Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

The old man nodded repeatedly in gratitude: "Thank you, gentlemen. You are such good people!"

At this time, a middle-aged woman carrying a basket hurriedly passed by. Zhu Biao saw her and hurriedly called her: "Sister-in-law, please stay. We have some questions to ask you."

The middle-aged woman stopped and looked at the two distinguished gentlemen with some surprise: "What can I do for you, gentlemen?"

Zhu Han smiled gently and said, "Sister-in-law, we want to ask about the living conditions in this town? Are the people having any difficulties?"

The middle-aged woman sighed and said worriedly, "My lord, you don't know that although this town looks lively, many people's lives are not easy. Especially those who have no skills and can only make a living by selling their labor, it is even more difficult. I hope the court can pay more attention to the lives of us ordinary people."

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao listened carefully and nodded from time to time to show their understanding. The demands of every citizen were important issues that they needed to pay attention to during this trip.

After leaving the market, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao visited several more households. Every time they went to a place, they listened patiently to the people's voices and understood their practical difficulties. Whether it was problems with farmland irrigation, complaints about excessive taxes, or a lack of educational resources, they recorded them one by one.

In the evening, the two came to a simple farmhouse. The owner of the farmhouse was an elderly man, who warmly invited Zhu Han and Zhu Biao to come in and sit down. The house was simple but clean and tidy. The old man was busy pouring tea for them, with a simple smile on his face.

"You two young masters have come from afar, it's really hard work." The old man said with emotion, "It's rare for noble people to visit our small place."

Zhu Han smiled and shook his head: "Old man, you are too polite. We are sent by the court. It is our duty to understand the people's sentiments and solve their problems."

The old man sighed, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes: "Sir, our area is seriously short of water, and the harvest has always been poor. Although the government has provided some relief, it is always a drop in the bucket."

Zhu Han's eyes became more serious when he heard this. He spoke slowly, his voice gentle but firm: "Don't worry, old man. We are well aware of the impact of water shortage on crop yields. This time we are visiting incognito to gain a deeper understanding of the people's suffering and to find solutions."

The old man nodded, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes: "If you two gentlemen can help us solve this water shortage problem, you will be great benefactors to our entire village!"

Zhu Biao took over the conversation and said sincerely: "Old man, you are too kind. We are officials of the court, and it is our duty to seek welfare for the people. Regarding the problem of water shortage, we plan to solve it from two aspects."

Zhu Han continued: "First, we will suggest that the court increase investment in farmland water conservancy facilities, such as building more reservoirs and irrigation channels to store and reasonably distribute water resources."

After hearing this, the old man's eyes sparkled with excitement: "This is a good idea! If this works, we won't have to worry about drought in our fields anymore."

Zhu Han smiled and nodded, and continued: "Secondly, we also want to encourage the villagers to do it themselves, take advantage of the terrain, dig wells or build reservoirs, and increase their self-sufficiency. Of course, this requires certain technical and financial support. We will try our best to apply for relevant assistance from the court."

The old man nodded repeatedly and said gratefully: "You two gentlemen are really thoughtful. Although we villagers are illiterate, we have plenty of strength. As long as we have a direction, we can definitely get this done!"

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao smiled at each other, their hearts full of expectations for the future.

"Don't worry, old man. We are not just talking." Zhu Han said to the old man in a firm tone, "We will report the situation here to the court as soon as possible and strive to get assistance as soon as possible. At the same time, we will also leave some people to help guide the villagers on how to dig wells and build reservoirs."

Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes turned red and he excitedly held Zhu Han's hand: "Sir, you are truly a living Bodhisattva! All of us in the village are grateful to you!"

Zhu Biao also stepped forward and said gently, "Don't be excited, old man. This is what we should do. However, before the court's assistance arrives, the villagers have to find a way to get through the difficulties together."

The old man nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Young Master, you are right. Although our village is poor, we have plenty of manpower. As long as we have a direction, we will definitely be able to do it ourselves!"

