The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

After listening to Tang Youyou's story, Mr. Liu frowned slightly, "Madam, I understand your feelings, but building a water conservancy project is extremely expensive, and I can't do anything about it."

Tang Youyou's heart sank, but she didn't give up. "Master, once this water conservancy project is completed, the entire Qinghe Village and even the surrounding villages will benefit! When the time comes, it will be easier to irrigate the fields, and grain production will increase significantly. This is a great thing that will benefit the people!"

Mr. Liu picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said slowly, "Madam, it's not that I don't want to support you, but this business always requires a return. This water conservancy project has a slow effect and low returns, so it's really difficult for me to invest."

Tang Youyou bit her lip and pleaded again, "Master, you don't know that after the completion of this water conservancy project, it will not only increase grain production, but also prevent floods and benefit future generations!"

Mr. Liu waved his hand, his tone somewhat impatient, "Madam, I have made up my mind, please do not try to persuade me anymore."

Seeing Mr. Liu's resolute attitude, Tang Youyou knew that it was useless to say more, so she had to get up and say goodbye. Leaving the inn, Tang Youyou sighed deeply, feeling powerless. This fundraising journey was even more difficult than she had imagined.

After returning to the village, Tang Youyou told Zhao the news of the fundraising failure. Zhao Gongshen also looked worried after hearing it.

"Oh, what should we do? Without funds, the project cannot be started!" Craftsman Zhao paced back and forth anxiously.

"There will always be a way." Tang Youyou forced herself to cheer up and comforted him, "Let's first see the progress of the project. Maybe we can find a new solution."

Craftsman Zhao nodded and took Tang Youyou to the scheduled construction site. During this period, Craftsman Zhao had already conducted a preliminary survey of the topography.

"Look, the terrain here is quite complex," said Craftsman Zhao, pointing to an area. "There seems to be a layer of hard rock underneath. If we continue with the original plan, we'll probably encounter considerable resistance."

Tang Youyou carefully observed the terrain, her brow furrowed. This was truly a case of "misfortunes never coming one after another"; the funds were still unsecured, and now technical difficulties had arisen.

"How thick is this rock layer?" Tang Youyou asked.

Craftsman Zhao shook his head. "It's not clear yet. I need to conduct further exploration to be sure." He knocked on the ground with the tool in his hand, his expression becoming more and more solemn.

"What's wrong?" Tang Youyou noticed that something was wrong with Master Zhao and asked quickly.

Craftsman Zhao put down his tools and sighed. "The situation is more complicated than I imagined. This rock layer is not only thick, but also very hard. Ordinary tools can't penetrate it at all."

Tang Youyou's heart sank. This was undoubtedly a huge challenge. With insufficient funds and technical difficulties, could this water conservancy project continue?

"Perhaps..." Craftsman Zhao hesitated for a moment and said, "Perhaps we can use blasting instead..."

Tang Youyou suddenly raised her head, staring at Craftsman Zhao with burning eyes, "Explosion? Are you sure?"

Craftsman Zhao was silent for a long time before he slowly shook his head...

Craftsman Zhao's shaking head made Tang Youyou's heart sink to the bottom. Blasting might not be a difficult task in modern society, but in this era, it was almost an impossible task. They had no explosives, let alone the relevant technicians.

"Is there no other way?" Tang Youyou muttered to herself, her eyes falling on the hard rock again.

"Madam, perhaps we could try traditional rock-cutting methods," Craftsman Zhao suggested. "For example, the 'fire-water blasting' method uses fire to burn the rock, then pours cold water over it, causing it to expand and contract, creating cracks."

Tang Youyou's eyes lit up, "This is a feasible solution!"

Immediately, Tang Youyou and Craftsman Zhao organized the villagers and began experimenting with "fire and water stimulation." A raging fire burned on the rocks, sending billowing smoke and waves of heat. Once the rocks were ablaze, the villagers carried buckets of ice-cold well water and poured it over the scorching rocks. A hissing sound accompanied the rising steam, and tiny cracks appeared on the surface of the rocks, but the overall surface remained unbreakable.

"No, the rock is too thick, and 'fire and water shock' won't be very effective." Craftsman Zhao wiped the sweat from his face, his tone carrying a hint of frustration.

Tang Youyou was not discouraged, "Let's try the 'wedge split' method again!"

