In ancient times, they secretly became gods in the deep mountains.

Chapter 12 The people have suffered for ten years
There was no response, so Zhang Youhe continued speaking.

“A few days ago, the only river at the foot of the mountain dried up. If it weren’t for the Goddess’s merciful rain, the villagers would have been doomed.”

Zhang Youhe expressed his gratitude in a heavy tone.

"Your Majesty has saved us from our suffering, and we have no way to repay you. In this year of hardship, we have only a small offering to offer. We hope Your Majesty will not find it offensive."

If the harvest is good, the offerings should include not only chicken, duck, fish and meat, but also pigs and sheep. Wine, incense, candles and fruit platters are indispensable, and all kinds of pastries are the most basic.

But now, after three years of drought, the villagers have no crops or livestock. They only managed to exchange water for some chickens and ducks, which Zhang Youhe managed to obtain by using a great deal of his connections.

Ordinary people couldn't even support themselves, so all these chickens and ducks came from the homes of local gentry.

"Zhang Youhe!"

A sacred and majestic voice seemed to come from an unknown direction across the vast wilderness.

It felt so close to my ear, yet I couldn't discern its joy or anger.

The villagers looked at each other, then stared in disbelief.

immortal!

The gods have appeared!
They were so excited they almost fainted.

Zhang Youhe straightened up abruptly and replied shakily, "I am Zhang Youhe, a commoner!"

A gentle female voice echoed in the villagers' ears from a distance: "Zhang Youhe, I have received your and the villagers' good intentions. Since you sincerely worship and believe in me, I will respond to any reasonable request you make."

Zhang Youhe grasped the key point in Jin Shengniangniang's words.

As long as the request is reasonable, the Empress will respond!

Zhang Youhe trembled all over, overjoyed and tears streaming down his face: "Your Majesty is so compassionate and merciful, saving all living beings. I swear that the entire Peach Blossom Village will worship Your Majesty for generations to come. If I break this oath, may I die a horrible death!"

The villagers kowtowed excitedly: "Peach Blossom Village is willing to worship the Goddess for generations to come!"

Gu Yuexi looked at the ever-increasing faith power and said, "Tell me what you all want."

"Your Majesty, the eight villages at the foot of Qihuang Mountain have not seen a drop of rain for three years. Without water, crops cannot grow, livestock cannot survive, and many people have starved and died of thirst. We humbly beg Your Majesty to send down rain again to save our poor people."

Besides Peach Blossom Village, there are seven other villages at the foot of the mountain that are suffering from drought and water shortage.

Zhang Youhe tearfully recounted his experiences over the years.

Gu Yuexi listened patiently.

It turns out that the people's suffering began ten years ago.

The Great Xia was originally a powerful and prosperous country. Its ruler was wise and virtuous, the weather was favorable, the people lived in peace and contentment, taxes were light, and every household had stored grain.

Until ten years ago when the current emperor ascended the throne.

The current emperor is warlike and bloodthirsty. He has gathered troops and is frantically expanding the territory, exhausting the people and wasting resources, and building palaces and royal tombs on a massive scale.

When war broke out, men were forcibly conscripted into the army. With the able-bodied men gone, the farmland at home produced less produce. Unfortunately, taxes were increased, and after paying the grain tax, the remaining grain was barely enough to sustain them.

The war dragged on for several years. The people's food reserves were exhausted, and the world was in dire straits!
House seemingly endless rain.

Three years ago, a strange snow fell in the sixteen counties of the Northwest in June, lasting for half a month.

After the snow came drought, which lasted for three years, leaving countless dead people scattered across the land.

Tragically, when natural disasters struck, the emperor ignored the people's cries of hunger and suffering, and the people were displaced and full of complaints. He still dreamed of expanding the territory, and he conscripted soldiers, imposed taxes and forced labor on a large scale.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, men aged eighty to twelve were conscripted. Newly recruited soldiers were thrown into the nearest military camp for training. Unmarried men were only allowed to go home once to leave behind one child before being taken away to the battlefield.

There are very few adult men in the eight villages at the foot of Qihuang Mountain.

During the three-year drought, they ate tree bark and dry grass.

The only water source at the foot of the mountain had been cut off. If she hadn't intervened in time, many people in Peach Blossom Village would have died of thirst.

She was his only lifeline.

"The people are suffering so much."

Gu Yuexi pondered, now she understood the task Zero One had given her.

Natural disasters and man-made calamities—how can such an environment be suitable for ordinary people to survive?

"The goddess is infinitely compassionate and merciful, saving all living beings," the villagers said in unison.

"Let's wait a little longer. I will find a way to solve the root cause of the drought and find a way to save the lives of the people."

Three rainstorm talismans are a drop in the ocean for the vast Golden Saint Mountain Range, let alone all the drought-stricken areas.

We still need to address the root causes of the drought.

"Bang bang bang."

The villagers wept with joy and kowtowed wildly in worship.

"Your Majesty is a savior from suffering and distress, and possesses great compassion."

They are saved!
[Host has accumulated 320 Faith Points]

[Host has accumulated 380 Faith Points]

[Host has accumulated 438 Faith Points]

The strength of faith is constantly increasing.

Human beings have an intense and enormous need for survival.

When Gu Yuexi decided to help these villagers, their respect and faith reached their peak, and they were all moved to tears.

God! He truly has mercy on the world!

(End of this chapter)