Zhu Han was very pleased to see this. He turned to Zhu Biao and said, "Your Highness, we can first organize some young and strong people and let us guide them to dig test wells to see if the geological conditions are suitable. At the same time, we can also send people to nearby villages with wells to learn from their experience."

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement: "Uncle Han, what you said makes sense. I will arrange for some manpower to ensure that the work can be carried out as soon as possible."

After that, Zhu Biao immediately took action, gathered several young villagers who looked strong, briefly explained the situation, and assigned tasks. Although the young people looked puzzled, seeing that Zhu Han and Zhu Biao were so sincere, they all expressed their willingness to give it a try.

Zhu Han stayed at the old man's home and asked about the specific situation in the village in detail, including the distribution of water sources, whether there were any successful cases of digging wells in history, etc. The old man answered one by one and specially found several elderly people in the village. They sat together and had a heated discussion.

"There was a creek near the land east of our village when I was a child, but it dried up later," a white-haired old man recalled. "But there must be water veins under the land, otherwise how could there be a creek before?"

Zhu Han's eyes lit up when he heard this: "This clue is very important! We can send someone to explore the land first to see if it is suitable for digging a well."

The old man and other elderly people also nodded in agreement, expressing their willingness to cooperate with the work and provide all possible help.

At the same time, Zhu Biao's work was also in full swing. He brought the young villagers to the designated test well location and personally demonstrated how to dig and measure the water level. Although the young people worked hard, they were full of energy when they saw Zhu Biao personally taking part in the work.

While Zhu Biao was sweating profusely as he guided the young men in digging, he would occasionally look up into the distance, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.

"Everyone, work harder! We are not just digging a well, but the future of the whole village!" Zhu Biao's voice penetrated the hustle and bustle of the labor and inspired everyone. The young man Xiao Zhang wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked breathlessly: "Your Highness, can we really dig out water here? The villagers have been looking forward to it for many years."

Zhu Biao put down the shovel in his hand, walked to Xiao Zhang, patted his shoulder, and said firmly: "Xiao Zhang, you have to believe that as long as we don't give up, there will always be hope. Moreover, Uncle Han Wang and I have sent people to explore that piece of land. It is said that there is a high possibility of water there."

When Xiao Zhang heard this, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes. He nodded, picked up the shovel again, and dug even harder. The young people around him were also encouraged and the speed of digging increased significantly.

At the same time, Zhu Han sat with several elderly people at the old man's house and carefully asked for clues about the water source. The old man took out a yellowed map from the house, pointed to an area on it and said: "This is where the stream flowed when we were young. I remember it very clearly. The water was very clear at that time."

Zhu Han took the map, studied it carefully, and wrote down key information from time to time. He turned to the old man and said, "Uncle, the clues you provided are very important. We will arrange for people to explore as soon as possible and try to find the water source as soon as possible."

The old man nodded gratefully, tears in his eyes: "Sir, you are really our savior! Our whole village has been looking forward to this day."

Zhu Han quickly helped the old man up and said gently, "Old man, don't say that. We are sent by the court, and it is our duty to help the people solve their problems. Don't worry, we will do our best to help you."

At this time, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the door, and a servant hurried in to report: "Your Highness Prince Han, there is news from His Highness the Crown Prince that the test well has been dug to a certain depth, and there seems to be the sound of water flowing!"

Zhu Han's eyes flashed with joy when he heard this. He quickly stood up and said to the old man, "Old man, good news! There has been progress in the test well. Let's go and take a look together!"

The old man stood up excitedly and said repeatedly: "Okay! Okay! Let's go now!"

The group hurried to the test well and saw Zhu Biao standing by the well, listening carefully to the sound from the well. When he saw Zhu Han, the old man and others coming, he quickly waved to them to come over.

"Uncle Han, listen, is that the sound of flowing water?" Zhu Biao pointed down the well, his eyes flashing with excitement.

