Transmigrated into the role of the matriarch, I ensured my family had enough to eat and wear during

Tang Susu frowned slightly as she looked at the ducklings scattered in the field.

With just a few ducklings, let alone suppressing locusts in the rice paddies, their droppings wouldn't even be enough to fertilize the rice.

She had the idea of ​​increasing the number of ducks, and planned to buy more ducklings when she had more money later.

Turning her head, she saw that the hens, Big Flower and Little Flower, were guarding the coop all alone. She then thought about adding some more chicks to enrich the family's livestock and make life more hopeful.

Just as she made up her mind to go back to the house to work, Tang Susu caught a glimpse of the main road in Yangqu Village out of the corner of her eye.

The county magistrate's carriage, which the magistrate had ridden in yesterday, was slowly approaching.

After the carriage stopped, the driver whispered a few words to a man carrying a sickle on the edge of the field.

The man immediately dropped his sickle and ran towards the village head's house, clearly to deliver the message.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a man in his thirties stepped out.

He was overweight with a round belly, wearing an official hat and official robes, exuding an air of authority.

Tang Susu immediately recognized that this person must be the county magistrate of Dongtai Town.

Behind him followed a man in his forties with a calm face and sharp eyes, who looked like the county clerk.

The villagers who were busy in the fields all stopped what they were doing when they saw this.

They watched from a distance, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe, whispering amongst themselves, but no one dared to step forward.

Not long after, the village head rushed over.

He was wearing a brand new coarse cloth shirt and a pair of royal blue cloth shoes, with his socks showing, clearly indicating that he had dressed up carefully.

Upon seeing the county magistrate, the village head knelt down with a thud, performing the most solemn salute, with his forehead, palms, and knees all touching the ground.

The surrounding villagers were so frightened that they trembled and quickly shrank into the rice paddies, afraid that if the county magistrate noticed them, they would have to kneel down and pay their respects.

The magistrate casually raised his hand, gesturing for the village head to rise: "Get up, take me to see the ditches in your village."

The village head originally planned to go to the town to pay his respects to the county magistrate after noon, but unexpectedly the county magistrate came directly to the village.

He was so frightened that his legs trembled and his heart was in his throat. He stood up shakily, lowered his head, and respectfully led the way.

The group headed towards Gou Tuo Mountain.

Just halfway up the mountain, you can see the ditches extending from the valley.

The canal water is clear, like a silver ribbon, winding its way into the fields.

However, since the rice paddies had already had enough water, the entrances to the fields had been blocked, and the canal water remained quietly in the canal.

"Go and check the water source," the magistrate ordered.

Although this mountain path is relatively easy to walk because many people use it, it is not a short distance.

The county magistrate was obese. He was out of breath and his forehead was covered in sweat after walking only a short distance.

His attendants quickly stepped forward and helped him up, one on each side.

Even the registrar Yan behind him was somewhat exhausted, panting heavily as he suggested, "Your Excellency, why don't we find two strong men to carry you over?"

Li Zheng, who was listening nearby, broke out in a cold sweat and felt secretly anxious.

In this desolate wilderness, where can we find a sedan chair? Are we supposed to tear down the doors of the villagers' houses?

If we were to slight the county magistrate, it would be no laughing matter.

He quickly stepped forward, smiling obsequiously, and said, "Sir, we'll arrive in about half an incense stick's time. Please hang in there a little longer."

In truth, he knew that at the county magistrate's pace, it would take at least another one or two incense sticks to burn.

Finally, after much trouble, the group reached the water source in the valley.

The water source is from underground, and the water volume is abundant.

Previously, in order to facilitate irrigation, the opening was dug relatively large. After the rice had drunk its fill of water, the village head had people seal most of the opening, leaving only enough water for the villagers' daily use.

When Clerk Yan saw the water source, he was filled with surprise.

He turned to the village head and asked, "How did you discover such a hidden water source?"

It should be noted that the county magistrate had previously invited a feng shui master to search for water in the mountains, but to no avail.

Unexpectedly, this unremarkable Yangqu Village has found its own water source and achieved self-sufficiency.

Registrar Yan carefully observed the surrounding environment and slowly analyzed: "Look, the humidity is high here, the vegetation is lush, there are many broad-leaved forests, and the soil underfoot is very soft and wet."

