125 Irrigation

Old Hu said to Li Yu, “Miss Li, everyone knows what to do. Rest at home for two days. We’ll pick you up when the water bridge is built.”

Seeing that it was getting late, Li Yu said, “Alright, you’d better get someone to dig up more rotten soil in the forest and scatter it in the ground. That rotten soil is good for fertilizing the fields. After scattering the rotten soil in the ground, dig deep into the ground and rake it carefully. Then, scatter a layer of rotten soil. When the ground is ready, I’ll tell you how to fertilize it.”

Old Hu and the villagers listened attentively and remembered it in their hearts. “We’ll remember it. I’ll get Hu Gui to send you and Miss Er Ya back.”

“Alright, look for me when you’re done. Make sure the soil is clayey or it won’t be able to hold water.” Li Yu instructed Old Hu.

Old Hu cupped his hands at Li Yu. “Miss, we’ll remember. Sorry to trouble you to make a trip without even serving tea.”

Li Yu waved her hand and hurriedly got into the cart. The villagers of Hu Village followed behind the cart until they reached the entrance of the village before stopping.

Hu Gui insisted on sending Li Yu to the entrance of Phoenix Village before turning around and going back. Er Ya looked at Li Yu. “Miss, I walked around their village. They’re really poor! They’re even poorer than before my family fled.”

Li Yu pondered for a moment. “We’ll have to see whether they can drive the terraces out on solid ground this time.”

In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the month again. All the rice in the fields of Phoenix Village had been stored in the granary. Two hills had also been opened up in the terraced fields of Hu Village.

Old Hu brought people to the forest and cut down more than ten big trees. He asked the villagers to dig a hole in the middle of the trees and carry them to the cave. After everything was ready, he went to Phoenix Village to ask Li Yu for help.

When Li Yu arrived at Hu Village, she went to the cave with the villagers. She stood at the entrance of the cave and looked at the hill opposite. After looking at the position, she took out a charcoal pencil and drew a line from the entrance to the dark ditch inside. She said to Old Hu, “Get someone to dig from the hole to the side of the dark ditch and create a ditch that can accommodate the size of this tree trunk. Then, set up the hollowed tree trunk until it connects to the pool at the top of the opposite mountain.”

When Old Hu heard this, he pointed at the young man at the entrance of the cave and said, “Miss Li, to be honest, this child also thought of this method. I thought you had another way.”

Li Yu glanced at the young man and praised, “He’s very smart. You should listen to everyone’s opinions. What I say might not be right. Let’s dig! Let’s try to spread this season’s winter wheat.”

Old Hu shouted happily at the villagers, “Everyone, move faster. Whether we can eat white flour buns next year will depend on everyone.”

“Alright, the white steamed buns are here.” A few men took chisels and started to chisel at the hole. The others rushed to the nailed wooden shelves.

Li Yu went down the mountain and turned to the side of the terraced field. She looked up at the terraced field that was rising layer by layer like a heavenly staircase. She grabbed a handful of soil and felt it in her palm. Seeing that the soil had been scattered with rotten soil as she had said, she nodded in satisfaction. “Old man, get someone to dig a few deep pits in the corner of the back shadow. After cutting off those leaves, soil, and weeds, pour them into the pits. Then, pour in the vegetation ash and slush. After a few days of digging, the crops will have fertile soil.”

Old Hu was enlightened when he heard that. “So those pits in your field are used to fertilize?”

Li Yu nodded. Old Hu smiled in embarrassment and said, “I saw those small sheds at the corner of your village that day. I thought you were raising something. When I got closer, I saw that they were all pits. I wondered what they were used for!”

“Now you understand!” Li Yu smiled at him. Old Hu nodded. “Thank you, Miss Li.”

Li Yu stayed in Hu Village for more than two hours. Seeing that they could do it themselves, she drove the mule cart home. Just as she reached home, Chen Yaohui and a few villagers came looking for her. It turned out that a grain merchant had come to the village to buy food.

Chen Yaohui asked Li Yu, “Xiaoyu, your family bought so much food. Are you selling it or saving it?”

Li Yu looked at everyone’s excited expressions. “Uncle Yaohui, the grain merchants are here to collect food. How much are we getting for a catty?”

Chen Yaohui smiled and gestured. “Six copper coins a catty. What do you think? Are you selling?”

When Li Yu heard this, she shook her head and said, “I plan to let it go for a while. I heard that the drought in Qingzhou hasn’t subsided yet. Who knows if it will be fine next year?”

Chen Zhong laughed when he heard that. “Xiaoyu, you’re worrying too much. We’ll have to sell it as old grain next year. By then, it won’t be at this price. Besides, you won’t be able to finish your food in ten years.”

Li Yu smiled. “Uncle Zhong, I still have such a big family! I think it’s not too late to sell the rice after the new year.”

Seeing that Li Yu didn’t intend to sell, Chen Yaohui decided not to sell too. “I’ll think about it slowly. Food is our lifeblood. Everyone, go back and prepare to plow the land and plant winter wheat.”

When the grain merchant arrived at the village, he realized that no one was selling food. He asked Granny Chen, who was passing by, “Old lady, why aren’t you selling so much food? If you keep it until next year, it will become old food. The price of old food is much cheaper. Besides, if you don’t sell it, you’ll get worms in the grains.”

Grandma Chen glanced at him and pouted. “You don’t have to worry about anything. If you’re not afraid of worms with the food you collect, what am I afraid of?”

“Old lady, I’m just asking out of goodwill. Why are you so angry?” The grain merchant looked at her and smiled.

Grandma Chen rolled her eyes at him and left. “I can’t be bothered to grind my teeth with you. I’m busy!”

On the fourth day of September, Old Hu of Hu Village brought Hu Gui to Li Yu’s house early in the morning. When Li Yu returned from refining, she saw two people standing at the door from afar. She thought that something had happened. When she ran closer, she asked Old Hu strangely, “Old man, is the water connected?”

“It’s connected. We’ll start running water today. We want you to take a look and make you happy.”

Li Yu was happy for them when she saw Old Hu. “Come in and have a drink. I’ll wash up and go with you.”

Old Hu kept shaking his head. “No, no. We’ll wait for you at the door.”

Seeing that the two of them were unwilling to enter the house, Li Yu could only quickly pack up and go to Hu Village with them after dinner.

The men, women, and children of Hu Village were all waiting at the entrance of the village. After Li Yu and Old Hu arrived, they walked up the mountain together.

Li Yu stood on the mountain and saw that the tree trunk was like a long dragon. It had already been placed in front of the cave opposite. The pond on the mountain had also been dug.

Li Yu followed Old Hu to the cave opposite and saw water flowing out of the cave. She followed Old Hu into the cave. Seeing the hollowed tree trunk placed at the side, Old Hu bowed to Li Yu and said, “Miss Li, please put the tree trunk in the ditch.”

After Li Yu bowed in return, she raised the tree trunk and gently placed it down. She watched as the water flowed into the hollowed tree trunk and slowly flowed towards the opposite hill. Li Yu was so touched that her eyes turned red when she saw Old Hu and the villagers’ eyes flickering with tears of excitement.

After a while, the people on the opposite hill waved their arms at Old Hu and shouted, “The water is here. The water is coming.”

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