Reborn in the 1980s: Nine Stunning Beauties Get Pregnant Before Marriage

Chen Yongqiang stood up and walked towards Yang Dahai.

"Village chief. It's almost the Lesser Fullness of Grain (Xiaoman) solar term. If it doesn't rain soon, the crops in the fields will hardly yield a good harvest."

Yang Dahai's face showed even deeper worry: "That makes sense, but what can we do? If the weather is going to be dry, who can stop it?"

"With today's commotion with Jinjiatun, it will be even more difficult for our village to get irrigation in the future." Chen Yongqiang's words hit the nail on the head.

Jinjiatun is upstream, and the sluice gate is in their hands.

They'd fought before, but at least they'd get a share. But after today's fight, the feud has only deepened. Will Jinjiatun let this go?

In the future, when they release water, they will definitely try every means to intercept it, and they will avoid giving it to anyone they can.

Yang Dahai certainly knew this principle.

"We can't just sit here and wait," Chen Yongqiang continued.

"Yongqiang, if you have any ideas, just say them." Yang Dahai, the village chief, was extremely anxious as he watched the crops in the fields wither day by day.

Chen Yongqiang pointed in the direction of Qinglong Mountain.

"Here's what I'm thinking. There's a mountain god temple on the hill behind our village. On the day of Xiaoman (the 8th solar term), we can organize the villagers to go and pray for rain. If we pray sincerely, maybe we can move the mountain god and he'll send some rain down for us."

"Pray for rain? Is that even possible?" Yang Dahai thought Chen Yongqiang had some good ideas.

"Village chief, there's no harm in giving it a try," Chen Yongqiang said honestly.

Several villagers nearby heard this and gathered around.

Zhu Zi spoke first: "I think Yongqiang is right. Going to pray is just a little effort, what if it really works?"

Erniu nodded in agreement: "That's right. When I was little, my cow got lost. I went to the mountain god temple with my mother to burn incense, and the cow came back by itself."

As soon as he said that, several people chimed in with agreement.

"Yes, yes, the mountain god has always protected our village."

"Going to pray is better than just waiting around."

Listening to everyone's chatter, Yang Dahai also made up his mind:

"Alright, since everyone says so, then it's settled. On the day of Xiaoman, we'll organize the villagers to go to the mountain god temple to pray for rain."

The pillar suddenly remembered something:

"Should we invite someone from the Hu family to preside over the ceremony? Aren't the Hu family known for their ability to summon spirits and communicate with deities in the surrounding area? With them presiding, it should be more effective, right?"

These words immediately stirred up a lively discussion among the crowd. Some nodded in agreement, finding the statement to be true.

The Hu family has been doing this for generations: inviting gods to worship ancestors, telling fortunes and fortunes. Several surrounding villages believe in them.

Last year, Hu Chuyao presided over the water god worship ceremony on Laba Festival. The scene was so grand that many people saw it.

However, some people shook their heads and raised different opinions.

"The Hu family isn't doing so well."

"If they had any ability, they would have prayed for rain long ago. Look at how bad the drought is this year; even the fields in Hujia Village are parched."

Erniu chimed in from the side, "That's right, last year during the Laba Festival, the Hu family presided over the ceremony, but it didn't rain afterward."

Some people thought even further: "What if she manages to get the mountain god to send rain to their Hu family village while she's presiding over the ceremony? Wouldn't we be at a huge loss?"

After these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

These days, no one can say for sure when it comes to praying to gods and Buddhas.

If Hu Chuyao really has that ability and favors Hu Family Village, then Shimen Village will have worked for nothing.

Yang Dahai looked at Chen Yongqiang: "Yongqiang, what do you think?"

Chen Yongqiang thought for a moment and said, "There's no need to invite outsiders. Our village has its own mountain god; we can worship him ourselves. Sincerity is key; we don't need to rely on others."

Yang Dahai made the decision: "Then it's settled. We'll pray for rain ourselves."

After the villagers dispersed, the shed gradually quieted down.

Ding Wanru packed her medicine box, said goodbye to Chen Yongqiang, and went back with the box on her back. She had something on her mind but couldn't say it to Chen Yongqiang in front of so many people.

Qin Shan stood by the workers' shed, still holding a pipe in his hand, his expression somewhat complicated.

After everyone had walked away, he approached Chen Yongqiang and said, "Yongqiang, there's something I've been wanting to ask you."

Chen Yongqiang looked at him: "Uncle Qin Shan, what are you saying?"

Qin Shan pointed towards the apple orchard on the hillside: "It's strange, the pond you built last year seems to have an inexhaustible supply of water."

"Logically speaking, that pond isn't very big and can't hold that much water. Plus, it hasn't rained all year and there's been no water replenishment. I water it every day and use it every day, but the water level is still the same, as if it hasn't decreased at all."

"Yongqiang, what's going on here?"

Chen Yongqiang suddenly smiled and said, "Isn't there a mountain god temple behind our village? Maybe the mountain god is taking care of us."

There is a spring at the bottom of that pool, which was indeed pointed out by the mountain god.

But Chen Yongqiang couldn't go into too much detail about this, so he could only give a half-truth and half-lies to get through it.

Qin Shan took a drag of his cigarette and looked at the lush green apple orchard on the hillside: "Then let's just say it's the mountain god's blessing."

The unusual situation with Chen Yongqiang's land has also attracted the attention of many villagers.

During this period, Qin Shan was busy in the fields every day, and the apple orchard was growing well, a lush green expanse.

Compared to the other drooping crops in the village, it's as if they weren't planted in the same season.

When people pass by, they can't help but stop and take a few more glances, muttering, "How come this land grows so well?"

"Is there some kind of trick to it?"

But everyone knew in their hearts that the land was notoriously arid.

Before, nothing I planted would grow, but now it's growing so well, it must be related to the pond I built last year.

Everyone in the village knows about that pond.

Last year, when Chen Yongqiang needed to repair a water tank, many people in the village helped him.

Back then, we were paid 1.5 yuan a day and a meal was provided. Everyone worked enthusiastically.

Some people helped dig the soil, some helped move the stones, and some helped build the walls. After working for half a month, they managed to build a reservoir on the hillside.

At the time, some people grumbled, saying, "What's the point of building a water tank here? There's no water source."

But Chen Yongqiang insisted on fixing it, so everyone helped him.

Looking back now, I realize they were farsighted.

They couldn't understand it, but no one asked any questions. After all, they had already received their wages last year, so it wasn't appropriate to say anything now.

A few days later, news reached Shimen Village.

The Hu family sent someone to inform Yang Dahai that a rain-seeking ceremony would be held at Qingba Reservoir on the day of Xiaoman (the 8th solar term).

The Hu family sent someone to preside over the ceremony, but praying for rain required many offerings and the efforts of villagers from various villages.

The visitor was a young man from the Hu family, around twenty years old, who went directly to Yang Dahai's house.

"Village Chief Yang. My grandfather asked me to inform you that on the day of Xiaoman (the 8th solar term), we will be praying for rain at Qingba Reservoir. The Hu family will be in charge, but the offerings will have to be collected from all the villages."

Yang Dahai took the red paper, unfolded it, and looked at it. It listed the things needed: pig's head, whole chicken, whole fish, five grains... and red cloth, a long list.

"These things..." Yang Dahai frowned.

The young man nodded: "That's quite a lot. So each village has to contribute, and the amount will be allocated per capita. When the time comes, each village will send people to deliver the offerings together and pray for rain."