The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

Before the first rays of dawn pierced the sky, Tang Youyou had already set foot on the rugged country road. She held hope in her heart, but was also prepared for setbacks. To fulfill her dream of "watering the fields," she ignored the fatigue of the journey and visited the wealthy gentry in the surrounding villages one by one.

"Mr. Wang, you are a kind and righteous person who loves to do good and give charity. Once this water conservancy project is completed, it will benefit the people in our area..." Tang Youyou stood in front of a magnificent mansion, explaining earnestly to a wealthy middle-aged man.

"About this matter, let me think about it again, let me think about it again..." Mr. Wang said perfunctorily, waving his hand impatiently, signaling the butler to send the guest away.

After being rejected, Tang Youyou was not discouraged and rushed to the next target without stopping. However, what greeted her was a series of rejections.

"Build a water conservancy project? That's the government's business. I don't have the spare money for that!" A wealthy man with a pointed chin and monkey cheeks sent her away with a look of disdain.

Some wealthy families agreed to consider it on the surface, but laughed at her behind her back. A woman of modest means actually dreamed of accomplishing such a great feat. Even more infuriating was Liu Youcai, who only wanted to cause chaos in the world and spread rumors everywhere, saying that Tang Youyou wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to make money and cheat everyone out of their money.

"I think this Tang is just crazy about money. Don't be fooled by her!" Liu Youcai exaggerated and deliberately distorted the facts.

Rumors spread everywhere, and Tang Youyou's situation became even more difficult. Those wealthy families who were originally still on the sidelines, after hearing Liu Youcai's instigation, avoided her even more.

"Do I really have to give up?" Tang Youyou dragged her tired steps, her heart filled with a sense of powerlessness. She was tired and sat down on a stone by the roadside, looking at the rolling fields in the distance, her mind full of thoughts.

At this moment, an old but loud voice sounded in my ears: "Child, don't be discouraged, I believe in you!"

Tang Youyou looked up and saw Liao Daming, an experienced farmer in the village. Although he was not good at speaking, he was honest and kind, and had great prestige in the village.

"Uncle Liao..." Tang Youyou's eyes turned red and her nose felt sore.

"Child, I've seen everything you've done. You're a good child, but you still have to take one step at a time on this road..." Liao Daming patted her shoulder and said earnestly, "Give the county government another try. Chief Liu is a fairly fair person. Perhaps he can help you find a solution..."

Tang Youyou's eyes lit up. Yes, how could she have forgotten about the county government? Perhaps, there was still a glimmer of hope...

She thanked Liao Daming, gathered herself together, and walked towards the county government office.

In the county government office, after hearing Tang Youyou's purpose, Liu Zhubu frowned and remained silent.

"Master Liu, do you think this is feasible?" Tang Youyou looked at him expectantly, "As long as the government can introduce some preferential policies, such as reducing or exempting some taxes for wealthy households participating in water conservancy project construction, I believe they will definitely respond positively!"

Liu Zhubu sighed softly and put down the teacup in his hand. "Madam Tang, I understand how you feel, but this matter is not as simple as you and I imagine! Tax reduction is no small matter. It needs to be reported to the higher levels and ultimately decided by the court. The process is extremely difficult and arduous!"

Tang Youyou's heart sank little by little. She understood Liu Zhubu's difficulties, and knew that this road was not easy to walk. But, was she really going to watch her hope of "watering the fields" shattered?

"Is... there no other way?" Tang Youyou's voice was filled with a hint of weakness.

Liu Zhubu looked at the woman who was working so hard for her dream, and he was filled with admiration and sympathy. He pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "I will do my best to help you, but you can't pin all your hopes on the government. Right now, the most urgent task is to raise funds. You should think of other ways to solve the problem..."

Tang Youyou walked out of the county government office, only to feel that the sunlight had lost its warmth, shining on her body, and it was icy cold. Could it be that she really had to give up?

"Miss Tang, I see you've been so worried about raising money that you've lost your appetite. How about..." Craftsman Zhao, who had been silently accompanying Tang Youyou, looked at her increasingly thin face and felt distressed. "How about we simplify the plan for the water conservancy project? This way we can save a lot of costs..."

Craftsman Zhao's words stirred Tang Youyou's heart. Indeed, if the cost could be reduced, the pressure of raising funds would be much less. However, she knew the importance of water conservancy projects. If the plan was simplified, it meant that the quality of the project would be compromised, and there was a high possibility of safety hazards.

"This..." Tang Youyou hesitated. On one hand, there was the imminent funding problem, and on the other hand, there was her insistence on the quality of the project. She was caught in a dilemma.

"Child..." A familiar voice sounded in Tang Youyou's ears, with a hint of helplessness and comfort.

Tang Youyou looked up and saw Liao Daming standing not far away, his cloudy eyes filled with complicated emotions...

"My child..." Liao Daming walked up to Tang Youyou and sighed heavily, "I see you've been running into obstacles everywhere trying to raise money these days. Why bother?" He looked at Tang Youyou with heartache and said earnestly, "Our ancestors in this village have relied on the weather for their livelihoods. If God gives us food, we'll just take it. If God doesn't send rain, there's nothing we can do. Coming up with all those new tricks is just a waste of effort."

Tang Youyou listened to Liao Daming's words with mixed feelings. She knew that Liao Daming was truly doing this for her own good and didn't want her to work so hard any longer. However, she always believed that man could conquer nature, and that as long as the water conservancy project was built, the fate of the village, which relied on the weather for its livelihood, could be completely changed.

