Chen Lan and Xu Mingxuan each supported the old woman, and the three of them followed the movement of the crowd, quickly reaching the place where the ox cart was parked. Er Zhuang and Xiang Xi saw the couple suddenly bring back an old woman and knew something must have happened. So they didn't ask any more questions. Er Zhuang lent a hand to take the large bag Chen Lan was carrying and put it on the ox cart. Xiang Xi also lent a hand to help the old woman onto the ox cart with Xu Mingxuan.
As soon as everyone was seated, Er Zhuang shouted, "Let's go." With that, he reached out and patted the ox's hindquarters, shouting, "Giddy up, giddy up," and drove the ox cart away.
After the ox cart had traveled some distance and was far from the crowd, Chen Lan asked, "Grandma, which village nearby is your home?"
The old woman immediately replied, "Daughter, thank you so much. Not only did you give me so much grain, but you're also taking the trouble to send me home. My home is in Honghua Ling, not far from here."
Upon hearing the old woman mention Honghua Ling, Xu Mingxuan immediately showed great respect and said, "Grandma, I know Honghua Ling. The Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army was stationed in the Honghua Ling area back then."
Then, Xu Mingxuan began to tell the people on the ox cart about the heroic deeds of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army. With a somber tone and a heavy heart, he said in a low voice, "Back then, the comrades of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, together with the local masses of Honghua Ling, united as one, military and civilian alike, and persisted in a bitter struggle and engagement with the enemy for fourteen years before finally achieving victory. In the brutal struggle, most of the founders and leaders of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army were killed. This is unprecedented in the history of any army in the world, and no army has ever been as brave and fearless as the comrades of the United Army. From the commander-in-chief to the ordinary soldiers, they faced the threat of starvation, freezing to death, and death in battle every moment. However, under such harsh conditions, our United Army soldiers did not surrender, did not retreat, and even created miracles by annihilating large numbers of enemies and pinning down many enemy forces. They made immense contributions to the liberation of our country."
Xu Mingxuan paused to adjust his somewhat agitated emotions and continued, "Grandma, the reason why the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army was able to persist in the bitter struggle and engagement with the enemy for fourteen years was because of the support and selfless assistance of the vast number of local people. As an old soldier of the United Army once said: (Without the local people, let alone defeating the enemy, the United Army would have had difficulty surviving even without food). Grandma, you and all the elders and villagers of Honghua Ling are unsung heroes. You have all made great contributions to the liberation of our country and deserve the respect of us descendants."
After hearing Xu Mingxuan's words, the old woman waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "No, no, we haven't done anything. It's just that every household agreed to eat a little less each day, and the little grain saved was given to the United Army soldiers. This is a small matter, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."
Chen Lan was deeply moved by the old woman's simple and unpretentious words, thinking, what a good old woman! What selfless people of Honghua Ling! At the same time, she made a silent vow in her heart that no matter what, she would help the people of Honghua Ling this time. She hoped that heaven would be kind and the butterfly effect of transmigration would be even greater, allowing her to help Honghua Ling drill a well or two with water, at least so they would have water to drink and wouldn't have to leave their homes to escape famine.
With this thought, Chen Lan unconsciously clasped her hands together and bowed twice to the sky with great sincerity.
Xiang Xi looked at Chen Lan's actions and asked in surprise, "Little Lan Zi, what are you doing? I didn't expect you to believe in this?"
Chen Lan immediately replied, "It's not about believing or not believing! I just know that sincerity works. Little Watermelon, I'll need your help with something important later."
Xiang Xi patted his not-so-thick chest and promised, "Little Lan Zi, what do you want me to do? Just tell me, and I'll do my best. What kind of relationship do we have? Don't be so formal with me."
Chen Lan then smiled and said, "Little Watermelon, then it's a deal. When we get to Honghua Ling later, I'll check their geographical location first."
Hearing Chen Lan say this, Xiang Xi couldn't help but feel a little curious, so he asked in a low, curious voice, "Little Lan Zi, can you give your brother a little hint? What exactly are you planning to do in Honghua Ling?"
Xiang Xi's question was heard by everyone. Although his voice was not very loud, they were all sitting in a cramped ox cart, so Xu Mingxuan and the old woman both looked at her, waiting for Chen Lan's answer.
Chen Lan glared at the troublemaker Xiang Xi and asked with a smile, "Grandma, does your village of Honghua Ling have a well?"
The old woman replied with a smile, "Yes, there is a large well in the village. The elders say that this well is over a hundred years old. We all live in the mountains, and without well water, people living in the mountains cannot survive."
Chen Lan's heart was overjoyed to hear the old woman's words. It was good that there was a well, which saved a lot of trouble. So she continued to ask, "Grandma, it hasn't rained all year. Is there still water in your village well?"
Upon hearing Chen Lan's question about the well water, the old woman couldn't help but sigh and said, "Daughter, to be honest with you, there is water in the well, but the water level has dropped significantly. The elders in the village are worried that if the drought continues like this, the well water will run dry. So now it is stipulated that each household can only draw one large bucket of water per day, so that everyone can use it sparingly. Alas! I don't know when this drought will end? Will we really have to flee from famine?"
Chen Lan thought for a moment and then asked, "Grandma, how many households are there in your Honghua Ling village now?"
The old woman sighed again and replied, "We've fought wars for so many years, and although it's been liberated for so many years, we live in a mountain ravine. We are poor! Now there are only a little over twenty households left living there. It's the elders who are reluctant to leave their homeland, bringing their children and grandchildren to stay."
Chen Lan felt even more confident after hearing the old woman's words. So she pointed at Xiang Xi and introduced, "Grandma, this young man sitting in front of you is a very skilled well-drilling master. Don't let his youth fool you; his well-drilling skills are very famous where we come from. I've never seen anyone with such good craftsmanship. He's here today, so let him take a good look at your village's well later and see what's causing the water level to drop."
Hearing Chen Lan say this, Xiang Xi was about to retort. Chen Lan, being prepared, quickly stuffed a corn bun into his mouth, blocking his words and making him glare at her in anger.