Chapter 15: Drawing Water

Xu Lizheng showed no sympathy for her and frowned, saying, “The Mu family, quickly send her back. It’s embarrassing. Leave one or two people here at most.”

Mu Dehong had no choice but to have his sons carry Mrs. He home, while he stayed behind.

After Mrs. He left, the atmosphere quickly calmed.

Standing in the center, Xu Lizheng raised his voice: “Everyone, the reason I gathered you here should be clear. The village’s last well has dried up, and from now on, we need to fetch water from the mountain.”

“But the mountain is dangerous. If dozens or even a hundred people go together, when danger arises, everyone can unite to resist it and hopefully return safely.”

“Those willing to go, go back now to fetch buckets. If possible, prepare some dry food. Also, bring self-defense tools to deal with wild animals. We will regroup here in half an hour.”

“As long as you can bring the water back, take as many buckets as you like.”

“That’s all I have to say. If anyone has questions, ask now.”

Zhao Shitou asked, “Uncle Lizheng, if we go to the mountain today to fetch water, when will we go next time?”

His wife, Zeng Shi, added, “We want to decide future water usage speed based on the timing of trips.”

Xu Lizheng considered briefly, “Let’s see how it goes today. If fetching water goes smoothly, we’ll go every one or two days. If not, to reduce unnecessary casualties, we might wait four or five days, or even longer, before going again.”

Zhao Shitou did not ask further.

With only half an hour, those willing to go did not dare waste time and hurried home for buckets.

Mu Guhuai also prepared a carrying pole and buckets, planning to join the trip.

Yu Jinzheng suggested, “Godfather, godmother is leaving this afternoon. You should accompany her. I’ll go fetch water.”

Although there was water in the space, she wanted to explore the mountain environment.

Mu Guhuai firmly opposed, “How can that be? You’re just a child. I should go.”

Liu Shi said, “I don’t mind—I’ll come back later. There will be time to spend together.”

Yu Jinzheng smiled confidently, “I know martial arts, and someone will secretly protect me.”

Mu Guhuai hesitated somewhat.

Everyone in the village knew Jinzheng was his adopted daughter. Letting her go alone to fetch water while none of his own went would surely invite criticism.

Seeing her foster father’s expression, Yu Jinzheng knew his thoughts. She turned to pat Mu Yiyue and Mu Eryue on the shoulders, “Then how about this—you two come along.”

Her family couldn’t rely on her alone.

This was an excellent opportunity for training.

Always hiding under her protection, the Mu family members had grown weak.

Mu Yiyue’s eyes shone, nodding eagerly, “I’ll go. Father, mother, wait for me to bring water back for you.”

Mu Guhuai was pleased with his eldest son’s maturity, “Good, I’ll be waiting.”

Mu Eryue, still small, shivered and asked, “Do I have to go too?”

Yu Jinzheng smiled slyly, “Eryue, if a girl like me dares to go, you’re a boy. You can’t be weaker than a girl, right?”

Though young, Mu Eryue was provoked and immediately snapped, “No way! I was just asking. I dare to go!”

Mu Guhuai was relieved, “Then be careful. The journey is long; one bucket each is enough. Do your best.”

Yu Jinzheng nodded, “Alright then.”

She had heard that the mountain water source was far away and estimated she wouldn’t return before Liu Shi left.

Yu Jinzheng asked Liu Shi, “Godmother, when will you return to the General’s Mansion?”

Liu Shi replied, “Probably need to leave early in the afternoon, somewhere between one and three. My legs aren’t fast; I need to rest on the way, so I must leave early.”

Yu Jinzheng packed the potatoes just roasted in the fire and asked, “Then eat these on the road. Will someone come to pick you up?”

Liu Shi nodded, “A stewardess from the neighboring village is accompanying me home. At her pace, she should reach our village entrance by afternoon and wait for me there.”

Though the General’s Mansion granted her two days’ leave, traveling back took half a day.

Although she officially began duty tomorrow, she had to cook at daybreak. If she didn’t return tonight, her masters might grow impatient.

Yu Jinzheng thought about it; she wasn’t in a position to cook now.

Many people would come later, and the smell of food would cause quite a stir.

But once everyone went to the mountain, the third household could cook and eat in peace.

“Godmother, I’ve prepared something for you to take back. Wait for me a moment.”

Yu Jinzheng quickly jumped down from the stone cave and soon disappeared into the woods.

Not long after, she returned with the items.

Opening the foam box, she revealed five pounds of cherries, “Godmother, take these with you when you go back. When the potatoes cool, put them in too.”

Looking at the cherries, Liu Shi worried, “But such delicious things—won’t this cause trouble at the General’s Mansion?”

Yu Jinzheng smiled brightly, “You’re cooking there, right? When you get back, just... like this... and that...”

Liu Shi was now Yu Jinzheng’s only connection to the noble household, so she must be utilized.

This was also to ensure her children’s future well-being.

Mu Guhuai asked, “Is this okay? Won’t it seem too flattering?”

Yu Jinzheng said, “If Godmother finds delicious fruit at home and brings it back to thank the masters for the leave, offering it for them to try, that’s perfectly fine.”

Liu Shi thought it over and agreed.

As for other modern items, Yu Jinzheng didn’t plan to have Liu Shi bring them back.

They would only cause trouble and might even endanger her life.

Yu Jinzheng then looked at her brothers, “Have whatever for lunch. I’ll make you something delicious for dinner.”

Mu Guhuai said, “Jinzheng, don’t worry about us. There’s food at home; we won’t go hungry.”

Yu Jinzheng nodded, gave them some final instructions, and the villagers began to arrive.

She helped her brothers down and carried a small wooden bucket herself.

Xu Lizheng hadn’t expected the third household to send three children, but after hearing Yu Jinzheng’s explanation, he was not surprised.

Soon, fifty men gathered in the clearing, all male except for Yu Jinzheng.

Xu Lizheng knew some people had stored water at home and expected few would go, but not so few.

“Where is everyone else? No one else is going?”

Zhao Shitou said, “Uncle Lizheng, some people have diarrhea and really can’t come.”

Xu Lizheng sighed but said nothing further.