So they found a large number of wooden wedges, drove them into the cracks of the rock, and continued to pour water on them to make the wedges expand, trying to split the rock. However, the rock was extremely hard, and the wooden wedges broke under the huge pressure, still unable to shake the rock at all.

The successive failures left everyone present feeling extremely depressed. As the sun set, the sunset glowed red across half the sky, but it couldn't illuminate the sorrow on everyone's faces.

At this moment, Liu Zhubu arrived at the construction site. He heard about the technical difficulties Tang Youyou encountered and came over to check on the situation.

"Madam, I heard that you have encountered some difficulties?" Liu Zhubu asked with concern.

Tang Youyou nodded and told Liu Zhubu the details of the situation. After listening, Liu Zhubu pondered for a moment and said, "Madam, I suggest you find some famous water conservancy experts to help you. Maybe they will have a better solution."

Tang Youyou's mind moved. This was indeed a feasible plan. However, hiring an expert would cost a lot of money, and money was what she lacked the most right now.

"Master Liu, your suggestion is very good, but..." Tang Youyou hesitated, not knowing how to start.

Liu Zhubu seemed to see Tang Youyou's difficulties, sighed and said, "Madam, I know your current situation. However, for the sake of this water conservancy project, you still have to think of a way. After all, this is related to the future of the entire Qinghe Village."

Tang Youyou was silent. She understood what Liu Zhubu meant. But where would the money come from? She had already raised funds everywhere, but still to no avail. Could it be that this water conservancy project was really going to be shelved?

Just as Tang Youyou was lost in thought, footsteps were heard in the distance. A figure gradually appeared in everyone's sight...

The person who came was Liu Youcai. He looked at Tang Youyou with a sneer on his face and said in a harsh tone, "Hey, isn't this our great Tang Shanren? What's the matter? Has your grand project encountered any difficulties? I told you a long time ago that you are just a woman, so don't mess around. How can you handle this water conservancy project? Now you know how serious it is, right?"

Liu Youcai's ridicule was like a sharp knife, piercing Tang Youyou's heart. She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anger in her heart, and responded coldly: "Mr. Liu, you don't have to make sarcastic remarks here. It's normal for the project to encounter difficulties. We are trying to find a solution."

"Think of a solution? I think you've run out of ideas!" Liu Youcai said with a smug smile, "I advise you to give up quickly and not waste your energy. This rock is so hard that even a god wouldn't be able to break it!"

Liu Youcai's words caused discussion among the surrounding villagers. Liao Daming walked up to Tang Youyou and said with disappointment, "Madam, I used to trust you, but now it seems that this project is too difficult. I still have so much land to cultivate at home, and I can't waste time here anymore."

After saying that, Liao Daming turned and left. Seeing this, the other villagers followed suit and left, leaving the construction site empty.

Watching the villagers leave, Tang Youyou's heart sank to the bottom. With funding shortages, technical difficulties, and the loss of villagers, was this water conservancy project really going to be shelved?

Seeing this, Ma Xiucai, who was standing by, comforted her, "Madam, don't be discouraged, we will think of another way." After that, he hurried away, saying that he was going to the county academy to look for some relevant books to see if he could find a solution to the problem.

Liu Zhubu also patted Tang Youyou on the shoulder and encouraged her, "Madam, hold on, there will always be a way." After that, he left.

Only Tang Youyou and Zhao Gongjian were left standing alone in front of the solid rock. The afterglow of the setting sun cast two long shadows on them, making them look particularly lonely.

Craftsman Zhao sighed and said, "Madam, how about we think of a solution tomorrow?"

Tang Youyou nodded weakly. She felt like a person trapped in a quagmire. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't get out of the predicament.

Night fell, and the stars twinkled. Tang Youyou lay in bed, but she couldn't fall asleep. Her mind kept replaying everything that happened today: Liu Youcai's ridicule, the villagers' departure, Ma Xiucai's helplessness, Liu Zhubu's encouragement... All these scenes intertwined together, making her feel extremely pressured.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through Tang Youyou's mind. She sat up abruptly, a glint in her eyes.

"Wait," Tang Youyou muttered to herself, "I seem to have thought of something..." She got out of bed, walked to the table, and lit an oil lamp. The dim light illuminated her face and the rekindled hope in her eyes. She picked up a pen and began to write and draw on the paper, muttering to herself...