"Uncle Liao, I appreciate your kindness." Tang Youyou raised her head and looked into the distance with a determined gaze. "But I believe that as long as we work hard, we will be able to overcome the difficulties, build a good water conservancy project, and make life in the village better and better!"

Seeing Tang Youyou's persistence, Liao Daming didn't say anything more. He just shook his head helplessly and turned away.

"Miss Tang, don't lose heart, let's think of another way!" Ma Xiucai saw Tang Youyou's lost expression and quickly comforted her, "I do have an idea, maybe we can give it a try!"

"What idea?" Tang Youyou asked anxiously, as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw.

"We can go to the market and hold a fundraising event for the water conservancy project!" Ma Xiucai said excitedly. "We can tell everyone about the benefits of building a water conservancy project and the difficulties of raising funds. I believe that as long as everyone works together, we will be able to raise enough funds!"

Tang Youyou's eyes lit up. This was indeed a good idea! So, they began to prepare intensively, writing notices, setting up a stage, and preparing donation boxes...

However, on the day of the fundraising event, very few people showed up. Some small vendors and villagers just watched from afar, and no one was willing to come forward to donate.

"Dear fellow villagers, building water conservancy projects is a major undertaking for the benefit of future generations. I hope everyone can donate generously and contribute their strength..." Ma Xiucai shouted at the top of his lungs, but all he got in response was sparse applause.

As the sun set, there were only a few scattered copper coins in the donation box, which was far from their expected goal. Tang Youyou's heart sank to the bottom again.

"Is there really no other way?" Tang Youyou murmured to herself. At this moment, she suddenly heard people in the crowd talking...

"Have you heard? It seems a wealthy businessman is going to pass by here soon..."

"Is this true? If we can get that wealthy businessman to donate generously, wouldn't this water conservancy project have a chance of success?"

Tang Youyou's heart moved, as if she had grasped a glimmer of hope. She turned around and grabbed the person next to her, and asked anxiously: "Where is this wealthy businessman now..."

"This...this sir, I am Tang Youyou, may I have a word with you for a moment?" Tang Youyou was extremely anxious and didn't care about anything else. She grabbed the villager and spoke in a hurried tone.

"Ms. Tang? What are you doing..." The villager was startled by Tang Youyou's sudden action and began to stutter.

Tang Youyou then realized her loss of composure, and quickly let go of her hand. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, and asked, "Big Brother, I just heard you mention that a wealthy businessman is going to pass by here recently. I wonder..."

The villagers finally understood that Tang Youyou wanted to inquire about the news of the wealthy businessman, so they said, "Miss Tang, that wealthy businessman is the well-known Mr. Liu. He is extremely wealthy and kind. He passed by us this time and is going to the south..."

"Mr. Liu? Do you know when he will arrive?" A glimmer of hope ignited in Tang Youyou's heart.

"This... I'm not too sure, but I heard that Mr. Liu and his group will pass through our Qinghe Town in the next few days." The villager scratched his head and said uncertainly.

"Thank you, big brother!" Tang Youyou was delighted and quickly thanked the villagers.

"Miss Tang, are you going to..." Ma Xiucai looked at Tang Youyou and saw that she seemed to be going to find Mr. Liu, and he couldn't help feeling a little worried.

"At this point, we can only try our best!" A trace of determination flashed in Tang Youyou's eyes, "I'm going to Qinghe Town right now. No matter what, I have to give it a try!"

"But..." Ma Xiucai wanted to persuade him again, but was interrupted by Tang Youyou.

"Brother Ma, you don't need to say anything more. I've made up my mind." Tang Youyou said, then turned and walked towards Qinghe Town with firm steps and no hesitation.

"Mom, please wait for us!" Tang Wan, Tang Jin and Tang Xiaoya also caught up.

Tang Youyou patted the children's heads and said softly, "Be good and stay home. Mother will be back soon."

After saying that, Tang Youyou left without looking back.

Qinghe Town was not far from the village, and Tang Youyou hurried all the way and arrived in less than an hour. She went to the largest inn in the town and asked the waiter about Mr. Liu's whereabouts.

"Madam, are you here to see Mr. Liu?" The waiter looked Tang Youyou up and down, and seeing that she was dressed simply, he felt a little disapproving.

"That's right. Please do me a favor and tell me where Mr. Liu is. I will be very grateful." Tang Youyou said as she took out a few copper coins from her sleeve and handed them to the waiter.

The waiter took the copper coin and his face was immediately filled with smiles. "You are too polite, ma'am. I will take you there right away!"

Tang Youyou followed the waiter to the door of a private room. The waiter knocked gently on the door, "Mr. Liu, someone is looking for you."

"Come in." A deep voice came from inside the room.

The waiter pushed open the door, Tang Youyou took a deep breath, and walked in. He saw a slightly plump middle-aged man in a brocade robe sitting at the table sipping tea. This man should be Mr. Liu.

"I'm Tang Youyou, a commoner, and I'm honored to meet Mr. Liu." Tang Youyou stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Mr. Liu put down the teacup in his hand and looked at Tang Youyou with interest. "I wonder what the Madam wants to see me for?"

"I came here to ask for a favor..." Tang Youyou calmed down and told the story of building the water conservancy project and the difficulties in raising funds.

After listening to Tang Youyou's story, Mr. Liu frowned slightly, "Madam, I understand your feelings, but..."