Gu Damu and Gu Dalin's family had many children, with the two brothers having fathered eight boys and six girls, not to mention a frail and elderly mother. The large household consumed a vast amount of water.
Gu Damu, thinking of the children crying of thirst without water to drink, felt terrible. But as the head of the family, his decisions were crucial for the survival of the entire family, therefore he had to be cautious.
Gu Damu's eldest son, sitting with other children on the periphery blocking the view of refugees around them, did not want the others to see the adults discussing. Seeing his father's hesitation, he couldn't help saying, "Dad, I am not afraid of getting tired, this is our family's lifeline, we must do it."
After hearing his cousin's words, Gu Dalin's son joined in, "Uncle, Brother Qingliang is right, we are willing to do this work, we're not afraid of getting tired."
What's there to fear about being tired or suffering?
As long as there is water, any hardship or fatigue is worthwhile.
Seeing the children's support, Gu Dalin spoke again to persuade, "The kids are all willing to work and not afraid of hardships, big brother, don't hesitate anymore, make a decision quickly; the rest of us can't wait for our family much longer."
This matters to the five families, Third Uncle said that we must decide quickly.
Gu Dalin added, "Brother, our mother hasn't had a drop of water all day, if we don't find water tonight, what will our mother drink tomorrow?"
Gu Damu, always filial, thought about how his elderly mother was so thirsty that she couldn't speak, and finally slapped his thigh, saying, "Third Uncle, our family will take on the job, let's go dig for water tonight."
Third Grandpa, hearing this, revealed a trace of a smile on his weathered, solemn face: "Alright, since everyone is willing to dig for water, then it's settled. We will gather at the entrance to the mountainside in half an hour and go into the mountains together to dig for water."
With the matter settled, the families started to move. The Tian Family and the family of Gu Damu and Gu Dalin took the children back to their respective resting places, had their evening meal, and prepared usable tools.
After the families of Tian and Gu had left, Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui came to Third Grandmother's resting spot, both of their faces bearing injuries; Mrs. Cui had a distinct palm print on her face, while Gu Dashan's forehead was red and swollen from being hit by something.
Third Grandma, seeing this, was infuriated: "That Ms. Pan gets worse with age, why doesn't God strike her dead with lightning."
"Enough, we still have work to do. Hurry up and pack up," whispered Third Grandpa, informing Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui about Gu Jinli finding the underground water route and that several families were going to dig for water in the mountains overnight.
Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui's eyes lit up, their hands trembling with joy, "There's a source of water." And it was their Xiao Yu who had discovered it.
Third Grandpa nodded, "Yep, you two go have your evening meal now. The work tonight is heavy; eat well."
They had already eaten, leaving behind three portions; two for the couple and one for Ms. Chu.
Gu Jinxiu brought over their evening meal, served in wooden bowls, consisting of a stew mixed with river grass, beans, tree leaves, and grass roots.
The couple took it and ate. The taste was strange, but it was the only cooked meal they had had in days, Mrs. Cui finished her meal with tears streaming down.
After they finished their meal, Third Grandpa, Father Luo, and Luo Wu had already gathered their tools and strapped them on.
Father Luo, knowing that Old Gu Family's metal utensils and pots were all managed by Granny Gu, and that Gu Dashan did not have any tools, handed a shovel and two water pots to Gu Dashan: "Take these."
Gu Dashan gratefully received them, "Brother Luo Er..."
Father Luo gave a hearty laugh, "No need for words, you've drilled wells with the Escort Master before; tonight, we'll need your strength."
Third Grandma also distributed her family's iron pot, water pots, bamboo tubes, and rope to the children, hanging them on their bodies: "Make sure everything is hung properly; we'll need these tonight."
Gu Jinli put the family's straw mat on his back and said to Third Grandma, "Third Grandma, let's also bring the straw mats."
