I will teach you how to cultivate immortality

Chapter 162 As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement (13)

Hundreds of mountains, Lijia Village.

"Another downpour, and at this time of year..."

Gazing at the gathering dark clouds and the flashing lightning, the old village chief, sitting at the village entrance, murmured worriedly.

"This weather is very unusual. Should we ask Bukuer when she comes back later?"

Li Yu, who also returned to the village early due to the unusual weather, looked equally puzzled and worried.

Since Li Boyang was born, the surrounding area had enjoyed favorable weather for six or seven years, and this was the first time he had encountered such an unusual celestial phenomenon.

"Yu'er, this rainstorm will probably exceed Bu Ku'er's expectations as well..."

Under Li Yu's surprised gaze, the old village chief revealed what he was truly worried about.

"You have little experience and little knowledge, so it's normal that you don't know."

"But I have lived for so many years and have seen with my own eyes those fertile lands blessed by the gods."

"Generally speaking, places blessed by the gods will have favorable weather and abundant harvests, and there will be very few unexpected events."

"If such an accident occurs, it is either because the god has abandoned his believers, or because the impending crisis is beyond the god's control."

"Given the relationship between Bukuer and that mountain goddess, which possibility do you think is more likely?"

Li Yu stared in disbelief, immediately understanding the old village chief's unspoken meaning.

This was a torrential rain that exceeded the capabilities of the mountain god, a calamity beyond the reach of even divine power.

"Also, before you came back, I had someone go and check on the reservoir..."

“According to the water level line previously drawn by Bu Ku’er, the water level there has now exceeded the highest safety warning level.”

"We don't even need a heavy rain; we have to open the floodgates ahead of schedule..."

"Otherwise, if the reservoir breaches its banks, our village will be destroyed before the torrential rains arrive."

Unable to resist scratching the back of his head, Li Yu remained silent for a while before asking.

"When did this happen? Does Bu Ku'er know?"

In situations like this where the water level reaches the warning line, theoretically, the child should be informed immediately.

But from the old village chief's tone, Li Yu seemed to hear another answer.

"About three days ago, I hadn't yet told anyone about Bukuer."

"Although I don't know what Bu Ku'er is doing, I can tell that he has been very busy lately."

Shaking his head with a wry smile, the old village chief, though quite annoyed, did not regret his decision.

"Do you remember the textbook that Bu Ku'er planned to use for early childhood education?"

"I think one of the sentences is quite good: 'As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement.'"

"In the end, we are mountain people who live off the mountains and rivers, not those cowards outside who only know how to rely on gods and priests..."

Listening to the old village chief's rambling, Li Yu fell silent once again.

"If mountains come, we move them. If water comes, we drain it."

"Whether it's the child who doesn't cry or the mountain goddess..."

“They are our source of strength and support, but we cannot rely on them for everything and wait for them to solve all our problems.”

"Otherwise, what difference is there between us and those livestock and poultry domesticated by the Crybaby?"

It seemed he was persuaded by the old village chief, or perhaps Li Yu had always had this idea...

After a brief hesitation, a resolute look appeared in Li Yu's eyes.

"What are you going to do?"

The old village chief, his face now reverting to its previous kind expression, chuckled and said, "What else can we do? Expand the reservoir, of course!"

"With these three years of experience, the villages in our vicinity have basically gained experience in building reservoirs."

"Expanding the reservoir based on this foundation is actually not a difficult task..."

“I went to check it out a few days ago. Even if the paving of the external roads is temporarily suspended, the brick factory can still supply stone bricks at all costs.”

Li Yu tilted his head slightly, knowing the old village chief's personality well.

Knowing that the other person definitely had something else to say, I wasn't in a hurry to interrupt them.

"In fact, we not only need to expand the reservoir, but also find ways to widen the river channel."

"And this can't be done by just a few villages around us; all the villages in the Hundred Mountains must know the seriousness of this matter."

"Haven't they been envious of our 'Mountain God Reservoir' for a long time?"

"As long as they are willing to get involved, it's not something that can't be discussed if we build some reservoirs along the way."

Nodding in sudden realization, Li Yu finally understood the old village chief's intention.

Using a combination of coercion and incentives, while carrying out basic infrastructure construction for flood prevention and disaster relief, it is also necessary to mobilize the enthusiasm of the mountain people to the greatest extent.

"Isn't that enough?"

"Not all the village chiefs have your vision and foresight."

What Li Yu said was true; wise men like the old village chief, who had matured with age, were truly rare among the mountain people.

Just considering the mountain people that Li Yu himself had come into contact with.

While hard work and perseverance are common traits, ignorance, stubbornness, and short-sightedness also make up the vast majority.

"Then tell them that all the villages involved in this operation..."

"During the off-season, their younger generations can come to our village and learn to read for free from Bukuer."

"If we encounter someone a little more stubborn, our village can still provide them with a meal."

A glint of cunning, typical of the elderly, flashed in his eyes as the old village chief added slowly and deliberately.

"You really are..."

He glanced at the old village chief without saying a word.

Li Yu couldn't find a suitable word to express his feelings at that moment.

After all, as Li Boyang's biological father, Li Yu may not necessarily understand his son's vision and ambition, but he is quite clear about his attitude towards such matters.

It's no exaggeration to say that if he could actually get the children from all over the mountains to learn to read and write with him, Li Boyang would probably be laughing in his dreams.

"What about the water veins?"

"If you want to build a reservoir or widen a river, it is very important to figure out the direction of the water flow and those springs that may be hidden."

Just as Li Yu raised another practical question, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind them.

"There's a complete map of the mountains and waterways over there, near Bu Ku'er..."

After listening for an unknown amount of time, Chen Yun walked to her husband's side and said with a smile.

"The eldest daughter has never been able to keep her mouth shut; I heard about it from her a long time ago..."

"The child who doesn't cry followed the mountain goddess and drew a map of the mountains and rivers covering most of the Bai Di Mountains."

“I even suspect that the map probably already marked the suitable locations for building reservoirs, as well as the tributaries and directions that could be used to widen the river.”

“Our son has always liked to plan ahead, and I even suspect that the problems we are facing now are all within his expectations.”

Monthly ticket/recommendation ticket

(End of this chapter)