Chapter 112: Bamboo Tube Waterwheel 2

Chapter 112: Bamboo Tube Waterwheel 2

"What... what is this?"

The riverbank was quiet for a long while before someone finally stammered out.

After that, the crowd erupted with a buzz of murmurs and movement.

Everyone whispered among themselves, all eyes on the bamboo tube waterwheel, which turned slowly in the water, lifting and channeling the water upward.

Those closest to Gu Daniu, Wang Xiuxiu, Gu Wen, and Chen Youyan all started asking questions at once.

Yin Hongxue looked at Gu Chaoning again. Seeing that he still didn't seem ready to speak, Yin Hongxue turned to face the crowd.

"This is a watering tool. We're calling it a bamboo tube waterwheel for now."

That explanation was too simple. Someone couldn't help but step forward, wanting to touch the waterwheel.

Everyone looked at it the way the most doting elders would gaze at the most well-behaved child in the family.

Gu Hei, who had just rolled up his pant legs to go into the water, was standing closest to the waterwheel.

As if afraid of startling it, he hurried over to a spot about a step away from the waterwheel and stopped there.

He raised his hand to touch it, but was afraid his hands might be too rough and break the delicate-looking waterwheel.

His hand hung in the air, stopping about a palm's width from the side of the waterwheel.

"Xue Geer, this..."

He couldn't quite say what it was—his chest was just full of excitement.

This time, Gu Chaoning stepped forward.

"As you can all see, this bamboo tube waterwheel can lift water from low ground to high ground, then channel it through the bamboo pipes into the dry fields."

"We can also dig trenches between the dry fields, and then draw water from those trenches to irrigate the wheat seedlings."

Even though everyone could already see what the waterwheel did, they quickly fell silent and listened very carefully once Gu Chaoning began explaining.

Gu Chaoning took a step back and gestured for Yin Hongxue to come forward.

"This waterwheel came about because my younger brother Yin Hongxue saw how hard everyone worked hauling water to the dry fields. He got the idea from our little brother Gu Muan's childish talk about sucking up water to irrigate, and after many attempts, he finally made it work."

"To make it work sooner, Xue Geer often stayed up late into the night by lamplight, and even taught himself carpentry."

"Also, my brother Yin Hongxue has already sketched out roughly how the trenches should run to be most convenient and useful. Of course, the finer details will still need all the elders to take a look together."

Hearing this, everyone was deeply moved. The gazes that had been on the waterwheel now all turned to Yin Hongxue.

Yin Hongxue looked at Gu Chaoning in shock, and Gu Chaoning's eyes were calm, with a hint of encouragement.

Gu Muan stood next to his two brothers, proudly puffing out his chest.

That's right—An Geer had helped out a little too.

That's right—An Geer's brothers were just that amazing!

"Yan Geer, you two really raised three great kids."

"Xiu Xiu, Yan Geer, bring the kids over to play sometime. Let my two kids learn a thing or two from them."

"Dawen..."

"Uncle Daniu..."

"Xue Geer..."

Someone who was especially interested in the waterwheel stepped forward and approached Yin Hongxue. "Xue Geer, how did you plan the trenches to run? We're all free these days—when can we start digging?"

Gu Daniu, thinking more clearly, had already turned to go find the village head.

This kind of thing needed to be reported to the village head, who would lead everyone in getting it done.

Gu Changhe was lounging in his courtyard at home, feet propped up, enjoying the breeze. After hearing what Gu Daniu said, he was in such a hurry he didn't even bother putting his shoes on properly—he just slipped them on and ran out.

He even thought Gu Daniu was too slow and grabbed him, pulling him along toward the river.

Gu Daniu, worried he might trip in his loose shoes, called out for him to slow down.

The rest of the village head's family also came running out. The village head's rush drew even more attention, and by the time they arrived, the riverbank was completely surrounded.

Those who came later had only heard bits and pieces about the waterwheel, and they were all excited and eager to get the full story.

Surrounded by so many people staring at him with excited eyes, Yin Hongxue felt nervous again—something that rarely happened.

Everyone's eyes were full of excitement and urgency—not a hint of malice.

Since he had already explained it once, Yin Hongxue took a moment to organize his words.

From what he'd just seen, he could tell everyone would be willing to listen to even the most trivial talk about the waterwheel.

But the most important information still had to be said first to put everyone at ease.

This time, he didn't keep it simple. He spoke in detail: "As you can all see, this is a tool that can water and irrigate the dry fields..."

Once he started talking, the rest came more easily, and he didn't feel as nervous anymore.

After he had explained everything three times, the crowd finally began to calm down and hold back their excitement.

Some came over to ask Yin Hongxue for more details, while others ran to the waterwheel and, after asking permission, carefully touched it.

They were only allowed to touch it twice—any more and someone behind them would stop them.

But the villagers crowding around Yin Hongxue for more details were getting a bit impatient, pressing in closer and closer.

Gu Chaoning quickly pulled his father over and they stood on either side of Yin Hongxue, shielding him.

Gu Wen also noticed how excited everyone was and realized it might be a long time before they calmed down.

He shot his father Gu Daniu a look, signaling for him to say something.

Gu Daniu got the hint. "It's getting late today. Come back tomorrow to take another look. In the meantime, go home and think about how you want to dig trenches in your own dry fields—don't just wait for my kids to do everything."

Everyone was grateful, sure, but they also needed to remember that Yin Hongxue was still just a kid.

