Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 459 You don’t want to either…

After a clap of thunder, the churning dark clouds began to pelt raindrops.

Cool raindrops fell on the villagers' cheeks, moisturizing their dry, rough skin.

Some people looked shocked and delighted, exclaiming, "It's raining!"

Upon seeing the abundant rain, everyone cheered and jumped for joy, dancing with excitement.

Some even knelt on the ground, their faces full of piety, murmuring words of praise.

The parched and cracked farmland frantically absorbed the rainwater, releasing the scent of earth.

In the fields, the newly planted beans, touched by the rain from heaven, slowly broke through their shells and sprouted.

Standing under the tree, Yang Wan raised his hand to touch the falling rain, his eyes flashing with an unusual light.

"It's spring rain..."

Spring rain is the source of life, causing all things to revive and grow.

Yang Wan was surprised that Lu Zheng's painting was truly extraordinary, as it could actually summon a spring rain.

"It's so cool here!"

As Qingwan faced the falling rain, she felt refreshed and no longer felt the scorching heat.

The rain was light, and it only lasted for a small area of ​​the village.

Nevertheless, the villagers were overjoyed. After a period of merriment, they went home and set out pots, pans, and other utensils in the open space, hoping to collect some rainwater.

These villagers believed that this rainwater was summoned by a celestial master, and drinking it would surely cure all diseases and prolong life.

Lu Zheng observed the villagers' actions and faintly heard their conversations.

He even heard someone say that the rainwater mixed with the incense ash from the temple could cure any disease.

Lu Zheng was speechless. Some of the ideas of these Chu people were so deeply ingrained that even if he personally explained that it had no effect on curing the disease, probably no one would believe him.

Lu Zheng looked at Yang Wan, who was standing beside him in a daze, and said, "A rain can only solve the immediate problem, not the long-term solution. We don't know how long this drought will last. You are a local deity, so you must be very familiar with this place. Go find an underground water source and dig two deep wells for this village to ensure that they will not lack drinking water in the future."

"Huh, me?" Yang Wan was taken aback.

He thought to himself, "These two are highly skilled, why don't they do it themselves instead of having me do it?"

Lu Zheng said calmly, "What? You live off the people's offerings, but you're unwilling to do anything?"

"No, I'll go right away!" Yang Wan said hurriedly.

Yang Wan dared not delay and used a teleportation technique to disappear into the soil.

Lu Zheng led Qing Wan to the village entrance.

When the villagers saw the two approaching, they all showed respect.

Lu Zheng raised his hand and beckoned, smiling slightly, "Come here for a moment, I have something to tell you."

Upon hearing this, the villagers came over one by one, but they didn't dare to get too close.

"What are your orders, Immortal?"

A respected elder in the village said respectfully.

Lu Zheng pointed to the fields not far away and said, "I left some bean seeds in those fields; perhaps they can help you get through this year..."

Lu Zheng beckoned everyone to the edge of the farmland, and with a wave of his hand, a point of starlight appeared above, illuminating the area.

The villagers looked closely at the farmland and found that bright green bean sprouts were indeed emerging from the ground, dotted with green and full of vitality.

Everyone was amazed at the sight, thinking to themselves that this was truly the work of an immortal.

Lu Zheng said slowly, "These bean sprouts are quite drought-resistant, but you still need to take good care of them regularly..."

"You can replant some crops, but we don't know when this drought will end, and there's no guarantee that the replanted crops will survive."

"Your local god has gone to find water and will dig a deep well for you..."

Lu Zheng calmly explained some of the arrangements and drought relief measures.

Finally, Lu Zheng looked at everyone and said solemnly, "We can only help you this far. Relying on others is not as good as relying on yourself, and praying to gods is not as good as relying on yourselves. Whether you can survive this year of great disaster depends on yourselves..."

The villagers nodded in agreement. They were well aware of these principles, but they had no other recourse but to pray for divine protection.

Just then, Yang Wan appeared not far away, staring at Lu Zheng with a hesitant look on his face.

Seeing this, Lu Zheng lightly approached Yang Wan and asked, "What? Couldn't find a water source?"

"We found it, but only one place, and it's dozens of feet underground..." Yang Wan said in a low voice. "My cultivation is shallow, and I'm afraid I can't dig a well in a short time. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you again."

Yang Wan glanced around again and said, "Look at the weather, it's getting hot again."

After an artificial spring rain, the heat wave returned.

In areas where it has just rained, the moisture in the soil is rapidly dissipating, and it won't be long before the land becomes extremely dry again.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng asked, "Where is it located?"

Yang Wan quickly led Lu Zheng to a patch of grass not far outside the village.

"It's right below here, about fifty feet down. There's a layer of hard rock underneath, so digging a well won't be easy..."

Lu Zheng looked at the spot Yang Wan pointed to, and with a thought, he used his divine sense to explore deep underground.

