12dz Chapter 450 Ancient Tomb
Chapter 450 Ancient Tomb
The two rode their bicycles along the country lanes, the spring breeze caressing their faces, a scene full of vitality.
Spring plowing has ended, and the rice seedlings are just beginning to grow, presenting a vibrant scene.
As Li Xiangyang rode to the village entrance, he saw a black sedan parked in the village square in the distance. The old Party Secretary was bowing respectfully as he saw several neatly dressed cadres into the car.
"Looks like the leaders have come to inspect," Wang Ergou said in a low voice.
The two slowed down and waited quietly a short distance away. Only after the leader's car started and left did they ride their bicycles into the village.
"Secretary Zhang, have the leaders come to inspect?" Li Xiangyang asked as he parked his car in front of Secretary Zhang.
Old Party Secretary Zhang wiped the sweat from his face and nodded: "That's right, officials from the county have come to inspect the site for the irrigation canal construction in our village. This is great news!"
The old man couldn't hide his joy; his eyes narrowed into slits. "Come on, let's go to my house. I'll tell you about this."
"Come, have some tea."
After entering, Old Party Secretary Zhang gestured for the two to have some tea before speaking, "This time, the county has decided to build a large irrigation canal between our village and several neighboring villages. It will store water during the rainy season and draw water down from the mountains for irrigation. This is a great thing!"
Li Xiangyang nodded: "That's indeed a great thing. However, our village is located on higher ground, so bringing in water won't be easy."
Old Party Secretary Zhang laughed heartily: "You know quite a bit, buddy! That's what the inspection team thought too, which is why the reservoir is being dug here."
"Goodness, does that mean we're the main force? When will construction start, old Party Secretary?" Wang Ergou asked curiously.
"Tomorrow!" Old Party Secretary Zhang slapped his thigh. "I called you two rascals here to remind you that you can't slack off on this..."
Just then, the village loudspeaker blared, and Zheng Dehou's booming voice echoed throughout the village: "Notice, notice! This afternoon at 3 PM, all male laborers aged 16 and above in the village are to attend a meeting at the brigade headquarters to discuss the irrigation canal project that begins tomorrow. Please be on time and do not be absent! I repeat..."
Old Party Secretary Zhang stood up with a smile: "Look, the announcement has begun. Did you all understand what I told you? You can go hunting anytime..."
Li Xiangyang nodded: "Don't worry, old Party Secretary, Er Gou and I will definitely give our full support."
After leaving Secretary Zhang's house, the two went home to prepare lunch.
When Li Xiaoyun saw Li Xiangyang return, she quickly came out from in front of the stove to greet him: "You're back? How did the public trial go?"
Li Xiangyang briefly recounted the public trial, then brought up the irrigation canal: "The canal construction starts tomorrow, and I need to go help."
Li Xiaoyun nodded: "The irrigation canal is a good thing, go ahead, you're always busy anyway. But don't overwork yourself."
Li Xiangyang smiled and patted her belly: "Okay. You should rest well at home."
At 3 p.m., Li Xiangyang arrived at the brigade headquarters on time.
The courtyard was already packed with people; almost all the male laborers in the village had arrived, and even many capable women had come.
Standing on the high platform, Zheng Dehou solemnly announced, "Comrades, the county has decided to build a large irrigation canal between our villages! This is a great thing for the country and the people! Starting tomorrow, our village will send two hundred workers, divided into four teams, to take turns working. I will lead the first team, the second team..."
Next, Zheng Dehou made detailed arrangements for the work team and shift system. Li Xiangyang was assigned to the first team and would start work tomorrow.
Wang Ergou was assigned to the second team and will start work the day after tomorrow.
After the meeting, Li Xiangyang and several villagers walked out of the brigade headquarters together.
"Xiangyang, this irrigation canal project is really big!" Li Daqiang said excitedly as he walked up to Li Xiangyang.
Li Xiangyang nodded with a smile: "Yes, if it's fixed, our village's harvest next year will definitely increase significantly."
"By the way, you're about to become a father. How do you feel watching your wife's belly grow bigger every day?" Li Daqiang asked curiously.
Li Xiangyang smiled gently: "I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just feel incredibly grounded and responsible."
"Hey kid!" Li Daqiang patted him on the shoulder. "Once Xiaofang and I get married, we need to have a baby soon."
After chatting for a few more minutes, the two went home to prepare their food and tools for the next day.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Li Xiangyang got up.
Li Xiaoyun also got up early to prepare dry food and a water bottle for him.
"Wear more clothes, it's chilly in the morning." Li Xiaoyun straightened his collar, her eyes full of concern.
Li Xiangyang smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, I'll be careful. You should rest well at home."
At the village entrance, the first team of laborers had already assembled. After counting the number of people, Zheng Dehou shouted loudly, "Let's go!"
The group marched toward the construction site in a large procession, each carrying a shovel or pickaxe on their shoulder, their faces beaming with enthusiasm and hope.
The construction site is located on the highest hill at the junction of several villages.
When they arrived, laborers from the other villages also arrived one after another. The teams from each village were neat and uniform, full of energy.
The engineer sent by the county stood on a high point, directing through a loudspeaker: "Everyone, stand in your assigned sections and dig according to the marked lines! One and a half meters deep, two meters wide!"
With a command given, hundreds of shovels were swung simultaneously, soil flying everywhere, and the irrigation canal project officially began.
Li Xiangyang found his assigned section, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work.
Years of hunting had given him superhuman strength, and he wielded the shovel with incredible speed and power.
"Wow, Li Xiangyang, you're digging way too fast!" exclaimed a villager nearby.
Li Xiangyang smiled, said nothing, and continued to work diligently.
Around noon, everyone sat around in the shade of a tree and ate their dry rations.
Li Xiangyang wiped the sweat from his forehead and opened the lunchbox that Li Xiaoyun had prepared for him.
Inside were two large steamed buns, several salted duck eggs, and a small dish of pickled vegetables.
"Brother Xiangyang, your wife is so good to you!" The young man next to him looked at Li Xiangyang's lunchbox with envy.
Li Xiangyang smiled and handed him half a salted duck egg: "When are you going to find a wife, kid? Then someone will cook delicious food for you."
After the break, everyone got back to work in the afternoon.
Just as Li Xiangyang dug to a hard layer of soil, the shovel hit something hard and made a "thud".
"What is this?" Li Xiangyang frowned and carefully scraped away the surrounding soil with a shovel.
Soon, a bluish-gray stone slab was revealed. Some faint engravings were visible on the slab.
"This looks like..." Li Xiangyang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly called out to the villagers nearby, "Everyone, stop for a moment, come and see what this is!"
Several villagers gathered around, chattering amongst themselves.
"Is this a stone slab?"
"It looks like there are words carved on it!"
"Could it be an ancient tomb?"
……