Chapter 18: The Village Chief’s Determination

The village chief’s thoughts were clear to Zhou Yimin, and he fully supported organizing the villagers to dig more of these hand pump wells in the village.

This way, his own well wouldn’t stand out as much, and people wouldn’t constantly fixate on it. Otherwise, jealousy would be inevitable. But if the village had several such wells, there would be nothing to worry about.

Moreover, Zhou Yimin hoped these wells could serve the people as soon as possible—at least during these three difficult years, they could provide some help.

It was easy to foresee that digging too many wells would lower the groundwater level, which would be problematic in the long run. But who could afford to think about the future right now? The priority was surviving these three years first!

“I spent 50 yuan,” Zhou Yimin stated honestly.

A hand pump well consisted of only a few components, and it didn’t require much steel. If mass-produced, the cost shouldn’t be as high as 50 yuan.

“That expensive?”

For city workers, 50 yuan might not be an astronomical sum, but for rural farmers who earned work points, it was a significant amount.

After all, in recent years, even getting a wife in the countryside only cost about 5 yuan.

“How much did our village’s last well cost?” Zhou Yimin asked in return.

The village chief was momentarily speechless.

After thinking for a while, he gritted his teeth and continued, “Are you certain we’ll hit water?”

Zhou Yimin explained, “This is groundwater. Generally, the depth of groundwater in a given area is fairly consistent. Based on what we just observed while drilling, our village’s water table is about 10 meters deep.

“In other words, if we had dug our old village well just two or three meters deeper, we would have hit water too.

“But as we continue using water, the groundwater level will drop. How long it will last is uncertain. Unless it rains and replenishes the groundwater we’ve used.”

The straightforward explanation made sense to the village chief.

“So, if we dig the old well deeper, we’ll hit water?” His eyes lit up.

If that were the case, then he could organize the villagers to dig two or three more meters in the old well—problem solved! Why spend money?

“It’s highly likely, but I can’t guarantee how much water it will yield,” Zhou Yimin cautioned.

The village chief nodded.

No matter—he would have everyone try digging first. If it worked, great! If not, they’d think of something else.

Wasting no time, he immediately gathered people to start digging. The crops were desperate for water!

“What are you standing around for? Let’s go!”

The gathered villagers began to disperse.

Zhou Yimin’s grandparents were overjoyed. With this hand pump well, they no longer had to worry about water. The old man even took a sip—it tasted about the same as the water from the old well.

Their eldest grandson was truly impressive.

He had actually built such a convenient well.

Just then, the old man frowned. “Da Zheng, what are you doing?”

Zhou Yimin turned his head and saw a man kneeling before his grandfather.

“Great-granduncle, I heard your family has milk powder. Could you sell me some? My daughter can’t hold on much longer.” The man kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead nearly embedding into the dirt.

His daughter had been born just a few days ago, but his wife was so malnourished that she had no milk. At first, they had begged his sister-in-law for a few mouthfuls.

Now, even his sister-in-law could barely produce any milk.

Zhou Dazheng had already braced himself for the possibility of losing his daughter.

Earlier, he had overheard talk of milk powder. With so many people around, he had patiently waited until they left. Otherwise, if everyone came to ask for milk powder, how much could there be?

His third aunt looked embarrassed—it was her daughter who had accidentally let it slip.

Children, after all…

If they had something good to eat, they couldn’t help but brag about it to their friends.

Zhou Yimin’s grandfather sighed but said nothing. Instead, he looked at his wife.

Grandmother, in turn, looked at her grandson.

“Grandma, sell him one bag—10 yuan per bag,” Zhou Yimin said.

Giving it away for free would be unwise; otherwise, everyone would come asking.

Hearing this, Zhou Dazheng nodded hurriedly. “I’ll go get the money right away! Thank you, Great-granduncle, Great-grandmother, and Sixteenth Uncle!”

In truth, their household had only around 20 to 30 yuan in total. To buy one bag of milk powder, they would be giving up nearly half their savings. But Zhou Dazheng didn’t hesitate.

“Take it home first. Bring the money over later,” the old man said, understanding the urgency.

Grandmother took out a bag of milk powder and handed it over.

Zhou Dazheng quickly hid it in his clothes and hurried home.

As soon as he left, his third aunt grabbed her daughter, Laifang, and gave her a firm beating. The grandparents didn’t intervene—this was a lesson the child needed to learn. Otherwise, the next time they had something good, she’d blurt it out again.

“Third Aunt, don’t hit her too hard—that’s enough.”

Then, Zhou Yimin beckoned Laifang over and handed her a piece of candy.

He reminded her, “Next time, eat in secret. Don’t tell anyone.”

The little girl sniffled, tears still in her eyes, and promised, “Big Brother, I won’t even tell my mom next time!”

Nearby, Laifu and Laicai watched their sister eat candy with envy, almost wishing they had been the ones beaten instead. If getting hit meant getting candy, they were willing!

“Grandpa, Grandma, I’m going out for a walk.”

The old lady doted on him. “Go ahead! Take a straw hat—don’t get too tanned.”

The three little ones eagerly followed after their big brother, barefoot.

—

Back home, Zhou Dazheng quickly shut the door. His wife, puzzled, looked at him.

“Wife, look at this!” Zhou Dazheng took out the bag of milk powder.

“Rice flour?”

She hadn’t even dared to hope for milk powder, assuming it was precious rice flour. If it was rice flour, she could make rice paste—maybe their daughter could manage to eat a little.

“It’s milk powder! From Great-granduncle’s house—probably brought back from the city by Sixteenth Uncle.”

He handed the milk powder to his wife so she could prepare some for their daughter.

Overwhelmed with joy, she wiped away tears as she accepted it.

Their daughter was saved!

She carefully scooped out a tiny spoonful into a bowl, afraid to spill even a speck.

Then, she added warm water, stirred it well, and carried it over to feed their baby.

Meanwhile, Zhou Dazheng went to fetch their family’s money—small bills and even coins, meticulously counting out 10 yuan.

With the money in hand, he rushed off to Great-granduncle’s house.

Not long after, Zhou Yimin received news that the old well had indeed produced water—but it was slow, far from meeting the village’s needs. This discouraged the village chief and the others.

Still, it was better than nothing.

Determined, the village chief approached Zhou Yimin again. He decided the village would allocate 200 yuan to dig four hand pump wells at the east, south, west, and north ends of the village.

This would not only provide drinking water but also help irrigate the fields.

That 200 yuan had originally been reserved for grain—it was the village’s life-saving money.

“Yimin, we’ll have to trouble you again.” The village chief handed the money to Zhou Yimin.

“Alright, I’ll head to the factory later.”

(End of chapter)