With his current cultivation level, his literary energy had reached several tens of feet, making it easy for him to explore the earth deeply; it would only consume a little of his energy and spirit. Before long, Lu Zheng discovered that there was indeed an underground river below, but there was a thick layer of rock in the middle, making it quite difficult to dig a well.

Lu Zheng carefully examined the area again and determined a suitable location.

Lu Zheng raised his hand and took out a sharp sword. He immediately used his swordsmanship. The longsword, wrapped in sword intent, became extremely sharp and plunged straight into the earth.

Yang Wan, standing to the side, trembled with fear. If that sword had pierced him, he would have been killed instantly.

In a very short time, a deep well was dug out.

The cool, icy underground river water gushed out, bringing a rare sense of coolness.

Lu Zheng then stirred up the soil around the well, reinforcing it into a small pool.

Afterwards, Lu Zheng notified the villagers, and then took Qing Wan and Yang Wan away from this village to another village.

The villagers watched Lu Zheng and his group leave, their eyes filled with sincere emotion.

Yang Wan was carried by Lu Zheng's shoulder as they ran around late at night, but he didn't dare to complain at all.

When they arrived at another village, Lu Zheng asked Yang Wan to explain the situation.

It was already dark, but many villagers were still awake. Some were too hot to sleep, while others were working under the cover of darkness and had no time to rest.

Yang Wan swaggered into the village and went straight to the village chief, displaying his extraordinary demeanor.

He doesn't usually pay much attention to the village, but these people often come to worship him, and some of them are quite familiar with him.

When the village chief saw Yang Wan coming over, he thought he was seeing things and dreaming.

Yang Wan said quietly, "Go and gather the villagers. I have invited a master to help your village alleviate the drought..."

Moments later, the whole village was in chaos.

Adults and children alike gathered outside the village, most of them still not understanding what was going on.

Lu Zheng personally explained his purpose.

Only then did everyone realize that they were to be given new crops and deep wells to alleviate the drought.

The villagers were delighted with this and were willing to cooperate.

Afterwards, Lu Zheng prepared for the rain, Qing Wan went to find out about the situation of each household, and Yang Wan went to find a water source.

After a flurry of activity, bean sprouts emerged from the damp farmland, and cool water gurgled from the newly dug well, giving the villagers hope for survival.

Amidst the villagers' heartfelt thanks, Lu Zheng and his companions disappeared into the vast night.

After repeated efforts, the drought in the three villages that Yang Wan was protecting was alleviated.

Seeing this, Yang Wan couldn't help but feel pleased. Now that's settled, he doesn't have to worry about anything anymore...

But then he quickly realized that he still had to stay in this place, and there didn't seem to be anything to be happy about.

Yang Wan looked at Lu Zheng and asked cautiously, "Um... now that things are settled in the village, can I go back now?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "You have been in this county for many years and should have had many dealings with the local gods. Take me to other villages and tell the village gods in your capacity. This will save us a lot of trouble in helping the villagers."

"what……"

Yang Wan's expression froze; how could this involve him?

He couldn't care less about the situation in other villages; it had nothing to do with him anyway.

However, he dared not say such things to Lu Zheng and the other person.

But he really didn't want to run around everywhere and do such a tiring and pointless thing.

Yang Wan's mind raced, and he suddenly had an idea. He said, "Actually, there's no need for you two to go through all this trouble. The Immortal Master's bean seeds are excellent, and I'm quite familiar with the County God. I can show you the way."

"As long as we hand over the bean seeds to the City God, he will order people to distribute them for planting. He can simply have someone cast a spell to sprinkle some water. We don't need to go through all this trouble, do we?"

Yang Wan thought his idea was good; it would save everyone trouble. It was the higher-ups and officials who should be in charge, and he only needed to take care of his own little plot of land.

Lu Zheng looked at Yang Wan and said calmly, "Are you sure that if I give the bean seeds to the City God, he will distribute them to the people who need them most? Are you sure they will be more efficient than us?"

"Furthermore, would they dig deep wells, teach medicine and agriculture, and help people fight drought and prevent heatstroke? If so, what's your story?"

"Uh……"

Yang Wan looked embarrassed. After thinking about it carefully, he realized that there were indeed quite a few problems with doing this.

Given the way the county magistrate behaves, these bean seeds will likely be handed over to higher authorities to curry favor with the officials in the prefecture.

Even if the City God were to leave some bean seeds, these villagers in the most severely affected mountain areas would not be able to receive any.

Moreover, the allocation of bean seeds will likely be a source of contention among the various villages.

Under such circumstances, efficiency is simply not high.

The drought is severe now, to the point where people can die from the heat, and many things cannot be delayed.

Hearing Lu Zheng's words, Yang Wan thought about it again, but still couldn't find a more suitable solution.

However, the thought of having to run around with him made Yang Wan anything but happy.

Seeing Yang Wan's reluctant expression, Lu Zheng couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder.

"Yang Tudi, you don't want to stay here forever, do you?"

(End of this chapter)