't know how the field was doing after most of the day.
However, this time Jiang Qinyu only increased the amount of water released into her own land and Old Man Lu's land, thinking she would try it out first.
"Yu'er, your mother wants you to come over here." Old Man Lu called out from next door.
Jiang Qinyu told the two children and quickly went to Old Lu's house.
Chen was devastated by the news Wang Bo brought back and didn't go to work for the past two days. When Jiang Qinyu saw her again, she felt that Chen had lost all her vitality.
"Mother, don't be too sad," Jiang Qinyu comforted her.
Mrs. Chen gave a self-deprecating laugh, then looked at her and a wave of sorrow washed over her. "Ah Zheng has always been sensible and obedient since he was little, and he's also very capable. We thought he would stay with us, the two old folks, until we grow old, but we never expected..."
As she spoke, tears streamed down Chen's face.
When Wang Bo didn't bring back any news, they still had some hope, always feeling that one day Lu Yanzheng would suddenly appear at the village entrance.
But when Wang Bo said she saw Lu Yanzheng's body being burned with her own eyes, her last shred of hope was shattered.
Thinking of her second son, Lu Yancai, Chen felt even more desperate.
Jiang Qinyu saw her crying and didn't know how to comfort her. At this time, anything she said would be pale and powerless.
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