Ye Ge was still as relaxed as usual, “One learns in sequence, mastering each task as it comes. Big matters like digging a reservoir should be left to the professionals to plan and judge. I’m sure the adults already have their minds set on a plan, so Ye Ge won’t wield an axe at the gate of a woodworker.”
Wan Jian’an immediately burst into laughter: “Haha, Ye Ge really has a way with words, both praising me and saving effort at the same time. But you’re right, I do already have an idea.”
The village head immediately asked, “Oh? What idea do you have?”
Wan Jian’an immediately said: “Actually, the noble son’s general direction is correct. Build a sluice gate and divert the lake water. The problem is that we can’t directly take water from the lake as it could easily destroy the vegetation. Sunset Lake is not large, but if the lakeshore collapses, your Big Flat Village will be the one suffering.”
The village chief asked anxiously, “Then is there some other method?”
Wan Jian’an stated cryptically: “Well, I am thinking about testing you again. You, Big Flat Village, just want to build a reservoir to cope with the planting season. Your entire village only has several dozen households, so your water requirements aren’t large. Actually, Sunset Lake does have a water stream flowing to your village. That small stream next to the rice fields, you tell me, what should we do?”
Nan Feng suddenly understood: “Sir, you mean that we can leave Sunset Lake alone and just focus on that stream?”
“A teachable child indeed!” Wan Jian’an laughed as he complimented Nan Feng.
Nan Feng spoke again: “We can store the water from the stream during normal times, and only let it out when we need it in the fields.”
Wan Jian’an deliberately asked Nan Feng: “So how do you think we should store the water from the stream?”
Nan Feng replied without hesitation: “Build a small reservoir upstream of the stream, and when we need water, just open the sluice and the stream water will naturally flow into the fields.”
“Exactly, that’s it!” Wan Jian’an exclaimed passionately, giving Nan Feng multiple thumbs-up: “What a promising talent, promising indeed!”
Nan Feng modestly responded, “Come on, after you’ve explained everything so thoroughly, how could I not guess it?”
The village head and Mo Wenxuan were both shamed.
They had not made the same connection.
…
After returning from the mountain, Wan Jian’an still stayed at the village head’s house and started drawing blueprints.
As there was no need to disturb Sunset Lake, the reservoir project did not require much manpower or resources. As Nan Feng suggested, digging another small artificial lake downstream of Sunset Lake would do.
Once Wan Jian’an finished the blueprint, he returned to the county, professing to visit every few days. But before he left, he assigned different tasks to everyone.
The village head was in overall charge, managing labor allocation, and fund applications. Ye Ge was basically the contractor, deciding when the villagers digging the reservoir should start and finish their work each day.
Nan Feng was responsible for logistical support.
Mo Wenxuan, of course, handled the paperwork for the progress reports. Each advancement of the project had to be detailed in writing, then handed over to Lizheng in the township, who would forward it to Wan Jian’an.
Everyone had their own responsibilities, so they were all happy to get to work.
…
Nan Feng was in charge of logistics, which meant working with a group of women from the village to provide unlimited food supply to the sturdy men working on the mountain. Porridge, rice, and vegetables were cooked daily, then transported up the mountain on a small cart.
Fortunately, her job as the head of logistics was just passing along messages. The moment she discussed the task with Aunt Sima, Aunt Sima took it upon herself to get the job done without further ado.