Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

Just as he was thinking about how to raise funds, his father came out of the house, and seeing Li Xiangqian's thoughtful look, he asked with concern: "Xiangqian, why are you worried again? We just finished watering, so haven't the problems in the fields been solved? Looking at his father's wrinkled face, he felt reluctant to let his father worry about him anymore, but he decided to speak out his thoughts, "Dad, although we have irrigated the land once, I am worried that the drought will continue and the well water is not stable enough. I want to dig a well, right in our own land, so that our crops will be guaranteed in the future. He was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Your idea is right. The land cannot be without water. However, digging a well is not a trivial matter, and it needs to be planned carefully. What are you going to do about the funding?"

Li Xiangqian had thought about this problem a long time ago. He pondered for a while and said slowly: "I plan to go to Old Li first and ask him about the cost of digging a well to see if we can find a way to get it together. If not, we will borrow some from relatives and friends in the village. His expression eased a little, "It's good that you have this idea, but don't be too anxious. Everything has to be done step by step. Go ask Old Li and see if we can negotiate a reasonable price, and then we will find a way. He felt more at ease. He knew that his father's support was his greatest motivation. No matter how difficult it was, as long as his father stood by him, he had the confidence to face it. Li Xiangqian went to Old Li's house. Old Li was a famous well-drilling master in the village, with rich experience and down-to-earth work. When Li Xiangqian found Old Li, Old Li was repairing the tools used for well digging in the yard. When he saw Li Xiangqian coming in, he put down his work and greeted him with a smile, "Hey, Xiangqian, how come you have time to come to me?"

Li Xiangqian smiled and greeted, "Uncle Li, I've been having trouble working on my land lately and want to dig a well, so I came to ask you for advice."

After hearing this, Old Li looked more serious and nodded, "Digging a well is a good thing. Our land really needs a stable water source. Tell me where you want to dig a well and I'll show you."

Li Xiangqian described the area where he wanted to dig a well. Old Li nodded as he listened, and then said, "Okay, this is a good place, and the water veins are not shallow, so digging a well won't be a problem. However, the well needs to be very deep, and the cost is not small."

Li Xiangqian had been prepared for this, but after hearing what Old Li said, he still felt a little nervous and asked, "Uncle Li, how much money do you think it will cost?"

Old Li stroked his beard, calculated carefully, and said, "If we drill to a depth of about 50 meters, we can basically guarantee the water supply. Such a deep well will cost about 5,000 yuan. This is still the most conservative estimate. If it is deeper, it may cost more."

When Li Xiangqian heard this number, his heart sank. Five thousand yuan was not a small amount for him. His family didn't have much savings to begin with, and most of the money he had saved over the years was spent on the farm and daily expenses at home.

"Uncle Li, can we negotiate the price further? I'm really short of money." Li Xiangqian asked with gritted teeth, but he knew in his heart that Old Li had already given the lowest price.

Old Li looked at Li Xiangqian's embarrassment, sighed, and said, "Xiangqian, it's not that I won't help you, but the cost of digging a well is basically like this. We can't cut corners. A well is a big deal. However, we are from the same village, so I can help you save a few hundred yuan, which is a discount." He calculated in his mind how much money he could get. He knew that the well had to be dug anyway, so he could only find a way to save some money from other places or borrow some.

"Okay, Uncle Li, I'll do as you say. I'll come back to you when I have enough money." Li Xiangqian was determined to dig the well even if he had to borrow money.

Old Li nodded and said, "Okay, then come to me when you have collected enough money, and we will try to dig a well as soon as possible so as not to delay your work in the field."

After returning home, Li Xiangqian began to count the family's savings and secretly calculated the various expenses. He found that the cash he had was barely enough to dig a well, but it would be difficult to cover daily expenses. He knew that he had to find some external help, otherwise life at home might become very tight after the well was dug.

He thought about it and decided to go to the relatives and friends in the village to borrow some money to solve the urgent problem. Although borrowing money from others is not an easy thing, he knows that for the future of his family and the land, he must put down his face.

In the next few days, Li Xiangqian visited several relatives and friends. When they heard that he wanted to dig a well, they were all willing to help raise some money. Although some could not lend too much, they also expressed their willingness to share some of the pressure. Li Xiangqian felt warm in his heart, knowing that these villagers really wanted to help him.

After several days of running around, Li Xiangqian finally raised enough money to dig a well. He knew that the money was hard-earned, and every penny was the trust and support of the villagers. This made him more determined to dig a good well and not let everyone down.

Li Xiangqian found Lao Li again and told him that the money had been collected. Lao Li also readily agreed to start the work immediately. A few days later, the work of digging the well officially began. Li Xiangqian followed Lao Li throughout the process, carefully observing every step, fearing that there would be any mistakes.

As the well got deeper, Li Xiangqian gradually felt relieved. Finally, when the well reached a depth of nearly 50 meters, cool water gushed out from the bottom of the well, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Li Xiangqian looked at the clear water and felt an indescribable joy and satisfaction. He knew that this well would be a guarantee for his family and land, and it was also a promise to him for the future.

"Xiang Qian, now that the well is built, you won't have to worry about water anymore." Old Li patted Li Xiang Qian's shoulder, his tone full of a sense of accomplishment. His eyes were a little wet, "Thank you, Uncle Li, this well is so important to our family, I don't know how to thank you."

Li Xiangqian stood beside the newly dug well, feeling relieved. Watching the clear well water slowly gushing out from underground, he felt a long-lost satisfaction. The completion of the well meant that the crops in the field had a more reliable guarantee, but it was only the first step. He knew that in order to smoothly lead the well water to the field, a long water pipe was needed so that effective irrigation could be carried out. However, Li Xiangqian's equipment was simple and there was no long enough water pipe available.

After thinking for a while, he thought of Xu Damao in the village. Xu Damao's family was well-off and he had all the farm tools and equipment he used on a daily basis. Maybe he had extra water pipes that he could borrow. Thinking of this, Li Xiangqian decided to go to Xu Damao to discuss it.