The crowd came to their senses a bit, and Gu Wen moved to pack up the waterwheel.

Gu Hei came over and helped Wang Dashan carry the waterwheel.

Originally, Wang Ershan[Wang Ershan] had been quicker, but his brother shoved him aside.

Having no choice, he had to extend both hands to help hold the edges.

Gu Changhe[Gu Changhe] walked alongside Yin Hongxue[Yin Hongxue] and Gu Wen[Gu Wen].

"Can this bamboo tube waterwheel[Bamboo tube waterwheel] be made bigger?"

Yin Hongxue nodded, "Yes, Uncle Lizheng[Uncle Lizheng]. The one I made with Brother Chaoning[Chaoning Ge] is small only because it's easier and simpler to make—if we find any problems, it's also simple to fix."

Just like the insect-repellent dehumidifying cabinet and foldable boxes that Gu Wen had made.

Gu Changhe turned to look at Gu Wen: "Dawen[Dawen], you're the professional. What size do you think would be suitable?"

It was too late today, Gu Changhe mused to himself. He'd have Gu Wen start thinking about how to make it, and tomorrow he'd still need to gather the whole village at the threshing ground to properly discuss the matter.

With that in mind, he looked back at Yin Hongxue.

Behind Yin Hongxue stood Gu Chaoning[Gu Chaoning] and Gu Muan[Gu Muan].

Gu Changhe couldn't help but secretly suck his teeth in admiration.

How the heck did Gu Wen raise his kids like this? They're enough to make anyone jealous.

...

Word of what happened by the river spread like wildfire through the village overnight.

Some folks who'd stayed home and heard about it later from others were kicking themselves.

They came running over bright and early, only to find the Gu family hadn't even opened their door yet.

They were too embarrassed to knock, so their excitement cooled off and they headed back home.

Later, once they figured enough time had passed, they all headed back to the Gu place together.

Those who had seen the waterwheel by the river the day before, still dying of curiosity, tagged along too.

Yin Hongxue had to head to town for his lessons today, so Gu Wen just brought out the waterwheel first so everyone could get a look at it.

This time, Yin Hongxue and Gu Chaoning didn't even need to explain—the villagers who'd seen it the day before took over.

As they talked, they described how they'd watched the waterwheel turn, lifting water up from the river and dumping it into the bamboo pipes, where it flowed out and spilled onto the ground.

Everyone was talking over each other, but they still managed to get the point across.

Yet the more they explained, the more everyone else wanted to see it for themselves.

Gu Wen noticed this, so he just set down his chopsticks and bowl, grabbed a flatbread with some pickled cabbage rolled up in it, and headed down to the river with everyone.

He didn't even have to carry the thing—there were plenty of people fighting to help but couldn't get close enough.

Once everyone was gone, the rest of the Gu family could finally eat in peace.

Poor Gu Wen had to eat on the go, though.

After breakfast, Yin Hongxue headed to the village entrance as usual. The cart driver spotted him and came running over.

"Xue Geer[Xue Geer]!"

Wang Erlin was grinning, feeling pretty smug.

He knew Yin Hongxue would be catching the cart to town!

Clearly, he wasn't the only smart one—the cart was already packed. Those who had planned to go to town today hadn't dawdled at all; they'd all gotten there early and were already seated, waiting for him.

Yin Hongxue knew what they wanted to ask, so he gave a brief explanation first, then let them fire off questions and he answered them.

They went back and forth like that, and by the time they got to town and Yin Hongxue hopped off, the others were still itching to keep talking.

With this waterwheel, watering the wheat and beans wouldn't be such a back-breaking chore anymore—it'd be easy, and the crops would grow even better.

The rice paddies had the rice-fish farming[Rice-fish farming] method to enrich the fields and raise fish, and the wheat fields had the bamboo tube waterwheel to water the crops.

Everyone was grinning just thinking about it.

Life was just going to keep getting better and better!

In Xiaohé Village, after breakfast, Gu Chaoning and Gu Muan headed to the river to take over for Gu Wen.

He still had to go out to work with Gu Daniu[Gu Daniu] today—as agreed yesterday, after today he could really dig into the waterwheel project.

When Yin Hongxue arrived, Gu Rong[Gu Rong] was also there, crouching by the riverbank, staring without blinking at the bamboo tube waterwheel.

"Arong Ge[Arong Ge]!" Gu Muan called out loudly upon seeing Gu Rong.

Gu Rong turned around, his eyes lit up.

Last night, when Gu Daniu had gone to find his father, he had been reading and hadn't noticed all the commotion outside.

It wasn't until his family returned and he heard all the excited talk that he realized everyone had just gone out.

At first, he was just as excited about the bamboo tube waterwheel and couldn't sit still with excitement. When he came over today and just so happened to bump into Gu Wen and the others heading to the river, he joined them.

Once the bamboo tube waterwheel started turning, Gu Rong watched it the whole time it was turning.

"Ning Di[Ning Di]! An Geer[An Geer]! You're here! Where's Xue Geer? Oh, right, right—I forgot, Xue Geer must be going to town today to learn painting."

Before the two could say anything, Gu Rong had already rattled off a whole string of words.

Gu Rong was excited and genuinely touched.

The rice-fish farming[Rice-fish farming] method and the bamboo tube waterwheel for irrigation—both were great ideas and tools that helped everyone, from the common folk to the whole country.

His buddy and his buddy's little brother were both so impressive—he'd have to step up his game from now on!