CHAPTER 196: CHAPTER 188: CAN’T BE DUG OUT

Taking action right away, the village chief immediately went to find Liu Yang and asked him to help inform the others.

Jiang Hu first sent Xiao Mi home, then headed to the village chief’s house for the meeting.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xue had just finished her embroidery pattern and was preparing to go out with her second aunt.

"Xiao Mi, we’re going to dig for grass roots, do you want to come along?"

Xiao Xue held a dustpan, ready to dig grass roots to feed the bamboo rats. The four bamboo rats had not been affected by the drought at all and had even grown fat.

"I want to go!" Xiao Mi eagerly followed, "Where are we digging today? The wheat in the fields has all dried up. Will the grass roots have died too?"

"Xiao Mi girl, grass roots aren’t so easy to kill. They’re quite resilient," Aunt Yang said, carrying a hoe, ready to join them.

Xiao Mi looked around: "Grandma Yang, where are Grandpa Liu and Uncle Qi Xi?"

They were still at home earlier, but now they were nowhere to be seen. She didn’t see them when she came back either.

"The Old Master and Qi Xi went to the mountain to check the situation at the water pond."

Although Uncle Liu always knew about the water pond, he had never been there. With not many people on the mountain now, Qi Xi led him to take a look.

"Oh, I see." Xiao Mi acknowledged.

Second Aunt had carried a basket on her back: "Let’s go, we’ll just dig near the old house. The bamboo rats can’t eat too much."

Xiao Mi quickly hopped along, showing no sign of the fact that her mere suggestion had set the whole village into motion.

Next to the old house was a piece of wasteland, which usually would have been full of green wild grass at this time, especially pigskin holes and wild chrysanthemums. But now, there was nothing.

The field ridge next to the wasteland was usually covered with thriving thatch. It was good for feeding rabbits or cows.

But now the thatch had long dried up, the soil was hard, and it took several strikes to dig it open.

Just like Aunt Yang said, though everything above had died, and the surrounding soil had dried into clumps.

The thatch roots beneath, however, remained fresh and plump, seemingly unaffected.

Even Aunt Yang was surprised: "These grass roots are growing really well, and they’re so juicy."

Second Aunt continued digging grass roots: "Only this patch is good; the others are not doing fine and have dried up some."

Xiao Mi thought, of course, these grasses are for feeding rabbits and cows. She had watered them with Spiritual Spring water quite often, so they surely had great vitality.

Second Aunt, unaware of the Spiritual Spring water, used to dig for grass roots everywhere, picking suitable spots.

She found out only two days ago that the grass roots here were so fresh.

Feeding fresh grass roots to bamboo rats allows them to drink less water, which, in turn, is a way of conserving water.

Second Aunt and Aunt Yang dug, breaking lumps of soil with a hoe and placing them aside, while Xiao Mi and Xiao Xue shook off the soil from the grass roots, putting them into baskets or dustpans.

The group worked for only a short time, filling half a basket. Second Aunt thought it was enough for the bamboo rats for a few days, so they headed home.

Coincidentally, Jiang Hu had just returned from the meeting, carrying a hoe and shovel, ready to head out.

Second Aunt hurriedly asked him where he was going.

Just now, Jiang Hu didn’t have the chance to explain the plan to dig a water pond when he dropped Xiao Mi home, so he took the opportunity to tell her now.

"We’re digging a water pond. Where are we digging? What if we can’t find water?"

Second Aunt was quite worried. What if it turned out to be a waste of effort and people blamed Xiao Mi for it?

The couple was in sync, and Jiang Hu immediately noticed Second Aunt’s concern.

Ignoring the public setting, Jiang Hu directly held Second Aunt’s hand, but quickly let go.

"Don’t worry, I’ve told the village chief not to mention Xiao Mi’s suggestion, and we’re digging based on everyone’s vote of approval. Only after everyone agreed, did we start."

Second Aunt sighed in relief: "That’s good, where are we digging?"

Jiang Hu pointed in a direction: "Very close, just near our old house by the river. The village chief said it’s the closest to the water pond and most likely to find water."

Second Aunt was even more puzzled: "Why not just dig near the water pond, make the entrance bigger, wouldn’t that be more convenient?"

"That won’t do," said Uncle Liu.

Uncle Liu had just returned from the mountain and overheard the two talking.

"Near the water pond on the mountain, there are many rocks. It’s not like digging soil; if something goes wrong and it collapses, the consequences might be disastrous."

After explaining, he turned his gaze to Jiang Hu.

"But Xiao Jiang, digging a pond at the base of the mountain near your old house won’t work either; you won’t find water there."

Jiang Hu was puzzled: "How do you know, Uncle Liu?"

Qi Xi, who followed behind, raised his eyebrows: "Brother Jiang, did you forget what the Old Master does? He can tell just by looking at such things."

Jiang Hu immediately remembered that Uncle Liu indeed possessed the Geomancy Skill.

"Uncle Liu, what should we do then? Should we tell everyone to stop digging?"

Uncle Liu shook his head: "Not exactly..."