Chapter 87 - 87: Searching for Water Source
There were six villages around the Chu Village. On this day, the village chiefs of these six villages came to the house of the Chu Village chief. Their faces were covered in dust and they had worried expressions.
Village Chief Chu received them with hospitality and asked them to sit in the central room. “What brought you here?”
The village chief of the Zhang Village said bitterly, “Only your village has enough water in this area. Who else can we look for other than you?”
Village Chief Chu immediately understood what he meant. It had not rained for more than two months, and the sun was scorching the ground every day. Everyone was running out of water. “Are you planning to fetch water from the Chu Village?”
The village chief of the Xu Village waved his hand and said, “No, 1 heard that someone in your village can find water sources. 1 wonder if you can get her to help? Of course, we will pay.”
Village Chief Chu didn’t mind, but he couldn’t make the decision for Chu
Qingzhi. “I agree to this, but whether she agrees or not is up to her.”
The village chief of the Zhao Village said anxiously, “Brother Chu, bring us to see her. Well ask her ourselves.”
This concerned the lives of tens of thousands of people. Village Chief Chu did not dare to delay. “Alright, follow me.”
Coincidentally, when they walked near Chu Qingzhi’s house, they bumped into Chu Qingzhi sending Chu Qingyue back.
Village Chief Chu went forward and said politely, “Qingzhi, some people are looking for you. Can 1 borrow some of your time?”
When the village chiefs saw this, they revealed looks of disbelief. Did this little girl find a water source? Was she that capable?
Chu Qingzhi glanced at them and said, “Sure.”
Village Chief Chu first introduced the other village chiefs and briefly explained what had happened. Only then did they let the few village chiefs talk to Chu Qingzhi.
Village Chief Zhang said anxiously, “Miss Chu, please help our village find a water source. There’s no more water in the village. Now, everyone has to go to the river 20 miles away to fetch water. They usually go early in the morning and only come back at noon. Many people are suffering from sunstroke.”
Village Chief Zhao also said, “Miss Chu, if you help us find a water source, our entire village will thank you.”
Chu Qingzhi understood what they were here for. She looked at the sky. It wouldn’t rain for at least a month. If this continued, someone would probably die. “I’ll go with you after I tell my family about it. You can discuss among yourself which village I should go to first.”
The village chiefs hurriedly said, “Yes, yes, yes. Thank you, Miss Chu.”
Chu Qingzhi turned around and returned home.
She walked into the kitchen. “Mother, I have something to do. I might not be back for lunch.”
Li Qingyu was cutting meat. When she heard this, she immediately stopped. “Qingzhi, what are you going to do? Is it so urgent that you can’t stay for lunch?”
Granny Chu also asked with concern, “Yes, what is it?”
Chu Qingzhi explained to them with a smile.
This matter concerned the lives of many people. They did not dare to delay Chu Qingzhi.
Li Qingyu immediately washed her hands and went to get an umbrella for Chu Qingzhi. “Use the umbrella. Your skin is tender. It won’t be good if you get a sunburn.”
Then, she went to get a bottle and washed it. She filled it with water and handed it to Chu Qingzhi. “You have to keep yourself hydrated. The weather is so hot.”
Feeling the love from her mother, Chu Qingzhi’s heart felt sweet. She smiled and said, “Mother, Grandma, I’ll come back as soon as possible.”
Li Qingyu sent Chu Qingzhi to the door. “By the way, Qingzhi, I almost forgot. Your Uncles will come later. What do you want me to arrange for them to do?”
Chu Qingzhi thought for a moment and said, “You can ask them to make ice cream bars, help Father with the furniture, or help build the house. They can choose whatever they want as long as they work hard.”
Li Qingyu nodded. “1 understand. Come back early.”
Chu Qingzhi nodded. “I know.”
Chu Qingzhi walked over to meet up with the village chiefs. They were still waiting.
Village Chief Zhang said, “Miss Chu, we’ve discussed. Let’s go to Zhang Village first.”
Chu Qingzhi nodded. “Let’s go.”
The Zhang Village was five miles away from the Chu Village. There was a mountain between them, and it was an hour’s walk. In this era, it was considered close.
It was still filled with vitality when Chu Qingzhi came to pick oranges last time. At this moment, the plants, animals, and people were all in low spirits and listless.
The Chu Village was next to a small river, and the Zhang Village was in the opposite direction of the river, so there were mountains here. The village was in a valley surrounded by mountains.
Village Chief Zhang’s eyes were filled with anticipation. “Miss Chu, do you think we have a water vein here?”
Chu Qingzhi observed her surroundings. “Let me take a look first.”
To the south of the village, there was a small mountain with many pine trees. The mountain was not high, and many children in the village played in the mountain.
Chu Qingzhi flew up the mountain.
There were martial arts in this world. Everyone knew this, but it was rare for people in the village to see it with their own eyes. When they saw Chu Qingzhi fly up, they were stunned.
“She can fly?!”
“Miss Chu can fly! She will definitely find a water source. We are saved.”
“We’re saved! We’re saved!!”
Seeing this scene, not only the village chiefs, but also the villagers of the Zhang Village stood rooted to the ground, as if they had seen a fairy descending to the mortal world.
Actually, she was really a fairy who had descended to the mortal world.
Chu Qingzhi flew to the top of a big tree and looked around. Soon, she discovered a small water vein that was enough for the villagers.
She flew down. “Village Chief Zhang, get the villagers to bring the hoes over to dig for water.”
“Yes, yes, yes. I’ll go immediately.” Village Chief Zhang turned around and ran to inform the villagers to get their tools.
The water source was beside a cluster of lush bamboo outside the village. After digging half a meter deep, water seeped out.
The moment they saw the water, many villagers could not help but wipe their tears.
Some of the villagers surrounded Chu Qingzhi and handed her fruits. “Miss, thank you. Thank you.”
“If it weren’t for you, we’d all be dead.”
An old woman walked over and placed the only two eggs in her house into the small bag Chu Qingzhi was carrying. “Good girl, good girl. You saved the entire village. Thank you so much.”
Everyone was doing their best to express their gratitude. Chu Qingzhi had never encountered such a situation before and was a little touched. “No need, no need. You can keep it for yourselves.”
Everyone kept stuffing things into her hands. “Take it, take it. We don’t have anything good. This is all we have. Don’t refuse.”
Therefore, when Chu Qingzhi came out of the Zhang Village, the small cloth bag was already full.
Chu Qingzhi touched the small cloth bag. She really couldn’t reject the enthusiastic villagers.
Village Chief Zhang sent Chu Qingzhi to the entrance of the village. “Miss Chu, take this. It’s not much, but it’s a token of everyone’s appreciation. Don’t decline.” It was a silver ingot worth ten taels of silver.
After thinking for a while, Chu Qingzhi took the silver ingot. “If you need anything, you can come to the Chu Village to look for me again.”
Village Chief Zhang was extremely grateful. “Thank you, Miss Chu..”