Zhu Han leaned over and put his ear close to the well mouth, listened carefully for a while, then stood up and said excitedly: "Yes! This is indeed the sound of flowing water! We found the source of the water!"

The villagers gathered around after hearing the news, their faces filled with unbelievable smiles, and some even shed tears of excitement. The old man clasped his hands together and muttered to himself: "Thank God, thank the court, and thank the two gentlemen!"

Zhu Han turned to the villagers and said, "Fellow villagers, this is just the first step. Next, we will continue to explore and try to find more water sources and help you dig more wells. At the same time, we will also apply for financial and technical support from the court to ensure that everyone can use clean water."

Zhu Han's words were like a spring breeze, blowing into the hearts of every villager. There was a glimmer of hope in their eyes, as if they had already seen the clear and sweet well water in the future.

"Sir, you really are the reincarnation of a living Bodhisattva!" A middle-aged woman was so excited that her eyes were filled with tears. She tightly grasped Zhu Han's sleeves, her voice choking with sobs, "We have been looking forward to having a well for many years so that our children can drink clean water. Now there is finally hope!"

Zhu Han quickly held the woman's shoulders and comforted her gently, "Sister-in-law, please don't say that. We were sent by the court, and it is our duty to help the people solve their problems. Don't worry, we will do our best to help everyone find water sources and dig wells."

At this time, a young man, Xiao Li, interrupted excitedly, "My two lords, if we can really find a water source and dig a well, our village won't be afraid of drought in the future! We can also harvest more food from our land, and our lives will be better!"

Seeing this, Zhu Biao also joined the conversation. He patted Xiao Li on the shoulder and encouraged him, "Young man, you are right! With a water source, our lives will be better. However, finding a water source and digging a well is not a matter of one day or one night. It requires everyone to work together and make joint efforts."

Xiao Li nodded heavily, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Your Highness, rest assured, we will listen to your instructions and do our best! As long as our village can have drinking water, we are willing to endure the hardship and fatigue!"

Zhu Han looked at the villagers' hopeful faces, and his heart was filled with emotion and responsibility. He turned to Zhu Biao and said, "Your Highness, I think we have to act quickly now. Since the test well has made progress, we must strike while the iron is hot and continue to explore to find more water sources."

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement. "Uncle Han is right. Time waits for no one. I will immediately arrange for manpower and divide them into groups for exploration. At the same time, I will ask the craftsmen to prepare excavation tools. Once the location of the water source is determined, we will start digging immediately."

Zhu Han thought for a moment and added, "Also, we need to invite a few experienced craftsmen to guide the excavation work to ensure that the excavation process is safe and efficient. In addition, we need to send people to neighboring villages to learn from their experience in digging wells and avoid detours."

The old man nodded repeatedly as he listened, and said gratefully: "You two gentlemen are really thoughtful. Although our village is poor, we have strength in numbers. As long as we have a direction, we will definitely be able to get this done!"

Zhu Han smiled and nodded, and said to the old man: "Don't worry, old man, we will stay here until the well is dug."

The old man was even more excited when he heard this. He held Zhu Han and Zhu Biao's hands and thanked them repeatedly: "That's great, that's great! Our whole village is grateful! If you two pass by our village in the future, please come to our house and let us treat you well!"

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao quickly said modestly that this was what they should do and there was no need to thank them. Then, the two began to arrange the follow-up work in full swing.

The villagers also spontaneously joined the exploration and excavation. Some of them were responsible for cleaning the site, some carried tools and materials, and others were responsible for logistical support. The whole village was bustling with activity.

After days of intensive exploration and excavation, the success of the test well gave the villagers hope, and the entire village was immersed in joy and anticipation.

The next morning, Zhu Biao called together all the villagers who had participated in the exploration and excavation. Standing under the old locust tree in the village, he announced in a loud voice: "Fellow villagers, our test well has successfully produced water. This is the result of everyone's joint efforts! But our mission is not over yet. We must continue to look for more water sources and bring more hope to the village." (End of this chapter)