"Right, right, bring the straw mats; when we take turns to rest while digging at night, we will need them." Third Grandma quickly packed her family's straw mats, and Luo Huiniang followed suit with her own.
Gu Jinli smiled. She brought the straw mats for more than just resting; they had another significant use.
After everyone tied their belongings properly, Third Grandpa looked at the completely dark sky and said, "Xiao Yu will head out with the Luo Family first. We will leave in 30 minutes in the dark and meet at the mountain entrance, then light the torches after we enter the mountain."
Their resting place was quite secluded, but there were still many refugees nearby. Making too much noise would attract attention, so they had to leave in groups.
Father Luo nodded, leading Luo Wu, Luo Huiniang, and Gu Jinli as they set off first.
The deep night concealed them.
Half an hour later, five families gathered at the mountain entrance, lit torches with Fire Sticks, and walked together into the deep mountains.
Gu Xiaoyu led the way for everyone, and after a brisk walk for about an hour, they finally arrived at the place where they had picked river grass before.
Ms. Chu and Aunt Tian were not here; Father Luo called out anxiously, "Wife, it's us, come out quickly."
Hearing Father Luo's voice, Ms. Chu and Aunt Tian crawled out of the wild grass: "We thought it was other disaster victims and hid in case of danger."
Ms. Chu, in the light of the torches, saw a large group of people and smiled, "Everyone is here." Even Gu Damu and Gu Dalin's mother came, which showed how much everyone valued the water source.
Third Grandma handed her the evening meal she brought: "Eat quickly."
Tian Erhua also handed the evening meal she had prepared for Aunt Tian.
Gu Jinli led everyone to the small pit they had dug earlier, probing the muddy soil with a stick: "Third Grandpa, look."
Third Grandpa held the stick, looking at the muddy, wet soil on it, and nodded excitedly: "There's definitely water underground, let's dig here."
Father Luo, once an Escort Master with a burly physique and strength, stepped forward to dig with Luo Wu.
Third Grandpa instructed from the side, "First, dig a big pit three meters wide, then dig deeper."
Well digging is funnel-shaped, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, and then deepened.
The Luo father and son, strong martial artists, soon dug a three-meter-wide big pit and then continued to dig deeper, narrowing the size of the pit.
The girls and daughters-in-law of several families were responsible for transporting soil. Without containers, the dug-up soil was piled onto mats and several children carried the mats to remove the earth.
Other capable laborers rested nearby. It was unknown how long they would have to dig tonight, taking turns, otherwise, such heavy work could be fatal.
The Luo father and son were formidable, and in less than two hours, the father and son duo had dug a three-meter-deep mud pit.
Third Grandpa, seeing their pale faces from exhaustion, quickly called them up to rest and woke up Gu Dashan and Uncle Tian, letting them take over in the pit.
Gu Dashan and Uncle Tian, already eager, went down into the pit tied with ropes, continuing to dig.
Gu Jin'an and Uncle Tian's eldest son followed them down, putting the soil into woks and transporting it out of the pit.
After more than half an hour, the mud pit had deepened by another meter, and Gu Dashan and Uncle Tian, exhausted, collapsed and had to be lifted out.
Third Grandpa anxiously asked, "Is there water?"
Gu Dashan shook his head, "The bottom of the pit is muddy, but no water yet."
Third Grandpa frowned deeply and called out to Brothers Gu Dalin and Gu Damu, "You two go down and dig."
"Eh," Brothers Gu Dalin and Gu Damu responded, tying on the ropes and descending into the mud pit.
After Brothers Gu Dalin and Gu Damu were too exhausted to dig, Third Grandpa, Brother Gu Qingliang, and Brother Gu Qingtian took turns digging in the pit, and when they could not dig anymore, they switched...
The families took turns digging tirelessly for several hours without seeing water.
Gu Jinli, while helping to transport soil, anxiously awaited until, exhausted, she fell asleep, only to be awakened by a burst of cheers: "Water! We've hit water!"