Based on these topographical features, we can survey water sources in other villages.

However, to be honest, this method can only determine a general area, not a precise location.

"No." The county magistrate shook his head, his tone firm. "There are similar landscapes a hundred paces away, but there may not be a water source there."

The most urgent task is to find a precise method for locating water as soon as possible.

After speaking, he and Registrar Yan looked at the village head, their eyes full of expectation, waiting for his answer.

The village head's heart skipped a beat, and he panicked instantly.

How could he know any method of finding water? This water source was clearly found by Tang Susu, but Tang Susu didn't tell him the specific method.

He hesitated for a moment, then had a sudden inspiration and said, "Sir, this water source was found by a boy in the village."

Why don't we go to that boy's house and ask? He might know the specific method.

He was plotting something, wanting to pass this hot potato to Tang Susu.

The group turned around and headed down the mountain to return home.

The path down the mountain was more difficult to walk than the path up the mountain; it was steep and slippery.

The county magistrate and Registrar Yan walked with great difficulty, taking a full four incense sticks' worth of time to barely reach the bottom of the mountain.

The village head looked at his brand-new royal blue cloth shoes, worn out by the mountain road, and trembled with heartache, but dared not even breathe loudly.

At this moment, Tang Susu was drying firewood in the yard, preparing to go to the kitchen to cook lunch.

Looking up, he saw the village head, the county magistrate, and Registrar Yan standing at the gate of his courtyard.

Actually, she already knew that the county magistrate had come to the village, but she had too much work to do at home and didn't have time to go and join in the fun.

The village head cleared his throat and stepped forward to introduce them: "Mrs. Tang, this is the county magistrate of our Dongtai Town, and this is Registrar Yan."

"Sir, this is the mother of the boy I told you about who found the water."

Tang Susu quickly put down the firewood in her hand, cupped her hands and bowed: "This humble woman greets Your Excellency, the County Magistrate, and Your Excellency, the Registrar."

If you two don't mind, please come inside and rest for a while.

As she spoke, she turned and called into the house, "Yulan, bring out two bowls of water."

Miao Yulan was peeling lantern seeds in the house when she heard the call and quickly came out with two bowls of water.

Upon seeing the county magistrate wearing an official hat, she was so frightened that her legs went weak, and her hands holding the water trembled uncontrollably, causing the water to splash out.

Clerk Yan noticed a chip on the rim of the bowl, and that it was old and broken. He secretly felt disgusted, worried that the water was not clean, and didn't want to drink it.

But when he turned around, he saw the county magistrate walk straight past the chipped and broken bowl, tilt his head back, and drink all the water.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and take the other bowl, and drink it down.

After drinking it, I realized that the water actually had a faint sweetness, and the taste was quite good.

After finishing his water, the village head composed himself and quickly explained his purpose: "Madam Tang, the county magistrate has come today to ask your child how he found that water source."

Tang Susu calmly replied, "Your Excellency, the water source was indeed found by my child."

He went to town with his brother to deliver goods this morning, and after returning at noon, he still has to work in the fields, so he probably won't be free until the evening.

If you're not in a hurry, why don't you come back tonight?

"Insolence!" Registrar Yan immediately roared, "When the county magistrate asks a question, even if a family member has passed away, one must still obey the arrangements! How can you make the magistrate wait?"

The village head was so frightened that he trembled and quickly stepped in front of Tang Susu, respectfully explaining, "Please calm down, Your Excellency."

The drought in the village has eased recently, and the harvest season is approaching. There's so much work to be done in the fields that not a moment can be wasted.

Let alone teenagers, even three-year-olds are helping with chores around the house; it's not that they're deliberately disregarding adult tasks.

The county magistrate glanced at Registrar Yan and calmly advised, "Tone it down. These are all simple farmers; there's no need to be so harsh."

Registrar Yan immediately lowered his head and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Excellency, I will remember your teachings."

Tang Susu was somewhat surprised. This county magistrate's temper was much better than she had imagined, and he didn't seem like a corrupt official who embezzled public funds.

She subtly winked at the village head, signaling him to take this opportunity to explain to the county magistrate what they had discussed the day before—namely, to apply for the incentive funds for promoting the irrigation system to support the village patrol teams.