MLMD – Chapter 17 Water Bursts Forth

Watching the machine roar as it drilled into the earth, Shunbao couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Young Master, how long do you reckon this iron contraption will take to drill a well?”

Yue Yang pondered for a moment before replying, “At this speed, I estimate it’ll take about twelve shi to drill one well. If two machines work at the same time, we should be able to drill fifty or sixty wells in a month. That way, we won’t have to worry about water for irrigation anymore.”

As he spoke, Yue Yang noticed more and more people gathering to watch. Afraid something might go wrong, he had Hu Laosan lead over a dozen household guards to cordon off the drilling machine, forbidding idle onlookers from approaching. Then he summoned Yue Laifu and instructed him, “Uncle Laifu, bring me two clever and nimble servants. I’ll teach them how to install and operate this drilling equipment. That way we can speed up the progress. Remember—whoever you bring must be absolutely reliable. Do you understand?”

Yue Laifu had yet to calm down from his excitement, but he clearly understood that with this powerful tool, the Yue Family Manor could drill wells freely around Wuli Village, drawing water wherever they wished—its efficiency surpassing manpower by hundreds of times. He nodded repeatedly, his face flushed with excitement. “Don’t worry, Young Master. This old servant will handle it properly. I won’t let you down.”

In this way, Yue Yang stayed busy until late at night before finally dragging his exhausted body back to his small courtyard. When the Linglong sisters brought in the food, even the hand Yue Yang used to pick up his chopsticks was trembling. Seeing his clothes soaked through and his weary expression, the two sisters felt heartbroken, yet didn’t dare complain, only secretly wiping away their tears at the side.

Seeing the tear-streaked little faces of the Linglong sisters, Yue Yang smiled and comforted them. “Ling’er, why are you crying? Your young master is doing proper work. Once this busy period is over, Wuli Village will never have to worry about irrigating the fields again. When that happens, I’d really like to see what tricks those old fellows can still pull.”

Yulong grabbed Yue Yang’s hand and asked innocently, “Young Master, since you’ve already agreed to let them come to the Sanggan River to dig canals and divert water, they probably won’t trouble us anymore. In that case, you wouldn’t have to work so hard, right?”

Yue Yang gently patted Yulong’s little head and smiled helplessly. If only the affairs of this world were really as simple as she imagined.

Yuling, being the elder sister, was a bit more sensible than Yulong. She said to her sister, “Alright, Long’er, stop clinging to Young Master. He’s been tired all day. Hurry to the kitchen and boil some water—Young Master will need to bathe later.”

“Oh!” Hearing Yuling’s words, Yulong twisted her slender waist and ran off toward the kitchen.

After finishing the meal, and with the Linglong sisters attending to him, Yue Yang enjoyed a refreshing bath before going to bed to rest. Nothing else happened that night. He slept straight through until noon the next day. By then, the Linglong sisters had already prepared the washing items and lunch. With their service, Yue Yang comfortably began his midday meal.

But many things in this world have a way of ruining the mood. Just as Yue Yang was halfway through eating, he saw Shunbao bouncing around outside, knocking eagerly on the door while shouting loudly, “Young Master! Young Master! Water’s out—water’s out of the well we drilled!”

“What? It’s producing water already? How could it be so fast!” Even Yue Yang was startled now. The timing was off—by his estimate, it shouldn’t produce water until at least evening.

As he spoke, Yulong ran over and opened the courtyard gate, letting Shunbao in.

The moment Shunbao entered, he began shouting at the top of his lungs, “Young Master, there’s water! Really, there’s water! We’ve struck treasure this time!”

“Alright, I know. I’ll go with you right away.” Having only eaten half his fill, Yue Yang no longer cared about anything else. He quickly put down his bowl and chopsticks and was about to head out with Shunbao.

“Hey, Young Master, you haven’t finished eating yet!” Seeing Yue Yang once again leave his meal unfinished, Yulong was unhappy. She glared fiercely at Shunbao with her beautiful big eyes—lately, whenever this fellow showed up, nothing good ever followed.

Receiving Yulong’s sideways glare, Shunbao felt rather wronged. A well started last night producing water the very next day was huge news—of course he had to run over and report it to the Young Master. Otherwise, even if the Young Master didn’t scold him, his own father would probably break his legs. After all, his old man was currently dancing with joy by the canal.

Yue Yang naturally noticed Yulong’s small grievance. Smiling, he lightly tapped her little head. “Alright, don’t pout. I’m just going to take a look and I’ll be back soon. I won’t come back as late as yesterday.”

“Then you have to keep your word, Young Master. Don’t let my sister and me wait too late again.” It seemed Yulong still harbored quite a bit of resentment about Yue Yang often returning late.

Yue Yang raised his hand in a pledge. “Of course. I promise. How about this—if I break my word, you can punish me by making me do one thing.”

Yulong scrunched up her cute little nose. “Hmph, I wouldn’t punish Young Master. If I did, Sister would be heartbroken.”

“Long’er, you’re talking nonsense again.” Now it was Yuling’s turn to be displeased. She reached out to tickle Yulong, but Yulong—well prepared—dodged away, and the two of them began chasing each other around the courtyard.

Watching the Linglong sisters flit about the courtyard like two butterflies, Yue Yang felt a warmth rise in his heart. He exchanged a look with Shunbao, and the two quietly left the courtyard, striding quickly toward the outskirts of the manor.

When Yue Yang arrived at the site where the well had been drilled the night before, the once-roaring drilling machine had already stopped. Yue Laifu and several dozen household guards were gathered around the newly drilled well, speaking loudly in high spirits.

Yue Laifu soon spotted Yue Yang and immediately ran over, shouting incoherently, “Young Master, water—there’s really water! This old servant can hardly believe it. This thing—it really drilled a well!”

Seeing the jubilant Yue Laifu and the tenant farmers and guards around him, Yue Yang felt deeply moved as well. The changes technology brought to people were immense. With the technology of this era, drilling such a well would take at least three months, yet now, with a drilling machine rattling away, water appeared in less than a day. This was the gap!

Patting Yue Laifu on the shoulder, Yue Yang instructed him, “Uncle Laifu, it’s good that there’s water. But remember—this matter can’t be spread yet. Immediately have people cover up this well. Too many people mustn’t know about it. And everyone here today must keep their mouths tightly shut. Do you understand?”

“Oh, this old servant understands.” Having served as steward of the Yue Family Manor for decades, Yue Laifu was no fool. He quickly grasped Yue Yang’s concerns and immediately assured him, “Young Master, rest assured. I’ll make sure these brats keep their mouths sealed tight. Nothing will leak out.”

“Good.” Seeing how quickly Yue Laifu understood his intent, Yue Yang was quite satisfied. He continued, “Also, I already taught you the operating steps and key points for this drilling machine yesterday. From today on, I’m handing it over to you. Your task for the coming days is to lead people to drill more wells around Wuli Village, so that the villagers no longer have to worry about water. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Young Master, this old servant understands!” Yue Laifu pounded his chest, thumping loudly.