"Clan Chief, what do you mean by that? We don’t understand what you’re talking about?" A woman said, looking at Clan Chief Lin with a difficult expression on her face.
If they’re unable to fetch water now, it would be like someone killing their parents, causing them to be furious to no end. If Lin Caisang really dares to do this, in the future she would make sure that Lin Caisang would never have a good life in Ya Village!
"I heard that little Molian left Sangsang? This talk comes from the mouths of you idle folks, doesn’t it?" Clan Chief Lin stopped beating around the bush and harshly questioned them.
Upon hearing Clan Chief Lin’s words, the villagers who constantly complained about Lin Caisang and wanted her to take away the wolves, all fell silent.
Indeed, among them, no one could identify a person who hadn’t spread such rumors.
"Even if we said such things, Lin Caisang can’t just cut off our water supply. Our crops rely heavily on that little bit of water." A man stood up, puffing his chest as he spoke to Clan Chief Lin.
"No matter how crucial your crops are, they only feed you for a year. But the idle chatter you’ve spread could potentially ruin Sangsang’s reputation for life. Between the two, which do you think is lighter, and which is heavier?"
Clan Chief Lin questioned them.
"Hmph, all of you ungrateful, heartless people. You use the water that Sangsang strained to save for you, yet you tarnish her reputation. Why should Sangsang supply water for you? In my opinion, the water should have ceased several days ago! Each household should be worried about their shortage of food, starving until you’re all too dizzy and weak to talk badly about other people!"
Facing the accusation from the Clan Chief, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to say a word.
"Clan Chief, we realize our mistake. We won’t speak ill of Sangsang again. Could you please speak to Sangsang for us? We absolutely must have water."
After a long while, a man finally spoke, timidly addressing Clan Chief Lin.
Clan Chief Lin let out a cold huff, his sharp eyes swept over everyone.
"It seems to me that you all are getting complacent because you think you’ll have plenty of grain and some money this year. How about this? I’ll talk to Sangsang, and starting tomorrow, each household will double their donation to two copper coins!"
Just then, he had calculated that the village needed a lot of repairs, and the small amount of money they were collecting now wouldn’t be enough.
Everyone was so shocked at Clan Chief Lin’s words, they were almost jumping out of their seats.
Two coins a day, that’s twice the previous rate. They couldn’t believe that because they were upset about needing money to fetch water from under Manghuang Mountain, they rashly spoke ill of someone, and thus ended up throwing even more of their own money into it.
This was basically taking their lives!
"What? You’re all not satisfied?" Clan Chief Lin raised an eyebrow, looking at them.
No one dared to say ’no’.
If they’re unwilling, then they’d have no water. Even if they’re unsatisfied, they’d have to be satisfied.
"We will follow the Clan Chief’s orders."
Clan Chief Lin nodded, dismissed everyone, and walked towards the Lin Family’s house.
When Clan Chief Lin arrived at the Lin Family’s house, he happened to see Lin Caisang pulling two long bamboo poles home. He was surprised and exclaimed, going forward to help her.
"Sangsang, why are you dragging such heavy bamboo poles alone? Where is your brother? Why isn’t he helping you?"